Community Spirit

Creating community spirit is easier than creating the conflict many HOA boards seem to be so good at creating.  All it takes is to change focus from ourselves to helping others. 

Creating goals and challenging residents and owners to achieve as a group creates teamwork.  Something as simple as a annual or semi-annual food drive, toy drive, household item drive, putting up Christmas lights on all the homes with a theme, or even collecting money to donate to a cause.  If the goal is achieved a party to celebrate achieving the goal is well deserved. 

Giving people the sense of accomplishment by achieving a goal, and helping others brings people together like nothing else.  Making it a community tradition is something the community can be proud of. 

Missing the Big Picture

The video below is an example of how people tend to miss the big picture.  For instance when deciding on something like paint colors board members and committee members will use a single home as an example.  They get tunnel vision if you will and don't look at the big picture.  Some may even be intimidated by the project and refuse to look at the entire community.  Resulting in colors that look good on some homes but not others.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and that Santa Brings Everything You Wished For



 

 

Community Relations Director

HOA BoD are supposed represent the majority of the ownership.  If we only lived in a perfect world.  Since we don't, we all know that what is really represented is only about 5 to 10%.  Which is why there should be a non-voting position entitled Community Relations Director or Homeowner Advocate on the board. 

Reduce Board Meeting Drama

We've all heard and seen the videos showing people getting out of control at board meetings.  Reducing it doesn't mean hiring an off duty police officer who is not a member of the association to serve as a bouncer.  It actually starts before the meeting ever gets started. 

Board members have busy lives in most cases.  They work, have families, & have obligations to fulfill, just like everyone else does.  Anyone with kids knows there isn't enough hours in the day already without adding last minute HOA business to it. 

Top Five Ways to Protect Association Assets

1.  Auditing the books yearly is one of the first steps to protecting against theft.  A full audit is a deterrent.  A summary audit is basically just a re-writing of the financials and is not a deterrent of any kind.  A full audit is not a forensic audit which is used when a full audit discovers that something is wrong.  Full audits protect against current threats and future threats. 

2.  Maintain an emergency fund.  Keeping an amount equal to the insurance deductible plus one half to one months of dues in an account named "Reserve Account Emergency and Insurance Deductible Fund" keeps the money separate and labeled for a specific purpose.  This safeguards against special assessments and prevents making insurance claims without ownership knowledge.  This will keep rates low and raise confidence in the financial health of the community. 

3.  Landscape lighting not only protects against trip and fall claims but also protects plants during freezing temperatures.  This is important since landscaping is also an association asset. 

4.  Write into all contracts that vendors are to provide the board with a country wide background check for all employees who work in the field and anyone who will work with association funds.  People who commit crimes aren't always prosecuted by the company when it is discovered.  Many of them just fire them to prevent it from coming public and escape liability.  When this happens the offender just moves out of state which is why a country wide background check is needed.  Also a Dunn & Bradstreet Report on the business its self tells you if the company is a legitimate business.  Websites can lie about years in business but a D&B does not.  Licenses and insurance documents can be forged so know who your doing business with and who they employee.  This includes management companies and managers even if they are contractors for the management company.  You never know who you are doing business with.  Criminals are charming, smooth, crafty, appear trustworthy, educated, smart people who you never would suspect.

5.  Supervise vendors on site.  Supervising entails more than making sure they are doing their work or doing it right.  It also is a means of making sure one doesn't wonder off.  Vests and other identifying clothing can be removed preventing owners from knowing that they work for a vendor.  So, uniforms aren't a fail safe if someone breaks into a home during the day.  When a group of people are working it is easy for one to slip away without anyone noticing.  If they are supervised it's not so easy. 

Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. 

Wishing you and yours a

Peaceful & Happy Holiday Season! 

Waste Not Want Not

To all Self Serving Board Members,
Managment Companies & Vendors

Sometimes it amazes me just how lazy people are and the things companies (management companies specifically but it goes for all companies) will do to rack up the charges. 

Quotes of the Day

We in America do not have a government by the majority, We have a government by the majority who participate.



--Thomas Jefferson



For every person digging at the root of a problem, there's a hundred hacking at the leaves.



--??  not sure but it wasn't me.

Top Five HOA Improvements *Updated*

Here are my top five changes to improve HOA's visual appearance.

1.  Hide utility boxes with plants.  If it cannot be done so that it flows with the design then use faux rocks made for disguising utility boxes. 

2.  Install decorative street lighting.  Replace those ugly street lights with shorter more decorative poles that use covers or lights that will produce a white light, and direct the light down.  Using white lights will reflect the true color of objects where amber colored lights do not.  If the city services your street lights you can see them for information, pricing, and pole selection.  Also make sure that the street lights will light up the sidewalks, driveways, and yards of all the homes even if the homeowner does not have the front porch lights on.  Street lights are a safety measure as such there should not be any places where someone could hide in the darkness when homeowners turn off their porch lights.

3.   Locate and test soil in areas where summer grass will not grow no matter what you do.  Then test it for fungus by send it for independent testing.  Test each and every spot do not just test some yards. Then fix it how ever the lab tells you to (not the landscapers).

4.  Try installing a grass that stays green year round.  Yes, hybrid grasses will stay green in the summer and winter in the valley.  It costs a bit more but cuts headaches in half and could be cheaper in the long run. 

5.  Replace missing shrubs with same sized and kind.  Or replace them all but don't leave holes or wait for the shrub to fill in.  It just looks ugly for way to long.  Some shrubs may never get to be the same size. 

The board has to maintain the community in like new condition or better.

Political Figure Admitts to Role in Nevada's HOA Construction Fraud

Here is a little background on the first person to cop a plea in the Nevada HOA Construction Fraud scheme, Steve Wark.


Behind the scenes, Wark was effective grass-roots operative - News - ReviewJournal.com

Nevada HOA Fraud Releases More Details

This may very well may be a scheme that extends beyond Nevada's state lines.



Prosecutors place another piece in construction defects puzzle - News - ReviewJournal.com

HOA Fraud Scheme Update

The link below is an update on the HOA elaborate fraud scheme that started in 2003 and lasted until 2009 in Vegas. I'm not real sure how the banks were defrauded. Did these "straw buyers" default on the loans? They lied to the banks maybe, but when the banks were handing out money to anyone who can sign their name on the dotted line and forging applications themselves. Plus, it's not like they banks were gonna deny the loan had these "straw buyers" told the truth anyway. Meaning the only people who were defrauded was the association.

When you've got one lawyer making 100 million dollars from HOA construction defect suits. These communities may be better off filing a civil suit against everyone of the people involved. The "straw buyers", lawyers, police, construction companies, management companies, managers, all of them. There is more than on way to skin a cat.


HOA scheme victims say plea deals ignore them - News - ReviewJournal.com

What is a Conflict of Interest?

With the recent scheme involving property managers, construction companies, HOA board members from several communities, lawyers, etc.  It was a good time to define just what a conflict of interest is and some examples of situations.  Because management companies have to disclose conflicts or potential conflicts to the associations yearly it's something the board should expect to get at the first meeting of the board.  As an owner who makes up a portion of the entire association you also have a right to know of any conflicts board members have or anyone who is trusted to act in the communities best interest.  If you think that a conflict exists seek legal advice. 

My suggestion to any HOA is to retain independent legal counsel for the association so, the board has direct access to the attorney.  For obvious reasons before the attorney is contacted it should be documented by a vote of the board specifying who will contact the attorney.  The most important thing is to retain the attorney by paying a retainer fee. 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST


Q.

Please define "conflict of interest."

A.

A conflict of interest exists where an individual's duty to one party leads to the disregard of a duty to another. It exists when an outside influence affects a person's ability to make an independent, unimpeded, objective decision or when a person owes duties to separate parties with conflicting interests.

Whether or not a conflict of interest exists depends on the facts of a particular situation which must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

KICKBACK?

Q.

The management company for our homeowners association has a website with links to various vendors that they use for various management clients. The vendors are required to pay the management company a fairly substantial fee in order to be listed. Is this a disguised form of kickback?

A.

Possibly. Without knowing the amount of money involved it is difficult to determine if the fee is reasonable given the cost of service provided or whether it's a means for the management company to generate income as a result of providing business to the vendors. In any event, at the minimum it creates the appearance of a conflict and, in my opinion, is evidence of poor judgment.

SUE YOUR MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Q.

We recently learned that the management company for our homeowners association owns a construction and maintenance company that they have utilized to provide services to our association. The management company did not disclose this relationship. The construction company completed a large renovation project exceeding $500,000 only few months ago and we're certain they made a significant profit. Can we sue them?

A.

Yes. You can sue them for breaching their fiduciary duty as your association's agent and for unfair business practices. In such a suit, your association would normally ask the court to require the defendant to reimburse all profits they made plus all legal fees and costs incurred. You should consult with an attorney immediately to protect your rights.


CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Q.

Our management company has been using the husband of an employee to provide maintenance services to our association for several years. We just learned of the relationship because it was not previously disclosed to us. Is this a conflict of interest for the management company?

A.

Absolutely. Whenever a management company uses a related party to provide services, it must be disclosed in writing, in advance. This type of conduct does not reflect positively on the management company to say the least.


CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH LAW FIRM

Q.

Our homeowner association needed a referral to a law firm that would represent us on a contingency basis. Our management company made a referral and our board of directors subsequently signed an agreement with the law firm that was referred to us. The retainer agreement called for the law firm to receive 40% and the management company to receive 10%. The management company was required to provide some minor administrative assistance to the law firm. The case settled for millions of dollars and consequently the management company was paid several hundred thousand dollars for less than $2,000 worth of services! The members were never informed of the arrangement. As a member of the association, I am very concerned about this situation. What do you suggest?

A.

You should be concerned about your board, the law firm representing your association and your management company. The situation you described calls for a confidential consultation.

LEGAL ADVICE

Q.

The management company for our homeowner association is constantly calling an attorney for advice of a general nature. Our association is being billed for the advice, which is very expensive. Is this to be expected and what advice can you offer?

A.

Management companies should not have their association clients billed for general legal advice.

General legal advice should be paid for by the management company, if required. Specific legal advice that addresses a unique set of facts, concerning an association, should be billed to the association.

Many management companies retain attorneys for a flat monthly fee at their cost, to answer general legal questions. Other management companies have in-house legal counsel to provide the same service. Since legal fees can be one of an association's largest expenses, it makes sense to explore all of your options by comparing the services available.

LAW FIRM WON'T SUE MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Q.

The management company for our townhome association gave our board of directors some very bad advice which resulted in our association losing several thousand dollars. Our association law firm refuses to get involved in a suit against the management company. Our board is finding it difficult to find an association law firm that will sue any management company. Is this common?

A.

Yes. Most association law firms get the vast majority of their business from management companies and thus, most of these law firms refuse to represent associations against management companies. Your board should continue to interview association law firms. If they are diligent, they will find a competent firm.

NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Q.

The attorney that represents our homeowner association owns an interest in our association's management company. Is this a conflict of interest?

A.

No. The fact that your attorney owns an interest in your management company is not a conflict of interest. However, your attorney has the obligation to advise your board that he or she has such an interest. In addition, should a conflict or potential conflict ever arise between the attorney's representation of your association and the interests of the management company, he or she would be required to advise you of such a conflict or potential conflict. In the event of an actual conflict, the attorney would be required to advise your association to seek other legal counsel. In the event of a potential conflict, the attorney would be required to advise you to seek other legal counsel or explain under what circumstances a potential conflict can be waived.

Permission to reprint our HOA Questions and Answers is granted provided Michael T. Chulak & Associates (MTCLaw.com) is credited as the source.

Happy Turkey Day

Gobble Gobble

Skills Needed to be an Effective Board Member

Although you don't have to have any knowledge or experience to serve on an HOA board.  It is obvious by the number of articles written by lawyers, property managers, and various organizations there is a need for certain skills.  After all owners are going to be frustrated and maybe not so nice after holding in something they are unhappy about for 2 to  3 weeks waiting on the monthly meeting.  It's something we can all relate to and don't want to escalate the feelings.

Board Candidate Form

This is a candidate profile form to be sent to the membership to allow those who want to run for board member positions to complete to have their name placed on the ballot. This profile will be attached to 2012 Board Member Election Ballot & sent to the entire ownership. Otherwise only those who attend the annual meeting will know your a candidate thus taking away the opportunity to vote for you from those not in attendance. Anyone who is elected and not on the ballot will still have to fill this form out and it will be sent to the membership. Making it easier and more cost effective to the community for all the information to be sent to out at one time. Every owner in the community has a right to know who is on the board and to be informed of any conflicts. By disclosing all potential conflicts that may exist before the elections or that may occur in the future may prevent any accusations of fraud resulting from those conflicts.


Candidate Name______________________________ Lot or unit #________________


Owner Since _________ Full or Part-time resident________ Months in town J F M A M J J A S O N D


Have you ever served on this or any other HOA Board______________


Number of terms___________ Positions Held ______________________________


Are you able to spend the hours nessasary to educate yourself to make informed decisions in the best interest in the community?________


What do you hope to achieve if elected to the board of directors?_________________________________________________


Employer _______________________________ if retired just write Retired


What kind of company is it? (construction new homes, construction residental, real estate, law firm (kind of law firm), consumer goods, residential service company, etc.) etc.)_______________________________________________________

List skills and experience (recent) that you feel that the community can benefit from?



What areas do you see that the board is lacking focus?_______________________


Have you read every page of the governing documents?_________


Do you believe that the board can do and spend whatever money it wants at any time and for any reason? Why or why not




Do you think board members are relying on electronic forms of communication too much?

Do you think that board members should be more active in the community and not just at board meeting?

Should the board be doing more to find out what the majority of the entire ownership wants the board to focus on for the year?

The following questions pertain to interest held other than stocks held as an employee or 401K. If you are married please indicate if the interest held is held jointly or by a spouse.


Do you hold any interest or investment held in any company that you do not work for? If so, list the names of each company and type?___________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________


Please name any company that you or your spouse hold the a controling interest in?_________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Are you a member of a trust with any type of investment be it stocks and or bonds, etc. in a business?________ If so, are you the trustee for the trust?________________


Co. name & type of comapany_________________________________________

Does the investment give you or the trustee of the trust if ownership is held by the trust the ability or authority to make decision for the company?________________

Do you hold any affiliation with any business or corporation? Please list all affiliations and short description of each.

1.

2.

3.

4.




Candidate Signature________________________________________ Date____________________

Feds Investigate HOA Fraud! Yippie

I'm so glad to see this kind of thing is being addressed by federal prosecutors. It will make board members finally think twice about using just whatever vendor the property management company has on a list. Or about using companies that managers hold ownership in or is an affiliate of like an attorney that they have no direct contact with or have paid a retainer for services.

The following links is an HOA fraud case in Vegas that has thus far has 10 taking a plea & is only the tip of the iceberg. They don't define a "straw buyer" until the 9th person agrees to a plea deal, so I thought I'd give you a heads up. A straw buyer is when the a buyer is sponsored to buy a home in a specific HOA. It sounds like the sponsors paid for the house and the "straw buyers" bills too.


Las Vegas man 2nd to take plea deal in HOA fraud case - My News 3 - KSNV, Las Vegas, NV

http://www.mynews3.com/content/news/story/Woman-takes-plea-deal-in-Las-Vegas-HOA-fraud-case/bgijo-zWdEy-Mxnu4cXX2A.cspx

http://www.mynews3.com/content/news/story/HOA-fraud-probe-nets-guilty-plea-from-4th-Vegas/kOcxLugtn0K_rtUnTAi8nw.cspx

http://www.mynews3.com/content/news/story/Woman-takes-plea-deal-in-Las-Vegas-HOA-fraud-case/bgijo-zWdEy-Mxnu4cXX2A.cspx

http://www.mynews3.com/content/news/story/7th-person-takes-plea-deal-in-Vegas-HOA-fraud-case/3taLOLB_jUWVVaSj_rOmNQ.cspx

http://www.mynews3.com/content/news/state/story/Lawyer-takes-plea-in-Vegas-area-HOA-fraud-probe/LuFRw8_SJ0mGZAF-LL2yaA.cspx

http://www.mynews3.com/content/news/state/story/Former-HOA-board-member-takes-plea-in-Vegas-case/QKKlcOVOkkG5NC1TzllUYw.cspx

http://www.mynews3.com/content/programming/local/nevadanewsmakers/story/Vegas-property-chief-takes-plea-in-HOA-fraud-case/3NxmwJyKXUiTq0LFo1ilWA.cspx

http://www.mynews3.com/content/news/story/Vegas-attorney-involved-in-HOA-fraud-found-beaten/mhNhaJ0jBEymy2zNeYPcQg.cspx

Accountability - What Happened to It?

Every once in a while I come across something that is not HOA related but that I feel the need to share. This is one of those things. Between the discovering homes prices in my community have fallen on average 35% for homes that were bought in 2005 to 2007 then sold 2010 and 2011. Then to have the HOA board more concerned with redesigning land owned by the city but maintained by the HOA and located outside the community. Instead of doing things to improve the common area directly in front of the homes to help increase the values. In my opinion this kind of waste should be punishable. But, for some reason the law has protected board members as if they were politicians or Wall Street.

It is what makes this bit of information a real victory for everyone.

Project Propsal and Committee Instructions

Project Proposal Form

Project Name                                            Location :                                                           


Submitted By:                                            Lot #:                    


Phone Number:                                         Address:                                                                        

Email:                                                       Submission Date: /           /           /                   

Summary of Project

Project Objective




Overall Benefits of Project



Steps to Completion - For example removing grass, digging holes to be filled with cement, stacking concrete blocks to create wall, etc. just general work involved.






Time Frame Estimate/Schedule




Responsibilities for Implementation




Description of Project Budget Estimate



Sources of Information




Print Name:                                                     Position / Lot #:                                                


Signature:                                                             Date:                                                            

For Board Use

Assembling a committee of no less than 5 owners to research project _____________     


Project not desired at this time for the following _________________________________________.

Board Signatures (at least 3)

1.                                                    Position                                

          2.                                                    Position                                         

     3.                                                    Position                                    

Committee Instructions

Provide answers to questions on page 2.  Schedule for reporting can be added to keep things timely and get project completed within the current year if approved.


The committee shall meet no less than once a week to discuss and prepare to present and answer questions at the monthly board meeting.  The first committee report will be presented at the next board meeting.  Using the information submitted in the project proposal and any directives from the ownership to complete the project details below.  The first report from the committee will contain ideas for designs, options available, suggestions from contractors, and the pros and cons of each design, and the versatility of each.

The second report will be provided at the board meeting 2 months from now and shall contain detailed information pertaining to constructions, modifications to the landscaping, sprinklers, etc. as well as any problems that could come up, and any effect on the owners during the project.  This shall answer questions 1-3 in detail for each design suggested.


The third presentation will be presented 3 months from now and will contain specific details on each of at least 3 designs.  The remaining quesitons from below shall be answered and presented.

The forth presentation the committee shall present the board with the project details completed as a committee for each design including photos, bids, diagrams (as best as you can do), and supporting information. 

Once reviewed the fifth meeting the board will make it's decision either approving it one, denying it, or kick it back for more questions or changes.  If approved the board shall sign the proposal and the committee can award the job the next day. 

If kicked back the finals decision will be made at the sixth and final presentation by the committee.  Once approved and project completed the committee will cease to exist. 

Project Details

Will this project cause any inconvience to the ownership in any way? 




Will the project require changes to or modification of the sprinkler system, landscaping, planters, plant location, the land, etc.? How?




 
Can the finished product be easily and inexpensively changed or have multiple uses?





 
 
Please detail out the approx. costs involved for plants, parts, labor, grass, paint and color, materials (kind), etc. that the project would require?






What is the manufacturers warranty on all componets used?


What are the terms of contractors warranty?






What is the required maintenance to keep all warranties valid?












What is the estimated cost for every maintenance occurance and yearly total?












If this project is intended to reduce expenses, please state which expense and gallons used, KWH, etc. multiplied by the current rate to get the savings per month and per year? Gallons, KWH, or units used and estimated savings should be for only the area where the project will take place not the entire community or all common areas or zone.











How much is spent on the expense per owner monthly and yearly?










How many years will it take for the estimated yearly savings minus the yearly maintenance costs to equal the total cost of the project?










Committee Comments







Submitted by ______________________ Committee Members with attached photos, drawings, bids, and research materials.

 Signatures of Committee Members & Lot Numbers

1.                                                              6.


2.                                                              7.


3.                                                              8.


4.                                                              9.


5.                                                              10.

For Board Use

Send back to committee for changes, additional bids, more research, or other reason. Please explain in detail and provide detailed committee instructions.






Approved no conditions _______ Approval pending conditions ________ Denied_________

Please explain or satisfy conditions listed then resubmit:






Board Member Signature

Signature:                                            Position:                                  

Signature:                                             Position:                                       

Signature:                                            Position:                                          
Minimum of three board members must sign for approval to be valid.

Measuring Success & How to Achieve It

Unlike every other organization doing business a non-profit condo. HOA does not measure success by the amount of profit/surplus/bottom line at the end of the year. For a non-profit condo. HOA the goal is to be flat at the end of the year. Depending on how your financials are set-up the amount left at the end of the year should equal the amount of contributions or zero.

HOA Management Fees: Beware These Questionable Fees; How Your Association Can Address Them

It's even worse when the board signs a contract that agrees to be charged on a per letter or envelope or check or per copy fee. This article tells exactly what to look for because some of these fees are only seen by the homeowner and not the board. HOA Management Fees: Beware These Questionable Fees; How Your Association Can Address Them

Contributions to Reserve Fund

Contributions to the association reserve fund are funds derived from the current years income or dues only.  Money transfered into the reserves that came from closed accounts or mature CDs are not contributions and thus cannot be counted as such.  Money transfered from funds left over from previous years are not contributions either they are repayments of money not contributed or are just transfers into the fund.

Every person who holds title to a condo needs to be aware of this.  If your annual financials do not show contributions as an expense you will need to calculate it.  Take the reserve balance from the previous years balance sheet and subtract it from the most current balance sheet reserve balance.  The difference is the net contribution after reserve expenses.  Take that number and the most current balance sheet and subtract it from the amount of surplus shown under owners equity.  This will tell you how much the checking account has increased.  To verify this take the most current balance sheet and subtract the checking balance from the checking balance on the previous years balance sheet.  The two should match.  Here is an example.

                                            2009                      2008                      Difference
Checking balance of         47,761.14                22,308.08               30,111.77
Reserve Balance             144,834.16              107,107.19              33,068.28
2009 Surplus on Balance Sheet                                                     $63,180.03

The reason for the surplus to be so large is that the contributions on the income statement does not include contributions deriving from the 2009 dues collected.  Therefore, the surplus shown on the balance sheet includes both the contributions and the amount of dues that were not used to pay expenses. 

Because the $30,111.77 there is not any large sums of money owed the association from a suit or any accounts this far past due and only a compilation audit is completed which will not reveal any vendor over-payments or charges.  This money is unspent dues period. 

Arizona state law 33-1254 says that any surplus money left from the current year dues is to be refunded to the owners or credited to their accounts to offset dues.  This means anyone who owned a home in the community for any length of time in 2009 is owed a partial or full refund of the over paid dues. 
Condos are personal property and cannot legally be held for investment purposes.  Any surplus money not spent is a profit causing an investment to be created into the HOA.

This means that every person who held title to a home in Indian Bend Village Inc. a non-profit aka Suntree is owed $14.42 per month for part year owners or $173.05 for full year owners.  If this money is not refunded not only does it violate state law but it also violates the declaration. 

Surplus money cannot be used for whatever the board wants to spend it on.     Spending money on the common area other than the common area in front of the homes has no benefits.  The amount of money spent on major redesign projects will be so insignificant that it isn't worth mentioning.  If landscaping returns 15% then a 173.05 per owner project would could only get a return of 25.00.  Spending 173.05 to get 25.00 makes no financial sense at all!


Every owner of a condo in Ariozna should be aware how to determine the surplus dues and that it is legally required to be refunded.

Audits Are Not A Witch Hunt

I'm amazed at the number of HOA boards that are scared to have a full audit.  Full audits are not a witch hunt nor are they intended to cause finger pointing within the community or management.  The intent behind them is to find errors. 
 

Increasing Interest and Desire

I recently read that mature trees can increase home values up to 7% on average.  It really kinda upsets me to read or hear people say this because it isn't completely accurate.  Here's why.

HOA Relents, Gives Disabled Vet New Handicapped Parking Space - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver

Who advised this board? I think it may be time to fire the management company and their attorney.

HOA Relents, Gives Disabled Vet New Handicapped Parking Space - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver

Disabled Vet Battles HOA Over Handicap Parking Space - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver

It really just doesn't get much worse than this. I think this board may be the lowest common denominator. Learn from others.


Disabled Vet Battles HOA Over Handicap Parking Space - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver

Maintenance Schedule

I tried to post this as a form that could be edited but was unable.  But, I was able to do it as a picture.  If you know how to convert it to a document it should convert perfectly as a .doc, .pdf, or open office document.  Edit this form anyway needed to fit your needs.    

Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck

My experience has been that board members approve bids based on price only.  Making decisions in this manner shows how little respect they have for the other owners. Value has yet to be considered in the discussion process when determining how board members vote.  Questions usually asked to determine value like; the company's reputation, designations earned, experience, warranty, maintenance requirements, or even cost of maintenance are never asked!  It's really very shocking to say the least.

  It's just basically reading the bids aloud then a vote.  Do they manage their own money this way or just the association funds?  Determining if something is a good value can be different for everyone and situation.  Some may think that versatility to ease of changing with the trends cheaply is more valuable than something elaborate that costs less.  Versatility equals lower maintenance costs, and thus costs less in the long run.  Where as something elaborate may cost less upon install will cost more over the long run, but both items should be build to last regardless of which is chosen.  For the HOA value has to include; versatility, total costs over the life of the item, warranty, company's reputation, quality, etc.  All of these characteristics at the very least must be considered to determine value, but more often than not are not considered.     

Marketing - Whose Responsible For Doing It?

To answer the question you first have to ask yourself this question.

1.  Does our HOA Association own a golf course, retail space, offer any kind of club facilities that require membership, who can be a member of it, or other means of generating revenue from the public?

Landscape Conversions Are they Worth It?

It's hard to not get angry at board members for doing landscape conversion because it doesn't make any sense.  Landscapers make out like a bandit and the community is left holding the bag.  I know, I've been told by landscape companies that we should convert some of the common area to desert landscape.  The never tell you why it should be done. 

Can Anyone Answer This Question?

More and more I'm seeing shrubs shaped like mushrooms.  It's not like it's a young shrub that is being trained into a tree that is just in transition.  These are old shrubs and very very large evergreen shrubs being shaped like mushrooms.

Are they trying to send a message that they want to nuke their yard out of frustration?  Are they supporting nuclear war?  Is it representing psychedelic mushrooms or what?

The first thing you see when you drive into a community or anywhere for that matter is the landscaping.  The shape of the plants and trees direct your eyes to look at whatever the focal point is.  If the any of the plants are shaped like a mushroom my eyes stay focused on that and that only.  Which means I'm looking down at the ground or looking straight up and nothing else exists from then on.  All I will remember is, that place with the mushroom shaped plants. 

Why do you think they shape them like mushrooms?  It's an odd way to be remembered.

Something Funny I Have to Share

I read the funniest thing in an article written by Sami Becker.  She has an article called Sami's Smackdown.  In this one she explains how she loves to sit and read her e-mails while enjoying her first cup of Joe every morning.  So, this month she shared some of them with us and I had to share them too.

These are the best typos I've seen in a long long time.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I did. 

Rules to Live By

Rules every community board member and officer should live by.

1.  Keep it simple.  It's easy to complicate things.  It's the genius that keeps things simple.

2.  Use forms to make decision making easy.

Lighting

Something most community board members don't think about is lighting.  Something as simple as landscape lighting can make a seemingly drab unexciting or simple landscape just pop.  Adding lighting is one of the easiest ways to create interest without costing a huge amount of money. 

Payment Options

We hear it in commercials how using electronic transactions is easier than paying with checks.  How you can save time by having your account drafted every month.  And how you can use Bill Pay via your bank and send payments for monthly bills.  All of these methods are said to make our lives easier somehow.  It isn't our lives they are trying to make easier, it is their own!

People don't seem to understand how all this electronic banking works.  There are positives and negatives to all of it.  But, here's the skinny of it all.

Why Gypsum Should Not Be Used on Soil

 

GYPSUMIn its monoclinic form

If you have clay soil, you've noticed that it's hard and doesn't accept water easily.  The reason for this is because clay can contain lime and gypsum.  But, what is gypsum?  Mined gypsum in it monoclinic state is crystallized.  When gypsum is manufactured into a massive or foliated form is green, yellow, or black based on impurities. Manufactured gypsum is a product of the action of sulfuric acid on calcium containing minerals.  It exists in clay as a result of the action of sulfuric acid on limestone. 

Artificial gypsum is a result manufacturing phosphoric acid once the phosphoric rock which contains tri-calcium phosphate is treated with sulfuric acid.  It's compacted into blocks and wall board or gypsum board and used to construct non-supporting walls.  New homes contain up to 7 metric tons of gypsum.  When gypsum is heated to 242 degrees it losses it's water and becomes Plaster of Paris.  When water is added to Plaster of Paris it dries into a hard solid piece of gypsum.  This form of plaster is desired because of it's ability to swell and seal joints.

Uncalcined (unheated) gypsum is used to fertilize arid, alkaline soil is also used to retard Portland Cement.   This kind of gypsum is uncalcined gypsum is called "Land Plaster".

If irrigating the soil is proving to be difficult it could be because your soil falls into one or both of theses classifications.  Aridsols soils occur in dry regions and are low in organic material, leaching will be insufficient to remove soluble materials such as lime, gypsum, and salt.  The World Reference Base for Soil Resources, "Gypsisols are characterized by a subsurface layer of gypsum (a hydrated calcium sulfate) accumulated by the precipitation of calcium and sulfate from downward percolating waters in the soil profile."   Encyclopedia Britannica   This type of soil requires intensive irrigation management.    

To see a photograph of what Gypsisols look like in the US use the link below.
 http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/19555/Gypsisol-soil-profile-from-the-United-States-showing-a-white

Using gypsum will only make everything worse not better.  So, why would we add gypsum or sulfur to the hard clay soil in an Arid region when the goal is to remove it from the root zone?  Where we have been listening to our landscapers they have been telling us to use something that will ultimately cause our soil to become as hard as plaster!  Why would they do this?

First determine if you have a large gypsum deposit in the soil's subgrade.  If so, cash in on it if you can otherwise it's time to amend your soil.  If the problem is large amounts of gypsum you need to dig to the bottom of the deposit and amend the soil.  This could mean digging several feet down before adding amendments so the soil will drain and can be leeched later. 
For clay soil you need to add the organic matter back to the soil, NOT SAND OR TOP SOIL.  To do this mix into the soil either by hand or with a tiller going about 2 foot below the surface then add 3 inches or more of hummus; Peat moss or Pro-Mix.  Pro-Mix contains the good bacteria and fungi that exist in fertile soil.  The decomposed material and incomplete decomposed material return the gasses and organic matter back into the soil that is usable.  It will also prevent water from bonding to the minerals on the surface of the soil and allow it to be absorbed and utilized by plants.  You may also notice that the soil will be cooler and easier to dig in. 

Anywhere that man has touched the land the balance of organic matter has been lost. 

Sprinkler Low-Head-Drainage

Having problem with run-off and cannot figure out why? According to AZ Master Gardener Manual, "Pop-up spray irrigation systems typically have the poorest uniformities,

Calculating the Fully Funded Reserve Amount

Does your board know how to calculate the amount needed to be fully funded?  It isn't as easy as one may think.  You cannot take the figures calculated on the Cash Flow Specific Projections or the Distribution of Accumulated Reserves Schedules and use them as the amount needed to be fully funded.  Unless your community as been following the study to the letter and the amount in the reserve fund at year end when the study was done was correct. 

It's That Time of Year

Just a reminder it's time to begin selecting which winter grass you will plant this fall.  There are lots of different kinds of winter grass that can be planted.  To avoid weeds and get the best germination rates use the fresh pure seeds.  Not all grass is the same color of green, try planting something different for a new look this year.  Some of the most simple things can change the entire look of a community.  Give it a try.   

Is Your HOA Nickel and Diming You to Death?

Is your HOA charging you for expenses over and above your regular dues?   Do you feel nickel and dimed by the board and watch in disgust as they spend 36K on a very ugly monument sign that doesn't match the Spanish Revival style of the community?  You may not be responsible for them regardless who voted on it.  

Urban Landscaping Ideas | Garden Guides

As we get into the portion of the year where we can get outside in AZ and not go up in flames. People are beginning to think about landscape design and different plants to plant. For those of us in South Scottsdale the city has gone to an Urban Landscape and Urban Desert Landscape.

For those of you wondering what that means here is a good article to give you ideas and explanations. With the exception of the Urban Desert Landscape an urban landscape is still green and lush with lots of color. Which makes sense because in order to keep with the city's heritage the look and feel of the downtown area/S. Scottsdale has to have a "homey" feeling. Where as a desert landscape would create a feeling of being out in the middle of nowhere. Who wants to come to "nowhere" for the winter or vacation?  Nobody, unless of course "nowhere" is on a tropical beach oasis somewhere! (he he)

Urban Landscaping Ideas Garden Guides

Before Approving any Projects the Board Should be Given a Project Evaulation for Each Project to Study

Before a board votes on a motion to complete a project a project evaluation should be given to them.  If it isn't the motion should die.  Project evaluations give the details of the project where a quick 2 minute discussion or motion does not.  It will save time and energy for everyone. 

Some Improvements May Not Be In The Community's Best Interests

Trading one asset for another may not be in a community's best interest.   Increasing maintenance costs also increases dues.    

Design Ideas for Unsightly Utility Boxes

Have you ever looked at your landscaping and thought something just wasn't right?  There's nothing really wrong with it, but it just doesn't look right for some reason.  This could be the culprit;

Desert Landscape - Plant it and Forget it!

If you have ever driven down Lincoln in Phoenix, take note on how much of the landscape looks like crap.  Planting desert plants that don't need water has turned into plant it and forget it.  I will say many of the communities have taken action, but many have not.  Let's get real all desert landscape looks like this eventually. 

Where Does It Go?

When boards decide to remove things from the landscaping that created depth and interest like decorative brick work.  Where does it go?

If Your HOA BoD is Putting Off Scheduled Maintanance it's Only Costing You Money!

Prices have increased for everything and if your reserves were not up to par before. You can bet they aren't now! See how much the 2012 price prediction was in 2005, for doing a sealcoat and the actual cost in 2007, differ.

Do Not Buy Appliances At This Valley Retailer

If you find yourself in need of home appliances to either install in a new home or need to replace an existing item.  Do NOT go to Spencer's TV and Appliance to buy one.  Their prices may be better than other places, but their business practices are not what you would call honest. 

Ways to Cut the Budget

When trying to find budget cuts the community budget water is always a hot topic.  If your considering  switching to a desert landscape you may want to think again.  The switch could cost the homeowner more in utilities from removal of shade trees.  If the option is a $10.00 increase in dues or a desert landscape an increase in dues may be the cheaper option.  Just having affordable dues isn't enough to make a home desirable, the utility bills are also hot on the list of home buyers.   

It's Budget Time for HOA Treasurers

Because there are many revisions the Treasurer will have to make before submitting the final budget for approval, it's best to start now.  Boards make this fatal mistake every year and it is the reason why they always go over budget or become very cheap. 

What Financial Statements Are Telling You.

For most people looking at the financials for your community are either confusing or don't make sense.  Most will look at the bottom line to see if they stayed within budget or not.  If you aren't getting the complete financial packet then your not getting the complete picture. 

The link below is an detailed look at what these different reports tell us and how they relate to each other.  You may see a surplus on the bottom line of the balance sheet, but it doesn't tell you how or why it happened.  Contributions made to the reserve funds aren't easy to figure or even shown in most cases nor are the expenses. 

http://accounting-financial-tax.com/2011/07/financial-statements-linkage-you-must-know/

New Arizona laws

AZ laws that went into effect in mid July 2011

Hundreds of new Arizona laws take effect this week

Aftershock

If you had advanced notice of the economic crash of 2008, would you have taken step to protect yourself, your business, your job, retirement fund, home, family, friends, and community?  Yes!  Here's your chance to do what you couldn't do before.  A second crash is coming and the link below will show you the proof. 

Why Does Bermuda Grass Look so Bad but Rye Looks so Good?

For those communities that have problems growing summer Bermuda grass year after year it can be frustrating.  The same places are bare with soil, dead grass, sunk-in and slowly grow bigger each summer.  Water  seems to run-off the lawn even after aeration, chemicals to soften the soil and fertilizing do nothing to fix or help the problem.  Yet the overseeded winter Rye grows beautifully without problems. 

Many landscapers will tell you it is because our water in Arizona contains a high salt and high calcium content.  That will turn white when the water evaporates causing the water to not penetrate causing run off and grass death.  It takes a lot of years to build up enought salt for it to be seen on the soil surface and summer monsoon rains flush it out.  If salt was the reason causing the summer grass not to grow, the winter grass would also be affected. But, they are the landscapers and you try it and it does nothing.

Next you fertilize yet nothing so you even try replanting yet nothing works.  It's because those aren't the reasons why the grass will not grow.  It has nothing to do with the salt content of the water, fertility of the soil, or any other problem that can be solved by softening the soil or watering more.  In fact watering more caused the problem to worsen and allowed mosquitos, chiggers, & aphids, to lay eggs in the soil resulting in a potential health problem .  So, what do you do?

Suntree or Indian Bend Village this exact problem with the summer grass and it has nothing to do with salt, sun, soil fertility, or any other problem that has a cheap or quick fix.  The photo below shows the plugs left on the lawns after landscapers aerated in 2011.  All the plugs came from the same area in the same lawn where the grass will not grow in the summer.  Notice one of the plugs has a something white on top and at the root zone below (previously joked about being bird poop).  Notice that the entire plug isn't white and not all of them are white.  That is because it isn't salt build up; it is one or more kinds of fungi. 

Once Suntree Board Members start taking an active interest in the community and begin researching the problem themselves.  They will figure out they have to take matters into their own hands and sends soil samples they collected themselves using sterile tools for testing to a facility (not ASU) to determine what kind of fungus it is and how to treat it, the problem will just continue to grow.

I just don't understand why people are so quick to run to the doctor for something like a runny nose then refuse to believe that anything else can get sick.  Plants, grass, shrubs, trees, pets, soil all get sick too.  They think the only problems that plants have is from watering to little or to much, not enough sun or too much.  They don't consider pests that may have infested the plant due to over watering, stress, bacterial infections, viral infections, and certainly not fungus.    All plants need water, sun, and be able to obtain air through the roots.  If the soil is compact and hard the roots cannot get air and they will come to the surface to get it or die out.  But, more importantly, they need soil that drains and dries out between waterings, is free from fungus, bacteria, viral infections, and undesirable pests.   

You can learn what different infections look like and the symptoms from the following books.

Change Your Heads and Reduce Water

Changing your pop-up sprinkler heads to Hunter MP Sprinklers will reduce usage by 30% according to an independent study.

HOA BoD Spend Wisely

A temporary agreement by the US Government is just that temporary, but nothing fixes the problem.  Our government has to reduce spending, raise interest rates, and lower its investing.  Which means the state will not get money they have become dependant upon.  This puts states and cities at risk of defaulting and higher taxes.  City and state building contracts would be greatly reduced causing businesses to lay off employees or close their doors all together.  This means more bank defaults, bankruptcies, unemployed, mortgage defaults, higher taxes, new tax laws, etc.

Communities Declined by FHA for "First Right of Refusal" Clause.

If your community is having to reapply for FHA approval and the documents contain a "First Right of Refusal" clause don't be surprised if your application is declined.  But, all is not lost.  Thanks to the HOA Leader (first link in the right hand column) there is something you can do.  To find out more go to the site using the link as previously stated then go to the Forums to find out what you need to do. 

Suntree BoD Use Your Heads!!

In Suntree, for some unknown reason they have been running the sprinklers in the yards 4 times a day.  We did not plant grass seeds or anything else to justify watering the entire community 4 times a day.  Unless a professional guaranteed that watering 4 times a day would fix the problem.  Then do not conduct costly experiments on the entire community.  You use one or two zones as your test zones to prevent incurring huge expenses!  Use a little common sense, please.  Don't make it cost more than it has too or come to terms that our summer lawns will always look like crap.

Directors and Board Members Job Descriptions

Know what your signing up for when you run for your HOA BoD or if you just want to know how the board functions.  The HOA Leaders have a great book for download that details out each director and board members job description.  Yes, it is a job and one each homeowner expects you to do.

Go to www.blogspot.arizonahoaownersvoice.com then click on the HOA Leader link on the top right of the screen.

Energy Usage by Item **Update**

Previously I posted a spreadsheet showing how much it in electricity it costs to operate certain items.  The rates used to calculate the costs is based upon the rate per KWH at the time of the post.  SRP changes it's rates four times a year.   The rates increase in March, May, June, Sept., and December with the highest rate charged during months July, August, & Sept.   

Minding the Store

Who is minding Suntree vendors, it's not the management company who drives by once a week & it's not the board members who are entrusted by all the owners to do exactly that, so who is it?  Nobody! 

There is nothing to value about this board

For those of us who live in Suntree, we can say the grass is always greener on the other side.  Because the grass is always greener on any side of this community. 

New HOA Legislation in Arizona

For some of us this could be considered a win.  Effective July 19, 2011, for both Condos and planned communities owners may tape record or video tape open portions of board meetings.   Hopefully, this will cause everyone to act like rational adults.  You-Tube will be the least of peoples worries.  It can be used as evidence against or for anyone in attendance.

Does a burnt out light bulb use electrcity.

Does a light use electricity when the bulb is burnt out and the switch is left on?  No, it does not.  Although the electricity is flowing to the bulb, one would think that it is using electricity.  But, it is not.  Even though the switch is turned on and electricity is available for use, because it isn't actually used we aren't charged for it.  I wouldn't be so worried about taking the burnt bulbs out of the socket to save energy.  Actually your better leaving it in until you change the bulb out.  Not having a bulb in the socket and turning on the power could do more damage than good. 

If we don't actually use the electricity in a functioning item we do not get charged for it.

Hampton Bay Ceiling Fan

I tested our living room ceiling fan for 457 hours or 19 days.  The total cost to run the fan continuously for 457 hours running on high is $2.15 and used 23.22 KWH.  Here's the break down:

It uses 52.9 KW on high, total KWH used 23.22, total cost $2.15, Hourly cost $0.00, Daily Cost 11 cents, Weekly Cost 78 cents, Monthly Cost $3.34, Yearly Cost is $40.73. 

Provided your ceiling fan is reversible and will draw warm air up in the summer which blows cool air down.  It keeps cool air circulating in your home preventing the A/C from kicking on as often.  In the winter reversing it blows warm air down and draws cool air up causing warm air to circulate keeping the heater from kicking on as often.  Somewhere along the line people forgot the benefits of ceiling fans.  If you have them use them they are your friends.  They are cheap to run even if they are 10 or 15 years old.  If you don't use them your not circulating the air in your house.  You will end up with some rooms being hotter than others.  Plus depending on where your thermostat is you could end up with your A/C running more often because the wall temp. will increase quicker. 

The temp. your thermostat is set at isn't the actual air temp.  The air temp is actually warmer or cooler than the thermostat says because it's located on the wall.  Meaning it is measuring the temp of the wall to determine the air temp.  The actual room air temp is 1 to 2 degrees hotter or cooler if in the winter than what the thermostat says the temp is.

If a light bulb is burnt out does it use electricity when turned on?  It sounds like a dumb question, I know.  But, I still would like to what everyone thinks and why you think it.

Alleged 'rock burglar' arrested after 17 years and over 400 hits | azfamily.com Phoenix

Good News for those hit by the "rock burglar". Could they have come up with a better name? For some of those who were on the board and accused a homeowner of throwing a rock threw a board members window.  How does it feel to once again have egg on your face? 

Suntree board members have have filed police reports falsely accusing an owner of crimes; sent out newsletters saying that someone who lived in Suntree was responsible for vandalizing the landscaping. Why do we put up with this kind of behavior from so called leaders? If you cannot trust your neighbors then you need to move.   Just because someone doesn't agree with or gets upset with another person doesn't mean they are going to harm you or your property.  I would expect that if you were a victim of abuse, but not from two people having a disagreement.  Especially, when the board serves the ownership and is supposed to do as the owners (as a whole) direct them too. 

Alleged 'rock burglar' arrested after 17 years and over 400 hits azfamily.com Phoenix

Suntree BoD it's time to get educated.

Landscaping consists of what exactly?  Water, sunshine, grass, flowers, trees, fertilizers, weed killers, mowing, aeration, rocks, edgers, etc.  And what other important critical life giving component?  THE SOIL!  Soil is the most important component in landscaping.  Don't run out and get the soil tested.  Don't waste the time or money. 

Suntree, What a Waste!

Don't let your HOA board become filled with excuse makers who spend money without changing anything.  Suntree HOA has board members who believe the standard answers given by the landscapers.  Owners complain about water running into the street when the lawns are watered.  Without even checking it out the board or landscapers automatically say, it's water run off and the lawns need aeration.  Aeration is the standard answer given by landscapers before they ever check it out to see what others are seeing.  Oh wait, they never see what others see because they set the water schedule to go off at 2 am then change it to go off at midnight and 2 am.  Instead of water running into the gutters and puddling without running off once a night it does it twice a night.  Not only is this wasting water but is damaging the joints under the street that connect the asphalt and concrete gutters.  It's a double whammy!  Not one person has ever ever known why the city has an issue with water running off onto the street.  So, now you know!

Putting Green Soil

For those of you who have board members hell bent on having lawns that look like the golf courses, they need to forget it. It would be impossible for you to obtain that beauty unless you reconstruct your lawn. I don't mean removing the grass and adding soil or soil amendments. I mean remove the dirt and re-build the entire substrate under the lawn.

Yes, if you have native soil watering will eventually cause your soil to become hard and cause water to run off. It will happen no matter if you use a drip, have different kinds of sprinkler heads, use bubblers, or flood irrigate. You have to have voids in the soil so the water has someplace to go. Which is why people use a layer of pebbles on top of a layer of sand then top the sand with a special mix of soils. The rocks give you the void you need and give roots something to grab onto. They also acts like a filter for water as it drains into underground water aquifers.

See article for the USGA requirements for golf courses and you'll see why it cannot be obtained by your HOA.

Putting Green Soil

Answers from SRP

Here is the answers I got from SRP explaining what the Competitive Customer Service Charge.

SRP Electric Bill Charges

Ever wonder what your SRP rates are made up of?  I did and they don't make it obvious but here is what I found out.

How Lightning fan outwitted petty HOA over playoff sign - Puck Daddy - NHL Blog - Yahoo! Sports

Great Story!! Go Bolts! Steven Paul thank you for having the balls to stand up to your homeowner association's board! Some people just refuse to allow people to express themselves. They want everyone to be like them. What a boring world that would be? It's our differences that bring us together and make us curious about others.

Perfect Your Landscaping; Your Neighbors' Yard Plans

Perfect Your Landscaping; Your Neighbors' Yard Plans

ServiceMagic - The Myths that Lead to Common Landscaping Mistakes

Great article from Service Magic. How many of these mistakes are you or your HOA making? Suntree HOA is buying into these same myths and many more.


ServiceMagic - The Myths that Lead to Common Landscaping Mistakes

The HOA Money Pit

When it comes to the reserve study board members have this belief that it's just a tool that can be ignored.  If that were the case then the Declaration is just a tool that can be ignored.  Right.  Wrong.   In most cases the Declaration does require adequate reserve funds.  To know what is adequate you have to have a professional reserve study completed.  If you have to follow on you have to follow both.

The Cost to Run Household Items Continued.

Partial List - Electricity Usage by Appliance

 

Item	Watts	Hours Used	KWH Used	Cost to Test	Hourly Cost	Daily Cost	Weekly Cost	Monthly Cost	Yearly Cost
Deep Freezer cycling	100*	12 hours	0.43	$0.03	$0.00	$0.07	$0.50	$2.16	$26.36
Deep Freezer idle	0	12 hours
Swamp Cooler Fan only	120	51 mins		$0.01	$0.01	$0.26	$1.83	$7.86	$95.67
Lamp w/60 watt bulb	39.8	1 hour 20 min	0.05	$0.00	$0.00	$0.08	$0.56	$2.41	$29.38
Old Style mimi x-mas lights	40.3	13 hours 7 min	0.53	$0.00176667	$0.00	$0.08	$0.57	$2.47	$30.13
LED Rope Lights	36.2	0	0	$0.00	$0.00	$0.07	$0.50	$2.16	$26.36
2 50 watt fans	102	2 hours	0.1						$74.38
Alarm Clock radio only	1.7						$0.01	$0.06	$0.75
Alarm Clock buzzer alarm	2.1
Alarm Clock Only	1.6
Computer Monitor On	1.8-1.9						$0.02	$0.12	$1.50
Computer Monitor Off	1.3-1.5	I unplugged the monitor from the device to let it go down to zero then plugged it back in and it still showed 1.3 to 1.5 watts being used.
50 Gallon Fresh Water Aquarium Filter, Aerator Jet, Air Compressor, Lighting, Heater, Bubble Stones	35.1	69 hours 18 mins	3.44	$0.29	$0.00	$0.10	$0.70	$3.03	$36.91