Category: President Message

Good afternoon.  Please see below for items for your review.

PERMANENT LINKS:
PWCA Website:  https://parkwestcommunity.org/

PWCA Meeting Packets:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UQIfzyb72xFD9Y7_mshcRNVRE5wv8m5h?usp=share_link

Parking Documents:  https://parkwestcommunity.org/parking/
ACC Documents:   https://parkwestcommunity.org/architectural-control-committee/

Newsletters:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1e3sSwLuvg3GlRM6oGY_bylxPtVRFeJwJ?usp=share_link

Quarterly Assessment Timeline:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LpwaIZ5NVobKPDzCmuTnOy20KcwpxXXg?usp=share_link

SEASONAL LINKS:
2022 – 2023 Snow Removal Policy:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gtAkDqOQlg3InT0bmEnm6rrHYRaQrdnr/view?usp=sharing

2023 Pool Application:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X5vE-ynAfWoDrMIIYwTpEgVq7obm8MtE/view?usp=share_link

COVID-19 LINKS:
CDC guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Johns Hopkins Global COVID-19 Map and Coronavirus Resources: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
State-wide analysis and guidance: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/
County-specific guidance: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19/
County Emergency Preparedness:  https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/category/coronavirus-covid-19/

INFORMATION ITEMS:

1.  MLK DAY OF SERVICE REVIEW.  Thank you to those who participated in the day of service!  Not sure if any of our residents went down to Rabbit Branch Park but a team of 8 people from other parts of Kings Park West crossed Roberts Road and helped me cleanup our naturalized area located behind the pool house.  We collected multiple bags of trash from the stream bed and surrounding area.  To all those who showed up – appreciate your efforts!

2.  TREE AND GROUNDS CARE WORK.  The 2022 Bartlett Crew Day just finished – they worked on multiple , but not all, of the areas marked out for them.  The remaining areas will  roll over to future work on the property.  DCP-tasked Fall 2022 Tree Removal work remains ongoing and is awaiting colder or drier weather to reduce impact to the turf where they will be operating.  The Spring 2023 Arbor Care work will occur over the next two months.

3.  FEBRUARY 2023 NEWSLETTER.  The latest edition of the Park West Pages is published and available on our website.  If you would like a hard copy there will be a limited number available for pickup from either the Communications Committee or the Hospitality Committee once they are printed by our vendor. 

4.  ENVIRONMENT SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING, FEBRUARY 13, 2023; 6:30PM; VIRTUAL; FOCUSED ON 2023 TRASH AND RECYCLING COLLECTION CHANGES.   Effective January 1st, all bulk and/or special items incur a fee for pickup.  The Environmental Control Committee sub-group will initially meet as specified above to address changes to our pickup rules to minimize impact to the Association.  As a reminder – based on the 2022 bulk-item analysis I anticipate up to $20,000 non-budgeted Association impacts based on non-attributable bulk item pickups without changes to our current rules.  I advocated for pickup in front of homes at the Annual Meeting which was met with pushback from individuals who lived through the last implementation of this policy.  As such I’ll leave it to the sub-committee to bring up new solutions but without changes to our rules our Members should anticipate increases in costs based on historical trends.  Just one of the bulk dumps from May 2022 would of cost us more than $1,100 dollars – and that was one of many bulk dumps that occurred throughout our community.  Our trash crew elected to take all the items from that dump so we were lucky on that pickup.  I’d like to get whatever trials we want to start initiated by March 2023….

5.  FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING; TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2023; 7:00PM; VIRTUAL.  The February 2023 Finance Committee Meeting will focus on the re-rolling of maturing CDs in our fund ladders.

6.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING; TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2023; 7:00PM; VIRTUAL.  The February board meeting will be conducted via the RingCentral virtual meeting framework. See the website under ‘Meetings’, select the year (2023), then the meeting (02 – 20230221). Document #01-1 contains the information to join the meeting.

7.  POOL SEASON, 2023. We are less than 4 months away from our pool opening for the season. The February newsletter contains the Pool Application and it may be found on our website.  See link listed above.  We are also planning to make available an online form this season but it is not ready yet – I’ll inform you once it’s available. 

8.  RESIDENT OWNER AND NON-RESIDENT OWNER PARKING PERMIT (HANGTAG) RENEWALS.  Our annual owner guest (“hangtag”) permit renewal will occur in April 2023.  See the newsletter for additional information.  Specific dates will be disseminated after the February Board Meeting.  Owners with questions may call or email the Parking Committee Chair for further information.

I hope you are enjoying this warmer-than-normal season.  Don’t let your guard down but the trees and daffodils are already readying for Spring arrivals…

Regards,

Mark

Good afternoon.  Please see below for items for your review.

PERMANENT LINKS:
PWCA Website: https://parkwestcommunity.org/
Parking Documents: https://parkwestcommunity.org/parking/
ACC Documents:  https://parkwestcommunity.org/architectural-control-committee/

Newsletters: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1e3sSwLuvg3GlRM6oGY_bylxPtVRFeJwJ?usp=share_link

SEASONAL LINKS:
2023 Annual Assessment Notice and Timeline: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LpwaIZ5NVobKPDzCmuTnOy20KcwpxXXg?usp=share_link

2022 – 2023 Snow Removal Policy:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gtAkDqOQlg3InT0bmEnm6rrHYRaQrdnr/view?usp=sharing

COVID-19 LINKS:
CDC guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Johns Hopkins Global COVID-19 Map and Coronavirus Resources: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
State-wide analysis and guidance: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/
County-specific guidance: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19/
County Emergency Preparedness: https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/category/coronavirus-covid-19/

INFORMATION ITEMS:

1.  HOLIDAY LIGHTING REMOVAL OF DECORATIONS; SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2023; 12:00PM; POOL PARKING LOT.  Thank you to the three other volunteers who showed up to help me remove the decorations from the pool house and entrances to our community.  Appreciate your efforts!

2.  CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP/YARD WASTE SCHEDULE.  This morning was the second (and last) Christmas tree collection date.  All trees must be placed on the curb with all tinsel/decorations removed.  Trees should not be placed in plastic bags. Collection of Christmas trees may be impacted by the national labor shortage; if a tree is placed curbside for collection on yard waste collection day and is not picked up, please leave it out at the curb and collection will be completed as soon as possible.  See the website for further details.  Yard Waste collection will resume in March 2023 – please place any yard waste out with normal trash for collection.

3.  2023 TRASH AND RECYCLING COLLECTION CHANGES.   Starting January 1st, all bulk or special items will incur a fee.  The Environmental Control Committee plans to set up a sub-group to address changes to our pickup rules to minimize impact to the Association.  As a reminder – based on the 2022 bulk-item analysis I anticipate up to $20,000 non-budgeted Association impacts based on non-attributable bulk item pickups without changes to our current rules.  I advocated for pickup in front of homes at the Annual Meeting which was met with pushback from individuals who lived through the last implementation of this policy.  As such I’ll leave it to the sub-committee to bring up new solutions but without changes to our rules our Members should anticipate increases in costs based on historical trends.  Just one of the bulk dumps from May 2022 would of cost us more than $1,100 dollars – and that was one of many bulk dumps that occurred throughout our community.  Our trash crew elected to take all the items from that dump so we were lucky on that pickup.  I’d like to get whatever trials we want to start initiated by March 2023 so please volunteer as soon as practical if you’d like to have input on the decisions….

4.  TREE AND GROUNDS CARE WORK.  DCP-tasked Fall 2022 Tree Removal work remains ongoing.  The 2022 Bartlett Crew Day had to be postponed due to weather and should occur in the next few weeks.  Several projects are also ongoing in different areas of the community.  You will be seeing different types of crews and vehicles throughout the community through the end of January so please keep that in mind as you walk, ride or drive through our community.

5.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING; TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023; 7:00PM; VIRTUAL.  The January board meeting will be conducted via the RingCentral virtual meeting framework. See the website under ‘Meetings’, select the year (2023), then the meeting (01 – 20230117). Document #01-1 contains the information to join the meeting.

6.  2023 ANNUAL ASSESSMENT NOTICE AND ASSESSMENT TIMELINE.  As presented at the Annual Meeting, the Annual Assessment for 2023 increased to $405.00 per quarter due on the first day of each quarterly assessment period (January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, October 1st). The 2023 Assessment Notice and the Quarterly Assessment Timeline were mailed/emailed to you in late November and may also be found on the website – link provided above in the Seasonal Links section.

7.  COLD WEATHER PREPARATION.  Check the November newsletter for an article on this important subject.  Each year there are challenges faced by homeowners – consider taking the identified steps to take to be prepared for winter and limit potential damage to your home. The PWCA snow policy is posted on the website and is linked above in the Seasonal Links section; please read and understand it before any snow emergency might be declared for the Community.  If/when snow or ice storms occur all residents are requested to shovel and de-ice the sidewalks in front of your home. Help your neighbors and your community by assisting others if needed, clearing around fire hydrants, and clearing the mail boxes.

I trust your 2023 has got off to a positive start.  Thanks again for all those who decorated their homes for the holiday season – you helped create a warm and welcoming environment for our visitors.

Regards,

Mark

Good evening.  Please see below for several items for your review.

PERMANENT LINKS:
PWCA Website:  https://parkwestcommunity.org/
Parking Documents:  https://parkwestcommunity.org/parking/
ACC Documents:  https://parkwestcommunity.org/architectural-control-committee/

Newsletters: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1e3sSwLuvg3GlRM6oGY_bylxPtVRFeJwJ?usp=share_link

SEASONAL LINKS:
2023 Annual Assessment Notice and Timeline:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LpwaIZ5NVobKPDzCmuTnOy20KcwpxXXg?usp=share_link

2022 – 2023 Snow Removal Policy:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gtAkDqOQlg3InT0bmEnm6rrHYRaQrdnr/view?usp=sharing

COVID-19 LINKS:
CDC guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Johns Hopkins Global COVID-19 Map and Coronavirus Resources: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
State-wide analysis and guidance: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/
County-specific guidance: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19/
County Emergency Preparedness: https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/category/coronavirus-covid-19/

INFORMATION ITEMS:

1.  2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION, SYNOPSIS.  The Annual Meeting was held on November 15th at St. Mary of Sorrows Church (the Parish Center) in a parallel in-person/virtual format.  My thanks to those who braved the astoundingly bad weather to physically attend the meeting.  Marguerite Wiese, Joe Underwood, and I were elected for another three-year term of office.  Art Gile was appointed as the 2023 Nominating Committee Chair.  See the website for the meeting slide deck, the Year in Review slide deck, and other supporting documentation.  The draft Annual Meeting minutes will be posted to the website after being provisionally approved by the Directors at the December Board of Directors meeting.

2.  HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING SOCIAL, SYNOPSIS.  Thanks to the volunteers who set up the holiday lighting at the pool house this year and to the families who came over to see the pool house lit up for the first time this season!  If you’d like to contribute an ornament to the tree feel free to do so at any time during the season.

3.  TREE AND GROUNDS CARE WORK.  There are numerous projects going on currently.  Projects include: the Fall 2022 Arbor Care Work (pruning work finished, removal work to restart on December 8th), leaf removals (third removal visit just occurred, one more leaf removal visit in mid-December), J&J (grounds care) Crew Days (December 19th and 20th), a stump remediation project (December 21st), and a Bartlett Crew Day (December 23rd).  You will be seeing different types of crews and vehicles throughout the community through the end of December so please keep that in mind as you walk, ride or drive through our community.

4.  HOLIDAY TEMPORARY PARKING REQUESTS – AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022.  Please provide your temporary parking permit requests as soon as possible for visitors you may have through the New Year. We would like to provide our volunteers who create those passes for you the time to spend with their families and several of them are departing the local area during the holiday weeks so you will not have them as assets. Please see the website for a current list of parking officials – link provided in the permanent links above. If you miss the deadline listed above, have patience as it will probably take longer to generate passes for you.

5.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING; TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022; 7:00PM; VIRTUAL.  The December board meeting will be conducted via the RingCentral virtual meeting framework. See the website under ‘Meetings’, select the year (2022), then the meeting (20221220). Document #01-1 contains the information to join the meeting.

6.  HOLIDAY TRASH, RECYCLING, AND CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP/YARD WASTE SCHEDULE.  There are no calendar changes for this year’s holidays.  Christmas trees will be collected on WEDNESDAY during the first 2 weeks of January with the usual yard waste collection.  All trees must be placed on the curb with all tinsel/decorations removed and trees should not be placed in plastics bags. Collection of Christmas trees may be impacted by the national labor shortage; if a tree is placed curbside for collection on yard waste collection day and is not picked up, please leave it out at the curb and collection will be completed as soon as possible.  See the website for further details.

7.  2023 ANNUAL ASSESSMENT NOTICE AND ASSESSMENT TIMELINE.  As presented at the Annual Meeting, the Annual Assessment for 2023 will increase to $405.00 per quarter due on the first day of each quarterly assessment period. The 2023 Assessment Notice and the Quarterly Assessment Timeline have been mailed/emailed to you and may also be found on the website – link provided above in the Seasonal Links section.

8.  OCTOBER 2022 COMMUNITY RULES.  The updated Rules may be found on the website under the ‘Rules and Regulations’ sub-page.  New residents to our community receive a copy when they are getting their initial set of parking permits.  If you would like to have a hard copy of the Rules and are not a new resident, please email parking@parkwestcommunity.org to coordinate a time to receive a copy.

9.  COMMUNITY SECURITY.  With the holiday season upon us please remember to secure your packages, vehicles and homes. Keep your assets locked and thereby prevent a thief from having an easy opportunity. As a reminder, if any out-of-the-ordinary events occur or if you are concerned for your safety or security please call the Police non-emergency number at (703) 691-2131 to report the occurrence or incident – or 911 in an emergency.  Finally, please consider leaving your porch lights on throughout the night.

10.  COLD WEATHER PREPARATION.  Check the November newsletter for an article on this important subject.  Each year there are challenges faced by homeowners – consider taking the identified steps to take to be prepared for winter and limit potential damage to your home. The PWCA snow policy is posted on the website and is linked above in the Seasonal Links section; please read and understand it before any snow emergency might be declared for the Community.  If/when snow or ice storms occur all residents are requested to shovel and de-ice the sidewalks in front of your home. Help your neighbors and your community by assisting others if needed, clearing around fire hydrants, and clearing the mail boxes.

Please have a safe and joyous holiday season.  My thanks and appreciation for all the efforts by numerous homes to make the season festive and bright – it’s marvelous that so many take the time, effort, and care to generate such a welcoming environment.

Regards,

Mark