Neighborhood Watch Meeting

Sergeant McFatridge and Timory Sayne from Laguna Hills Police Services led the Neighborhood Watch start-up meeting at the Nellie Gail Ranch Clubhouse last Saturday, March 23, 2019. The meeting had 86 attendees with 61 homeowners signing in from 49 households. Police Services will follow up with those who signed in to recruit block captains to formalize a program. 
 
If you were unable to attend the meeting and you are willing to volunteer to be a Block Captain please reach out to Police Services at crimeprevention@lagunahillsCA.gov. 
 
Below are links to the following:
 
 
Much of the meeting was spent in town hall format with Sergeant McFatridge sharing information regarding law enforcement efforts to service Nellie Gail Ranch and the Laguna Hills Community. Select the following link for more detailed information on the meeting.
 

Equestrian Center Clubhouse 

Work has commenced at the Equestrian Center Clubhouse to replace the patio cover, railings, stairways and sliding glass door. Components of the project will include extending of the deck to meet disability access code compliance and installation of bar seating viewing area. These are reserve projects funded 100% by boarding fees with no homeowner assessment contribution. Completion of these projects will result in improved Equestrian Center Clubhouse functionality and aesthetics. Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of April.

Annual Meeting Notice and Solicitation for Board Candidates

The Association is soliciting candidates for the upcoming 2019 Board of Directors election to be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. Candidate applications must be returned to the Association office with a full face, digital photograph by Monday, April 8, 2019, in order to be submitted to the Nominating Committee for nomination and to be published in The Pony Express. Please submit via e-mail to the Association’s office at admin@nelliegailranch.org, Attention: Nominating Committee. The Qualifications for Candidacy are in the Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association Election Rules adopted October 16, 2018.

Should you have any questions please call us at 949-425-1477.

Solicitation for Board Candidates

2019 Board Candidate Application

Election Rules

Police Services Resources

Anonymous tips related to criminal activity may be reported on http://occrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/. Tips are anonymous and may be placed online or by phone. Visit the website for more details.

Text to 911 is available in Orange County. Voice calls remain the primary method to report emergencies. However, if you are anywhere in the county and unable to make a voice call, in a loud concert or sports venue, for example, you may text the emergency report.

Does Air Traffic Noise Concern You? 

Have you noticed an increase in air traffic over Nellie Gail Ranch? If you have and if you are concerned by it, a fellow homeowner has provided this website link as a resource for quick and easy filing of complaints. There are several methods of filing a complaint with a free option for up to 30 complaints per month and several fee associated options for more frequent or simplified logging of complaints.

The below link has general information about the complaint process:
https://airnoise.io/

The below link provides access to sign up for an account:
https://airnoise.io/select_subscription

This is a potential resource for air traffic concerns that has been provided by a homeowner. Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association has not verified the accuracy or content of airnoise.io or any subsequent links on their website.

Fire Readiness

It’s not too early to start thinking about protecting your home and property from fire. The wet winter season and lead into Spring will result in rapidly growing plant material including undesirable weeds. A little effort now may save a lot of effort in the coming months. 
 
The City of Laguna Hills conducts an annual weed abatement program designed to reduce fire hazards during the summer season. The following is a link to a list of fire-prone plant species. Weeds identified in the list as well as any dead, overgrown, or dried out vegetation, plants, and trees must be removed within 100 feet of any structure. Please note that the 100-foot clearance also includes distances to those structures that may be located on a neighbor’s property.
 
 
Many resources for vegetation management and fire safety can also be found on the Orange County Fire Authority website www.ReadySetGoOC.org. The following link provides maintenance guidance as well as recommendations for plant selection for new planting in defensible space and fuel modification zones. 
 

Arena Lighting

We have completed the replacement of inefficient Equestrian Center Dressage Arena lighting with new LED lighting.  The new lighting casts more efficient directional lighting at the arena footing while using half the amount of energy as the old fixtures.  The fixtures are also guaranteed for ten years saving on future replacement costs.

Butterfly Migration

Nellie Gail Ranch has been treated to a spectacular air show this past week as the skies have been filled with Painted Lady butterflies.  Millions of these colorful butterflies are migrating from as far as Mexico heading North across California.   This migration described as the largest in more than ten years may be resulting from the unusually high amount of rainfall this year which has caused a wildflower “super bloom” in the deserts.  These butterflies can “flit” as far as 25 miles per hour so they won’t be here long. Enjoy them while you can!

Neighborhood Watch Start-Up Meeting Saturday, March 23, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. (Association Clubhouse)

Citizen involvement is essential to combat crime. Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program that promotes cooperation between citizens and law enforcement to reduce crime in their communities. Laguna Hills Police Services will be presenting information to the Nellie Gail Ranch community on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. at the Association Clubhouse. The presentation will include an overview of what it takes to start and participate in an effective Neighborhood Watch program. Effective crime prevention techniques will also be presented. Homeowners will be encouraged to participate, get to know their neighbors better, and volunteer to be Neighborhood Watch Block Captains. Below is a link to additional information. Please plan to attend this important community meeting and select the RSVP link so we can know how many to plan for!

https://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/1106/Starting-a-Neighborhood-Watch

RSVP HERE

Nellie Gail Ranch Security Update

The Board President has a meeting scheduled next week with the Laguna Hills Chief of Police to discuss recent break-ins and community concerns. In follow up to this meeting Board Members will meet with the Security Committee to discuss what opportunities may be available for Nellie Gail Ranch and its homeowners to assist the police in effectively deterring criminal activity. These two meetings are in preparation for review by the Board at its March 19th meeting. The Saturday following the Board Meeting, the above-referenced Neighborhood Watch meeting will take place. The most recent Neighborhood Watch presentation was held at the Association Clubhouse April 26, 2017, with 30 homeowners attending. We are seeking an increased participation commitment to really kick off the program this time. Please plan to attend and participate in this meeting.