This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | 6/18/21

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch

From the week ending on June 18, 2021

Board of Directors Organizational Meeting

The Board of Directors held their organizational meeting Tuesday evening to select officer positions as follows:

Mark Fisk | President

Joyce Taylor | Vice President

Alex Presley | Secretary

John Park | Co-Treasurer

Loree Blough | Co-Treasurer

Click the following link to review the June 9, 2021 Annual Meeting Inspector of Elections Report of balloting results including write-in candidates.

Inspector of Elections Report

License Plate Recognition Cameras and Camera Data Management Policy

The special ballot measure for license plate recognition cameras passed with 415 votes in favor of contracting for the service. At the Board Meeting of June 15, 2021, the Board approved moving forward with the Flock Safety contract for installation of cameras. The approximate time to go live with the system is August 15th. The $34.08 per homeowner annual expense will be incorporated into the 2021-22 budget commencing October 1, 2021. We will provide more updates as we get an installation schedule lined up.

The following Camera Data Management Policy provided to the homeowners with the Special Ballot Measure was also approved at the June 15, 2021 meeting. The policy explains how and to whom data collected will be disseminated.

License Plate Recognition Policy

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF PROPOSED EASEMENT PLANTING GUIDELINES

Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association’s proposed Easement Planting Guidelines have been drafted to facilitate Architectural Review Committee review and approval of homeowner planting in equestrian easements. Current guidelines restrict homeowners from implementing landscape improvements within the easements on their property. These guidelines would allow for planting that would further enhance trail aesthetics and the hiking and riding experience.

The purpose of this notice is to offer Nellie Gail Ranch Members an opportunity to provide comments on the new guidelines and to propose changes as may be desired. In accordance with California Civil Code section 4360, which requires the Association to provide the Members with a minimum of twenty eight (28) days general notice of proposed rule changes.

The Board invites your comments on these proposed guidelines. Member input will be considered by the Board at its open session meeting set for Tuesday, July 20, 2021. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Association Clubhouse.

Comments may be submitted via email to admin@nelliegailranch.org, may be delivered to the meeting, or may be mailed to 25211 Empty Saddle Drive, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.

Easement Planting Guidelines

Trails & Safety Committee Volunteer Opportunity

We are actively seeking volunteers to serve on the Trails & Safety Committee. With 25 miles of amazing trails we benefit from a volunteer network of active trail users. Volunteers meet as needed to recommend trail improvements and discuss ongoing maintenance. The committee is currently working to collaborate with the city to improve equestrian crossing safety. We would love to have someone who has a strong interest in this important issue. If you have an interest in serving on the Committee please complete the attached application and return to admin@nelliegailranch.org.

Trails Committee Application

Dapple Grey Arena and Round Pen Closure

The Dapple Grey Arena and Round Pen will be closed for repairs starting Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 7:00 am until 4:00 pm on Friday, May 28, 2021.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.  For any questions, please contact the Nellie Gail Ranch HOA office at 949-425-1477.

Equestrian Center Clubhouse Refresh Completed

The Equestrian Center Clubhouse interior work has been completed with all new tile floor, fresh paint, a remodeled kitchen and all new restroom fixtures and partitions.  These reserve projects were funded by boarding and trainer fees to the benefit of the Nellie Gail Ranch Equestrian Center and all Nellie Gail Ranch homeowners.

Speed Enforcement on Nellie Gail Road

Speed enforcement has been active this week on Nellie Gail Road in proximity to the Equestrian Center as patrol officers have been writing tickets for vehicles speeding up and down the hill.  We notify you of this not to suggest you look out for the patrol officers to avoid tickets, but to encourage you and all family members, to always drive safely at the posted speed limits on Nellie Gail Road and all streets within Nellie Gail.

Wine Tasting & Horse Show

Attendees of the Wine Tasting & Horse Show last Saturday were treated to more than just great wine!  They also enjoyed the ambiance of the Nellie Gail Ranch Equestrian Center and an exhibition by some of our world class riders, trainers and horses.  Bree Kenney started things off with a James Bond themed musical freestyle on Dash. Grand Prix Dressage rider and USDF Gold Medalist Cassie Cherry Nolte followed with a patriotic themed freestyle performance on Whizzkid.  To close out the horse show, Grand Prix Jumper Lane Clarke put on a high jumping show on Queen who was flawless over impressive jump heights.  For many attending the wine tasting it was their first visit to the Equestrian Center and an opportunity to see just how special our Equestrian Community is.

Thank you to our contributing sponsor Brad Feldman Group.  Thank you also to Events Committee members Loree Blough, Alex Presley, Susan Phillips and Holly Permeh for planning this unique and fun event!!

Tonight’s Board Meeting

Due to the ongoing mask policy, we invite your participation at Open Homeowner Forum via teleconference using zoom.us. Below is a link to the agenda for Tonight’s Open Session Meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84434112833?pwd=a2paUEtmeEVJaTdHeW8vL3YyRzk0Zz09

Dial in #: 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 844 3411 2833
Passcode: 896176

 

Open Session Agenda 05-18-21

Dapple Grey Arena Maintenance

The Dapple Grey Arena footing was supplemented and leveled today.  It should be another great weekend of riding!!  Staff will go back out Monday to tune it up after the first weekends use.

Nellie Gail Road Equestrian Crossings

Last Chance to Record Crossing Concerns: Input Requested

 
The City of Laguna Hills Traffic Commission is scheduled to meet Wednesday, May 19th. The Nellie Gail Ranch Trails & Safety Committee, with the support of the Equestrian Committee and certain concerned Nellie Gail Ranch Residents, will be attending this meeting to review crosswalk safety concerns focusing on the crosswalks at Nellie Gail Road at the Equestrian Center, the crossing on Nellie Gail Road and Empty Saddle, and the crossing at Nellie Gail Road and Rocking Horse Lane.  City staff are preparing a report for the meeting with updates on traffic studies they have completed for these crossings and potential options to implement additional safety measures.  The link at the bottom of this post is available to report any concerns you may have with “near misses” or “accidents” with vehicles while crossing these intersections. Please report your experiences as soon as possible as it is important to get previous incidents recorded in order that the Trails & Safety Committee and City may collaborate on best solutions to make our crossings safer for all. 
 
To submit a report please click on the following link and identify your name, the date of the incident, a brief description of the incident, and your relationship to Nellie Gail Ranch (resident, guest, equestrian instructor, equestrian boarder, etc.). If you don’t know the exact date, you may include the approximate date. Thank you in advance for your “near miss” reports as we collaborate with the City to make our streets safer for everyone!

 

Equestrian Crossing Incidents

Upper Oso Trail (Spotlight)

Upper Oso Trail extends from the Nellie Gail Road trailhead across from the Equestrian Center to Moulton Parkway behind Rocking Horse, Highwood Circle, and Red Lodge Place.  Running parallel with Oso Parkway, and elevated and distant from its traffic, this trail has some great features. In addition to enjoyment of views, It can be used to access the county trail system via the tunnel beneath Nellie Gail Road and it also connects with Sweetwater Trail. This month, with the support of the Trails & Safety Committee and approval from the City, we have begun regular and ongoing maintenance of this trail that was formerly cleared once annually. This trail greatly improves equestrian access to Moulton Parkway and the Moulton Arena. Plan a visit to this trail soon and enjoy the views on one of your next hikes or equestrian rides.

Special Executive Session Meeting

Special Executive Session Meeting 
Monday, May 10, 2021

An Executive Session Meeting has been scheduled for the Board to review an open staff position and associated job description(s