General Announcements, Notices & Public Safety

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | March 18, 2022

From The Week Ending March 18, 2022

Tennis & Swim Club Parking Lot Closure

The NGROA parking lot paving project will require the entire parking lot to be closed all day Thursday & Friday, March 24 & 25 and half day Saturday, March 26, 2022. The project consists of repairs, repaving and striping the entire parking lot. There will be no vehicle access to the Association, Tennis & Swim Center parking lot during this time. Temporary parking will be available on Empty Saddle Drive. The parking lot will re-open Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 1:00pm. Please contact the Association office at 949-425-1477 with any inquiries or concerns. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Crime Prevention Workshop

The Crime prevention Workshop was held Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at the Association Clubhouse. Approximately 40 members were in attendance. The meeting was led by Alyssa Rabas, Laguna Hills Crime Prevention Specialist. In addition, two OC Sheriff Deputies assigned to Laguna Hills were in attendance for a Q&A session with residents. The below link is a Crime Prevention handout provided at the meeting. Alyssa and the two attending sherrif’s stressed the following:

Anyone who see suspicious activity should immediately call Sheriff dispatch. Be prepared to provide a detailed description of why the activity is suspicious. To the extent possible provide the make, model and color of any vehicle involved. If the report is regarding a person or persons provide a description including height, build, identifying features, color and clothes.

Effective deterrents include the following:

  1. Cameras on homes
  2. Alarm systems (when armed)
  3. Dogs

Additional Resources:

OC Sheriff Blotter – http://ws.ocsd.org/Blotter/BlotterSearch.aspx

Alert OC – to receive alerts via phone for large incidents e.g., earthquakes, tsunami warnings – Alertoc.com

For information on starting a Neighborhood Watch Program on your street, please contact Alyssa Rabas, OC Sheriff Crime Prevention Specialist at 949-707-2641 or email Crimeprevention@lagunahillsca.gov.

Crime Prevention Tips

OCSD’s Crime Mapping Program

Residents of Laguna Hills have the ability to better track public safety issues in their neighborhoods with the OCSD software program, CrimeMapping, which allows anyone to monitor and analyze criminal activity. More specifically, CrimeMapping allows residents to search for 15 types of crime by address, landmark, or zip code. In addition, residents can also sign up for custom-designed alerts, as well as create reports to easily analyze criminal activity near homes, schools, or businesses. The crime data reported on the mobile-friendly application is pulled directly from crimes reported to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and is updated every 24 hours. Although the data is preliminary, the CrimeMapping program provides the public with important and timely information, which will increase awareness of criminal activity and promote safer communities.

Laguna Hills residents can sign up for CrimeMapping alerts through the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website at www.ocsd.org/crimemapping

Solicitation for Board Candidates

The Association is soliciting candidates for the upcoming 2022 Board of Directors election to be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Candidate applications must be received by the Association by March 24, 2022 to be nominated and listed on the pre-ballot notice that will be posted prior to April 1, 2022. The pre-ballot notice will include all names that will be included on the ballot to be mailed by April 30, 2022. Candidates whose nominations are received after March 24, 2022 may still run for election but will not be included on the ballot.

1. Subject to Civil Code §5105, all Candidates for the Board must meet the following qualifications:

a. The Candidate must be an Owner. If title to a separate interest is held by a legal entity, such entity may appoint a natural person to serve or vote on such entity’s behalf by delivering evidence of an appropriate written appointment to the Association;

b. The Candidate must be current in the payment of all regular and special assessments. For the purposes of these election rules, “current” means no regular or special assessment is past due by more than thirty (30) days, or such period of time as is specifically defined in the Association’s collection policy;

c. The Candidate may not hold a joint ownership interest in the same separate interest as any other candidate or incumbent director; and

d. The Candidate is not eligible to run if the Association is aware or becomes aware of a past criminal conviction that would, if the Candidate were elected, either prevent the Association from purchasing the fidelity bond coverage required by Civil Code §5806 or terminate the Association’s existing fidelity bond coverage.

Additional information regarding the Associations Election Rules and Procedures is provided in the Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association Election Rules adopted November 19, 2019 and are available on-line at nelliegailranch.org or by request to admin@nelliegailranch.org.

Application Form

Revised Election Rules

Revised Election Rules Adopted March 15, 2022

The attached Election Rules were adopted by the Board effective March 15, 2022. The revisions confirm that a Candidate Registration list will be maintained and that election records will be maintained as an association record for such period as required by law. Both revisions make the Election Rules compliant with new California Civil Code.

View Election Rules

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | March 11th

Nellie Gail Ranch Homeowners

The health and safety of horses throughout the Nellie Gail Ranch community and Equestrian Center is a top priority. The Nellie Gail Ranch Equestrian Committee has reviewed the increase of EHV-1 outbreaks in Orange County and adopted a number of safety protocols at our Equestrian Center to reduce risk of exposure. There have been three outbreaks in San Juan Capistrano resulting in four horses being euthanized and the state has placed Rio Vista Stables, Sycamore Trails Stables and Rancho Sierra Vista Equestrian Center under quarantine. We wanted to share with you links to information regarding the extent of this outbreak, recommendations you may want to implement to protect your horses and steps we have taken at our Equestrian Center. If you have private boarders on your property, please pass this information on to them.

Normally we enjoy and welcome occasional visits to our beautiful equestrian center, however, we are not currently allowing any visitor or guest access to the Equestrian Center outside of our current boarders and authorized personnel. Please wait until after the quarantines at Orange County stables have been lifted before resuming visits.

Safety Precautions Nellie Gail Ranch Horse Owners / Private Boarders May Take:

  1. Monitor your horse for fever, nasal discharge or labored breathing. Contact a veterinarian to report any of these symptoms.
  2. For the duration of this outbreak do not let your horse use a shared water source. Shared water sources are a source of exposure.
  3. Do not allow your horse to nuzzle other horses along trails or in Association arenas.
  4. Avoid to the extent possible shared use of the Association arenas and round pens with other horses.
  5. Require any stable hand, instructor or caregiver who works at your stables or with your horse to have a complete change of clothes, and hats, prior to coming to your stables if they have interacted with any other horses anywhere else. Riding boots or footwear must also be sanitized.

Please review the attachments on the following links for more detailed information. Address any questions you may have to admin@nelliegailranch.org.

EHV-1 Info to Homeowners & DiseaseFactsheet-EHM

Crime Prevention Worshop

Please Join us Wednesday, March 16th at 6pm for our Crime Prevention Workshop being held at the Nellie Gail Ranch Association Clubhouse.

Nellie Gail Ranch Board Meeting

Join us at the Nellie Gail Ranch Association Club House on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 7:30PM. View the Open Session Agenda below.

Open Session Agenda

Solicitation for Board Candidates

The Association is soliciting candidates for the upcoming 2022 Board of Directors election to be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Candidate applications must be received by the Association by March 24, 2022 to be nominated and listed on the pre-ballot notice that will be posted prior to April 1, 2022. The pre-ballot notice will include all names that will be included on the ballot to be mailed by April 30, 2022. Candidates whose nominations are received after March 24, 2022 may still run for election but will not be included on the ballot.

1. Subject to Civil Code §5105, all Candidates for the Board must meet the following qualifications:

a. The Candidate must be an Owner. If title to a separate interest is held by a legal entity, such entity may appoint a natural person to serve or vote on such entity’s behalf by delivering evidence of an appropriate written appointment to the Association;

b. The Candidate must be current in the payment of all regular and special assessments. For the purposes of these election rules, “current” means no regular or special assessment is past due by more than thirty (30) days, or such period of time as is specifically defined in the Association’s collection policy;

c. The Candidate may not hold a joint ownership interest in the same separate interest as any other candidate or incumbent director; and

d. The Candidate is not eligible to run if the Association is aware or becomes aware of a past criminal conviction that would, if the Candidate were elected, either prevent the Association from purchasing the fidelity bond coverage required by Civil Code §5806 or terminate the Association’s existing fidelity bond coverage.

Additional information regarding the Associations Election Rules and Procedures is provided in the Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association Election Rules adopted November 19, 2019 and are available on-line at nelliegailranch.org or by request to admin@nelliegailranch.org.

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | March 4th

Stinging and Burning Nettle Weed Control

Ongoing control of weeds will be occurring through Spring on the trails. Consistent with our practice since June 2018 we use organic products to treat weeds such as Avenger Weed Killer, a natural citrus oil-based organic herbicide.

Stinging and Burning Nettle is one of the prevalent weeds being battled at this time by our trail crews. Horses and dogs don’t usually eat stinging nettle, however, if they brush up against it while walking or lie down or roll on the plant, glassy hairs from the plant’s leaves and stems cause a skin reaction and an intensely painful stinging sensation that may last 24 hours or more. The standard practice for our trail crews is to weed whip the taller nettles to reduce the height of the plant and spot spray the base of the weeds and adjacent remaining weeds to limit regrowth.

Equines and pets using trails should not be permitted to eat the stinging nettle or grasses or weeds in close proximity to them. Enjoy your time on the trail and the beautiful weather.

 

Help The Cause by Donating

 

The 5th Annual Blood drive is here and being held at Nellie Gail Ranch Clubhouse Parking lot on March 8th. Schedule your appointment today by visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org, sponsor code NellieGail

 

March Pony Express Magazine

 

The March Pony Express is here. No need to wait for the newsletter to reach your mailbox, read the March Issue online today!

 

March Pony Express

No need to wait, the March issue is out now!

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | January 28, 2022

Logo

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch

From the week ending on January 28, 2022

Hidden Trail Park Playground Renovation Project

The Hidden Trail Park playground renovation project is underway. The playground and adjacent concrete path is closed and surrounded with a protective barrier fence while construction is being performed. The project is scheduled to be completed by February 16, 2022.

Pet Safety Reminder

Please be a good and responsible neighbor by maintaining control of your pet while in parks and on trails. Additionally, people with and without pets are sometimes unsure of a dogs intention and can become fearful when approached on a trail or in a community park by an off leash dog. The below flyer from Mission Viejo Animal Services has information regarding the leash law and pet safety.

Security Safety Tip of the Week

Lights! Camera! Action!

Lights! Don’t give a burglar the cover of darkness around your home in which to work. Be sure the front of your home is well lit at night. The options for effective security lighting range from a simple porch light that you turn on before turning in at night, to dusk to dawn technology that activates at or around dusk, to motion activated spotlights. Do some research, find out what works best for your home and budget and get started!

Camera! Like lighting, there is a wide variety of security camera options available to protect your home. A do it yourself-er may prefer an option like Ring, widely available commercially, that provide an array of low cost, easy to install doorbell cameras for your front door and motion activated spotlight cameras for the perimeter areas of your yard. You can pick what you need, add and modify as needed, and their service plans are affordable and flexible based upon your needs. There are also countless professional security camera companies available who will do an assessment of your property and customize a security camera system that meets your needs and budget.

Action! Take some simple, common-sense steps to make your home less attractive to criminals. Be sure the entryways and windows of your home are not hidden by overgrown trees and bushes. Do not leave extension ladders in your yard providing easy access to the second-floor doors and windows of your home. Lock your doors and windows when you are not at home. Let your neighbors know if you are going to be away for an extended period of time. You can also request home checks by the Sheriff’s Department if you will be away on vacation.

Home security is everyone’s business. It is unreasonable to expect the police or private security to prevent all crime. Make your home less attractive to criminals and you will be less likely to become a victim of crime. Lights! Camera! Action! means safety and security for your home and loved ones!

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | January 21, 2022

Logo

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch

From the week ending on January 21, 2022

Notice of Board of Directors Election

The Annual Meeting of the Members and Election of Board of Directors is set for Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. at the Nellie Gail Ranch Clubhouse. In order to achieve quorum, at least fifty percent (50%) of the homeowners must vote. In the event that less than 50% vote, the Reconvened Election meeting date will be Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. This year three (3) seats are up for election.

At the Board Meeting held January 18, 2022 the Board appointed The Ballot Box as Inspectors of Election. The next step in the election process will be for the Board to appoint a Nominating Committee. Below is the solicitation and application for volunteers to serve on the Nominating Committee. The February issue of The Pony Express will include a solicitation for board candidates.

After receiving applications the Nominating Committee will then formally nominate the candidates and a pre-ballot notice listing candidate names to be included on the ballot will be posted prior to April 1, 2022. We will provide updates on the election and formal notices via these weekly reports and The Pony Express. If you have any questions regarding the process please e-mail admin@nelliegailranch.org.

Notice of Proposed Revisions to Election Rules

This notice of proposed revisions to the Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association Election Rules sets forth the purpose and effect of the proposed changes.

Effective January 1, 2022 California Civil Code has set forth two new election requirements that we propose to incorporate into the Election Rules most recently adopted November 19, 2019. You may send comments by e-mail to admin@nelliegailranch.org.
Notice of Proposed Revisions to Election Rules
Link to Election Rules

Application for Nominating Committee Appointment

Consistent with Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association By-Laws Article VI, Section 1, the Board of Directors will be appointing a Nominating Committee at the February 15, 2022 Board Meeting. If you have an interest in serving, please complete the below linked form and return by Wednesday, February 9, 2022.
Nominating Committee Application
Nominating Committee Charter

Hidden Trail Park Playground Closed for Renovation

The Hidden Trail Park playground is being renovated this month with new equipment. The playground and adjacent concrete path will be closed to use and will surrounded with a protective barrier fence while demolition and construction is being performed for approximately 3 weeks. Demolition of the old play structures will start on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 and the new playground should be completed by February 16, 2022.

Event Notices

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | January 14, 2022

Logo

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch

From the week ending on January 14, 2022

Nellie Gail Ranch Board Meeting

Join us via Zoom on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:30PM. View the Open Session Agenda below.
View Open Session Agenda

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89759556217?pwd=NVZ0MHFDVkxpMFhyOXZPVFBJYllVQT09

Meeting ID: 897 5955 6217

Dial in #: 669 900 6833

Passcode: 741209

Event Notices

Due to rising COVID cases, the Bee Keeping Seminar scheduled on January 19th is postponed. Additionally, the EPC Water Preservation Training session scheduled for January 20th has also been postponed. We will reschedule both at a more convenient time.

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | January 7, 2022

Logo

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch

From the week ending on January 7, 2022

January Pony Express

The January Pony Express is here. No need to wait for the newsletter to reach your mailbox, read the January Issue online today!
Read Now

Association Clubhouse Restroom Renovation

The following is an update on our construction schedule for the restrooms and bar. Work on the Swim Center restrooms is substantively complete and nearly ready to open. Unfortunately the restroom partitions remain on backorder until February. In order to commence work on the Tennis Center restrooms we have installed temporary partitions in the Swim Center restrooms. Demo on the Tennis Center restrooms will commence Monday.

Meanwhile, we are making progress working on the bar and kitchen buildout. All below ground interior plumbing is complete and the foundation trenches re-poured. Electrical and drywall will soon follow. Appliances are on their way and we have a tentative completion date of the first week of February.

Thank you for your patience as we work to complete these Clubhouse projects that we are confident will enhance the value of your ownership!!

EPC Training and Bee Keeping Seminar Postponed

Due to rising COVID cases, the Bee Keeping Seminar scheduled on January 19th is postponed. Additionally, the EPC Water Preservation Training session scheduled for January 20th has also been postponed. We will reschedule both at a more convenient time.

Speed Table Installation Survey

Survey Regarding Possible Speed Table Installation on Nellie Gail Road Between Empty Saddle Drive and Oso Parkway

Throughout 2021 the Trails & Safety Committee has been working with the City of Laguna Hills Traffic Commission to improve safety of crossings on Nellie Gail Road in proximity to the Equestrian Center. To date, crossing markings have been painted on the street by the city at the Nellie Gail Road @ Rocking Horse crossing and the Association aligned fence openings with the painted crossing. The city also installed an additional Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) on the median in front of the Equestrian Center to supplement the existing beacons on both sides of the crossing.

We have requested the City to consider installing speed tables which differ from speed bumps and speed humps by having a lower profile and a longer travel width (see above graphic). The purpose would be to serve as a traffic calming device to reduce speed in proximity to the equestrian crossing adjacent to the Equestrian Center. We have previously solicited input from the community and received reports of ongoing concern related to speed of vehicles at this location and driver inattention to the crossing beacons. Increased enforcement has resulted in a number of speed citations but overall speed compliance does not seem to have increased. The city does not currently have a budget in place to fund the installation but the Traffic Commission is evaluating our request and considering feasibility. One of the criteria that Nellie Gail Ranch would need to meet is approval of 67% of the affected residents of the street and adjacent streets to support implementation. The attached map reflects the proposed area of homes the city would require to vote.

We are currently seeking input from all of our homeowners via this survey to determine support for, or identify concerns associated with, the proposed installation of “speed tables”, also referenced by the city as a “raised intersection”. We have not finalized a location for the speed tables. It could be a raised intersection at the Equestrian Center crossing or it could be located some amount of distance prior to arriving at the crossing. The purpose of the survey is NOT to finalize a vote on this matter. That would come at a later date when the details are ready to be submitted to the affected residents. The purpose of this survey is to determine support and/or concerns so we can better know how to pursue safer crossings with the city.

Please click here to complete the survey by Thursday, January 13th via the following link to provide your input.

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch | December 31, 2021

Logo

This Week in Nellie Gail Ranch

From the week ending on December 31, 2021

Holiday Hours of Operation

The Recreation Center Tennis & Swim Club will close at noon Friday, December 31st and will be closed all-day New Year’s Day, Saturday, January 1st. The Club will be open on Sunday, January 2, 2022. The Association Business Office will be closed Friday, December 31st.

Mountain Lion Sighting

We received a credible report of a mountain lion spotted in the backyard of a property on the west side of Lost Colt Drive approximately 1 a.m. the morning of December 29, 2021. According to the CA Department of Fish & Wildlife (CADFW), mountain lions may be attracted to the community by the horse and farm animal population. In light of this reported encounter, please keep a close eye on your horses, alpacas, goats, dogs and chickens.

Please report any mountain lion or bobcat sightings to the CA Department of Fish & Wildlife at (858) 467-4201 or file a Wildlife Incident Report (WIR) at https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir/incident/create. If your encounter with any wildlife is an emergency, call 911.

Filing a Wildlife Incident Reporting (WIR): The WIR System assigns a designated “Investigator” based on the geographic location of the wildlife incident reported. The Investigator may be a Department Biologist or Wildlife Officer (warden) who will receive general notification by email of an assigned WIR incident. Department staff strive to respond to all WIRs in a timely manner.

The below link provides some additional information regarding Mountain Lions: https://www.orangecountyoutdoors.com/wildlife/land-mammals/mountain-lion.

Trails Closed Due to Rain

Trails are currently closed through the weekend due to rain. Please do not schedule feed or hay deliveries while the trails are wet. Every year we get one or two drivers who think they can beat the odds and it turns into an ordeal to offload and wait for the trails to be dry enough to send out a rescue. We do not send a general re-opening notice because our 25 miles of trails dry at different rates.

If you are not sure about your specific trail condition, please contact Jeff Hinkle at 949-425-1477 and he will inspect and evaluate.