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.

Nominating Committee Solicitation

The Nominating Committee is comprised of one Board Member who serves as Chair and two or more additional members of the Association. The Board deferred the appointment of a Nominating Committee at the last meeting as we only had one volunteer.  If you have an interest in serving, please complete the below form and return by Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The Nominating Committee will formally review candidacy applications from homeowners who apply to run for the Board of Directors and make appropriate nominations for the June 2019 annual meeting. The Board of Directors will be appointing a Nominating Committee at the March 19, 2019 Board Meeting. Attached is the adopted Charter that further describes Nominating Committee responsibilities.

Should you have any questions regarding this mailing, please call us at 949-425-1477.

 

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Join us Saturday for some family-friendly fun! Photos with the Easter Bunny, Train Rides, Crafts, and More! Bring your Easter Baskets and cameras! The hunt begins promptly at 10:30 AM.

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

How Can You Protect Yourself From Property Crime? 

Criminals are looking for an easy opportunity with the lowest risk; if you provide it, they will take it! These simple preventative steps can go a long way toward eliminating crimes of opportunity and reducing the frequency of burglaries and thefts in our community.

If you see something suspicious, call immediately so we can act fast. The longer you wait, the harder it is to catch the criminal.

  • Persons loitering in the neighborhood – in a vehicle or on foot.
  • Persons and/or vehicles in the same location for a long or unusual period of time.
  • Persons carrying or concealing something suspicious.
  • Persons peering into cars.
  • Valuables being removed from home or vehicle.
  • Strange vehicles parked at the neighbors home.
  • Light or flashlights in homes while neighbors are away.
  • Suspicious sounds such as breaking glass, alarms, screaming, loud bangs, or gunshots.
  • Prying, pounding or forcing sounds.

Landscape Planting

The Bridlewood at Oso and Rapid Falls at Cabot medians have been refreshed and planted in preparation for the coming spring growing season. The Landscape Committee has been prioritizing the areas for improvement that are most visible to homeowners. We also had some good news this week as we received a rebate check in the amount of $7,062 from Moulton Niguel Water District reimbursing much of the cost of the recent Dapple Grey Park perimeter planting.