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University Ridge Homeowners Association Newsletter

Board of Directors President: Żaneta Janiczak-Serafico

Treasurer: Robert Boom

Secretary/Police Liaison: Noel Nash English

Director At Large: Tim Gary

Architectural Review Committee Chairman: Noel Nash English

Committee Members: Bonnie Larsen Jim North John Townley Żaneta Janiczak-Serafico

Quality of Life Committee Chairman: Stephen Child urhoaqualityoflife@gmail.com

Committee Member: Żaneta Janiczak-Serafico

Management Company Equus Management Group Attn: Andrea Klink Supervising Community Manager andrea@equusmanagement.com 4888 Sparks Blvd., Ste. 102 Sparks, NV. 89436 Tel: (775) 284-2050

Message from the URHOA President…

Dear University Ridge Residents: Welcome to the Spring 2017 University Ridge Homeowners Association (URHOA) Newsletter! The spring season is finally upon us and during this time of new beginnings, the URHOA would like to present our first newsletter of the year. The purpose of this newsletter is to inform you of the current events affecting our neighborhood and to encourage you to get involved in our community.

During the past few months, the Board of Directors has been working diligently to enhance and preserve the quality of life and a sense of community amongst our residents. Issues ranging from safety, finances, graffiti removal, capital improvements, to landscaping and maintenance of the common areas are just a few examples that were addressed. The newly established Quality of Life Committee has been working on building positive relationships and facilitating an ongoing dialogue between the homeowners and various stakeholders in the community. By hosting two events, the Longest Married Couple and Good Neighbor Award, we have been able to reach out and recognize some of our amazing neighbors. We would like to encourage all of you to participate in the association as our success depends on the collaborative effort of the homeowners. We appreciate your support and welcome your feedback. We hope to see you around the neighborhood and at our Board meetings!

Warm regards, Żaneta Janiczak-Serafico University Ridge HOA, President urhoapresident@gmail.com

For more information, please visit us at:

www.equusmanagement.com

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SPRING 2017

Landscaping

Winter season has been a steady time for maintenance of the common areas. Our contracted landscaping company, Reno Green Landscaping has provided monthly reports regarding the status of the clean up and the maintenance of areas that are URHOA’s responsibility. Some of the work performed included the following:

• pruning and trimming trees on the island of Socrates Dr. and all the common areas • cleaning and trimming of trees along sidewalks so as not to impede on pedestrian traffic • pre-emergent application to all areas • winter maintenance services were performed including leaf and trash clean up, winterizing the irrigation

systems, and rock raking back into position

In conjunction with the University of Nevada, Reno, Reno Green Landscaping completed a soil test in front of the University Ridge sign at the entrance to the neighborhood. This test was performed free of charge to the residents and was funded through a UNR grant. In an effort to spruce up the area and to create a welcoming entrance, it is advised to determine what caused the previous plant death before planting new shrubs. To summarize, the current soil composition is decomposed granite with extremely low nutrient levels. The lack of nutrients and composition make it difficult to retain water, hence the plant death. As far as solutions, it was suggested to dig down the planter by 4-5 inches and replace the soil with a nutrient dense triple mix soil. This soil contains high levels of organic matter and provides better moisture retention and drainage. This should significantly improve the chances for future plant growth. In addition, the Board requested the City of Reno to clean up one particular stretch of Socrates Dr. between Achilles Dr. and Demos Ct. to allow pedestrians to walk unobstructed. Branches hanging over the sidewalk were cut back, litter was cleaned up, broken branches and dead shrubs were removed; please see the following before and after pictures:

Landscape Committee – Looking for Volunteers!

We are looking for volunteers to create a Landscape Committee. In our experience, the residents know best what areas of the neighborhood need immediate attention. While compliance tours are performed regularly and Reno Green Landscaping has a maintenance schedule in place, it would help the community at large to have a committed group of residents to help us along the way. Hence, if you walk around the neighborhood or live nearby areas that are of URHOA’s responsibility and notice trees or shrubs that need immediate attention, feel free to join the Landscape Committee! We would like to have you on board! All you need is a phone number and be willing to help us identify particular areas that need to be addressed. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community!

Gardening Corner…

Do you have good tips to keep grass looking greener, let us know! We would like to begin a gardening corner (on the website and in the newsletter) with advice for homeowners regarding weeding, edging, and general suggestions for keeping your yard looking fresh. A properly maintained yard can enhance the curb appeal of your house and is a low-cost alternative to costly home improvements.

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SPRING 2017

Quality of Life Committee

Perhaps you're wondering why the University Ridge Homeowners Association has created a special committee that deals exclusively with our homes and the quality of life in our neighborhood.

The fact is, we’ve received so much feedback from homeowners expressing an interest to take an active part in making our neighborhood a better place to live, that we wanted to give you the opportunity to do so. Thus, the Quality of Life Committee (QLC) was created in response. You, the homeowner, the head of the family, the citizen, and the thinking individual, have been clamoring for information about how to make our neighborhood an even better place to live in a practical, every day sense.

The QLC has the potential to bring people together and make our neighborhood a more wonderful place to live where people appreciate and help each other. QLC will help spread the goodness that represents the best of the community's hospitality: trimming a neighbor's tree, being the first to fire up the snow blower after a storm that allows a neighbor the opportunity to safely make their way to work.

Got ideas? Be sure to give your ideas and feedback for the QLC resolution, and volunteer for the committee!

Stephen Child Quality of Life Committee, Chair University Ridge HOA urhoaqualityoflife@gmail.com

Quality of Life Updates

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

At The Neighborhood Advisory Board – Ward 4 meeting on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at the Evelyn Mount North East Community Center, a very informative presentation was made about all the Citizens Core Volunteer Programs available in our area through the Washoe County Sheriffs Office.

Most impressive of all was the presentation on the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) - 250 citizen volunteers strong in our community!

Have you ever wondered if you have done everything you can to prepare your family – or have you ever seen a local emergency unfold on TV and wish there was something you could do? Then these CERT classes are for you! No prior experience or training is necessary and there is no requirement that you volunteer. It's all free, paid for by the Department of Homeland Security.

Other great volunteer opportunities are also available, including the Animal Rescue Team and more!

For more information, call 775-325-6927 or 775-325-6928 or visit them on the web at www.wscovolunteer.org

The Nevada Legislature designated sagebrush as the state flower in 1917 and mountain bluebird as the state bird in 1967.

Did you know…

Reno Direct – Stay Connected with the City of Reno!

Reno Direct, a non-emergency service center, is here to assist you with City government service requests and general information. Whether you’re reporting an abandoned vehicle, graffiti, or looking for City of Reno information, contacting Reno Direct will ensure that your request, suggestion or issue is addressed by the appropriate department (www.reno.gov). Phone: 775-334-INFO (4636) Email: renodirect@reno.gov Email Alerts: www.Reno.gov/renoconnect In Person: Reno City Hall, 1 E. First Street,

Reno, NV 89501 Online: Reno.gov ThinkReno.org Twitter.com/cityofreno Facebook.com/cityofreno YouTube.com/cityofreno Pinterest.com/cityofreno

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SPRING 2017

Join the Ward 4 Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB)!

ONLINE: Sign up for Ward 4 news and updates at: http://www.reno.gov/residents/your-neighborhood/ward-4

WARD 4 MEETING SCHEDULE: The Ward 4 NAB meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center, 1301 Valley Road, Reno, NV 89512.

Money Matters

URHOA’s financials are included on page 5 for your information. If you have any questions regarding this financial information, please contact our management company at: 775-284-2050.

Account Information

This is a friendly reminder that you can check your account status online at: https://signin.equusmanagement.com. Please login and make sure everything is correct. If you notice any discrepancies or have any disputes, please contact Andrea Klink, Supervising Community Manager at: 775-284-2050.

Also, please note from the period of January to July 2017, the late fees were incorrectly applied at the last year’s assessment charge. As of February 26, 2017, this issue was corrected. If you have had any late fees in that period, you should have a credit applied to your account.

Making Our Neighborhood Safe

As we approach the warmer months, let us be vigilant with the security of our homes and property. The following are some useful suggestions to keep your property safe: • park your cars in your garage if at all possible • keep garage doors closed, even if you are at

home • always lock car doors, even in the garage • do not leave valuables inside your car • if you have to park your car outside, remove

your garage door opener • never leave your keys inside the car • never leave your car running unattended • keep your doors locked and windows closed,

especially at night • keep your home well lit • report burned out streetlights to NV Energy at

775-834-4444 • suspend newspaper and mail deliveries when

out of town • trim the bushes and shrubs around your house

so burglars cannot hide If you notice suspicious activity, please report it immediately to the Reno Police Department (RPD) at 911. For more information regarding crime prevention, please visit the RPD Crime Prevention website at: http://www.renopd.com/prevent#athome.

URHOA Website

We are in the process of updating and expanding the URHOA website. We are fortunate to have Tim Gary on Board who has been donating his time and efforts to this initiative. Please stay tuned for more details.

Cottages at Comstock Zoning Map Amendment Update

A request has been made to develop the land west of Comstock Drive and northeast of the Union Pacific rail line. The site has Master Plan land use designations of Single Family Residential and Mixed Residential. This request includes a zone change from ±39.33 acres of Single Family Residential – 6,000 square foot minimum (SF6), ±2.98 acres of Industrial (I), and ±1.28 acres of Single Family Residential – 15,000 square foot minimum (SF15) to ±40.90 acres of Single Family – 4,000 square foot minimum (SF4) and ±2.69 acres of SF15. The ±43.59 acre subject site is comprised of five parcels.

Residents are encouraged to provide feedback regarding development projects around our neighborhood to the City of Reno and Councilmember McKenzie at: cityclerk@reno.gov. Please note that information submitted to the City of Reno via the City Clerk becomes public record.

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SPRING 2017

University Ridge Homeowners Association Financials Posted 3/1/2017 To 3/31/2017

SPRING 2017

EVENT RECAP:

CURRENT EVENTS:

Meet and Greet Residents gathered for a casual Community Meet & Greet to mingle with fellow homeowners, talk to the incoming URHOA Board members, as well as the Architectural Review Committee. Resident feedback and participation is invaluable so thank you for joining us for a conversation! Councilmember Paul McKenzie and Attorney Greg Salter joined our homeowners for a discussion regarding a commercial development project adjacent to our neighborhood.

Neighborhood Watch Program Officer Tim Broadway from the Reno Police Department spoke to the attending residents about steps required to establish a Neighborhood Watch Program. Topics discussed varied from safety tips, security systems to community resources available to the University Ridge community.

Good Neighbor Award – Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things Our neighborhood consists of many good neighbors who make our community a wonderful place to live. Whether they shovel a neighbor’s driveway, help with yard work, or keep an eye on our home when we are out of town, our residents lend a helping hand in times of need. This is your chance to show your appreciation for that one special neighbor. The Quality of Life Committee (QLC) is sponsoring our first ever Good Neighbor Award at the University Ridge Homeowners’ Association (URHOA). Please nominate your neighbor who is deserving of such recognition. To nominate an individual or a family, please email the following information to the QLC at urhoaqualityoflife@gmail.com or urhoapresident@gmail.com by April 30th, 2017: Nominee’s Name, Nominee’s Email/Phone Number, and explain why your nominee is such a good neighbor. The Good Neighbor Award winner will be announced on May 5th via email. The QLC will share the winner’s story on the URHOA website. The winner will receive a $20 gift card to Home Depot. *URHOA Board and committee members along with their families are not eligible to participate.

Sanford Center for Aging Presentation With our retired residents in mind, the Quality of Life Committee invited representatives from the University of Nevada, Reno to speak about the programs offered through the Sanford Center for Aging. This is a great opportunity for our residents to interact with our University neighbors. Some of the programs discussed include: Senior Outreach Services Program, Medication Therapy Management Program, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, and Community Wellness Program. You can read more about their services at: http://dhs.unr.edu/aging/outreach or in person at: Center for Molecular Medicine, Room 150, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557

And the winners are… Thank you to all residents who participated in our search for the URHOA’s Longest Married Couple. We are happy to announce that John and Marjorie Kerr are the winning couple! Mr. and Mrs. Kerr have been married for 65 years. Congratulations on behalf of the URHOA Board! The winning couple will be featured in a short on our website later in the Spring.

John & Marjorie