Community Standards Department
Register, Renew, It Is All Up to You!
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNER
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS RECOGNIZED
SURVEY TIME – WHAT’S YOUR OPINION?
PMLA General Managers Message
Joe Powell, PCAM, CCAM-LS, CMCA, AMS
PML News transition to online digital news magazine
Some members have asked why the Association decided to move from a print and mail PML Newspaper format to an online digital PML News Magazine version.
Last year, as we worked on developing the 2025 budget, the first budget draft rollup showed a potential increase of more than 15%. The hard work by the Board, management and the Budget and Finance Committee ultimately brought the annual assessment increase down to just 7.95%. To get there, the Board of Directors had to make several tough decisions at the October budget meeting in consideration of controlling the assessment increase for 2025. By deciding to transition from a printed and mailed monthly newspaper to a monthly digital magazine, they were able to reduce the 2025 budget by over $60K for this one budget item alone. While we understand that a few members may be disappointed that they won’t be receiving a printed newspaper every month, controlling costs while maintaining member service is a balancing act and the Board takes everything into consideration when making these tough choices.
Members can receive an email PDF copy of the new PML News monthly magazine by going to the official PML Website at www.pinemountainlake.com and filling out the short online form and providing their email address. Every month you will receive the digital copy in your email inbox. Members can also continue to access a digital copy by just going to the PML website and downloading it if they wish. This option has already been available for many years.
We are evaluating some companies that offer a print and mail service where we would upload a PDF version of the PML News Magazine and members and advertisers could simply order it from this outside vendor. Obviously, there would be a cost to do so and the member would have to pay to get a printed copy. We are trying to find one that is suitable and offers a reasonable price for this service.
Our IT Manager, Yuris also created an HTML version that provides the individual monthly articles on the Official PML website that are easier to access and read on smaller smartphones and tablets. Rather than trying to read the PML News on cellphones, members also have the option to print it out or utilize their computer desktops, laptops, iPads and other tablets. Personally, I use my iPad and it is very easy to read.
Credit Card Surcharge status
For years the Association has incurred credit card processing fees to the tune of approximately $220K annually. Back in 2023, the Board of Directors made the decision to implement a surcharge of 3% on all credit card purchases at Association departments in an effort to reduces costs. It took about 12 months to navigate all of the third-party processing requirements and we were able to implement the surcharge at the end of 2024.
We have worked hard to communicate to the membership, before, during and after the implementation of the surcharge as well as setting up an ACH payment option and taking debit card purchases as alternatives to paying the surcharge. We will continue to monitor and improve our processes as we move forward.
HOA Electronic Voting will be allowed in 2025 – We need your email address
Just a reminder that the Governor signed Assembly Bill 2159 in September 2024, making electronic voting legal for California HOAs starting January 1, 2025. We are currently working with Association General Counsel on updating our election rules to reflect this change and to bring them up-to-date with current law. Members will still have the option of voting by mail if they wish.
It is important that members provide their email address to the Association if they wish to vote online. We are asking all members to update their contact information with their email addresses so that we can prepare for this new process. Members can update their contact information online at the Official PML Website at www.pinemountainlake.com.
PML IT Department Update
Our IT Manager, Yuris has been very busy this month. Data validation for the Gate Upgrade project has been completed and the new PMLGrill.com website is now online and available to the general public. A redundant two-vendor internet connection is now live at the Maintenance Yard and is being tested as well, for use during outages and emergencies. Analytics for the pinemountainlake.com and pmlgrill.com websites has been enabled so that we can track views and usage. An email server at an external site, allowing for mass mailings to members and mailing list subscribers has also been secured so that we can communicate more effectively with the membership.
PML Access Gate Upgrade Project
The PML access gate upgrade project is in progress. Our staff has gleaned through our current gate access system to ensure compatibility with the new system. Trenching and pedestal installation at the Main Gate and Gate #8 is in progress. Secure sample files of owner, resident and contractor data has been sent to the gate access vendor for review. The contractor began the installation work at Gate #8 on January 20th.
It is important for members to pay attention to outgoing notices during this project as they may be one-lane traffic control and delays during trenching and other installations.
Community Standards Department 2024 Stats
The PML Community Standards Department handles multiple responsibilities for our Association including architectural and member property improvement approvals in coordination with the PML Environmental Control Committee, CC&R compliance and short- and long-term rental compliance. In 2024, the ECC reviewed 538-member project submittals. ECC approved 9 new single-family dwelling submittals bringing the total of new single-family dwellings currently under construction to 18. Additionally, four (4) Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) were completed and permitted within PMLA.
As for our Rental Compliance stats ending 2024, at the end of the year, there were 395 short-term rentals, 99 long-term rentals, for a total of 494 registered rentals. In our CC&R Compliance section, stats ending 2024, we have sent out 525 Courtesy Notices, 144 Notices-of-non-compliance, and 48 Final Notices with 14 resulting in a Covenants Committee hearing. There were three member enforcement appeals to the Board of Directors. None of the Covenants Committee decisions were overturned on appeal and 92 PML members received a fine for violations of the CC&Rs. Our Compliance department closed 421 resolved member case files. YTD Total member services: 10,086 calls and emails. Top violations: Garbage issues 211, Improvement without approval 104, Unregistered Renters 103, Gate misuse 98.
PML Golf Course rated one of the top in the nation
The Pine Mountain Lake Golf Course was rated #4 out of the Top 25 Public Golf Courses in the U.S. - Golfers' Choice 2025. These 25 nation-wide public courses are ones that impressed golfers the most. We’re #4 in the Country!
Congratulations to our Golf Course Superintendent Rob Abbott and Head Golf Professional Mike Cook and their teams for this impressive achievement!
Just a reminder
Just a reminder that it is important to use official methods of communication with the Association if you are looking for factual information or if you have a concern or issue that you wish to convey to the Board or the management team. Our contact information is readily available on the Official PML Website at www.pinemountainlake.com and in the monthly PML News Magazine. Posting questions to unofficial social media sites may get you a lot of responses from other members and non-members, but you are not reaching the Association team where we can actually assist you. All Official PML social media pages display the Official PML logo for easy identification.
Until next month, wishing everyone a Happy Valentines Day!
February President’s Message
MIKE GUSTAFSON – PMLA BOARD PRESIDENT
Welcome to the second edition of the Pine Mountain Lake Magazine! I noticed in viewing the January magazine on my iPad I was able to zip through the pages very quickly and the photos and ads had excellent layout and color. All to the good. If your friends are complaining that they didn’t receive their hard copy of the “Newspaper” please urge them to provide their sign up online at the Official PML Website at www.pinemountainlake.com so we can add them to the distribution list.
Before we get too far away from the holidays, I want to thank the PML employees and volunteers who made the celebrations so special. The cruise around the golf course, the Christmas tree displays at the Stables, the home decorations contest, the Grill festivities, and the decorations in town, etc. These activities do not happen by accident, it takes a lot of effort; so a big Thank You to everyone who made it happen.
As promised, the board is planning a series of Town Hall meetings for all members this year. The first one is at 10am on March 8th at Lake Lodge. It’s your chance to ask questions and express your thoughts, ideas and opinions in a casual setting. Hope to see you there.
As you may know, each year your Board of Director’s accepts recommendations from the community of the “Volunteer of the Year” award. This year we are pleased to honor Audrey Prouse for that unique distinction. It was a good day when Audrey retired from her position as elementary school principal in Cupertino and became a full-time PML resident. She took that energy, intelligence, drive and dedication to helping others and focused it on the communities of PML and Groveland. She volunteers in with ROOFBBs, Camp Tuolumne Trails, Friends of the Groveland Library, and Brainy Groveland, among others. Audrey developed the idea of “SummerFest,” to help local businesses and entertain residents, while raising money for local charities. I am exhausted for her, how does she do it?
Finally, please take the PML pool survey. Many members continue to ask the association to build a new indoor pool and activity center. The first step in the process is a survey asking for opinions. This survey describes a couple of construction scenarios, all centered on a large enclosed pool. As you know, the current pool is very small and cannot operate during the winter months. The survey will run until the end of March. Then the Long Range Planning Committee with report results back to the Board of Directors at a general meeting. The link to the survey is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PMLRecSrvy
Enjoy your new PMLA Magazine.
PMLA Money Matters
By Dan Szathmary, Association Controller
PMLA had a great year in 2024.
(Note: Please don’t get your information from social media, that is the equivalent of being in the Truman Show and thinking it is actually real. The truth is in the audited financials that are posted monthly.)
As of the writing of this article, we have just closed out 2024 and will have a full year-end financial report at the February 15th monthly board meeting.
Some highlights on a great year for PMLA:
Operations performed about $160k better than budget. Overall, the management team did a great job keeping our amenities up and running through the year with less money than they were given to spend. The team strives to do more with less every year and definitely accomplished that mission for the year.
Interest earned on cash well exceeded our goal of a 20% increase over the prior year. We earned over $183k just doing a bit of math and moving money around wisely. There are more opportunities for equal security, minimal liquidity risk, and higher yields in 2025, so we expect this number to only get better into the future.
Our Reserve Fund has reached its second highest level at end of year in PMLA history. We have almost $3.6 Million in reserves at the close of 2024. This is the second highest balance in PMLA history, beaten by first place by a little under $800k two years ago.
To put that in perspective, we spend about $1 Million a year replacing and repairing assets, about $2 Million on years we do road work. That means we can pay for everything we need for two years and then some based on the amount of cash in that fund right now.
In spite of +30% increases in utilities, mind-boggling increases in insurance rates throughout the entire California market, minimum wage and market wages increasing substantially, and a whole host of other double digit cost inflation pressures; we were able to do some budgetary gymnastics and reduce the assessment increase for the second year and a row from 10% to 7.95%.
All this while maintaining a healthy reserve fund, and without making any reductions to the level or quality of services throughout the association.
The list goes on. More to follow with the annual report.
I would like to give thanks to the Finance and Accounting team, and the rest of the staff at PMLA for working hard and achieving some fantastic financial results for 2024.
Looking forward to great 2025, and beyond.
Questions or comments? Feel free to contact me anytime at Controller@PineMountainLake.Com or 1-209-962-8606.
Inspections 101
Ashley Henderson, Architectural Control Specialist
So, you figured out what you wanted to do, drew up your plans, submitted your project, and got your approval letter…now what? Inspection time! Depending on what your exact project is, you will have anywhere from one to four inspections.
First inspections are incredibly important, as they verify that your project matches the approved plans. We ask that you, or your contactor, string the property lines, and mark the exact location of the project—this ensures that the approved project is going exactly where it was approved, and allows us a chance to catch any potential issues prior to the work actually beginning. Remember the old adage: Measure twice, cut once—It is far easier (not to mention cheaper) to re-mark a project before the work begins, versus removing/moving, etc. something after it has already been built/installed.
Final inspections verify that everything matches the approved plans as well, but this inspection will also ensure that the property is cleaned up, that your unit and lot and address are posted, and that any advertisement signs have been removed. It is important that all building materials, etc. are either removed, or stored within fully enclosed, approved storage areas. Building materials may not be stored in the open—this includes paint cans, extra lumber, pavers, etc. Failure to properly store any extra building materials will result in a failed final inspection.
Single-family dwellings and remodel projects will have additional inspections including foundation and framing inspections.
For those of you who have their contractors set as their agents, please remind them to call for all applicable inspections.
Your approval letter will let you know when, and how to call for inspections. You can schedule an inspection online at: https://www.pinemountainlake.com/pmla-forms/ But, as always, when in doubt give me a call! I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. 1-209-962-8605 or ecc@pinemountainlake.com
Community Standards Department
Suzette Laffranchi - Community Standards Director
The Community Standards Department is here to assist you with Pine Mountain Lake association’s governing documents such as the PMLA CC&Rs, Resolutions, ECC Rules, Guidelines and Construction Standards as well as the Enforcement Procedures. If you have questions on rental compliance, property use and restrictions or making improvements on your property, the Community Standards Department is here to assist our membership in their quest to develop a comprehensive understanding of PMLA Governing Documents.
A convenient way to get information, find links, review frequently asked questions, or continue to develop a better understanding of the rules and regulations, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week is to visit the Pine Mountain Lake Community Standards web page. You will find our page at www.pinemountainlake.com under the resource tab, click on the Community Standards Icon or click the link for quick on the go access https://www.pinemountainlake.com/101637-2/
There you will find instructions on how to submit your construction project, view approved paint colors charts, get links to register your rental and much more. We have streamlined and gathered all this information in one location for quick easy access.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our staff, we are happy to guide and provide you with the information you need to navigate our governing documents to maintain our beautiful community.
Architectural Control Specialist, Ashley Henderson
ECC@pinemountainlake.com or 1(209)962-8605
Community Standards Specialist, Carrie Harvey
Compliance@pinemountainlake.com or call at 1(209)962-1242.
Community Standards Director, Suzette Laffranchi
Communitystandards@pinemountainlake.com or 1(209)962-1241
Register, Renew, It Is All Up to You!
Carrie Harvey- Community Standards Specialist
Its February already, and if you are one of the lucky ones that have a rental property, or are looking to have a rental property in the future, then this is for you! Here in the Community Standards Department, we are gearing up for Spring and Summer, and want to let you know that as an owner of a rental property in Pine Mountain Lake, you must have your rental home registered with the Association. Per Pine Mountain Lake Resolution #95.14, All short-term and long-term tenants must currently register with the Association in accordance with the CC&Rs. Registration and renewals are all done online, and it comes with an annual fee of $175. The link to register your rental home is https://secure.hostcompliance.com/pine-mountain-lake-association-ca/permit-registration/welcome. This is for long-term and short-term rentals. If you registered your home last year, and you are not sure when your renewal date is, please feel free to reach out to us and we can get that information for you. If you are a new homeowner of a rental property, and need more information on the rental registration process, please reach out so that we can assist you, we can be reached at 1-209-962-1245 or by email at rcc@pinemountainlake.com we look forward to getting you all set up. With the busy seasons coming, you will want to be prepared.
As a reminder, if you have any issues, concerns, or questions about a nearby rental property, please use our Rental Hotline at 1-209-231-4543, it is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We appreciate those of you who are already utilizing the hotline, it really helps us stay on top of issues that arise.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
MAINTENANCE MATTERS
RICK LAFFRANCHI - MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS MANAGER
“Let from this month onwards your days become more happier, fulfilling purposeful, satisfying & joyful.” -Rajesh Goyal
February is here and while I am writing this article it is 30* outside and we have had only 9.7 inches of rain this water season. The lake is 2.5 feet below spill and I am starting to have concerns for filling of the lake considering the current future forecast of weather over the next 4-6 weeks which is showing long patches of sunny cool weather, that being said our best rain producing months are still ahead of us. With the concern of a lean water year the Facilities Maintenance Team is hard at work in the green belts performing fire mitigation work. We are currently performing work in Multiple locations to include between Upper and Lower Skyridge also being worked, is TA-3 between Pleasant View and Wells Fargo. In addition to those areas, we continue to burn in our Green Waste area utilizing our Air Burner, and Cal Fire is hard at work above Compost working multiple acres of Mastication work to help alleviate threats on the borders of the association.
The Building and Grounds crew is equally as busy throughout the association, the team is currently involved in media replacement of the Swim Center clarification filters, this requires the removal of 20 cu. Ft. of media from the filters, by hand, then the units are sanitized and the new media is reloaded. Additionally, the team is involved in Herbicide Treatment on the road edges and common areas to ensure that the association remains Fire safe. Finally, the team is involved in infrastructure upgrades in regards to the new Gate access system. The work being under taken includes underground conduit, new cameras and Card and Q-R code access pedestals this is an ongoing project and the first stages will be performed at the Home Owner gate at the Main gate as well as Gate 8 at Ferretti and Pine Mountain Dr. Well, that’s all for this month but please remember, when you see folks working on the streets, SLOW for the cone zone, the life you save may be your own.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNER
Audrey Prouse received the Annual Community Service Award for her outstanding dedication to our community. Whether she is organizing ROOFBB fundraisers, volunteering at Camp Tuolumne Trails, or tutoring local third graders with Brainy Groveland, Audrey’s passion for helping others inspires us all. This award was established by the PMLA Board of Directors in 2017 to promote community engagement and honor individuals for their commitment to making Pine Mountain Lake Association a better place. Congratulations Audrey, your impact is felt far and wide!
Audrey Prouse (left) and Board President, Mike Gustafson (right) are pictured.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS RECOGNIZED
At the January 18th Board meeting, Amanda Birmingham was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the Community Standards Department and the Environmental Control Committee. Amanda has gone above and beyond in her roles as the lead Fire Safety Inspector and ECC project inspector. Thank you, Amanda, for your continued efforts and outstanding service!
Amanda Birmingham (left) and Board President, Mike Gustafson (right) are pictured
15 YEARS WITH PMLA RECOGNIZED
Congratulations to Johanna Richter on 15 incredible years with the Association. From her time at The Grill to her current role on the Golf Maintenance team, Johanna has been a valued team member in each position she’s held. Thank you, Johanna, for 15 wonderful years.
Johanna Richter (left) and Board President, Mike Gustafson (right) are pictured
SURVEY TIME – WHAT’S YOUR OPINION?
The PML Member survey regarding a potential new pool and activity center is now live. Please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PMLRecSrvy, fill out the
survey and let us know your opinion.
Building a new pool and activity center would be a big project, so member input is vital.
The survey starts in January and runs until March. Please let us know your opinion!
More information at https://www.pinemountainlake.com/recreation-center-survey/
