THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF PAPER BALLOTS NOT BEING DELIVERED. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR PAPER BALLOT OR KNOW SOMEONE THAT HAS NOT RECEIVED THEIR BALLOT CONTACT BLAKE OR GO TO THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND REQUEST ONE. SOME OF OUR RESIDENTS DO NOT GET EMAIL OR HAVE THE ABILITY TO VOTE ELECTRONICALLY. IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE THAT THIS WOULD APPLY TO, PLEASE REACH OUT TO THEM AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE RECIEVED THEIR PAPER BALLOT.
IF YOU ARE VOTING USING A PAPER BALLOT, BE SURE TO PRINT YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND SIGN ON THE OUTSIDE BALLOT ENVELOPE.
The report below was created by a resident, actively registered and licensed architect in our community after reviewing all of the studies that have been done on our current building:
Since 2016 Fountain of the Sun has commissioned 3 different engineering evaluations of the Activity Center here in fountain of the Sun by 3 different firms.
2016 roof structure analysis by Starling Madison Lofquist Inc
2021 activity Center evaluation by Architectural Collaborative Team, Structural Engineering Excellence LLC, Arizona Pinnacle Engineering LLC.
2024 Activity Center assessment by Synectic Design Inc, Peterson Associates Inc, Ground Penetrating Radar Systems Inc and Reynolds Electric Co.
The 3 reports vary in technical procedures and the amount of detail devoted to the different aspects of the reports.
However, all of the reports conclude that the Activity Center is structurally sound.
The existing electrical capacity of 800 amps is more than adequate for any future expansion.
Quote from the 2024 assessment:
“Most of the electrical panels serving the Recreation Building are in good shape. These panels provide power to the mechanical equipment, kitchen equipment, ceramics shop kiln, receptacles, and lighting in
this building. The main distribution board feeding the Recreation Building appears to be the original as well as the panel located in the sound booth that serves the single area.
The distribution switchboard on the Recreation Building is a Cutler Hammer brand, 208/120 volt, 3 phase, 4-wire, 800-amp distribution switchboard with five (5) disconnect switches that feed the
electrical panels in the Recreation Building. The distribution switchboard is located on the northwest corner of the building. Engineered drawings for the Clubhouse dated June 14, 2019, show the
connected load n the existing SES at 844 amps. This allows for an addition 756 amps that can be added to the SES.”
The Board states that there is insufficient power for the building.
The existing 2” water line is adequate for future expansion.
Quote from the 2024 assessment:
“The existing Multi-Purpose Building is served by a 2” domestic water service that enters on the north side of the building near the Ceramics Classroom. Based on fixture counts, the current domestic water
demand is estimated to be 39 gallons per minute (gpm). Depending on flow test results, a 2” service can deliver to 55 gpm (at acceptable velocities) so the existing service size will provide for limited expansion”
The existing air conditioning units over the main assembly area are relatively new and larger than the units they replaced and only require mounting modifications and maintenance.
Quote from the 2024 assessment:
“Recommend a qualified licensed contractor perform a system check for all existing equipment to verify the units are in good working condition.
Recommend replacing existing rooftop equipment support curbs/stands with proper support curbs/stands.
Recommend replacing roof mounted ductwork that is not installed per SMACNA Standards.
Recommend replacing exposed PVC condensate drain line with Type M copper and rerouting to alternate approved location such as floor sinds and/or mop sinks if possible.
Recommend properly supporting exposed condensate piping and elevating off roof to prevent ponding.
We recommend properly insulating and supporting exposed refrigerant line set (Ice Machine), protecting from damage and elevating off roof to prevent ponding.”
The board states that the air conditioning units are old and need to be replaced and put on the ground. All they need is some maintenance according to this report.
The 2021 and 2024 evaluations conclude that the Activity Center is in need of maintenance and minor repairs which seem to have been neglected.
The building is current code compliant under the building
codes when it was built. It does not need to be brought up to current code unless it is remodeled over 51 percent.
As per the 2024 evaluation the only major maintenance issue is the underground waste piping system of which some sections need replaced.
Fountain of the Sun paid nearly ¼ million dollars for these combined assessments for the Activity Center which contain some simple fixes for issues that are noted in the evaluations which can be
addressed over time as funds are available.
Any information stated by the FOS Board or individuals which differs greatly from the information contained in the 3 Activity Center evaluations prepared by registered architects and engineers, and is
misinformation according to the evaluations paid for by them (us).
The board states information contrary to the evaluations and contends that the information they give is correct and thus the building needs to be torn down and a new building erected
The first step needed for any proposed development is to meet with one of the planners at the City of Mesa. No one in FOS has approached the City of Mesa Planning Department on the new proposed activity center or on remodeling the existing activity center.
After meeting with the City planner a preliminary Design Review needs to be submitted. This will result in changes to the building, the parking, and the landscaping.
The next step in the process is a full planning and zoning review where all of the submitted documents are distributed to the different City departments for review. This will result in more changes to the building, landscaping, parking, retention, fire lanes, and solid waste enclosure.
The project then goes to the Design Review Board and a public hearing where additional changes may be required.
Once planning and zoning gives approval for the project the design professionals can then prepare and submit the construction documents to the building department for a building permit. These documents will be required to be changed several times before the permit is issued.
Only after a set of construction documents is approved and a building permit is issued will a building contractor give a guaranteed price for the project. Any estimate before this final issuance of the building permit is just an estimate or guess because of the inevitable design changes to the project.
Every contractor knows that there will be change orders to the construction documents no matter how well they be prepared, and the contractor counts on these changes to increase their profit. This is legal and ethical on the contractor’s part and is part of construction reality.
Originally, we were told the roof desperately needed replacement. Invasive studies of the roof found this not to be true. A General Contractor and Architect in our community have reviewed the building studies you paid to have done and have stated it is not necessary to replace our current building.
As far as necessary repairs for our current center, it should not cost the 2.1 million dollars as stated to repair or take the stated 12 months as roof replacement was included in the estimate provided to the community. It is likely we already have enough savings in our reserves to cover not only necessary repairs but give the building a facelift to make it look modern as was done to our administration building.
It is unnecessary to bring our activity center up to current building code. It is not required by law and none of the houses built in FOS are up to current code. It was up to code at the time it was built and that is all that is required.
The board, while asking you to come up with a $3500 special assessment, has budgeted and approved $134000 for additional bocce courts and $375000 for a restroom and $50000 for a shade structure to support the courts totaling $559000.00 (exact cost TBD as these are budgetary). Any improvement to the community should be postponed until the repairs to our Activity Center are completed as that is the boards PRIMARY responsibility.
The board has already stated they could raise HOA dues by 10% annually and they can do so without a vote. It is very possible they will do this if the project is approved or an additional special assessment would follow as their estimates are not based on approved drawings.
The board has stated a new center would raise your property values. The only way to realize a property value increase, if there actually was one, would be to move out of your home.
YOUR RESPONSIBILTY TO PAY THE HOA IF YOU VOTE YES:
$3500 + ANNUAL HOA DUES + ? (COST OVERRUNS) DUES INCREASE OR FUTURE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT.
EVEN IF YOU CAN AFFORD THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT, WHAT ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORS THAT CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY? THEY WILL EITHER HAVE TO BORROW, LOSE THEIR HOME OR BEG OTHERS TO PAY FOR THEM.
THE BOARD HAS NO PROOF THAT CONTINUING MAINTENANCE COSTS FOR A REPAIRED BUILDING WOULD BE ANY GREATER THAN MAINTAINING A NEW BUILDING OR THAT A NEW BUILDING WILL LAST ANY LONGER THAN OUR EXSISTING BUILDING WOULD IF WELL MAINTAINED.
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This option was presented to the community in the first Town Hall in January 2023. Please compare to what is currently being presented noting roof replacement has been found to be unnecessary.
