Mountain View Falls

Quorum Article - July 1999

Mountain View Falls is a planned development of 144 units situated on Hovely Lane, close to Cook Street, in Palm Desert. Building commenced in 1984 and continued until 1992. The community is gated and amenities include two pool and spa sets, two tennis courts and a clubhouse. The homes come with two or three bedrooms and are configured as townhouse or single level condos. Sizes range from approximately 1,000 sq. ft to 1,300 sq. ft. Sales prices currently range from approximately $70,000 to $100,000. Homeowner association dues are a low $180.00.

The Homeowner Association is fortunate in having an active, forward-looking board of directors. Recent accomplishments include the introduction of tertiary (recycled) water to the irrigation system. This was achieved at a capital cost of less than $100,000. The Association’s location close to the tertiary water main distribution line and the Coachella Valley Water District’s processing plant helped minimize costs, since the construction of a pressure booster station was unnecessary. Tertiary water reduces irrigation water costs from 59 cents per cubic foot to 21 cents per cubic foot and saves the Association approximately $30,000 annually. Thus the project will pay for itself in only three years.

Another example of this Board’s proactive approach is its attitude to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Without any input or prompting on the part of Government, the Association took the opportunity of recent street renovations to retrofit its curbs and gutters to make them accessible to the handicapped. This was at a cost of $19,000. Although this cost was not mandated, it was nonetheless an accommodation to homeowners and their guests and also a hedge against litigation. The Board saw it as an investment in the future.

The Board is realistic and attends to detail. For example, it recently approved new directional signage and the renovation of the waterfall at the main entrance gate. The Board is conscientious in maintaining adequate reserves and is receptive to constructive proposals submitted to it by management. This may in large part be due to the fact that all five board members are active in CAI and attend its meetings. Assiduous attention to detail also accounts for minimal dues delinquencies and practically no rules enforcement problems

Fortune West Management (The G. E. Weidle Company) assists the Mountain View Falls Board of Directors in its duties. Association members have the benefit of being able to view minutes of board meetings on the Fortune West web site (www.fortunewest.com). Barbara Vail, CCAM, is Fortune West’s HOA manager designated for Mountain View Falls. Barbara’s principal vendors are Kirkpatrick Landscaping, Smiley’s Pool Service and Aladdin Door and Gate.

Gary Weidle, PCAM, CCAM, CMCA, AMS, the owner/broker of Fortune West Management, AAMC commented that Mountain View Falls is an excellent common interest development to work with, primarily because the Board is such a conscientious group. The Board is careful in its policy setting role and appropriately calls upon management or professional advice and recommendations. While it should not be rare to work with a Board that works to the maximum in policy setting while allowing management to implement the policy, it is refreshing to enjoy such a symbiotic relationship. When both Board members and management can work to the maximum efficiency within their defined roles, wasted effort and needless frustration are minimized.