Half Moon Bay Community

The Cypress Cove Spa Conversation Continues

Had the opportunity to have an email conversation with Al Connell, whose insurance agency has handled the insurance for the Cypress Cove HOA since the time when there were only 11 units in the community.  (Disclosure:  I am also a customer of Al's in contexts outside of Cypress Cove.  I also recommend him highly.)

A caveat from Al:

"In response to your questions, I am not an attorney nor a claims adjuster, but here are my thoughts."

Duly noted.  Now, onto the Q&A:

CC: What exposure, if any, would exist if someone willfully climbed over the spa fence and injured themselves?  Is this sort of thing covered by the association's insurance?

AC: In that the spa is located in the HOA common area, the insurance policy covers the spa area. In that there is a fence around the spa, I believe that the HOA has made an effort to keep it protected. If someone were to injure themselves and the HOA was deemed to be somehow negligent, there would be liability coverage from the policy.

CC: If there is any potential exposure, what could be done to mitigate it?

AC: Short of taking the spa out, I don't know what could be done.

CC: Are you aware of (or do you cover) any other organizations that might have a similar situation (e.g. hotels, parks, etc.)?  What are other folks doing to reduce their exposure, from a physical standpoint (e.g. what have they done to the areas to make them reasonably safe without going overboard)?

AC: I have seen other HOA's who have completely enclosed the spa and have a key lock to access. They may have been built originally that way, I don't know for sure. 

Additionally, Al notes:

"Your property manager, Rob Cochrane [Compass Management], is a very experienced manager. He has managed properties here as well as in So. California. He may be an excellent resource for his thoughts and experiences at other properties. I would suggest that you discuss this with him. Let me know if you need anything else."

Thanks, Al!

Wavecrest And The Unbuilt Middle School: Sordid Friction

Barry Parr fires up the time machine and has put together great timelines of both the Wavecrest and Middle School stories that date back to the original Measure K vote in 1996 (for the school) and back to 1995 (for Wavecrest). 

If you're interested in how things have developed over the decade that these stories have been evolving, read on.

Wavecrest:  The First Decade
CUSD's Unbuilt Middle School:  The First Decade

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE...

Graeme Martin writes:

"Am I the only one in Cypress Cove being driven to distraction by the 2.50am postal delivery 6 days a week? This issue has been substantially aggravated for me in recent weeks by the ignorance and selfishness of the latest driver(s) (apparently they are subcontracted by USPS) deciding it is fine to leave the motor of their truck running for the 20-30mins it takes to unload and load the truck. Although I have been in touch with the Postmaster three times in the last week, my requests to ask for a meeting have been stonewalled, and no action has ensued with respect to reducing the noise.

"I am now trying to determine what City / County ordinances have to say about antisocial noise. Any pointers would be most welcome.....as would notification from anyone else who is seeking to regain quality of life through a decent night's sleep."

Who else is having this issue?  Any ideas on what can be done about it?

UPDATE:

Be sure to check Jonathan Lundell's response in the comments below.  He may have found the answer...

What Do You Want At The New Park?

The Review also posted a questionnaire on what folks want the park to provide from an ammenities standpoint.  The whole thing:

The city of Half Moon Bay is asking Coastside residents what they would like to see and do at its new park site along Highway 92. The following questions and choices were crafted by city officials. Feel free to clip this coupon out and drop it off at City Hall, or mail it to Half Moon Bay Parks and Recreation Department, 535 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.

1. What do you think are the top three park and recreation facilities that are most needed in the new community park? Please mark your top three on the following list with an X or add a new suggestion under "other."

_____   1. Baseball or softball fields

_____   2. Tennis courts

_____   3. Contemplative quiet space

_____   4. Bocce ball courts

_____   5. Barbecues

_____   6. Labyrinth

_____   7. In-line hockey rink

_____   8. Trails

_____   9. Basketball court

_____ 10. Performing arts spaces (band shell)

_____ 11. Playgrounds

_____ 12. Par course

_____ 13. Gardens

_____ 14. Sand volleyball court

_____ 15. Soccer fields

_____ 16. Picnic areas

_____ 17. Horseshoe pits

_____ 18. Shuffleboard courts

_____ 19. Community garden

_____ 20. Water feature

_____ 21. Restrooms

_____ 22. Large, open grassy areas

_____ 23. Skate park

_____ 24. Woodland area

_____ 25. Game and activity space (youth and teens)

_____ 26. Other:

2. What are the top three recreation or park activities you would like to see happening in the park? Please mark your top three on the following list with an X or add a new suggestion under "other."

_____ 1. Walking

_____ 2. Nature, interpretive programs

_____ 3. City events

_____ 4. Arts and crafts programs

_____ 5. Adult sports

_____ 6. Health and fitness programs

_____   7. Martial arts programs

_____   8. Youth sports

_____   9. Teen programs

_____ 10. Outdoor learning laboratory (support for school curriculum)

_____ 11. Music programs

_____ 12. Programs for persons with disabilities

_____ 13. Family activities

_____ 14. Health-Cardio activities

_____ 15. Cultural events

_____ 16. Other:

Print.  Clip.  Speak up.  Do it. 

Now.

No, not later.

Right up there.  The print button.  Use it.

On the other hand, if it's easier to speak out here in the comments, do it.  I'll collect all comments posted here by, say, April 2nd, and personally deliver them to both City Hall and the Parks and Rec Department.  That'll give a few days headway before the April 5th meeting.

Summary of 8Mar2005 Meeting Regarding The Community Park

From the HMB Review, 16Mar2005 (link)

"The Half Moon Bay Community Park Committee held a public meeting March 8 to discuss plans for the nearly 22 acres of parkland recently acquired adjacent to Highway 92."

Behind the link, many quotes from committee members:

• Mike Ferreira
• Ken King
• Jeff Centoni

Interesting pullquote from the article:

"Moore Iacofano Goltsman recently drafted a schedule that calls for a master-planning document to be completed by mid-October. The schedule then calls for public presentation and City Council adoption by November.

King isn't so sure that schedule can be met, however.

"I found it a little bothersome," he said. "There's been slippage already on the schedule."

King said one of his main objectives is to see the plan approved before the November election when three councilmember seats will be up for grabs."

The committee's next meeting is scheduled for April 5th.

La Di Da Goes On The Block?

Bummer.  Looks like local fave La Di Da is up for sale.  Unless there's another place that meets this description.

Trendy Jazz cafe with comfortable and friendly atmosphere Established customers come together to enjoy freshly baked goods, gourmet coffee, specialty coffees, teas, soups, salads and sandwiches. Displays local artists works. Owner will train. Lease good until 1/2009. Owner is willing to train. Landlord will require good credit and a solid business concept. Business offered at $120,000. Just one block to busy Half Moon Bay. Solid customer base.

Cypress Cove Google Juice

How 'bout that?  We've just been up for a couple of weeks, and already have the first four slots on a Google search of "Cypress Cove Townhomes."

Cool.

Commentary On Park Coverage

Just found a nice piece by Barry Parr (dated 24Jan2005) with a number of questions regarding the HMB Review's coverage of the park process.  Includes commentary by committee members:

• Ken King
• Jessica Hopkins
• Steven Stauss

Worth a read.

Who Is "MIG," Anyway?

"MIG" is Moore Iacofano Goltsman, the selected architects for the community park.  From their website, "MIG provides customized, practical solutions for complex, multifaceted projects calling on a unique combination of planning, design, communications, management, and technology expertise." (ed. - huh?)

More on MIG here.

Council Signs Off On $250,000 Park Contract

From the HMB Review, 9Mar2005 (link to full article):

The Half Moon Bay City Council last week gave City Manager Debra Ryan the authority to spend up to $250,000 for master planning and design services for the parkland adjacent to Highway 92.

The council unanimously agreed at its March 1 meeting to reallocate $245,000 that was originally earmarked for the Oak Avenue Park project to fund the contract with the design firm of Moore Iacofano Goltsman.

The other salient bit:

MIG intends to have a series of draft plans and alternatives available beginning May 10. It plans to have a final master plan available Oct. 11.