Annual Dues, Community Safety Focus of OVA Board Meeting

UPDATE 10/21/2022: Clarifying the Upcoming Dues Increase 
Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback on this article. Per the feedback we have received, we would like to provide the following clarification:  

The security and sense of community topics were part of the regular monthly General Manager Report which was presented separately from the budget. Both topics were covered at the 10/18/2022 board meeting, but one did not have anything to do with the other in this instance. We apologize for the lack of clarity. The recording of the meeting is available at oakmontvillage.com/videos for any resident that would like to review the meeting.

Please send any comments, questions, or requests to feedback@oakmontvillage.com.

            A $7 increase in monthly dues was approved Oct. 18 OVA board meeting.

            The dues increase, from $106 to $113 per member, results in a couple’s dues jumping from $212 to $226 a month effective in January 2023.

            Elke Strunka, OVA treasurer, said the 6.6% dues increase is attributed mostly to a 40% increase in Administrative Expenses. These include a $100,000 jump in insurance premiums in the wake of increasing wildfires, $50,000 to administer Oakmont 2030, $60,000 in website expenses and a 19% rise in utility costs.

            Association Manager, Christel Antone, focusing on the need for residents to “feel safe,” said her staff is assuring that all OVA facilities have adequate lighting and regular security checks. In addition, she said, OVA is maintaining a “strong working relationship” with the Santa Rosa Police Department. She urged residents to “know your neighbors, be engaged” and contact police when a problem emerges.

            Reflecting on the “tragic occurrence” of a suspected murder/suicide recently in Oakmont, Board President Jess Marzak said one of the great attributes of Oakmont is “the sense of community.” “When a tragedy like this occurs, I think to myself, could anything else have been done. Could anyone have noticed a change in their behavior? Were they less active in their daily life, did they go for walks less frequently?”

            “I would encourage all Oakmonters to be active in their neighborhoods. Get to know your neighbors. Go for walks and introduce yourself to someone you’ve never talked to before. One of the great delights in Oakmont is to meet someone new, hear about their background, former work and life experiences, and walk away thinking about how interesting these people were.”

            “Knowing your neighbors allows you to notice their patterns of life, when they leave in the morning, when they go for walks. It also allows you to notice when they don’t leave their home, when they don’t go for walks, which can lead you to knock on their door and check in on them. Neighborhoods that interact and communicate with one another behave like that. They look out for one another.”

            Marzak encouraged residents to get involved with Map Your Neighborhood and COPE (Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies), through which they can share emergency contact information.