The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3 - (Page 17)

water (inches per hour, hundred cubic feet) where association boards think and talk in dollars (usually related to the current financial statement). In short, monitoring required site, required provider, and required association budget vs. use and cost can be a mind-boggling challenge. To simplify matters a bit, the following is recommended: 1. Create an annual landscape water budget (use and costs) based on the site’s actual water requirement. 2. Adjust the dollar amount budgeted for landscape water for the seasonality of water use (if not in the accounting system, which is preferable, then by the use of a spreadsheet). 3. Have an in-house person or the Certified Irrigation Manager read the water meters weekly, and post the use on the association’s LIMS2, alerting the association to any variances which exceed a predetermined amount. Some water providers (notably Redwood City, CA) are now moving toward having readings available on-line in real-time, which will eventually reduce the cost of manually reading meters. Monitoring water use weekly during the growing season on a meter-by-meter basis compared to ”Required – site” alerts all to excessive, as well as deficit, irrigation practices enabling immediate adjustments. If the association establishes a water budget based on site requirements, adjusts that budget for seasonality, and then monitors use with its LIMS on a regular basis, it will achieve its greatest control of water costs. • Repaving or other square footage requirements. An association Geographic Information System opens entirely new and exciting realms of inventorying, analyzing, monitoring, and managing an association’s many assets. As we move into the future, nearly everything can and will be “geo-ed.” That future starts today. Richard Reasoner is President and Management Horticulturist with Dendron Landscape Management Consultants and is a recognized leader in landscape inventorying using GPS/ GIS mapping technologies, developing site specific landscape management specifications, and implementing landscape and irrigation management strategies to provide clients a better return on their landscape investments. FOOTNOTES 1. Certified Irrigation Managers information is available at the California Landscape Contractors Association Web site at www.clca.us/water/cos.html. 2. For an example LIMS see http://www.sitebudgetwatch.com. Since 1976 Specializing in Common Interest Development Reconstruction Waterproofing · Roofing C-39 · Painting C-33 · Decks · Landings · Handrails · Stairs · Siding · Stucco · Electrical C-10 · HVAC C-20· Window Replacement · Litigation Support LICENSE #617610 CONCORD: 925-313-0100 LOS ANGELES: 310-670-0700 SACRAMENTO: 916-646-6400 SAN FRANCISCO: 415-292-9992 SAN JOSE: 408-536-0420 TAHOE-TRUCKEE: 530-546-8350 OTHER USES FOR AN ASSOCIATION GIS What we’ve discussed above relates primarily to using an association GIS to better manage its landscape asset. Once the base layer has been developed, however, many other uses present themselves situationally, some of which include: • Emergency planning (utility shutoff locations, tools required); • Parking- stall assignments; • Roof material by unit; • Better reserve studies; • Paint types, colors, etc. by location; • Underground utilities; and, Russell & Mallett, LLP 2900 Camino Diablo, Suite 200 Walnut Creek, CA 94597-3999 Tel. 925/947-4915 Fax 925/947-4920 Toll Free: 1-888-488-2255 info@russell-mallett.com Providing Legal Expertise to the Homeowner Association Industry Construction Defect Litigation and Reconstruction Guidance Contracts and Mechanics Liens CC&R Revisions and Compliance General Counsel to Homeowners Associations, Directors and Management The Communicator • 17 http://www.clca.us/water/cos.html http://www.sitebudgetwatch.com http://www.draegerconstruction.com http://www.russell-mallett.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3

The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3 Contents President's Message Eyes in the Sky Down to the Last Drop Ask the Experts - Budget Your Water Usage 2008 Events & Educational Calendar Welcome to CAI BayCen Index to Advertisers

The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3

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