Mark Your Calendars!

Ju ly 2010 Vo lume V I ssue I I

City of Henderson240 Water StreetP.O. Box 95050

Henderson, NV 89009Neighborhood Services

MSC 132

Andy HafenMayor

Kathleen BoutinCouncilwoman

Steven D. KirkCouncilman

Debra MarchCouncilwoman

Gerri SchroderCouncilwoman

Mark Calhoun, P.E.City Manager

Barbara GeachActing Manager of

Neighborhood Sevices

www.cityofhenderson.com

Our next Neighborhood

Leadership Forum will be held

October 2010,at the Henderson

Convention Center.

Neighborhood Recognition

Awards Please remember

that the next meeting in October

will also recognize neighborhood

groups that make a difference in their neighborhood or

community by getting involved in

activities, events or projects.

Neighborhood Leadership ForumOn June 30, 2010, the City of Henderson Neighborhood Services hosted its Neighborhood Leadership Forum, which is held three times per year. It brings neighborhood leaders and management companies together with City staff to discuss common issues and topics.

Councilman Steve Kirk welcomed the attendees to the event. Other City representatives in attendance included Mayor Andy Hafen, Councilwoman Kathleen Boutin, Councilwoman Debra March, Councilwoman Gerri Schroder, and City Manager Mark Calhoun, along with numerous leaders from other City departments.

Following the welcome, Bob Coyle with Republic Services spoke to the audience about the City’s new pilot recycling program. More information regarding this process can be found on page two of this newsletter.

City of Henderson Director of Building and Fire Safety, Michael Bouse, Assistant Director of Building and Fire Safety, Mo Jadid, and Parks Coordinator, Preston Goodman then presented on the topic of block walls.

Michael Bouse spoke about the recent state legislation that pertains to block walls and the responsibility of homeowners associations with relation to the maintenance of those walls.

Senate Bill 68, which is, “an act relating to real property; establishing the responsibility for the maintenance of certain security walls within certain common-interest communities; and providing other matters properly relating thereto” says that:

• Each association is responsible for the maintenance, repair, restoration and replacement of any security wall which is located with the common-interest community, unless the governing documents say otherwise.

• If a common-interest community was created before October 1, 2009, the requirement of the bill do not apply to the common-interest community until January 1, 2013.

• The association, the members of its executive board and its officers, employees, agents and community manager may enter the grounds of a unit after providing written notice and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, are not liable for trespass. (continued on page 2)

October 2010

V O L U M E V I S S U E I I 2 0 1 0 Neigborhood MattersNeigborhood Matters 32

(continued from front page)

The executive board is prohibited from imposing an assessment without obtaining prior approval of the units’ owners unless the total amount of the assessment is less than five percent of the annual budget of the association.

Mr. Bouse went on to explain that if wall is structurally sound, free of graffiti, exterior covering and is well maintained then the City will not be contacting the HOA.

Mo Jadid then spoke about the construction of walls, building codes, causes of wall damage, examples, how to prevent or minimize damage, and code enforcement.

Causes of Damage to Block Walls:• Poor construction• Improper use• Soil/water• Landscaping

Preventing Damage to Block Walls:• Keep water away from walls• Ensure ground slopes away from walls• Plant 3-5 feet away from walls• Keep trees away from walls• Damp-proof walls

Preston Goodman, Parks Coordinator & Certified Arborist talked about landscaping around block walls. He said that you should keep shrubs 3-5 feet away from wall because irrigation can impact the wall. However, most problems come from trees. The right tree in the right place is critical.

Look at:• Mature size of tree • Height• Width of canopy • Surface roots

Also, if you don’t follow correct water procedures the tree will hold too much water and may tip over. He also noted that more walls are pushed over by palm trees than any other tree.

Finally, Sue Regan with the Department of Utility Services Conservation Unit offered to partner with HOAs with regard to the efficient use of water. She is available to speak at board meetings or classes are available for landscapers and residents to educate themselves on the topic.

If you would like to view the full presentations and Q&A go to:http://www.cityofhenderson.com/neighborhood_services/neighborhood_leadership_forum.php

Public vs. Private Maintenance ResponsibilitiesThe streetlight in front of your house is out. Who do you call? Most residents would immediately call the City of Henderson (COH). However, many communities are privately maintained and are therefore responsible for the replacement of streetlights. But how do you know?

Generally, if a community is gated, the sidewalks, streetlights, sewer, and fire hydrants are the responsibility of the homeowners association. Additionally, a rule of thumb is if the street name signs in a community are brown, this indicates that the streets are private. If they are green, the streets are public and the responsibility of the City.

Per the Henderson Development Code Chapter 19.12.4:Street, Private: A street that has not been accepted by the municipality or other governmental entity.Street, Public: A right-of-way intended to be used for travel by the public, improved for such purpose, and accepted by the City of Henderson for perpetual maintenance.

If you are unsure if your streets are public or private go to cityofhenderson.com and submit a Contact Henderson case or call 702-267-2000.

Foreclosure fraud has become epidemic in Nevada

Some Red Flag Warnings you should be aware of before you seek assistance.

Be suspicious of anyone that:

Guarantees to stop foreclosure Pressures you to sign or pay Tells you NOT to contact your

lender Wants to charge you up-front Tells you to make payments

to them Offers to fill out paper work, or Tells you foreclosure ‘scams’

aren’t real

There are reputable groups who can help and you will not be charged for their services. So before you do anything:

Stop and Call 702-229-HOME or

877-448-4692 to find a local HUD-approved

housing counseling agency. Also visit www.fightfraud.nv.gov.

Don’t become a victim. Let’s STOP FORECLOSURE

FRAUD in Nevada NOW! This message brought to

you by the Nevada Foreclosure Prevention Taskforce.

IN THE COMMUNITYAccording to the Southern Nevada Recycling Advisory Committee, only 2% of the waste generated by valley residents is recycled, compared with the typical 20-40% processed in most other major cities. To help improve these numbers and divert much of the waste that currently goes to our landfills, the City has partnered with Republic Services to begin providing a single-stream system Pilot program that allows residents to mix all recyclables together in a single container for collection and transport. The containers are provided by Republic Services at no cost to customers. Once the recyclables reach the processing plant, they are separated into recycling categories, packaged, and distributed to end users who give them new life. This process is an improvement over the current service because it eliminates the need for residents to sort recyclables into separate bins and has proven to make recycling easier, increase participation, and generate larger quantities of recyclable materials. Implementation of the program has already begun in some areas of the valley, with great success. The lucky neighborhoods that have been selected for this pilot program in Henderson will begin the new service this fall.

Privately Maintained• Street name signs are brown• Fire hydrants are red• May be gated• Must be maintained to City standards• Parking enforcement is the responsibility of the HOA• HOA is responsible for water and sewer• Speed bumps are not allowed• Curb painting is the responsibility of the HOA• Street lights are the responsibility of the HOA• Sidewalk & street maintenance is the responsibility of the HOA

Publicly Maintained• Street name signs are green• Fire hydrants are yellow• Not gated• Must be maintained to City standards• Parking enforcement is the responsibility of Henderson PD• City is responsible for water and sewer• Speed bumps are not allowed• Curb painting is the responsibility of the City• Street lights are the responsibility of the City• Sidewalk & street maintenance is the responsibility of the City

City of Henderson Installs Flashing Yellow Arrow Traffic Signal

The city of Henderson will be the first Southern Nevada municipality to implement a flashing yellow arrow left-turn traffic signal, to replace the traditional -dog house- green circular signal currently used throughout the valley.

The most common type of traffIC accident occurs when a motorist fails to yield to oncoming traffic while making a left turn. Federal Highway Administration studies show motorists have fewer accidents with flashing yellow left-turn arrows than with traditional green circular signals. The flashing yellow arrow is more intuitive to motorists and results in fewer incorrect decisions to turn.

“Henderson is actively pursuing programs and services that foster a safe community” said Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen, “Installation of this new type of signal will greatly improve the safety of Henderson intersections for both motorists and pedestrians”.

Flashing yellow arrow traffic signals will eventually be installed at 80 intersections throughout Henderson, for a total cost of $263,000.

Motorists can learn more about the flashing yellow arrow by visitng the city’s website at cityofhenderson.com or the Nevada Department of Transportation website atnevadadot.com/safety/improvements/TurnSignal.