Tom Watterson's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Tom Watterson’s Frequently Asked Questions

Tom Watterson is the Menas property manager for Cape La Jolla Gardens. In this section, he provides answers for the questions most frequently asked by CLJG residents about their condominium complex. If you have additional questions you would like added to this list, please send an email to wcooper1@san.rr.com .

Common Area Maintenance & Repair

Garages

Resident Registration

Parking

Homeowner Association Fees

Rules & Regulations

Architectural Requests

Pets

Homeowner Association Board & Meetings

Notices

Pool, Spa and Fitness Room

Common Area Maintenance & Repair

How do residents report a maintenance issue to Menas Realty?

Residents may contact Michelle who is in charge of the Maintenance Division at Menas (619) 270-7870, (ext. 27) to report a maintenance issue. If Michelle is not available, then residents should contact Tom Watterson at Menas (ext. 24).

Residents should receive a written (maintenance work order) confirmation in the mail from Menas, indicating that their maintenance issue has been logged with Michelle.

How long does it take to get non-emergency maintenance issues resolved?

Maintenance items should be resolved within 15 days of receipt of an issue being notified to Michelle and a work order being issued.

In the case of an emergency, whom should I contact?

For CLJGHOA related emergencies, contact Menas Realty at (619) 270-7870, or after business hours call (619) 744-9883 and the Menas Property Manager (Tom Watterson) will be paged.

How can residents check up on the status of maintenance issues and their expected resolution date?

Residents may contact Michelle at (619) 270-7870, ext. 27 and he will provide status report information in regards to their work order.

Who are the maintenance contractors at CLJG and whom do they report to?

Maintenance contractors are either on-site maintenance (employees of the association) or independent contractors. They report directly to Michelle at Menas. If there is a problem with a maintenance contractor, Michelle should be contacted immediately and if he is not available, then Tom Watterson (619) 270-7870, ext. 24 will be able to assist.

What maintenance and repair items are the owners' responsibility and what is the responsibility of the HOA?

The CLJGHOA CC&R's address which items are the responsibility of the association and which items are the responsibility of the residents. If after reviewing the CC&R's, the homeowner is still unclear on whose responsibility an item is, they may call the Property Manager, Tom Watterson at Menas.

Who do I call if a pathway light or garage exterior light is out and needs replacing?

Please inform Michelle at Menas if a light needs replacing. CLJG maintenance staff will replace exterior lights at pathways and garages.

Garages

Who changes the batteries for the garage wireless remote entry keypads and how often?

It is the owner's responsibility to change the batteries for the garage door keypads. Batteries may be obtained at the front porch of Unit 8611-E (CLJGHOA President - Karol Koerner).

Where can I get another remote control for my garage?

Remote Controls can be purchased at Dixieline Lumber, 7929 Miramar Road. Make sure you buy the Chamberlain Model 750CB remote (equivalent to Lift-Master Model 81LM), otherwise the remote control may not be compatible with the garage control unit.

Do I have to notify Menas when I rent out my Garage?

Any resident renting their garage out must notify Menas Realty and must update their CLJG Resident Registration form.

Resident Registration

Why do CLJG residents have to be registered with Menas Realty?

CLJG residents have to register with Menas since the governing documents (CC&R's) state any resident must complete a Resident Registration form and provide it to the association's property management company (i.e. Menas Realty).

How do I register the occupants of my rented condo unit?

Fill out a Resident Registration form, providing details on occupants, including contact and vehicle information and provide to Menas Realty.

How do I register the residents of my condo unit?

Fill out a Resident Registration form and provide to Menas Realty.

Parking

What are the rules about parking in the Guest parking spots?

Only guests of a resident at CLJG may park in the guest parking spaces. The CLJG parking rules are listed on page 6 of the CLJG Rules & Regulations Booklet which can be downloaded (in PDF format) from the CLJG website and printed out. All residents were supplied with a copy of this document in 4Q 1998. Additional copies are available from Menas realty at minimal cost.

How do I register a Guest's Vehicle with Menas?

Fill out a Resident Registration form and provide to Menas Realty.

Who do I call if I want to report a vehicle parked in the Fire lane?

Call the Fire Department Non-Emergency number and they will get the car towed.

How long will it take to get a resident's car towed from a guest parking spot?

Report the vehicle to CLJG's security company, Southern California Security. The phone number for them is (619) 576-1994. If the resident's vehicle has been parked for over five days, they will get it towed.

I've heard that the HOA can't legally tow a car parked in the guest parking. Is this true?

Not true. Since the CLJGHOA Rules and Regulations expressly prohibit resident parking in guest parking spots, CLJG has the right to get vehicles towed off their private property.

Homeowner Association Fees

Who do I call if I have question on my bill?

Contact Menas Realty, (619) 270-7870 and ask for the Accounts Receivable department. The will be able to assist you with any questions regarding your HOA fees.

How do I inform Menas Realty of the change of ownership of a condo unit?

Fill out a Resident Registration form and provide to Menas Realty. The escrow agent or the new owner MUST notify the property management company regarding a change of ownership.

Where do all the monthly HOA fees go?

The monthly HOA fees cover maintenance, insurance, legal and utilities costs. Details of these expenses are publihed every few months in the HOA newsletters. These HOA Expense Reports are also available on the CLJG website.

How much of the condo fees are reserved for long-term future maintenance expenses?

Every month the association allocates ~$7700 into the reserves from the total collected homeowner fees.

Can I pay my monthly fees by direct deposit?

Monthly fees can now be paid by direct deposit via the Bank of Commerce. Contact Menas for a Direct Deposit form or download a Direct Deposit form from the CLJG website.

Rules & Regulations

How can I get a copy of the CC&R's?

You may receive a copy of the CC&R's from Menas Realty at minimal cost. Alternatively you can download a copy of the CLJGHOA CC&R's from the CLJG website.

How can I get a copy of the Rules & Regulations Booklet for 1998/1999?

A copy of the Rules and regulations booklet may be obtained from the management company at minimal cost. Alternatively you can download a copy of the Rules and Regulations Booklet from the CLJG website.

Architectural Requests

How do I go about getting permission to do exterior construction to a condo unit?

Contact the management company to receive the CLJG architectural guidelines and application. The Architectural Request forms & information can also be downloaded from the CLJG website.

Do I need permission from the board to install a security screen door?

Prior to purchase and installation of any Security Screen Door at CLJG, check which models of screen door are approved by the CLJGHOA Board of Directors. Otherwise, you may be required to remove non-approved models.

Pets

How many pets are allowed per condo unit?

According to the CLJG CC&R's, Article XI, Section 6 a unit owner shall be allowed to maintain a reasonable number of household family pets, not to exceed three (3) cats and/or dogs without reference to other pets.

Are cats allowed to roam around the complex?

Cats are considered 'independent' and are not under the same jurisdiction as dogs. Cats are not allowed on residents' private property. Please refer to the CLJG Rules and Regulations Booklet , P11.

What do I do if a neighbor's cat continuously strays on to my property?

Contact Animal Control if a cat continues to stray onto your property.

Is there a leash law for dogs?

California State Law requires that dogs be kept on a leash at all times.

What do I do if my neighbor's pets are continuously barking?

Provide the management company with the address of the unit where the dog resides in order for management to send a noise disturbance letter to the rightful dog owner.

Homeowner Association Board & Meetings

When and where are HOA meetings held?

Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at the La Jolla Village Square Community Room, next to the AMC movie theatres ticket office.

What is the format of the meetings?

The purpose of the monthly meetings is to conduct association business, e.g. address any residents concerns, review financials & annual audit/budget, review maintenance bids, approve contracts and any other items put on the meeting agenda to discuss. .

Is there a newsletter?

A CLJGHOA newsletter is sent to each homeowner along with the monthly statement (either monthly or bi-monthly).

How is the board elected and how long is their term?

The Board of Directors consists of seven persons elected by the CLJGHOA membership and they serve a two year term.

What is Menas' role in managing CLJG?

To assist the CLJGHOA Board of Directors in achieving their fiduciary responsibilities and to facilitate in the maintenance of the association. A property manager from Menas is present at the monthly board meetings to advise the board in regards to the HOA's needs.

Who is currently on the board and how do I contact them?

The CLJGHOA has 7 people on their Board of Directors and they can be reached either in writing c/o Menas Realty or by attending the monthly CLJGHOA scheduled meeting. During the meetings, the Board of Directors are available to answer questions during the 30 minute open session at the beginning.

Is there a monthly inspection of the condition of the common areas?

A monthly landscape/maintenance walkthrough is conducted on the first Wednesday of the month, starting at 9am at the waterfall by the condominium entrance.

Notices

What notices can be posted at the mail boxes and who can post them?

Notices that have been reviewed and approved by the CLJGHOA Board of Directors can be posted on the mail box by a designated individual.

Where can I post my personal notice or advertisement?

Personal notices can be posted in the Fitness Room next to the pool free of charge.

Pool, Spa & Fitness Room

How do I get another key for the pool/fitness room?

A homeowner may contact the property management company (i.e. Menas Realty, Tel: (858) 270-7870, x24) to obtain a key for the pool/fitness room. Note that replacement keys cost $50.

Can I reserve the pool area for a private party or function?

Individuals or groups must not occupy the pool, the spa or adjoining areas to the effective exclusion of others.