GRF BOARD RECAP
by Ruth Osborn
Communications Director
The GRF Board of Directors met April 23 to consider speed bumps to enhance traffic safety, a contingency fund to plan ahead for skyrocketing insurance costs, a resident code of conduct and security systems.
But first, GRF President Marsha Gerber accepted the midterm resignation of Mutual 1 representative Daniel Weber, acknowledging his contribution to the board. Later in the meeting, the board unanimously appointed Stephen Hendrickson, who will be seated at the May 28 meeting.
Gerber went on to congratulate GRF staff for the Great Leisure World Discovery Tour held April 6: “The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive.” GRF Director Marla Hamblin of Mutual 15, presented GRF Recreation Manager Kathy Thayer with a bouquet of flowers and praised her “creativity and productive expertise,” saying she represents the best of Leisure World, which was in full view at the Great Leisure World Discovery Tour. “It was like Disneyland for seniors, with tote bags on every arm, brimming from all the giveaway swag,” Hamblin said.
Six residents spoke during the public comment period on a variety of issues, including upcoming elections, cost savings strategies, the future of the Minibus system, RV storage annual lease fees, financial reporting, GRF credit cards, gate access and the GRF policy numbering.
One person expressed concern about unauthorized people residing in Leisure World, specifically referring to a high-level security person living with his girlfriend and giving some other personal details. That information is false as the staffer in question is an owner in Leisure World.
While GRF directors cannot generally correct misinformation during public comment time, they can answer questions and provide context to many issues outside of board meetings. Each Mutual hasitsown GRFdirector(ortwo, for those who reside in the larger Mutuals 1 and 2), and often, they—or GRF staffers—have information that can quell concerns.
The following includes meeting highlights. For a comprehensive review, visit lwsb.com and click “Meeting Livestream.”
Speed Cushion Installation
Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the GRF Board voted to award a $32,382 contract to MJ Jurado Inc. to install speed cushions on El Dorado Drive, Golden Rain Road, St. Andrews Drive and Thunderbird Drive.
A speed cushion recently installed on Del Monte Road has calmed traffic speeds, according to feedback from people who live nearby. This is part of a GRF traffic safety initiative that also includes upgrading street surveillance cameras throughout LW, adding dedicated turn lanes at the stoplight at St. Andrews Drive and Golden Rain Road and saturating the community with police traffic enforcement. Speeding, distracted and unlicensed driving, and running stop signs are the most common infractions, according to SBPD.
Security recommended where to install the cushions, and the Orange County Fire Authority reviewed and approved the locations as follows: El Dorado Drive and Nassau Drive, Golden Rain Road and Annandale Drive, Saint Andrews Drive and Oakmont Road, and Thunderbird Drive and Monterey Road.
Security Camera System
Upon the recommendation of the Operations Committee, the GRF Board approved an $11,800 contract for a site survey and camera system design plan. The contract was awarded to Castle Defense. This is the first step in a project to replace GRF’s obsolete security surveillance camera system.
There are 144 cameras throughout LW, with 110 of those providing poor video quality and 28 no longer working at all. Some cameras are 20 years old, and others were purchased used. The system’s network video recorders (NVR) are unable to be updated. NVRs are specialized computers that record security video surveillance footage in digital format to a hard drive. GRF’s NVRs also lack space for storing footage. Deteriorated cabling also needs to be replaced.
The site survey and design plan will pave the way to replacing the old system with new cameras that have better resolution and built-in intelligence, among other benefits. This will improve overall security and help reduce liability in LW.
The site survey will also evaluate the best placement of cameras and the best way to consolidate the number of NVRs into a single recording platform. The survey will also include information to formalize a quote to replace the camera system. If the board chooses Castle Defense for the camera installation, all the site survey and planning costs will be credited toward the cost of installing cameras.
GRF Contingency Fund
Upon the recommendation of the Administration Committee, the GRF Board voted to amend 14-5540-1, Contingency Operating Fund, to increase its base amount from $1 million to $2.5 million over a four-year period.
A properly funded contingency account will help prevent the possibility of a special assessment to cover skyrocketing insurance premiums. Leisure World’s annual insurance premium, which is rarely finalized until days before it is due, has long been among the largest lump sum payments the GRF makes.
In October 2018, the GRF Board of Directors replaced a previous rule titled “The Liability Insurance Fund” with The Contingency Operating Fund, then numbered 40-5540-1. The Contingency Fund’s current $1 million threshold was established in September 2019, when the annual insurance premium totaled $1.95 million. Counting the 67% single-year increase between 2023 and 2024, the GRF’s insurance premium has risen 180% during the period.
The amendment improves GRF’s ability to significantly increase its financial cushion in view of the realities of the California insurance market.
The GRF’s annual insurance prepayment is currently due on Nov. 30 of each year. The amended language requires the threshold funding to be in place 30 days prior to the annual insurance prepayment date.
Authorized Rules of Conduct Upon the recommendation of the Administration Committee, the GRF Board voted to amend 13-5093-1, Authorized Rules of Conduct. The revision has been reviewed by GRF legal counsel. The policy now more clearly defines violations affecting GRF personnel.
Previous board discussions of the policy focused on directors’ concerns about potential freedom-of-expression limitations associate withd the unauthorized recording and sharing of images, videos and recordings of persons.
President Gerber consulted the GRF attorney, who reviewed the proposed policy in its entirety. He stated rules against unauthorized recordings are permissible on private property. The committee also added language addressing images, videos or audio works produced using mechanical or digital means (e.g., Photoshop or generative artificial intelligence).
The board approved a contract for a site survey and camera design plan to update GRF' s obsolete surveillance camera system.
Paul Kryczko
