Manager’s Messages

Turf Conversion Update and Information

By ddepledge · July 8, 2026

The Board recognizes the recent questions and concerns regarding the community’s turf conversion project and appreciates the feedback received from homeowners. We want to provide clear information regarding the project, the Board’s authority, and the reasons this work must move forward.

Planning and Homeowner Outreach

This project has been discussed publicly for many months before construction. It was presented during the November, January, and March Board meetings, followed by a May Town Hall dedicated to homeowner feedback. Notices were distributed by both email and hard copy, and an additional written communication was e-mailed following the Town Hall after review and input from Association legal counsel. All Board meetings were properly noticed and conducted in open session, providing multiple opportunities for homeowner awareness and participation. Below are the times the board discussed/announced this project with the homeowners:

10/29: Posted agenda regarding the 11/4 Board Meeting
11/4: Open Session Board Meeting with turf conversion project on the agenda
1/21: Posted agenda regarding the 1/27 Board Meeting
1/27: Open Session Board Meeting with turf conversion project on the agenda
4/21: Posted agenda regarding the 4/28 Board Meeting
5/5: Hard copy was mailed notice to owners about turf conversion project**
5/11, 5/14 and 5/19: Emails sent to owners regarding upcoming Townhall
5/20: Townhall meeting where owners attended/participated
6/24: Signs were posted onsite about project by Bemus
6/25: Notice posted to website as prepared by the association attorney
6/26: Emailed notice to homeowners as prepared by the association attorney

Why the Project is Required

California law requires the conversion of nonfunctional turf to drought-tolerant landscaping. The affected parkway areas are considered nonfunctional turf under Assembly Bill 1572 and, again, the Association has confirmed this with legal counsel. Although the compliance deadline extends into the future, delaying the project would likely eliminate valuable rebate funding that currently allows the Association to complete the work at essentially no net cost. The Board is not pursuing this project because it prefers to replace the landscaping, but because it has a fiduciary obligation to bring the Association into compliance with state law while protecting homeowners from unnecessary financial exposure and potential fines.

**Hard copies will not be received by owners if they have changed their delivery preferences to electronic mail; the association is required to deliver communication in line with the owners selected delivery method.

Board Authority

Association counsel has confirmed on multiple occasions that this project falls

within the Board’s authority because it replaces an existing reserve component of the common area landscape. It is not a rule change or governing document amendment that requires a membership vote or a 28-day membership comment period. While homeowner input has been welcomed and carefully considered throughout the process, the decision to proceed with this maintenance and replacement project rests with the Board.

Financial Responsibility

The Board’s objective has always been to complete this project without placing additional financial burden on homeowners. Rebate funding has declined dramatically—from approximately $7 per square foot previously to approximately $2 per square foot today. In 2025, the Board considered proposals totaling approximately $145,000.00 when rebates were $7 per square foot, which would have significantly transformed the landscape. However, as the available rebates have decreased to $2 per square foot, the Board determined that it would not be just to ask homeowners to bear the full cost of such an extensive project. As a result, the current planting options under consideration have been selected to achieve a net-zero financial impact for the homeowners. Any further delay could result in the loss of remaining rebate funds and require the Association to absorb significant additional costs, potentially through future budget adjustments or even a special assessment. The Board believes it would be financially irresponsible to forfeit available funding when a net-zero solution remains achievable. The current project cost to come into compliance with AB 1572 (savings to the association) as of today is about $35,000. Without capturing the existing rebates, this cost would otherwise be paid by the homeowners (as we are obligated to convert the turf).

Landscape Material

The Board understands that many homeowners have expressed concerns regarding the selected plant material. Those comments have been heard. Alternative plant palettes are being reviewed by the landscape architect and will be provided as soon as possible to the board. The currently selected materials allow the project to remain effectively cost neutral. Nevertheless, based on homeowner feedback, the Board has requested an extension with the local water authority, and is actively working with the landscape architect to identify any additional aesthetically pleasing, net-zero alternatives before final approval. This has now become a time sensitive endeavor, with the end goal of not losing the rebates that have already been approved by the water department. The association must act promptly, or risk the cost of compliance with AB 1572 to be born by the association.

The Board remains committed to transparency and welcomes respectful homeowner feedback. However, because this project is time-sensitive and delaying construction risks the loss of significant rebate funding and increased costs to the membership, the project must continue. We assure you that this project is backed by civil code, with the guidance of industry landscape professionals and the association’s attorney guidance. Many associations throughout Orange County and California have already completed similar conversions using comparable drought-tolerant materials. The Board remains focused on complying with state law, protecting Association finances, and acting in the best interests of the entire community.

More information will be shared with the homeowners as soon as plant alternatives become available. You may also contact your Community Manager, Donna DePledge (ddepledge@actionlife.com) with any questions you may have. The Board of Directors intends to continue sending out information to update the membership when more updates become available.

Notice of Turf Removal Project and AB 1572 Compliance

By ddepledge · June 24, 2026

Dear Residents,

We are writing to inform you of an upcoming parkway turf removal and landscape conversion project at the community. This project is part of California’s and Heron Point’s ongoing efforts to conserve potable water, improve long-term landscape sustainability, and support compliance with California Assembly Bill 1572, which restricts potable water irrigation of non-functional turf in certain commercial, institutional, and HOA common-area settings.

Under AB 1572, nonfunctional turf is specifically described as street rights-of-way (parkways) and also generally refers to decorative grass areas that are not regularly used for recreation, public assembly, or community activities. The law does not require every turf area to be removed; however, it restricts continued potable water irrigation of nonfunctional turf according to phased compliance deadlines. For homeowners’ associations and similar common-area properties, the applicable compliance date is generally January 1, 2029. While this may seem like a long way away, the most important aspect of this project is the available rebate subsidies that will allow our turf to be replaced at zero cost to Heron Point. These rebates are likely to disappear if we wait until later to comply with the new laws.

The turf in question will be replaced with Myoporum “Putah Creek,” a shrubby growing ground cover selected as the plant material to replace the existing parkway turf areas. This will be the first step in the project. Once the new plants are established, the Board will review the area and determine whether different or additional plant material can be added based on the Association’s budget.

The Board previously hosted a town hall meeting on June 20, 2026, to provide information about the proposed project and to hear homeowners’ questions and concerns. The feedback shared by homeowners was carefully considered as part of the Board’s review and decision-making process.

In addition, the Board consulted with the Association’s attorney regarding the application of AB 1572 to the community’s landscaped areas. The attorney confirmed that parkways and street rights-of-way are considered nonfunctional turf for purposes of the regulation.

After considering homeowner input, legal guidance, regulatory requirements, and available financial incentives, the Board has decided to move forward with the turf removal project in order to take advantage of the net zero rebate opportunity. To be clear, this project is costing zero dollars of Heron Point money.

Project Schedule: Work is anticipated to begin on or about June 30th, 2026, and is expected to

Turf Conversion

By ddepledge · June 5, 2026

Pursuant to AB 1572, beginning January 1, 2029, associations will not be able to use potable water to irrigate decorative or non-functional turf. To encourage turf replacement, the water district is offering rebates to Homeowner Associations to replace their turf with drought-tolerant plants and other materials.

Heron Pointe has been approved for a $2.00 a square foot rebate to replace all of its parkway turf with an alternative water-tolerant plant.

The Board hosted a Town Hall Meeting on May 20th along with Management and Bemus Landscaping to discuss concerns and hear ideas from homeowners. The Board is still considering replacing the turf based on the recommendation of the Association Attorney and AB 1572.

Additional information will be provided to homeowners on when the project will begin and what plant material will be used.

Parking Rule Reminder

By ddepledge · May 5, 2026

The Heron Pointe Association has noticed an increase in street parking, which is negatively impacting residents and the Association’s ability to maintain the streets. We are asking residents to be mindful when utilizing street parking.

Friendly parking reminders:

1. Please use your garage or driveway for parking vehicles before parking on the street.

2. Please do not block sidewalks while parking in your driveway.

3. Please do not block driveways while parking on the street.

4. Vehicles may not be stored on the street for longer than 72 hours. Vehicles that are going to be stored for longer than 72 hours should be parked in the garage or driveway.

5. Please do not park vehicles on the street during street sweeping days. Leaving cars on the street prevents a full cleaning of the streets.

6. No repairs or maintenance of vehicles may be conducted in the community, except for emergency repairs.

7. When having vendors park within the community, please advise them of parking rules and request that they do not block driveways, sidewalks, or prevent other homeowners from parking near

their homes.

8. Vendors should not park on the streets on the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays from 8 AM to 1:00 PM when street sweeping is taking place.

Let’s all work together to create a safe and friendly community!

2026 Election Completed by Acclamation

By ddepledge · May 5, 2026

The Heron Pointe Annual Meeting/Election has been completed. Having no additional candidates run for office, the election has been completed by Acclamation.

Jean Cogan and Marie Earvolino-Ramirez will remain on the Board until 2028. Mark Bauer will remain on the Board with his term expiring in 2027.

Board Meetings are hosted quarterly, in January, April, July and October. All homeowners are welcome to attend.

Election by Acclamation Notice: 2026

By ddepledge · April 7, 2026

Attention All Residents:

The Association is currently seeking candidates to serve on the Board of Directors. The Board will use the candidate count to determine whether an Election by Acclamation can be hosted (i.e., if the number of qualified candidates equals the number of open seats, those candidates may be declared elected without a contested ballot).

Key points

Open seats: 2
Candidate submission deadline: April 29, 2026. Submissions received by this deadline will be used to determine whether an election by acclamation is possible.
Determination announcement: May 1, 2026 — the Association will announce whether an election is required or whether candidates will be elected by acclamation.
If more qualified candidates are nominated than open seats, an election will be scheduled; details will be provided in a follow-up notice.

How to submit a candidacy

Please see the attached form for completion and return as indicated on form.

What happens next

The Association will review submitted materials for eligibility. If the number of qualified candidates equals the number of open seats by the submission deadline, the qualified candidates may be declared elected by acclamation and no contested election will be held. If there are more candidates than seats, an election will be scheduled and information about ballots, voting procedures, and meeting dates will follow.

Questions or more information:

For questions or to request the official candidate packet, please contact the Association at: ddepledge@actionlif.com

All updates and notices will also be posted the Resident Portal.

Heron Pointe Rule Change

By ddepledge · January 5, 2026

Your Board will deliberate and decide on a rule change at its January 27, 2026, Board of Directors scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Please find the rule change located on the resident portal. Items being considered include allowing basketball hoops on driveways and updating the enforcement policy to reflect current changes in civil code.

The meeting will be held Via Zoom:

You will be prompted to enter meeting ID below

The Agenda will be posted at least four (4) days prior to the meeting on the Resident Portal You may attend that meeting and provide your comments directly to the Board or you may provide your comments via email to the community manager, Donna DePledge at ddepledge@actionlife.com.

Landscape Improvements Approved

By ddepledge · December 9, 2025

The Board of Directors approved landscape additions and some tree trimming and removals at their November meeting. These improvements will take place in the month of December.

Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Project Groundbreaking Ceremony

By rhart · October 13, 2025

The Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority (LCWA) would like to invite you to the groundbreaking ceremony for the Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Project. This long-time-in-the-making event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, October 24, 2025, at PCH and Seal Beach Blvd.

This is the is the first major restoration project of the Los Cerritos Wetlands and they will be commencing the project in November.

Should you have any questions about the project, you are welcome to contact the Public Engagement Coordinator, Heather Altman, at 714.322.2965.

Election by Acclamation

By rhart · July 24, 2025

The Annual Members Meeting and Election was scheduled to be held on June 22, 2025, at which two (2) directors were to be elected. One position was for a two-year term, and the other position was for a one (1) year term.

In accordance with Civil Code 5103, the Association provided notice that if, at the close of the time period for making nominations, there are the same number or fewer qualified candidates as there are board positions to be filled, then the board of directors may, after voting to do so, seat the qualified candidates by acclamation without balloting. There was one (1) qualified candidate who submitted their name for nomination, Mark Bauer, who was voted onto the Board at the meeting. Homeowner Marie Earvolino-Ramirez was appointed to fill the remaining position on the Board.

The Board of Directors for the 2025-26 term is as follows:

President – Jean Cogan

Vice President – Marie Earvolino-Ramirez

Secretary/Treasurer – Mark Bauer

Thank you to the owners who volunteered to serve and participate in the governance of the community!