Current Events

Janet, I heard about this opportunity several weeks ago. Actually, an enthusiastic member took me to the property last year when it was on and off the market. While I never say never, I hope everyone considers that we (RCSC) are having a difficult time maintaining the facilities we have, and this would add significantly to our maintenance obligations. In addition, our utilization of air-conditioned flat space is way less than 50% which indicates we are not utilizing what we have. All of this means fees must go up by a large amount to add another recreation center. As it currently stands, our members complain about modest increases. Just saying...

 

I'm not a big fan of continuing to add assets that will increase our financial responsibilities, just as I was against the purchase of the Grand Avenue property to add an 8th recreation center, however, I am in favor of this.

I think the 2 biggest mistakes that Sun City has ever made was when they sold off our water company and when they sold and then failed to repurchase the Lakes Club property.

I say buy this now, and we'll figure out what to do with it at a later date. I just wish we could turn it into something that would produce an income rather than an expense.

 

Since RCSC is a nonprofit, I am not sure it can be used to make money. I expected to hear someone say something about increased maintenance, but no one did. Nonetheless, I am glad they are investigating this. It would give us time to properly plan a Lakeview remodel without just sticking a PAC anywhere on the site.

 

I was hoping to see a video and that slide presentation and discussion on that property?

Perhaps they're working on something a little more substantial an will post that with an opportunity for Member comments?

 

I believe non-profits can make money but the money has to go back into the corporation to benefit the members. There are many non-profits making (and charging) alot of money.Royal Oaks for one.

 

Here's an off the wall crazy thought! What if they turned those 6 units into short-term rental cottages for people who are considering about moving to Sun City? They can spend a couple weeks to get to see the area and all our amenities and things we have to offer. Include a Guest Pass???

We would just need to figure out what to do with them during the Summer heat! Lol!

Just an out-of-the-box crazy thought!

 

You're correct. I always say "non-profit is a tax-status - not a mission statement." (Humor) This is why attorneys and tax accountants are important in these discussions.

 

I hope this is taken in a positive light based on my experience building a house and remodeling several other houses. I hope that RCSC takes its time to fully investigate the level of remodeling required for this new building which is for sale to effectively function as a recreation center. Generally, purpose built buildings are very difficult to repurpose due to the configuration of the walls and the HVAC systems. I trust cooler heads will have this building professionally evaluated to determined its suitability for whatever purpose the members want the building to serve.

 

Sorry I’m late to the party on this but I did not see my recollection until recently.

This was my recollection from the creation of the joint ad hoc team and while Matt did say the pet skunk story I do not recall him selecting the name. At the time numerous people were talking at the same time about a name and I remember Dr. Chat suggesting Shalimar as it was the name of one of his daughters or granddaughters. My only input was also the name of an 80’s soul group. Anyway the name was approved or agreed to by the committee. I sat at the far end of the table when the spontaneous talking broke out and not sure who said what at the time. If memory serves me Matt told the skunk story just before the meeting broke up.

John, you were more than a facilitator and promoter, mission statements, triangles! The is the corporate goo goo, corporate gaa gaa, corporate blah blah, corporate naa naa (apologies to the late great Freddie Mercury and Radio)that I dealt with for over 30 years. I believe your goal was to totally remake the Board in an MBA’s mind. The B&F committee was your first choice to start and when that was done you would move on to another committee. My guess would be LRP. I believe you would stay away from the Insurance committee as their expertise is way above your pay grade. Thank goodness that Darbut character dropped out as you and him would be the MBA tag team from Hades. Being a student radical from the 60’s who went to class regularly, I always
received bad vibes from Darbut and later found out why.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

 

Dave, Thanks for your input. I take it you have a distaste for folks that pursued an MBA. Everyone is entitled to their own prejudices. Identifying and insuring against risks is some people's cup of tea but you are correct it bores me to death! So yes, I would rather be strapped to the ground with fire ants eating my flesh than to go to an insurance convention. I did like the statistical part of actuarial science. Kind of a math geek myself. Good luck with that student radical stuff. John Fast

 

Del Webb 125th Birthday Celebration!
Friday, May 17th, 2024
https://delwebbsuncitiesmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Webb-Birthday-Flier-2024.pdf

 

OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE

• RCSC Board & Committee Meetings • Wednesday, May 22 at 1pm: Elections Committee Meeting - Lakeview Board Room
All RCSC Members/Cardholders are welcome to attend RCSC Board Meetings. Guests may be asked to only observe.
Last month’s meeting summary:
https://suncityaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024_4_24-Elections-Committee-Summary.pdf

?️? Considering becoming a candidate for one of the five RCSC board director positions up for election?? ( If not you, WHO??)

• Read “Consider Attending Candidate Info Sessions,” May UPDATE page 2 & 3”
https://suncityaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-05-May-Sun-City-AZ-Update-FINAL.pdf

• THEN PLAN AHEAD

• Monday, June 3: RCSC Board Election Candidate Packets Available - Lakeview Corporate/Board Office. Must present Member Card.
• Tuesday, June 4 from 3-5pm: Candidate Information Session - Lakeview Social Hall #2. Please register in advance by calling the Corporate Receptionist at
623-561-4600
Source:
https://mailchi.mp/b58bc30fd777/your-sun-city-az-week-may-19?e=f18f779945

Additional information:

“In early June, candidate packets will be available at the Lakeview Board/Corporate Office that contain all the information a candidate needs to get started. It spells out the qualifications for Board service, the requirements for getting on the election ballot, and all pertinent dates a candidate will wish to keep in mind.“ (From Karen McAdam’s article cited above)

RCSC Director candidacy requirements:
RECREATION CENTERS OF SUN CITY, INC. CORPORATE BYLAWS
Amended December 14, 2023
ARTICLE VII – NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES
SECTION 4: CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
An eligible candidate for election to the Board shall satisfy all the following requirements and a candidate for appointment to the Board shall satisfy all except Section G. below:

1. Must be at least fifty-five (55) years of age;
2. Must be Member in good standing;
3. Must not reside with or be related by marriage or birth to any other Board of Director, Board candidate, or Senior Management;
4. Must reside in Sun City, Arizona and be available at least ten (10) months of the year;
5. Must meet the requirement to hold an Arizona liquor license;
6. Must be eligible and available to serve a three (3) year term; and
7. Must attend Board Candidate Orientation(s).

Source:https://suncityaz.org/corporate-bylaws/

 

Very helpful heads up. Please note that Snowbirds are not eligible to be Board candidates. Also, for those considering candidacy I would love to hear how you think you can make the job of the Board easier. Are there too many meetings? Do all Board members have to attend every exchange meeting? Should management serve as chairs of committees? Should the Board have a full-time administrative assistant that is its employee (i.e., they supervise the employee.) Should we hire a parliamentarian? Any thoughts and ideas are welcome. Thanks for your engagement.

 

Management can not serve as committee chairs, as rcsc employees are not allowed on committees.

 

I think the way around that is to train certain employees as facilitators who do not participate in the meeting but rather facilitate the discussion of others.

 

Thanks Paul for keeping the record straight. Yes, if you are a member of Sun City and want to VOLUNTEER to sit on a committee, you cannot. That is written in the Employee Handbook. I think that HR could evaluate that on a case-by-case basis. Granted, someone who works in the accounting/financial office should not sit on the Finance/Budget committee but why can't they sit on the Sun City in Focus committee? They are Members in Good Standing and should have equal rights.
Jean Totten

 

But there's nothing stopping them from attending as a guest! At least that way they will still be informed as to what went on at the committee meeting.

 

Interesting tidbit: On Thursday, May 23, Sun City West approved their 2024-2025 budget by a vote of 7 to 1 (their chair does not vote). In it, they left their Asset Preservation Fee at the current amount of $5,000 (having raised it last year by $800) but increased what they call "dues" and we call Annual Assessment Fee from $540 to $570.00. I'm sure you all know that unlike our assessment fee that is based on the household, they base their dues on the number of people in the household ($570x2).
Jean Totten

 

Oh, oh…Sun City West’s annual $570 “fee” per person is $5 less than Sun City’s $575 “assessment” that a single owner pays.
Can’t really compare the unique Sun City bonus on dual deeded properties where the required single $575 “assessment” payment entitles two residents full access to facilities and amenities at no additional charge. A buy one, get one free.

 

Yes, ours was set up like that from 1960 till 2003 when the brainiacs on the BOD decided to change it. Sun City might be almost as nice as SCW had they not changed it. There would have been more $$$$ for building maintenance. SCW in general is kept up a lot better than SC. Homes newer/nicer and yes more expensive enticing a more affluent class of people. Golf courses are much prettier. Nice dog parks. Doesn't make much difference for singles or unmarried couples though. The condos/townhouses are less expensive, taxes are cheaper for them and so are the HOA fees. There are also a lot of restaurants and grocery stores within the walls of SCW, and some awesome restaurants right across the entrances on Bell and Grand. I wonder why their restaurants and stores are all still open. Lifes mysteries. Nest open house I will snap some photos of SCW and we can compare the aesthetics of the two.