2020 Annual Meeting Summary
The Annual Meeting of the Rancho Solano Homeowners’ Association was held on October 15, 2020. Due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the meeting was held via zoom. The annual meeting is a wonderful opportunity for homeowners to learn about the community, socialize and communicate with the board, and it was disappointing not be able to meet with neighbors in person.
Each committee gave an update on accomplishments over the past year, and minutes of last year’s annual meeting were approved. Work on most of the committees has continued uninterrupted throughout 2020, although the Park Committee has had to alter its public event schedule and continues to explore creative ways to connect residents, such as the recent food drive that took the place of the Fun Run.
In new business, the Board voted to approve Bob Schuster, Victoria Cook and Shawn Hnatko to new board terms. The three incumbents ran unopposed. As a result of having received no applications from residents to run for a board position, per legal recommendation, the members of the Board who were not running for re-election, voted to appoint the three members in an effort to save the HOA significant cost of mailing out ballots for an unopposed election. The Board also voted to re-elect Bob Schuster as President, Joy Baltaxe as Vice President and Martin Fleischer as Treasurer.
Maintenance of Bear Creek Retention Ponds
Residents who live near the Bear Creek retention ponds may notice activity over the course of the next several weeks as the City of Fairfield continues to provide maintenance to ensure the ponds function properly. Homeowners may notice workers removing vegetation, cleaning the area and working on the aeration system.
Halloween Passes
Due to Solano County and State Covid-19 recommendations and restrictions, the Board of Directors has determined, upon advice of the Safety and Security Committee, not to issue guest passes this year for Halloween. This decision is in keeping with our goal to limit group gatherings for safety.
Update on Fire Efforts
The HOA Board of Directors has undertaken several measures over the past several months to address fire-readiness. Among those efforts are:
The HOA approved a new, second annual session of defensible perimeter weed abatement that adds to the early summer abatement, to include one in early Fall;
After reviewing bids and studying information on the benefits of livestock grazing and fire protection, approved a bid for renewal of the current cattle grazing program for weed abatement. Included in that arrangement is the maintenance of fire break paths in the open space hills;
Taken on clearing and maintenance of certain open space areas within Rancho Solano that were previously, but no longer, maintained by the City.
On the subject of fire readiness and the need to evacuate Rancho Solano in the event of an emergency, the City of Fairfield would like to confirm with residents that Rancho Solano must take no actions or establish any procedures that might interfere with the City’s jurisdiction to order and direct an orderly exit from the development. It is also recommended that residents strongly consider registering for Nixle for up-to-date information from the City of Fairfield Emergency Services regarding emergencies.
Food Donation at the Park
In place of the annual Fun Run, the Park Committee will be hosting a food donation event in which members may drop off non-perishable food at the park on October 3, 2020 between 10 a.m.--2 p.m. Donations will benefit the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano Counties. Committee members will follow all safety and social distancing guidelines, which will also be required of community members. Members who donate will receive a special gift as a thank you for their participation.
October Board Meeting and Annual Meeting
The next board meeting will be held in conjunction with the annual meeting on October 15, 2020. The regular meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with the annual meeting following at 7 p.m. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the meetings are currently being held virtually via Zoom. Check back for more details prior to the meetings.
Sign-Up for NIXLE Alerts
During our recent wildfires, and during any emergency, residents should use local authorities for the most up-to-date information. The following link contains an update from the morning of Wednesday, August 19, 2020 and contains a link to sign up for alerts through Fairfield's NIXLE alert system.
NIXLE (
PLEASE NOTE: this is NOT a recent update, this update is for purposes of showing a recent example and providing the sign-up link.)
Information on Signage
The Board of Directors want to wish all our graduates congratulations! We understand that this year is different for you. Covid-19 has made public gatherings of graduation, and other important family and social issues impossible. Your signs and posters are a wonderful way to celebrate your life experiences—all we ask, is that you follow our CC&Rs and limit your sign or poster to one per household. For more information, please see details below on what is permitted. Thank you.
4.03 Signs. No sign of any kind shall be displayed to the public view on or from any Lot or any portion of the Project without the Approval of the Association, except as follows:
a. One sign of customary and reasonable dimensions advertising a Lot for sale, lease, rent or exchange displayed from the lot to be sold, lease, rented or exchanged.
b. One non-commercial sign, poster, flag, or banner made of paper, cardboard, cloth, plastic, or fabric. The sign may be no more than nine square feet in size, and flags or banners may not be more than 15 square feet in size.
c. Such other signs or notices as are required by law or as are otherwise necessary to perfect a right provided for in law.
Cattle Gates and Open Space
Residents of Rancho Solano are entering the green gates (designed to safely enclose cattle) for recreational purposes and failing to secure the gates. Cows that graze our hills are getting out into the streets of our neighborhood, causing the City of Fairfield to review the matter. Please securely close gates behind you at ALL times. Please also make sure children are made aware of this responsibility. Homeowners who fail to secure gates may be subject to liability for damages caused by the cows or injury to the cows.
Temporary Change in Parking Policy
On March 26, at a Special Meeting, prompted in part by the Covid-19 virus outbreak, the Board of Directors voted to approve a temporary change to the HOA's parking procedures to alleviate concerns caused by an increase in family members sheltered together in the community. The changes are primarily focused on Parking Permits, which are still issued from the Rancho Solano Kiosk, as followed:
Obtain a parking pass from security per the regular process and display it on the vehicle's dash;
Passes obtained during California's shelter-in-place order will not be counted against a resident's annual allotment of passes;
A pass will now be valid for up to 30 days. If the shelter-in-place order is still in place after 30 days, another 30 day pass can be obtained.
Please Note: Cars parked in the street during the hours of 2-5 a.m. that do not have a pass will continue to be ticketed per the regular policy.
We understand that normal routines of homeowners have been disrupted by the Coronavirus outbreak and we hope this change will allow us to continue to track unfamiliar vehicles in our community, while at the same time support families presented with parking challenges, as we are all working through this together.
Park Guidelines During Shelter-in-Place
Residents who use the Rancho Solano park are asked to observe current health guidelines and only use the park while keeping a six foot distance from each other. It is not feasible to disinfect the play structure, so residents should avoid using the structure and only use open space where they can safely maintain their distance.
Kelly Company Operations During Shelter-in-Place
To comply with the shelter-in-place mandate, the Kelly Company is closed to the public, but is available to residents via e-mail and by phone at 707-447-7797 during business hours.
Please feel free to contact us with your comments and suggestions.
