Painting progress

It's a rare rainy, cloudy morning at Palermo Palm Springs, but the repainting of the reddish color continues. Crews are still working on Melody Lane buildings. (Thanks to the resident who sent in pictures of the progress.) Miss Penny Lane says: She's excited for her place to get a make-over, too.

Most wanted: Neighborhood Watch participants

Palermo's fledgling Neighborhood Watch is beginning to organize. Here's an e-mail from the resident who is leading the effort:

"Hello Everyone, Well we had our first meeting on Monday. There was a handful of people there and we had a great meeting. The first thing we figured out is that we DEFINITELY need more people involved. In that respect I am going to try to find some time to do some door-to-door work. We are gong to see what Brandy has in her database for email addresses that I do not have so that we can get the word out. We also decided that a lot of this is going to know who belongs here and who your neighbors are. In that respect we thought it would be nice to have a potluck dinner so that we can all meet and get to know each other a little bit better. We are going to check the signing laws and will order neighborhood watch signs to post threw out the complex. We will all get together and decided where the best place for them will be. As well, it was brought up that we should spearhead a plan for emergencies such as an earthquake or major fire and things along those lines. It was also suggested that we organize a neighborhood walk once a week (I for one could use the exercise). There were many good ideas presented but we need much more participation. I do realize that we all have hectic lives and schedules. I would much appreciate if everyone could email me (pstamas@live.com) with the best day of the week for them and the time, that way I can schedule the future meetings convenient for most of us. Thank you, Perry"

Perry deserves thanks for taking on this project and trying to get the rest of us involved. Positively Palermo looks forward to a well-advertised meeting attended by the Palm Springs police to answer our many questions. Miss Penny Lane says: Did someone say potluck? Let's feed our hungry would-be crime-busters so they can watch over our Palermo with gusto.

Model B: The seven floors plans of Palermo Palm Springs

Let's continue our review of the seven floor plans of Palermo Palm Springs. The B model is the second largest of the plans, after the A model. Eighteen of Palermo's 117 units are B models, the second highest number of all the units. You can tell the B models from the street because they have a wall — with three square openings — shielding the front door from the street. The B unit is two stories, with two bedrooms upstairs, 2.5 baths, upstairs sundeck, one-car garage, and private yard. A handful of B units have backyard spas. The B units offer a great combined kitchen and dining room space in the back of the house, looking out on the private yard. Also unique is that the upstairs sundeck has railings on two sides, so you can look down to both the back yard and the street on the front of the house. The B models are at: 3552 Melody Lane, 3562 Melody Lane, 3571 Melody Lane, 3581 Melody Lane, 3621 Melody Lane, 3631 Melody Lane, 218 Sandy Point Trail, 228 Sandy Point Trail, 248 Sandy Point Trail, 258 Sandy Point Trail, 222 Breeze Loop, 232 Breeze Loop, 3543 Penny Lane, 3544 Penny Lane, 3553 Penny Lane, 3554 Penny Lane, 3565 Sunburst and 3575 Sunburst. Miss Penny Lane says: For local hottie-spotting in the front and the rear the B model's upstairs balcony can't be beat.

Sales, sales, sales at Palermo Palm Springs

It's been a busy few months, with plenty of sales at Palermo Palm Springs. Many units are off the market or in escrow since we last did a "best guess" rundown of what's available. Based on for-sale signs in the windows, eviction/foreclosure-type notices posted on front doors and Internet listings, here a list of what appears to be for sale:
- 210 Enterprise Way. Two bedroom, two floor D-unit. 1,286 square feet.
- 248 Sandy Point. Two bedroom, two story loft A-unit, 1,375 square feet.
- 258 Sandy Point. Two bedroom two story B-unit. 1,320 square feet.
- 272 Breeze Loop. Two bedroom, two story loft A-unit, 1,375 square feet. May be in escrow.
- 3586 Sunburst. Two bedroom, single level G-unit. 1,131 square feet. No sign but was listed online.
- 3697 Quiet Side. Two bedroom, single level G-unit. 1,131 square feet. Uncertain if this is still on the market. Conflicting information on the Internet.

Units that have recently sold, according to the Internet, are: 235 Sandy Point, 3542 Melody Lane, 3671 Melody Lane, 3636 Sunburst, 3587 Quiet Side, 3617 Quiet Side and 3627 Quiet Side. Also, 210 Enterprise Way and 3563 Penny Lane may be in escrow or already sold, but the for-sale signs are still up. 3686 Sunburst has had the for-sale sign taken down and now is occupied. Please e-mail if you have corrections, changes, additions. Miss Penny Lane says: Come to Palermo and join our jolly crew of good spirits.

9/30 UPDATE: A resident reports to Positively Palermo that the 3697 Quiet Side and 272 Breeze Loop condos have been sold.

Palermo, Saturday night

Oh where oh where is our management? One must ask if Palermo even is has a "community manager" who's in touch with our needs. The trash pick-up doesn't come until Monday, but this is what the trash bins on Sunburst and Melody Lane looked like on Saturday. They will be an even bigger mess on Sunday. Miss Penny Lane says: So many unsuitable suitors gave her their numbers after a night out that she had filled a garbage bag with these scraps of paper, so imagine her shock when she had no place to dispose of these bad memories after returning home.

Is Palermo's developer really leaving us?

It was just over two months ago that Palermo residents awoke to this news from an HOA representative: "I wanted you to know on behalf of the HOA that as of yesterday Enterprise has resigned from the Board including President Ron Shipka Jr. and Treasurer Gordon Camaresi. When asked why the action was so sudden, we were told 'we expect to lose interest in the property in the next 30 days.' None of us are sure what that means and we are trying to get clarification." Enterprise California has unsold units in Palermo and has an interest in the undeveloped portion (Phase 2) of Palermo. A couple of weeks later, residents learned that PS Venture Indian Canyon/San Rafael LLC, the Palermo LLC of the Enterprise Cos. of Chicago, owed $13,450,378.36 on a $30 million loan. A Notice of Default document, dated July 14, 2010, said: "No sale date may be set until three months from the date this notice of default may be recorded." Then in August, an article in a Chicago business newspaper, titled "Shipka sued over personal loan guarantees," reported: "Ronald Shipka Sr. is the latest Chicago developer stung by the housing market, as MB Financial sues to collect about $4.7 million on two projects in Palm Springs." The three-month clock for the Notice of Default is up in mid-October. The bank could keep the property for now or sell it off to someone else. Or will the Enterprise Cos. just buy it back at pennies on the dollar? The Enterprise Cos. Web site — www.theenterprisecompanies.com — still touts "Enterprise California" and lists Palermo Palm Springs and Murano Palm Springs as "current developments." The developer, at the city of Palm Spring's request, has cleaned up the Phase 2 parcel and sprayed it with dust control material. A sign put up by the local Enterprise representative (who's still employed despite the default notice) warned residents not to walk on the dust control material or "your HOA" may be asked to pay for another treatment. The wording suggested to some that Enterprise would be around in the future to do that asking. Is Enterprise really leaving us? We may have answers in a few weeks. Miss Penny Lane says: She'll have no worry lines on her face regardless of which way it goes because Palermo's future is bright.

HOA meeting is this Monday. You can call in, too.

The Palermo HOA board will have a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27 in the community clubhouse. There's a call-in number: (800) 423-1988 if you can't attend in person. You need the pass code 1485728. Miss Penny Lane says: Thank you for continuing to have a call-in option for those owners outside of Palm Springs.

They picketed in Chicago over 'promised amenities'

A Palermo resident found this 2008 article on the Internet about owners at another Enterprise development in Chicago claiming they also didn't receive their promised amenities. The article titled "Complaints inspire pickets. Developer says group uninformed" was in the Oct. 22, 2008 issue of the Chicago Journal. It read in part:

- "Owners of condominium units that cost anywhere from $365,000 to $625,000 aren't the most likely candidates to hoist protest signs and take to the streets. But a faction of residents from one Prairie District building did exactly that on Saturday. About a dozen residents of Museum Park Place, 1841 S. Calumet, gathered in front the Enterprise Development Company sales trailer near 13th and Indiana, carrying signs that said 'Buyer Beware' ..."
- "The residents claim Enterprise failed to include promised amenities ..."
- "Ron Shipka Jr., a principal at the firm, said most items on the punch list for individual units had been addressed. He said the firm provided advertised amenities. The picketers were 'just not informed,' he said, and unrepresentative of all the building's unit owners. 'We are working through all the construction issues in the building. We've been working diligently
for quite a bit of time with the association in place,' he said. 'I think if you speak to the association, you'll get a completely different story.' The president of the condo board, Phyllis Leon, did not return calls and e-mail asking for comment. Other board members could not be reached ..."
- "Disputes between condo unit owners and developers about alleged construction issues and turnover problems is an issue state lawmakers might address in a rewrite of the legislation that governs associations and developers. In the meantime, boards, residents and developers negotiate and sometimes fight it out in court ..."
- "Picketers were angry that installation of the pool was delayed. (Shipka said there were delays with the state agency that permits them, and that the pool is now open). Some were exercised about the building's lobby. A brochure advertising the building lists a 'professionally appointed lobby with custom designer interior' as part of the package. The lobby currently has light yellow walls and a gray carpet over gray tiled floor. Two light fixtures made of linked-glass chains dangle from the ceiling. (A picketer) said the lobby didn't reach the level of luxury he was expecting. 'You paid for it,' he said about the lobby. 'You might as well get it.' Shipka said Enterprise delivered what it promised for the lobby."

The best way to find the entire article is to go to Google, and then type in the words "shipka" and "complaints inspire pickets." You can then decide what you think for yourself. We have no idea about the merits of what the Chicago residents are claiming or how it was resolved. But the Chicago experience may be of interest as Palermo residents wonder about the amenities we still may be due, such as tennis courts and dog park. Miss Penny Lane says: Picket signs aren't her kind of accessories and would clash with her Betsey Johnson dresses. So you won't be seeing her carrying any unflattering placards out on Indian Canyon Drive.

'Greening' of Palermo

Out-of-town owners may be interested in seeing the "back lot" after the dust-control application was applied this week. Miss Penny Lane asks: Where will all the boys and their doggies go now that this green stuff has been sprayed all about?

Colt axed. Palermo hires Coachella Valley Security. Will unsafe, illegal parking continue?

After complaints, the Palermo Palm Springs HOA board several months ago fired the pool service and landscaping service. Back then, residents also complained about Colt Security and the board said Colt would be let go, too. Instead, the board increased the Colt contract and number of security visits. Now, Colt has been released from its contract after more complaints, on matters such as the illegal parking in the fire lanes and slow response time. Here is the e-mail message sent out to homeowners today:

"Dear Homeowners,
The Palermo Community Association has hired Coachella Valley Security as the new security company.
You may contact Coachella Valley Security at:
Office number: (760)-200-8999 for any security issues from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Answering Service: (760)-778-7469 for any non-emergency issue from 5:30 p.m. 8:30a.m.
Security Office Dispatch: (760)-534-0560 for any emergency security issues from 8:30p.m. - 4:30a.m.
You may call this number for any noise, towing or security related issues that need to be resolved ASAP. If you should have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at 760-346-1161 or via e-mail at bscott@drminternet.com."

Residents must wonder if the board soon will discontinue the contracts of other service providers who are the objects of complaints by owners and renters. Miss Penny Lane says: A big Palermo welcome to Coachella Valley Security, and when will all the Colt signs plastered about our community be taken down?

HOA update: Repainting, Monday board meeting, neighborhood watch

Here is a new update from management, e-mailed today to homeowners. We're reposting it here for all residents to see:

"Palermo Homeowners-Update
The power washing to a point was completed on Wed, Sept 15. The painters will start on Monday, Sept 20, 2010.
Also the next Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled for September 27, 2010. Executive Session will start at 5:00 PM as the Board will be discussing Legal issues. General Session will be start at 5:30PM. All residents are welcome to attend the General Session.
Lastly, there will be a Neighborhood Watch Meeting that is open to all residents following the General Session. Below is a note from the Committee Chair of the Neighborhood Watch. An agenda for the meeting will be posted in the common area and will be sent via e-mail to the owners next week along with the call in information for owners who cannot attend the meeting.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at any time at 760-346-1161 or via e-mail at bscott@drminternet.com"

Miss Penny Lane says: Thank you to the owner who forwarded the update to this site so we could share it with a bigger audience.

Question about the white paint inside our homes

This site has been asked to post this question: "Does anyone know the brand and name of the glossy and flat white paint used by the developer. I need to do some touch-up? Thanks." Miss Penny Lane says: Please share some neighborly advice.

Model G: The seven floor plans of Palermo Palm Springs

Palermo Palm Springs has seven different floor plans. Earlier, we reviewed the A model floor plan, the design that is the biggest and has the most built. Today we look at the G model. The G model is unique because it is the only two-bedroom unit that is a single story. This one floor unit has
two bedrooms, two baths, office area, carport. There are 1,131 square feet. All G Model villas are corner units. There are just six G units in the community, the fewest built of any model. The G units are at: 3558 Quiet Side, 3587 Quiet Side, 3697 Quiet Side, 3586 Sunburst, 3696 Sunburst and 3548 Foothill. Miss Penny Lane says: She loves that the G units have two bedrooms on a single level so she wouldn't have climb the stairs when her legs are weary after a night of dancing.

Renting out the community clubhouse for commercial sales business?

Positively Palermo has received concerned e-mails and photos about the closing down of the clubhouse on Friday night for commercial activity, namely a sales event for a nationwide company called CABI Clothing that has sales representatives host "in-home" gatherings. There were racks of clothes, other product displays and lots of food and drink. The sales event provides a good opportunity to review the clubhouse party rules (see above.) One has to wonder whether the clubhouse rules are meant to allow commercial sales business, particularly at the same cost of $100 that owners pay for host social parties. Another neighbor wants to know why the management company didn't e-mail residents that the clubhouse would be closed, so he knew he couldn't shoot pool with a guest last night. Miss Penny Lane says: She could use some new smart frocks and smocks but she'd never dream of closing down the community clubhouse to get them.

Indian Canyon Drive median: Shopping cart free!

BEFORE ...

... AND AFTER

Good news to report. The median on Indian Canyon Drive along Palermo has been free of shopping carts for well over a month. People had been dropping off the carts there after using them to bring bottles and cans to the nearby recycling center. See the May postings on this site for the background. Residents called and emailed the city government about this blight. The Palm Springs Recycling Center told residents it wasn't the center's "problem." The HOA wrote a letter to the recycling center saying the HOA would oppose its license renewal if this situation persisted. Miss Penny Lane says: A great team effort by our community, and if a single cart reappears, let's not delay in speaking up again.

Protecting what's rightfully ours: The much-used road leading to the San Rafael exit gate

The vaguely worded sign put up about access to the undeveloped part of our community unwittingly has raised questions unrelated to the spraying of green dust-control material. (For a discussion of the spraying see the Sept. 12 posting below). A resident posted this comment: "I'm still wondering about the next owner who takes over from Enterprise. The road, gate and retention pond were part of a single development plan and both parts were considered a single lot, regardless of the phases of development. The HOA needs to make sure that our interests (are) protected. I recall Enterprise asking the city to let it out of its bond held for future improvements to Palermo and Murano Palm Springs. The council said 'no' and talked about the 'ramifications of the developer walking away,' so it denied the request." These are good points to remember. According to material sent to Positively Palermo, the City Council on Sept. 2, 2009 reviewed a staff report that said, "The condominium project has been constructed in phases although the map is for a single lot (typical for condominium developments). The initial 'phase' of the project has been completed and is occupied. All Works of Improvement related to, and necessary for the habitation of, said 'phase' have been installed, completed, inspected and approved by the city." In other words, the city has approved and inspected the road — an extension of Enterprise Way — that runs to San Rafael. The city also has approved and inspected the access gate on San Rafael and the water run-off retention feature (a.k.a., what's below the "concrete pond") as part making our community habitable. These are all vital, interconnected components that are part of Phase 1, required to make it livable, and can't be taken away with any change of ownership in the other undeveloped land. In fact, the city after complaints required the secondary access for traffic safety reasons, and it's needed for when the wind conditions are dangerous. The portion of Enterprise Way in Phase 2 has been a real working road with much vehicle and pedestrian traffic, a U.S. Postal Service box, and commercial office. The Palermo HOA also has paid for upkeep, such as repainting the road's fire hydrants and replacing at least one plant in front of the models. MB Financial could foreclose on Enterprise's property in mid-October, then that bank could own it or some other entity could buy it. Management must be prepared to fight, if the new owner tries to grab what is ours on the undeveloped portion of our community. But there's been no discussion of this on meeting agendas. Miss Penny Lane says: Hands off our road, access gate and water retention system.

Repainting to begin this week

There's an update from management about the repainting of the reddish paint. It only went to owners so renters may not be aware of the scheduled repainting. The e-mail reads: "Dear Owners: DW Johnston will be starting tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept 14th at 8:00 a.m. The power wash equipment is gasoline powered so the noise will start at 8 am and run throughout the day. They are starting with unit #65 (3521 Melody Lane) and will proceed down the west side of Melody finishing with Unit #79 (3661 Melody Lane) before moving to unit #82 (210 Enterprise Way) and the east side of Melody Lane. Once the power wash is complete and windows cleaned, the stucco has to dry for a few days before painting begins." Thank you to the resident who forwarded the e-mail to Positively Palermo and also posted it. We're posting it again in case you missed it. Miss Penny Lane says: She, too, requires a touch up every now and then because this desert air can be a drag on her porcelain complexion.

9/14 UPDATE: Here is the latest e-mail from management: "DWJ will be done with the power washing on Melody Lane later today. They will then move to Sandy Point Trail then Breeze Loop. All of this should be done by Friday, Sept 17th. Due to potential winds they will stop cleaning so as not to get too far ahead of the painters. The exterior stucco needs to dry for a couple of days then be checked by the paint manufacturer before applying the primer. DWJ plans to start the prime coat the first of next week for the units on Melody Lane."

A murky sign about access to our street and gate on San Rafael. 9/13 UPDATE: Road will stay open

A vaguely worded sign has been taped up around the clubhouse, concerning the spraying of a green material to control the dust on the Phase 2 portion of Palermo. (Thank you to a resident for the picture.) There has been no official communication from Palermo's management company about this sign. Now residents are left to guess and guess because of the lack of real communication. Depending how one reads the sign, it could be read to say the road access will be cut off, either for one day or permanently. The road, Enterprise Way, is a real street that extends from the developed portion of Palermo all the way to San Rafael Drive, where there's an exit gate. The city required the secondary access for safety reasons. The taped-up sign in part reads: "Effective Friday, Sept. 17, 2010, No vehicles of any type will be allowed access to or on the undeveloped south end of this community due to 'gluing' of the ground surface as required by the city of Palm Springs for PM-10 dust control. This restriction includes walking with or without pets as the surface will be disturbed and break up the 'glue' which will make it less effective requiring another expensive application. We are sorry to have to restrict this area. If we observe any violation of this new policy we may ask your HOA to participate in future expense of gluing." Miss Penny Lane says: Please clear up this confusing sign because surely it can't be serious that the city-required vehicle access on the street will be blocked forever.

UPDATE: Management on Monday sent out an e-mail that should clear up the confusion that residents had about the road. They have added this sentence to the sign's wording: "PLEASE NOTE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DRIVE ON THE PAVED AREA TO UTILIZE THE BACK EXIT GATE ON SAN RAFAEL."

Wanted: Window washers

A Palermo resident has this request: "Can you ask to see if any homeowners have recommendations for window cleaners that are reasonably priced, and who will do 2nd story windows (not all will!)." Miss Penny Lane says: Many residents might be interested in this, so please help out if you have suggestions to clean up the windows and let the Palm Springs sun shine in.

Lights out at the pool

Positively Palermo has received an e-mail from a resident concerned about the the timers on the pool lights and spa jets. The e-mail from said in part:

"From Quiet Side to Penny Lane: Sorry to complain, a rather common practice since living here (at Palermo, for one and a half years), for one thing and one thing only, which is that almost every day or once a week, other times for three or four days of each week, sometimes weeks at a time, and sometimes not for as long as 10 days, are the spa and pool lights at the smaller pool are not working when they should. Inevitably, it happens on a weekend (the most likely time I can use the pool or spa at night) and given a holiday weekend, then that’s like a guaranteed event. Last night (Friday of the Labor Day weekend) no pool or spa lights on at the smaller pool when I went there to use it a 9:40 p.m. And, as much as I have complained to everyone and I’m not alone, by now certainly someone should have a reason why this is happening again and again. As an outsider (in terms of not being an electrician, but nor am I unaware), the timer must be constantly breaking or clocking too fast or slow. Because like the pool and spa lights, this problem of equipment not working when the times are set for them to work, has happened several times with the spa jets operating during the pool and spa hours of operation. The jets for the spa are on a separate timer, since the timer is set to only operate certain hours the area is open for use and not be workable after closing etc. Well sometimes before closing the timer in the spa must have been off, since everything else worked but the jets ..."

Miss Penny Lane says: It wouldn't take much to fix this once and for all, and please do because if anyone is going au naturale in the pools and spas at night she must be able to view it.

News from the Palermo HOA

Palermo residents, below is a message from the management company. It only went out to certain homeowners so some people may have missed.

"PAINTING: DWJ will start the preparation of repainting the (paint colors) on the exterior of the building by pressure washing the exterior of the units. The pressure washing will start on Monday, Sept. 13 on Melody Lane. Once the pressure washing is completed and the buildings are dry the painting will start. If you have any scheduling questions or concerns please feel free to contact Bruce Bushore at (760) 285-8380.
BOARD VACANCY: There are two open positions on the Board of Directors. The Board is looking for two owners who are interested in helping their community by serving on the Board. Further, the Board is looking for someone who has a financial background to review and report to the Board of Directors the Association's financial status. If you are interested in serving on the Board please contact Brandi Scott with Desert Resort Management at 760-346-1161.
COMMITTEES: The Board would like to obtain additional homeowner input regarding decisions made for the community. Therefore, the Board is trying to set up an Architectural Committee and a Landscape/Facilities Committee. If you are interested in serving on one of these committees please contact Brandi Scott with Desert Resort Management at 760-346-1161 by Sept. 15.
PARKING: Just as a reminder, all vehicles parked in the street other than the marked designated areas will be towed immediately. Further, the majority of the driveways were not constructed long enough to park a vehicle on them. If any part of your vehicle extends onto the curb, your vehicle is considered parked in the fire lanes and is subject to be towed."

Miss Penny Lane says: Thank you for the update.

The wilds of Palermo

There's been no shortage of newsy and noteworthy happenings around Palermo of late — too much maybe. But remember to take in the beauty of the design, the people and the wildlife. This roadrunner was spotted scurrying down Foothill. Miss Penny Lane recalls her Brownies campfire days and says: This little fellow melts her heart even more than the Palermo hotties in the hot tub.

Management 101: Trash doesn't take a holiday

This was a long weekend of sun, swim and sparking conversation at Palermo. Nothing laborious about it. So it was with sadness that a problem reared its head with an e-mail and attached picture (the top photo) to Positively Palermo. The e-mail read: "Penny, once again the lack of proactive management is apparent, because too often when there is a delay in trash pick-up because of a holiday, the garbage piles up at the community bins. It is compounded when renters are moving in and out since they don't know that trash placed on top of the dumpster or outside it won't be taken by PSDS. A resident after the trash guys come must put the extra junk in the dumpster and then it fills up, and it can take a couple trash day cycles to catch up, with bags of rotten trash sitting out. It is attracting rats. Our paid management service hasn't put a up a sign saying not to throw trash bags on the ground, or to break up cardboard boxes or recycle them! It's not rocket science to know when this will happen, like holidays and when VPM has people moving in and out. Help! Complaints are just answered with excuses rather than just dealing with it proactively now and in the future." Miss Penny Lane says: Agreed, this is solvable with a management service that anticipates problems, and the dear residents of Palermo should not need to worry one iota about trash containers that are full or smelling.

UPDATED: Here's another picture (the bottom one) of this problem from earlier this summer.