KWPOA May Newsletter

Volume 342 | May 2024

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view in a web browser.

President's Note

Hi Neighbors,

It’s a beautiful time of year in Kent Woodlands! Here are a few things I wanted to share with you:

As a result of all of the rain we had this season, vegetation throughout the neighborhood is in full growth. With fire season once again upon us, we applaud those of you who continue to do a great job with your defensible space — not only for your benefit, but the benefit of your surrounding neighbors. KWPOA’s Hazard Mitigation Specialist, Heather Hill, is available to meet you at your property free of charge to you to share advice on what you specifically need to do to reduce the risk of fire on your property. She can also assist with possible grant money and landscaping services vendor information. Finally, should you want to alert her to any concerning area of overgrown vegetation anywhere in Kent Woodlands, that is always appreciated. Contact Heather at hhill@kwpoa.com or by phone at 415-721-7429.

Please join us on Cinco de Mayo for our Spring Food Truck Event on Sunday, May 5th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in our Acorn lot at the bottom of Woodland Road! This is a well-attended event, but we have room for more of you, and love to see neighbors of all ages. There is a Mexican food truck that serves a wide range of menu items (including wine, margaritas, and beer), as well as a shaved ice truck for the kids and kids-at-heart. We’re also thrilled that this season’s event will include Kent Woodlands resident Lisa Hines of Bella Luxe Catering, who will be serving her fried chicken sandwiches and poke bowls.

The board is continuing to work on the Kent Woodlands entrance project to improve the lot we own at the corner of College Avenue and Woodland Road. For those of you who haven't attended the informational sessions we've held to discuss this project, below is the latest version of the design I've shared in the past, which incorporates some of the feedback we've received from members. (CLICK HERE for a PDF version of the drawing.) Striking the right balance of offering our members an improvement in useable space that doesn't cause unintended challenges, at the right price for all, is the board's top priority. We expect our special assessment vote, via ballots that will be sent to all members, to occur within the next several months.

Sincerely,

Jeff Leh, President

2024 Budget Correction

In the 2024 budget that was approved by the Board on September 25, 2023, an administrative error over-estimated projected payroll expenses for the year. At the April 15, 2024 board meeting, the Board approved a corrected budget, which shows that our total budgeted expenses for the year have been reduced by $20,000. Please click here for a copy of the corrected budget. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 415-721-7429 or info@kwpoa.com.

New Design Review Fee Schedule

On March 8, 2024, the Board submitted a proposed revised design review fee schedule to members for a comment period that ended on April 10, 2024. Four comments were received during this period. After discussing the comments received, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the fee schedule with no changes. Please click here for the new “Project Types and Fees” document, which will go into effect May 1, 2024. Any questions should be directed to the Architectural Committee at AC@kwpoa.com.

Fire Safety: The Marin Wildfire Chipper Day Program is Back!

Did you know the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority sponsors a super helpful chipping program? This program offers curbside pickup, chipping, and disposal of vegetation material from your residential property to help prevent wildfires. Don't miss out on this opportunity to

secure your pickup spot! Act now and reserve yours today. Remember, the sign-up deadline is the Friday before the event. Let's unite to keep Kent Woodlands a fire-safe community! To sign up and read the rules, please go to reserve.chipperday.com/marin.

— Heather Hill, Hazard Mitigation Specialist

KENT WOODLANDS ENERGY SURVEY

Did you know that the Kent Woodlands 2023 Survey Results are our first snapshot of Kent Woodlands' Carbon Emissions per household compared with the balance of Marin? Every fall, we issue a survey to our membership, which becomes the baseline for our project of lowering household emissions for electricity, transportation, and home heating/cooling, cooking, heating water & drying clothes. 22% of our members responded & the results are in!

21% of our members use Marin Clean Energy ‘Deep Green’ to generate electricity
37% of our members drive a hybrid or EV car as their primary vehicle
11% of our members have electric heat pumps to heat/cool their homes
9% of our members have electric ranges for cooking

TAKE A CLASS WITH RESILIENT NEIGHBORHOODS

RN provides excellent hands-on info to help you electrify your home, take advantage of rebates, & reduce your family’s carbon footprint. Visit www.resilientneighborhoods.org to sign up!

June 13th, 6:30 – 8 PM (5 sessions, starting June 13th, meets every other week)

June 18th, 4:00 – 5:30 PM (5 sessions, starting June 18th, meets every other week)

Learn More at www.carbonneutralkw.com

— Julie Johnson, CNKW Chair