NOV. 2017 Vol. 37 No. 11 PUBLISHED BY THE MONTEBELLO CONDOMINIUM UNIT OWNERS ASSOCIATION

Budget Pressures

Require a Condo

Fee Increase by Steve Clark and Maria Moore, Co-Chairs, Finance and

Budget Committee, and Doug Kleine, Treasurer, Board of

Directors

Last year, condo fees increased by 4.09% for Montebello

owners. While needs continue to build, we anticipate a slightly

smaller increase in 2018. Consequently, the Finance and

Budget Committee (F&B) has recommended an increase of

3.918% for 2018.

Montebello’s budget process is not one that sets a target for

condo fees and then shapes expenses to fit the target. Rather,

we determine needs, research the costs, and set the condo fees

as the last step to balance the budget.

There are several forces operating on our expenses:

The grounds of Montebello are a new board priority. As a

result, the contract for the grounds maintenance has been

increased by approximately $50,000, and we have hired a

temporary employee to oversee the new emphasis and

grounds maintenance projects over the next four years,

including woodlands projects.

With regard to the Data Communication Network, there is

a reserve project for 2018, which will ultimately carry a

future $30,000-plus per year maintenance contract.

There are heavier reserve projects over the next five

years, for which management has prepared with a new

contract administrator position.

There are increased annual contributions to reserves to

meet anticipated needs in the next few years.

Finally, there is a stronger emphasis on customer service.

There will be more training for the staff and a stronger

reward system to implement quality service consistent

with our vision of being a luxury community.

To meet these needs, F&B has recommended an increase of

3.918%. The board will consider these recommendations and

adopt a 2018 budget at its meeting on Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in

the Community Center. The board packet on the website will

have the proposed 2018 budget in its latest form.

Photo by Kim Santos

An enthusiastic circle formed at the Octoberfest celebration on

Oct. 13. The German band “Die Zwei” (“The Two”) performed.

_______________________

Update Your Emergency Entry

and Contact Information by Earl Roberts, Safety and Access Control Manager

Procedures for entry into the condominiums for emergency

maintenance work are laid out clearly in our Montebello

documents. However, management entry procedures during a

non-maintenance emergency are undergoing further

clarification.

Medical Emergency Entry – When first responders need

access to a unit during a medical emergency, and the resident

cannot open the door, we use your emergency key to grant

access. These emergency keys are kept behind locked doors in

a lock box in the office. After consulting with our local fire

station, we have determined a way to speed up the process of

gaining access to your unit during this type of emergency.

A secure location in each building has been established

where additional emergency keys can be stored, so that our

Safety and Access Control (SAC) officers no longer have to

go to the office to obtain a key before meeting first responders

at the door of the resident in need. This adjustment will save

time by placing the needed key in closer proximity to the

emergency. SAC will handle the copying of the extra key.

However, we need your help to make this procedure

successful. If you have recently changed locks, please provide

us with copies of your new keys. Some residents have a key

requiring a special letter of permission to duplicate. We will

Continued on p. 2

Toy Donations Accepted

Nov. 21-Dec. 8

Boxes will be available in the

Community Center for toy donations

to UCM and Toys for Tots.

November 2017 2

Letters to the Editor A letter to the editor is your opportunity to share a comment, compliment or

concern with other residents. Letters and responses must not exceed 225

words and must be received by the seventh of the month. Writers are

responsible for the content and accuracy of their letters. Management or the

Board of Directors may respond in no more than 225 words. Unsigned

letters, letters promoting non-Montebello financial endeavors, and personal

criticisms of individuals or groups will not be published. Submit letters,

marked Attention: Times, to the front desk or to times@montebello.org. The

Times publishes all Letters to the Editor that meet the criteria noted above.

The letters are formatted but not edited and are forwarded to the Board of

Directors for their response.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Great Lifeguards this Summer To the Editor: The High Sierra guards were exceptional this 2017 summer

season. Dejen, the head lifeguard kept the pool clean and the

crew attentive to the residents safety. I like to believe the

credit goes to our new General Manager, George Gardner and

our new Contracts Manager, Kierra Reynolds. Just maybe they

held High Sierra's feet to the fire and ensured the guards

remained during all weather conditions. Instead of High Sierra

Management pocketing MCUOAs' money by sending guards

home early without pay during rainy or cold weather the

guards stayed on site. Now owners get what we pay for - use of

the indoor pool during inclement weather. Thanks so much for

finally listening to the residents and insuring our MCUOAs'

money is used judiciously and not pocketed by High Sierra

Management.

– Peg Wesbecher, Building 2

Board response: It’s a pleasure to receive compliments on the

results of actions taken by management and the board.

_______________________

Update Information, continued from p. 1 reach out to those residents separately in the near future to

have the letter signed so that we can get the copy made.

Wellness Checks – Sometimes we receive a call from friends

or relatives who are concerned about a resident they have not

been able to contact in some time. We are working with the

police department and legal counsel to determine the best

method for handling wellness checks. We will keep you

updated on our progress.

Contact Information – Both of the previous matters hinge on

an important piece of information – your contact information.

We need your help again here. Do we have your most recent

contact information on file?

Have you changed your telephone number?

Have you changed your Emergency Contact Person?

Do you have special needs that need to be listed on

the evacuation roster?

Have you recently gained or lost a roommate?

Has your pet status changed?

Have you not been receiving email notices from the

office and wish to receive them?

To update or change your information, please come by the

front desk and ask for an information form (pink for owners;

white for renters). This should only take a few minutes.

Photo by Kim Santos

Many residents donated to the annual UCM drive Oct. 14.

_______________________

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7 The Montebello shuttle bus will provide transportation to

and from the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at half-hour intervals

from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Reminders: Voters are required to show identification.

Acceptable IDs are: voter’s registration card; Va. driver’s

license, photo ID issued by the U.S. government or your

employer, or your original Social Security card. The

Montebello resident ID cards are not acceptable.

If you have an absentee ballot, you may also vote in person

until Nov. 4 at the Mt. Vernon Government Center on Parkers

Lane from 3:30 to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday. Or mail your absentee ballot to arrive by Nov. 7.

For further information, contact Fairfax County Office of

Elections at www.fairfax.va.us/gov/eb/vregis.htm or at 703-

222-0776.

The Times of Montebello is published monthly by the MCUOA. The

opinions expressed in this newsletter do not represent those of the Editor

or the MCUOA.

Editorial Board: Nancy Vogt, Managing Editor; Barbara Boykin, Editor;

Donald Barnes, Cerie Kimball, Noel Sipple, Don Trilling, Jacqueline

Woodle

Staff Writers: Susan Allen, Rebecca Hayden, Janice Stucki

Editorial Assistants: Carole Appel, Mary Ellen Bergeron

Photo Editor: Don Trilling

Photographers: Diane Bastin, Joel Miller, Kim Santos, Nancy Vogt

Production Manager: Thirasit Insisiengmay

Board of Directors Liaison: Bonnie Daniel

Board of Directors: Greg Bender, President; Lynn Tjeerdsma, Vice

President; Doug Kleine, Treasurer; Bonnie Daniel, Secretary; Raymond

Goodrich, Douglas Kennett, Lauren Pierce, Bruce Shaw, Guido Zanni

Management: George Gardner, General Manager; Marco Mendoza,

Assistant General Manager; Peter Ng, Facilities Program Manager; Earl

Roberts, Safety and Access Control Manager; Phonekham

Somchanmavong, Chief Engineer; Sisavath Thongdynarath, Assistant

Chief Engineer; Thirasit Insisiengmay, Community Activities Program

Manager; Lenard Goldbaum (ZALCO), Community Manager

Association Office: 703-960-0410

www.montebello.org

MCUOA@vacoxmail.com

Residents may contact the Board of Directors at the email address above.

Copyright 2017. All rights reserved.

3 November 2017

Puerto Rico: Not So Far From

Montebello Hearts and Minds

by Jacqueline Woodle, Times staff

Puerto Rico is many miles away from Montebello, but it is

much closer in the minds and hearts of some of the

Montebello community.

The family of Luis Vasquez, Montebello staff resident

coordinator, lives in the Dorado area on

the northern side of the island. This area

sustained less impact from Maria than

did the central and western mountainous

areas. His family lives in a

condominium which sustained minimal

damage beyond water leakage. Luis

speaks briefly with his family regularly

and sends them care packages which

they can now pick up at the post office.

At the time of this writing, life in the area was slowly

returning to a semblance of normal, with many local roads

passable and some stores opened, though costs for the few

items available are sometimes excessive and it is cash-only.

Residents are looking for work since most businesses, hotels,

and restaurants are closed, and they are without income. It is

now possible to purchase gasoline in larger quantities than the

five gallon limit imposed after the storm. Schools which

normally open in early August are still closed and students

may have to repeat the year if schools do not open soon.

Luis observed that the silver lining to this disaster is the

hope that it will be an opportunity for some out-of-the-box

thinking as repairs are made, such as underground cables,

solar and satellite sources of electricity.

In harder hit areas of the island many of the roads and

bridges are unusable and assistance has not

arrived. Antonella Colon, resident of

Building 4, is the wife of Pedro Colon,

whose family lives in Moca, a town in the

western part of the island where the effects

of the hurricane are significant. Pedro flew

to Puerto Rico recently and managed to get

to Moca, where he is helping his family

and assessing the situation. Crops, such as

plantains, bananas, and coffee, have been

destroyed. At the time of this interview, there was no

electricity, water, postal service, or dependable connection to

the outside, and stores were low on supplies.

The Colon cement house is on a hill and suffered no

structural damage but the home of a neighbor who lives down

the hill was washed away and he lost everything. He is now

living on the Colon property in a small apartment and helping

with chores.

Pedro’s father is bedridden and in need of air conditioning,

so a generator is used sparingly for short periods of time to

give him comfort and to help his breathing. They use rain

water for cleaning and buy drinking water when it is available.

The small hospital in the area may have to close due to

damage and lack of supplies.

Continued on p. 4

Photo by Kim Santos

Participants in the Polymer Clay workshop, sponsored by AiM on

Oct. 10 were able to take home their oven-fired creations.

_______________________

Contracts Update by Peter Ng, Facilities Program Manager

Landscape Remediation Project We have retained Lauren Wheeler of Natural Resource

Design to assist in our Landscape Remediation Project. She

met with our Grounds Committee and has begun surveying the

property. Wheeler had conducted an earlier survey that

resulted in the removal of invasive vegetation.

Data Communications On Sept. 5, the association held a town hall meeting to

explain the upcoming Data Communication Network Project.

Fios is not part of this project, but the association is working

with Verizon to assess the feasibility of providing it.

Rooftop Air Handler Units

On Sept. 13, management, board members, and resident

consultants met with a Reznor® representative, an engineer

from TRC Companies, Inc., and our HVAC contractor.

Reznor® has stockpiled parts to maintain our rooftop units. A

fresh air system has an expected life of 15 years. Our systems

were installed in 2006. Planning to replace these units should

start in 2018. Two building units will be replaced in 2020 and

two in 2022. We have received the manuals and checklist for

enhanced preventive maintenance for our units from Reznor®.

These have been forwarded to our HVAC contractor to obtain

a proposal to perform enhanced preventive maintenance to

ensure more reliable operations and prolong their life.

Irrigation System The in-ground moisture sensors for the new irrigation

system have been installed and are in operation. After the

landscape matured, a detailed assessment of irrigation

coverage was done on Aug. 28 by Aspect Irrigation, Inc., with

these findings:

Several irrigation areas should be split due to half sunny

and half shady location.

We should split irrigation zones that have turf, shrubs, and

flowers with different water needs.

We need to replace some rotor heads with spray heads in

various locations such as the picnic area, along long Mt.

Eagle Drive, and around the community center’s west side.

November 2017 4

Photo by Nancy Vogt

Fairfax County fire department in the front of Building 3 responds

to an electrical outage caused by a vehicle accident on Route 1

on Sept. 24.

Safety and Access Control

Quarterly Report by Earl Roberts, Safety and Access Control Manager

Visitor Access The main gate processed 7,632 visitors between July 1 and

Sept. 30.

Routine Operations The Safety and Access Control (SAC) department oversaw

routine Montebello operations during this reporting period by

providing continuous patrolling, monitoring, and recording of

events on the property. We have worked with local emergency

response agencies to be better prepared for emergencies at

Montebello. Our SAC officers have also conducted additional

training in traffic management and radio communications.

Non-Routine Operations We are experiencing an uptick in odor complaints; we ask

all residents to be mindful of how odors (fragrance, smoke,

etc.) will travel under doors and into the hallways (and other

units) especially when windows are open.

2017

Occurrence July Aug Sept Totals

Fire and Rescue 13 11 12 36

Law Enforcement 4 9 5 18

Vehicle Violations 5 8 1 14

Vehicle Accidents* 2 1 0 3

Towed Vehicles 0 0 0 0

Rule Violations 2 1 2 5

Noise Complaints 6 3 8 17

Animal Control 0 0 0 0

Suspicious Odors 3 3 8 14

Pedestrian Accident 0 0 0 0

*Vehicle accidents no injury or property damage reported

Metal Connectors for Toilets

Can Prevent Water Damage by Peter Ng, Facilities Program Manager

Recently, manufacturers of toilet water supply lines have

replaced plastic connectors with metal ones, which will not

break as easily or become brittle with age.

The Association can change your toilet water supply line to

one with the new metal connectors through its In-Unit Service

Program. However, we will change the supply line only in

those toilets installed by the Association.

For residents whose toilets were not installed by the

Association, we highly recommend having a licensed plumber

change the supply line to one with a metal connector.

Management Notes Employee Recognition Program

The Board of Directors reminds residents who wish to

contribute to the Employee Recognition Program to please do

so at the front desk by Nov. 20. Disbursement to employees

will be in December.

Fire Alarm Test Schedule Monthly tests of the fire alarm system occur at 10 a.m.:

Building 1 – 1st Wednesday

Building 2 – 2nd

Wednesday

Building 3 – 3rd

Wednesday

Building 4 – 4th

Wednesday

Puerto Rico, continued from p. 3

The Colon family and others in this hard-hit area are coping

as best they can with overwhelming destruction and recognize

it is a long road ahead.

Helping to ease the burden is the goal

of many groups which are traveling to

Puerto Rico to provide disaster relief.

Earl Roberts, Montebello Safety and

Access Control Manager, is joining one

of those groups, the Virginia Baptist

Disaster Relief Team, from Nov. 25 to

Dec. 1. The group sends teams every

week to sites selected by the U. S.

government. Earl’s team will provide supplies and muscle

power to help reestablish an area damaged by Maria. This

typically involves tearing down destroyed buildings, salvaging

those that can be restored, and clearing roads. At this time it is

projected that aid will be needed for at least six to eight

months.

November 11, 2017

Join The Times of Montebello Editorial Board and staff

in paying tribute to our veterans and remembering the

fallen, the missing, and those now serving in harm's way.

5 November 2017

Grounds Committee Asks You

to Save These Dates by Virginia Hodgkinson, Chair, Grounds Committee

The Grounds Committee will be sending its five-year

Strategy Plan for the Woodlands and Developed Areas to the

board work session for consideration on Nov. 28. Lauren

Wheeler, director of Natural Resources Design, will present

the plan. We hope that many residents will be able to attend.

On Dec. 6, the Grounds Committee will present the plan at

an open community forum in the Community Center at 7:30

p.m. The plan will also be made available online in late

November for residents to read before the forum takes place.

We would like to hear from you about the plan. There will be

numerous opportunities for residents to participate by adding

suggestions, ideas, and volunteer time to help restore our

woodlands and make our landscape more beautiful.

Volunteers (l. to r.) Brian Hayden, Chuck Amorosino, Penny Jones,

Lynn Tjeerdsma, Catherine Cooke, Mary Tjeerdsma, and Diane

Fitzgerald, planted fourteen varieties of plants and bulbs on Oct.

7. Their work will come alive in the spring.

____________________

From the General Manager

Taking a Look at the Progress

of Three Projects by George Gardner, General Manager

The board took several actions at the Oct. 10 board meeting

that have meaningful impact on the community.

The Data Communications Network is projected to cost

$1,111,150 plus an annual maintenance contract for five years

at a total cost of $136,694. This system, when completed, will

increase safety at Montebello, as well as improve our

operability. It will replace systems that are approaching or are

beyond their predicted useful lifetimes, for example, the front

gate card reader; building front, rear and lobby entrance access

systems; fire detection, alarm, and warning systems and

upgrades to the association computer network. This project is

expected to be completed sometime in 2018.

The second item approved was a contract with Kerns Group

to prepare construction documents to renovate all party rooms.

There will be a town hall meeting in January 2018 to present

the design information to the community, followed by a four-

month construction phase, with each party room being done

serially. The expected completion date for all renovation is

August 2018.

Finally, the five year grounds planning effort continues to

progress. The Grounds Committee is working with several

contractors, addressing the restoration and management of our

landscaping. The Woodlands Erosion Control Project is

scheduled for contract award by March 2018. The Grounds

Committee is meeting regularly with our contractor, National

Resources Design, providing five-year planning assistance.

Interested community members are welcome to attend the

committee meetings where the plan is being prepared. The

committee hopes to complete its draft plan in time for the

Nov. 21 board meeting.

TRANSITIONS

Welcome to Our New Neighbors

Christina Cochran, Building 3, a returning resident from

Winchester, Virginia.

Brad and Patty Cunnington, Building 4, from Seattle,

have returned to Montebello. Brad works for the Federal

Aviation Administration, and Patty does part-time work for

a publisher in the Eastern Market area in Washington, D.C.

Norm and Sue Lindeblad, Building 3, from Fort

Washington. Norm retired from Dade County Schools and

then worked for Tourmobile, giving tours for eight years.

He graduated from Augustana College. Sue works for the

Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. She

received a Ph.D. from the University of Miami.

John Phillips, Building 2, from Arlington. John is a

Department of Defense employee working in logistics. He

is a Vietnam veteran. His special interests include dogs,

board and card games, and color art.

Condolences to

The family and friends of Viola “Bonnie” Rice, Building 4,

who passed away on Sept. 29. She was one of Montebello’s

oldest resident-veterans, a member of the “Greatest

Generation.” Bonnie was an active participant in the

Montebello Music Club, the Groveton Baptist Church, and

all the Montebello Independence Day Parades. Interment at

Arlington will be announced later.

The family and friends of Viola Washington Wilson,

Building 4, who died on Sept. 16. She taught school for 30

years and was a devoted member of the United Methodist

Women, the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the Red Hat

Society, and the Pacesetters. Burial at Arlington National

Cemetery to be announced later.

November 2017

Barbara Bieger

Named Volunteer for

November by Nancy Vogt, Times staff

Barbara Bieger sat down with me to discuss her recent honor

and related topics.

Question: Why did you decide to chair the Activities

Committee (AC) in 2017 after it was vacant for over a year?

Barbara: I have been an active member of the AC since 2012.

The committee had been floundering without a permanent

chair for some time. I could see that the committee was not

functioning very well without a chair. When I see a situation

where I believe help is needed, I generally try to help. In this

case, the help that was needed was a chair for the committee.

When I was asked if I would chair the committee, I said yes,

but for a limited amount of time. That was in March of this

year and I committed to be the chair to the end of 2017.

Question: Besides AC, what other endeavors have you been

involved in?

Barbara: I wanted to start duplicate bridge at Montebello. I

had to learn how to start a club and request money. I learned I

had to go through the AC to obtain funds. That was my first

introduction to the committee. I am still running this activity.

Years ago I was active in the Business and Professional

Women’s Club and served as president. I was responsible for

the Montgomery County Women’s Fair which was a big

event. I have also been active at church, such as teaching

Sunday school.

Question: So, why do you volunteer? What motivates you to

give your time and energy so freely?

Barbara: An activity such as bridge is my ticket to meeting

and socializing. I enjoy the game, but it is also a great way to

meet people and make friends. Attending events isn’t enough

for me. I need to be part of something, and having a job to do

makes me feel more a part of things. I need a reason to be

there. Being involved and participating, that is what it is about

for me.

There was a period in my life when I couldn’t drive due to

health issues. That forced me to face the fact that the day

would come when I could not drive. I realized then how

fortunate I was to live at Montebello and that I was going to

take advantage of it and become more involved.

Question: Tell me a little about your personal life.

Barbara: I am native to the DC metropolitan area. My career

was in the government, working my way from secretary to

biologist to government psychologist to personnel specialist.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) identified the need for

laboratory technicians. I was fortunate to be able to take

advantage of this program and earned a biology degree. I

worked at NIH, and then got into Human Resources. I have

been in and out of the government, depending on the needs of

my family, retiring after 27 years of federal service.

Photo by Nancy Vogt

Barbara Bieger of the Activities Committee is the Volunteer-of-

the-month for November.

I have been widowed since 1995. Two of my three sons live

in the area with four of my six grandchildren. The other son

and grandsons live in California.

Question: What do you do in your downtime?

Barbara: I enjoy sewing and machine embroidery.

Last thoughts: Following our meeting, Barbara had

additional comments about her award and the future of AC.

Barbara: Thank you for such an honor; I was so surprised I

didn’t know what to say. Then I thought, was this my

opportunity to reach out to this wonderful community we call

home?

Montebello is truly a diverse community and there must be

many who could do a good job chairing the AC. It is easier

and less stressful when the job is shared and more fun. Yes, I

said fun! I have enjoyed being chair, receiving strong support

from many sources and people. There are those who have

done so much, many others who were with us for a short-term

project. I want to thank all of them. There is not space to list

you all but you know who you are.

A final comment by the writer: AC is looking for a chair to

start the new year. By stepping up now, the new chair could

work with Barbara to become familiar with the committee.

Others are available to lessen the task. If you aren’t up to

chairing the committee, please actively search for a candidate.

November Holiday Schedules

Office Hours The Front Desk will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on

Thursday, Nov. 23 (Thanksgiving Day)

and Friday, Nov. 24.

The MCUOA Office will be closed

Thursday, Nov. 23, and Friday, Nov. 24.

Shuttle Bus The Montebello Shuttle Bus will not operate on

Nov. 10, Veterans Day observed and

Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Day

November Times Photo Supplement Art in Montebello

Speaker Series

Photo by Nancy Vogt

Book Signing – “Lost Alexandria”

Photos by Kim Santos

Movie Night

Photo by Steve Novinger

Free goodies come with Classic Movie Night

Anna Schalk

Photos by Joel Miller

Octoberfest

Book Swap in Panoramic View Music at Montebello

Harvey Jacobson at the piano View of Montebello from the Potomac

Montebello Improvement

Photos by Nancy Vogt

Redesigning flower beds