Bocce court

What the new Board member meant to say is:

"I would like to see if the owners would vote for an amendment to the governing documents authorizing a Bocce court on common area."

I find it very hard to believe that you can add an amenity without owner approval. Your documents may not mention it but a statute may very well. Think about how dangerous this could be. According to you the Board could add a bowling alley and a movie theater.

Since the bocce court would require upkeep, same as other amenities, it would become a reserve item as well as a capital expense now. So even though it's not mentioned specifically in your CC&Rs, I'm nearly certain that this would require approval of the membership.

And it would likely increase your insurance requirements to some extent, since as you point out it's an attractive nuisance.

I think it would be reasonable to poll the membership to see if they'd be willing to pay the costs (all of them) for this amenity. I'm guessing that you won't have the support, and you won't have to waste time/$$$ on drafting an amendment.

Thank about the Board tasking this new director--Lou"-- to bring the Board information for your next open meeting.

1. A description of what bocce ball is. The locations of such courts in your county. The estimated annual cost of maintenance from your landscaper. I believe special grass is needed and it may need to be replaced periodically, which implies it'd be a reserve item. And whatever else the board assigns Lou to provide. At that next meeting, the Board discusses Lou's findings. The Board votes on whether to pursue this further. If so, it assigns Lou the next step.

2. Lou designs a survey to administer to each household. The board approves the survey as is or with modifications.

3. Lou administers the survey to all households. It simply asks owners if they would use such an amenity, how often and if they are willing to pay $xx increase in annual dues to install and maintain it.

4. At a meeting, the board discusses the results and votes for or against his capital improvement.

The point is that the board should not spend its time on this desire -- let Lou do it and document everything every step of the way with written (not verbal) reports to the Board.

Or, at your next meeting it should be an agenda item and the Board can simply vote oh Lou pursing this or not. Certainly you have no budget for it in '22.

I've seen a few bocce (BAH-chee) ball courts and there's a public one a couple of miles from me in the heart of an old neighborhood that was settled by Italian immigrants. There's such a court on the grounds of a large old elegant hotel in our area. I've seen an indoor court in large Italian restaurant in CA. I don't recall seeing them in any of the other many states in which I've lived. But... I didn't look for them either.

My understanding of Michael's expenditures comport with his above explanation. He does not have a bad rep with me.

I am awe struck that someone would mention such a thing.

Do you have a Non capital expenditure fund in addition to a Capital Expenditure fund? I am pretty sure you can only spend Cap Ex funds on repair, replacement, and maintenance of exisitng items. This account would normally be funded by your reserves and supported by updated reserve studies.

I loved playing bocce ball at Nonno & Nonna's house, we didn't need a special court, just a flat grassy area. problem solved. Our developer left us with a horseshoe pit that nobody has ever used.
Nobody has ever used the charcoal grill at our community park either. I am going to inquire if we get rid of the grill will that reduce the insurance we pay. As for the horseshoe pit, I have asked
several times that we seek bids to see how much it would cost to convert that space into a fenced in dog run, It shouldn't be that crazy expensive.

Additionally, if the Association has $30K to spend, I would first verify that the Reserves are fully funded and assessments are properly set.

As a member, I would be very concerned if assessments were so high that there is $30K in discretionary income available to the board.

Owners and board members want things all the time. You can't say yes all the time but it isn't necessary to reflexively say no either. When someone in my community makes a request or suggestion, I tell them the board will consider a proposal that includes answers to the following:

Where will it go?
Will the city permit this project?
Are there any easements or utility lines that would prevent installation in the desired area?
Does that area have adequate parking nearby?
Will you need or want utilities for this amenity? If so, are there meters nearby or would new meters need to be installed?
Do you want to prohibit non owners from using this amenity? If so how do you propose restricting access?
Is this something a significant number of members want?
How will it affect the association's liability insurance?
How will its ongoing maintenance affect the reserve budget?
What will it cost to install?
If there isn't sufficient capital, how do you suggest funding it?
Are you able to serve on an ad-hoc committee to see this project through to completion?

Usually a member's interest in the project wanes after the first few questions and vanishes entirely by the middle of the list. One suggested amenity has been added over the years - a shade cover for the playground.

There is no requirement that the CCRs have to amended to improve a capital improvement. There are governing document or state statues that require certain procedures to get membership approval for any project or one's that are a certain percentage of annual expenses. I have half my communities with pool, yet NONE have that or any amenity in their CCRs.