June 21st, 2025 noon Zoom

Zoom Meetings
1

Here is the video recording:https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/ti2ELZMLIabUNbI91y5Npm0Ed1uPEJh-TIYj-lrjzu5d1uzF_EmWo1FrAuz6lsxR.lgmDB2BVr-dG2xQO
Passcode: =F!$hq15

Here is the AI transcript. It got a couple things wrong. No worries.
The video will be posted soon.

Zoom Meeting (06/21/2025)

Quick recap

The meeting began with discussions about personal health challenges and community developments, including property fee waivers and a rally experience. The group then focused on rebuilding efforts after a fire, sharing experiences with contractors, architects, and insurance processes while discussing property damage assessments and security measures. The conversation concluded with updates on soil testing delays, erosion issues, and plans for future meetings, with participants sharing their experiences with various construction and insurance challenges.

Next steps

Summary

Community Progress and Personal Challenges

Darrell and Janie discussed recent challenges, including medication side effects and stress, but noted an improvement in Janie’s condition. They mentioned positive developments in their community, such as the approval by the Board of Supervisors to waive fees for a project, and Janie shared her experience attending a rally where she met Judy, who expressed the need for continued efforts in their area.

Fire-Affected Property and Plans

Darrell, John, and Janie discussed their visits to a property that had been affected by fire, with John sharing his grandchildren’s reactions to the transformed landscape. Janie mentioned their plans for the Fourth of July, including a dinner and potential gathering at the property with family and friends. Darrell shared an experience with a high water bill due to a misread meter, which was later corrected. The conversation also touched on the idea of gathering on properties to view the basin, though no specific plans were made.

Post-Fire Rebuilding Efforts Discussion

The group discussed rebuilding efforts after a fire, with Annabel joining the meeting to share her experience. She mentioned having selected an architect and initial plans, while Janie shared that her family is working with a contractor who is doing them a favor. The conversation touched on potential economies of scale for contractors if multiple houses on the same street used the same contractor, though Janie noted she couldn’t share her contractor due to a personal connection. The discussion concluded with Annabel asking about the number of people rebuilding in the area, though no definitive answer was provided.

Fire-Damaged Neighborhood Development Updates

The group discussed the status of homes in their neighborhood affected by fire damage. Annabel reported seeing 4-5 for-sale signs on Rubio street, while Janie shared information about specific properties including two vacant lots and updates on neighbors Jeff and Val who are currently in New Mexico. Mendes assured Annabel that their fire zone is among the most restrictive, preventing the construction of multiple dwelling units, though he noted the possibility of larger single-family homes. Darrell explained their efforts to promote form-based code changes with the county, which would prevent mansion-style developments while allowing for larger square footage on existing lots.

Fraudulent Contractor Legal Challenges

David shared that he and his wife are facing significant challenges with a fraudulent contractor who defrauded both them and another licensed contractor, leading to legal actions and complaints filed with various authorities. The contractor, who was recommended through a real estate agency, had quoted $350 per square foot for a design-build project but was later found to have fraudulent connections and had defrauded the licensed contractor he was associated with. David mentioned that the contractor’s daughter, who resides in the West Valley area, has contacted them, believing her father’s death was caused by the contractor’s actions, and they are awaiting guidance from their law firm to track him down for service.

Post-Fire Property Damage Discussion

David and Darrell discussed the aftermath of a fire that damaged David’s property, with David explaining they are currently in an apartment in Pasadena while considering selling the house or potentially rebuilding. David mentioned they had been approached by a firm called ATP Design and Construction, who were working with their neighbors across the street. Darrell advised that current rebuild costs are higher than initially estimated, with prices now ranging from $4,500 to $5,500 per square foot, and recommended being cautious of quotes significantly lower than that. David noted they had water service restored to maintain the pool and spa, but had not yet installed temporary power.

Sheriff Car Neighborhood Incidents

The group discussed several incidents involving unmarked and marked sheriff’s cars in the neighborhood. iPhone reported an encounter with an unmarked black car and received confirmation from the sheriff’s department that it was likely a staff member, though they did not address iPhone’s concerns about a green car parked near Vina’s house. John shared a recent experience with a sheriff’s car visiting his house, which was captured on a Ring camera. Annabel informed the group about a white 1986 Land Cruiser that would be moved to her house from their old wood shop.

Property Security and Maintenance Updates

The group discussed security measures for properties, particularly the need for official “No Trespassing” signs with California Penal Code references to be enforceable. David shared that he had ordered such signs from Amazon and submitted a letter of agency to the sheriff’s station. The team agreed to post these signs on their properties and share the information through the review action network. They also discussed plans to install temporary power, with a quote of $3,500, and to assess the condition of the pool equipment.

Architect and Builder Search Results

The group discussed their search for architects and builders, with Darrell and David sharing that they interviewed several options including Journey, Fung and Black, Macintosh Design, Studio Norm, and Bluestone Development, while Janie recommended Victor from Vision Capital Architecture in Culver City who demonstrated strong listening skills and accuracy in design. They aligned on key construction priorities including fireproof materials, metal roofs, and sprinkler systems, with Darrell explaining that sprinklers primarily help residents escape during fires rather than protect the house structure.

Post-Disaster Insurance and Rebuilding

The group discussed insurance and rebuilding after a disaster. Darrell and Mendes shared their experiences with State Farm, noting that while they can keep their policies, new ones won’t be written in California. They discussed the importance of documenting personal property for insurance claims, with Mendes recommending a website called inventory.hellobuildable.com to help create detailed inventories. The group also talked about the challenges of completing personal inventories, with Janie expressing that it was emotionally difficult for her. David shared that he and his wife had completed their inventory using a spreadsheet format, which was submitted to their field agent.

Soil Testing and Erosion Challenges

The group discussed soil sample testing delays at USC, with David explaining that thousands of samples are backed up due to reduced intern labor after the semester ended. Jeff and Annabel reported erosion issues at their properties, with Jeff mentioning they signed with Fox Law to consult an erosion expert and Annabel noting they’re avoiding a new retaining wall for cost reasons. Mendes shared that some soil tests from their neighborhood showed clean lead results, and the conversation ended with plans to reconvene in two weeks.