We strongly encourage everyone to communicate with management via montevistavillas.com. If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to set up your account at montevistavillas.com. This is your 1-stop shop for everything and anything related to MVV.  At this portal, you can view your account balances, schedule or make auto-payments, access forms, reserve the clubhouse,  view open maintenance requests, view violation notices and so much more!
Importantly, on the portal, you can also set communication preferences. If you don't have a registration key, contact the transition team at 888.990.2334 or clienttransition.ca@fsresidential.com. Once you have access, the most efficient way to contact management is by submitting a request through the portal. 

Why are there so many Bay Alarm inspections? 

The frequency for inspections, testing and maintenance of Fire Alarm Systems and/or Sprinkler systems is mandated by the National Fire Alarm Code and the State of California. These requirements ensure that all fire alarm and sprinkler systems operate in accordance with their design requirements. In prior years, maintenance of our fire alarm systems was often overlooked. Thankfully, we are back on track with quarterly inspections. Without a proper fire alarm maintenance plan, small issues can lead to big issues and result in unnecessary repairs. In the worst case, if there was ever a fire and the alarm and/or sprinkler systems did not work, there could be serious safety and/or financial consequences.

The HOA takes all safety matters seriously.  Understandably, it is inconvenient to be home to have your unit inspected.  If you are unable to be home during the scheduled inspection, please ask a neighbor to help out. Failure to comply with inspections will result in you paying hundreds of dollars for a mandatory re-inspection visit.  

Faulty Fire Alarms

In accordance with CC&Rs, each owner shall maintain, repair and replace any smoke detectors located in the owner's unit. To schedule a replacement for faulty monitored smoke detector or report beeping on a fire panel, submit a general request work order through montevistavillas.com to report the issue. Fire alarm protocols can be found in this article. 

Who is responsible for lighting?

Streetlights: Streetlights are the responsibility of the City of Oakland. If you notice that a streetlight is out, report it to www.SeeClickFix.com. Please be prepared to provide the pole number. 
Condominiums: The Association is responsible for exterior lights except for lights that the owner controls (porch and patio/deck lights).
Townhomes: Owners are responsible for all lighting serving their separate interest.
Common Area Lights: The Association is responsible for all common area lighting, such as the lighting next to staircases. Each month, the "light patrol" visits MVV to assess problems and repair lights that are no longer working. To submit a lighting work order, visit montevistavillas.com. Be sure to provide the exact location of the light. Photos of the fixture are appreciated.

City of Oakland Sidewalk Certification

Owners may contact the City of Oakland directly and request a "no-fee" compliance certificate from the OakDOT Permit Counter or at DOTOnlinePermits@oaklandca.gov. Exemption and Provisional Sidewalk Certificates are now available via the Online Permit Center (Accela Citizen Access – ACA). Agents/Owners: Please register as “Light Registration User.” 
https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/online-permit-center 
 
After registering and logging in: 
• Apply for Permit > Continue to Building and PublicWorks (green button) 
• Disclaimer/Continue Application 
• Select a License > Licenses > None Applicable > Continue Application 
• DOT-Curb-Gutter-Sidewalk (select Exemption or Provisional) > Continue Application 
• Applicant Type (select) > Continue Application 
• Work Location (Enter address. Do not enter Unit #.) > Look Up 

Can we make MVV a gated community? 

What is the GHAD?

Can we add more HOA amenities?

It depends!  Though the Board welcomes all suggestions from members, whether or not the Board acts on a suggestion is dependent on a number of factors.  The first thing that the Board does is determine whether or not the suggestion is in compliance with CC&Rs and state/local laws, and whether the suggestion is fiscally neutral. Unfortunately, suggestions that violate CC&Rs or laws cannot be pursued.  In addition, suggestions that require significant financial outlays cannot be considered at this time.

Next, if the Board determines that the suggestion complies with CC&Rs, it will encourage the member(s) to conduct research and to provide an official proposal to the Board, or to a specific committee (e.g., Security, Architectural, Communications, Finance).  All fiscal considerations (if applicable) should be included in the proposal.  The Board is comprised of homeowners who volunteer their time, and are not responsible for researching suggestions that are brought to their attention.  Their main function is to uphold certain fiduciary duties, ensure property values are maintained, and make decisions in the community’s best interests. 

Without a doubt, owners often have fabulous suggestions, and some suggestions have resulted in significant monetary savings to all of us.  For example, a couple of years ago, homeowner Owen Li approached the Board to address yearly GHAD assessments (on our annual tax bill). After extensive research, Owen rallied the community to lobby our local leaders to suspend the $1,600 GHAD assessment fee for the past two years after discovering shocking problems with how fees were calculated.  Without Owen’s research, efforts and determination, none of this would have been possible.  An involved and caring membership is good for our community, and members are encouraged to get involved!

Residents have researched the addition of speed bumps and learned that the steep grade of Leona Drive prohibits speed bumps. For other public streets, suggested modifications must go through the City of Oakland's vigorous approval process. The Speed Bump Program is primarily resident-driven, requiring support from two-thirds of the addresses on the block in request. Residents may apply for a speed bump any time by filling out an application found here. Every speed bump request is evaluated by Safe Streets with input from the Fire Department and AC Transit for their operational needs such as vehicle size and travel/response time. 

Requests for STOP signs are managed by the City of Oakland's Safe Streets team. To submit a request, go to the City’s OAK 311 webpage. Each request is evaluated and scored based on three factors used in their prioritization model: 1. Traffic Collisions, 2. Neighborhood Equity and 3. Adjacent Land Use. According to their prioritization service request map, Monte Vista Villas is considered 'low priority' and an additional STOP sign most likely will not be allocated for the community. Please be a considerate neighbor and drive with caution in the neighborhood.

No, it cannot.  All streets and sidewalks within MVV are public.  The HOA has no ability to levy parking fines on public streets.

But don't forget that blocking a sidewalk in CA is illegal and can be reported to seeclickfix.com.  Recently, a MVV resident who was parked in their driveway but blocking the sidewalk received a $103.00 parking fine.
Fear of a fine can be effective,  but it shouldn't be the only thing that keeps residents always striving to do the neighborly thing and contribute to a safe community for all of us. 

A parked car blocking the sidewalk is a safety hazard, as it requires everyone, including children and those pushing strollers, to step off the sidewalk and walk into the street. Avoid the fine, be a good neighbor, and park your vehicle legally.

While it is possible a neighbor accidentally took your trash bin, neighbors’ cameras have captured their bins accidentally getting tossed in the garbage truck along with their weekly trash. Waste Management has shared that in the event that a bin goes into the truck compactor, the collector is not to attempt to retrieve it for their safety. You can contact Waste Management at 833-422-6686 and a new bin will be delivered the following week on trash day.

Leftover household hazardous waste should never be thrown in the trash or recycling bin, flushed down the toilet, or dumped down the drain or storm sewer.  Alameda County offers a free, convenient option for properly and safely disposing of these materials - like the long fluorescent bulbs and leftover paint in your home! The Oakland facility is located at 2100 East 7th Street by appointment only. Keep your home and our community toxic free!

https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/report-a-crime-online.

Police Department uses this information as part of their intelligence surrounding crime locations within the city.

Parking violations and abandoned vehicles

Rental Provisions

While owners are permitted to rent/lease their homes, the owner-landlord shall provide, in writing, the following contact information to management no later than ten (10) business days after the tenant moves into the unit:

• The address of the unit rented
• The tenant’s name
• The tenant’s telephone number
• The tenant's license plates and pets (if applicable)
• The owner-landlord’s current contact information, including address, telephone number, and email.

The tenant must be given a copy of, and agree to comply with, all of the provisions of the CC&Rs, the Bylaws, and the Association Rules.