Palm Valley Country Club

Quorum Article - February 2006

Palm Valley Country Club lies on 433 acres to the north of Country Club Drive between Eldorado Drive and Washington in Palm Desert.  Construction started in 1984 and was completed in 1991.  The development comprises 1274 condominium units laid out on nine miles of roadway and features two 18 hole Ted Robinson designed golf courses.  The 6,545 yard Challenge Course is set aside for public use.  The master plan provided for significant changes in elevation, resulting in dramatic fairway and lake views.

Palm Valley has a spacious newly remodeled clubhouse which boasts over 100,000 square feet of luxurious amenities; 16 championship tennis courts (10 of which are illuminated for night play) and a Jr. Olympic size main swimming pool.  As many as 46 other pool and spa sets are interspersed throughout the project, ensuring that all residents are within easy reach of swimming facilities.  The clubhouse accommodates bar and dining facilities; racquetball courts; a weight room; saunas; beauty salon and golf shop.  The club and golf course facilities are owned by Goldman Sachs, but managed by American Golf, a division of American Golf Corporation.

Palm Valley is among the larger of the many homeowner associations in the Coachella Valley.  It is governed by a seven member Board of Directors. Management is by Desert Resort Management.  The General Manager is Gloria Kirkwood, Gloria is supported by three assistants in the HOA office, Donna Graham, Diane McCormick and Shelly Smiley. The maintenance staff of three is well organized and overseen by Terry Kramer, Director of Operations.  Terry Kramer is also responsible for managing the day to day operations of the security staff, working closely with Securitas Security Services, USA, Inc.   Both Security and Maintenance are well run under his direction. 

Within its overall task of preserving and enhancing property values, the Homeowner Association’s principal maintenance function is the exterior upkeep of the condominium units. The condos are divided among 50 duplexes, 248 fourplexes, 5 sixplexes, and 16 two-story eightplexes (The Vistas).  They range in overall size from 925 square feet to 2,500 square feet.  The current price range is from $300,000 to $850,000. 

Palm Valley Homeowners Association is not alone in the Coachella Valley among associations involved in the legacy of defective construction litigation. The Lawsuit, which began in 1994, was settled in 1997. This resulted in the Association receiving a cash settlement plus obtaining two pieces of real property, the Homeowners Association building and the maintenance facility. Reconstruction began in 1999 and continued through 2004.  All 1274 units were structurally upgraded for seismic improvements to the 1997 UBC code (Del Mar Pacific General
Contractors).

 As part of the reconstruction process the underlayment on the flat tile roofs was repaired and/or replaced and the majority of the flat roofs were replaced with polyurethane foam by Western Pacific Roofing.  All buildings were partially or completely painted with upgraded long life paint (MC Builder Corp Painting & Construction).

The landscaping around the units was given a new and fresh appearance by the removal of old and woody plant material.  In addition, the irrigation system was upgraded to improve water coverage and promote water conservation. 

Overall, from start to finish, the Reconstruction absorbed a 10 year period of time, but the final results proved it to be a worthwhile effort that benefited all Palm Valley residents.

Under its Board of Directors, the Palm Valley Homeowners Association has the benefit of an active, hands-on committee system. The principal committees are Architectural, Emergency Preparedness, Landscape, Security, Maintenance, and the CC&Rs Ad-hoc Committee.

Gloria Kirkwood, assisted by the Board’s Committees, oversees the activities of the association’s independent vendors.  Principal among these is Sunshine Landscape, who is responsible for landscaping.  At Palm Valley the HOA’s landscaping responsibility includes the private entry courtyards of individual units.  All who are associated with HOA management can appreciate the customer-satisfaction challenge that this presents.  The club is especially and justifiably proud of its spectacular seasonal floral color displays at its entryway and on its many traffic islands.

George Davidson, Landscape Chairman and Board Member often states, “Palm Valley is known for the abundance of color throughout the property, which is appreciated by all homeowners. The Landscape Committee continues to strive to maintain Palm Valley’s appearance at the high standard that homeowners have come to expect and, to the degree reasonable, we try to accomplish this objective with perennial as well as annual color”.

From Gloria Kirkwood’s point of view as a manager, one area that she believes makes Palm Valley unique is the constant communication between the Association, the Landscape Contractor, and the homeowner. A weekly landscape meeting among the Landscape Chairman, Landscape Supervisor, and the General Manager addresses individual homeowner requests concerning landscaping around their unit, problems that may arise from the past week, that may impact current and/or future plans and costs, and the current condition of plant material, irrigation, etc. has been most helpful. Aside from keeping a close eye on what is happening with the overall appearance of Palm Valley, this frequent contact usually enables the Homeowners Association to resolve any perceived problems before they become an irritant to homeowners. 

One of the comments most often heard from Palm Valley homeowners is that their initial attraction to the community was the overall landscaping and in particular the quality, color and quantity of flowers.  Art Coulter, President of the Palm Valley Homeowner’s Association Board, shares how he came to reside at Palm Valley,

“In 1988 we were living in Buena Park.  Friends invited us to come out to the desert to look at vacation properties.  We visited Avondale and Rancho Las Palmas and then came to visit Palm Valley.  As we entered the gate and proceeded down the divided Palm Valley Drive we were immediately impressed by the wide sweeping view and the beautiful flowers in the islands dividing the roadway.  On both sides of the street we were surrounded by the view of long green fairways in the foreground with the mountains rising in the background. 
 

Proceeding to the sales office we viewed the map of the property and looked at the models.  We were so impressed that shortly thereafter we selected a sandy lot and a home to be built on it.  The prices were reasonable and the homes and the entire project attractive.
 

The home was completed in about 8 months.  We became “weekenders” for the next 5 years.  Coming out each weekend and playing golf nonstop for 2 days.  We then began to appreciate the grand clubhouse at Palm Valley, probably the largest in the valley.  The expansive views from the dining room showcase the 1^st and 10^th fairways and Mt San Jacinto.  Downstairs is a fully equipped day spa and fitness center.  The pro shop and the tennis shop are both large and well stocked.  Tennis players enjoy the 16 courts adjacent to the clubhouse.  We truly enjoy living at Palm Valley.

Each home at Palm Valley is oriented to provide a golf course and mountain view from the living areas.  These views and over 8,000 palm trees together with the seasonal flowers around each unit make this a beautiful restive place to live.  The social atmosphere is great with Palm Valley being described as a “very friendly” club.  The many events and activities make the living here the realization of a retirement dream.”

While allocating the operating funds necessary to maintaining Palm Valley’s high standards, the Board of Directors is always on the lookout for ways to make savings. One such area recently involved high insurance claims.

After reviewing the amount of water damage claims and with increases in the Association’s insurance costs and deductibles, the Board concluded that installing new pressure regulators and water shut off valves would benefit all homeowners and hopefully mitigate potential water damage claims.  The pressure regulators were replaced for the simple reason they were old and with normal wear and tear would begin failing.  The shut off valves that were installed permit homeowners to shut off the water to their home and still allow water to the courtyards, while they are away for any length of time, especially during the summer months.  This was one way to help prevent potential water damage, loss and hopefully reduce claims. 

This exercise has been very successful and the Association’s insurance claims have been greatly reduced over the last few years.   Many homeowners, as a routine, now shut off the water to their unit when they leave.  There were concerns that the shut off valves might be turned back on accidentally and recently a local plumbing vendor came up with a “locking” shut off valve so that once the shut off valve is in the “off” position, a collar is locked in place, which then does not allow the handle to be turned back on. This has given homeowners great peace of mind, knowing that for whatever reason the water to their unit will not be turned back on while they are away. 

Another area that the association has worked hard at is “Water Savings”. Again, working closely with Sunshine Landscape, the Board of Directors approved the installation of a Central Irrigation System and a Weather Station.  Over the last five years the Association has met the CVWD guidelines in conserving 10% and more in water consumption.  Recently, Palm Valley was recognized by the water district, which broadcasted a live show of “H2O Oasis,” hosted by David Garcia. This addressed water savings and how a Central Irrigation System and Weather Station can help conserve water and benefit an association.  A separate article is included in this month’s issue of Quorum Magazine regarding the Water Savings at Palm Valley.

The maintenance of the association’s 46 pool and spa sets is the responsibility of Valley Pools (Steve Valsvig). Pest control is by Powerful Pest Management. Legal matters are handled by attorney Dave Peters of Peters & Freedman, L.L.P., who has served the association since 1988.  Annual audits are performed by Wayne Carlsen, Brabo, Carlsen and Cahill, L.L.P.

Among the services provided by the association, Time Warner provides cable television.  Channel 77 is actively used by the HOA and the Club to provide information to members and news of up-coming events. 

Since the separate interest and management by American Golf of the central club facilities has the potential to impact homeowners, it is one of the responsibilities of the Advisory Board of Directors to ensure harmony between club operations and the interests of homeowners.  American Golf and the HOA work together to ensure the successful integration of their mutual interests at Palm Valley.

Another important entity at Palm Valley is Dyson & Dyson Real Estate Associates, which leases the Onsite Resale Office located in the Homeowners Association Building. Richard Marmion heads up this office, assisted by two Sales Associates, Karen Roche and Janna Dixon.

Dyson & Dyson offers a concierges service for all the homeowners at Palm Valley and frequently sponsors club functions with hot-air balloon and limo rides.  This last year was another great year for home sales and the income from the onsite sales office flows into the Homeowners Association’s budget and directly affects the monthly dues. This is a benefit that is captured by all homeowners at Palm Valley.  Monthly dues are currently $438. 00.

Palm Valley Homeowners Association, Inc. is a sizeable business, and it is run as a business. Current challenges include street repair work, restating outdated CC&R’s, and with the rapid pace of growth in the valley, security is continually evaluated.  The Board of Directors works hard in preserving, enhancing and protecting the separate interest for all the homeowners at Palm Valley. 

And the residents notice.  Says homeowner Pam Marmion, “Ever since we first came to Palm Valley we felt as if we were living in a beautiful resort, the people are the best and you can’t beat all the amenities, we just love it! “