Fall 2016/2017 Planting Begins!

On Tuesday planting for the first phase of the Fall/Winter 2016/2017 planting project began. Look around, you will see some new plants on the south side.

The Committee will be working with Cagwin and Dorward to complete the rest of the plantings by early next year.  By the time we're finished selected locations throughout the association will have new plants.  

Looks like Jet Mulch will not make it till January to spread the mulch.  We had hoped they would be able to fit us in in December. Ultimately the drip lines throughout the grounds will be covered with bark mulch.

Happy Holidays!

Fall/Winter Planting Update

• The Board approved planting for the first phase of the Fall/Winter project at the last Board meeting.  We expect this phase to be completed by the end of the year.  Phase 1 includes a number of sites on the south side where trees were previously removed.  We expect to complete the rest of the project during the first quarter of next year to take advantage of the rainfall to establish the new plants.
• You may have noticed that bark mulch has been spread on Sheffield and in the front gate area. This darker color will also be used to cover the rest of the grounds.  We will be using a company named JetMulch to spread the rest of the mulch.  They distribute the mulch using a sprayer which seems a much more efficient method.  We are waiting to get on their crowded schedule, so we don't yet know when the mulch will be delivered.

Fall Landscaping News

It's been a long time coming, but the drip installation was finally completed.  Now the lines can be covered and work has begun on this project using the existing mulch.  We are trying to minimize mulch expense by minimizing the amount of new mulch we purchase.  Thanks to Board member Rick DeKay we have found a mulch company that will help in that effort.

Unfortunately, some of the plants that were planted as part of the Front Gate Project earlier this year have failed.  But since Serpico guarantees their plantings, they will replacing these plants for no charge. We expect to see replacements planted soon.

The Committee, along with the assistance of Marian Breitbart and Carl Fricke, has updated the Tree Inventory.  This includes a spreadsheet listing the designated number for every tree on the property and a map with the corresponding locations.  There are over 300 trees!  The spreadsheet provides a way to track each tree with information such as the year the tree was planted and any issues (roots, health, etc) that we want to monitor.  Now that inventory has been updated, Elyce will be getting bids for annual tree care.   During the annual tree care, an arborist inspects the trees so that trees that need attention(such as pruning, treatment for disease or removal) can be taken care of.

We have divided the Fall Planting project into three phases and are waiting for bids for the first phase. We expect to get approval to proceed on Phase 1 at the November Board meeting.  The focus this year is on tree replacements and on filling larger voids in the landscaping.

Stay tuned for further developments

Drip Install Ok'd by East Bay MUD

East Bay Mud inspected the drip installation at the end of July.  The installation satisfies EBMUD's requirements for approval of the rebate.  The rebate takes the form of water credit of $20,000 that will be applied to our water bill.

The water schedule has been increased from one to three nights a week.  In most cases there are two 10 minute periods of watering each of the scheduled nights.  There are 7 controllers, each of which controls a section of the landscaping.  Most controllers are set for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The others are set for Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  If you see any areas that look like they are not getting adequate water, please let Elyce know.

The crew has been finishing up installation.  We will start spreading bark over completed areas soon.

Re-laying of drip lines on the south begins at last!

The re-laying of the drip lines has finally started on the south side of our grounds.  Work started at 3 Parfait and will continue down the street on the odd numbered side only.  Work will continue as follows:

• Damon
• Parfait odd numbers from Damon to Riddell
• South Side of Riddell
• Oak Park even numbered side
• Oak Park odd numbered side
• North side of Riddell
• Parfait even numbers to Riddell
• Area behind Parfait/Riddell/Oak Park

The irrigation system is being turned on at least once a week in all areas.  A few areas are being turned on twice a week.  Unfortunately, this does not mean that all plants are getting water because there are problems with the way the lines have been laid.  This is why they are being re-laid.  So if you see thirsty plants, please give them water.  Also, please let Elyce know of any areas that are not getting water.  You can also email blblandscape@gmail.com or leave a comment below. 

The re-laying of drip lines on the norh side is nearly complete. Rain Bird will be inspecting them on July 12.  After the installation passes inspection and we are satisfied that all areas are getting water, the lines we will start covering the lines on the north side with bark mulch.  We will be re-using the the existing bark mulch in the less visible areas.  The front areas (front door to curb side ) will be getting new darker colored mulch.

Drip Installation Update

The crew is finishing up the north side and should be starting on the south side soon.  They will start at 3 Parfait.  Work is still on target to be completed by the end of July.

Drip Installation Update

Sorry to have to report that the drip installation will not be completed by the end of June as previously stated.    The north side (left side as you enter the gate) is still being worked on.  At this point it is not clear when the work on re-laying the lines on the south side will begin.  Please check the back for further updates.

In order to facilitate installation of the drip lines, the Board approved two maintenance proposals at the May Board meeting:

• Dividing and replanting dietes (fortnight lilies) on Sheffield
• Dividing agapanthus(lily of the Nile)  through out the grounds.

In addition to helping with the drip installation, these tasks will improve the overall appearance of our grounds by removing overgrown clumps of plants and replanting.  On Sheffield, the re-planted plants are being spread out to fill in previously bare areas.

Drip Installation Update

Thank you for your patience while Brittany Landing Bay converts to a drip irrigation system. Unfortunately, the installation is taking longer than anticipated. The lines are being re-laid in the grid pattern necessary to provide water to 100% of our trees and shrubs. The system should be fully operational by the end of June. After the system is verified that it is installed to the Manufacturer’s specifications, the exposed lines will be covered with mulch. If all goes according to plan, the mulch will be spread in July.

If you have any personal items such as pots, garbage cans, bikes, etc in the common area, please remove them by Monday, May 30th. All areas must be kept clear while the crew works so that the lines can be laid properly. The work is expected to be completed by June 30. Any personal items remaining in the common area after May 30th will be moved by the crew. Neither Serpico nor Brittany Landing Bay HOA will assume any liability for any damage or loss as a result of moving items.

All areas of the association should be irrigated once a week.  However, until the system has been re-laid in all areas some places may not be receiving optimum amounts of water.  Serpico is monitoring the landscape and will supplement water as necessary.

If you see distressed plants, please email blblandscaping@gmail.com or call Elyce. If you have questions or concerns contact Elyce at 510-865-3363 ext. 355.

Drip Installation Update

The drip lines have been laid through out our Association grounds. The crew has been working hard this past week making adjustments to the system. The lines will remain visible until they finish making sure that the system functions fully. Then they will be covered with bark. We are aware that lines have been placed in ways that cause tripping hazards especially where they cross stepping stones, but this will be corrected as soon as possible. Some sections of the drip system are already operational such as the area by the Front Gate. Serpico is monitoring the landscaping for signs of distress and will take appropriate action as necessary. Fortunately, there has been some recent rainfall.

Drip Irrigation Update

Drip irrigation installation is still in progress. We do not know when it will be turned on. When installation is complete, visible drip lines will be covered by bark.

Landscape Update at the Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 22

The Landscape Steering Committee will be reporting on plans for the landscape at the upcoming Annual Meeting.  Our landscape company, Serpico, will also be represented there.  So if you have questions and/or suggestions about the landscaping this would be a good time to share them.

The meeting is held at the Community Center, 3195 Mecartney Road (next to LaVal's Pizza)  Social hour starts at 6:00pm; Annual Meeting starts at 6:30pm.

All owners are welcome.

Board Approves Tree Replacements at Entrance

At the February Board meeting, the Board approved a landscape proposal for replacing previously removed trees in the front gate area.  There will also be a few plants installed near the sign to replace ones that died. We expect the new trees and shrubs to be planted in March. 

Drip Irrigation Installation Update

The next phase of the the drip irrigation system install started last week.  Before irrigation lines are installed, each area is being pruned and unwanted volunteer plants and dead plants are being removed. Selected shrubs will be subjected to a "renewal pruning" which at times may result in a drastic reduction in size.  But this will get the plants ready for a healthy spring growth. The first section is the area along Sheffield.   Inside the crew is starting on the north side (left side of the gate as you enter) and then will work on the south side. 

Brittany Landing Landscape Update

We have started working on renovation plans:

• A number of trees have been removed without replacement during the past few years leaving some barren areas in the front gate area. Serpico's landscape designer is working on a tree replacement proposal for this area.  We are hoping to have a design in time present it to the Board at the January Board Meeting.

• At long last, we are looking at renovating the landscaping in the common areas adjacent to and between the residences.  Previous renovations addressed larger areas including the front gate area,  the pool area and larger areas on Riddell and Shepardson.  Kathy and I are working with a Landscape Design Specialist from Serpico to come up with a design for the areas between the residences.  We also will be coming up with a strategy for implementation since this is likely to be a multi-year project.  We are in the early stages and welcome comments, suggestions and concerns so that we can consider them as we move forward.  Leave comments below, email them to blblandscape@gmail.com or contact Elyce, our association manager.

 

Drip Install Has Begun

You might have noticed a bit of digging going on.  Serpico's crew has begun installation of the new drip system.  The system will be installed throughout the association grounds except for an area on Parfait that was previously converted to drip.  They are currently working on installing new valve boxes and will eventually be running drip lines through out the common area.  As a reminder, to prevent any accidental damage to your personal property, please remove any potted plants and other items from the common area. 

The drip system should help us get water to plants more efficiently and keep water usage within our water allocations.  Our plants have been looking very distressed due to the reduction in watering  mandated by East Bay Mud.   Although it's been great to have the rains this year, we need to be prepared for continued water restrictions.