Today in
The Lakes
,
Community Manager's Report
Christine Baldanza
February 2025
An Important Issue for The Lakes
I want to bring to your attention that the Arizona Planned Communities Act, A.R.S. Section 33-1818 requires all HOAs with public streets to hold a membership vote prior to June 30, 2025 to retain the authority to regulate the public roadways within their own community and the ability to enforce parking restrictions. Otherwise, all existing community parking regulations will unconditionally expire.
If the members do not vote “yes”, then the association will not have the authority to prevent boats, trailers, RVs, and even inoperable vehicles from parking on the street indefinitely.
I encourage you to attend our next board of directors meeting on Wednesday, February 26 at 7 PM when our attorney Christina Morgan from VF Law, will speak to the membership about this very important issue which will require a vote from the Lakes community.
Please vote
All homeowners will receive ballots during the week of March 3 and the vote will take place at the March 26 special meeting prior to the regular board meeting already scheduled for that night.
I will recap the information presented by our attorney in the March Lakes Log and on our website if you are unable to attend the February meeting, but I highly encourage you to attend.
This is an important issue. Losing control of our streets can potentially impact the aesthetics and property values in The Lakes.
As many of you saw, our Rapids were flowing again last week, but on Monday one of the motors had to be removed for some additional work. It should be back in operation within the next couple of weeks. Thank you for your patience.
Annual Homeowners Meeting
Our fifty-fourth annual Homeowners Meeting will be held Tuesday, February 11 at 8 PM in the Beach and Tennis Club. 2024 board and committee reports will be given and the results of the board of directors election will be announced. If you have not yet voted or have not received your ballot you can come to the Beach and Tennis Club between 6 and 8 PM and cast your ballot.
If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call me; 480-838-1023.
Christine
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me; 480-838-1023.
Christine
LCA President's Report
Mike Sotak
February 2025
The last couple of months had multiple events for the neighborhood with the lighted boat parade, light up the lakes contest, and polar plunge just to name a few. After over 4 years living in the Lakes, I am still in awe with how much fun we always have within the community. I want to give a huge thanks to everyone involved in setting up and participating in these stellar events. I really enjoyed seeing the festive streets light up this past holiday season.
Water under the bridge! Fingers crossed, if the last bit of work is completed without issue, we will have the rapids pumps turned back on by the end of January. We encountered several hurdles getting this project completed, but earlier this month the City did provide final acceptance for the structural and electrical repairs for the pump house project. SRP energized the new electrical service providing power back to the pumps on 1/17/25. The last bit of work to complete is for Pump Man to reinstall the re-built pumps and that should be completed by next week.
Please mark your calendars for February 11, 2025 at 8pm for the LCA Annual Homeowner’s meeting. January is my last full month as the LCA board president. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the community for your support over the last year. I have been truly humbled by this experience, the wisdom of those around me, and the deep-seeded love within this community. We love where we live and every single one of us has played a part in keeping this neighborhood thriving and sought after.
All the above being said, and as I step down from the board of directors, it is my hope to stay involved in this community. I plan to stay here for many years to come, watching my children play and laugh in the street with continued new friendships our family has gained over the years. As cliché as it sounds, I have personally found the “it takes a village” mentality not only exists, but thrives in our community, and for that I am forever thankful. I would like to sign off with this. Always remember the Golden Rule and treat others as you would like to be treated.
Cheers and thank you all again for your continued support, patience, and understanding. It has been a pleasure working with and getting to know all of you.
Mike Sotak, President
Friendly Reminders
- Please remember to travel the waterways as you would drive a car. Stay on the right side of all channels and make sure you have working boat lights: green on your port side (your left), red on your starboard (your right) and a white light at the stern. Please follow basic boating rules to keep our lake safe.
- Please be mindful of the no-burn days that Maricopa County Air Quality Department issues. This means no outdoor fire pits and no fireplace fires. Please check Maricopa County Air Quality Department for up-to-date no-burn information.
- When you walk your dog, please be courteous and pick up after your dog. The Lakes has many doggy stations with bags, please use them.
- Please be respectful of your Lakes neighbors and don't throw garbage over walls or into the lake.
- Homeowners, please remind your landscapers not to throw bush and tree trimmings, leaves or grass clippings into the lake.
- Don't forget, starting in March you need to prep your lawn for the warm growing season. Lawns in the Lakes must be green and lush from April through September.
- The city bulk trash and green pickups are scheduled for the second Monday of every other month. Please put out your bulk trash items and yard trimmings no earlier than the Thursday before the Monday pickups. The dates are included on the Lakes Calendar.
Christine
Happy New Year, Lakes Anglers! Our lake was stocked with catchable sized largemouth bass in late 2024. These fish average around 1.5lbs and make for a fun day of fishing! 
Dime Bingo will resume on Tuesday, February 18 at The Lakes Beach and Tennis Club. We have had requests to start a little earlier, so we will try 6:30 and see how that works for everyone.