Layne Varney, General Manager
It has been extremely hot, with daily excessive heat warnings and no immediate relief of cooler temperatures in the forecast. These extreme temperatures also increase the workload of equipment like air conditioning units and ice machines. During a week this past July, several commercial ice machines at some of the local large commercial areas, restaurants, and golf courses coincidentally all became inoperable about the same time. Service repair contractors became overwhelmed with the increased urgent workload. Replacement parts had to be ordered for these various ice machines. As a result during the repair period, these places began buying thousands of pounds of ice daily from the local grocery and ice stores causing a temporary ice shortage. Fortunately, SunBird’s ice machine parts came within a few days and the service contractor was able to repair the ice machine back to normal working order.
With these extreme temperatures, those who work outside have to take greater precautions with hydration, staying cool and limiting direct sun exposure. In these conditions, the work continues to move forward with caution. All of the common area trees (Mesquite, Palo Verde, Acacia, Olive, Oleander) have been trimmed twice during the past few months. The purpose of the tree trimming is to keep clear access beneath the trees, thin out the branches and growth within the tree, and remove any large branches of potential concern. Due to the size and potential liability some common area trees and cactus have been removed. The common areas also have 189 palm trees that have all now been trimmed. Each year in June/July, Mexican fan palm trees have large seed pod shoots that grow from the top leaving a huge mess of seeds and cotton like fairy dusters everywhere. Some of these palm trees are over 60 feet in height. Trimming at the right time of year will prevent them from having to be done more than once a year.
Summer maintenance and improvement projects are in progress around the clubhouse. Single paned windows in the clubhouse Lakeview room have just been replaced and upgraded. The project of updating the windows of the clubhouse has been ongoing for several years, taking a section each year. The new windows are dual paned energy efficient to keep the clubhouse interior cooler in these extreme outdoor temperatures. Sunshades and balcony coverings have been added over the years to assist in keeping direct sunlight from sections of the clubhouse. Billiard room pool tables have been recovered with a new blue color Simonis cloth and each table re-leveled. Chairs in the billiard room will also be updated with new seat fabric and updated colors to coordinate with the room. SunBird Post Office will also be undergoing a remodel with new flooring, paint, and décor. The Navajo room in the clubhouse will also have the flooring replaced and be repainted with updated colors. New signs at Cooper Road at Waterview and Kerby farms have been updated and solar lights added. The clubhouse has additional lighting installed to keep the exterior better lighted at night. New and additional signage of warning have been added to the vehicle entrance/exit gates of SunBird. Emergency battery–operated exit signs at the clubhouse are in the works of being updated and replaced. The ballroom will be closed for just over a week to strip, treat, seal, and wax the hardwood flooring. This past season, termites found their way into the clubhouse TV lounge area on the south wall. The termites were treated and have been removed, however some damage was caused to the decorative wood paneling that will have to be repaired and replaced.
This year, road maintenance is planned for most of the asphalt streets in SunBird. We have been working with the City of Chandler for updated road maintenance material and work specifications. Most roads will have a crack sealer coated over asphalt cracks ¼” wide or greater in size. This work does not necessarily level the crack. The purpose is to seal the crack from allowing water or other debris to penetrate through the crack. Most roads will have a seal coating applied curb to curb adding polymers and other additives of adhesion and flexibility back into the road that dissipates naturally due to age and weather. Some other sections of roads will have a slurry seal applied consisting of approximately ¼” thickness coating of asphalt emulsion, small aggregate minerals and other additives. Slurry seal work will have small aggregate of black sand like pieces that will become loose and collect in the curblines for up to six months after the work is complete. This is normal and anticipated. Once the schedule of specific road work is finalized, notice will be sent by SunBird eblast and posted on the website and at the clubhouse. Road work will cause some inconvenience, delays, and detours, however it is necessary to maintain the asphalt to prolong the life of the streets.
During this hottest time of year, we have many service workers and contractors who work outside in the extreme heat to keep things looking nice and in good working order. We want to express our great appreciation to all of those employees and contractors who endure working in these conditions to keep SunBird a comfortable place to live.