Landscape Project for Water Reduction.
In April 2022, the Mammoth Community Water District implemented Level 3 water restrictions, limiting the use of water for landscaping. Anticipating this, we had already begun replacing sections of turf with drought-friendly landscaping. We inquired with the Water District about available rebates and learned about their Turf Replacement Program. After applying, we successfully petitioned to increase the maximum rebate from $10,000 to $20,000.
The project was completed and passed the required inspection in September 2022, resulting in a $20,000 rebate. To maximize our budget, we recycled materials, repurposing tons of excavated rock from our property to create planter beds and rock borders. Drip lines were installed in all planter beds as required for the rebate, and we planted native drought-tolerant plants, 90% of which survived the winter and bloomed in the spring. Additionally, we used decomposed granite for low-maintenance ground cover in areas unsuitable for planting.
The record snowfall in the winter of 2022-2023 delayed the project's completion until 2024. That year, we continued by building additional rock planter beds and installing over 100 cubic yards of red cedar mulch. All work was performed in-house by our dedicated staff.
Main & Lateral Plumbing Replacement of 50-Year-Old Piping.
In the summer of 2021, we were alerted to a potential water leak. A leak detection service confirmed a lateral waterline running under one of our jacuzzies to Building K was leaking. It was determined that the line from the street needed to be replaced and rerouted to Building K.
After successfully completing the project that summer, further investigation revealed that the remaining 50-year-old main waterlines were at risk and needed replacement. To avoid the challenges and costs of winter repairs, we decided to replace the remaining lines the following spring.
We secured bids, signed a contract to lock in material prices, and planned the project, which involved trenching large portions of the property, managing water shut-offs, and connecting temporary water supplies to each building and common area amenity. We coordinated closely with the contractor to manage water shut-offs, parking, and storage for materials and heavy equipment, keeping owners and guests informed with regular emails and posted signs. The project was completed on time and within budget.
Roof Repairs for Record-Breaking Snowfall.
Mammoth Lakes experienced record-breaking snowfall during the 2022-2023 winter, leading to states of emergency being declared by both the state of California and Mammoth Lakes. The extreme winter caused the town to run out of diesel fuel needed for snow clearing, resulting in road closures and red-tagged buildings.
Despite our proactive efforts to shovel roofs early, our complex still sustained damage, including damaged chimney chases, balconies, and broken windows and sliding doors. Due to the late start of summer and the wait for the snow to melt, we had a very short window to complete repairs.
We filed an insurance claim with State Farm on May 5, 2023, and conducted a four-hour property walkthrough with the claims adjuster on May 31 to document the damage. State Farm issued a check for repairs, and we continued to add repairs to the claim and advocate for additional funds where necessary.
Some buildings suffered major damage to chimney chases, requiring demolition and reconstruction with redesigned structures that meet current code and snow load requirements. We retained Britton Architecture and Cross Country Engineering to design the new structures, received permits on July 12, 2023, and began construction on July 17, 2023.
The snow also obscured the full extent of damage to some decks. Thirteen balconies required a full rebuild, including repairs to the joists supporting them. Additionally, we replaced five broken windows, one sliding door, and coordinated the cleanup and repairs for interior damage on behalf of homeowners. All work was completed on budget and before the 2023-2024 winter season.
