Board receives pharmacy update; provides budget guidance
BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
by Ruth Osborn
Communications Director
The GRF Board of Directors met Sept. 22 to consider and concur on a wide range of community business. The full agenda included an update on new, state-mandated water conservationrestrictions,trafficandstreet improvements, policy amendments, and an update from Optum at the Health Care Center regarding a transition at the Leisure World pharmacy.
Eight people spoke at the meeting on topics including how to combat higher electricity costs in Leisure World, potential Security guard shack bathroom renovations, the GRF budget, Community Gardens hours, police traffic enforcement and more. For highlights, see below; to view the meeting in its entirety, visit lwsb.com and click the livestream button.
Optum Pharmacy Update
Sean Hahn, vice president of group operations at Optum, reported that Medcare Medical Pharmacy’s lease will expire Oct. 9. The pharmacy closed its doors a couple of weeks ago.
Optum has been working with 986 Pharmacy, established in 2014 as a group of independent pharmacy organizations, to take over the space. 986 is expected to move into Leisure World after Oct. 9, but the exact time frame has not been determined. In the meantime, residents are urged to have prescriptions filled with Optum’s preferred providers, such as CVS Pharmacy or MTM Pharmacy IV, until they can be accommodated onsite.
Nonfunctional Turf Bill
Starting Jan. 1, 2029, California’s Nonfunctional Turf Bill (AB 1572) bans using drinking water to irrigate nonfunctional grass on common HOA property such as Leisure World. The City of Seal Beach must stop using potable water irrigation on its own nonfunctional public turf—such as street medians or decorative municipal plots—by Jan. 1, 2027. The city is currently drafting specific enforcement rules, which Leisure World will incorporate when they are final. Leisure World has a Jan. 1, 2029, deadline to comply with the bill.
According to Dave Potter, GRF executive manager of mutual services, GRF staff and the Mutuals are working together to begin identifying possible areas that may require turf removal and look for rebates to offset the cost.
Ratification of 2027 Budget Resolution The board ratified a resolution to reduce GRF management wages and salaries by $600,000 in the 2027 budget and direct staff to reorganize management staff so that there is no reduction of services to Mutuals and residents.
The 2027 budget process has been underway since mid-summer as directors seek new ways to “move forward beyond a status quo budget,” said GRF President Jeff Mulqueen.
The entire GRF board voted on the resolution during executive session last week and the Sept. 22 vote gave it final approval in the public forum.
In effect, the board gave Executive Director David Norvell the task of cutting $600,000, or about 5%, from the management-salary-andwages budget line item with no reduction in services. He will be responsible for implementing the resolution in time for the budget’s final approval set for late October.
Speed Cushion Removal
Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the board voted to have Service Maintenance remove the speed cushion at Golden Rain Road and Annandale Drive. Since its installation in 2024, GRF has received complaints of compromised pedestrian safety as drivers dodge the bump by jumping the curb.
Service Maintenance will remove the cushion, associated signage and the delineators installed along the curb. The speed cushion will be stored for future installation if an appropriate site is identified.
Traffic Light Upgrade
Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the board unanimously approved $7,231 to implement a splitphase left turn on St. Andrews and install yellow safety markings around the signal heads.
This means there will be a dedicated left-turn arrow from St. Andrews Drive to Golden Rain Road. This change adds another phase to the light, which will slightly extend the length of the signal cycle. Safety was cited as the primary motivation for the upgrade.
Concrete Grinder
Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the board unanimously approved the purchase of a concrete grinder for the Service Maintenance Department for an amount not to exceed $5,291. The tool is used for concrete maintenance. It will replace 20-year-old equipment. Replacement of HVAC Units
Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the board unanimously approved $24,400 to replace two air conditioning units at Clubhouse 4. The failed units were installed in 2019.
GRF Policy Reviews
The Board also reviewed proposed revisions to eight GRF policies, including those pertaining to parking and traffic rules, hours of operation at the dumpsters and Community Gardens at the 1.8-acre site, resident rules of conduct and more.
Policy changes are posted for public review for 28 days at lwsb. com before final ratification.
The next board meeting is set for Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 4.
