The Gull's Call - Apr/May/Jun 2026

President'sColumn

#2: DECREASING ENGAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY HOMEOWNERS Engaged community homeowners are a prerequisite for the proper functioning of homeowners associations (HOAs) per the laws of the State of California. When CHBIOA was founded a half-century ago, the 1st wave of homeowners was highly involved with its HOA boards and committees, working to codify and clarify the policies which are still in effect. They were fundamental to establishing and building our community so that it could grow and prosper into what we enjoy today.

frozen in place, it is absolutely unwilling to compromise and refuses to discuss or consider anything that does not maintain the status quo. Since this group is the most strident and vocal, it would be easy for observers to assume it speaks for all members of our community when it does not. There are many differing opinions in this area. I mention this detail because, when taking place in conjunction with #2 above, it will have implications for how CHBIOA deals with #1. With fewer homeowners engaged on or providing input to their HOA boards, the number of perspectives expressed declines, which then results in a narrowing range of opinions heard. This increases the likelihood of “selection bias” factoring into CHBIOA and its HOA governance decisions due to the most intransigent voices dominating the meetings and discussions. While in the past CHBIOA has been successful in opposing new development proposals within our community, this time is different: the macro issue of statewide housing shortages will compel change. If CHBIOA expresses unconditional resistance to any new housing at the Harbor Bay Landing site and refuses to consider or propose any compromise whatsoever, we run the risk that the State of California and the City of Alameda will impose a decision upon us without considering our concerns and input. Goodbye and I wish you all well.

Many of those original homeowners still play important roles on their HOA boards, but many others are no longer available to serve. This is part of the normal course of events as time marches on, but the growing number of unfilled HOA board seats across CHBIOA makes it clear that other homeowners are not coming forth to serve in sufficient numbers to offset the decline caused by retirements. In the recent past, there have been multiple instances where a HOA within CHBIOA has had challenges filling the minimum number of board seats required to field a quorum, which state law requires to discharge HOA responsibilities, contractual obligations and payments, etc. This increasing disengagement by community members in our governance decisions does not bode well for the next few years, during which critical board deliberations will take place regarding development of the Harbor Bay Landing property. Also, there is another factor which could make this trend even more damaging - the lack of countervailing voices to balance out extreme perspectives, which leads me to: #3: SQUEAKY WHEELS There is a subset of homeowners within CHBIOA which is inflexibly opposed to any changes or new development within our community. With this attitude permanently

We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without those qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost. – Charlie Chaplin

April | May | June 2026 7

The Gull’s Call