NEWS

Surfside Spring 2026 Community Feedback Report

ElectionBuddy Results

Survey Overview

The Spring 2026 Community Feedback Poll received 65 responses and examined member views on leadership, governance, election practices, environmental issues, water quality, senior well-being, and future priorities for Surfside.

I appreciate the feedback provided by residents.  I believe one of the most important responsibilities of the Board is to listen to and understand what members want before making decisions that affect the community. Polling and gathering member input provide a direct way to ensure that priorities, policies, and projects reflect the views of the membership rather than assumptions made by a small group of board members. Strong communities are built when decisions are guided by the voices of the people they serve.

Overall, how would you rate the performance of the Surfside Board of Trustees over the past year?

  • Very Poor: 41.7%
  • Poor: 36.7%
  • Fair: 13.3%
  • Good: 8.3%
  • Excellent: 0%

Conclusion

A combined 78.3% of respondents rated Board performance as Poor or Very Poor. The results indicate significant dissatisfaction with the Board’s overall performance during the past year.

Overall, how would you rate the leadership of the HOA President over the past year?

  • Very Poor: 46.7%
  • Poor: 36.7%
  • Fair: 10.0%
  • Good: 6.7%
  • Excellent: 0%

Conclusion

More than 83% of respondents rated the President’s leadership negatively. This represents one of the strongest expressions of dissatisfaction found in the survey.

Is it fair and democratic for the HOA board to have banned members with outstanding fines from voting in last year’s Surfside elections?

  • Very Unfair: 55.7%
  • Unfair: 18.0%
  • Neutral: 14.8%
  • Fair: 8.2%
  • Very Fair: 3.3%

Conclusion

Nearly three-quarters of respondents viewed the policy as unfair, suggesting broad support for expanding voting rights and reducing barriers to member participation.

Do you believe it is fair for homeowners to be fined for dead or dying trees if those trees were repeatedly trimmed to comply with HOA tree height restrictions?

  • Very Unfair: 90.8%
  • Somewhat Unfair: 1.5%
  • Somewhat Fair: 3.1%
  • Very Fair: 4.6%

Conclusion

More than 92% considered such fines unfair. This was one of the strongest consensus questions in the entire survey.

Would you support the HOA providing electronic polling so members can offer feedback on important community issues, committee recommendations, and proposed projects?

  • Strongly Support: 81.5%
  • Support: 12.3%
  • Neutral: 6.2%
  • Oppose: 0%
  • Strongly Oppose: 0%

Conclusion

Electronic polling received overwhelming support, with 93.8% of respondents supporting or strongly supporting the concept.

Some communities hold independent homeowner forums where residents can discuss community issues, exchange ideas, and learn from one another in a respectful environment. Would you attend one?

  • Definitely: 42.9%
  • Probably: 31.7%
  • Maybe: 15.9%
  • Probably Not: 9.5%
  • Definitely Not: 1.6%

Conclusion

Nearly three-quarters of respondents indicated they would likely attend independent homeowner forums, suggesting a desire for more community discussion opportunities.

The HOA has stated that Seabreeze Lake is in better condition than in previous years. Given your observations of water quality, algae blooms, fish die-offs, recreation opportunities, appearance, and overall environmental health, how would you rate the current health of Seabreeze Lake?

  • Significantly Improved: 1.7%
  • Somewhat Improved: 1.7%
  • About the Same: 17.2%
  • Somewhat Worse: 8.6%
  • Significantly Worse: 24.1%
  • Unsure/Do Not Live Near Lake: 46.6%

Conclusion

Among respondents expressing an opinion, negative assessments outnumbered positive assessments by more than six to one. Many members remain concerned about lake conditions.

Should Surfside HOA move the tree-debris chipper site away from Seabreeze Lake because scientific studies show that decomposing organic debris can produce nutrient-rich leachate that may contribute to algae blooms and water-quality problems?

  • Yes: 65.6%
  • No: 4.9%
  • Unsure: 29.5%

Conclusion

Support for moving the chipper site exceeded opposition by a substantial margin, reflecting concern about potential impacts on water quality.

Should Surfside adopt a long-term goal of following Dr. Kathleen Wolf’s scientific research on the health, environmental, and community benefits of trees?

  • Highest Priority: 63.3%
  • High Priority: 25.0%
  • Moderate Priority: 6.7%
  • Low Priority: 1.7%
  • Not a Priority: 3.3%

Conclusion

Nearly 88.3% ranked this as a High or Highest Priority, demonstrating strong support for science-based tree and environmental policies.

Do you or someone in your household currently suffer from one or more health conditions that research has shown may benefit from increased tree canopy, shade, improved air quality, and access to nature?

  • Yes: 69.5%
  • No: 30.5%

Conclusion

Nearly seven in ten respondents reported health conditions that may benefit from improvements in environmental quality, reinforcing the connection between community health and environmental decisions.

Do the goals proposed by the president address Surfside’s most important challenges and provide a clear vision for creating a healthier, safer, more transparent, environmentally sustainable, and resilient community for current and future Surfside residents?

  • Strongly Agree: 10.0%
  • Somewhat Agree: 25.0%
  • Neutral: 26.7%
  • Somewhat Disagree: 23.3%
  • Strongly Disagree: 15.0%

Conclusion

Respondents were divided. Slightly more respondents disagreed than agreed, while over one-quarter remained neutral, suggesting uncertainty about the proposed direction.

Should Surfside set a goal to Ensure Safe, Reliable Drinking Water?

  • Highest Priority: 86.2%
  • High Priority: 10.8%
  • Moderate Priority: 3.1%

Conclusion

Drinking water protection received the strongest support of any issue in the survey, with 97% ranking it as a High or Highest Priority.

Should the HOA set a goal to increase Election Integrity & Member Participation?

  • Highest Priority: 69.8%
  • High Priority: 22.2%
  • Moderate Priority: 3.2%
  • Low Priority: 4.8%

Conclusion

More than 92% of respondents ranked election integrity and member participation as a High or Highest Priority.

Should the HOA set a goal of improved transparency and governance?

  • Highest Priority: 73.8%
  • High Priority: 18.5%
  • Moderate Priority: 7.7%

Conclusion

Transparency and governance reform with 92.3% high or highest priority emerged as one of the strongest priorities identified by members.

Should the HOA make an effort to address Trees, environment, and climate threat issues?

  • Highest Priority: 72.3%
  • High Priority: 15.4%
  • Moderate Priority: 6.2%
  • Low Priority: 3.1%
  • Not a Priority: 3.1%

Conclusion

Nearly 88% of respondents ranked environmental and climate issues as a High or Highest Priority, indicating broad support for environmental stewardship.

Should the HOA establish initiatives to improve Senior Health & Community Well-Being?

  • Highest Priority: 47.6%
  • High Priority: 23.8%
  • Moderate Priority: 20.6%
  • Low Priority: 1.6%
  • Not a Priority: 7.9%

Conclusion

More than 71% of respondents ranked senior health and community well-being as a High or Highest Priority.

Should the HOA set a goal for Fair Enforcement & Financial Protection, especially for our most vulnerable seniors?

  • Highest Priority: 61.5%
  • High Priority: 26.2%
  • Moderate Priority: 12.3%

Conclusion

Nearly 88% of respondents ranked fair enforcement and financial protection as a High or Highest Priority, demonstrating strong concern for vulnerable residents.

Do you support maintaining existing riparian buffer protections and restoring lost tree canopy in Surfside to help protect the health and well-being of seniors, improve water quality, strengthen climate resilience, and safeguard the Pacific Ocean?

  • Yes: 51 of respondents who answered virtually signed the petition

Conclusion

Support for the petition  maintaining riparian protections and restoring lost canopy. 14 chose not to sign the petition.

Overall Survey Conclusions

The survey results reveal a remarkably consistent message from respondents. Members overwhelmingly support greater transparency, election integrity, electronic polling, and opportunities for increased participation in community decision-making.

Safe and reliable drinking water emerged as the highest priority issue, followed closely by transparency and governance reform, environmental stewardship, election integrity, fair enforcement, and science-based tree policies.

Strong majorities also opposed  fines-related voting restrictions and the practice of fining homeowners for trees that died after repeated HOA-required trimming to meet tree heights.

Taken together, the results suggest that members favor a more transparent, participatory, environmentally responsible, and health-focused future for Surfside, with decisions guided by member input, scientific evidence, and long-term community well-being.