NEWS ARTICLES
HOAMCO: Important Arizona Court Ruling: Closed Session Meetings
Posted on Apr 29th, 2026 Comments (0)
We have an important update to share that will affect how your community association conducts board meetings moving forward. Yesterday, April 28, the Arizona Court of Appeals issued a ruling in AZNH Revocable Trust v. Sunland Springs Village Homeowners Association. This decision expands on A.R.S. § 33-1804 and applies to both planned communities and condominiums. If you are interested in reading more about the case, the details can be obtained in the Arizona Court of Appeals (Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, No. 1 CA-CV 35-0424, Filed 04-28-2026, No. CV2023-096192, the Honorable Rodrick J. Coffey, Judge).
The ruling states that associations cannot vote or make formal decisions during executive (closed) session meetings. While executive sessions may be used for discussion, all voting must take place in an open meeting.
Additionally, the court ruled that before any issue is discussed in an executive session, the Board must first vote in an open meeting, unless this authority has been formally delegated. To streamline this process, we recommend that boards vote to delegate this responsibility to the board President. This will allow the President to work with your community manager to schedule executive sessions and set the agenda. If you delegate this authority, make sure the decision is documented in the meeting minutes.
What Can Be Discussed in Closed Sessions?
While closed sessions are permitted for discussion, these meetings are limited to the following topics under A.R.S. § 33-1804(A):
Legal advice from your association's attorney
Ongoing or potential lawsuits
Personal, health, or financial details about individual members, employees, or contractors
Job performance, pay, health records, or complaints involving specific employees or contractors
A member's appeal on a violation or fine (unless they ask for it to be discussed in an open meeting)
Closed Meeting Notices & Agendas
Notices for all closed meetings must include the date, time, and location, as well as the specific language from A.R.S. § 33-1804(A) that permits the topic to be discussed in a closed session. Additionally, agendas for closed session meetings must provide sufficient detail about the topics to be discussed, while omitting personally identifying information or attorney-client privileged information.
We recommend working with your manager and association attorney to discuss this ruling and ensure your meeting procedures and resolutions comply with this new decision. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your community manager or vice president.
The ruling states that associations cannot vote or make formal decisions during executive (closed) session meetings. While executive sessions may be used for discussion, all voting must take place in an open meeting.
Additionally, the court ruled that before any issue is discussed in an executive session, the Board must first vote in an open meeting, unless this authority has been formally delegated. To streamline this process, we recommend that boards vote to delegate this responsibility to the board President. This will allow the President to work with your community manager to schedule executive sessions and set the agenda. If you delegate this authority, make sure the decision is documented in the meeting minutes.
What Can Be Discussed in Closed Sessions?
While closed sessions are permitted for discussion, these meetings are limited to the following topics under A.R.S. § 33-1804(A):
Legal advice from your association's attorney
Ongoing or potential lawsuits
Personal, health, or financial details about individual members, employees, or contractors
Job performance, pay, health records, or complaints involving specific employees or contractors
A member's appeal on a violation or fine (unless they ask for it to be discussed in an open meeting)
Closed Meeting Notices & Agendas
Notices for all closed meetings must include the date, time, and location, as well as the specific language from A.R.S. § 33-1804(A) that permits the topic to be discussed in a closed session. Additionally, agendas for closed session meetings must provide sufficient detail about the topics to be discussed, while omitting personally identifying information or attorney-client privileged information.
We recommend working with your manager and association attorney to discuss this ruling and ensure your meeting procedures and resolutions comply with this new decision. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your community manager or vice president.
Important Notice: Arizona SB 1582
Posted on Apr 5th, 2026 Comments (0)
We would like to provide an important update about Arizona SB 1582: Backyard fowl regulation. An amendment was added to this legislation that infringes on your association's right to regulate chickens and other household pets.
This amendment would limit community association authority by prohibiting them from restricting household pets based on breed, size, or weight and rendering any existing rules unenforceable. The bill does not define household pets, so potentially any animal, including livestock, could be considered a household pet that associations would be required to allow in their communities. The bill would also require associations to allow each single-family home to keep up to 6 backyard chickens, even in zero-lot-line communities and communities with very little yard space.
Your voice as a board member matters, and we encourage you to use the link below to contact your representatives and urge them to oppose SB 1582.
Form to Contact Your Representatives
By filling out the form linked above, your message will be sent to all of your representatives. Additionally, if you have any personal examples from your experience serving your community in Arizona of how this legislation could prevent an association from effectively managing its community, please include those details within the box in the form labeled “Message Body”.
Form to Contact Your Representatives
By filling out the form linked above, your message will be sent to all of your representatives. Additionally, if you have any personal examples from your experience serving your community in Arizona of how this legislation could prevent an association from effectively managing its community, please include those details within the box in the form labeled “Message Body”.
As always, we appreciate your continued partnership and your time and attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your community manager or vice president.
Sincerely,
Justin Scott, CMCA, AMS
President
Stacy Maule
Chief Operating Officer
SR 64: I-40 to Pipeline Road Pavement Preservation
Posted on Apr 4th, 2026 Comments (0)
For real-time information about project-related restrictions and closures, visit az511.gov or call 511, except while driving.
Remember to slow down and use caution around construction workers and equipment.
Project cost: $33,000,000
Overview
- The Arizona Department of Transportation has initiated a pavement preservation project along State Route 64 between I-40 in Williams and Pipeline Road (mileposts 185-205).
Project Elements
- Remove and replace the top layer of pavement in designated areas
- Construct turn lanes
- Pave and/or rehabilitate pavement on turnouts
- Build up shoulders
- Conduct bridge work
- Improve culverts
- Remove and install new guardrail
- Remove and replace roadway striping and rumble strips
- Remove and replace new fencing
- Install traffic loop detectors
- Trim and/or remove vegetation, as needed
- Reseed disturbed areas with native plant species, as needed
- Remove and replace cattle guard
- Erosion control, as needed
Project Schedule
- Construction is scheduled to begin spring 2026 with final completion anticipated for fall 2027.
What to expect:
- Intermittent daytime lane restrictions will be in place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays. Paving work will take place overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evenings through Friday mornings.
- When needed, flaggers and a pilot car will guide drivers through the work zone.
- ADOT advises drivers to plan for delays while the work is underway.
- Restrictions and Closures
For real-time information about project-related restrictions and closures, visit az511.gov or call 511, except while driving.
Remember to slow down and use caution around construction workers and equipment.
Project Area Map
Westbound I-40 pavement work near Williams starts week of April 6
Posted on Apr 2nd, 2026 Comments (0)
Westbound I-40 pavement work near Williams starts week of April 6
Expect delays at times when one lane is closed for repair project
A highway repair project along westbound Interstate 40 near Williams will start the week of April 6-10 with an around-the-clock lane closure.
With westbound I-40 narrowed to one lane, drivers should plan for delays, especially during peak travel times. The project’s location is approximately 3 miles west of Williams (milepost 160). Work is scheduled for completion by late summer. Flag crews will direct traffic as needed.
Pavement damage occurred during a multi-vehicle crash and fire in March 2025. Work elements include:
- Removing temporary pavement
- Replacing damaged guardrail
- Adding new pavement
- Installing lane stripes and other pavement markings
For more information, contact Community Relations Project Manager Jason Stephens at 480.751.7104 or jstephens@azdot.gov, or visit the project webpage.