Direct Questions from Residents

Residents have asked some questions about my email or the details they've read in the main Q&A.  I will attempt to answer them here.  NOTE: My information is limited!

Last update: Sep 6, 2026

Q1: I heard the cost was [much smaller].  Why are you saying $400K?
A: The RFP requested a "base bid" and bids for five options.  The ALC approved the base bid from Equalized ($214K) and three of the five options ("concert system", "screens", and "hearing assist"), with a total of over $300K.  After the vote, the chair requested that the board/BFC put the remaining two options on the ALC 2027 budget plan.  Those options add up to $112K.  Technically, the ALC only approved $300K.

Q2: Can I see the spec (e.g. the RFP)?
A: You may ask for it from CCMC... I am cautious about distributing actual documents that belong to ARCA.  But instead of stating functional needs, it dictates specific enterprise hardware, demanding an "11,000-lumen Barco laser projector" and "Visionary Solutions video-over-IP". These requirements intentionally locked out affordable commercial providers, encouraging all bidders to quote massively expensive, over-engineered systems

Q3: What is a “concert arena system”?
A: It means the vendor has specified touring-grade, professional equipment designed for massive commercial venues, rather than a 5-room community lodge. Two examples:

• The Audio: They want us to buy a 48-channel digital audio matrix. That is the equipment you use to mic up a full orchestra or a 10-piece rock band. Anthem Ranch events rarely, if ever, use more than 4 to 8 microphones at a time.

• The Video: They specified an enterprise-level video network and laser projectors bright enough to light up a massive, sunlit hotel ballroom.

It’s the equivalent of buying a commercial IMAX system for a home living room, or a Ferrari for a golf cart path.

Equalized Productions builds systems for huge clients (and provides the high-end rental gear for our "The Club" performances). Unsurprisingly, when they were allowed to write their own RFP, they simply quoted us their highest-margin, ultra-complex gear. It costs twice as much as a standard commercial system, and it will be far too complex for our volunteer clubs (like the choir) to actually operate.

Q4: Who is on this committee?
A: I would like to avoid pointing fingers at the committee members, at the board, and at the expert adviser.  I think it is safe to say we were all conned by a really good salesman who has been in the business 27 years and knows how to convince non-techie people how to spend their money.

Q5: What is the big rush?
A: I wasn't involved in some of the meetings, but my sense is that there was an attempt to get the AV replacement completed during the week the lodge is closed in October, and hopefully up and running for key November community meetings, including the budget ratification meeting and the 20th Anniversary Celebration.  Logistically, this would have been good planning.  Was this "big rush" also pushed by the vendor?  I don't know.

Q6: Does SOAR need this system?  Who besides The Club does need it?  We have winter concerts inside, besides The Club.
A: The soundboard used for SOAR concerts is quite old, not digital, and requires masses of wiring to pulled down from the ceiling.  But (see Q3 above), a new soundboard need not handle the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and it must be usable by an amateur as well as plug into whatever new AV "skeleton" is installed.  Traveling artists often/usually provide their own AV equipment as they don't want to learn the idiosyncrasies of every venue, nor be dependent on whatever equipment may or may not be installed and working.

Of note, SOAR definitely doesn't need new ceiling/studio-grade microphones that cost $600 each.

Q7: I heard the AV Replacement project is not on the board's published agenda.  Does that mean we have another month?

A: True, it doesn't appear on the agenda.  BUT...

1) The board agenda can be (and often is) modified at the beginning of the meeting. (Unlikely the board will add this topic, given the controversy brewing.)

2) If the topic IS on the agenda, the board can defer resident comments from the beginning of the meeting, which isn't alway optimal.  Residents are not allowed to speak in the meeting (except the comments at the beginning) UNLESS the board has a motion on the floor and the president invites comments from the audience.

3) Any decision can be made by the board "in lieu" (unanimous vote by email) so they could wait until after the Thursday vendor visit and vote then.  (Again unlikely.)

4) Part of the point of residents going to the meeting is to show community strength and resolve on an issue.  Many board meetings are cut-and-dried and not well-attended.  The board notices when a crowd attends.

Q8: I heard that the ALC committee was able to bypass the budget committee and send directly to the BOD?

A: In the last year or so, there were some organizational responsibility changes approved by ARCA.  The ALC and CAC are no longer considered "subservient" to the BFC and can recommend spending directly to the Board.  The BFC still must be involved but does not approve the spending, just recommends which budget (e.g. reserve, operating, improvement) and which General Ledger line items should be used.