You're right. If you google map that location, you'll find that those bricks were placed directly over a manhole/sewer cover. That would never, ever happen unless they city themselves put them there.
The HOA excuse is total bullshit.
One could argue that the iPod, iPhone, and iPad were 3 of the greatest inventions in our lifetimes.
Pretty easy to forget how amazing it is to have touchscreen, high resolution televisions and communication devices in your pocket.