Master Board meeting set for Oct. 11

The next meeting of the Victor Gardens Community Association (The Master Association) Board of Directors will be Wednesday, Oct. 11.  The meeting will start at 6:00pm in VG's Neighborhood Activity Center.  Residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

SFV Board Meeting set for Sept. 22

Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowners Association will meet Friday morning, September 22 at 7AM at the Activity Center.  A proposal to increase the sub-association's level of professional management and associated costs will be discussed along with the budget. 

Lawn Care - $40 Core Aeration Service

Core Aeration Promotes Healthy Grass

Tony Schwab has spoken to Jeff Ambrose of Pro-Aire Lawn Service again this year about lawn core aeration services.

Jeff has offered his aeration services to Victor Gardens residents for a number of years and does a very professional job. He's offering a Victor Gardens discount rate of $40/per lawn regardless of size. That's less than what most others charge for this service. For do-it-yourselfers, this is a pretty good deal considering the cost of renting the machine, time and effort involved, plus the cost of gas. Jeff's done a great job on our lawn over the years, and I would recommend his services to anyone.

Call Jeff Ambrose directly at (651) 274-1535. He's currently coordinating a schedule of Victor Gardens appointments.

If you're unfamiliar with core aeration, the U of M Extension Service describes it pretty well, "Core aeration is the best method of dealing with the problem of compaction in the lawn. Aeration promotes moisture and air penetration into soils, resulting in deeper and healthier root systems on the grass plants. ... The best time of year to aerate the lawn is late August to early October. Aeration can be done in the spring but will lead to additional weed seeds being brought to the surface where they may germinate. In fall, weed seeds will also be brought to the surface, but they will not sprout."

Lawn advertising signs not allowed

The Victor Gardens Single Family Homeowners Association Board reminds owners that signs advertising contractors, roofing services, schools, etc. are not permitted. "For Sale" and signs are allowed. Please remove non-permitted signs to avoid violation letters and fines associated with Master Covenants Section 7.18.

7.18 Signs. No sign or comparable device of any kind shall be placed, erected or maintained on the Property except (i) one customary unlighted "For Sale" or "For Rent" sign per Residential Unit or CIC Unit (except corner Units shall be permitted one such sign per side of the Unit that fronts on a street) of not more than eight square feet advertising the Unit for sale or rent, (ii) not more than two (2) unlighted "For Rent" signs per Apartment Village Unit of size and location approved by the A.R.C., (iii) within eight (8) weeks prior to an election date, two unlighted political signs of not more than eight square feet per sign, (iv) not more than twice per year, and limited to five days each time, not more than two signs per Residential Unit or CIC Unit, each of not more than eight square feet, advertising a yard sale, (v) signs placed by the Master Developer, a Village Declarant, a Village Developer or a builder to advertise the Property, Units or Dwellings during the construction and sales period, and (vi) the permanent entrance signs and monuments erected by the Master Developer, Apartment Village Owner, Village Developer, or Village Declarant to identify the Property.

SFV Board meeting tonight at 7pm.

Tonight’s Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowner’s Association (SFV) Board meeting starts at 7:00pm at VG’s Neighborhood Activity Center.  A portion of the beginning of the meeting will be set aside for a Homeowner Forum. Owners wishing to volunteer as board members, ARC committee members, etc. are requested to attend.  Topics covered will include:

• Discussing costs, benefits, downsides with upgrading the SFV’s management contract with Associa MN to “full service”.  SFV contract is currently “finance only”.
• Recent board actions taken regarding Master & SFV covenants and rules compliance issues.
• Additional actions the board is considering taking regarding rules and covenants compliance.
• Filling board member vacancy

August 2nd, 2017 VG Master Board Meeting Recap

The quarterly Master Board meeting was held at Hugo City Hall. The below recap details the points discussed and next steps the Master Board and / or sub-association boards are taking in the coming weeks.

Any and all Master Board and sub-association meetings are open for homeowners to join. Those meetings are listed on the calendar linked on this web page (http://blog.victorgardensnews.org/p/upcoming-events.html)

Homeowner Forum

Topics Raised

- SFV ARC change applications and approval processes

- Boulevard trees, both homeowner and master board maintained

- Violations to bylaws, rules & covenants and necessary actions

- Overall spend on maintenance, pool, landscaping related to master board maintained 

properties

- Fountain at Poet’s Green

New Builds at North Village

We heard details about a building (4 units) currently under construction in the North Village and next steps to amend the units into the master association. Those units are being added to the North Village sub association, but the steps to add into the master are more detailed (must have 66% approval from all homeowners in the VG association). Evan Leach will draft a new consent form including a cover with explanation that will be both e-mailed and USPS mailed to all homeowners.

Previous Board Decisions

The board reviewed previous decisions related to landscaping (removal of invasive species, dead trees, pruning in outlets). An outstanding claim for hail damage was also discussed, but Colleen is awaiting more details - all is moving forward properly.

We also discussed reaching out to the Rice Creek Watershed District to discuss invasive species on watershed managed property and how to prevent them spreading further into homeowner properties.

New Business

ARC Applications - We are in the process of reviewing how builders submit applications, the review process and potentially a new process that will validate and confirm plans were followed throughout the build / color / landscape process. The Master Board will continue to refine and communicate changes to new builders via the New Builder Packet and through the VG News website.

Website - The Victor Gardens News website is an accurate source of materials, maintained and authored by homeowners. Associa does manage other websites for associations like ours, and the Master Board voted to move forward evaluating Associa managing a new website for Victor Gardens. More details are to come; the goal is to increase and widen the communications of all boards to the entire association. 

Next Steps

SFV Board Meeting - The next meeting is scheduled for 8/21 at 7pm. Topics to discuss are the covenants and rules compliance, process of reviewing Change Applications, a potential change of service with Associa to help the SFV Association with increased oversight and involvement, and upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Neighborhood Walkthroughs - The Board(s) are committed to continuing regular walkthroughs of the neighborhoods to evaluate any common grounds, violations that need action taken and to take note of any necessary repairs to maintain our neighborhood.

Next Master Board Meeting - Tentatively, the schedule puts the next board meeting around 10/11/17. Once finalized, the date will be posted to the website.

As a reminder, if anyone in the association has any questions about the Master Board, ARC boards, sub association boards, please reach out to the Master Board members listed in this recap, or directly to Colleen Brown (Colleen.Brown@associa.us).

Thanks, and let’s continue to work together to make Victor Gardens our home.

The Master Board

SFV Board Meeting set for Aug. 21

The Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowners Association Board of Directors will meet on Monday, Aug. 21, 7:00pm at the VG Neighborhood Activity Center.  The Board welcomes your input and participation in these meetings. There will be an opportunity for owners to ask questions and address the Board.  Topics for discussion will include: 

• Covenants and rules compliance.  
• The process of reviewing Change Applications.
• Modifying level of service from Associa, our management company.
• Volunteer opportunities.

Happy Hour for Empty Nesters

Victor Gardens Empty Nesters Happy Hour
Monday, August 7th at 4:30
Tria Patio

5959 Centerville Rd., North Oaks, MN

RSVP to Lynn Olson so Tria has enough tables set aside... olsonlynn12@gmail.com

Victor Gardens Master Board Meeting Aug. 2, 2017

Here's a reminder that the Victor Gardens Community Association (the Master Association) Board of Directors will meet Wednesday, Aug. 2 at 6pm.  The location for the meeting has been changed to Hugo City Hall.

Owners are welcome and encouraged to attend.  At the beginning of the meeting, the Board welcomes your comments, concerns and questions during the Homeowner Forum.  

A number of topics will be covered over the course of the meeting.  Today, the agenda was shared:

Victor Gardens Community Association 

Board of Directors Meeting


August 2, 2017 6pm


Hugo City Hall – Oneka Room14669 Fitzgerald Ave N, Hugo, MN 55038 

6:00pm Regular Session/Call to Order

I. Homeowner Forum : Single Family Homeowners (30 minutes total) 


II. Special Agenda Item – New Builds at North Village and Master Association
     A. Evan Leach, Attorney
     B. North Village Board Members, Ted Erckenbrack (President) 


III. Approve Board Meeting Minutes 
  
  A. May 10, 2017 2-4 

IV. Ratify Board Decisions
     A. Approval of buckthorn eradication behind 14241 Arbre 5 

     B. Approval of additional treatment to Amur Maples 6-7 

     C. Approval of river birch removal and pruning in outlot 8 

     D. Approval to move forward with attorney Evan Leach for NV new builds 9 

     E. Approval to file claim from June 11 hail storm
          i) Maureen Porter to facilitate

V. Treasurer’s Report

VI. Old Business
     A. City versus private responsibilities 

     B. Activity Center refresh – homeowner input and plan 


VII. New Business – none at this time 

VIII.Management Report
     A. Work Order Report
     B. Discussion of 2018 goals and projects 13
     C. Review of annual calendar

IX. Adjournment – confirmation of next meeting date
     A. October 11, 2017 

7:00pm Executive Session/CTO

(Discussion and action on matters of delinquencies, violations, contract, personnel and legal matters) 

Security problems reported

Along with summer comes the season of neighborhood thefts and vandalism. Over the years this activity has increased somewhat and residents are urged to take extra care.  It's already started with at least two known recent driveway car break-ins.  

1. If you see something, say something.  Dial 911 to report suspicious activity.
2. Leave your exterior porch/deck/garage lights on overnight.
3. Close your garage doors, even when you're home.
4. Secure your car, garage it if possible. Never leave keys inside.
5. Lock your home and set your security system.
6. Secure gas grills.  LP gas tanks are targets for thefts.

Neighborhood Crime Alert

$40 Spring De-Thatching/Raking Service

$40 Spring De-Thatching/Raking Service

Bud Schneider is offering discounted machine de-thatching/raking services again this spring.  Tony Schwab has negotiated group rate pricing with Bud.  The cost is the same this year as in previous years: $40 per yard. 

Many residents have been hiring Bud Schneider for the last few years and he's done a great job.  Sure beats raking by hand! 
  
Please contact Bud Schneider at (651) 334-8793.                                                                                                      Please note there is a new phone number this year.