Victor Gardens Social Events Committee Sign-Up

We are looking for volunteers to help plan a few events for our neighborhood this year.    As many of you may have heard, Pratt Homes and Rottlund (David Bernard) Homes have generously donated a total of $500 for our neighborhood events this year.  This is great news as the events budget was cut completely from this year's Master Association budget due to the financial issues our neighborhood was having.  We are very appreciative of this donation and would like to put it to good use and plan a few events for all neighbors who wish to attend.  

If you are interested in being on this committee, please meet at Arbre Park on Wednesday, June 11th at 7P.  We are hoping that we can get representation from each sub-association on our committee so we can plan activities that interest the entire neighborhood.  At this meeting we'll discuss which events we'd like to plan for the year as well as elect a Chairperson of the Social Committee.  If you aren't able to make this meeting but are interested in being on the committee, please email me at eventsbyjulie@earthlink.net and let me know.  

If it's raining or weather is crummy, we'll meet inside at the Activity Center.

Feel free to bring wine, an appetizer, a dessert or just yourself!  

Thanks--I look forward to June 11th!

Julie Bixby

SFV Simplified Change/Repair Application

Single Family Village homeowners wishing to make repairs to their homes' exteriors must follow the ARC review process described in the Covenants. For storm-related damage, your Board has streamlined this process into a one-page questionnaire. The Simplified Change/Repair Application form will be hand delivered to each of the homes in the next few days.  Downloadable copies of the Simplified form are also available by clicking this link.  

Forms must be completed and returned to Josh Berger before work begins.   Simplified Change/Repair Applications will receive top priority for review.  In most cases, homeowners not making any stylistic, color, or qualitative changes to their exteriors will find the process easy and fast.  If homeowners wish to make changes outside the scope of the Simplified Application, then the standard Architectural Change Application form will be needed.  Those applications will also be reviewed as quickly as possible.   Email Josh Berger for more information.

SFV Board Letter to Residents (Repairs & ARC)

Dear Single Family Village Homeowners,

We are all saddened by the loss of life and injuries caused by Sunday’s tornado.  Damage to our Hugo neighbor’s homes of was catastrophic.  Efforts are already underway for our residents to help in various ways.  Donation and volunteer information can be found on the City of Hugo’s official website:  http://ci.hugo.mn.us

Most of our homes were also damaged during Sunday’s storm, including broken windows, screens, and siding.  Less visible is the hail and wind damage to many of our roofs in the neighborhood.

The unfortunate reality of an influx of contractors has already begun.  A few reputable contractors have been consulting with residents, assessing the damage.  To avoid the predatory contractors, your Single Family Village Board recommends that residents ask neighbors for recommendations of reputable contractors. A list including of few neighbor-recommended contractors has already been posted and on our resident website.  You are encouraged to contribute to the list by adding your signed comments to the post.  Click here for contractor recommendations link.

Please remember, to retain the character and value of Victor Gardens the Architectural Review process must be followed regarding any exterior changes to Single Family Village homes.  There are covenants, rules, and guidelines to abide by.  Specifically, there are standards in roofing materials and installation methods that must be considered by assessors and estimating contractors.  Understanding the delicate nature of the situation, your Board is working to streamline this ARC approval process.  More information will be announced later today.

Last night the Single Family Village Board formed a SFV ARC Committee and confirmed Josh Berger, as the subcommittee’s Chairperson.  Josh has experience with the ARC process as a homeowner, and as our Association’s elected liaison to the Master ARC.  The SFV Board is still accepting applications for ARC member volunteers.  Please contact one of your Board Members if you’d like to serve in this way.

Thank you,

Victor Gardens Single Family Village Board of Directors

Michael Warner, President,  John Roehrich, Vice President,  Dan Sjoquist, Treasurer,  Mark Vlker, Secretary

How you can help

Disaster relief information from the City of Hugo is changing rapidly as more donations come in and volunteers have signed up.  The most recently updated official information is always available on the City of Hugo's website.   Specific donations requested by the City, volunteer requests, status updates and more are available at the City's website.

Recommend an Exterior Contractor

A number of Single Family Village residents have asked to share their recommendations for exterior contractors to repair storm damage.  A recommendation of a neighbor who has had a positive experience is a great start in working with a reputable contractor.  For this reason, we welcome any of your comments regarding any work that you have had performed on your house in the past.  This should include the name of the contractor and and their contact information.  In this instance, it is important that the person recommending the contractor not remain anonymous.  Please sign your name to your posted comments.  In this specific instance, any anonymous or ambiguously authored posts will be deleted.

Please remember this is an opportunity to recommend a company you've been happy with in the past, and a way for you to help your neighbors weed through the multitude of offers they're likely receiving.

Please also understand that most of these repairs will need to be cleared by the Single Family Village Architectural Review Committee.  Your Board is working on ways to simplify this into a very easy process for residents.  More info to follow.

Here's a link to the Better Business Bureau.

Here's a link to the City of Hugo website.  It has tips on choosing a contractor:

An article on this subject recently appeared in the Pioneer Press: Just ask the folks at Hugo City Hall: Unscrupulous contractors are out there.  View Full Story

Neighbors Helping Neighbors (Donation Party)

Families of Victor Gardens, 

 

All of you are aware of the devastation which occurred to the homes of our neighbors to the north. Many of the families are temporally  living at the Country Inn Hotel in White Bear Lake. I cannot imagine how terribly disrupting this would be.  I keep thinking of how hard living in a hotel must be on the children. 

 

I am going to have a donation party  this Thursday evening @ 7 pm. If anyone is interested in donating, homemade baked goods, popcorn, movies, books, disposable cameras, games, phone cards or anything you can think of that would make a stay more comfortable and entertaining for the families living at the Country Inn. Please come on over and help us make care packages. I will have the garage set up with tables or if you just want to drop a donation off that's fine too.

We're also looking for baskets, buckets, fun boxes to transport the donations in.

                   

Thank you, 

Hope to see you Thursday evening, come to the garage.

Erin Yoshida  

14256 Cosette Lane North  

651-653-1438

Storm Damage Info for Townhomes Residents

This message to townhomes residents: 

Please be aware of the fact that we have initiated an insurance claim,
as a result of the storm from Sunday, May 25, 2008, to the
association's master insurance company, American Family Insurance. As
of today, we are waiting for an insurance claims adjuster to be
assigned and schedule an on-site inspection to identify all of the
exterior damage. The damage covered under the association's Master
Insurance Policy could include the following items on your building:
Siding, gutters, fascia, roofs, decks and railing, windows & glass,
garage doors, doors, air conditioners, etc. If you have sustained any
damage to your personal property as a result of the storm, you will
need to contact your HO6 insurance company.

During times of storm damage, a number of contractors will be coming
through to do repairs, etc., DO NOT HIRE anyone on your own that comes
to your door saying they can do the repairs. Be aware that if you
allow this to happen, you will be paying for any work done by this
contractor. We will be required to terminate any work and have them
removed from the association grounds. This work must be done by the
association's contractor under the terms of your legal documents for
the association.

As you know, we did hire our preferred contractor to come in on Sunday
evening and Monday to try and board up windows, etc. to minimize any
further damage as a result of exposure to rain, etc. Until the
insurance claims adjustor is able to do an inspection and prepare his
report, we cannot begin any of the work or replacement. We do ask that
homeowners be patient as we work through the insurance claim process.

As more information is available, we will place this on the
association's website. If you have any questions that we were not able
to address, please contact the management company.

SFV Board Special Workshop Meeting

Tonight at 8pm the SFV Board will hold a one-issue special workshop meeting to address the Architectural Review process in the Single Family Village.  The Board will finalize its streamlining of the ARC application process as a result of Sunday's storm.  Residents interested in serving on the SFV ARC committee are urged to attend this special meeting.  Location: Neighborhood Activity Center.  Secondary location Blue Heron Grill. 8pm

Pool Opens Tomorrow!

The Victor Gardens Pool will be opened tomorrow,  Saturday May 23. This according to Gina Lampe, our Community Manager with Community Development, Inc. 

Other than the obvious safety rules, sometimes overlooked rules should be highlighted: 

1.  No Glass!  Please leave your bottles at home.  If broken glass is discovered in the pool area, the entire pool may need to be drained, cleaned, and refilled. 

2.  Swim Diapers!  This should be self explanatory.  Pool contamination requires closing, draining, cleaning, and re-filling. It’s a process that’s expensive for the Association, and closes the pool for many days. It’s also completely avoidable.  Please put swim diapers on kids that need them.

Math Quiz:   Question:  What do 65 families in the Single Family Village plus all of our Victor Gardens Townhomes neighbors equal?  Answer:  A crowded pool.  Don’t feel like a summer “Grinch” when someone you don’t know tells you the old line, “I forgot my pool key at home.  Please open the door for me?”   In addition to overcrowding, allowing non-residents into Victor Gardens’ pool unfortunately presents a legal liability issue for all homeowners in the Master Association  

Click here for the complete set of rules for the Activity Center and Pool.

SFV Homeowners Needed to form Architecture Committee

POA Scherer/CPDC recently transitioned limited control of Architecture Review Committee (ARC)  responsibilities to the Single Family Village Board of Directors.  The SFV Board now has the authority to review, approve, recommend changes, or deny "Change Applications" to existing homes and landscapes in the Single Family Village.  POA Scherer/CPDC remains in control of the "new construction" and "new landscaping" ARC process in the SFV and other areas of Victor Gardens.  

The SFV Board would like to pass the approval process to a specialized sub-committee of the SFV Association.  Interested residents should contact SFV Board Members Michael Warner, John Roehrich, Dan Sjoquist, or Mark Vlker as soon as possible.  Applicants will be reviewed by the SFV Board and an ARC subcommittee will likely be formed of three residents.  The Board hopes to form the subcommittee at its next scheduled Board meeting, July 14, 2008.

The SFV Board has already reviewed one Change Application for new gutter installation, and is in the process of reviewing another.  Homeowners are reminded, for the benefit of everyone in the Single Family Village Homeowner’s Association, your plans must be submitted and considered by the Architectural Review Committee.  Projects such as paint color changes, retaining walls, fencing, lighting, major landscape changes etc. must be approved before work begins.  Clarification of the policy can be found in the book of rules & covenants.  Victor Gardens’ Community Manager, Gina Lampe (763) 225-6438, can help neighbors navigate the approval process, and can share copies of the required application forms. 

Grounds Commitee Meeting Results

We had a great informational 1st meeting for our official Victor Gardens Community Association Grounds Committee on the evening of Wednesday, May 21st. I'm writing this entry as our newly elected Chairperson for the committee. My primary responsibilities will be communication between our residents, the Grounds Committee and the Master Association Board of Directors. To that end, I'd like to post a couple of updates on topics I know many residents are interested in. These subjects and a few others will be part of our official report provided to the Master Association Board at our next meeting on June 2nd.

Landscape Maintenance Contract - After meeting with Early Bird Lawnscapes and doing a walk through of the entire Victor Gardens development, we've created a map that identifies the areas we want to see maintained as well as the level to which they should be kept. This map can be found on this site in the Maps area. We'll continue to update it as we learn more. The key areas of the map for landscape purposes are the Yellow, Blue and Light Grey areas.

The Yellow areas are common grounds that the Master Association is responsible for. They include areas like Jardin Fountain, Poets Green and all of the transition areas that get you from one part of the development to another. These ares require the full services of Early Bird including, Turf mowing, maintenance & irrigation, plus Shrub area trimming & weeding. Basically, everything we've come to expect in landscape maintenance.

The Blue areas are now officially Hugo City parks and will be partially maintained by the city. By partially maintained, I mean that they will be mowed and the structures & trees will be maintained, but the grass and shrub beds will not receive any weeding or fertilization like we've become accustomed to. In these areas, we have requested Early Bird to bid on supplementing the City's services. The Master Association Board will then discuss approving this supplemental bid.

The Light Grey areas are places that we are not technically responsible for, but we expect will have little to no maintenance done to them over the course of the summer. Specifically, these areas are the grass areas on the City Trails through our neighborhoods as well as the Boulevards in front of empty lots. We have asked for a 2nd supplemental bid for these areas to be mowed monthly. The Master Association Board will again discuss this bid.

Common Area "Grass Roots" Planting - As a way to cut costs and still maintain the look of common areas like Victor Square Park & Jardin Fountain, we have created a "Common Areas Sub-Committee" made up of teams that will plan and implement efforts to install annual and perennial plantings in these areas. At this point, these efforts are volunteer in their materials and labor costs. We are looking into creating a small budget to reimburse for materials costs this year, but nothing can be expected at this time. As for the former land office area, this land is currently in dispute and would require so much work, we have tabled any efforts in that area for now.

If you are interested in helping our planting teams with your money or time, please contact me and I will put you in touch with them. I can be contacted at baileyhome@lightblast.net.

Retail Shop & Residential Areas Shared Landscaping - We are investigating the ownership of the various retail shops to the north and south of Frenchman Rd. in an effort to propose sharing landscaping & holiday lighting costs with them. Early indications are that each free-standing building in the retail development appears to have separate ownership. This process is in its early stages. More updates will follow.

Thanks to all who have volunteered for the Grounds Committee. We look forward to maintaining the high quality appearance in Victor Gardens while being fiscally responsible with our limited resources.

Grounds Committee to Meet May 21

An important first meeting of Victor Gardens' Grounds Committee will begin Wednesday, May 21 at VG's Neighborhood Activity Center, 7:00PM.  We will update everyone about the City's new Parks responsibilities, the level of service and cooperation we can expect from our landscape vendors and the retail businesses along Frenchman Road.  Committee members will choose a coordinating Chairperson, discuss priorities, and break up into the smaller groups according to everyone's interest.

The Grounds Committee is always open to new volunteers.  Please email Mike Bailey, baileyhome@lightblast.net to sign up.

SFV Board Makes Limited Change to Pet Policy

Last night, the Single Family Board addressed its pet policy.  There were two areas of discussion: Control and Waste.  After hearing resident opinions, debate and discussion.  The Board voted to change the language of the SFV's pet policy related to pet waste, and recommended the Master Board take the waste issue up as an Agenda item.  The pet waste language closely mirrors the City of Hugo's ordinance, as seen below.  The board did not change policy in regards to control.  It was felt that existing neighborhood rules and City ordinances covered the control issue sufficiently.

NEW LANGUAGE - (7.13.7):

Any person who owns, keeps or harbors any dog must remove all dog feces, on a daily basis from all enclosed dog runs or kennels, and must remove, on a daily basis, any accumulations of dog feces which are visible from any location outside the border of the person's property. Owners and Occupants shall be liable for the cost of repair of any damage to the Property, or any personal injury, caused by pets kept by them.  Pet owners are responsible for reimbursing other offended parties for damage to landscaping and/or buildings caused by their pet and/or services to repair, remove, or replace damaged property.

SFV Board to Consider Changes to Pet Policy

Victor Gardens' pet policies will be on the agenda for May 19th's Single Family Village Board Meeting.  SFV Residents will be welcome to share their opinions about the issue during the meeting's resident forum.  The SFV Board will be considering changes to its Village Rules,and will discuss recommendations to Master Board regarding its own pet policies. The City of Hugo recently changed its Animal Ordinance.  Some residents have expressed support of aligning VG's rules with the City's new ordinance in regards to "control" and "sanitation".  Some residents have expressed concern over the impact that new rules may have.  

Possible changes under consideration may be:  Changes to existing rules are bold/brown.

7.13.4  Pets shall be under control by leash at all times when walked or exercised on the Property. No person shall allow a dog to run at large at any time.  At Large means off the premises of the owner and not under the physical control by leash of the owner, a member of the owner's immediate family, or a person designated by the owner.

7.13.7  Any person who own, keeps or harbors any dog must remove all dog feces, on a daily basis from all enclosed dog runs or kennels, and must remove, on a daily basis, any accumulations of dog feces which are visible from any location outside the border of the person's property. Owners and Occupants shall be liable for the cost of repair of any damage to the Property, or any personal injury, caused by pets kept by them.  Pet owners are responsible for reimbursing other offended parties for damage to landscaping and/or buildings caused by their pet and/or services to repair, remove, or replace damaged property.

For more detailed information, including existing rules and ordinances, please download the PDF document that the SFV Board will consider on May 19.

Single Family Village - Board Meeting set for Monday, May 19

The next Victor Gardens Single Family Village Board of Directors meeting will be held Monday, May 19, 2008, 7:00PM at the Neighborhood Activity Center.  Among other topics, the issue of recommending pet policy changes to the Master Association will be discussed.  For a full agenda, please click here.

Master Board Meeting notes - May 12, 2008

The Victor Gardens Community Association (Master) Board of Directors met last night at City Hall.  It was the first meeting since the Master Board transferred from POA-Scherer/CPDC.   The new Board was able to get through a lot of business in the two hour meeting.  Another Board Meeting has been scheduled for June 6, 2008 to take up the topic of "New Business". Please see notes below for the topics discussed. Official minutes will be available at a later date. 

All Board Members attended, along with Chuck Schneider and Gina Lampe from Community Development, Inc.  About 25 residents also attended the meeting. 

1. The Board elected new officers: 

Dan Sjoquist, President

LaVonne Fitzgerald, Vice President

Carmen Carter, Secretary

Michael Noonan, Member at Large

Len Pratt, Member at Large

2.  Resident Forum:

The Board was given a list of issues that were compiled by Mike Bailey and Mark Vlker.  The list should help the Board understand concerns of the residents.   Many of the items were already known by the Board, and some were scheduled as new business items.  These items will likely be addressed at Board Meetings in the near future.  

Dawn Primeau asked the Board to address the unfinished developer projects near her home.  

Julie Bixby asked the Board to consider a small amount for VG's Social Committee's events.  After Mrs. Bixby's request, Michael Noonan, of Rottlund/David Bernard Homes, and Len Pratt of Pratt Homes offered donations of $500.00 each to be used for this year's Social Events budget.  The funds will be controlled by the VGCA Master Association for that purpose.  The Social Committee's new $1000.00 budget will go a long way in keeping the tradition community activities for all Victor Gardens residents.  Residents appreciate this generous donation from Pratt Homes and Rottlund Homes/David Bernard Homes.  

Residents also asked the Board to clarify the status of the Pool opening this year.  Later in the meeting the board approved a Pool and Activity Maintenance contract.  The Pool is expected to open Memorial Day weekend.

3.  The Board was provided books of VGCA documents, including financials, rules, and other information.

4. The Board reviewed financial statements, discussed outstanding debts, and worked towards solving those problems.  Chuck Schneider, of Community Development Inc. clarified the water bill situation.

5. The Board asked residents to form a Grounds Committee.  This committee will establish maintenance contract specifications and report problems, in addition to other things. Residents interested in volunteering again this year for the Grounds Committee are encouraged to contact Mike Bailey and Mark Vlker.

6. The Board accepted a contract for a new Pool maintenance provider.

7. The Board discussed insurance.

8.  Community Development Inc. resigned as Victor Gardens Community Association's management company.  A search for a new management company is underway.  Community Development Inc. agreed to stay on a few months, and promised to provide a smooth transition to a new company.

9.  New Business was scheduled for the next Master Board Meeting, June 2, 2008.  (Corrected) An agenda will be released then it is provided by the Board or our Community Development, Inc.

10. Meeting was adjourned

Master Board Meeting location changed

I have just been informed that the location for tonight's 6:00PM Master Board Meeting has changed.  The new location is the Oneka Room at Hugo City Hall.  This room will accommodate more residents who wish to attend.

The meeting is open, and all residents are welcome.  A forum will be provided for homeowners wishing to bring their issues before the Master Board.

Single Family Village - Architectural Review

The Single Family Village Board was informed today that POA-Scherer (VG's Declarant) has turned over limited authority to the SFV Board to approve/deny architectural and landscape applications related to existing SFV homes.  According to Gina Lampe, our Community Manager,  "The SF Board has the authority to review and approve/deny any ARC applications received on all EXISTING homes.  The Declarant will retain control over all NEW construction and NEW landscaping."

The issue will likely be discussed at an upcoming SFV Board meeting, along with how the SFV Board will carry out this new responsibility.  The forming of a Single Family Village ARC may also be discussed.

Single Family Village - 4/21 Board Meeting Minutes Available

Minutes have been published for the April 21 SFV Board meeting.  You can view and download them by visiting our Documents page.  An agenda will be published for the next Board Meeting when it is scheduled.

You're Invited to Join Our Victor Gardens for a Cure Team

Hello to Our Neighbors and Friends of Victor Gardens:

Whether it's a friend, a family member, or a nearby neighbor down the street, we all know someone who has been touched by cancer. Many of us are concerned about this disease and want to do something to make a difference. That's why we’ve decided to take part in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life®.

This year's White Bear Lake Area RFL will be held at the WBL South Campus from 7 PM July 25th through 7 AM July 26th. We would personally like to take this opportunity to have you join our neighborhood team, "Victor Gardens for a Cure".

At the event, we'll camp out overnight, walk around the track and interact with many interesting people. There is an incredible tribute to cancer survivors and caregivers that starts off the night and a moving ceremony honoring those who have fought the disease. I can truly say Relay is unlike anything else you'll ever do. It's a night full of fun, hope, and remembrance. For more information on the Relay, you can visit the link below to gain a better understanding of what it is all about.

Click here: http://www.wbrelay.org

Over the course of the next several weeks, we’ll be following up to recruit additional members, help raise donations, collect silent auction donations and ask local businesses to help by sponsoring our team.  If you or anyone you know is interested in being part of this event, or would like to make a contribution, please contact one of us at your earliest convenience.  We look forward to discussing this with all of you in the future! 

Erin Yoshida

kjetyoshi1@comcast.net

651.653.1438

Melissa Klamerus

klamerusmd@comcast.net

651.485.5967

Maintenance Update: Spring Cleanup

Thanks to Tony Schwab for spending much of last Sunday cleaning up around the neighborhood.  Tony gathered a few pick-up loads of stray trash, loose sit fencing, and other debris.  Thanks also to other residents working to keep Victor Gardens looking great.

VG North Village Preliminary Plat Approved

On April 21, The Hugo City Council "Approved a PUD amendment and a preliminary plat for a 72 townhome development at Victor Gardens North Village. The applicant proposed the modification in order to develop a different style of townhome than was previously approved, and it also reduces the number of homes on the site by 32 units."  -source:  The Citizen, Council to Consider Everton Improvement Project, by Aaron Rupar,  April 30, 2008.

Road Improvement Project

At a recent Hugo City Council Meeting, the Council considered Everton Ave. road improvements north of Frenchman Road (Co. Rd. 8).  Pratt Homes petitioned the city council for an improved road, which would connect a proposed church, clinic, and Victor Gardens North Village. 

 The Citizen, Hugo's official newspaper has the full details.  "The stretch of Everton being considered for improvements is about 700 feet in length, and would extend north from County Road 8 to a point where Rosemary Way would connect the townhome development behind Festival Foods to Everton Avenue."   -source:  The Citizen, Council to Consider Everton Improvement Project, by Aaron Rupar,  April 30, 2008.

NDP Off to a Good Start

Neighborhood Development Partners LLC, the company marketing 26 lots in Victor Gardens East, began mowing its undeveloped properties today.  Maintenance crews worked through a year's worth of tall growth on lots previously owned and neglected by CPDC/POA-Scherer.  This follows their installation of new lot identification signs a few weeks ago.  Residents appreciate NDP's effort to keep our neighborhood looking good.

Clean-Up Day Cancelled

The Annual Victor Gardens Clean-Up Day has been cancelled for this year.  It will not be rescheduled.  The City of Hugo has already done some clean-up and maintenance work, and there's not enough left to hold a special neighborhood event.  

There is still some garbage and debris left over from the winter, so residents are encouraged to pitch in as individuals. Tony Schwab and others will continue to work to keep our neighborhood looking great.  Take a look around where you live, and clean-up what you can.  Thanks!

Master Board Meeting set for May 12.

The next Victor Gardens Community Association's Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 12.  This is the first meeting of the master association since homeowners were elected to the master Board.  The meeting will be held at Victor Gardens Neighborhood Activity Center at 6:00PM.

The master board will elect its officers and begin to address the neighborhood's problems.  As in the past, a portion of the Board Meeting will be devoted to a homeowner forum.  This would be a good time for residents to voice their opinions and volunteer to help our Board in the challenges ahead.  

An formal agenda is not yet available, but homeowners have already been contributing their opinions to a post on our neighborhood's website (click here).