September 3, 2008

Pool Closed for the Season - Security Upgrades Planned

The Victor Gardens pool has now been closed for the season.  It is expected to open again in time for the next Memorial Day weekend.  Residents concerned about vandalism that occurred this past summer can look forward to future security upgrades to the pool area and Neighborhood Activity Center.  The Victor Gardens Community Association (Master) Board is considering options including upgraded and motion sensitive lighting, security cameras, and devices for after-hours monitoring of the area.

FTTH Agreement Reviewed by Master Board

Internet servers and related equipment owned by FTTH Communications is currently located within one of the buildings owned by the Victor Gardens Community Association (the Master Association).  Lightblast subscribers may be familiar with FTTH as their internet provider.  In the past the company was closely associated with Victor Gardens former Developer, CPDC, and Homer Tompkins.  Unfortunately, FTTH's equipment is currently stored and electrically powered at the Master Association's expense.  With the departure of CPDC and Homer Tompkins from Victor Gardens, questions are now being raised about the agreement between FTTH and the VGCA (Master Association) before it was transitioned to homeowner control.  
The current Master Board has contacted FTTH, and is investigating the arrangement. According to a report from the last Master Board Meeting, the arrangement was apparently verbally agreed to by FTTH and Homer Tompkins.  Furthermore, since the agreement was verbal the Board researched it's legality.  Also reported: According to Minnesota law, agreements such as this must be in writing.
While the Master Association was still under CPDC control, and while I was Single Family Village Liaison last year, I raised this question with Mr. Tompkins and the Board   At that time I was told there was an agreement in place to store FTTH's equipment within the building, and I was given the impression that the Association was being compensated for storage and reimbursed for the significant monthly electricity expense.  Now it appears that neither were true.
The Board will continue further discussions with FTTH, keeping in mind the ongoing internet service needs of Victor Gardens Lightblast subscribers, charging a fair rent to FTTH, and other terms as they relate to protecting and compensating the Master Association in the future.

Master Board Examines Master Pet Policy

At the last Master Board Meeting, the Board briefly considered changes to the Master Pet Policy. The Board did not vote on the issue at the time.  Board Members and our Community Manager, Casey Groff will re-examine some of the new policy's details.  It is very likely that a new Pet Policy will closely resemble the City of Hugo's recently adopted Animal Ordinance.  The Board is expected to discuss the issue again, and vote on the Pet Policy's final language at a future Board Meeting.

Neighborhood Activity Center Security

Casey Groff, Victor Gardens Community Manager, has been working to tighten security at the Neighborhood Activity Center.  The building's locks have been re-keyed, and keys will be more closely controlled in the future.  

Residents wishing to reserve the Neighborhood Activity Center should contact Casey.  Click here for the Master Association page (including contact info).

August 31, 2008

Gables Association New Board Member

I would like to announce the election of a new member to the VG Gables Association Board of Directors as of our August 20th meeting. Jason Lanpher is our newest member. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Jason to the Board and look forward to working with him. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Charles Kirk for his participation on the Board. He has resigned as of August 20th due to family relocating to Utah. June Fulton President, Gables Association Board of Directors