New Pool Furniture Ordered

At it's meeting last night, the Master Board approved the purchase of new furniture for our pool deck.  The old wooden furniture will be replaced with:

• 25 new chaise lounges - color 'Sonora'
• 16 dining chairs 
• 4 dining tables (42inches wide) 
• 4 umbrellas (8 feet wide) plus heavy umbrella bases

actual color may vary

Security Vehicles in Victor Gardens

Semper Fi Security

A number of residents have asked questions about a new security service in the neighborhood. Semper Fi Security has been contracted to keep an eye on the Victor Gardens Pool and Neighborhood Activity Center.  They will secure the pool and building nightly at 9:00pm.  Semper Fi also may be seen driving in and around our neighborhood.

Ron Eddings, CEO of Semper Fi Security reports that they are also contracted in Hugo's Water's Edge neighborhood.  Their duties there included patrolling the area, looking for anything suspicious, look for maintenance problems (broken sprinklers, lights, etc.) throughout the neighborhood. 

Opening the Pool /Activity Center Doors for Others

Victor Gardens pool key fob entry system is in use.  Residents should be aware of a few important points:

• A computer system logs your unique fob's serial number in each time the door is opened by your key fob. 
• Cameras record those who enter the doorway, pool and activity center.
• Use your key fob to open the door for your family and guests only.
• Do not open the door to strangers or others who've "forgotten their key at home". 

Don't risk losing your pool privileges.  Please use your key fob carefully.

Pool Opens Today!

It's time to enjoy your pool! 

Do have a little bit of fun... why not try a little synchronized swimming?
Do use your key fob to access the pool throught the Neighborhood Activity Center.  

Don't open the doors for non-residents, or hold the gate open for people you don't know.  
Don't fall for the old line, "I left my key at my house...can you let me in?"

Remember a few basic rules for everyone's safety and fun...

1. THERE IS NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY, SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK.

2. The swimming pool and water park are for the exclusive use of the members of Victor Gardens Community Association and their guests. The maximum number of guests per household is four.

3. The Victor Gardens Community Association, its officers, directors and agents assume no responsibility for injuries.

4. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.

5. People who cannot swim must wear lifejackets while in the pool.

6. Diving, running, wrestling, horseplay and throwing objects are absolutely prohibited.

7. Showers are required before entering the pool.

8. Persons who have infections or communicable diseases must not enter the pool.

9. Infants and toddlers who are not toilet trained must wear swim diapers.

10. Smoking is not allowed in or around the pool area along with the Activity Center.

11. No Food or Glass bottles are allowed in the pool area.

12. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the pool area.

13.* Drunkenness is not allowed and any intoxicated individuals will be asked to leave the pool area.

14.* In order to keep the pool area pleasant for everyone, radios, tape players, CD players and other audio devices must be played only with earphones. Loudspeakers are prohibited.

15. Pets are not allowed in the pool area.

16. Pool hours are 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. (during pool season)

17.* All pool toys must be removed from the pool each night, toys left in the pool will damage the pool’s mechanical system. (No Inflatable flotation devices are allowed in the pool except water wings, life jackets or infant/small children flotation seats.)

18.* All access to the pool area must be through the Activity Center. The gate is to be used for emergency purposes only.

19. Spitting, spouting water from the mouth, and blowing noses in the pool are prohibited.

20. The Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors reserves the right to revoke anyone’s pool privileges for not following these pool rules.

21. The Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors may amend these pool rules at any time, without notice. You can contact Community Development for the most current and up-to-date rules.

* Indicates a new rule or significant change to previous rules.

These rules were adopted by the Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors July 21, 2010

Late on Dues? Prepare for Pool Restrictions

Victor Gardens' management company, Community Development Inc. is moving forward with a Board-approved plan to restrict delinquent homeowners from Victor Gardens Pool & Neighborhood Activity Center.  

Kari Miller reports that "The pool opens next Friday and homeowners will not have access to the pool if they are over 30 days late."

This afternoon she was working on a Delinquent Report to ensure key fobs for this facility would be de-activated for all accounts past 30 days. 

Cracking Down on Delinquent Owners

At it's last meeting, Master Board members discussed with each other a common goal of clearing up delinquent dues accounts within their sub-associations.  At least a few of the sub-associations have expressed interest in revoking the pool and activity center privileges of delinquent homeowners.  The Master Board will take this up again in the future.

New Activity Center Meeting Room Tables

The old, worn out tables have been replaced with two new 30"x72" plastic tables.

Pool Open!

The Victor Gardens Pool is scheduled to open Friday May 28 at 10:00am. The new electronic key fob entry system is not yet in place, so you'll need to use your pool key to gain access for the time being.

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.

Also: 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 Victor Gardens Association

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

Questions about the pool can be directed to Kari Miller, Victor Gardens' Community Manager. (contacts page)

New Electronic Pool Access Control System

Dear Victor Gardens Homeowner:

The Victor Gardens Master Board of Directors is pleased to announce that an Access Control System will be installed this spring at the pool in Victor Gardens Community.

This upgrade to our pool will enable the Association to achieve improved security and safety for the residents of Victor Gardens.

With the installation of the Access Control System, the Master Association Board of Directors hopes to eliminate after-hours swimming and vandalism together with the repair and replacement expenses associated with such activities.

This change will affect how you enter the pool. There will no longer be an entrance to the pool through the gate that surrounds the pool. The gate will be EMERGENCY exit only. The new entrance will be through the main pool house door.

The pool is scheduled to open on Friday May 28, 2010 at 10am. Unfortunately the card access system will not be completed in its entirety prior to the date the pool opens. Please continue to use the pool key you have until you receive your new key fob in the mail. It is anticipated that the Access Control System will be operational within a week or two of the date the pool opens.

Please contact our Community Manager, Kari Miller at 763-225-6424 or by email at kmiller@developcommunity.com with any questions.

The Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors

Big Changes Ahead- Pool Security to be Upgraded with New Key Card Access

Progress continues with security and maintenance upgrades at Victor Gardens Neighborhood Activity Center & Pool. Last year, the work began with landscaping rejuvenation, Pool Committee volunteers, installation of security cameras and recording devices, and replacement of the pool's aging heater.

Last night, the Board of Directors approved a new plan to upgrade locks and modify access to Victor Gardens' pool. The use of the existing fenced gate will be discontinued and the pool will be accessed only through the Neighborhood Activity Center's doorways. The existing, traditional-type, locks will be replaced with an electronic key/card lock system. Existing metal keys will not work with the new system. All owners will be mailed a uniquely identifiable key card which may be remotely activated (or deactivated) by our Community Manager. Access through the new electronic locks will also be logged by computer and accessible by our Community Manager. Although the details are not yet worked out at this time, the Board will likely direct our Community Manager to deactivate owner's cards whose dues accounts are delinquent or based upon rules violations.

For the great majority of owners, this new system should represent a positive change for our community. On the other hand, these security upgrades will serve as a deterrent for non-residents, vandals, and our own residents who allow access to those they shouldn't. Sophisticated cameras, recording systems, and electronic key cards will help the Board, our Community Manager, and the Washington County Sheriff identify persons if the need arises.

Plans are also underway for repairs in the Activity Center's bathrooms. It's unclear as of now if all the upgrades will be implemented prior to the pool's expected opening on Memorial Day weekend. More details will be announced as they become available.

We Need Your Help with the Pool - New Pool Committee Announced

The Victor Gardens pool is now open.  We need your help to ensure your pool stays open, clean, safe and secure this summer. 

 

Over the last few years our Association has struggled with ways to improve the pool experience for our residents.  Last summer's pool season was marred by ongoing vandalism, parental indifference, and too many cases of residents looking the other way while even basic pool rules were being violated. 

 

Your dues go towards the daily maintenance budget of our pool.  Every day a contractor is required by State Law to test the water and conduct a safety inspection.  Unfortunately, on far too many occasions our pool contractor reported problems outside the scope of his budgeted contract. This included intentional damage to the bathroom facilities, dogs in the pool, human waste in and around the pool, and residents swimming while the pool was closed for potentially dangerous chemical "shock" treatments.  This season is unfortunately already off to a another rocky start with a few cases of vandalism and poor behavior.  If similar damage and expenses continue, the Association will be forced to levy a special assessment to each Homeowner that lives in the Victor Gardens Community to recover this expense, or close the pool for the season.

 

It's important to remember that this is your pool.  When you don't speak up when minors under the age of 14 enter the pool gate, or to the couple who's swimming with their dog, or a parent whose infant isn't wearing a swim-diaper, or when you open the gate for a group of people who've "forgotten" their key, you may be also turning a blind eye to the very people that cost you and your fellow residents more than $3000.00 in unnecessary repairs and damage last year.  Money that could have been better spent beautifying your common areas, supporting neighborhood events or reducing your dues.  Paying for damage caused by so few is not the way any of us wants to see our money spent.

 

This summer, we can turn this around.  One solution is very simple- and we need your help!  Residents must stop opening the door for people without keys.  It's the simplest, most effective way to protect the amenity that you pay for.  We all must speak up when we know that something isn't right, and when someone's not following the rules.

Residents who want to ensure that the pool stays open and safe this summer are encouraged to sign-up for our new Victor Gardens Pool Committee.  This new committee, ideally made up of a few residents from each of our sub-associations will work closely with the Board of Directors to implement common sense solutions.  We're looking for residents who value their pool, and those who may offer creative or more traditional approaches to solving its challenges.  

 

Please contact Casey Groff, (cgroff@developcommunity.com - phone 763-225-6400) about your place on the Pool Committee!  If you don't want to join the committee we hope you'll follow the rules, and encourage others to do the same.

 

The Pool Rules are linked here for your reference.

Victor Gardens Pool Rules

VICTOR GARDENS MASTER ASSOCIATION

NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITY CENTER POOL RULES AND REGULATIONS

April 2006 (abridged)

The Victor Gardens Master Association (“Association”) seeks to promote a high quality of life and an enjoyable lifestyle complimented by recreation and interaction with fellow residents within the community.

This document, as written and amended, is intended to provide reasonable guidelines for use of Association-owned amenities with resident comfort, enjoyment, and safety as priorities. Resident involvement is paramount to the successful operation of the Association and the community of Victor Gardens. The “Commons” in this document refers to the common area owned by the Association which covers the Neighborhood Activity Center, parks and pool.

To take full advantage of your unique amenities, you are encouraged to become familiar with these Rules and Regulations, the Declaration of Victor Gardens as well as the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Association.

The Association Board of Directors reserves the right to amend the Rules and Regulations at any time. Residents will be informed of any changes or additions. Please verify that you have the most current adopted Rules and Regulations.

I. GENERAL FACILITY RULES

A. ACCESS KEYS. Each household in the Association shall be given one access key to enter the pool deck.

1. If your key is lost or stolen a replacement key will be re-issued for a fee of $40.00.

2. Residents are not allowed to let guests use the key without accompanying them.

If a resident desires to reserve the Neighborhood Activity Center they will be given a temporary key for the date of their event. See attached “Reservation Agreement Form”.

B. SMOKING. All facilities are designated smoke free.

C. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Consumption of alcoholic beverages in the Neighborhood Activity Center must be done with discretion. Alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed at the pool. Drunkenness is not condoned or allowed. Intoxicated individuals will be asked to leave the facility and immediate area. Repeat violation of this rule will be subject to permanent disbandment of the Commons. Absolutely no consumption will be allowed by minors; in the circumstance that there is underage drinking, the police will be contacted.

D. GUESTS. Aside from personal reservations, the Board’s intent is to make the facilities exclusively available to the residents of the Association. Residents must always accompany guests when at the pool. The number of guests allowed is limited to 4 per household for the pool. The pool areas are NOT available for private parties.

E. DELINQUENT FEES. If a resident is delinquent paying Association fees or charges they may lose their rights to use the commons areas.

F. AGES. To help in creating an environment that is safe and enjoyable by all, an adult must accompany children under the age of 14 when at the pool.

G. CONDUCT. All persons must conduct themselves in a civil and courteous manner at all times and must not jeopardize or interfere with the rights and privileges of others. Loud, profane, indecent or abusive language is prohibited. No person’s actions shall compromise the safety of another. All persons using the facility shall obey all safety rules and shall cease unsafe activity when directed to do so by the staff. The Association reserves the right to revoke anyone’s privileges to the Commons for exhibiting inappropriate conduct or unlawful offenses. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE ASSOCIATION OWNED AMENITIES ARE FOR THE USE AND ENJOYMENT OF ALL MEMBERS.

H. MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES. All members are responsible for themselves and their guests with regards to conduct and cleanliness at any of the Association-owned amenities. If a member or member’s guest uses inappropriate behavior, member privileges may be revoked. If a member or a member’s guest damages or does not properly clean an area they had used, the member will be responsible for all costs associated with repair/replacement/clean-up.

I. PETS. Pets are to be on leashes at all times. Dog walkers will be responsible for “cleaning up” after their pets. Pets (except for Assistance Animals) are not allowed in the pool area or the Neighborhood Activity Center.

J. HOURS OF OPERATION.

1. The Neighborhood Activity Center hours are daily from 8:00 am–10:00 pm.

2. The pool hours are daily from 10:00 am–9:00 pm during pool season. The Board will determine what date the pool opens and closes.

K. KITCHEN. The kitchen is furnished with a refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave. Please observe the posted Guidelines regarding the use of the Kitchen and respect those areas in the kitchen so marked. Table confetti of any sort is not permitted in the facility. Balloons must be weighted and removed from the room when event is completed. Any loose balloons must be retrieved.

L. POOL BATHROOM FACILITIES. Personal showers are available for member use only in conjunction with the use of the pool or in a medical emergency.

M. PARKING. There is parking at the Neighborhood Activity Center. Overnight parking of vehicles is not permitted. The Association shall have the right to remove any such vehicle. No trailers, boats, buses, motor homes, campers, snowmobiles or any other types of recreational vehicles shall be parked in the Commons area. There shall be no vehicles “For Sale” parked in the Commons area. Any vehicle parked for more than 24 hours will be towed at the owner’s expense.

N. BICYCLE STORAGE. A bicycle rack is provided at the pool. The Association is not responsible for the security or theft of bicycles. Residents are required to provide their own lock. Management will remove any bicycles that are secured for more than 24 hours. Securing bicycles to fences or light posts is NOT permitted. Bicycles are not permitted in the Neighborhood Activity Center and within the pool area.

The Association reserves the right to revoke a resident’s facility reservation privileges for not following the established Rules or Reservation Guidelines.

III. POOL RULES - The rules were most recently updated 7/21/10 (Click here)

Goetz to Maintain Association Landscaping

Victor Gardens Community Association (the Master Association) has hired Goetz Landscape of Centerville to maintain the Master Association's lawns and landscaping for the upcoming season.  The Master Board held a walk through meeting with Goetz  (a highly regarded locally-owned company) to estimate costs for high-priority areas that need extra attention this year. These include removal of the non-working fountain at Frenchman Road, new annual and perennial plantings at the Main Entrances North and South of Frenchman Road, refreshing mulch neighborhood wide, replacement of some of the dead trees, pruning, etc.  The Association is in much better financial shape this year,  but the Board will still need to prioritize the projects that Goetz will be hired for.  Some less-prominent projects may be differed.

The Board is also considering locations to erect a permanent "Victor Gardens" monument sign near the Main Entrance or the northern corner of Victor Square.

As was the case last year, The City of Hugo is responsible for maintenance of the City-owned parks such as Victor Square, Arbre Park, and ValJean Park.

Delinquent FTTH ordered to vacate Association property.

Dear Member of Victor Gardens Community Association:

For the past several months, the Victor Gardens Community Association has been attempting to work with FTTH Communications- a provider of telephone, internet, and television service to many in the community.  Despite many efforts and attempts to address on going concerns, FTTH has not responded.  Effective April 30, 2009, FTTH will no longer be permitted to occupy space in the Neighborhood Activity Center and will cease to be a service provider in Victor Gardens.

FTTH Communications has failed to live up to its obligation to pay Victor Gardens Community Association, as agreed upon, for the space it occupies in the Neighborhood Activity Center.

On February 20, 2009, the Board of Directors mailed a Delinquency and Impending Vacate notice to FTTH Communications and gave it 30 days to fulfill its obligation to the Victor Gardens Community Association or vacate the Neighborhood Activity Center.  To date, Victor Gardens Community Association has not received payment; therefore, the Board of Directors has no other choice but to order FTTH Communication to vacate the Neighborhood Activity Center.

If you are using FTTH Communications as your television, telephone or internet service provider, please consider other alternatives before April 30, 2009.

Should you have any questions, please contact our Community Manager, Casey Groff at 763-225-6498 or via email at cgroff@developcommunity.com

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors, Victor Gardens Community Association

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.

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).

Message About Recent Vandalism

A message to all residents from Victor Gardens Community Association (Master) Board of Directors:

Dear Victor Gardens Homeowner,

 

The Board of Directors would like to make you aware of recent vandalism to the community pool and bathhouse the night of July 31st. 

 

This is the 2nd time this season the pool has been vandalized.  As many of you are aware, earlier in the season, the pool had to be drained and closed due to vandalism.

 

Management believes the persons responsible are most likely children or adolescents, as it has been reported that kids have been hopping over the fence.

 

The Board of Directors recognizes that this is a problem and is asking all Homeowners to be on high alert.  If you notice any suspicious activity before, during, or after pool hours, please contact the Washington County Sherriff’s Department immediately.

 

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department is aware of this problem.  Since the incident on July 31st, they have been patrolling the neighborhood during late afternoon/evening shift as well as the early a.m. shift. 

 

Please direct any questions and or concerns to Casey Groff with Community Development, Inc. at 763-225-6498 or cgroff@developcommunity.com.

 

Thank you,

 

Master Board of Directors

Victor Gardens Community Association 

Reporting a Problem

Please report (non-emergency) pool related problems, broken sprinklers, and other landscaping issues directly to Victor Gardens Community Manager, Casey Groff.  cgroff@developcommunity.com  (763)-225-6498 .  

After reporting to Casey, residents can "Post a Comment" to this message, letting everyone know that the problem was reported.  This will hopefully reduce confusion, and duplicate reports.

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.

Maintenance Update - Pool Heater, Fireplace and Gate Repairs

This following message was received by Gina Higgins this morning, Tuesday, June 12.

“Good morning,

I wanted to inform you all that the pool heater was repaired last night - the problem was a fuse. The temperature has been set at 84 degrees and is working just fine now.

The pool gate/lock will be repaired today. I also have put in a work order to have the fireplace looked at - it was brought to our attention that it was not working; possibly the pilot needs to be re-lit.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Warm regards,

Gina Higgins, CMCA  Community Manager  Community Development Inc.  7100 Madison Avenue West  Golden Valley, MN  55427  Direct ~ 763-225-6438  Fax ~ 763-225-6439  E-mail ~ ghiggins@developcommunity.com  ”