Reminder: Friday Night is Movie Night!

Movie Night in Val Jean ParkThe weather's looking promising for Friday's Movie Night in Val Jean Park. Join us for another cinema under the stars event! Share conversation, snacks and a cup of lemonade with your neighbors.  The kids can burn off energy in the playground and soccer fields for their own pre-show entertainment.  Bring your lawn chairs & blankets - the feature begins at sunset!


Rio - About the Movie
Blu is a domesticated Macaw who never learned to fly and lives in Moose Lake, MN. Blu thinks he's the last of his kind, but learns about another Macaw in Rio de Janeiro. The adventure begins as he searches for Jewel, his female counterpart. Will he have the courage to fly and thwart the kidnappers who are hot on their trail?   Rated G.

• Friday, September 9 at 7:30 pm 
• Val Jean Park
• Lemonade and snacks provided
• Rain Date: Saturday, Sept. 10  (check victorgardensnews.org for weather updates)

See you there!

Park Grass Looking Good

Goetz Landscape and the City of Hugo have worked together towards major improvements in the condition of our parks over the last two years.  This successful public/private partnership continued this week with the Master Board authorizing Goetz Landscape to core aerate park turfgrass and another application of herbicide and fertilizer. Val Jean Park's grass is looking great and is in great condition for Friday's Movie Night.

Val Jean Park's Gazebo Gets New Floor

Over the last week or so, City of Hugo crews have removed the concrete pad under the gazebo structure at Val Jean Park.  As of this afternoon, it appears as though they've added drainage pipes and are preparing to pour a new concrete pad.

Update:
A new pad was poured and is ready once again for picnics.

Friends of the Parks

Recent constructive comments and discussion about Arbre Park's trees inspired me to think a little more about the possibilities.  Surely our neighborhood isn't the only one who has faced questions about parks funding.  As it turns out there are many, many other communities who have faced similar issues.

Across the country, resident-based organizations have taken steps to preserve and improve their local parks.   In fact this is such a popular idea that it has a recognized name that goes along with the effort.  Spending a few minutes Googling the phrase "Friends of the Parks" will yield volumes of information and inspiration. Through tree planting initiatives, volunteerism and business sponsorships these Friends of the Parks groups have made real differences in their communities.  High quality parks are in everyone's best interest and add value to all our homes. Maybe a Friends of the Parks initiative could work in Victor Gardens?

Although it'll be sad to see so many mature trees cut down in Arbre Park, this situation does create a unique opportunity for our future. Arbre Park wouldn't be the only one to benefit from additional community interest.  Val Jean or Victor Square Park are also City-owned parks that might also benefit. 

Would you consider forming or serving with a Friends of the Parks group?  Who knows... these "Friends" could work together with the City of Hugo and nearby residents to plan and implement a new potential park landscape.   If you're interested, please email me or reply to this post with a comment.  Be a friend of your park!

Large Trees in Arbre Park are Dying and will be Removed

The health of old trees in Arbre Park have been declining over the last several years. Cottonwoods are especially vulnerable to root disturbance. Unfortunately, road building around the park and other nearby construction likely started to affect their health years ago. Last Spring, a few of the old cottonwood trees died and had to be removed. It's llikely that all the remaining large cottonwoods will suffer the same fate.

Arbre Park's Cottonwood Trees

The dying trees have caused concern for public saftey. When a large branch recently fell down to the snow this winter, luckily no one was nearby. The City of Hugo and its Public Works Department are aware of these problems. Since Arbre Park is a City-owned park, the City will probably remove all the remaining old trees. This may happen sooner than later.

Once the old trees are removed, the question of replacement arises. The City of Hugo's parks budget is limited. Although there may be some City money available to purchase a few new trees, this may be an opportunity to create a partnership between residents and the City of Hugo

Thanks for a Great Movie Night!

Thanks to everyone who helped organize, set up, serve popcorn, and donated the projector. The starry night was perfect for watching movies with friends.

Movie Night Rescheduled for Tomorrow Night, Saturday Sept. 11

Diary of a Wimpy Kid will be shown Saturday night, September 11 at 7:00PM in Val Jean Park. The Friday showing was cancelled due to thunderstorms and high likelihood of rain.

Victor Gardens Events Committee invites you to join your neighbors for popcorn, lemonade and other snacks tomorrow.

Grantaire Green Project Moving Forward

Goetz Landscape of Centerville will begin work in the next few weeks to complete Grantaire Green. Installation should be well underway by the end of September and completed soon thereafter. Victor Gardens newest "pocket park"/common area will include two high quality benches from Par Aide Products, another local company headquartered in Lino Lakes.

Financial support for the completion of Grantaire Green was provided by Neighborhood Development Partners LLC and Victor Gardens Community Association.

Grantaire Green Design Approved - New Common Space for Residents

Victor Gardens Community Association's common area known as "Grantaire Green" is a few steps closer to completion. In recent months, Landscape Committee Chair Tony Schwab, Goetz Landscape, the Master Board/ARC, Phil and Dawn Primeau worked together developing a landscape plan. It includes bench seating, planting beds, shrubs, perennial plants, turf grass, trees, and irrigation system. Currently the area is undeveloped and bordered on all sides by Grantaire Lane in Victor Gardens Single Family Village.

Neighborhood Development Partners, LLC, and Ron Mehl in particular, have been a great help in this process too. They'll play a key role in the project's construction following the expected approval by Hugo City Hall.

It's hoped that by the end of summer installation will be completed on the project. The location's great for the Association as it's just steps away from the Clearwater Creek Trail and the newly built footbridge. Bench seating will provide a great view and a resting place for trail users.

UPDATE: 7/16/10 The City of Hugo approved the plan.

New Picnic Tables for Provence and Flora Green

Residents near Flora Way and Provence Way are enjoying two new picnic tables purchased by the Master Association. The new tables match others found in Arbre, Val Jean, and Victor Square Parks. They're sheltered in the gazebo structures in the areas known as Provence Green and Flora Green.

Keep Victor Gardens Looking Great!

Victor Gardens' new Landscape Committee is signing up volunteers! Whether you're an experienced gardener or a novice who's inspired to make their neighborhood look its best- We need your help! Tony Schwab Chairs the committee, and he's already planning activities for the spring warm-up. He has some great ideas, but he needs your help too!

The Landscape Committee will be involved in a variety of projects this year, and may also help plan the next phase of landscape improvements begun in 2009. Goetz Landscape significantly improved the planting areas near Victor Gardens main entrances last year, including renovation of the flower beds on the North and South sides of Victor Gardens main entrance at Frenchman Road. New areas were also planted with annuals and perennials at the Everton Ave. entrance. We'd like to build on that success, maintain those areas, and identify other areas to improve this Spring/Summer. The Board is committed to maintain areas that needed more attention last year, particularly around the Victor Square Pond and other common spaces.

The Landscape Committee will be a big part of keeping Victor Gardens looking great! For more info, please see this post on our resident website.

We're signing up volunteers starting today. Please see the downloadable sign-up sheet and contact Community Manager, Casey Groff, or Tony Schwab for more information. Thanks!

New Landscape Committee Formed - Please Volunteer

The Master Board chartered a new Landscape Committee at its quarterly meeting last night. The Board asks for one resident volunteer from each of Victor Gardens' sub-associations (two from the Single Family Village) to serve on this committee. Volunteers will help our Community Manager, Casey Groff oversee the health of Victor Gardens' plants, shrubs and trees, help oversee our snow-removal and landscape contractors, and serve as Community Manager's "eyes and ears". Committee members will not necessarily be responsible for hands-on planting, weeding, etc. Those tasks will be reserved for contractors hired by the association. The Board hopes that the new Landscape Committee will work cooperatively with our Community Manager and Board to help maintain the beauty of our neighborhood, and offer recommendations for its improvement.

Please pitch in and help! Volunteers are asked to sign-up with our Community Manager, Casey Groff (phone# 763-225-6498, email cgroff@developcommunity.com). Please see the sign-up sheet for more info.

The following is text from the Landscape Committee Charter. It offers a more detailed explanation of the role of the committee and its volunteers:

Purpose of the Victor Gardens Community Association Landscape Committee:

The Landscape Committee has three main purposes:

1. To oversee the health and well being of the landscaping and irrigation within Victor Gardens Community Association common areas and to submit written recommendations to the Board of Directors as to how to improve these areas.
2. To form a relationship with the landscape contractor for the purpose of developing a long-term partnership, enhancing the quality of work performed, and enhancing the appearance of Victor Gardens Community Association. (It is important to understand that the day-to-day supervision and direction to the landscape contractor should be avoided and be channeled through the management company for consistency.)
3. To represent Victor Gardens Community Association to any Washington County, or other local or federal agency as it relates to the Victor Gardens Community Association Landscape Plan and to report to the Board of Directors any concerns.

Responsibilities and Authority of the Victor Gardens Community Association Landscape Committee:

1. Present to the Board of Directors for approval the committees recommendations for proposal and contract guidelines for the Victor Gardens Community Association landscape contract.
2. Conduct monthly inspections of the Common Areas within Victor Gardens Community Association to make sure that they are in compliance with the Governing Documents, the Bailey’s Arbor Landscape Plan, and any County or Federal Regulations that the Association is responsible to uphold.
3. Submit to the Community Manager on a monthly basis a list of areas that are not maintained, per the scope of work in the Landscape & Irrigation Contract within Victor Gardens Community Association.
4. Conduct follow up inspections of said Common Areas to ensure contracted work has been completed, per the scope of work.
5. Create requests for proposals and analysis for the Board of Directors for projects related to landscaping and Irrigation.

Organization of the Victor Gardens Community Association Landscape Committee:

The Landscape Committee shall consist of six members, two members representing Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowners Association, one representing Villas at Victor Gardens Condominium Association, one representing Gables at Victor Gardens, one representing North Village at Victor Gardens and one representing South Village at Victor Gardens.

The committee members shall be appointed by the Board of Directors of Victor Gardens Community Association and reviewed on an annual basis.

The terms of office for each committee member shall be varying terms from 1 through 3 years, unless otherwise removed by the Board of Directors.

The committee also has the authority to remove its own members with a vote of the majority of the committee.

The members of the committee shall appoint both the Chair and the Secretary of the committee.

The committee shall have a Board liaison, appointed by the Board of Directors that serves on the committee in addition to the committee members.

The Board liaison is a non-voting member of the committee.

People interested in serving on the Landscape Committee should complete and return a Committee Volunteer/Application Form to the Community Manager for consideration by the Board of Directors.

Operations of the Victor Gardens Community Association Landscape Committee:

The Landscape Committee shall meet monthly during the peak season (April through October) and every other month during the non-peak season.

The committee shall keep informal minutes of those meetings (one page or less). These minutes shall be approved by the committee, and forwarded to the Community Manager for record keeping, and the Board Liaison for reporting purposes.

The Landscape Committee is authorized to spend up to $25.00 per month for incidental supplies, etc. without additional approval from the Board of Directors.

Victor Square, Arbre, and Val Jean Parks Maintenance Update

In early September I met with the City of Hugo's Public Works Director Scott Anderson to discuss the maintenance of the three city-owned Parks. The Master Association and the City share maintenance responsibilities with our parks.

You can view/download the notes from the meeting, including itemization of responsibilities by following this link. More parks information can also be found at the bottom of this site's Master Association page.

Victor Square Weed Control

The Master Board approved funding for weed removal and control around Victor Square pond to be performed by Goetz Landscape. Work should begin soon.

Landscaping Concerns & Grounds Maintenance Update

Many residents have expressed concerns about the condition of many of the planting areas in and around our Association-owned common areas and City-owned Parks. Last year, through the efforts of residents volunteers and the Landscape Committee, the group maintained as much as they could without any budget. In many cases, residents generously paid for improvements with their own money.

This year a limited landscaping budget was restored. The Master Board prioritized high-visibility areas that needed the most attention, and hired Goetz Landscape of Centerville to renovate and improve a few key areas. A large amount of the effort and the budget went to repairing numerous broken irrigation systems throughout Victor Gardens, re-purposing the old main entrance fountain, and installing perennial and annual planting beds at Victor Gardens entrances North and South of Frenchman Road, along Everton Avenue near Lake Area Bank, and renovation of landscaping around the Neighborhood Activity Center and Pool.

Many resident and Board Members realize there's more work to left to do. The Master Board is working towards a few important coordinated solutions.

1. The Board approved a bid to remove the weeds around the Victor Square fountain pond this season.

2. The Board will re-form a Landscape/Grounds/Garden Committee made up of resident volunteers.

3. With the help of a new Landscape Committee the Board will maintain, through volunteer and contract help, the areas that were most recently renovated and re-visit the other areas including the planters on the Victor Hugo Blvd. bridge, the Victor Square fountain pond beds, Victor Square planters, secondary entrances, Provence Way Green, Flora Way Green, and Jardin Fountain mini-parks, Postal Stations, Poet's Green, Val Jean Park, Arbre Parks, etc.

4. Mark Vlker and the City of Hugo's Public Works Director, Scott Anderson, will meet in the next few days to discuss the shared maintenance responsibilities of Victor Gardens Parks. A few years ago, the former developer , CPDC met with City officials at a meeting in which some of the responsibilities are clearly spelled out. (View the complete list, and Parks turnover meeting notes at this link). The two will also discuss, among other things, replacement and maintenance of Trees throughout Victor Gardens Parks including Victor Square Park, Val Jean Park, and Arbre Park.

I'd like to take this opportunity to ask concerned residents to review the responsibilities list, and post comments of other areas that might be missing from the list or might need extra attention of the Board and the future Landscape Committee. As always, your constructive comments are welcome. Please take a moment to let us know what we could be doing better.

Thanks, Mark

Footbridge Complete, Trail Extended across Clearwater Creek

A small pedestrian bridge has been completed in Victor Gardens across Clearwater Creek between Pratt's Creekside Village Homes and the Single Family Village area near Grantaire Lane. The City of Hugo's trail system has also been somewhat extended on either side of the bridge.

National Night Out Was a Big Hit!

Thanks very much to Jody Schwab, Julie Bixby, the Victor Gardens Social Events Committee and all residents who attended National Night Out in Victor Gardens. Special thanks also to the Hugo Fire Department, the Washington County Sheriff's Deputies, and local businesses for their participation and entertainment.

The coveted apron and chili laurels for Victor Gardens 2009 Chili Championship, judged by the Sheriff's Deputies and Firefighters, went to Vickie Hagen. The kids decorated their bikes and triciles, and everyone had a great time. The event saw record-setting attendance by residents from all corners of Victor Gardens.

Thanks also to the residents who donated, collected, and delievered all the donations to the Hugo Good Neighbor Food Shelf!

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.

Please Remove Your Contractor Signs

Six months have passed since May's tornado and hail storm. At its December 16 meeting, the Single Family Village Board agreed that it was the right time to ask homeowners to remove contractor signs.  The Board wishes to remind homeowners of Section 7 in the Victor Gardens Covenants. Please remove your signs advertising contractors, renovators, roofers, etc.  

The SFV Board also discussed the number of signs regularly seen throughout Victor Gardens, advertising other neighborhoods or non-affiliated builders outside of Victor Gardens. A homeowner also informed the Board of the aesthetic and safety issues with so many signs (large and small) at the entrances to Victor Gardens.  These signs are often placed close together blocking the view of oncoming traffic. 

The SFV Board will begin work towards Master Covenants compliance (related to signs) with SFV residents, the Master Board, and report (sign) safety concerns to the City of Hugo. 

A Great National Night Out

Thanks for all who planned and participated in this year's National Night Out in Arbre Park!  Shannon Bailey received the Chilli Champion's Apron and a laurel of chili peppers for her winning entry.  Thanks also to our special guest judges including Hugo's Fire Department, our Washington County Sheriff, William Hutton, and all the Washington County Sheriff's Deputies.