CPDC Identifies SFV Areas Affected by Defaulted Loans

Homer Tompkins, CPDC’s President, has clarified which areas in Victor Gardens Single Family Village (SFV) that will be affected by CPDC’s defaulted loans.  Mr. Tompkins wrote me yesterday, “CPDC owns the remaining lots in Phase 1 (14 lots) that are not in default... we currently own the 29 lots in Victor Gardens East”  Those 29 are the lots that CPDC hasdefaulted on.

The terminology can be a little confusing, with map location identifiers like “Victor Gardens East”, and the various “Additions” and “Phases”.  I’ve put together a map that may help to generally identify the SFV areas Mr. Tompkins described.  

blue section = phase 1 (14 lots currently not in default)

orange section = phase 2 (29 lots currently in default)

yellow section = status unknown (by Mark V. at this time)

teal section = owned by Ryland Homes & Pratt (not affected)

green section = owned by Mr. Douglas Martinson, a Hugo resident with no current plans to sell to developers.

Ladies Night Out Begins October 4

This announcement from Jody Schwab:

For the month of October these are the details:

1. Date: Thursday, October 4

2. Meet: Washington Square , in downtown WBL

3. Time:  6 pm (or come late)

4. RSVP: e-mail jodyschwab@yahoo.com  no later than Monday October 1.

A side note about LADIES NIGHT OUT…. All “chicks” from the Victor Gardens “hood” are invited.  We will meet the 1st Thursday of every month, unless otherwise noted.  Location and time will be determined at the previous month’s gathering.  We are flexible and open to doing “just” about “anything”!  Questions can always be directed to me.  Work# 651-266-9500, Cell # 651-246-9503.   CAUTION!!  We are not responsible for Chick’s behaving badly!  Just enjoying the EVENING!

-Jody

Sump Pumps & Drainage Problems - Meeting Held

This morning, Hugo’s Mayor Fran Miron, Hugo’s Community Development Director Bryan Bear, and other City public works, engineering, and inspection officials met with Dave Hempel of CPDC, and a group of Victor Gardens homeowners.  Traci Tapani provided maps of the affected properties and passed along comments received from the surveys she collected.  

At the conclusion of the “walk-through” meeting Mayor Miron told the group that the City would work with other watershed officials and investigate the issues further.  He suggested that a few weeks from today, a neighborhood meeting would likely be held to discuss their findings.

Homeowners who have not yet completed their surveys are urged to do so soon.   Results from those surveys will be used to further illustrate the scope of the problem to those who can help.   Please contact us if you need a copy of the survey emailed to you.  mark@victorgardensnews.org  Thanks again to Traci for her work on this issue.

Board Advisory Group - Recommendations to Board

Following the July 19, 2007 informal Neighbor’s Meeting - a group of homeowners volunteered to address our Victor Gardens Community Association’s (VGCA) financial challenges, and make recommendations to the VGCA Board of Directors.  Following the last VGCA Board Meeting, the homeowner’s group (Board Advisory Group) met to discuss the additional challenges facing the Association.

The Board Advisory Group has made a list of action items and recommendations to the Board.  Here are three of the items:

1. Recommend to the Victor Gardens Community Association 's Board of Directors that the VGCA fund the retaining of legal counsel to inform and

advise VGCA's homeowners. 

2. Recommend to the Victor Gardens Community Association 's Board of Directors that they work with our management company, Community Development,Inc. to revise the VGCA's budget. The issue of old debts must be addressed, contracts may need to be reviewed, and cost cutting measures must also be considered.

3. Contact City of Hugo officials to collaborate with homeowners, finding

ways of upholding high architectural and landscape standards for future

homebuilding in Victor Gardens - regardless of who owns properties or builds

homes. If CPDC is no longer involved - A suggestion has been made to appoint current homeowners as representatives of an Architectural Review Committee. As it currently stands now, City of Hugo building permits in the VG neighborhood are approved only if also previously approved by the VGCA's ARC.

Victor Gardens Bowl Returns Sunday, Sept. 30

It’s that time of year again…

 

The leaves are turning colors.  The temperatures are turning brisk (in theory).  And the Vikings are already playing themselves out of the playoffs.  Which can only mean one thing…it’s time for the annual Victor Gardens Bowl.

 

For those new to the ‘hood, every Fall on the Sunday of the Packers/Vikings showdown, we gather for a friendly, neighborhood touch football game.  It’s co-ed, but adults only (although all are welcome to cheer on the gridiron warriors.)  We had a handful of potential gamebreakers out of the lineup last year due to doctor’s orders (some medical mumbo-jumbo about jarring hits being dangerous in the third trimester) so we’re looking forward to a big turnout this year.

 

So stretch out those hammies, fill up the water bottle, and start talking some smack. We’ll see you at Arbre Park (by the basketball court) at 10 am this Sunday (Sept 30).  

Rachel Berger’s Chilli Judged the Best

Congratulations to this year’s Chili Champ, Rachel Berger, for her winning entry (#5) in the Victor Gardens 2007 Chili Cook-Off.  The Champ was awarded a handmade Chili-themed apron and “victory laurels” made by Squeeky Connors.  

Thanks to everyone who planned and participated in the event.  It was fun for everyone!

Important Survey

A homeowner survey has been emailed to Single Family Village homeowners by Traci Tapani.  We are hoping you can take the time to complete the survey in the next few days.  A homeowner’s meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 25 with City of Hugo officials and CPDC will hopefully begin to remedy VG’s drainage situation.  

Concerned homeowners should try to attend this important meeting:

Sump Pump/ Water Drainage meeting

Attended by City of Hugo Officials, CPDC, Homeowners, (and possibly Rice Creek Watershed District)

Tuesday September 25, 9:00AM at 

Tony & Jody Schwab’s home

14262 Garden Way N.

Please complete and return the survey to Traci Tapani when it arrives in your email inbox.  Survey’s can be emailed to Traci or dropped at her home (14234 Garden Way N).

 

 

Victor Gardens Homeowner Survey –  Sump Pump and Water Issues

 

•Is there a sump pump in your home?

 

•If yes, where does it drain?

 

•Does your sump pump run during periods of dry weather or only when it rains?

 

•Does your sump pump run during the winter?

 

•How often does your sump pump run?

 

•Has your basement ever flooded?

 

•If yes, did the flooding occur because of a problem with your sump pump?

 

•If yes, did the flooding occur during a dry period or during a rain storm?

 

•Other information or comments.

 

•Name, address, and contact information for person completing the survey.

Sump Pumps & Drainage Problems - City of Hugo Meeting Set for Sept 25

A meeting to address drainage, sump pump, and rain garden problems is scheduled for Tuesday September 25, 9:00AM at Tony & Jody Schwab’s home, 14262 Garden Way N. (near Arbre Park).  City of Hugo’s Director of Public Works, Chris Petree, and other City officials have invited VG’s homeowners, and representatives of CPDC.  The Rice Creek Watershed District is also involved in finding solutions to this ongoing problem.  

A few of our neighbors have already been working with the City on this issue.  Traci Tapani has also volunteered to contact Single Family Homeowners via email about these problems.   She hopes to survey residents, and collect information to pass along to the City and the Watershed District.  We hope you’ll help in this effort and complete and return her survey when it arrives in your inbox.  Thanks!

Likely survey questions may be:

1. (1)How frequently does your sump pump run?

2. (2)Does your sump pump run in the winter?

3. (3)Has your basement flooded?, etc.

Sump Pumps, Drainage & Rain Garden Questions

Officials of the Rice Creek Watershed are looking into some of the water drainage problems that Victor Gardens homeowners have been dealing with.  John J. Waller, the 2nd Vice President on the board of the Rice Creek Watershed has also been speaking with a few neighbors in the Western most parts of the Single Family Village so far.  He said that homeowners have a “right” as landowners to have the water draining into the “drainage ditch” which is also known as Clear Water Creek.  Mr. Waller thought that plans should have been made long ago for how the water was going to get into the storm sewer.  He also mentioned that he has dealt with problems before where the design and construction of a development has caused drainage and water problems that didn’t exist before.

 

A few neighbors are specifically going to talk to Chris Petree, Hugo’s Director of Public Works about what may be done to get water to drain into the storm sewer. 

 

Several people have been considering installing rain gardens to correct their problems.  CPDC also supported the installation of rain gardens, and approved at least one installation.  It is prudent to wait to install any more rain gardens until more information is available from the City and Rice Creek Watershed. 

Volunteers Needed to Create email List

A comprehensive email list is needed to improve communications among all Victor Gardens residents.   It’s especially important now because there’s less money available for printing and postage of VG social events and other neighborhood updates.  Most email addresses are known for Single Family Village homeowners, but the Association needs to include as many Townhomes residents as possible in future email communications.  We’re asking for volunteers who may have a tech-savvy approach, or can expand our existing simple Excel database.  The method by which the email addresses are gathered would be up to the volunteers to decide.

If you have good ideas, and you’re willing to lead the effort - or just help out, please let me know.  mark@victorgardensnews.org

Thanks,

Mark

Board Meeting - Important News Update

The Victor Gardens Community Association's Board of Directors met today.  The meeting was attended by CPDC's Homer Tompkins, Shelly Tompkins, and Dave Hempel, Community Development, Inc.'s Chuck Schneider, and Gina Higgins, Neighborhood Liaisons Mark Vlker and Charles Kirk.  Len Pratt, a board member, did not attend the meeting.

The meeting was dominated by the discussion of the Community Association's budget and the absence of "developer's (financial) contributions".  Mr. Tompkins also conveyed sobering information that CPDC is in default of their Victor Gardens East loans.  This news was met by an interest of all in attendance to work together to find ways to keep homeowners informed, find alternate sources to supplement the shortfall of developers contributions, work with the banks, and maintain the neighborhood.  

In light of this new information,  CPDC's President and Board Member, Homer Tompkins will communicate to homeowners more details of CPDC's financial situation, how it relates to our VG Community Association, and how CPDC, the Association's Board, and homeowners can work together to address our neighborhood's challenges.   

CPDC and the Board of Directors welcomes the offer to work with the group of volunteers, now called the "Board Advisory Group ", who emerged from the July Neighbor's Meeting held at City Hall.  

A future Neighborhood Meeting may also be called by the Board and CPDC to answer homeowner questions, and discuss the issues.

Board Meeting - a few other topics discussed

Considering the gravity of the Community Association’s financial situation, other New Business topics were briefly discussed:

1.New Retail Construction         - Positive homeowner reaction to new retail architecture         - Proposed new medical facility construction (South of Frenchman                  Rd. East of Victor Hugo Blvd.) may be held up by contract problems          with existing, competing businesses.  (This relates to a “compete          clause” involving medical businesses on that particular site.)

2.Appearance of unsold lots         - New City of Hugo ordinance permits weed/grass growth no longer                  than 10”         -  CPDC has been notified by the City that it needs to comply with          the new ordinance, and cut the growth on it’s unsold lots.     

3.Review of dog leash rules & pick-up policy         - City of Hugo to hold a public hearing on the issue          Monday, Sept. 17 @ 7pm at City Hall.         - Separately, VG homeowners requested clarification and         reinforcement of Association Rules.   Board decided to table the          discussion and wait for outcome of City of Hugo’s ordinance process.  

4.Holiday lighting & some future social events         - Board advocated neighborhood partnering with new businesses and          retail landlords for potential sponsorship of some “social events” and          holiday lighting.

5.Review snow removal contracts         -  Association should review contracts with cost savings in mind.  Past                      problems with were also discussed.  It is likely that the snow removal          amenity may be reduced or cut back this year due to budget          constraints.  More information will be announced when it becomes          available.

6.Tennis court maintenance         - CPDC is working with the City of Hugo to address damaged net         anchoring posts.

7.Pool, irrigation and fountain winterizing         -  Pool is now closed         - Irrigation and fountain blow-out & winterizing will take place in         October.

8.Clarification of status of homeowner representatives.         -  The official status of neighborhood representatives, Charles Kirk (Townhomes) and Mark Vlker (Single Family Village) to the Board of Directors has been settled.  It was agreed by the Board’s Directors, Charles and Mark that the neighborhood representatives be considered as volunteers/informal Liaisons to the Board - not voting members of the Board. This clears up confusion that recently arose about the voting status of the neighborhood representatives.  All agreed with the resolution to this issue.