Save your S'mores!

Tonight's scheduled Movie night has been postponed until tomorrow night.  Hopefully we'll have better weather to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks on Saturday night. The ground will still be pretty wet, so In addition to the blanket you'd normally bring, it might be a good idea to bring a plastic sheet or tarp to put it on.  

Keep your fingers crossed for better weather!  See you and your smore's tomorrow night!

Pool Closings

On Saturday, June 21^st, Victor Gardens Community Association’s contracted pool vendor closed the pool due to various unsanitary conditions in the swimming pool.  When this happens, the State and County require the pool to be closed and super chlorinated to ensure the safety of all users.  The vendor put up “Pool Closed” signs so they could complete the super chlorination process.  The pool must not be used at by anyone at any time during this process, as it disrupts the super chlorination process, in turn, keeping the pool closed for a longer amount of time. 

Due to the fact that owners disregarded pool closure notices and continued using the pool, it prohibited the vendor from completing the super chlorination.  In order to ensure the safety of all, the pool was completely drained, pressure washed and refilled.  The pool may remain closed for another few days.

Below, please find information regarding the process of super chlorination and when it is required to be done.  This information is from the State of MN Department of Health and Environment website.

Public Swimming Pools must be super chlorinated when:

• The free chlorine residual is zero

• The combined chlorine residual is more than 0.5 ppm

• The pool is polluted with vomit, feces, or other similar biological material

 Super chlorination is the process of adding enough free chlorine residual to reach at least ten (10) times the combined chlorine level. This free chlorine level must be maintained for one complete turnover (6 hours for a swimming pool; 2 hours for a wading pool; 30 minutes for a spa). The pool must remain closed until the free chlorine residual is below 5.0 ppm. Higher disinfection levels are required for fecal accidents.

 Critical Items. A public swimming pool must be closed immediately for any of the following items:

• Gate not self-latching and/or self-closing from any position;

• Main drain not clearly visible and/or secure;

• Free disinfectant residual below the specified level;

• Total disinfectant residual above 10 ppm;

• A dangerous condition exists within the water (ex. broken glass, vomit, feces, etc.);

• Any lifesaving equipment that is missing, inoperable, not accessible, or in poor repair (see next item)

 Closure of a public swimming pool is the responsibility of the pool operator.

 Water clarity: Bottom drain must be clearly visible at all times.

 Also attached are the Pool Rules for Victor Gardens Community Association.

 

 POOL RULES   

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

·     No Lifeguard on Duty.  Swim at your own Risk. 

·     Absolutely NO DIVING

·    Pool Hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

·    All pool toys must be removed from the pool each night.  Toys left in the pool will damage the pools mechanical system.

·    Do not open the pool gate for anyone you do not know and/or for any child that is not accompanied by an adult.

·      The swimming pool is for the exclusive use of members of the Homeowners Association and their guests.  The maximum number of guests per household is four.

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

·      Life Jackets are required for anyone who cannot swim

·      Infants must wear swim diapers in the pool area at all times.

·      No glass containers are allowed in the pool area.

·      No running, wrestling or horseplay in the pool area.

·      No pets are allowed within the pool area.

·      The pool area is for the enjoyment of all members and their guests please refrain from activities that may infringe on the right of others to enjoy the pool.

·      Please take your trash home with you when you leave the pool grounds.

·      The Board of Directors of the Homeowners Association may amend these rules at any time, without notice.

·      The pool is owned and operated by the Homeowners Association.

·      Each home will be given ­­­­1 pool key.

Any questions regarding the pool should be directed to the Community Manager, Gina Lampe, at (763) 225-6438 or by email at  glampe@developcommunity.com.  

 

Thanks to volunteers

Thank you to all of the volunteers who have donated their time, talent, and money towards the beautification of Victor Gardens' parks and common areas.  Residents have been working together planting, weeding, and watering flower beds, and cleaning and repairing the Jardin fountain.  

Movie Night in Val Jean Park Set for June 27

This year's new Victor Gardens Social Events Committee, Chaired by Julie Bixby, has planned it's first Movie Night.  Alvin and the Chipmunks will be shown, and residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, beverages, and ingredients for S'More's.  Visit the Upcoming Events page for more info.

Beware of Coyotes

I received a note from a resident who recently witnessed Coyotes in the neighborhood.  These wild animals can pose a danger to pets and children.  I also have been told that our rural neighbors to the East and South of Victor Gardens have also regularly seen and heard Coyotes outside the boundaries of our neighborhood. 

"I live at 4333 Victor Path, Unit 8.  This last Sunday night at about midnight, I was taking my two little dogs out.  I bumped into two of the other neighbors, and we stopped to chat at the bottom of my stairs.  I had my two little dogs on their leashes, and they were no less than three feet away from me when a wolf or very large coyote came loping down the street, clearly intending to grab one of them.  For whatever reason, he passed by (although by only a few feet), and ran into the yard and stopped to watch us for a second on the top of that little hill in the grass.  He finally headed down the back of the hill, I imagine into the brush that leads back into that training/apprenticeship facility. 

I reported this to the Washington County Sheriff's Department.  They said that it was the first report from Hugo, and that it may be a good idea for the association to send out flyers to notify people.  They said that there has been a recent sharp increase in coyote reports, mostly in Woodbury, and that they will attack cats, dogs (even with their owners standing right there with them on a leash!!), and toddlers.  I informed the neighbors around me who have pets or children -- it ran right into the yard where they all play with their kids and walk their pets, and it would be so easy to grab a little dog or child, run into those trees, and be gone for good.  One of the neighbors said that he heard them howling nearby a few nights ago, and that he's been walking his puppy elsewhere.  I heard them howling last night, so it sounds like they're staying in the area for the time being, which means no dog-walking around or after dusk.

Again, I hope that one of you can act on this, or redirect me to someone who can.  I don't want to alarm people, but it shouldn't be taken lightly either.  The Sheriff's Dept stressed that coyotes can be very bold, aggressive, and unafraid of people, and there is evidence of a pack in the area."   

-Rebecca L. Brune

Reminder - Social Events Committee Sign-Up Tonight

If you are interested in being on this committee, please meet at Arbre Park on Wednesday, June 11th at 7:00PM.  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.

Update: If it's raining, or looks like it may rain we'll meet at the Neighborhood Activity Center.

Click here for more info!

Master Board Meeting notes - June 2, 2008

The Master Board addressed a number of topics at its June 2 Board Meeting:

- Grounds Committee report & landscape contract, 

- Forming ARC, and report of SFV ARC issues
- Management Contract
- Unfinished Projects List
- VGCA Pet Policy

- Use of  Master Association-owned "Outlots"

In the future, Master Board Meeting Agendas will be released to residents (likely through Dan Sjoquist, Board President) a few days before the meetings. 

The Master Board may re-examine the Master Association's Pet Policy and "Outlots" among other unfinished business at its next meeting.  As always, residents are welcome to attend Board Meetings, and speak up during the Resident Forum.  

I have requested copies of minutes from the Annual Meeting, and updated financials from our Community Manager, Gina Lampe.  When those are provided, I will post them to the Documents and Financials pages on our resident website. 

SFV Simplified Change/Repair Application - update

A few weeks ago, the Single Family Village Board delivered a Simplified Architectural Change Application to everyone's door.  Unfortunately I made a mistake on some of the forms released.  As a result, residents do not need to have the contractor sign the form.  An updated version of the form eliminates the requirement for the contractor signature line.   Download copies of it here. 

Regardless of the mistakes that I made, It's still a good idea for residents to be sure their contractors are aware of Association ARC requirements and the application process in place for changing color, style, quality, etc.  

The SFV Board designed the Simplified Application to streamline the approval process, and prevent problems for residents. I apologize for the confusion that my error may have caused.

Mark Vlker

Gables Association Meeting Saturday June 7th 10am - Activity Center - Discussion of Storm Repairs

The Gables Association Board has reserved the Activity Center on Saturday June 7th. The meeting is scheduled for 10am. We will be discussing the upcoming storm repairs for the Gables Association only! This will be an open meeting and all Gables residents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Rick Pribyl from ARG Management Services and Eric Langerman from LEI will be attending. They will be providing an update on the insurance assessments and repair plans. If you are unable to attend, we do plan on putting out additional communications. The Victor Gardens website will also continue to be a source for updated information.http://www.victorgardens.org/ Select Announcements link. Hope to see you there. June Fulton

Gables Association - Storm Repair Update

As of June 4th, the Board from the Gables Association would like to communicate the following: - The insurance adjusters were out June 3rd, as scheduled. - The permits have been filed with the City of Hugo. - Roofing is tentatively scheduled to start on Thurs, June 5th. - Windows are tentatively scheduled for delivery on June 11th with installation starting same day. - LEI will be contacting residents when their building is due for siding repairs. - Residents should be prepared to remove items from areas associated to outside walls, example pictures, to avoid damage when the siding work is being done.  If you are planning on being away for an extended period of time, please plan accordingly for that activity. - Residents should also be prepared to plan for other outside work. This may mean moving items on decks to make areas accessible for the repairs.  This may mean moving plants or outside decorations to ensure they will not be damaged during the repairs. - Residents should plan on parking cars in garages to make areas accessible for repairs. - Air conditioners should be OK to run however they may not be running at their maximum efficiency.  We are still investigating the insurance options on these.  More information to follow on this topic.

Tonight's Master Board Meeting location changed & Agenda released

Tonight's scheduled Master Board Meeting has been relocated to the Hugo Public Works Building, Rice Lake Centre Room, 6900 137th St, 6:00PM. Click here to view/download the proposed agenda.

A Resident Forum is scheduled at the beginning of the meeting.  As always, residents are encouraged to bring issues of concern to their Master Board during this portion of the meeting.  Please see the Agenda for detail.

Among the items that will be discussed will be:

Grounds Committee report Single Family Village ARC Management Contract ARC Discussion Unfinished Projects List VGCA Pet Policy

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