June 4, 2009

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.
 

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)

May 28, 2009

New SFV Board Members Elected

Last night, Roger Donoghue and Ron Mehl were elected to the Victor Garden Single Family Village Homeowner's Association Board of Directors.  Julie Bixby was selected by the Board's members to represent our SFV on the Master Board along with our other representative, Mark Vlker.
Michael Warner chose not to run again, but deserves our thanks as he was an outspoken advocate for our neighborhood association.  Through his leadership on the SFV and Master Boards, Michael has helped us navigate through a complex transition from Victor Garden's developer, while always thinking about the needs of our residents.
Thanks Michael!
Here's the makeup of the new Board.  More info will be posted on our Association's page in the days ahead.
Victor Gardens Single Family Village
Homeowner's Association Board:  UPDATED 5/27/09
                John Roehrich, 
                    President  jroehrich@homesmortgage.net
                Julie Bixby, 
                    Vice President  eventsbyjulie@gmail.com 
                Roger Donoghue, 
                    Treasurer  rdonoghue72@gmail.com
                Mark Vlker,  
                    Secretary mark@victorgardensnews.org                 Ron Mehl, Neighborhood Development Partners, LLC., 
                     Member at Large  ronm@ndp-mn.com
Victor Gardens Community Association (Master) Board Representatives:
                Julie Bixby   eventsbyjulie@gmail.com 
                Mark Vlker  mark@victorgardensnews.org

Suspicious Car Turns Out to be US Census Worker

Earlier today, a number of homeowners emailed me concerning a suspicious white car, seen throughout the neighborhood.  After posting and emailing the details, including car description, license plate number the car appeared again this afternoon.
This time, a number of alert residents reported the car to the Washington County Sheriff, who responded quickly with two squad cars.  The Sheriff's deputies spoke with the driver and have since reported that the driver was/is working for the Federal Government, mapping & surveying the neighborhood for the United States Census.
Although the driver was likely surprised by the response, it's good to know that so many residents responded with an abundance of caution.  Thanks to everyone for their watchful eyes and concern for the neighborhood's children.

May 26, 2009

SFV Annual Meeting Wed. May 27. - Reminder

Tomorrow night's meeting is very important.  All homeowners are asked to attend and participate. 
Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowners Association Annual Meeting & Elections are scheduled for:

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 6:00pm 

Rice Lake Centre

6900 137th Street N, Hugo, MN 55038 (map/directions)

Download and view the updated Agenda here.

The meeting will include:

- Elections (two positions)

- Groundwater Issue (options for homeowners & decisions taken by the Board. The possibility of a special assessment will be discussed also)

- Financial Reports (some welcome and good news)

Elections:

Elections will be held for two Board Director seats.  If you are nominating another individual, please verify their interest in serving on the Board of Directors prior to filling in their name on the ballot.

Groundwater Issue:

The Board will explain what legal action the Association has taken so far.  A cost-sharing grant that has been approved by the Rice Creek Watershed District, and another possible cost-sharing option with the City of Hugo will be discussed.  The Board is especially interested in hearing homeowner opinons about the proposed plans.  All points of view are welcome.  The Board will take action on this subject at the end of the discussion.

Homeowner Forum & other topics:

A homeowner forum will be provided to share any concerns with the Board.  Homeowners can also ask questions about the Master Association's plans for improving Pool security and landscaping in many of the common areas.

Foreclosure Notices on Some Undeveloped lots

As a few have pointed out, foreclosure notice signs appeared today on some of the former developer, CPDC's (Homer Tompkins) lots.  Neither the Master Board nor the Single Family Village Association Board was aware of this prior to seeing the signs go up.  It was my understanding that Alliance Bank controlled CPDC's few remaining lots.
It's always been my understanding that anyone who buys those lots are subject to the same covenants, restrictions, rules, etc. as the rest of the property owners in the SFV... regardless of whether they're in foreclosure or not. Any new building would be reviewed by the ARC, etc...
This may be something that residents wish to discuss at tomorrow night's meeting.
-Mark

May 21, 2009

Schools Out - Movie Night in the Park

Let's celebrate the last day of school with the first Movie in the Park of the summer! Put on your favorite pair of pajamas and head over to Val Jean Park at 7:30PM on Friday, June 12th for a showing of Disney's 'Bedtime Stories'. Lemonade, popcorn and candy will be provided. Please check this site the day of the event for any updates in case of bad weather. Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs/blankets! Thanks in advance to Erin Yoshida for organizing this event!

May 12, 2009

VG Events Committee Kick Off Meeting

For anyone that is interested in sitting on the Events committee for our neighborhood, please plan to meet at my house (4429 Cosette Lane N) on Thursday, May 28th at 7PM. We have a budget of $500 this year and hope to stretch it as far as we can and plan some fun events for the entire neighborhood. To be on this committee, you must attend one meeting and volunteer for at least one event. If this sounds like something you would like to be part of, please email me and let me know if you can attend this first meeting. Any questions, please let me know....thanks! Julie Bixby (eventsbyjulie@gmail.com)

Local Business Profile - Northeast Eye Care

Local Business Profile - 
14643 Mercantile Dr. (near Sertino's)
2nd Annual Trunk Show - 50% Off Sale (click here for details/coupon)
Monday, May 18.  12:00pm - 7:00PM
Northeast Eye Care is now open in Victor Gardens. Our expert eyecare team is trained in comprehensive routine and emergency eye services.
Northeast Eye Care is a patient oriented, locally owned practice committed to new innovations and technologies in the eyecare field. The Doctors ongoing participation in clinical research has allowed us to offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment options. The state-of-the-art clinic, optical and contact lens centers are electonically integrated to provide only the latest in eye care technologies. We look forward to providing highly personalized and quality care in a comfortable environment.
Northeast Eye Care of Hugo provides Twin Cities northern suburb residents the highest level of optometric care available.  Dr. Rafe Garofalo and Dr. Kristi Iverson have been treating and managing eye conditions and eye disease for a combined 22 years.   We are grateful for our patients' trust in us.

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.

April 30, 2009

SFV Board Meeting set for May 4, 6:00PM

The next meeting of Victor Gardens Single Family Village Association's Board is scheduled for May 4, 6:00PM at the VG Neighborhood Activity Center.  Homeowners are welcome and encouraged to attend.  A resident forum will be available for those who wish to address any concerns with the Board.  The meeting's agenda will likely be available in the next few days.
To download and print the meeting Agenda, please click here