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.

City of Hugo Code Related Complaints

At the January 7 Master Board Meeting, the Board heard complaints that had been emailed and posted to the website. Board member consensus was that these complaints should be taken through channels at City Hall. These complaints were:

1. Blue Heron Grill noise.
2. Fairview Clinic using Victor Square spaces for employee parking.
3. Enforcement of Hugo's sign ordinance

Although reluctant to take action on behalf of residents, some Board members offered suggestions to concerned residents including:

1. Researching the City's noise code. Understand what is allowed and what is not.
2. Research whether restaurants are allowed outdoor loudspeakers.
3. Research specifics of the new Sign Code enforcement and how it affects areas of concern.
4. Research whether public parking regulations could be reviewed for the Victor Square area.

Once armed with appropriate information, residents should address their concerns with the City. Hugo's City Council usually offers residents the opportunity to speak directly to the Hugo City Council at each of the Council's meetings. Concerns could also be brought to the attention of appropriate City staffers, your Council Person, or your Mayor.

A searchable database of the City's Code and contact information for City Staff, Council Members, and the Mayor are available on the City of Hugo's website.

Author's note: Concerned residents may want to address these issues collectively. I encourage the use of this post's comments feature to allow such cooperation. This website reaches a large neighborhood readership and it offers a means of communication with each other. If you're interested in working with others, please leave a (non-anonymous) comment here. Anonymous comments are usually OK, but not in this case. In your comments, include the issue that concerns you and a method others can contact you. Unproductive, inappropriate, or anonymous comments attached to this post will be deleted. Again, if you're concerned about these issues, posting here is one way of connecting with other like minded residents.

Master Board Elects New Officers

At the January 7 Master Board Meeting, new officers were elected. They are:

LaVonne Fitzgerald, President

Len Pratt, Vice President

Julie Bixby, Secretary

Todd Stutz, Treasurer

Jason Lanpher, Member at Large

Mark Vlker, Member at Large

Reminder: Victor Gardens Master Association Board Meeting Jan. 7, 6PM at Hugo City Hall

The Master Board is meeting on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at the Hugo City Hall. The meeting starts at 6:00pm. The agenda is available here. Residents are encouraged to attend, and address the Board with any concerns during the meetings Resident Forum.

Example Rink From Another Neighborhood

Snow Removal Update

Victor Gardens Community (Master) Association Board of Directors and management company, Community Development Inc. is aware of recent snow removal problems. The Master Association is responsible for snow removal within common areas and areas including Victor Gardens Single Family Village. Julie Bixby and I contacted Casey about these problems a few days ago. Presumably Casey Groff, our Community Manager with Community Development Inc., also received reports from homeowners in the last few days. Although her office was closed for a holiday break , Casey spoke with Goetz Landscape by phone. Julie Bixby and I also received emails, phone calls, and a few comments were posted on the website.

Since I hadn't heard any updates, I phoned my contact at Goetz this afternoon. The following was the latest info from Goetz (as of today 12/28/09): Snow removal started in some areas after the storm stopped, but crews ran into heavier than expected snow. When the City plow came through the snow on the streets ended up on the sidewalks and froze solid. 4-wheelers fitted with blade-plows was not enough to move the snow. A bobcat was then used, but other problems arose. Subsequent freezing worsened more difficult removal conditions. Crews were able to dig out around mailboxes and other high-priority areas. At this point, Goetz needs suplemental rental equipment to continue the work (a blower attachment fitted to a bobcat). One is expected to be available to Goetz starting around noon on Tuesday, December 28. This equipment will be used, and is expected to handle the snow without difficulty.

The Board and our management company are aware of the problems. Hopefully the situation will be corrected within the next few days. The Board and our Community Manager will likely discuss the contractor's performance in the upcoming days in the context of our contract. When more information is available I will post it on our resident website http://www.victorgardensnews.org

Gables Association Info Page Updated

The info page for the Gables Association at Victor Gardens has been updated. Gables residents should be aware of a few changes on the Board and upcoming meeting info. The association's management company has changed names from ARG to Genesis. Rick Pribyl continues in his role of Property Manager.

Please see the Gables Info page for all the details.

Christmas trash pickup schedule

Victor Gardens residents whose trash and recycling is usually picked up by Gene's on Friday mornings should be aware of a scheduling change. Trash and recycling will be picked up on Saturday, December 26. Thanks to Mike Bailey and our Assistant Community Manager, Brenda Flagegraff for the info.

Potential SFV Builder - Colfax Companies

Last night at the Victor Gardens Single Family Village Board Meeting, Ron Mehl explained that his company, Neighborhood Development Partners, LLC is working cooperatively with a few builders to renew interest in the SFV's remaining lots. Colfax Companies is one of those builders.

Colfax has installed a sign on the corner of Victor Hugo Blvd. and Garden Way, near the Val Jean Park's tennis courts. The home pictured on the sign has not been submitted for Master ARC review. Any new home in Victor Gardens will need to be reviewed by the ARC. The hope is that the sign will provide contact information for potential buyers, and open the door towards new construction in the SFV.

VG Holiday Open House...Please Donate to the Hugo Foodshelves!

Below is a list of currents needs for the 2 Food Shelves in Hugo that serve our city residents in need. Even if you can't attend the party tonight, please at least stop by and drop off a donation.

pancake mix

pancake syrup

ketchup

BBQ sauce

salad dressings

cake mixes

cake frosting

Toilet Paper

Paper towels

Kleenex

all canned soup (except tomato)

laundry soap

dish soap

shampoo

toothbrushes

canned fruit

Reminder: 'Eat, Drink and Be Merry!' on Wednesday, 12/16

Take a few minutes from your busy holiday schedules and toast your neighbors and friends up at Sertino's on Wednesday, December 16th from 5:30-8:00 PM.

Stop by for a few minutes and enjoy holiday crafts for the kids as well as hot chocolate and XMAS cookies. We will also have wine available to the adults (please note we have a limited budget so once the provided wine runs out, people will need to pay for any additional glasses...sorry!)

Let's also make this event about our other Hugo neighbors. Please plan to bring donations for both Hugo foodshelves. Please check back on victorgardensnews.org later this week for a list of current food shelf needs!

Hope to see you there!!

Any questions, please email Julie Bixby @ eventsbyjulie@gmail.com

Santa Visits Saturday, Dec. 12 for Hugo Fire Dept. Food & Toy Drive

On Saturday, December 12, watch for Santa to come through Hugo neighborhoods on a Fire Truck. He and his helpers will be collecting toys and food donations for the "Hugo Fire Dept. Food & Toy Drive 2009" program. Santa will be traveling through the City from 11:00am to 3:00pm.

Donations can also be dropped off at Hugo Fire Hall on December 12, from 10am-4pm.