Single Family Village Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowner's Association will be held on April 28, 2010 - 7:00PM at Hugo's Rice Lake Park Centre. 6900 137th St. N., Hugo, MN 55038 (map) More information about this important meeting will be announced soon. All residents should plan to attend. Please mark your calendars.

Weavers Featured in the Parade of Homes Guide

Our newest neighbors Rob and Alisha Weaver are featured in the 2010 Spring Parade of Homes Guide cover story. Their house, across from Val Jean Park, was completed last fall and built by Hartman Homes. Hartman has built many homes here in Victor Gardens and Inspiration, Bayport. Check out the story here or visit paradeofhomes.org

Alterations of your Home's Exterior & Landscape Requires ARC Approval

Spring is around the corner! You may be thinking of making some alterations or improvements to the exterior of your home or perhaps your yard. If you plan on doing so, please read through the newly revised Architectural & Landscape Change Application Guide. It describes some of the projects that require an application and some that don't.

Now is the perfect time to start planning landscape improvements, new decks, and other exterior projects. Designers generally encourage planning mid-winter before the Spring rush. Submitting your applications prior to the ARC's peak season will also ensure that you'll have the approvals you need when you're ready to start your projects.

Download & Print: Architectural & Landscape Change Application Guide & Form

SFV Board Meeting planned for Wednesday, February 17 at 7:00PM

Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowner's Association Board is meeting on Wednesday, February 17 at the Sertino's Cafe. The meeting will start at 7:00pm. This and other future events are posted on the new neighborhood calendar. The agenda is available here. Residents are encouraged to attend, and address the Board with any concerns during the meetings Resident Forum. Minutes for the latest SFV Board/ARC, Master ARC, and Master Board meetings were recently posted within Association Info pages within victorgardensnews.org

Master ARC Meeting set for Wednesday, March 10, 6:00pm

Victor Gardens Community Association's (Master) Architectural Review Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 10 at Sertino's Cafe in Hugo. The meeting will start at 6:00pm. Past Agendas and Minutes are posted within the Master Association Info page.

Snow Removal Update

After noticing damage caused by sidewalk snowplowing, a few residents contacted Community Manager, Casey Groff. One of the residents included me in his correspondence and wrote, "[Contractors] are continuing to use a plow that is significantly wider than our sidewalks (by 1-2 feet it appears), and the result is significant grass damage and shrub damage (see attached photos) and potentially sprinkler head damage. I took pictures of my property as well as my two neighbors to the west. Also, I believe [another resident] spoke with you last week regarding damage to a larger tree limb on his boulevard..."

Casey confirmed the damage afterwards during a site inspection. She included me in her email response, "Thank you for your email and photos. I was out on site yesterday and met with Dan with Goetz to look at and discuss the damage throughout the property and the plan for replacement of sod in early spring. I am confident that Dan and the Principal of Goetz (who later arrived on site) understand their responsibility for repairing damage caused by them, per the Contract between Goetz and the Association. Community Development will hold the last payment until all of the damaged turf is replaced. Payment will not be released until an inspection by me (and the Board if it wants to be present) is performed."

She reported yesterday, February 1st, that Goetz "... did agree that the sidewalks are being plowed too wide. They are purchasing smaller width brackets with narrower tires and rims for the bobcats."

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!

2nd Annual Sledding Party on February 6, 2-4pm

The Hugo Parks Commission is proud to host the 2nd annual Sledding Party at Hugo's Oakshore Park! Enjoy winter family fun with your friends and neighbors. Hot chocolate, beverages and snacks will be provided. This all-ages event is FREE!

Look under "Resident Info" for more information of PArks and Recreation at http://www.ci.hugo.mn.us Check out the website for other fun winter events hosted by the Parks Commission.

Oakshore Park is located at 12790 Exhall Ave. North, Hugo.

Saturday, February 6

2-4pm

(This info provided by the City of Hugo)

Mitzuk Family Fund Established

A fund for the Mitzuk Family has been set up at Lake Area Bank. Donations can be dropped off at any branch or can be mailed to the Mitzuk Family Fund, Lake Area Bank, 14602 Everton Ave. N., Hugo, MN 55038. Checks should be made out to the "Mitzuk Family Fund."

Local Business Profile - P.A.W.S. Pet Hospital

A new full service veterinary hospital in Hugo, MN has opened its doors at 4644 Victor Path. P.A.W.S.' recently completed building has been under construction for the past few months. Michelle Beck, D.V.M. and her staff are now welcoming new patients. For more information visit pawspethospital.com or call (651) 400-1180.

According to P.A.W.S. website,

"The mission of P.A.W.S. Pet Hospital is to help our clients enjoy the benefits of a long, healthy and active relationship with their pets. We are committed to strengthening the human/animal bond through client and community education on animal care and health. Our focus is on wellness as well as the art of healing. We will achieve this mission by:

• providing expert pet care and an exceptional customer experience from a highly trained team, leveraging the best diagnostic tools and procedures, and
• by
  customizing and supporting a wellness program for each individual pet and owner’s lifestyle.

We will have achieved our mission if you view us as “your family’s other doctor”."

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.