Washboard & Dusty Cedar Street

A resident suggested posting about the poor condition of Cedar Street. Cedar Street is the dirt/gravel road located in Lino Lakes near Victor Gardens' southernmost entrance. This road is supposed to be maintained by Lino Lakes. "We make several calls during the summer to ask for it to be graded. We think it might be helpful for other residents to also call when they are concerned about the road's condition."

To report a Cedar Street problem please contact Lino Lakes Public Works Superintendent Tom DeWolfe. Phone: 651-982-2451 Fax: 651-464-5568 E-Mail: tom.dewolfe@ci.lino-lakes.mn.us

Back to School Movie Night in the Park

Save the date.... Friday, Sept. 10th starting at 7:30PM in Val Jean Park. Details coming soon...

Movie Night in the Park!

Lawn Care - $50 Sprinkler Blow-Out Winterization

Tony Schwab has volunteered again this year to coordinate services with lawncare professional, Shawn Herman from Classic Lawnscape. Shawn is offering a Victor Gardens discount to perform seasonal blowing out and shut-down of resident's individual sprinkler systems. As many may remember, Shawn offered this service for the last few years. He always does a thorough and professional job.

Shawn's price for blowing-out sprinklers is again $50.00 per home. He plans on performing the work on Saturday, October 23th.

If you want this service performed, please Call Tony Schwab (651) 429-2000 (home) to sign up.

* Disclosure

Community Golf Outing - August 23

Share with others while catching some rays and hitting the green. All Hugo residents and businesses are invited to participate in the Hugo Business Association Community Golf Outing. Proceeds will go to support the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf. Visit hugobusinesses.com for more information or contact Kerstin Quigley at 651-407-3137 or kquigley@lakeareabank.com to register.

- submitted by Faith Rattei, Hugo Business Association

Lost Dog Reunited With Her Owner

This dog, possibly a Shi Tzu, was found outside today very hot and thirsty. She was found near the townhomes with a relatively new pink collar with no ID tags.

UPDATE: Good news! After a lot of searching, Heidi reunited the dog with her owner.

Celebrate National Night Out - August 3 in Arbre Park

click to enlarge

Key Transition Complete

The old pool gate entry's lock has been changed. Your metal keys will no longer work at the old entry gate. The pool is accessible only through the Neighborhood Activity Center building using your electronic key fob. Tomorrow, transition will be completed with the installation of new rules signs and an "Emergency Exit Only" sign on the old gate.

Help Needed for National Night Out, Aug. 3

Events Committee volunteers Erin Yoshida and Jody Schwab asked me to pass this along to everyone in the neighborhood. - Mark

We are looking for some help with the National Night Out Party in Arbre Park, Tuesday Aug 3.

Here is what we need....

• 2 homes on Arbre park to donate electricity for the bounce houses.
• 1 adult to line up the Bike Parade @ 5:45 & start the parade @ 6:00. Time commitment 15 min
• 2 adults to work the ice cream buffet @ 6:00-7:00ish. Time commitment 1+ hour
• 4 adults to over see a Bounce house 2 adults per hour. Time commitment 1 hour per shift.
• We will have lemon-aid / water station set up for the night till the band is done playing. If people want to take turns doing this that will be a big help. Time commitment 20-30 min shifts.

Please let me know if you can help. Contact Erin by phone (651) 653-1438 or via email kjetyoshi1@comcast.net.

We have a committee of two, so any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Erin Yoshida & Jody Schwab (the committee of two :)

A formal invite and party agenda will be sent out early next week.

Pool Key Fobs are in the Mail

New pool key fobs are in the mail and should arrive to homeowners in the next week or so. The new security system is in place and has been tested by Board members and our Community Manager, Kari Miller. Along with the new electronic access system, the Board updated the Victor Gardens Community Association's Pool Rules. (Click here for new Pool Rules). Thanks should go to a few residents who made common sense suggestions. These were incorporated into the rules. A few new, changed, or sometimes overlooked rules include:

• All access to the pool area must be through the Activity Center. The gate is to be used for emergency purposes only.
• No Inflatable floatation devices are allowed in the pool except water wings, life jackets or infant/small children flotation seats.)
• Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.
• Radios, tape players, CD players and other audio devices must be played only with earphones. Loudspeakers are prohibited.
• Drunkenness is not allowed and any intoxicated individuals will be asked to leave the pool area.

It's important to remember that this is your pool. Please don't open the door or gate for individuals who've "forgotten" their key fob. This is usually the approach that non-residents try to access your pool. If you see someone climb over the fence, please report them to the Washington County Sheriff. Their non-emergency dispatch number is 651-439-9381.

Please don't turn a blind eye to unaccompanied minors under the age of 14, or the couple who's swimming with their dog, or a parent whose infant isn't wearing a swim-diaper. 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 a few years ago. Money that could have been better spent beautifying your common areas, supporting neighborhood events or reducing your dues. The liability risk and paying for damage caused by so few is not the way any of us wants to see our money spent.

The Pool Committee, Jason Lanpher, Nikki Lanpher, and LaVonne Fitzgerald deserve our special thanks. Day after day, once the pool opened in May, they've closed up the Pool and Activity Center each night. They made sure the Association's property was protected and secure.

The following is a message to residents, from the Master Board:

Dear Victor Gardens Residents,

The Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors is changing the method homeowners will use to access the swimming pool area. THE CURRENT KEY SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED WITH THE KEY FOB ACCESS SYSTEM. KEY FOBS WILL BE MAILED TO HOMEOWNERS.

New hardware and software has been installed at your pool. The hardware is simply the mechanical means to control access to the pool. The software will allow the Association to manage the accessibility from an offsite location. Each Key Fob can be activated and deactivated utilizing the software. Community Development Inc will manage the software and activation and deactivation of Key Fobs under the advisement of the Board of Directors. Any resident’s Key Fob can be deactivated for a number of reasons, i.e. non payment of association dues, architectural violations and other association rule violations. Primary reasons for the change are as follows:

· The new system will allow tracking of pool access and protect the amenities of the pool and bath house. In addition to the Key Fob access control system, a closed circuit video camera has been installed to help in the event of a breach or damage to the pool area.

· Under the current system, the Association has no means to effectively deny pool access. With the Key Fob access system, the Association will have the ability de-activate the Key Fobs of anyone that is 60 days delinquent in association dues, anyone in violation of Architectural Guidelines and anyone in violation of the Association Documents or pool rules.

· By better controlling the pool access, this new system allows for the preservation of privacy and enjoyment of the pool to Victor Gardens Homeowners and their guests.

Only one Key Fob will be issued per home. A $40 charge will be applicable in the future for any new Key Fobs for maintenance and replacement costs.

Any questions regarding this change should be directed to your Community Manager, Kari Miller at 763-225-6424 or via e-mail at kmiller@developcommunity.com.

As Directed by the Board of Directors, Victor Gardens Community Association

Victor Gardens Pool Rules - 7/10

1. THERE IS NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY, SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK.

2. The swimming pool and water park are for the exclusive use of the members of Victor Gardens Community Association and their guests. The maximum number of guests per household is four.

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

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

5. People who cannot swim must wear lifejackets while in the pool.

6. Diving, running, wrestling, horseplay and throwing objects are absolutely prohibited.

7. Showers are required before entering the pool.

8. Persons who have infections or communicable diseases must not enter the pool.

9. Infants and toddlers who are not toilet trained must wear swim diapers.

10. Smoking is not allowed in or around the pool area along with the Activity Center.

11. No Food or Glass bottles are allowed in the pool area.

12. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the pool area.

13.* Drunkenness is not allowed and any intoxicated individuals will be asked to leave the pool area.

14.* In order to keep the pool area pleasant for everyone, radios, tape players, CD players and other audio devices must be played only with earphones. Loudspeakers are prohibited.

15. Pets are not allowed in the pool area.

16. Pool hours are 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. (during pool season)

17.* All pool toys must be removed from the pool each night, toys left in the pool will damage the pool’s mechanical system. (No Inflatable floatation devices are allowed in the pool except water wings, life jackets or infant/small children flotation seats.)

18.* All access to the pool area must be through the Activity Center. The gate is to be used for emergency purposes only.

19. Spitting, spouting water from the mouth, and blowing noses in the pool are prohibited.

20. The Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors reserves the right to revoke anyone’s pool privileges for not following these pool rules.

21. The Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors may amend these pool rules at any time, without notice. You can contact Community Development for the most current and up-to-date rules.

* Indicates a new rule or significant change to previous rules.

These rules were adopted by the Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors July 21, 2010

Grantaire Green Design Approved - New Common Space for Residents

Victor Gardens Community Association's common area known as "Grantaire Green" is a few steps closer to completion. In recent months, Landscape Committee Chair Tony Schwab, Goetz Landscape, the Master Board/ARC, Phil and Dawn Primeau worked together developing a landscape plan. It includes bench seating, planting beds, shrubs, perennial plants, turf grass, trees, and irrigation system. Currently the area is undeveloped and bordered on all sides by Grantaire Lane in Victor Gardens Single Family Village.

Neighborhood Development Partners, LLC, and Ron Mehl in particular, have been a great help in this process too. They'll play a key role in the project's construction following the expected approval by Hugo City Hall.

It's hoped that by the end of summer installation will be completed on the project. The location's great for the Association as it's just steps away from the Clearwater Creek Trail and the newly built footbridge. Bench seating will provide a great view and a resting place for trail users.

UPDATE: 7/16/10 The City of Hugo approved the plan.

Large "Victor Gardens" Monument Signs Proposed

During the recent Annual Meeting Julie Bixby, along with a sign vendor, proposed large "Victor Gardens" monument signs for the Board's consideration. The plans included design, color, and cost options. The permanent signs were proposed to be integrated within the pergola's trellis located at Victor Hugo Blvd. & Frenchman Road. Options were also presented to add permanent signs to Victor Gardens secondary entrances - possibly to be installed in future years. The Board is considering these proposals.