Volunteers Begin Work to Improve Communications

A small group of volunteers including Jason Lanpher, Debra Bean, and Matthew Collins have begun work to improve communications with allresidents of Victor Gardens.  We’re working towards an automated method of collecting email addresses.  An announcement will be made when the system is up and running.  Thanks to our volunteers!

Homer Tompkins Writes Letter to Residents

Homer Tompkins, President of CPDC and a Director of the Victor Gardens Community Association, has written a letter to residents.  It covers a few key topics that are on the minds of many homeowners in Victor Gardens.

Click here to download and view Mr. Tompkins’ letter.  

It was sent to me as PDF file and can be viewed with Adobe Reader.

Dogs & Leashes - Public Hearing Wed. Oct. 10

Parks Commission to hold Public Hearing , Wednesday, October 10:

Hugo’s City Council is considering changes to Hugo parks leash laws in certain city parks, presumably including Arbre and Val Jean Parks.  The Council has asked for Parks Commission recommendations.  Residents are encouraged to voice their opinions at the Parks Commission meeting, and upcoming City council meetings.  

This article from Hugo’s newspaper, written by Aaron Rupar:

“At its September 17 meeting, the Hugo City Council agreed to send a proposed amendment to the city's dog ordinance back to the Parks and Recreation Commission for further review, with the matter to come back before the council on October 15.

The proposed amendment would require dogs on certain city parks to be either leashed or under the voice control of their owner, and would prohibit dogs from running free.

However, during a public hearing at the meeting, some residents said that they felt the city should allow dogs to run free in parks as long as nobody else is around.

All of the council members seemed to agree that the ordinance should be more flexible than the proposed amendment, and so they moved to send the issue back to the Parks Commission for further revision.

Since the public hearing wasn't closed, residents will be given another opportunity to react to possible amendments to the dog ordinance at the Oct. 15 council meeting.

Council Member Mike Granger wasn't in attendance at the Sept. 17 meeting.”

Sump Pump & Drainage Problems - Update

Traci Tapani has finished compiling the responses from the Sump Pump & Drainage Survey.  The results of the survey were eye opening.  The scope of the issue issue is widespread, and it appears to affect the majority of Single Family Village properties to some extent. The City of Hugo has been provided the survey’s results and a map outlining the affected areas.  

Hugo’s Mayor Fran Miron proposed a neighborhood meeting to discuss the issue after more study is completed.  An announcement will be made when that meeting is scheduled.

CPDC Identifies SFV Areas Affected by Defaulted Loans

Homer Tompkins, CPDC’s President, has clarified which areas in Victor Gardens Single Family Village (SFV) that will be affected by CPDC’s defaulted loans.  Mr. Tompkins wrote me yesterday, “CPDC owns the remaining lots in Phase 1 (14 lots) that are not in default... we currently own the 29 lots in Victor Gardens East”  Those 29 are the lots that CPDC hasdefaulted on.

The terminology can be a little confusing, with map location identifiers like “Victor Gardens East”, and the various “Additions” and “Phases”.  I’ve put together a map that may help to generally identify the SFV areas Mr. Tompkins described.  

blue section = phase 1 (14 lots currently not in default)

orange section = phase 2 (29 lots currently in default)

yellow section = status unknown (by Mark V. at this time)

teal section = owned by Ryland Homes & Pratt (not affected)

green section = owned by Mr. Douglas Martinson, a Hugo resident with no current plans to sell to developers.

Ladies Night Out Begins October 4

This announcement from Jody Schwab:

For the month of October these are the details:

1. Date: Thursday, October 4

2. Meet: Washington Square , in downtown WBL

3. Time:  6 pm (or come late)

4. RSVP: e-mail jodyschwab@yahoo.com  no later than Monday October 1.

A side note about LADIES NIGHT OUT…. All “chicks” from the Victor Gardens “hood” are invited.  We will meet the 1st Thursday of every month, unless otherwise noted.  Location and time will be determined at the previous month’s gathering.  We are flexible and open to doing “just” about “anything”!  Questions can always be directed to me.  Work# 651-266-9500, Cell # 651-246-9503.   CAUTION!!  We are not responsible for Chick’s behaving badly!  Just enjoying the EVENING!

-Jody

Sump Pumps & Drainage Problems - Meeting Held

This morning, Hugo’s Mayor Fran Miron, Hugo’s Community Development Director Bryan Bear, and other City public works, engineering, and inspection officials met with Dave Hempel of CPDC, and a group of Victor Gardens homeowners.  Traci Tapani provided maps of the affected properties and passed along comments received from the surveys she collected.  

At the conclusion of the “walk-through” meeting Mayor Miron told the group that the City would work with other watershed officials and investigate the issues further.  He suggested that a few weeks from today, a neighborhood meeting would likely be held to discuss their findings.

Homeowners who have not yet completed their surveys are urged to do so soon.   Results from those surveys will be used to further illustrate the scope of the problem to those who can help.   Please contact us if you need a copy of the survey emailed to you.  mark@victorgardensnews.org  Thanks again to Traci for her work on this issue.

Board Advisory Group - Recommendations to Board

Following the July 19, 2007 informal Neighbor’s Meeting - a group of homeowners volunteered to address our Victor Gardens Community Association’s (VGCA) financial challenges, and make recommendations to the VGCA Board of Directors.  Following the last VGCA Board Meeting, the homeowner’s group (Board Advisory Group) met to discuss the additional challenges facing the Association.

The Board Advisory Group has made a list of action items and recommendations to the Board.  Here are three of the items:

1. Recommend to the Victor Gardens Community Association 's Board of Directors that the VGCA fund the retaining of legal counsel to inform and

advise VGCA's homeowners. 

2. Recommend to the Victor Gardens Community Association 's Board of Directors that they work with our management company, Community Development,Inc. to revise the VGCA's budget. The issue of old debts must be addressed, contracts may need to be reviewed, and cost cutting measures must also be considered.

3. Contact City of Hugo officials to collaborate with homeowners, finding

ways of upholding high architectural and landscape standards for future

homebuilding in Victor Gardens - regardless of who owns properties or builds

homes. If CPDC is no longer involved - A suggestion has been made to appoint current homeowners as representatives of an Architectural Review Committee. As it currently stands now, City of Hugo building permits in the VG neighborhood are approved only if also previously approved by the VGCA's ARC.

Victor Gardens Bowl Returns Sunday, Sept. 30

It’s that time of year again…

 

The leaves are turning colors.  The temperatures are turning brisk (in theory).  And the Vikings are already playing themselves out of the playoffs.  Which can only mean one thing…it’s time for the annual Victor Gardens Bowl.

 

For those new to the ‘hood, every Fall on the Sunday of the Packers/Vikings showdown, we gather for a friendly, neighborhood touch football game.  It’s co-ed, but adults only (although all are welcome to cheer on the gridiron warriors.)  We had a handful of potential gamebreakers out of the lineup last year due to doctor’s orders (some medical mumbo-jumbo about jarring hits being dangerous in the third trimester) so we’re looking forward to a big turnout this year.

 

So stretch out those hammies, fill up the water bottle, and start talking some smack. We’ll see you at Arbre Park (by the basketball court) at 10 am this Sunday (Sept 30).  

Rachel Berger’s Chilli Judged the Best

Congratulations to this year’s Chili Champ, Rachel Berger, for her winning entry (#5) in the Victor Gardens 2007 Chili Cook-Off.  The Champ was awarded a handmade Chili-themed apron and “victory laurels” made by Squeeky Connors.  

Thanks to everyone who planned and participated in the event.  It was fun for everyone!

Important Survey

A homeowner survey has been emailed to Single Family Village homeowners by Traci Tapani.  We are hoping you can take the time to complete the survey in the next few days.  A homeowner’s meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 25 with City of Hugo officials and CPDC will hopefully begin to remedy VG’s drainage situation.  

Concerned homeowners should try to attend this important meeting:

Sump Pump/ Water Drainage meeting

Attended by City of Hugo Officials, CPDC, Homeowners, (and possibly Rice Creek Watershed District)

Tuesday September 25, 9:00AM at 

Tony & Jody Schwab’s home

14262 Garden Way N.

Please complete and return the survey to Traci Tapani when it arrives in your email inbox.  Survey’s can be emailed to Traci or dropped at her home (14234 Garden Way N).

 

 

Victor Gardens Homeowner Survey –  Sump Pump and Water Issues

 

•Is there a sump pump in your home?

 

•If yes, where does it drain?

 

•Does your sump pump run during periods of dry weather or only when it rains?

 

•Does your sump pump run during the winter?

 

•How often does your sump pump run?

 

•Has your basement ever flooded?

 

•If yes, did the flooding occur because of a problem with your sump pump?

 

•If yes, did the flooding occur during a dry period or during a rain storm?

 

•Other information or comments.

 

•Name, address, and contact information for person completing the survey.

Sump Pumps & Drainage Problems - City of Hugo Meeting Set for Sept 25

A meeting to address drainage, sump pump, and rain garden problems is scheduled for Tuesday September 25, 9:00AM at Tony & Jody Schwab’s home, 14262 Garden Way N. (near Arbre Park).  City of Hugo’s Director of Public Works, Chris Petree, and other City officials have invited VG’s homeowners, and representatives of CPDC.  The Rice Creek Watershed District is also involved in finding solutions to this ongoing problem.  

A few of our neighbors have already been working with the City on this issue.  Traci Tapani has also volunteered to contact Single Family Homeowners via email about these problems.   She hopes to survey residents, and collect information to pass along to the City and the Watershed District.  We hope you’ll help in this effort and complete and return her survey when it arrives in your inbox.  Thanks!

Likely survey questions may be:

1. (1)How frequently does your sump pump run?

2. (2)Does your sump pump run in the winter?

3. (3)Has your basement flooded?, etc.