Sump Pump Backup Options

At tonight's groundwater meeting, and as a side note, I described a municipal/city water-powered backup sump pump system that does not rely on electricity or battery power.  Unfortunately, a well functioning electric-powered sump pump means the difference between a wet or a dry basement for many of our homes in the Single Family Village.  If your home loses electrical power or if your primary pump mechanically fails does your home have a backup system to remove the groundwater from your sump basket and prevent flooding?  Many residents have thought carefully about that scenario and purchased a separate battery-powered backup sump pump system.  Problem is, I've seen statistics that estimates the effective service time of a battery-powered backup sump pump to last between 2-10 hours.  My question is: What happens if an electrical power outage lasts longer than that?  What happens if the power is disrupted by a storm that brings additional rainfall?

My intent is not to scare residents into buying something they don't need.  Rather, I think that there are a few good options that deserve a closer look including more sophisticated battery systems, alarms, etc.  In the spirit of preparedness I'm sharing what I've found through a few conversations and some internet research.  

I know of one resident who installed a city water-powered sump pump system, (I haven't yet) and I have spoken to a licensed plumber about similar systems.  One plumber's estimate I received was $800 (installed) for a fully separate and redundant (a good thing in this case) water-powered backup system, including separate pipes, separate holes through the wall, and separate discharge point from my home.  The plumber offered a group discount if more residents were interested.  I suspect any plumber might offer a similar discount.  For mechanically inclined residents, it may be a do-it-yourself project.  In any case, a City of Hugo permit may be required... be sure to check first.

I found a particularly helpful video on This Old House's website (link here) that showed the installation of water-powered sump pump.  It described the concepts as well as the materials needed.  Please keep in mind that I'm not endorsing any brand, contractor, or design.  I do think it's important information though, as residents consider future groundwater drainage systems.  I've included a few links that might provide a starting point for those interested:

Explanation of the water-powered backup sump pump:

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20260244,00.html

http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_to_central/home_clinic/1275381.html

Water-powered and Battery-powered backup systems compared:

http://boards.hgtvpro.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2891014781/m/8951038992

http://www.askthebuilder.com/195_Sump_Pumps_-_Basement_Guardians.shtml

http://www.1stflash.com/files/Basement-Sump-Pumps.htm

http://www.basepump.com/Homeowners.htm

Water-powered backup sump pump:

http://www.aymcdonald.com/products_categories.cfm?prodline=Pumps&groupID=95&catID=9

Sophisticated battery-powered backups:  

http://www.basementwatchdog.com/battery_backup_sump_pump.htm

Alarms:

http://www.basementwatchdog.com/water_alarm.htm

http://www.basepump.com/aquaguard.htm

I hope you'll find this information helpful,

Mark

Pool Reopens - Was Temporarily Closed Due to Vandals

Our Community Manager, the Board, and Pool Committee are investigating a case of vandalism at the Pool.  Saturday night after the facilities were closed, a few young individuals dumped a large garbage can and its contents into the pool.  The pool service company was contacted, the pool was closed, and was cleaned out and chemically treated. 

Please remember: Whenever the pool is closed - It's likely closed for good reason- superchlorination. Please use common sense and stay away from harmful chemicals in the pool. Don't swim when the sign says "Closed".

Reminder: SFV Groundwater Meeting Tonight

Reminder:

As you are likely aware, groundwater issues have impacted several residents of our neighborhood.  While the Single Family Village Board of Directors cannot legally act in an official capacity to address these issues, a group of impacted and interested homeowners certainly can. Thus, on July 13, 2009, at 7:00pm, there will be a meeting at the Victor Gardens Neighborhood Activity Center for all affected and interested homeowners to come together and begin coordinating efforts to find a workable solution to these problems.  All homeowners who have an interest are encouraged to attend.  Some members of the Board, acting in an unofficial capacity as interested homeowners, will be there to help answer any questions about events leading up to the meeting. 

Fraud Alert- Door to Door Scam

A number of trusted neighbors have contacted me about a CONFIRMED fraudulent scam.  A young caucasian woman in her 20's claiming to be the daughter of one of our neighbors, or someone who lives in the house on the other side of the neighborhood has been collecting cash and checks purported to be for a fundraising effort.  She's extremely convincing.  Please do not fall for this scam.  If you have already given her a check, I suggest you stop payment immediately.  The Washington County Sheriff has been contacted.

The young woman claims to be a student of College of Art & Design raising money for culinary school, a Food Network program, and a trip to Rome, and she's "selling" books for Gillete Children's Hospital, etc. etc. etc...

If you have already been victimized, you may to contact the Washington County Sheriff's non-emergency number at (651) 439-9381.  If she comes to your door, try to obtain as many identifying characteristics of the person (car license plate number, physical characteristics, etc.) as possible and call 911 for response by the Sheriff.

Centex to Build New Homes in Hugo, MN's Victor Gardens Single Family Village Neighborhood

Victor Gardens Master Board was informed last week of Neighborhood Development Partners LLC sale of lots to Centex, expected to be merging soon with Pulte and becoming America's largest builder.

From my understanding of what I've read, Neighborhood Development Partners has hired an architectural firm, Whitten & Associates, to assist Centex in modifying its plans to conform to their view of an appropriate new home in Victor Gardens Single Family Village. Whitten & Associates has written a letter regarding this to the Victor Gardens Master Board which I believe should be shared with residents (please follow this link).

Maintenance Update: Pool Heater

As many swimmers have realized, the pool's been cooler than normal lately.  The pool's heater is worn out.  Members of the Master Board met today with our pool contractor and approved the replacement of the heating unit.  The new heater will be more energy efficient and has a longer life expectancy than the old model.

The new unit should be installed soon.  I'll update this site when the repairs and the new unit installation is completed.

SFV Board Meeting Tonight

The Single Family Village Board will meet July 8, at 8:00pm at the VG Neighborhood Activity Center.  All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Business Profile - Quality Window Cleaning

This message was sent to me by good neighbors Tony & Jody Schwab.  They're recommending a window washing company that will give discounts to Victor Gardens residents.  Last fall, Tony & Jody recommended a great lawn aeration service that we used and were very happy with.  Please see Tony's excerpted message below:

"I found a good window washer that did work in Fable Hills and all of those who used him liked him. He cleaned up well after the washing. 

I had him out today, He  will clean your windows, clean the inside and outside sills and the screens for 3.75 per window inside and 3.75 for the outside of same window.... I have 54 sets of inside and outside win dows and my bill is 199.12  .If we get 10 or more homeowners in VG he will give all a 20% discount and more of a discount if we get more than 10 people. I think most of the homes are close in amount of windows but some may differ.. So you can get an idea from my house,,, ...    He will also do the little windows around the door  and on top of the doors free,, I told him I would get back to him in a few weeks. You can call him for a estimate.. The business is called  Quality Window Cleaning..   His name is Grant at (763) 656 8519   Make sure you tell him you are in  for the discounts  or call me Tony 651 429 2000      If you can post this in the newsletter I think some people will like the cost and quality of workmanship. "

Website Updated - New Pages, Maps, and Digital Copies of Governing Documents Added

Our Victor Gardens website has been updated with new information and other improvements.  I've also recently included a few new website pages. These changes should help residents more easily find information they're looking for.  

Some include:

- Although a lot of digital copies of documents are available on the master and sub-association's pages, some of the more important Governing Documents, like Bylaws, Covenants, etc. are now also placed also on the new "Association Documents" page.  

-Re-introduced a separate "Contacts" page (link here) for frequently requested contact info.

- Updated the "Maps" page (link here) to include a new ownership map of the remaining empty lots in the Single Family Village.

- Upcoming events and upcoming meetings will be published via blog posts, email announcements, and on the left site of our site's front page. 

- Other general information such as the Pool announcements can also be found on the left side of the front page.

Master Board Meeting Overview

Last night at the VG Community Association (Master) Association a number of different topics were discussed:

- The new Fairview medical clinic and Pharmacy near the front entrance is nearing completion

- A new Pet Hospital is planned for the site to the west of Lake Area Bank

- A Pool Committee was formed

- After a discussion and a counter-proposal by the Single Family Village representatives, a formal ARC process was approved.

- Afterward, an announcement was made by Board President Michael Noonan that the remaining 26 Neighborhood Development Partners lots were planned to be sold to a "national builder". It was not disclosed who the builder was.

- There was no discussion of the (roughly 14) former CPDC lots that were recently posted with foreclosure notices.

Master Association Board Meeting Agenda - June 25.

Victor Gardens Community Association - 2009 Board of Directors Meeting - June 25, 2009 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Hugo City Hall, Oneka Room

Meeting Agenda

1)  Annual Meeting

2) Call to Order

3) Approve Agenda

4) Review and Approve Minutes from Last Meeting (4/23/2009)

5) Commercial Property

     a) Hugo Medical Office Building

     b) Pet Paws Animal Hospital

6) Homeowner Forum

7) Management Financial Reports

a)    Balance Sheet

b)     Income Statement

c)     Accounts Payable

d)    General Ledger

8) Communication and Committee Reports

     a)  Pool Issues

          i)  Pool Committee Charter

9) Management Report

a) Work Order Report

b) Status of Landscaping Enhancements

c) ARC

   i)  Proposed ARC Process

10) New Business

       a) Delinquencies

11) Review of Action Items & Timeframe for Completion

12) Set Date for Next Meeting

13) Adjournment

Pool Closed for Super-Chlorination - Bad Judgement Continues

The pool was closed today because of cloudy water conditions.  To fix the problem, the pool contractor used chemicals to "shock" or super-chlorinate the pool water.  These chemicals are very harsh. The pool was closed to protect residents.  Unfortunately, some ignored the sign, and swam anyway.

Also today... and on another note, swimmers are reminded AGAIN:  Do not open the gate for people who've "lost their keys".   A group of young people were reported to the Sheriff's Department today for climbing up on the wooden arbor and jumping into the pool. 

Frustration is building at many levels regarding the lack of common sense by residents for not speaking up when they see these problems, allowing trespassers entry, and ignoring signs.  The Master Board will discuss this situation, and how it affects the pool on Thursday's board meeting.

Residents who want to volunteer for the Pool Committee should contact Casey Groff.