The City has released details for Hugo’s upcoming “Good Neighbor Days”, June 7 - 10. This year’s celebration and parade honors all of America’s veterans and their families. Our Upcoming Events page has links to the details.
May 19, 2007
May 17, 2007
Pool Opening Fiesta Set for June 3
The Victor Gardens Social Events Committee has announced its first event. A Pool Opening Fiesta is planned for Sunday June, 3 3:30 - 6:30.
RSVP by May 29 to VGevents@hotmail.com
May 16, 2007
Poet’s Green Fountain Working Again
Thanks to Michael Warner who cleaned and filled the fountain in Poet's Green. To keep it running, neighbors are encouraged to fill the fountain occasionally with a bucket of water.
Walk-Through Notes
Yesterday we walked through Victor Gardens with Dave Hempel and Gina Higgins to review specific neighborhood questions and concerns. The list that follows is a brief overview of most of what was discussed.
Issues addressed near Victor Gardens main entrance,Victor Square and the Community Center:
A.Main Entrance: The main entrance fountain will be repaired and filled. The immediate area will also be planted with annuals. In the future, the expense of this areas maintenance will hopefully be shared with the new, nearby retail businesses.
B.Fencing & Monuments: Some areas contained wrought-iron style fencing and decorative monuments (land office & main entrance). These were removed to make way for new development. Efforts will be made to save those items and re-use them where possible.
C.Displaced Trees: Some Shrubs and Trees in the above areas will be saved and moved to new locations if possible.
D.Marketing Signs: Proper placement of accurate “model homes”, “homesites available” signs, and lot identification signs was discussed with Dave Hempel. Signs will be removed or corrected. Other VG marketing signs may be placed in new locations closer to available lots for sale. Missing lot identification will hopefully be replaced.
E.“Welcome to Hugo” monument sign: Electrical and landscaping work is needed around the monument sign to complete the project.
F.Sunken concrete at Gazebo: We are awaiting bids for the repair of the Victor Square gazebo concrete.
G.Leaning fountain controls and fence screening at Victor Square’s pond: A work order has been issued to correct this problem.
H.Restart Garden Irrigation: VG’s landscape contractor, Early Bird, will be asked to assess the feasibility of re-connecting irrigation in VG’s fenced garden adjacent to former Land Office site. This is important to provide water to perennial and annual plantings inside VG’s garden.
I.Temporarily Expand Garden: CPDC will further explore the idea of temporarily expanding the area to the East of VG’s fenced garden.
J.Fenced garden: Finish off the fencing in the garden to a logical stopping point.
K.Pool Heater: The mechanical room for the Pool’s heater needs better fresh air venting. Bids will be requested for repairs.
L.Message Board: A new message board will be located on the outside of the Community Center near the doorway under the light fixture.
M.Dead Trees: Bids/estimates will be requested to remove and/or replace the many dead boulevard trees near Community Center.
N.Junk Removal: Empty barrels will be removed from the area on the Northern side of the lake. Remaining debris will be cleared when the adjacent property is developed.
O.Annual Plantings: Annual plantings to be installed by landscape design company, Sarah’s Cottage Creations.
P.Replace mulch in common areas: Mulch around the trees throughout the community’s common areas is scheduled to be “refreshed” in the next few weeks.
Q.Remove silt fence & wire fencing: Some old, unneeded silt fencing, mostly near walking trails and roadways will be removed by CPDC.
Issues addressed near Poet’s Green and the Arbre Park:
R.Tree splint: A tree along Victor Hugo Blvd. in Poet’s Green Park will be checked by landscape contractor to determine whether the splint can be removed.
S.Poet’s Green Fountain: Neighbors are encouraged to fill the fountain by hand, and start the fountain’s pump. Please contact Mark for details.
T.Refresh mulch and repair edging in City-owned Arbre Park playground: Since the parks are owned by the city, this issue will be discussed with City staff.
U.Damaged sod due to snowplowing: One homeowner reported a problem that will be addressed by the snowplowing contractor.
V.Truck damage: Reoccurring damage, caused by construction and garbage trucks on the alley near Garden Way, was reported by a homeowner. A landscaping solution has been proposed to homeowner to prevent future damage. The problem may be lessened in the future, as the area is nearly built-out. The garbage-hauling company will be notified that they may need to use smaller trucks and be more careful around the affected properties.
Issues addressed near Val Jean Park and the areas East of Clearwater Creek:
W.Dog damage in common areas: The grass surrounding the Postal Station at Cossette Way and Victor Hugo Blvd. is significantly damaged by dog waste & urine. Until owners prevent their dogs from using this common area as a toilet, it’s pointless to replace sod or re-seed. Hopefully the situation will improve enough to re-evaluate this area at a later time.
X.Unsold lot appearance – tall grass & weeds: Dave Hempel has agreed to a new mowing schedule. The mowing contractor will mow CPDC’s vacant lots every two weeks in the heaviest growing season (Spring) up until July 4. After July 4 the mowing will be done on a monthly basis. As fall approaches and the grass grows faster again, we may review this plan to increase the mowing schedule accordingly.
Y.Unsold lot appearance – low areas collect water: According to Dave Hempel, filling in low areas in unsold lots would require a re-grade of the entire area. CPDC will not re-grade vacant lots. According to Mr. Hempel, the issue will be solved when the lots are sold and built-out with new homes.
Z.Model home banners, signs, flags, streamers, balloons: According to Dave Hempel, VG’s Architectural Review committee will speak to builders with model homes to address this problem.
AA.Wetlands area will be expanded near Garden Way and Val Jean Blvd near the eventual connection of the two streets.
BB.Construction debris left by Nottinghome Builders: Large roof trusses have been left on CPDC’s vacant lots on Garden Way near the wetlands. Dave Hempel will speak to Nottinghome Builders and/or the truss company to address the problem.
CC.Landscape damage: Dave Hempel will speak to sidewalk contractor about damage to a homeowners landscaping.
DD.Easement & Outlot maintenance: Mowing and maintaining pipeline and utility easement areas is the responsibility of individual homeowners. Outlots owned by VG Community Association, such as wetlands, and along the creek are to remain wild.
EE.Sod in new areas: Sod will be laid to fill the boulevards between sidewalks and curb and one row of sod will be laid on the opposite side of the sidewalk. Mowing and maintenance of these areas will be the responsibility of individual homeowners.
FF.Structure at Val Jean Blvd. & Everton Ave.: This structure is a wastewater lift station connected to Hugo’s sewer system.
GG.New parks/squares/greens: New small parks are planned for the area near Ryland Homes and Pratt’s new Villas.
CPDC’s Marketing of New Home Sites
A question has been asked about how Victor Gardens developer, CPDC, intends to show or sell single-family home site lots without a Land Office.
Dave Hempel of CPDC is aware of changes needed regarding marketing and lot identification signs. Some signs may be placed in new locations, and interested buyers may be directed to victorgardens.com, CPDC’s phone number, or individual builder's phone numbers.
May 10, 2007
Quarterly Board Meeting Notes
Today, Victor Gardens Community Association's Board of Directors met for its Quarterly meeting. Among other topics, the Board discussed each question and concern that was submitted by homeowners.
Thanks to Gina Higgins of Community Development and Dave Hempel of CPDC, as many questions were resolved before today’s meeting. Some questions were resolved during the meeting; many more will require follow up in the weeks ahead.
The following is a consolidated list of items discussed. The topics are categorized into general areas of responsibility. Questions and concerns are listed first, then followed by a response or action required. A timeline for completion is listed where it applies.
Community Development, Inc. & V.G. Community Association items:
1.Victor Gardens Social Committee Chair appointment: Julie Bixby has been appointed as the Committee’s Chair. The Committee has already started planning upcoming events.
2.Main entrance center median & fountain appearance: Washington County is partially responsible for the entrance repair, but the Master Association will pay to repair & restart the fountain in the following weeks. Re-painting may also be required of the arbor/trellis structure in this location. V.G. Garden Committee may work to beautify the area with plantings. The Garden Committee welcomes new volunteers to help.
3.Consider adding message boards to the major parks & community center: Pending estimates/bids, the Board has tentatively agreed to test the idea. One centralized message board will be installed at the Community Center. This is intended to help communicate with all residents, and announce upcoming Victor Gardens Events.
4.Assess damage fees to specific homeowners who do not comply with dog waste pickup rules: As this situation has improved in recent weeks, the Board has decided not to take action against specific homeowners at this time. The board asked that a future correspondence by Community Development include a reminder to all homeowners about Victor Gardens dog waste pickup policy and related City Ordinances.
5.Consider adding “Clean-up after your dog signs” to a few strategic common areas, especially around the Postal Station near Victor Hugo Blvd. & Cossette Way: As the situation is hopefully improving, the Board will delay action on this request.
6.Remind homeowners about leash laws and policies: This situation is also improving. No action by the Board will be taken at this time.
7.Planting of Annual Gardens: The annual gardens will be planted the week of may 21st by new contractor, Sarah’s Cottage Creations.
8.Community Pool: The pool is scheduled to be open Memorial Day weekend.
9.Fountain at Jardin Circle needs to be cleaned out and started: This will happen next week.
10.Small fountain at Poet’s Green: This fountain has a small pump mechanism, but it does not have a built-in water supply. At this point, the Association’s budget prevents the installation of a new water supply to the fountain. If residents wish to have water in the small fountain, it must be carried by hand. Please contact Mark for more details on this if you’d like to help with the fountain.
11.Tree splint: Tree should be checked by landscaper to ensure tree is not growing into its temporary splint – across 4354 Victor Hugo Blvd. in Poet’s Green Park.
12.Re-hang volleyball net in Arbre Park: This will be completed in the next few days.
13.Consider adding a lost & found box in Arbre Park: There have been many items left in Arbre Park, creating a junky appearance. The Board felt adding a lost & found box would not solve the problem. The Board requests that people using the park should be careful not to leave clothing, shoes, toys, and other items behind.
14.Broken drinking fountain in Val Jean Park: This will be repaired in the next few weeks. In the future, the City of Hugo will have responsibility for repairing the drinking fountain.
15.Tennis court windscreen: This has been repaired. In the future, the City of Hugo will have responsibility for repairing the tennis courts and the windscreen.
16.Consider adding a device to prevent wide opening of the tennis court’s doorway to physically prevent bicycles from entering: The idea was rejected as it would create an Americans with Disabilities Act issue on the City-owned tennis court.
17.Damaged sod due to snowplowing: The contractor has resolved this problem.
CPDC’s items:
18.Landscape Requirements must be enforced equally: The Requirements are the same for both builder’s spec homes and individually built homes. There is no separate policy for individual builders, with one exception, Ryland Homes. Ryland’s homes are packaged with landscaping, and their landscape budget policy has been previously approved by CPDC. It is based upon an average price per home they build – not the 2.5% figure that applies to the rest of the Single Family Village. The Landscape Requirements regarding grass, and the number & size of trees, shrubs, will be enforced for ALL single family home building, including Ryland Homes.
19.Landscaping & painting progress on recently built homes: Max Norton & Jack Broughton of CPDC is handling this on a case-by-case basis. Jack has reported that most homes in question (there are eight) will be completed by a June 30 deadline.
20.Unsold lot appearance – tall grass & weeds: Mowing is done when growth exceeds 8”. No weed spraying is planned. Common areas are mowed by contract with a landscape company, and overseen by Community Development, Inc. The same landscape company mows Vacant/Unsold lots, but the bill for mowing those specific parcels is paid by CPDC.
21.Consider standardizing or otherwise taming model home and builder’s banners, signs, flags, streamers, and gigantic tethered balloons: This item will be addressed by Victor Gardens Architectural Review Committee.
22.Preserve the fenced garden North of the Community Center and Pool: CPDC supports re-connecting irrigation in the existing garden to save and improve the plantings within the fenced garden area.
23.Consider expanding the garden temporarily: CPDC has suggested that after the former Land Office debris is removed and the site is filled and leveled the site may TEMPORARILY be used as a vegetable garden for interested residents. The site will eventually contain town homes as market conditions change. At that time, the proposed vegetable garden will be removed and redeveloped.
24.Remove unneeded silt fence & wire fencing: Most of this became more apparent as new walking trails were opened. CPDC will begin to remove the silt and the barbed wire fencing within the next few weeks.
25.Remove submerged silt fence in lake near Community Pool: This will be completed in the next few days.
26.Remove debris/junk from the Northern side of the lake, East of the Community Center. CPDC will determine the best way to remove these items.
27.Status of a new street connecting Garden Way and Val Jean Blvd.: While this connection is planned for the future, the project has been postponed due to market conditions.
28.Wetlands area near Garden Way and Val Jean Blvd. eventual connection: A small portion of high ground will be removed in this area to enlarge the wetlands.
29.Address the dead-end of the easternmost section of Garden Way: Some fill may be brought in to level the area. Neighbors are encouraged to plant the area to prevent further erosion.
30.New walking path/trail connection to points South: A future trail connection is proposed, but CPDC does not own this property. The new trail will end near the property boundary of Victor Gardens, although a small pedestrian bridge will be built across Clearwater Creek between the Single Family Village and Pratt’s new Villas.
31.Reoccurring damage caused by construction and garbage trucks on Garden Way: A solution was offered to the homeowner to prevent further damage to landscaping and property.
32.Consider adding a “Victor Gardens” sign to southern entrance of V.G.: CPDC’s plans for this area are complete. The Master Association could address this matter, but budget constraints make it unlikely at this time.
33.Consider building a skateboard ramp: The request was denied, as a skateboard park would be a tremendous legal & financial liability for the Master Association and residents of Victor gardens.
34.Victorgardens.com website update: The Board agrees that the marketing site for V.G. needs to be updated. Leticia Holter, CPDC is responsible for making changes. No date was set for its completion.
35.Victor Gardens Community Intranet Site: The site could serve an important role in communication throughout V.G. Unfortunately, updating it is cumbersome, and rarely done. There was discussion, and a proposal by CPDC, turning control of this site over to the Master Association. No date was set for it’s updating in the meantime.
36.Replacement of Community Center tables: Awaiting response from Leticia Holter, CPDC. Some cosmetic damage is apparent, but damage is not a severe structural problem.
Additional items that will be addressed at walk-through:
A.Homes without landscaping
B.Appearance of Victor Gardens main entrance.
C. Appearance of unsold/vacant lots
D.Incorrect land office signs
E.Broken “lots available” signs
F.Wrong placement of some “model homes” & “lots available signs”
G.Missing lot identification signs
H.Raking mulch needed near bleachers and playground equipment in Arbre Park.
I.Repair edging near the playground in Arbre Park.
J.Tree splinting.
K.Fenced garden adjacent to former Land Office site.
L.Check on possible sick/dying boulevard trees near Victor Hugo Blvd. & Cossette Way.
Mark’s items to discuss with the City of Hugo:
37.Consider adding signs to tennis court prohibiting bikes, skates & scooters. These items damage to the tennis court’s surface. Also consider adding “dogs prohibited” signs in the tennis court as dog waste has been found inside the fence and on the court itself. In the future, the City of Hugo will have responsibility for maintaining the tennis courts.
38.Consider adding drinking fountain to City-owned Arbre Park: CPDC has completed its plans for this Arbre and Val Jean Parks. The item will be presented to the City for consideration. Adding this amenity would likely cost the City around $2000.
39.Consider adding safety related signs to strategic places within City-owned Arbre Park and Val Jean Park’s playgrounds.
40.The roadways of Victor Gardens Additions 1-4 are now the responsibility of the City of Hugo. The roadways of Victor Gardens Additions 5-6 (East side) are currently the responsibility of CPDC.
41.Repair leaning stop sign at Garden Way and Arbre near Arbre Park.
42.Consider adding “Children at Play” signs: The Board discussed studies related to these kinds of signs in residential neighborhoods. According to one study, Children at Play signs can actually create a false sense of security around roadways, and lead to a more dangerous situation for children.
43.Consider adding “Teeter-totter” graphic sign in close proximity to playgrounds.
44.Consider adding “Speed Limit” signs on key roadways, especially on Garden Way & Victor Hugo Blvd.
45.Additional asphalt onto V.G. streets: Determine schedule with City on the final layer of blacktop on some of our streets.
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