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Town Manager’s Report
New Developments about
Hurricane Shutter Use
The new developments:
The Board of Directors
has allowed that hurricane
shutters installed over sliding
glass doors may be closed
for short, defined periods of
time throughout the year if they are white or painted
to match the color of the home. Defined periods:
When Homeowners are vacationing or have a family
emergency, they may close the shutters located only
over their sliding glass doors for additional security
purposes. Homeowners who wish to do this are to
contact the HOA office and let the HOA know the
dates you will be away and shutters will be installed.
Included in this allowance are shutters installed over
lanai openings where they protect the sliding glass
doors. Shutters installed over the lanai openings are
subject to the same short, defined periods of time,
and the same HOA notification procedure applies.
Shutters may not be closed for several months prior
to Hurricane Season of June 1 through November
30: this allowance is for short term only (vacations
or family emergencies) with HOA notification. This
allowance has been made by the Board in the interests
of safety and security for VillageWalk Homeowners. It
is not intended to extend the period hurricane shutters
may be installed prior to hurricane season of June 1
through November 30. Please remember: shutters may
only be installed during the official state designated
Hurricane Season of June 1 through November 30.
Shutters installed prior to that date must be removed
immediately or Homeowner will be subject to a fine.
At the Pool
Food and beverages are
prohibited in the pool and
on the pool wet deck area;
animals and glass containers
are prohibited within the
fenced pool area, or 50 feet
from the pool edge when no
fence exists.” Per Florida
Administration Code 64E-9.004 (4). Anyone found
in violation will be asked to leave the pool and their
privileges may be revoked indefinitely. There will be
random patrols of the pool weekdays and weekends.
In the event the Health Department inspector
conducts a surprise visit on the weekends when the
management team is gone, the inspector will close
down the pool and fine the association if he finds
people with food or drink in the pool or on the pool
deck. The HOA defines the pool deck as ten feet from
the water’s edge.
Lawn Debris Removal
Any lawn debris should be containerized or bundled
and placed on the curb after 6:00 p.m. on Mondays for
the Tuesday morning pick up by Veolia.
Lake Bank Restrictions.
Our landscape contractors are prohibited from
using fertilizer and atrazene (best product for dollar
weed) within 30 feet of a lake bank. The fertilizer
prohibition is to prevent or minimize fertilizer getting
into the water supply where it can be carried out to
the Caloosahatchee. What they want to prevent is
algae blooms and red tide in the Gulf. Additionally,
you may notice weeds around some of the lakes. Dog fennel is the most common. It is better to have weeds which stabilize the banks and prevent erosion than to
remove the weeds and have erosion which is a much
more expensive fix. When the summer rains fill our
lakes and canals again, the weeds will die off because
they are not aquatic plants. Mainscape does not use
Atrazine because of it being a restricted product and
prone to leaching problems. Mainscape uses a newer product called Mansion which is much more effective while being sensitive to the environment.
Water Restrictions Delay Plant and
Sod Installations
Southwest Florida Water
Management District has
mandated severe water restrictions
throughout Florida due to the
drought conditions affecting our
state. As a result, the HOA will be delaying plant and
sod installations until rainy season begins (typically
June). April and May are the driest months of the year.
With the water restrictions currently in place, special
arrangements for additional irrigation are not permitted
for small areas of installations (i.e. small areas of 15
to 20 plants, a small area of sod 20 pieces or less, a
Hibiscus or Magnolia tree placed singly in a bed). If
the areas to be replaced are 50% or greater of the total
area needing replacement, then special irrigation can
be permitted. Only those installations will continue
April through May. Owners of properties where plant
replacement is planned – if they are staying in Bonita
and are willing to water new plants every day for the
first 30 days, we can plant replacement plants now. For
everyone else, we will schedule replacement plants to be installed in June when the rainy season begin
Landscaping Concerns / Questions?
Please contact the HOA office at 949-9909 to report
all landscaping concerns. Your concerns will be added
to the Landscape Review. Each Friday the Town Manager, along with the Irrigation and Landscaping supervisors visit homes on the Landscape Review to
determine the problems and make recommendations for
treatment (i.e. fertilization, pest control, soil enrichment, pruning) or plant replacement of dead plant material. Plant replacement may take 2 - 4 weeks due to ordering /
delivery time.
Garage Doors
Garage doors may not
be left open for long
periods of time.
Number 9 of the Rules and Regulations for
VillageWalk of Bonita Springs states: “No garage
doors shall be permitted to remain open except for
temporary purposes, and the Board may adopt further
rules for the regulation of the opening of garage doors.” Please close the garage door when the garage is not in use.
Lap Pool Etiquette
1. Always take an empty lane over an occupied lane.
2. If sharing a lane, share with someone with the same
swimming speed.
3. Always enter on the right side of the lane.
4. Wait until the swimmer has acknowledged you
before you begin your work out.
5. Swimmers should notice you and alter their course
accordingly.
6. For safety purposes, no more than two swimmers
to a lane.
7. Stay on your side of the lane.
8. If you stop to rest, move to the corner side of your
lane.
9. Serious swimmers are involved in their work out:
please don’t interrupt them.
10. Water runners, aqua joggers or lap walkers can all
use one lane together.
11. No smoking. Signs are posted and the lap pool is a
fitness area.
12. Further rules are posted on the wall of the lap pool.
Dogs Must Be Kept On Leash
At All Times - Pet Rules Protect of People
and Pets
Dogs may not be outside the home
unless they are on a leash and under your
supervision. Owners may not leave a pet
outside tied to a leash and unattended or
unattended on the lanai. It is the dogowners
responsibility to clean up after his/her pet.
Dogs are to be kept
on a leash and under
pet-owner control when
outside the unit. Pets
can react differently with
different people: people
afraid of animals elicit a
very different reaction from
pets than do others who
love animals. Therefore
pet-owners are expected to
keep their pets under control and their neighbors safe
from incident.
Pets may not be staked or tethered in the yard for any length of time as this could pose a safety issue for
people performing contracted and regular maintenance
to the irrigation or landscaping as well as endangering
your pet to accidental injury.
We have had dog-bite incidents. Dog bites must
be reported to Lee County Animal Control and the
Department of Health: this is the law. Anyone who
experiences a dog bite is to come into the HOA office
and report the incident and contact these agencies. If
the pet-owner’s address in known, Animal Control will
take the pet into custody for observation and rabies
testing, and the Department of Health will check to
ensure pets are current with their vaccinations and are
in good health.
Most pet owners respect the VillageWalk Rules and
Regulations and Lee County Ordinances regarding
pets on a leash and picking up after your pet, but a few
VillageWalk residents do not. Those pet-owners are
spoiling it for everyone else. Should pet violations
continue, further rules and restrictions regarding
pet allowance within VillageWalk of Bonita may be
adopted.
Homeowners who see pet violations are urged to
contact Animal Control immediately. Animal Control
responds to these complaints, provides the HOA with
the address of the violator and may impound the animal
on the spot. The HOA will send violators one letter
as warning. Thereafter violators will be fined $50 per
occurrence, up to $1000. The pet-owner may also
be required to remove the pet permanently from the
Community.
Pet-owners know the Rules and the Ordinances.
Please respect your Community,
VillageWalk has several pet owners allowing their
dogs off leash within the Community, violating both
the VillageWalk rules and Lee County Ordinances.
Although the need for exercise is recognized and
understood, pet owners may not allow their pets to run
free on any portion of the Community. When violations
occur please contact Lee County Animal Control
immediately, while the violation is occurring, and report
the violation. Lee County Animal Control will send
their deputy out to investigate and, as they have the legal
authority, will remove the animal from the property,
check that all shots are current, check that the animal is
in good health and fine the pet owner. The number to
call is 432-2083. Walkers/bikers, put this in your cell
phones.
If possible, contact the Homeowner's Association office with the address
of the pet owner so we may follow up with a violation
letter.
This is a serious safety issue and health issue and
compliance is expected at all times in our community..
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Previous items of interest from Talk of the Walk:
Clarifying A
Misunderstanding
Confusion and
misinformation
is circulating
through our
community
regarding
Mainscape
Landscaping and
their monthly
weed treatment
of the pavers
in driveways /
walkways.
Mainscape will spray one time only during the
month. Mainscape will not remove the weed stubble
once weeds have died. This service is offered to
VillageWalk as a courtesy and primarily to help with
the overall appearance of VillageWalk regarding
the abandoned/foreclosing homes. Mainscape is not
currently charging for this extra service which has
already improved our community overall.
However for most homeowners in VillageWalk once
a month treatment of the weeds will not be enough
to keep homes free of weeds and looking their best.
Homeowners will continue to be responsible for weed
maintenance of their paver driveways/walkways and
violation letters will continue to be sent to homeowners
where regular maintenance is not being performed.
Recycling Cans Must be Stored
Within the Garage
As all our VillageWalk Residents have
returned to sunny Florida, it is time to
make room for the recycling cans in the
garage. The restrictions state they are
to be stored “out of sight of the streets,
common areas and other units”: i.e.
within the garage. Beginning January 10th the HOA will begin
sending out violations for all recycling bins left at the garage
door, placed in the beds beside the homes, or stored on the
walkways of the units. Your cooperation is appreciated!
Designated Smoking
Starting the New Year with Designated Smoking at the Resort Pool
VillageWalk is starting the New Year with a
Designated Smoking Area at the resort pool. Signs
will be posted at the designated area so check for them
before lighting up. Smokers, please watch where you
are discarding your cigarette butts. There are several
receptacles available and we ask that these are used,
instead of throwing them into the bushes and on the
sidewalks. Please keep our beautiful Town Center and
the Amenities free of litter.
Outdoor Decorative Items Must Be Preapproved
New Owners May Not Be Aware that all items of décor placed outside the unit must
first be approved by the Board by submitting an
Architectural Change Form (located next to the Town
Center HOA Office window) with photos of the
items and their locations for Board review (Article
XII. 12.2.O). In most instances items are approved,
however this process serves as an important protection
for the community aesthetics. If you have not
submitted a request for items you have placed outside
your home, please pick up a form from the HOA office
and turn it in for review. The Architectural Change
Committee (ACC) meets every third Thursday of
the month. If you have any questions please contact
Kathryn at the Town Center office: 949-9909
Overnight Parking
No parking
on the streets
overnight
between the hours
of 11pm and 7pm.
Emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks
must be able to access all homes. VillageWalk streets
are not wide and do not allow for parking on the streets.
Please be courteous and do not park on the streets over
night. Don’t forget this is a towing community!
Neighborhood
Street Meetings
The only required involvement from the HOA for
Neighborhood Street meetings is that the HOA to hold
the street’s first Annual meeting. Going forward, the
reps and volunteers shall act autonomously conducting
their own meetings each year with some admin support
from the management team. The following are revised
guidelines for Street Representatives:
1. Representatives are responsible for maintaining
the scheduling and place for Annual Neighborhood
meetings. This includes creating the Notice of
Meeting and Proxy.
2. Reps/Volunteers will be responsible for creating
and getting the meeting notices/proxies out to all
homeowners on streets. Templates are available
from the office staff and reps may use the copy
machine in the office. It is recommended that reps
gather email addresses for each home to enable
electronic transmission of Notices and Proxies.
3. HOA will provide printed labels for correct mailing
addresses.
4. In cases where email is not available or known,
Notices and Proxies will be mailed at the expense
of the Representatives. Postage will be reimbursed - a receipt
will be required to do so.
5. Reps/Volunteers will have access to the printing
equipment to produce notices.
6. HOA will provide envelopes.
7. Representatives are responsible to manage their
Annual Neighborhood Street meetings
8. HOA should be provided copies of the Notice,
Proxy and meeting minutes.
9. HOA should be informed of any Neighborhood
Representative changes.
Landscaping Rules for Littoral Beds and
Common Areas
Littoral and upland lake
bank beds are regulated by
South West Florida Water
Management District: no
human activity is permitted in those areas (including trimming, plant installation,
thinning, plant removal) without prior approval from
South West Florida Water Management District. It is against the law to perform any activity in those areas and violators are subject to fine.
Please do not trim any trees on homeowner property
either as many trees must be trimmed in a certain way: for
instance, tops can not be cut out of the Oak trees as it kills
the tree. Please let the landscaping company and the HOA
handle all such matters. Simply call the HOA to report
your landscaping concerns and they will be addressed.
Clement Ross, our Town Manager, has put together a
“Landscaping Tips” handout for anyone who is interested. Copies are available at the Town Center HOA Office.
Why buy gas at Village Walk of Bonita Springs?
All the area gas stations are in the business to turn a profit. We are a not-for-profit corporation. There is no mark up for profit when we sell gas. It’s sold at the cost of what we pay including freight and taxes. There have been only two deliveries in past three months. The price is then set based on the delivery price. And the price only changes with new deliveries. Best case scenario – if everyone at Village Walk were to buy gas here, we could order deliveries of more gas on a weekly basis and then the price would always be below the area’s gas stations. We encourage everyone to buy gas here so that we’ll always be below the market.
Food and Drink at the Pools.
Florida Administrative Code 64E-9 states there can be no food or drink in the pool or on the pool deck. It doesn’t really define the “pool deck” but the Health Department said, “the pool deck is typically four feet from the water’s edge; however, you can’t serve food or drink within ten feet from the water’s edge. So HOAs define the pool deck as ten feet from the water’s edge.” So to avoid fines and having the pool shut down, please remind your neighbors of this if you happen to see one of them entering the water with a beverage or food.
Storms and Umbrellas.
At the conclusion of a landscape inspection, just before a heavy thunderstorm came through, we had the buggy in front of the gas pumps when all of a sudden, an umbrella from the pool deck sailed over the roof of the restaurant and fell crashing down right next to a startled person’s car. The umbrella missed the car by about two feet. The umbrella was one of the ten new ones that were procured in March of 2009. You may have noticed, the pool has five for use. The other five are in storage due to extensive damage they’ve sustained. We encourage anyone at the pool before a storm, please crank down the open umbrellas.
“Just doesn’t look right...”
The sheriff’s office has a phone number they refer to as “just doesn’t look right.” It’s (239) 477-1234. The purpose of this phone number is so Lee County residents who see something that looks odd can call it in. Maybe the phone call will end up in a false alarm. But then some of those calls will prevent a crime from occurring. Trust your instincts, your intuition, your gut feeling.
Street Lighting
The office staff members are rarely here after dark. So if you happen to notice a street light that’s flickering or not working at all, please provide us with the pole number (usually yellow lettering vertically on the pole) and the street address of the closest home. We can then call this in to FP&L and they are committed to making the necessary repairs within five to ten business days.
Tennis Courts after a rain
Our maintenance staff closes the tennis courts after a heavy rain for two reasons: One, play can damage the courts when the court surfaces are too wet; and two, the courts are not safe for play and that is a safety issue. Usually it’s just a couple of hours and then they’re ready again for play. So please be patient after storms come through.
Woodsy the Owl said, “Give a Hoot. Don’t pollute.”
Those who grew up with Smokey the Bear will remember Woodsy. Huge frustration is walking around the resort pool. Cups, wrappers, napkins, and especially cigarette butts randomly tossed aside. Exhibit D of the Declaration is the Rules and Regulations. Number seven states the following: “No littering shall be done or permitted on the Association property.” Of course this does not apply to everyone, because most people do not litter. But where the shoe fits, this is a reminder – Village Walk is your property. Please treat the resort pool like your own back yard.
New Town Manager
As many of you know, I became the new Town Manager on June 7, 2010. I spent six and a half years in the U.S. Army where I became an Airborne Ranger serving in a Ranger Battalion and then went to the Berlin Brigade where we patrolled the Berlin Wall in the American Sector. I then went to Cleveland State University and earned a B.A. I spent the next twelve years as a compensation analyst working for BP Oil, Lincoln Electric, Core Comm, and Ohio Health (hospital system in Columbus). In 2004, I moved to Naples and became a Community Association Manager (CAM). I’ve been with Southwest Property Management since July 2007. The past three years, I was on-site at the Cascades which is a community in Estero with 614 homes. My wife, Lynn and I live in Estero with two cats: Tatchmo Vagabound and Chattenooga Choo Choo McGoo. My personal interests are European travel, music, movies, theater, museums, art, and reading. I am very proud to be here at VillageWalk of Bonita to serve this community. Please be patient as I learn all of your names.
The irrigation schedule is mandated by the South Florida Water Management District. We water your home twice weekly. While we have fertilized the turf, it will grow more slowly than in the summer months. We mow the grass every other week until the turf starts growing more .
The Definition of a “GATED COMMUNITY"
Definitions of Gated community on the Web:
• In its modern form, a gated community is a form of residential community containing strictly controlled entrances
for pedestrians, bicycles, and ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gated community
• Means a neighborhood, often surrounded by a barrier, that is only open to residents and their visitors.
www.dbh.govt.nz/unit-titles-review-section-
• A neighborhood or group of neighborhoods, usually surrounded by masonry walls, restricting access through the
use of a manned guard station or electronically operated gates. The electronic gates may be opened through the
use of individual remote controls and/or a numeric keypad and code. ...
www.mongolia-properties.com/option,com_rd_glossary/Itemid,81/limit,25/limitstart,150/
• A walled or fenced housing development which has a secure entrance of a remote control gate, security guard or
other secure measure at the entrance. www.10realty.com/realestateterms-g.html
All of these definitions refer to ACCESS CONTROL. We have a controlled access community. It is not to be
misconstrued to think that you are any more secure when you pass through the gate arm than you are in any other
scenario.
There are no roving patrols at this time.
I
t is imperative that you LOCK YOUR CARS, LOCK YOUR HOMES AND WINDOWS, NEVER LEAVE
CHILDREN OR PETS UNATTENDED, NEVER ALLOW A STRANGER INTO YOUR HOME UNLESS THEY
HAVE PROPER IDENTIFICATION AND YOU ARE EXPECTING THEM.
It is NEVER POSSIBLE for the officer on duty at the gate house to leave the gate unattended and they cannot call for
you in an emergency.
If you experience any emergency situation you must call 911. When emergency vehicles arrive there will not be a delay
at the gate.
Wakenhut ’s Mission Statement reads as follows :
“Our mission is to provide expert security services that exceed customer expectations. We differentiate ourselves by
attracting the best people; offering innovative solutions; and fostering long-term partnerships. We are committed to the
principle of professionalism and integrity instilled by our founder and strive to positively impact our nation, communities
and stakeholders.’
Recent Government Studies
In the past month I have attended two presentations on behalf of Villagewalk of Bonita Springs Homeowners' Association. On April 22, 2009 an independent engineering firm provided the South Lee Residents with scenarios and a recommendation on changes in the watershed plan that originated in 1999. This became necessary as the permits were issued for the widening of I-75 and it was determined that the 1999 report may require revision. Many Bonita residents have expressed concern over the flooding that occurred with tropical Storm Fay in 2008 and the lack of information in this study pertaining to a solution. "The original intent of the South Lee County Watershed Plan Update was to look at Halfway Creek, Estero River, and Spring Creek due to the Florida Department of Transportation requesting a permit for that area for road construction. As we moved through the public process several requests came in from Bonita Springs officials and landowners to expand the model south boundary to Bonita Beach Road and the Imperial River. Information and data for the Bonita Springs area has been collected and added to the update. It helped to lay a sound foundation for future efforts. A project at Halfway Creek is going to have minimal impact on the Imperial River. However, the report identifies problems in the entire watershed that have to be resolved. Discussions are all ready underway on what can be done specifically for the Bonita Springs area. There is no one single “silver bullet” project that is going to resolve all the issues in such a large watershed. It is going to take a number of projects / solutions. If everyone continues to work together these solutions can occur.” Steve Sentes, South Florida Water Management District
In addition, I recently attended a swamp buggy ride through a small portion of the CREW (Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed) Lands and areas managed by the South Florida
Water Management District (SFWMD). Many of our residents may not recognize that we live in an area mostly surrounded by a 60,000-acre watershed encompassed in both Lee and Collier Counties. The SFWMD manages 3,000 acres of that land and is looking to acquire more in the future. The plan for this watershed is for a multitude of purposes including hunting, public education, watershed, water flow, animal protection, bird protection, forestry and vegetation management. The history of the land is fascinating and includes private homes, cattle farms, timber / logging areas and agricultural farms. Please refer to the 2006 management plan at the link
CREW_GMP_DRAFT.PDF This is a large document of 107 pages, but full of information.
Most recently SFWMD acquired Poor Man’s Pass which is located just East of Villagewalk of Bonita Springs. This additional 13 acres adds to acres of strategic land the District has successfully acquired to restore north of Bonita Beach Road and upstream of the Kehl Canal Weir.
The purpose of this project is to achieve ecosystem restoration of 4,670 acres in the southern Flint Pen Strand region of Lee County and reestablish the natural historical flow-way to Estero Bay. Two side benefits of the restoration would be reestablishment of natural flood protection and natural aquifer recharge. When completed, the restoration project will provide significant benefits to the ecosystem including:
- Restoring wetlands and the natural sheet flow of water.
- Improving regional flood protection and improving drainage.
- Increasing water storage and aquifer recharge capability.
- Reducing the flow of fertilizer, pesticide and septic pollution into the Imperial River.
Water once flowed freely across landscape of what is now Bonita Springs in Lee County. Historic water sheet flow in the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed was later blocked by dirt roads, agricultural ditches and several home sites. This altered the ecosystem and contributed to flooding in residential and other areas. Floods in 1995 led the District to develop the Southern CREW Restoration Project to restore the ecosystem while protecting area residents and their properties. As I learn more about these areas of local concern and interest, I am available to any resident to discuss these matters. Feel free to contact me.
After Hours Emergency Number for
VillageWalk Concerns:
The number for Southwest Property
Management’s after-hours answering service is 239-261-3440.
Divosta provided emergency numbers:
- plumbing: Cape Coral Plumbing 239-693-4714
- electrical: Premier Electric 239-514-2961
- HVAC: Conditioned Air 239-277-7877
Community Emergency
Response Team
When a major disaster occurs, professional first responders
are not always available to meet the demand for its services.
When that happens, “CERT” can be called into action.
The Bonita Springs Fire Department has formed this award winning
group of volunteers known as the “Community
Emergency Response Team”. CERT members are trained
and called out to assist the Fire Department when needed for
hurricane, tornado, and flood preparation and recovery, search
and rescue, emergency triage medical assistance, use of fire
extinguishers, setting up temporary rehabilitation facilities
for firefighters and victims, and assisting in the event of other
local disasters.
There is presently a CERT team consisting of 9 San Remo,
Palmira, and Village Walk residents that is in training with
the Fire Department. The teams generally consist of a mixture
of permanent Bonita residents and “snowbirds.” There are
currently 4 active CERT teams in Bonita Springs and the
group in training will be the fifth and the only one on the east
side of I-75.
If you are interested in joining the CERT program, contact
Greg Chaberski at 949-4875 or gregchab@msn.com or
Nicole Giuliano, the Bonita Springs Fire Department CERT
Coordinator, at 949-6228 or nicoleG@bonitafire.org.
Defibrillator
We do have on site an Automated External Defibrillator
(AED). It is centrally located in the gym which is accessible
24 hours and 7 days a week with your provided key.
Remember to call or have someone call 911 first.
Volunteers
We are looking for those who may be interested in serving on any committees within he community. Some of the committees to be formed include Budget, Violations / Compliance, Fining, Security, Safety, Disaster Preparedness and External Affairs.
Landscaping / Irrigation
If you are in need of landscape attention at your home, please contact the Homeowners Association Office located in the Town Center at 949-9909 and describe your concern.
The weekly landscape walkthroughs are conducted on
Fridays. If plants are to be
replaced, please allow three weeks for that to be completed.
In some instances, the corrective measure would be to
fertilize or treat for insects; improvement may take time in the winter months.
Likewise, if you have an irrigation concern, please contact the Homeowners Association Office. The irrigation team is on site daily Monday –
Friday and should be able to address your concern within
two business day s..
If you see a street light out, simply jot down the number on the pole and let the Town Center office know.
Pest Control
The VillageWalk Homeowners Association pays for private mosquito control at the Town Center so Homeowners may enjoy the amenities without being bothered by bug bites. However, if you are experiencing a problem at your home, the number to call is Lee County Mosquito Control at 239-694-2174. The Homeowners Association does not budget
for nor contract for any pest elimination for
individual homes. Please
contact a licensed and
insured pest control
company to perform
periodic pest control
should the
need arise
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