From the Desk of the President
by Glenn L. Davis
Please mark your calendars for the Cedar Creek Property Owners’ Association, Inc., Annual Meeting. The date is Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at the Hope Lutheran Church, 25999 Old 41, starting at 7:00 p.m. There will be two Board of Directors positions open. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors, please let Property Manager Frank Coffey of MMI, know of your intent. Forms will be included in the “first notice” mailing for this meeting.
Now, on to the latest happenings in Cedar Creek. On January 19th, the monthly Board of Directors meeting was held. The following monetary items were discussed and voted on: a motion to award the bid for the sidewalk project to Griffith Paving for $15,000.00 passed unanimously; a motion to spend $4,000.00 for installation of 400 Areca palms around the back walls passed unanimously; a motion to spend $3,500.00 for Grow, Inc., to replace plants & trees in common areas passed unanimously; and finally a motion to spend $1,890.00 to trim the cabbage (sable) palms in common areas passed unanimously.
A note of thanks goes out to Jim Riordan, Lloyd Zimmerman, Rick Hall, and Denny Berens for their efforts in cleaning up and touching up the paint in some areas around the pool and cabana. Also, a note of thanks to Bud Ahlbrand for his continuing oversight in opening the pool and cabana every morning and closing up the pool umbrellas in the evening. Ensuring that you have this (and the previous newsletters) delivered to your mailbox is Bob Anderson and his fellow distributors. They include: Jan Piscitelli, Larry Berlen, Kathy Sabarese, Paul Mancuso, Wain & Donna Garrison and Larry Hess.
LaVerne Stein has been instrumental in organizing the monthly “Ladies Coffee’s.” Randy Greenwald makes sure the American flag at the entrance to Cedar Creek is in good condition and lowers the flag to half-mast on those occasions that require honoring notable dignitaries. To all of the above, we thank them for their untiring efforts in keeping Cedar Creek a beautiful and friendly community.
Now, for the bad news - a non-registered 24-year old male, residing on Springtide Court has been arrested for allegedly breaking the thigh of a 2-month old baby boy.
On the night of January 10th, three residents reported that their hubcaps were stolen from cars parked in their driveways. Please park your vehicles in your garage if at all possible.
Even in this sluggish economy, we have had several resales in Cedar Creek. If you are a new owner/resident, we welcome you and ask that you contact Greg Coury at greg@globalsecurityusa.com to get your contact information registered. This will allow you easier access to Cedar Creek after 5:00 p.m. daily.
Along those lines, we also will be publishing this newsletter on line, at www.ourcedarcreek.com Please contact either Greg or me with your correct e-mail address and telephone number. That way, if we have news that can’t wait until the first of the month, we can do a mass e-mailing to those residents who have provided that information to us. Your information will not be distributed outside of Cedar Creek and will be for residential use only.
Neighborhood Watch volunteers are still needed to complete the monthly schedules. If you are interested, please contact Angela Elmore at Angelaelmore@verizon.net or by phone at 206-6650. Your involvement will be greatly appreciated.
As of the deadline for this edition of The Cedar Creek News, there is only one property still owing the 2007 and 2008 assessments and fees. Four other properties are in arrears for their 2008 annual assessment. Three owners paid late, but neglected to pay the late fee or the interest. These owners will continue to be billed until their accounts have been paid in full.
In accordance with the By-Laws of the Cedar Creek Property Owners’ Association, Inc., Article XI, Section 11.7, the addresses listed below have not paid their required fees and/or assessments for the calendar year 2008 as of January 29th 2009:
9521 Cedar Creek Drive - 1,260.40
25541 Inlet Way Court - 846.92
25611 Inlet Way Court - 66.63
25701 Inlet Way Court - 4,091.94
25860 Creekbend Drive - 1,260.40
25890 Creekbend Drive - 1,260.40
25949 Pebblecreek Drive - 1,260.40
The total of accounts receivable is $10,047.09, including late fees and interests through January 31, 2009. By now, all of the above properties have had their account turned over to the Association attorney for collection, which will include the December interest charge plus attorney’s fees which are in excess of $300.00 just for the first letter. The attorneys’ lien fees are in excess of an additional $500.00.
As an added note, there are four properties in Cedar Creek that are in foreclosure proceedings with their individual mortgage companies, all of which are included in the above listing. On the advice of the Association attorney, we will wait until each of these properties sell and collect any outstanding debts via estoppel letters when they go to closing with new owners, or when the banks release them from their indebtedness.
For all of our residents whose property backs up to one of our six lakes, LakeMasters, the company that maintains our lakes, has made the following request. “Please have your lawn mowing contractor, or if you cut your own lawn, refrain from directing the lawn clippings into the lakes.” Apparently, this practice increases the amount of algae growth in the waters. This is detrimental to the quality of the lake waters, which in turn, increases the amount of algaecide needed to control the algae growth. Your cooperation with this request will be appreciated by both LakeMasters and the Association.
Now that “rainy” season is over, we need to pay attention to our individual yards, especially the lawns. Just a reminder to take a look around your property. The Violations Committee has resumed citing those properties that, in the opinion of the Committee, have problems that should be addressed. Is your lawn’s irrigation system working properly? Is it in need of weed, insect or disease control or, does it just need a good dose of fertilization? Does the roof need to be power/pressure cleaned? If you get a notice from the Management Company regarding a maintenance problem, please take care of the problem in a timely manner.
Debbie’s Helping HandI am at your service if you should need…·
Transportation to an appointment, Run your errands,
Do your shopping. #239-595-1481
If you have an item that you would like to sell, please send us a note via e-mail and we will put your mini-ad in the Cedar Creek Newsletter, space permitting. This is not an invitation to have a garage or a yard sale, just a one time ad to try to sell an item that you no longer wish to retain. Send your mini-ad to GLDavis88@aol.com for inclusion in the next issue, subject to space available.
Trash Pickup
We have observed that some folks are putting their yard waste at the curb as much as six (6) days ahead of the normal pickup day for palm fronds, branches and other clippings. Please retain them beside your residence until the morning of the scheduled pickup. Other folks are being remiss in storing their empty or partially empty trash cans in view from the street. Our documents require waste receptacles be stored out of sight of both the street and the neighbor’s property. (See Section 9.12 of the Cedar Creek Documents.) And, some owners have stored bags of mulch near their driveway. Again, please store these materials out of sight until you can find the time to apply them to your landscaping.
Canoe Rack
If you wish to rent a space on the Cedar Creek canoe rack, the annual fee is $100.00. Please make your check payable to C.C.P.O.A. and submit it to Glenn Davis. We have 3 remaining spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you currently are renting space, your 2009 fee is due now. Please make your check payable to C.C.P.O.A. for $100.00 and remit it to me ASAP.
Litter BugsAs you drive the streets of Cedar Creek, you have likely noticed from time-to-time, litter scattered through our otherwise beautiful community. If you do happen to see empty beverage cans or bottles, fast food containers or any other item that takes away from the aesthetics of Cedar Creek, please take a moment or two to stop and pick up the litter and dispose of it properly. We certainly hope it is outsiders, and not our residents that are responsible for this blight. We all thank you
Gate Access Card Available
We have had many requests for an access code to the front gate. Since a code can easily be passed from one person to another thus reducing the security of the neighborhood, we have chosen not to issue a general access code.1. The new tele-entry system, which was installed about a year ago, has the ability to work with an access card. These cards are about the size of a credit card and can be used to access the neighborhood whenever needed. Unlike a code, these cards cannot be duplicated and are associated with a homeowner's name at the tele-entry system.2. Whenever a code is presented to the card reader at the callbox, the gate will open and record the access into the neighborhood. These cards are now available for purchase. The first card is $20 and each additional card is $10. If you would like to get a card to access the neighborhood, please contact Greg Coury at 239-949-3357. Greg also has a supply of new Genie brand garage/gate remote control openers. They are available for $40.00, which includes the programming of the openers. Greg is a resident of Cedar Creek and has helped us maintain the gates through his company Global Security.
Neighborhood Directories
Requests continue to come in for copies of the Cedar Creek directories. As reported in last month’s “Current,” we have updated directories available for our residents only. The most recent updated version is current as of December 11, 2008. We still have phone numbers and/or e-mail vacancies that need to be filled. If you haven’t provided your e-mail address or phone number to either Greg Coury or me for inclusion in the directories, please take the time to do so if you want this information included.
Upon request, a directory can be transmitted to you electronically. These directories are for non-commercial use only. They are not intended to be used for mass-mailing lists. Just e-mail me with your request to
GLDavis88@aol.com or drop me a line requesting a paper copy for $0.50 for either an alphabetical listing or a “by street” listing or $1.00 for both. Please enclose the required amount and, if I am home, I will get a copy to you within 48 hours. If you receive a copy of our Directory, please check it over for any typos, misinformation or missing info, such as e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, etc. and advise Greg or me of any errors so that corrections can be made.
Email Subscriptions
If you would like to be on the community e-mail list, please fill in the form on the front page of the Cedar Creek website at www.OurCedarCreek.com
Occasionally, there will be items of importance that will be disseminated from the web site straight to your e-mail box. Check it out and bookmark it.
Community Management
MMI of the Gulf Coast, Inc., is our management company. MMI may be reached at 949-7741. The Property Managers are Frank Coffey and Jennifer Waters. They oversee the day-to-day operations of Cedar Creek and they will be in the community on a weekly basis to identify problems, notifying any owner(s) of observed violations. If the violations are not resolved in a timely fashion, they will articulate such to the Board for possible action. We believe that MMI is very responsive to the needs of the owners as well as the Board.
Cabana Rental
If you are planning to hold an event at the Cabana, contact MMI of the Gulf Coast, Inc., to reserve the area for your function. Keep in mind that there is a $100.00 deposit required which is fully refundable, as long as only Cedar Creek residents are in attendance and there is no damage in the Cabana, Chickee Hut or pool area. If your event involves non-Cedar Creek residents, there will be a $25.00 usage charge. In this case, $75.00 will be returned if no extra clean-up charges are incurred. Please note that even though you have reserved the Cabana for a function, the facilities, including pool & spa, still are available to residents of Cedar Creek and their guests.
Street Lights
If you should notice a burned out street light or one that “cycles” - meaning that it comes on for a few minutes, then off for a few minutes - please take a moment to jot down the numbers that appear on the pole and call FPL at 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243). Once the menu comes on, touch 2 and then 3. You should be connected to an actual “live” person. At this
point, inform them of the problem and give them the information that they request. FPL’s repair crew should respond in 5 to 10 days.
Your Property
Trash receptacles should be kept in your garage until trash collection day. Don’t wait until you get a phone call or a letter from the Management Company calling a violation(s) to your attention. We would like to see our community maintain the high standards that were present when you purchased your home in Cedar Creek. Remember, recycled goods are collected on Wednesdays, as is household waste. We still have a few residents who put newspapers in their recycle bin without first either securing them with twine or putting them in an empty grocery bag. A gust of wind will blow these unsecured newspapers throughout the neighborhood. Please put items by the curb on the scheduled pick-up day only. If you have boxes containing “popcorn” Styrofoam packing material, please secure the shipping container with twine or tape to prevent the wind from blowing the Styrofoam throughout the neighborhood. Yard waste is collected on Thursdays. If there is a major holiday during the week, the collections will be delayed by one day following the holiday. Monday, May 25th will be the next holiday that will impact Cedar Creek. Household waste and Recyclable items will be picked up on Thursday. Yard waste collections will be on Friday of that week. Please make a note of this. Your cooperation in taking care of your property will go a long way in keeping the property values high, and your neighbors will appreciate having community members who care.
Parking near and/or blocking access to mail boxes may result in the mail not being delivered. This is the Post Office policy for mail carriers and they will hold your mail for days before you are ever notified to pick it up.
We continue to receive complaints about some of our residents walking their dogs, allowing them to defecate, then not picking up after them. For health and cosmetic reasons,
please pick up after your pets. It also has come to our attention that dogs are being walked on private property instead of the common grounds. If you don’t want to walk your pet on your own property, please understand that your neighbor doesn’t want you walking them on their property either! A little common sense and respect for fellow residents will go a long way. And lastly, letting your dog play off the leash in the street could result in an accident involving your cherished pet and a motorist or even a bicyclist. Please make sure your dog is on a leash. It is the law.
Monthly Workshops
The Board of Directors holds workshops at 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at the Cabana. These “workshops” will be open to all property owners for observation only, as the workshops will be used for an exchange of ideas between Board members. If you have a concern, we will address it either before we open the workshop or after we have exhausted our agenda for the day. The Property Manager also will be in attendance.
Extended Absence
For those of you who will be out of town for extended stays, or even if you are only away for a few days, you should ask a neighbor or friend to look after your property in your absence. Quite often, newspapers, especially the Bonita Banner, will be delivered to your driveway or the The Cedar Creek News will be placed by your mailbox and remain there until you return. This is one of the signs burglars look for to determine that the house is currently unoccupied. If a friend or neighbor would make sure the papers are picked up and also look for any other problem, such as broken tree limbs, broken water pipes or any other damage, then you will be aware of any problems before they magnify.
Website
All owners and residents who are connected to the internet now have access to all of the governing documents for Cedar Creek. This includes the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Cedar Creek, the Articles of Incorporation of the CCPOA, Inc, the By-Laws of the Association, and all of the amendments to those Covenants and By-Laws that affect the operation of the Association. From time-to-time, we hear property owners say they have never received a copy of these Documents. Now, with the aid of our improved web site, www.OurCedarCreek.com these Documents can be read and/or printed out for future reference. If you are one of those owners maintaining that you have not been given a copy of the documents specific to Cedar Creek, please take time to review them.
A Winner Every Week
Poker players play every Thursday at the Cabana
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Call Mike Hochrun for more info at 992-3731
Hand & Foot Canasta?
CEDAR CREEK LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Would you like to learn how to play hand & foot Canasta? It's fun and easy. We meet at the cabana every Monday at 1:00 p.m. If interested, please contact Marlene Ciani at 992-9395 or email mciani15@yahoo.com. Hope to hear from you.
Pool, Spa, Bocce and Tennis Court
Please remember, hours for pool, spa, bocce and tennis court usage are from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For the concern and respect of your neighbors, please abide by these posted times. If you open an umbrella at the pool, please make sure you wind it down before you leave to avoid damage should a windstorm arise. To show consideration of others, and for the cleanliness of the pool area, please refrain from smoking in the pool and spa areas.
The Cedar Creek Bocce court has been a hit with the residents. The game is great fun and easy to play. This is not a game for men only. The ladies who have been playing love it. Rules for the use of the court are posted on the tennis court fence. Rules for playing the game are posted on the bulletin board in the cabana. There is no shortage of Bocce ball sets in the neighborhood so it is not necessary to have your own set to play. For more information feel free to call one of the following: Dan Durante 498-9982; or Bill Schwessinger 992-4539. These numbers also will be posted in the cabana.
Please contact MMI of the Gulf Coast, Inc., at 949-7741 if you have intentions of using your property for rental purposes. They will provide you with a rental agreement form. If you have questions about the protocol for rental procedures, please refer to Amendment 8 of the Declaration of Covenants.
We encourage you to submit articles of either a humorous nature or of community interest, to be printed in the newsletter. All articles are subject to approval before deadline. After review, approved submissions will be included in the next newsletter issue. Deadline for February submissions will be January 25th.
We would like to see as much community involvement as possible. If you would like to contribute something toward community service, please contact me or any one of the other Board members.
CEDAR CREEK LADIES’ COFFEE - MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS
The February Coffee will be held at the home of Ceil Gesualdi, 25631 Inlet Way Ct. on (Tuesday), February 17th at 2:00 p.m. Please call Ceil at 949-9545 by Sunday, February 15th if you will attend.
The March Coffee will be held at the home of Ethel Vera, 25521 Inlet Way Ct., on Tuesday, March 17, at
2:00 p.m. Please call Ethel at 949-0371 by Monday, March 16th, if you will attend.We are in need of Coffee Volunteers for September to December 2009. Please call LaVerne Stein, 498-9647, if you are interested in volunteering. Let's keep our Coffees and those pleasant times we share together ongoing. Remember, your Coffee can be kept as simple as you would like (coffee or iced tea and cookies are fine-it's just a get-together).
The Architectural Review Committee
According to our Covenants, any visible changes to your house or grounds require approval by the Board of Directors (BOD) by means of an Architectural Change Application Form submitted to the (ARC) for review prior to transmittal to the (BOD). The forms are available from Ken Kosbab (ARC) Chairman at 8940 Creek Run Drive (992-1969) and are to be returned to same. The (ARC) will review the change request, discuss with the homeowner if necessary and transmit the request with (ARC) recommendation to the (BOD) for final review. A two to three week period is necessary for review and approval by (ARC) and submittal to (BOD) for their review and decision. Copies of the approved requests will be delivered to the residents. Residents also will be notified of any request denied by the (BOD) and the reasons for denial. Approval or rejection of all requests is the sole responsibility of the (BOD). The (ARC) responsibility is to fully review each request and make their recommendation to the (BOD). There have been cases in the past where residents have made changes to their property,
painted, etc. without requesting approval. When this happens and the (BOD) is made aware, the homeowner will be contacted by the (BOD), Violations Committee, and/or Property Manager to obtain and transmit an Architectural Change request form to the (ARC) for processing. Take note: There is no guarantee that the change will be approved just because it already has been completed.
As a result of concerns pertaining to house color changes, the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) has prepared the following guidelines for requests for exterior house painting.
According to the Cedar Creek Covenants, any visible property changes must be approved by the ARC and then by the Board of Directors (BOD). This must be done via a “Request for Change/Addition Application Form,” which will be reviewed by the ARC prior to presentation to the BOD.
The “Request for Change/Addition Application Form" is to include the following information: Name of homeowner, Date of request, Address of property, Telephone number, Expected start and finish dates, Owner’s signature and Description of change: i.e. “We request approval to repaint the exterior of our home.” The following information must be included:
Paint color chips for base color and trim with manufacture’s paint number
Color of garage door (base)
Color of front door (base or trim color)
Color of fascia, gables, gutter
Flat or semi-gloss paint
A “Request for Change/Addition Application Form,” is available from Ken Kosbab at 8940 Creek Run Drive (992-1969) or on line at: www.OurCedarCreek.com and must be completed and returned to Ken. Since it is difficult to determine from a small paint chip how the base color will appear on a large wall, it may be beneficial to the owner to try a 2' x 2' square area on a rear wall. Preferences for colors are warm, light earth tones and muted pastels. Currently, Karen DeVoll and Jim Tindal are serving on the (ARC) with Ken.
