From the Desk of the President
by
Glenn L. Davis
There was no Board of Director’s meeting for the month of June. The next Board meeting will be on Monday, July 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the Cabana. This newsletter is paid for by the advertisements seen at the back. Please patronize these businesses and tell them you saw their ad in the Cedar Creek News.
On Saturday morning, June 20th the Bonita Springs Fire Department and three local Sheriff’s deputies responded to a fire at 25889 Pebblecreek Drive. The female occupant was rescued and taken to a nearby trauma center. At press time, no other details were available.
Volunteerism
Last month, it was observed that one of the playground parts had broken due to 15 years of exposure to the Florida weather. We contacted the manufacturer of the playground equipment and discerned that the replacement parts would total $750.00 plus installation. Through the untiring efforts of Denny Berens, Bobby Berkeley and Lloyd Zimmerman, they were able to find parts locally to make the necessary repairs, costing the Association only $85.86. Needless to say, they volunteered their efforts for replacing the broken parts. With neighbors such as these, along with about ten others who have lent their expertise and experience since we took over from US Home, they have saved the Association thousands and thousands of dollars over the course of nearly seven years. Obviously, we can’t thank them enough.
Delinquencies
In accordance with the By-Laws of the Cedar Creek Property Owners’ Association, Inc., Article XI, Section 11.7, the 16 properties listed below have not paid their required assessments, late fees and/or interest for the calendar year 2009, as of June 30, 2009 and are in the hands of the Association attorney for lien attachments:
9451 Cedar Creek Dr. 29.89
8880 Springwood Ct. 59.33
9071 Cedar Creek Dr. 61.86
25813 Pebblecreek Dr. 61.86
25651 Springtide Ct. 61.86
9050 Cedar Creek Dr. 67.60
8850 Springwood Ct. 1,050.19
8811 Springwood Ct. 1,137.45
8890 Springwood Ct. 1,137.45
25857 Pebblecreek Dr. 1,137.45
8810 Creek Run Dr. 1,154.43
25611 Inlet Way Ct. 1,220.24
25541 Inlet Way Ct. 1,953.59
9521 Cedar Creek Dr. 2,456.37
25860 Creekbend Dr. 2,456.37
25949 Pebblecreek Dr. 2,456.37
The total of account receivables is $16,926.88, including assessments, late fees and interests through June 30, 2009 on the above accounts. By now, all of the above properties have had their account turned over to the Association attorney for collection, which will include the April interest charge. The attorney’s lien fees are in excess of an additional $500.00.
In addition to the above, the Association is currently maintaining seven (7) properties that have been vacated by the respective owners. These incurred costs total $4,419.10, over and above the total accounts receivable. If this trend continues and the Association is unable to re-coup the bulk of these monies by the end of this year, we may have to increase significantly the proposed Assessment for 2010.
As an added note, there are at least eight properties in Cedar Creek that are in foreclosure proceedings with their individual mortgage companies, plus the Association will be foreclosing on one additional property, 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.
Annual Community Garage Sale
Please mark your calendars for Cedar Creek's Annual Garage Sale: Saturday, November 14. More details to follow. Please contact Bev or Mark Hempen at 992-8820.
Cedar Creek Ladies’ Coffee -
Meet Your Neighbors
The June Luncheon has been postponed until WEDNESDAY, September 16th because of so many ladies being away. Look for further announcements. The Coffees will resume then. We are in need of volunteers for October, December and 2010.
You can keep it simple, coffee, tea and cookies are fine. To volunteer call LaVerne Stein at 498-9647. Let's keep our pleasant times together going.
For Sale
Seafoam color sofa in very good condition for $175 or best offer. Call the Gallaghers, 949-0949.
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 May 5, 2009. 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: 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.
If you would like to be on the community e-mail list, please send your request to Greg Coury at . Occasionally, there will be items of importance that will be disseminated from the web site straight to your e-mail box. You may want to check out our web site from time-to-time. That web address is: www.OurCedarCreek.com Check it out and bookmark it.
Address Changes
To all out-of-area owners who have either had an address change or a problem with receiving mail from MMI, please contact MMI at: FCoffey@miamimanagement.com with your correct mailing address. This address will be your “official” address for all mailings from MMI.
New Residents
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 949-3357 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
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
Neighborhood Watch volunteers are still needed to complete the monthly schedules. If you are interested, please contact Angela Elmore at: or by phone at
206-6650. There are five more dates that need coverage, so, if you can assist one night a month for approximately 30 minutes, your involvement will be greatly appreciated.
Waste Collections
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, September 7th 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.
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. For all residents whose property backs up to one of our six lakes, LakeMasters, the company that maintains them, 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.
Your Property
Now that “rainy” season is here, 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 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 washed or cleaned? If you get a notice from the Management Company regarding a maintenance problem, please take care of the problem in a timely manner.
Want Ads
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: for inclusion in the next issue, subject to space available.
Litter Bugs
As 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 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.
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.
Parking
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.
Walking Your Pets
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.
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 (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 the (ARC) and submittal to the (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.
A “Request for Change/Addition Application Form,” is available from Karen DeVoll at 25511 Inlet Way Court (948-8831) or on line at: www.ourcedarcreek.com and must be returned to Karen. 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, Jim Tindal and Kathy Guyitt are serving on the (ARC) with Karen.
Board 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.
Going On Vacation?
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.
Cedar Creek News
We encourage all residents to read the The Cedar Creek News . It is an excellent source of pertinent community information. Also, a full copy of The Cedar Creek News and events will be posted on our web site on the first of each month. You can read this month’s issue, or any of the back issues, at www.OurCedarCreek.com then click on: President’s Message. This link appears on the left side of your screen, just under the heading “Board of Directors.”
Online Documents
Greg Coury spent several hours developing and designing this improved web site. 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.
Cedar Creek Ladies & 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 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.
Rental Property
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.
