From the Desk of the President
by
Glenn L. Davis
This newsletter is paid for by the advertisements seen in the print edition. Please patronize these businesses and tell them you saw their ad in the Cedar Creek News.
On Saturday evening, October 31st, several residents put candies out on their entry foyer for Hallowe’en “Trick or Treaters.” A few participants took advantage of the generosity of the homeowners and pilfered both the candies and the containers holding the candies. One would like to think that our children would be above such action, but apparently not. As a result of this, one “victim” has volunteered to hold a Hallowe’en Party at the Cabana next year on Sunday, October 31st for the children of Cedar Creek. Given that this is nearly a year from now, we feel that this would be a good idea. As we get closer to that date, we will have more information available for you to contemplate.
At the Board Budget meeting held on November 16th in the Cabana, the following motions were made:: A motion was made to spend no more than $4,200.00 to enclose the gate house. This motion was passed by a 4 - 0 vote. A motion to have 18,000 sq. ft. of sod installed next year at a cost not to exceed $10,800.00 was passed by a 4 - 0 vote. A motion was made to install new irrigation controls to replace the old Unik controls was passed by a 4 - 0. And finally, the 2010 Budget was presented to the members. The 2010 Budget will see a reduction of $75.00 per property, meaning the 2010 Assessment for most property owners will be $950.00. Those 11 property owners who still owe for 2009 will see a higher Assessment. The Board voted 4 - 0 to approve this motion.
There will not be a Board of Directors meeting for the month of December due to the proximity of the Christmas and New Years holidays. It is our sincere hope that all of our residents have a safe and joyous holiday season and that the year 2010 will bring good health and happiness throughout the year.
Annual Meeting
The Cedar Creek Property Owners’ Association, Inc., will hold its’ Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 9th at the Hope Lutheran Church on Old 41. There will be three (3) openings for Directors. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for a two-year term, please contact Nominations Committee Chairman Wain Garrison at 390-1080 for more information.
Garage Sale - Bev Hempen
The 2009 Cedar Creek Garage Sale is over for another year and, from all accounts, was a tremendous success. We had 46 participants who cleaned out closets and garages to offer wonderful items at amazing prices. Thanks to the number of homes taking part, there was more than enough to take care of advertising costs, with the extra funds to be set aside to help with next year's advertising.
Tis The Season For Giving To Those Less Fortunate.......
1. We are in need of adult clothing and shoes, for both men and women
2. Canned goods
3. Kitchen utensils, such as pots and pans, plates, silverware, glasses etc...
The donations can be dropped off at my front door, in a white bin, or in the event that someone in our neighborhood wants me to pick up items at their house, please call me at 595-1481. Thank you. Debbie LaRosa
Cedar Creek Ladies Book Club
The Cedar Creek Ladies Book Club meets once a month on the fourth Monday at 7:15 PM. We read mostly fiction with a few non-fiction, and bios included occasionally. If you're interested, call or email Carolyn Gallagher, 949-0949, gallahawk@aol.com.
Volunteerism
Last Saturday, a group of residents decorated the entrance to Cedar Creek. We thank Jan Ruxton for heading the committee and her able assistants: Cindy Whitaker, Linda & Rudy Faas, Fred Herr, Bob Anderson, Bill Schwessinger, Linda & Beau Mascali and Bobby Berkeley. If you see any of these volunteers, please thank them for a job well done!
We want to thank the regular group of citizens who help with weekly cleanups and light maintenance in the common areas of Cedar Creek. The common areas seem to be a dumping ground for residents and outsiders alike, disposing of fast food wrappers, beverage cans and bottles and other items of waste. You can usually see them picking up debris along US 41 in front of Cedar Creek, along the main thoroughfare and in the Community pool and tennis court areas on Tuesday mornings. If you would like to donate some time on any Tuesday morning to help with this ongoing project, please call either Lloyd Zimmerman at 992-8123 or Glenn at 992-2120. Your help will be greatly appreciated. We thank Tony Fornarola for helping repair the entrance gate two weeks ago. In reviewing the video tape, we are happy to report that the gate malfunctioned due to metal fatigue.
Delinquencies
In accordance with the By-Laws of the Cedar Creek Property Owners’ Association, Inc., Article XI, Section 11.7, the 10 properties listed below have not paid their required assessments, late fees and/or interest, as of November 30, 2009 and are in the hands of the Association attorney for lien attachments:
9071 Cedar Creek Dr. 61.86
9050 Cedar Creek Dr. 67.60
8850 Springwood Ct. 1,134.67
8811 Springwood Ct. 1,231.29
8890 Springwood Ct. 1,231.39
25857 Pebblecreek Dr. 1,231.39
8810 Creek Run Dr. 1,248.27
25611 Inlet Way Ct. 1,323.28
9521 Cedar Creek Dr. 2,641.41
25860 Creekbend Dr. 2,641.41
The total of account receivables is $12,965.37, including assessments, late fees and interests through November 30, 2009 on these accounts. The attorney’s lien fees are in excess of an additional $500.00.
In addition to the above, the Association is currently maintaining five (5) properties that have been vacated by the respective owners. These incurred costs total $5,489.83, over and above the total accounts receivable.
As an added note, there are at least nine (9) 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.
Cedar Creek Ladies’ Coffee - Meet Your Neighbors
The December Coffee will be held on Tuesday, December 15, at the home of Diana Durante, 25580 Inlet Way at 2:00 p.m. Please call Diana at 498-9982 by Sunday, December 13, if you will attend. There will be a Xmas Gift Exchange Grab Bag in the amount of $10. The January Coffee will be held at the home of LaVerne Stein, 25885 Pebblecreek Dr., on Tuesday, January 19, at 2:00 p.m. Please call LaVerne at 498-9647 by Sunday, January 17, if you will attend. We've had a great response of Coffee volunteers for 2010. We are only in need of May. Call LaVerne at 498-9647 if you wish to volunteer. We will have luncheons at the Cabana in June and September and be off in July and August.
Directories
Requests continue to come in for copies of the Cedar Creek directories. As reported in last month’s “Newsletter,” we have updated directories available for our residents only. The most recent updated version is current as of October 24, 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: 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.
If you would like to be on the community e-mail list, please sign up using the link provided on our website. 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.
Community Management
MMI of the Gulf Coast, Inc., is our management company. Their address is 3511 Bonita Bay Blvd., Suite 1, Bonita Springs, FL 34134. Their telephone & fax numbers are (239) 949-7741 & (239) 949-7751. Please make a note of this.
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 and the Board as well.
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 or call him at
(239) 949-7741 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 239-949-3357 to get your contact information registered. This will allow you easier access to Cedar Creek after 5:00 p.m. daily.
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 Collection
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 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 31st will be the next holiday that will impact Cedar Creek. Household waste and Recyclable items will be picked up on Thursday, June 3rd. Yard waste collections will be on Friday, June 4th.. 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
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.
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. If you turn on the Air Conditioning, turn it off when you leave. This costs the Association money. The Cedar Creek Bocce court is popular 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.
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.
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.
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.
Online Documents
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.
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:
http://ourcedarcreek.com/docs/archreviewform.pdf 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 Aworkshops@ 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.
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
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 mciani15@yahoo.com. Hope to hear from you.
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.
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) FPL’s repair crew should respond in 5 to 10 days.
