Deercreek newsletter top logo image
Newsletter November 2011

Deercreek Owners Association
Volume XV     Issue 11      


In This Issue
Finance Committee Report
Calendar
Health Tips
Market Update
Market Update
DCCOA
Common Property
The View
Women's Alliance
Garden Club
Literary Circle
Golf
Club News
Finance Committee Report   

As of 09/31/2011:

  

Revenues: 

    $582,121

 

Expenses        

$579,234

   

Balance           

$ 2,887

 

Reserve Fund  

 $ 253,735

 

Receivables  

$108,512

 

Rec. over 90 days  

93,786

 
EVENTS

DCCOA

November 3, Thursday 
7PM  ARB

  

November 9, Wednesday
6PM Access Control   

  

November 10, Thursday

6PM Common Property
6PM Covenants Enforcement  

 

November 16, Wednesday

7PM Finance

  

November 17, Thursday
7PM Communications

7PM Board of Directors

 

November 30, Wednesday
7PM Board of Directors

 

 

EDGEWATER

November 17, Thursday  

7PM  HOA Board 


 COMMUNITY
 

November 17  Women's Alliance Fashion Show  


November 18-27 
Hubbard House Gift Cupboard Toy Drive

November 21, Monday 
10AM Literary Circle
 

 

Image for Healt tips by Lucy
November:

Staying Healthy
on the Road

read more>>>  

 

Click for November NEWS!

Danny Becton reports...


Serves as our Deercreek

CPAC Representative

Southeast CPAC,
District 3

Chair - Growth Management and Transportation

 

Click for report >>
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Bargain Avenue





www.deercreekcc.com


Highlights from the
September Meeting
Board Meeting of the DCCOA

A quorum of the DCCOA Board of Directors convened September 22 for its regularly scheduled meeting. The Board was called to order and two motions were immediately heard and unanimously passed; one for this meeting's agenda, the other for the minutes from the August 25th meeting.

 

Two homeowners, a husband and wife, were received as guest and asked to address the Board with their concern.   These homeowners had been receiving fines and notices for the condition of their lawn. They presented a litany of actions they had taken to overcome their lawn problems. This list amounted to thousands of dollars and clearly showed diligence on their part. That being said, the owners point was his lawn was not the root cause of the problem. In fact the root cause was the lawn across the street. The home had vacillated between renters and vacancy over several years and no responsibility for the lawns condition was taken. Presenting these facts, the homeowner asked the Broad to take action to fix the root cause and provide him and the rest of the homes in his area the relief they needed. The Board deliberated over the issue and many examples of distressed properties were brought up by Board members. A motion was made to have distressed and or abandoned properties cyclically cared for by the community's landscaping company. Cyclically insomuch as those identified properties would have, on a rotational basis, bug spray and basic upkeep performed. The motion was passed and the Common Property's Committee will handle the issue.

 

In the May Management Property Managers Report six properties were recommended for hearing by Covenant Enforcement.   A motion was made to accept the report and recommendations. The motion was quickly seconded and carried.

 

Committee reports started with Finance. The August financials showed a $4,500 surplus for the month. The revenues are ahead of the projected amount due to collection and late fees as well as income from advertising on the website.   A breakdown history for the legal fees has been requested as this line item is over budget $4,100. The Board President discussed the May Management contract and the changes that have been made; i.e., faxes/scans are no charge, fees for copies and color copies, etc. It was noted that in the new proposed contract with May Management fees for these services have been reduced, and the May Management contract will remain the same for three (3) years. The President heard a motion to accept the three year contract from May Management at the established rate with no increase in the rate for three years. Additionally, discussion was had on 90 day past due accounts that are increasing and a suggestion was made to raise the bad debt reserve. The Board President asked what the next step is after a money judgment is placed. A discussion ensued with no material action resulting.   The May Management hours supporting the ARB increased from 10 to 15 per month for a fee of $485 monthly.   The Deercreek Association will pay the Architectural Review incurred cost to May Management.

 

Access Control presented the gate violation report. There was a discussion of what constitutes a stop at a stop sign. The Board resolved to have this information included in the newsletter. The 2012 Allegiance contract was recommended for approval by the committee and the Christmas bonus for the guards was also approved. The Access Control Committee representative reported that a guard was dismissed for letting in a guest without authorization.

 

The Architectural Review Board (ARB) representative briefed that during the May Management contract renewal meeting various ARB items were also discussed; i.e., the owners will submit three color copies rather than have them copied by May Management as they are a high expense item for the ARB account and that any permits that are needed for projects should be obtained by the contractor. 

 

Covenant Enforcement reported that several owners were complaining about the tone of the violations letters they were receiving. Discussion was had on the issue, but no action resulted.   A resident owner attended the Covenant Enforcement Committee meeting to appeal a speeding citation and mentioned the guard would not show the resident the radar gun with the speed locked on it. This is an established procedure of Allegiance. Several owners attended the meeting regarding citations for brown lawns. The result was the previously addressed attendance of the owner and his wife to plead the case on root cause of brown grass.

 

Sidewalks and tree limbs were the topics for the Common Property Committee. The Committee is contacting a vendor to obtain a bid for sidewalk repair. A tree limb on common property encroaching on a home was a topic brought forward by a guest homeowner. Also, dead shrubs and tree limbs spread about common properties was discussed by the Committee. The Committee will look into the cost to remove the tree limb from the homeowner's property and the community landscaping personnel will be notified to pay more close attention to retrieving dead foliage.

 

The Deercreek Living Newsletter and electronic sign for the front gate led the issues for the Communications Committee. Articles and photos where reviewed, edited, and selected for the inaugural addition of the Deercreek Living Newsletter publication. A discussion over the commitment each committee has for contributing articles took place. Although no motion was made the board agreed that each committee would provide articles for each month's publication. The electrical line is laid for the electronic sign. The sign itself is held up in customs. It is suppose to be released before month's end.  

 

The Legal/Club representative briefed that $1,051 was paid by delinquent owners and two homes currently going through foreclosure will be up for auction in October.

 

The Old Business discussion was all about the road project. Weather permitting; the work is to start on October 3rd.   Phone calls, fliers, and e-mail blast are the media being used to notify affected residence. There are two roads that have sunken areas and odor. These roads are to be inspected by JEA and a video may be in order to document the extent of damage.

 

New Business centered on the upcoming elections in January for new Board and Committee members. An article will be published in the E-News Letter and Deercreek Living to solicit volunteers to serve on the selection board.  

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.

 


Common Property Committee's Responsibility

 

By Mary Stelbrink


There are two groups responsible for the maintenance of the grounds and lakes in Deercreek - The Deercreek Country Club and the Deercreek Home Owners Association.

 

In the early years of Deercreek Country Club, all the grounds in Deercreek were maintained by the original developers. When the club was sold, the Home Owners Association was set up, and the Common Grounds established. Since that time, besides the golf course, the Club maintains the grounds surrounding the clubhouse, cart barn, driving range, pool, tennis courts and the area surrounding their maintenance shed.    

 

All the other areas fall under the responsibility of the Common Property Committee, which is part of the Home Owners Association. These are the orange highlighted areas on the map.

 

     

(Click for larger images)  

 

There are 43 "lakes" in Deercreek. All but one was constructed specifically for drainage and run off. Most are connected and eventually drain into the St. John's River.   The Deercreek Country Club Home Owners Association is responsible for the water in these drainage ponds, and the ponds are treated on a regular basis. The banks of most of the ponds are the responsibility of the Club since they are within the golf course. The banks that run along home owners' properties become their responsibility.


The View 

 


This very cozy, quaint home belongs to Greg and Cary Flynn. These healthy plants have been maintained by Greg's meticulous fertilizing. A grape gathering cart with Crown of thorns and flowering vincas catches your attention as one drives down the road. The front of the house is lined with holly, boxwood, azaleas and a planter of Mexican petunias. The background is highlighted with an antique plant stand containing baby blue point junipers, gourds and miniature pumpkins. The corner of the house is accented with a bird bath containing another Crown of thorns plant and a rabbit statue beside it. Ligustrum and sago line the opposite corner. The attractive entrance has a trailing vinca plant on a pedestal and a pumpkin to welcome the fall season.  

 

By Dena Grossman


Women's Alliance  

 By Patty Tomka & Elizabeth Curtin    

 

Fashion Show 

November 17, 2011 6PM

 

Denise Smith and Buffy Joyce have arranged for APROPOS to bring the newest looks to Deercreek. Donna Bernard is in charge of tickets and you can contact her at 464-0910 or [email protected]. She will handle the reservations, so don't call the Club. The cost is $30, to cover the meal and a donation to the Alliance. This is always a great evening and sells out, so call your friends and get a group organized quickly. There will be gift baskets and raffles.

These models from last year's Fashion Show were clearly having a good time and I know that you will enjoy this year's show just as much.

Hubbard House Gift Cupboard Toy Drive
November 18-27

That night also kicks off our annual Toy Drive for Hubbard House and we will be delighted to accept any donations at the Fashion Show. This will continue from November 18-27 with bins at the Guard Gate, Elizabeth Curtin's house and Donna Bernard's house. You can choose which would be more convenient for you.

Hubbard House offers shelter to families fleeing from domestic violence and helps them regroup and figure out what to do next. The Holiday Gift Cupboard supplies unwrapped gifts that children and mothers can give to each other. Toys, clothing, books, games and pampering items for Mom are always appreciated. Send along some paper and ribbon so they can wrap their surprises. The families in Hubbard House during the holidays are in such a sad state of upheaval that this kindness is especially needed. When you are starting your shopping for your family, please include a few extras for the Hubbard House kids. If you have questions, please call Elizabeth Curtin, 519-7937 or Donna Bernard, 464-0910.

 

The Hubbard House Wish List>>>  

 

With Thanksgiving coming soon, please take a moment to appreciate all that we here in Deercreek are privileged to enjoy. It is a wonderful place to live and there are so many interesting things happening in the neighborhood. We're blessed to have friends and opportunities here. So remember to do a 'Random Act of Kindness' as you go about your day, knowing that it will be paid forward and bless someone else.  

 

If you have any questions about the Alliance you can call our Membership Chairs, Adele Kunzweiler 464-0647 or Cary Flynn 619-4580. 


Deercreek Home and Garden Club Container Gardening

 

By Rita Allen

 

 

If keeping a large garden up and blooming at all seasons is more than you can handle, container gardening may be the solution you are looking for. Containers can blend into your landscape to add color and texture throughout the year.

 

At their September meeting, Deercreek Home and Garden Club members and guests enjoyed a presentation by Distinguished Master Gardener Lee McDonald, who began gardening with his grandmother as a young child.  

 

Lee uses containers of many kinds, often recycled or purchased from flea markets. For bonsai, he can use vessels as shallow as a platter, but they require very frequent watering.

Some of his recommendations:

  • Use take-out food containers to start seeds.
  • Know your plant's needs before choosing its container.
  • Choose a container whose shape and color complement the plant.
  • Use a concrete drill bit to make a hole for drainage if the container does not have one.
  • Use plastic needlepoint canvas cut to shape over the drainage hole.
  • If you plant in a shell, soak it first to get the salt out.
  • Because the Ph of soil can change when a plant remains in a container for a long time, remove the plant and add new good quality soil every three years.
  • Buy a red ruffle azalea at a garden center, leave it in a container, and next spring it will bloom for 6 to 8 weeks if not forced.
  • You can grow tomatoes, peppers, various vegetables and herbs in containers.
  • If you grow bonsai, it can remain indoors for not more than 72 hours.
  • Buy a lighted aquarium at a garage sale to use as a terrarium.
  • When using a clay pot, after you water it well, let it stand in water.
  • Be prepared to bring container-grown plants indoors during very cold weather.
  • Plan for success, but don't be afraid of failure.

 

There will be no General Meeting in November, but on November 1, members are invited to visit the Garden Club of Jacksonville for a horticultural discussion, followed by lunch. If you are not currently a member and are interested in joining, please call Mary Lou Roberts at 519-6690.

The Deercreek Home & Garden Club enjoyed an Outing to the Jacksonville Symphony, Coffee Series, Music and Dance, on October 14th. It was wonderful! Afterwards, we went to the Wine Cellar, where we enjoyed a most delicious lunch with great company and good conversation!
 

 


Literary Circle

 

By Elizabeth Curtin  

 

We have a lighter read for December:
The Island

 

Author:

Elin Hilderbrand 

Four women-a mother, her sister, two grown daughters-head to Tuckernuck for a retreat, hoping to escape their troubles. Instead, they find only drama, secrets, and life-changing revelations.

 

 

Elizabeth Curtin 904 519 7937 [email protected] 

 


And the ladies' winners are...

 

By Carol D'Onofrio    

 

The Deercreek Ladies' Golf Association (DLGA) held its championship matches on October 13, 14, and 15 for both nine and eighteen hole members. The winners received beautiful crystal trophies and the 18 hole gross winner is the recipient of a parking space in the "winner's row".

Eighteen Hole Winners

Gross: Young Lee

Net: Debbie Grosnick

 

Nine Hole Winners

 

Gross: Elizabeth Curtin

Net:  Jan Malick

 


CLUB NEWS

 

The Deercreek Country Club is a private club. For membership information, go to our web site, www.deercreekcc.com and click on the Deercreek Club tab.

 


Couples Scramble

It was a beautiful October Sunday afternoon for a Couples Event! Congratulations to the D'annunzios and the Selzers (1st place) and the Masts and Kunzweilers (2nd place). Great Playing Everyone!

 


  

  

  

  

  

 

Friday Nights

    

Another Great Friday Night at the club!! No Pot-o-Gold winner...but 7 other drawing winners, great chef specials, and lots of fun!! The Pot-o-Gold could be yours next week...