Submitted by: George Partin

On April 25, 2013 at 7:02 PM the DCCOA Board of Directors (BOD) met for their monthly meeting. The forum reviewed and approved the March 28th minutes and moved on to the recognition of a guest who was attending. The guest was Charles Sheppard who serves with Community Advisors. He provided an overview of the Reserve Study for the Board. After a brief discussion on the cost projections for future replacement of assets, a motion was moved and seconded to approve the study. The motion was unanimously approved.  

The forum received the Property Manager's report. The report included an update on the repair of the mailboxes by the Post Office. The driver who ran over the mailbox a few months ago will reimburse the cost of these repairs. The Post Office will install the new boxes on May 8th. Additional repair work will include the light pole at the main entrance. The Property Manager's final agenda item was the request by FPL for an easement agreement to install 900 feet of cable and conduit near the roadway in front of the Watson building. A motion was made to approve FPL's request of an easement agreement to place up to 900 feet of cable and conduit near the roadway, upon attorney Rosanne Perrine's review and the approval of two Board officers. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.

The Access Control Liaison informed the Board that the security company 'Allegiance' is being merged with 'Universal Protection Services' but there should be no disruption in services. Also the committee developed a policy instructing security personnel not to enter residences without the homeowner present or Law Enforcement present. Sometimes homeowners call the gatehouse requesting the security personnel to check on their residence. The Access committee made a motion to approve the 'Entering Private Residences' policy. Doug Klippel seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. An additional issue discussed was the matter of pedestrians who walk or jog in the streets during the early morning hours and at dawn. It has been reported that one pedestrian was almost hit by a vehicle. A suggestion was made for the Access Control committee to create a policy pertaining to pedestrian safety.      

The Architectural Review Board (ARB) had a discussion regarding the policies on 'Tree Removals'. The committee will check out polices and guidelines of other committees before making any changes to the current policy. The ARB had an addendum to the Trampoline Policy, which would allow Trampolines under certain situations. The new policy can be viewed at the Deercreek Country Club website. The ARB Liaison moved a motion to approve the addendum, which was seconded and unanimously approved.  

Common Property Committee is requesting to proceed with the bid from 'All About Trees' for $1,125 to remove 8 dead trees. A motion was moved and seconded to approve the bid and it passed unanimously. Another motion was approved for 'Florida Pump' to repair the pump at Ashford Crossing. The Board President has signed the Landscaping contract and it appears that no survey will be needed to perform the upgrade to the landscape at the main entrance. The Property Manager mentioned that the information on a need for landscape changes would be in the May Newsletter.  

Under New Business, the issue concerning the size of the new garbage containers was discussed. It appears that two 96-gallon containers would be too large for the Two-Car garages. Since the containers have to be maintained out of sight, it would be best if all residents were issued the 64- gallon containers. Residents would then have the option of requesting the 96-gallon container at a later date. A motion was made to approve a request to 'Waste Pro USA' for 64-gallon containers for Deercreek and Edgewater residents as opposed to the 96-gallon containers with the provision that any resident asking for the larger version may have them. The motion was seconded and it passed unanimously.

by Richard R. Curran-Kelley  

(Community Association Manager,MAY Management Services, Inc)

Back in the late 80's and early 90's my wife and I used to watch a show called Rescue 911. That show helped solidify that 911 was the number to call in a life or death emergency. Similarly, if you have a property management emergency, you need to call 880-8796 or 669-1393. Those numbers represent the first line action if you have an issue that needs immediate attention at any time. What is a property management emergency? Things like a tree down in the road or a problem with the roads are something that I can help get resolved. While your Board of Directors is a dedicated group of volunteers, they are volunteers who will just have to contact me if you call them first. So remember, property management emergency - call Rich at 880-8796 or 669-1393.

Since I mentioned trees, let me take this moment to remind you  of something that I wrote about a few months back. With the arrival of spring and the recent wet weather, the trees in Deercreek have been growing and starting to hang low once more. One of the pleasures of life in Deercreek is talking walks along the many sidewalks throughout the neighborhood. Low hanging branches, unfortunately, can ruin these promenades as walkers are forced to bob and weave as they traverse the neighborhood concrete. To make sure that life remains enjoyable for you and your neighbors, please make sure that all trees are trimmed so that the lowest hanging branches are at least 8 feet above the sidewalk.

Finally, as some of you may have heard, I have started sending out yard letters once more. If you get one, please understand that my intention is not to pick on anyone. The goal of the letters is to make sure that you are aware of an issue with your lawn. If you are working on it, let me know and that will be the end of it. My goal is to help make sure that Deercreek Country Club keeps its property values up.

 more photos on our website ... 

DEERCREEK WOMEN'S ALLIANCE

Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive

Due to the incredible generosity and support from our Deercreek community, the DWA was able to present 342 jars of peanut butter and jelly to the Mandarin Food Bank. Your donations will provide nutritious meals to needy families in the Jacksonville area. Thank you, Deercreek, for having so much heart and for being a neighborhood that reaches out to help those in need!

DWA Spotlight on Charity:

City Rescue Mission

Submitted by Meg Goodrich

The Deercreek Women's Alliance would like to spotlight the City Rescue Mission (CRM) LifeBuilders Addiction Recovery Program as one of our 2013 Charity Recipients.

CRM is a privately funded organization that has continuously provided help to the homeless and needy in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida since 1946. It was established by a group of businessmen who saw a need to help alcoholics in the Jacksonville area. Their goal at the time was to offer "soup, soap and salvation". In addition to providing emergency services, such as food, shelter and clothing for the homeless, CRM offers life-changing programs like New Day Workforce and LifeBuilders Addiction Recovery, to help homeless people get off the street and back on their feet.

The LifeBuilders Addiction Recovery Program is an 18-month residential recovery program with several phases that include counseling, Lifeskills and transitioning. Participants go through a series of classes. Deercreek residents Ron Jackson, Diane Ireland and Meg Goodrich support CRM's LifeBuilders program by serving as facilitators for the Life skills classes, which include such topics as networking, job skills, resume building, mock interviewing, preparing a job application, and teambuilding. Ron Jackson also serves as a mentor to a participant. Deercreek resident Jim Dickenson chairs the CRM Board.

We are excited to donate $750 to this worthwhile program, which will be used to provide necessary computer upgrades and jump drives for program participants to aid in their job searches. 

If you would like to learn more about the City Rescue Mission, please visit their website at www.crmjax.org.

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