The DCCOA Board of Directors assembled on October 24th 2013 for their regularly scheduled meeting. A quorum was established with the presence of George Partin, Doug Klippel, Danny Becton, Chris Phillips, Margie Blake, and Bill Beitz. Those absent were: Nick Simonic, Aaron West, and Doug Matthews.

Representing MAY Management: Richard Curran-Kelley, Cathy Cox and Brittany Crossman

Violations are being closed as owners call in for re-inspections and new violations are being sent as well; meeting with new owners during inspections.

• Nutria Infestation Update: The traps have been moved and bait has been changed. The second month has not officially started yet since First Coast Wildlife has not caught anymore nutria.

• Leaking Irrigation Pump on Ashford Crossing: Rich Curran-Kelley has instructed Florida Pump to repair the leaking pump as soon as possible. The well is capped for the moment until the BOD approves the purchase and installation of a new pump. The BOD discussed obtaining two other competitive bids to compare to the Florida Pump bid, not to exceed $4,300.

• Damaged Light Pole: The insurance company is aware that the pole needs to be replaced and was sent the initial estimate. They will send a check once the Association has a final invoice on the replacement/repair of the light pole. The pole has been ordered and is tentatively due to arrive the first week of December.

• Pressure Washing: The Common Property Committee requested bids for pressure washing the Guard House, the basketball court, the picnic area, and slab at the playground. The Board reviewed the bids provided by Rich from Belet's Painting and Maintenance ($1,800), Hydro Tech Services ($595), and Metro Property Services ($2,400). After discussion, the Board agreed to postpone the pressure washing until 2014, as it is a budgeted reserve item for that year.

• Inspection Guidelines: The Property Manager prepared guidelines for his weekly property inspections. The Board reviewed and approved the draft guidelines as written. These guidelines will be officially in place and posted shortly.

• Properties to go to November Covenants Enforcement Committee: The Board voted to approve sending properties to the November hearing committee.

• Finance - Danny Becton (Treasurer)
  • The Board reviewed and discussed the September Treasurer's Report which showed additional revenue as a result of increases in Collection Fees, Late Fees, and Cable Income.
  • Revenue through September was $729,967 based on a budget amount of $714,206.
  • The bad debt allowance is currently$62,973.
  • The final proposed 2014 budget would be approved at the November BOD meeting.

• Access Control - Doug Klippel for Aaron West (Liaison)
  • Doug Klippel reported back to the Board regarding painting house numbers on the curbs. The Access Control Committee has rescinded their support for this initiative after further research and comments from fire/police personnel. The BOD will not take an official vote yet and has tabled this issue until the November meeting.
  • The Committee is requesting a sign at the Guard House warning of "10 Foot Clearance". Rich Curran-Kelley will obtain three bids for this project.
  • The Committee has asked the Common Property Committee to make a recommendation for removing a large, obtrusive shrub at the first Guard House turn around. The shrub blocks views of oncoming traffic and there has been two accidents recorded.
  • A motion to allow Deercreek resident's children to solicit door to door was made and seconded and unanimously approved.

• Common Property - Chris Phillips (Liaison)
  • Chris Phillips discussed the outcome of the last Common Property meeting. The Committee has several projects that they are requesting Board approval on:
    • A motion to approve Connors Landscaping bid of $25,025 to landscape Ashford Crossing was seconded and unanimously approved.
    • Lighting at Ashford Crossing- Three contractors are working up bids. The Nite Lites bid came in at $3,700 for nine fixtures, which does not include laying line. Lynch Electric Service came in at $8,500 which does include laying line. The Common Property is awaiting the third and final bid, from RAB electrical.
    • A motion to approve up to $8,500 for lighting at Ashford Crossing. The final bid accepted must show wattage.
    • Tree Removal -One large palm is dead at the entrance here and 2 pines need removal behind our main entrance.  'All About Tree Care' has bid $395 to remove these 3 trees and trim dead fronds off the remaining palm.
    • A motion to accept All About Tree Care's $395 bid to remove the large, dead palm at the Rittenhouse Lane entrance and two pine trees at the main entrance was made seconded and unanimously approved.
    • Dead Juniper Removal at Rittenhouse Lane - there is a bed of dead juniper and a bed of pitiful roses at Rittenhouse Lane.  Connors has bid $75 to remove these plants. Replacement plantings will be done later.
    • A motion to accept Connors Landscaping bid of $75 to remove the bed of dead juniper at Rittenhouse Lane was seconded and unanimously approved.
    • Dead Juniper Removal in Deercreek Club Drive medians -There are 3 beds of dead junipers near where Blakeford Mill joins Deercreek Club Dr.  Discussion followed by a recommendation to authorize Connors to pull up these beds for up to $500.  Joe Cernigliaro, Common Property Chairman, will check with Buck Pittman for his recommendation to plant new junipers here or we will follow the plan showing African Iris here.
    • A motion to authorize Connors Landscaping to remove the dead junipers for up to $500. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
    • Sidewalk/Concrete Repairs - Some common property sidewalks needs to have grinding of raised areas and others require replacement of certain areas. 'Taylor Concrete' has submitted a bid of $3,245 for the work. Discussion was followed by a recommendation to the board to authorize repair up to $3,245. Repair should NOT involve need for a dumpster and it was requested that the new concrete be tinted to blend in with older material.
    • A motion to accept Taylor Concrete's bid of $3,245 to grind and replace sections of sidewalk on common property or a subsequent bid up to this amount was made and seconded the motion and unanimously approved.
    • Entrance Fountain Pump Replacement -One pump is broken and needs replacing.  Discussion followed by a recommendation to accept Innovative Fountain's bid of $3,551.17 to replace this pump.
    • A motion to approve Innovative Fountain's bid of $3,551.17 to replace the pump at the front entrance was seconded and passed unanimously.
      
       
• Communications - Margie Blake (Liaison)/Carol D'Onofrio (Chairperson)
  • The directory is going to be finished by December, with distribution to residents the first week of January.

• Landscaping at Ashford Crossing - Landscape plans for Ashford Crossing have been received from Austin Outdoors ($24,245.98 not including irrigation line additions) and from Connors Landscaping ($25,025.50 including additional irrigation lines). Connors guarantees plants for a year as they are on the property daily whereas Austin guarantees plants for 30 days.  Discussion was followed by a motion recommending the board accept Connors bid, Plan 2, as described above.

• CPAC - Danny Becton (Liaison)
  • Danny Becton discussed the plans to re-zone an area in Baymeadows for adult entertainment. The Board is strongly opposed to this proposed project.
  • Danny Becton made a motion to disapprove re-zoning in the Baymeadows area for adult entertainment. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. Danny and George will draft a letter to City Council voicing Deercreek HOA's opposition to this proposed plan.

• Budget- 2014
  • Danny Becton discussed the 2014 Reserve Study. After much discussion regarding the various components of the study, the Board voted to approve it, as is.
  • A motion to approve the Reserve Study, as is, was seconded and approved.

By Dena Grossman

9950 Chelsea Lake Road
Nick and Millie Simonic

The last of our colorful shrubs and flowers still reign before the cold sets in. Its proud owners - Nick and Millie Simonic, do the landscaping of this beautiful home.  The front view is dominated by pink, red and orange coleus planted under a majestic live oak.  There are also vincas, Mexican petunias and azaleas neatly tucked behind a paved brick border.....    read more... 

If you and your family are looking for ways to make this holiday season better for disadvantaged members of the Jacksonville area, the Mandarin Food Bank and the PACE Center for Girls could certainly use your assistance.

The Mandarin Food Bank helps to feed over 20,000 needy members of our Jacksonville community each year. They rely heavily on donations to keep their pantries stocked. So, the next time you purchase nonperishable BOGO items (buy one/ get one free) at the grocery store, please consider dropping off your extra ones at Carmen Kelly's home for delivery to the Mandarin Food Bank. Carmen's address is 10139 Bishop Lake Road, W. She may be reached by phone at 519-0622. Thank you!

The PACE Center for Girls is always in need of clothing for teenage girls. If you are cleaning out your closets over the holidays, please consider donating clothes that are no longer worn to the PACE Center. Vicki Khan would be glad for you to drop off clothing donations to her home at 10148 Deercreek Club Road East.

If you are not yet a member of the Alliance and would like to be "part of the heart" of Deercreek, please call Sian Lawrance at 363-1723 or email her at siandlawrance@aol.com.   Membership is $20 a year.