PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
Lee Evans, President
As we begin the summer season
many things are happening in our community. The biggest change
is that the youngsters are out of school and hopefully enjoying
the playground, tennis, and swim facilities. So, please be extra
careful when driving in the community and be on the lookout for
children on bicycles and on foot.
Recently, new gate mechanisms
were installed on all four-entrance lanes. Would you believe
those gates are raised and lowered about 2,700 times a day, or
985,500 time per year. Unfortunately, we are still experiencing
excessive speed from residents, visitors, and trades people
exiting the area. There have been several near misses of hitting
people leaving the guardhouse and far too many gate arms being
broken. The Board is considering installing additional speed
bumps at the gate area to better reduce the speed.
The annual "garage
sale" was held on May 31st, and kicked off our playground
renovation project and series of fundraisers. This year's budget
includes $75,000 for repair and improvements. The project will
be done in several annual phases and we hope to expand the
playground easterly to include a soccer field. Rick Root and
Katie Kight are championing this venture and would appreciate
additional volunteers.
Our recently completed
engineering study of the drainage and flood control system has
provided assurances that it will function as designed and with
proper maintenance will handle the so called "25 year, and
100 year storms". The study also gives us a great base of
knowledge, allowing for the better planning of annual
maintenance. Due to our comprehensive engineering study, we
anticipate saving close to $60,000 on our five repair and
replacement projects scheduled this summer.
Legal expenses continue to be
difficult to forecast. While we are currently dealing with four
issues, several matters were favorably resolved last year. The
community is the defendant in one lawsuit involving the denial
of a resident's request to construct over the building
restriction line. In addition, three situations are under
discussion that will hopefully be resolved without litigation.
These include the failure to complete construction and/or
landscaping in accordance with the submitted and approved plan,
and lack of appropriate landscape maintenance. With over 910
residential units in Deerwood, four major problems clearly
indicate that the majority of community residents respect and
abide by the Covenants. Presently, MAY Management sends out
about 12-18 advisors letters each month in which an issue is
brought to the attention of a resident. Thankfully, 95% of the
time the matter is resolved within a few weeks.
Between mid-June and mid-
September, the JEA will be installing irrigation water pipes and
new electrical cables along Hollyridge Road, north of the Club.
The state is requiring country clubs to use reclaimed water for
the irrigation of the fairways. Traffic will be maintained but
at times it will be one lane. Flag people will direct traffic.
As part of this project, JEA will repair the effected portion of
Hollyridge Road. For more information about reclaimed water,
refer to www.dep.state.fl.us/water/reuses/rules.htm.
We have received very little
feedback from the community regarding the JTA's proposal for a
Southside overpass and/or the widening of Southside Blvd. and
Baymeadows Road. The local area communities are working together
to stop the Southside Overpass. Chuck Hastings of the Royal
Lakes Civic Association will be mailing a petition to all
Deerwood residents. Please review and respond to Chuck if you
oppose the overpass. A final recommendation is to be made in
August. Please continue to check the Deerwood Website for
updates on this and other things of interest.
PROPERTY
MANAGER'S CORNER
Carla Bowers, Licensed Community Association Manager
For the past 18 months, MAY
Management Services has been servicing the Deerwood Community
through our contract with your Deerwood Improvement Association.
By utilizing a consistent group of employees, each with their
own area of expertise, we have been able to provide a wealth of
experience, and more importantly, continuity for your community.
To better serve you, when you call our offices, please indicate
that you are a homeowner in the Deerwood community and your call
will be forwarded to the appropriate individuals as mentioned
below.
Your property manager is your
main communication contact. As many of you are aware, Deerwood's
Property Manager is Carla Bowers who is a licensed Community
Association Manager. Carla's current schedule includes making
weekly detailed property inspection tours of the community every
Wednesday, plus attends board meetings. She can be reached in
the Ponte Vedra office at 273-9832.
When Carla is not available
her assistant, Katy Marshall, can help you, especially with any
administrative duties. You can also leave a voice message for
Carla if you wish her to address your specific concerns directly
and she will return your call. The receptionist has general
information about Deerwood to also assist you.
While Carla is the consistent
continuity you see on property, a major part of the management
function goes on in MAY'S offices. Some of the other individuals
who make this partnership so successful are Tobe Budner, Herman
Wallace, Sheli Hinson, and Cathy Savarese.
Tobe Budner serves as
Deerwood's Architectural Review Coordinator by meeting with the
Committee every other week and handling all correspondence
regarding homeowner's requests. Tobe has a direct line in the
Ponte Vedra office at 285-2519. Many of your know Herman
Wallace. He serves as on site maintenance personnel for
Deerwood. He takes direction through the Property Manager and
the Landscape Committee Chair. Sheli Hinson works in the St.
Augustine Accounting department at (904) 461-0182, extension 21
or she can be reached locally, toll free, at 355-2225. She will
answer any questions regarding your assessment payment account.
In addition, Cathy Savarese, is the accounting manager,
overseeing Deerwood accounting.
The Deerwood Improvement
Association is ultimately the governing body of the Deerwood
Community. MAY Management Services, Inc., serves only as an
agent to assist the Association, receiving specific
authorization for any actions it takes from the Board of
Directors. Since MAY takes direction from the board, this means,
we can only respond to individual owners as the Board has
authorized, or issues on which the board has set policy.
LANDSCAPE
COMMITTEE
Dottie Teetor, Chairperson
Many of us deal with the
difficult task of controlling dollar weed in our yard. Dollar
weed is an aquatic plant and prefers to grow in sites that are
excessively wet. Check with your nearest plant nursery for
chemicals that can be used on St. Augustine grass. Most
chemicals for dollar weed need to be applied before hot weather.
Some products are for use for pre-emergence and early
post-emergence broadleaf control.
We have been working hard to
maintain and improve our common areas. We have been pruning our
mature Sasanqua Camellias on the large island where Hunters
Grove and Crosswicks merge, which provides a much more open
feel. We are continuing our improvements in the Courtyard beds,
and have added shrubs around the power boxes at the playground.
Our new annuals have been planted, and we are working on the
islands on Acorn Ridge. We have planted native grasses along the
two sections of fence on Oak Hammock. That area has no
irrigation, so we are using plant material that will be
self-supporting in dry times.
The Landscape Committee is
most appreciative of the able assistance of Herman Wallace. He
is always more than willing to help us with improving the
appearance of Deerwood.
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The DIA and the
landscape committee send a sincere thanks to the
Deerwood Garden Circle, which generously donated $6,000
for landscape improvements to our community. |
GROUNDS
COMMITTEE
Tom McConnell, Chairperson
I am please to report that the
Grounds Committee's four major efforts, which have been underway
over the last few months, are all nearing completion.
All of the Deerwood maps,
including streets, lakes, lots and drainage pipe locations have
been digitized and inputted to a computer through an AutoCAD
program. This will greatly facilitate all future updating and
analysis. While this was a significant undertaking, it will
reduce future costs and timeliness.
A modeling study of Deerwood
drainage was completed in late February. This study, which
included a computer analysis, estimates the effectiveness of the
drainage under 25-year and 100-year flooding conditions.
Fortunately, only minor deficiencies were detected and these are
being addressed.
Along with the modeling study,
a complete inventory of all drainage pipes in the largest and
oldest part of Deerwood was commissioned. This inventory
identified all of the, approximately 400, existing drainage
structures and determined such characteristics as size, material
of construction, date of installation and estimated condition.
The inventory, itself, is finished and an analysis of this
information is now currently underway. This entire process will
assist with planning for future repair and replacement needs and
costs.
Finally, engineers have
completed the surveys, and the request for bids have gone out,
to repair or replace five major drainage structures that have
either collapsed or broken. These drainage structures were
highlighted at the Annual Meeting. After receiving several bids,
we have granted the contract to the most competitive bid.
Repairs are expected to commence soon and will be completed as
quickly as possible.
Maintaining the 35-40 lakes in
Deerwood that are the responsibility of DIA is a massive task.
While we have an excellent chemical service that sprays all of
the lakes every month during the growing season, a good bit of
the cause of the unsatisfactory and unsightly conditions comes
from the homeowners' property maintenance. Landscapers are
blowing grass clippings and other debris into the lakes. Combine
this with the run-off of chemicals and fertilizers, weeds and
algae are not only surviving, but growing. We urge you to take
an active interest, by monitoring your yard people and
cautioning them to not add materials to the lakes.
PUBLIC
RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Katie Kight, Chairperson
The public relations committee
is now in full swing, with our first playground fundraiser
completed. The annual garage sale was a big success, and all
those who attended had a great time. We rented 27 tables, and
with the food sales, and DIA donation tables the event grossed
just over $1,000. A very special thanks to the following people
who helped make this event a success: Elicia Duross and her dad,
Stacy Hudgens, David Kight, Arlene & Bill Kight, and Bennie
Margol!
We are currently planning a
fall fundraiser and other community activities. If you are
interested in lending your time and helping out your community
we welcome you to join the public relations committee. For more
information, please contact Katie Kight at 645-3514 or kkight@attbi.com.
Because many of you do not
have access our community cable channel 118, we will be
replacing that channel with out website as our main source of up
to the minute communication in the community. Beginning in July,
channel 118 will no longer be operational. At this time, the
website will not be accepting any advertising. If you have other
information which needs to be added to the website, please
e-mail the information to Katie Kight at kkight@attbi.com
by the 15th of the month for inclusion the following month. If
you have not been to the DIA website, you definitely want to
take check it out at, www.deerwoodhomeowners.com
or www.dia-jax.com. We hope
you will agree this is a great communication tool for our
community.
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PLAYGROUND UPDATE
Phase I of the playground renovations
will begin this summer. In addition to the $75,000
designated for the kick-off of this project, all PR
fund-raisers will directly benefit this effort. If you
are interested in getting involved with the playground
project, please contact Rick Root at 642-0682 |
SECURITY
COMMITTEE
Jim O'Connor, Chairperson
Your Association recently
authorized the installation of new incoming gates to more
properly control incoming traffic for security and convenience.
All residents and vendors were slowed by this work and your
Association thanks all residents for their patience. The new
system will be fine-tuned and we ask all drivers to approach the
gates, both incoming and outgoing, slowly and with care to avoid
any mishaps.
We still need your assistance
in reporting to security instances of erratic drivers on our
streets. Do not try to stop the drivers, but do try to get
enough data to possibly identify these inconsiderate people.
Our hurricane season
officially begins in June, but there has already been one
tropical storm in the Atlantic. Deerwood has a comprehensive
plan in the event we face a hurricane here. Do you know where
your copy is located? Are you a new resident? Copies of our plan
will be available in the Administrative Office shortly, for your
review and to have on hand.
Just a reminder, be sure to
call the Baymeadows gate ahead of time to pre-authorize any
visitors. This allows all guests to enter Deerwood faster. When
the guards have to make a phone call it slows the line down,
especially between 8:00 am and 10:00 am. The Southside gate is
fully operational and is an option during the morning rush. We
appreciate everyone's patients during the four days that gate
repairs were necessary and some traffic had to be re-routed
ARCHITECTURAL
REVIEW COMMITTEE
Marty Eltrich, Chairperson
The role of the ARC
(Architectural Review Committee) is to review improvement plans
to insure that they comply with the applicable Covenants and
Restrictions, and are in harmony with the aesthetic standards of
the community. This review protects property values for the
community and protects the property owner from the prospect of
undoing improvements that are unapproved and unacceptable.
Since January of this year the
ARC has reviewed ninety-five submittals/requests. That number
includes 12 new roofs, 15 tree removals, 5 pools and/or screens,
3 room additions, 1 tear down and rebuild, 13 fences and 46
miscellaneous items such as exterior color changes, landscaping,
patio extensions, satellite dishes, etc. Most of these
submittals have been approved as submitted or with relatively
minor modifications. Some had to be resubmitted with additional
information or plan modifications. Less than 5% of the plans
submitted were disapproved.
Please remember that all
exterior changes/additions require ARC approval prior to
commencement. Architectural Review Application forms can be
obtained at the Deerwood Administration office, from our
website, www.dia-jax.com,
or by calling May Management. Should you have any questions
concerning this or any other architectural issue please call the
ARC Coordinator at 285-2519.
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RESIDENTS CONTRIBUTE
TO THE COMMUNITY AESTHETICS AND PROPERTY VALUES BY
ATTENDING TO LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE
MATTERS IN THEIR YARDS PROMPTLY ONCE PROBLEMS BECOME
NOTICEABLE. |
-Trimming/removal of dead tree
branches including palms
-Weed treatment of lawns and plant beds, especially for dollar
weed
-Proper irrigation, timing and coverage
-Turf fertilization
-Sod replacement where needed
-Shrub and ornamental tree trimming away from side of house and
roof
-Edge and add mulch to plant beds to hold moisture and detour
weeds
-Edge along roadway and all concrete driveways and pathways
SUMMER
TIME CLEAN UP
Are you handling your trash
and landscape debris appropriately and in compliance with the
Covenants?
Leave your bins and cans
inside the utility yard area, as every home in Deerwood is
required to have a utility yard according to the Covenants. Most
are using the motor court area outside the garage as their
utility yard. Please place all trash and landscape debris in an
area that is accessible and visible to the waste company, but
not to your neighbors.
The Covenants &
Restrictions do not permit placing any cans, bins, or yard
clippings at the curb. Yard clippings, trash and recyclables
are scheduled to be picked up all on the same day, either Monday
or Thursday, depending on what area you live in. For an
additional fee, a second weekly pick-up is available if you have
signed up for that service.
We encourage homeowners having
a lot of landscape work completed to have the contractor
remove the debris. Debris is not allowed at the curb at any
time. Landscape debris should be bagged or in a container. Long
pieces that are 3' to 5' long should be bundled, with a maximum
of 40 pounds. Waste Management will only pick up a pile that is
smaller then five cubic yards. Any more than that will sit until
the next pick up unless you call Waste Management to make
special arrangements and pay for the service.
Please follow these rules and
allow the waste removal company to do their job here in
Deerwood. You can contact Waste Management at 260-1592 for trash
pick-up problems, to be notified of scheduled pick up days, and
to schedule extra service. If you are not getting a response
from calling them and continue to have a problem, please contact
the property manager at MAY Management Services.
OTHER
NOTES OF INTEREST
-Roof Mildew: Some of
the homes in Deerwood have developed a dark, streaking stain on
the roof shingles and side walls. This is a common problem that
all homeowners in Florida will eventually face, which can
deteriorate your shingles. Roof cleaning services spray a
chemical to treat this and often offer a general roof
maintenance program.
Flag - If you know of a
death in the community, please call the captain at the gate at
642-1633 to lower the flag to half-mast until after the funeral.
Your Cares Committee will also want to bring food to the family
and can be contacted through MAY Management Services.
Deerwood License plates
- are now being sold at the Deerwood Club Administrative
building for $5 each to Deerwood homeowners.
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