Tree Tops Update for March, 2010

The following topics were discussed at the board meeting on 2/26 and are passed on here for those who did not attend.  The board encourages you to send us your comments on any of the topics.

 Enforcement of Covenant Violations

It was stated at the meeting that the board was unfairly targeting homeowners with children when enforcing deed restrictions – i.e. basketball goals being left outside and not placed in the storage when not in use.  The board and management company are attempting to fairly and evenly enforce all known violations.   Letters have been sent to homeowners regarding:  trash cans left outside, removed trees, unkempt yards, reckless driving, basketball goals, and other issues.   No one is being singled out and no one on the board is inspecting the neighborhood to find violations.  The management company and board act on complaints received and no one type of complaint gets more priority than others.   

It was pointed out that every homeowner agreed to abide by the deed restrictions when they purchased their Tree Tops home and board members are legally required to enforce the deed restrictions.  It is therefore not fair to criticize members of the board for doing their duties.  The by-laws provide procedures that allow the members to change the restrictions if they do not agree with them and a majority of the association agrees.

Fertilization Contracts

• Lawn – The board has decided to switch the ground fertilization contract from the current landscape maintenance company to American Lawn Savers who are specialist in this field.  They will be fertilizing the trees, shrubs and the palms in the common areas.   This will be an increased expense of $600 for the neighborhood but the service will be greatly improved.  The areas will be treated 6 times per year.
• Oak Trees – The board approved a proposal for a one-time treatment to the oak trees between the sidewalk and road to improve the health and appearance of these trees throughout the neighborhood.   The experts advise that a one-time treatment for insects and fertilization will encourage the root balls to break out and start significant growth.   The trees should not need to be fertilized long term after they get rooted properly.   The cost for the treatment is $1,470.   While the trees are the homeowners’ responsibility many are in poor health and the board feels it is in the best interests of Tree Tops to promote uniform growth of the trees.  It is the board’s understanding that street trees are required by Hillsborough County and must be replaced by the homeowner if they die, however we are seeking clarification on this matter.  Your comments on this should be sent to any board member.

Budget Planning

• Playground Area – Received several requests to add swings and another basket hoop to the play area and a canopy cover over the equipment to keep the equipment cooler in the summer.  Estimates will be obtained but no action will be taken prior to having a discussion in a HOA meeting.  The shrubs around the playground appear sickly and probably need sprinkler heads added so they are watered.
• Montague Street Cleanup – Bids are requested from our landscape company to clean up the area along Montague Street.   It is a huge eye sore and there many items (including a telephone pole) discarded along the roadway.  The plan is to clean up the area and plant a living fence where the neighborhood is not screened.   An aluminum fence replacing the chain link fence may be too costly to consider but the board has requested bids.   At the least the existing chain link fence should be repaired.  This will be discussed at a HOA meeting before being approved.

Solicitation – No solicitation policy.   

• Email Solicitations – The HOA has communicated to the members using a neighborhood email distribution list.   This distribution list has been used by others to solicit members for various charities and causes prompting complaints to the board.  All future official communications from the HOA, Property Manager, or the Communications Committee will be sent from an email id called “TreeTops”.   This email will not contain the “from and to” addresses.  One last email will be sent to the neighborhood distribution group announcing this change. 
• To continue to receive Official Tree Tops Communications such as this you must subscribe and provide your email address at WWW.tampatreetops.com.  If you wish to be removed from the neighborhood email list because solicitations please contact Marcus Gibbs at: marcusgibbs@tampabay.rr.com.  Marcus will be maintaining the neighborhood list going forward.
• Door to Door Solicitations – You can report people soliciting door-to-door or leaving cards at the door to Diane.  She will call the companies and request they do not solicit in Tree Tops.
• Phone Solicitations – Neighbors have asked that solicitation phone calls to their homes be stopped.   This is not within our control.

SWIFTMUD Lake Monitoring – This needs to be completed every two years and the board recently approved this expense of $1250.

Drainage Issue – There was a drainage issue on Beagle Run where the storm sewer was clogged with debris.   The company that fixed this problem reports that the way the storm sewer is draining into the retention pond behind the homes on Beagle Run is not correct.  We will keep everyone updated as more information is available.

Golf  Balls & Trash in the Lake – During the last monthly lake maintenance 36 golf balls were retrieved from the lake and there are obviously many more.  Several complaints were received about homeowners hitting balls into the lake, Please refrain from this and if you see someone doing it contact Diane with the necessary information so a violation letter can go out.

Illegal Dumping in Streams and Vacant Lots – Please warn your yard maintenance company to not dump their debris in the stream or land around Tree Tops.  It is costing us to have this debris removed and hauled away.  Anyone seen doing this should be reported to Diane.  Thanks to Ron Ellett for removing debris from the stream and vacant lots.   Two chaise lounge chairs, a car battery, pipe and many other items were collected to be hauled away.   There is more in the stream and it will continue to cost the association money to have items removed.  

Neighborhood Directory – There was minimal response to get information for a neighborhood directory and the project is dropped.   If someone wants to attempt to update the original directory they are free to do so.

Well Pump Station – Removed debris, put down rocks and are having the pump repaired.  The pump repair has not been completed but the estimate is $200-$500.

Small wall to prevent debris in track of gate – The gate often gets off the track due to dirt and mulch falling in the track.   A small retention wall will be installed to reduce this problem.   The proposed cost is $723 but will pay for itself if it prevents just 2 or 3 problems with the gate.

 Replacement of Sago Palms and dead Indian Hawthorne by front entrance – The landscape committee proposed replacing the sago palms which have a white fungus and are very sickly with Ligustrum Trees.  Some Hawthorne must also be replaced.  The cost is $1850 and this includes planting 5 new Ligustrum Trees in the front entrance area and this has been approved by the board.

Zoysia Grass now Acceptable – State law now requires HOA’s to allow certain strains of Zoysia grass because they require less water and have been modified to live in our humid climate.  One new Tree Tops home has installed Zoysia.

Party in the park – a private birthday party in the park area has been approved.

Mathew Kuisle – Mr. Kuisle presented his company’s proposal to perform a Reserve Study for $2900 and an Insurance and Component Analysis for $300 each.   The board will consider several proposals before deciding this action.

Notice of Next Meeting – Thursday April 1, 2010 4pm to 5:30pm at the library.