Archives for September 2007 

Saturday, September 29, 2007 9:40 AM

Dave & Mary, this is in response to your e-mail of August 28 entitled “Eagle Creek Image.”  As we go forward, please keep in mind that Lowell Lam is merely carrying out what he has been charged to do by the Community Association board as Chairman of the Ground Maintenance Committee.
 
As general background, it should be noted that all Community Association Board of Directors meetings are advertised with the proposed agenda, date, time, and place of the meeting in advance by posting notices on the community mailboxes and on the Community Association web site at least forty-eight hours in advance of every meeting.  Additionally, after each board meeting is adjourned, the subsequent meeting date, time, and place are announced.  Members are not only invited to attend these open forum meetings, but encouraged to attend, and time is set aside at the end of each meeting to respond to any questions that members may want to ask.  The minutes of every board meeting, and other ad hoc and committee meetings, when appropriate, are made available on the Community Association web site www.EagleCreekCommunityAssociation.org  and the Community Password is the same as used by the Club.  The Club’s web site also has a link to the the Community Association web site.
 
At the April 24th Community Association board meeting, a motion was made and approved by the board as follows:
Whereas, Eagle Creek members have many diverse opinions for upgrading the 951 corridor and entrance, and
Whereas, there are at least five different alternatives for upgrading the corridor and entrance, and
Whereas, the cost to study all upgrade alternatives in sufficient detail for costing is considered too much and wasteful, and
Whereas, each Eagle Creek member should have the opportunity for input into the final decision on which alternatives are studied,
Therefore, the Board of Directors moves that the Ad Hoc 951 Corridor/Entrance Committee conduct a conceptual survey of the members to determine which corridor/entrance upgrade alternatives have the most support from the community.  Based on the results of this survey, the input will then be used to select which alternatives should be thoroughly researched including sufficient detail for costing.  The cost will then be used in the final selection process
 for corridor upgrade approvals.
A copy of this motion together with the Conceptual Member Survey was mailed to 458 residents, and 216 residents responded, or 47% of the community.
 
At the June 26th Community Association board meeting, the results of the survey were reviewed, and two of the board members indicated a disagreement with the summarized results, and in their opinion the survey did not provide definitive information nor costs for the various options.   After considerable discussion, the following motion was made and approved by the board:
Whereas, the direction from the member survey has now been presented and discussed, and
Whereas, the only remaining major issues to be explored are the front entrance and property line improvements, and
Whereas, the work of the Ad Hoc 951 Corridor Committee has now been completed,
Therefore, the responsibility for developing a plan for fixing the property line, including sprucing up the front entrance area is hereby assigned to the Grounds Maintenance Committee.
The beautification project of the front entrance was unanimously approved to proceed in accordance with the drawings provided by Lowell Lam to the Board of Directors at the meeting on July 26th, and the Phases I through IV as outlined in your e-mail of September 28 was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors at the meeting on August 28th.  The drawings of the front entrance were available for public viewing at the time of the meeting on July 26th.  Additionally, each association representative had a copy of the drawings prior to the meeting, and the drawings have been on public display in the Clubhouse waiting area adjacent to the Grill Room.  In addition, Lowell Lam has given personal tours along the 951 perimeter to members of the Club board and other individuals, who have requested tours, to further explain the details of Phases I through IV.
 
In closing, it should be noted that the Community Association board members have been cognizance of the desires and the needs of the membership, and they have attempted to accommodate all of those needs including concerns about added costs for the members.  Board members have made an exerted effort to attempt to complete as much work as possible during the summer months before the members return.  When they do return, they can enjoy their newly renovated Clubhouse and enhanced golf course, and the benefits of improvements to the entrance and along the 951 perimeter. 
 
The board members are working as volunteers to try to achieve the same goals and objectives for the community that we all want and that will benefit all of us in the long run.
 
In summary, we believe we a pursuing a course of action for the front entrance and the 951 perimeter that is consistent with the overall desires of the community.  Also, we feel the community as a whole, through the website and community postings, has been kept informed as to the status of this project as it develops.
 
Regards, Jim Lackey
 
Footnote: Your e-mail, as well as Skip Coggins’ earlier e-mail, used the acronym HOA, when referring to the Community Association.  The Community Association, Inc. is a term used by the Bylaws and it is what the names infers, i.e., it is comprised of representatives from each Neighborhood Association (Bylaws uses the term Neighborhood as oppose to Homeowner) as well as the Club board.  The Community Association is the umbrella association for the entire community. 
 

Friday, September 28, 2007 2:03 PM

Eagle Creek Friends,

 

 

On Monday September 24th Mary and I received an e-mail regarding the entrance to Eagle Creek and were shocked to learn what has been transpiring.

 

In early summer, some of us responded to a survey seeking member input on what should be done at the club entrance. Our assumption was that several options would be discussed and visual materials with associated costs would be presented to the membership for approval when everyone returned in November. That is not what has transpired.

 

The HOA Ground Maintenance Committee at a meeting on August 28th proposed and the HOA Board approved a plan to utilize $83,700 from the $100,000 contribution from Wal-Mart to do a band-aid approach on the entry. It has been stated that this was an open meeting, however, how many of you received a notice of this meeting, the agenda, and that a capital project of this importance (and of interest to the owners) was going to be approved without your input.

 

Over the past several days we have become aware of bits and pieces of the plan. A short synopsis is as follows:

 

Phase I: Removal of exotic and undesirable trees - est. cost $12,000

 

Phase II: Repair existing 6 ft. chain-link fence along Collier Blvd, and install black vinyl strips for screening, plant a variety of palms and bushes, where needed, to fill voids left from removal of exotics  - est. cost $28,000

 

Phase III: Extend existing chain link fence northeast of Stonegate bringing it into property terminating near the guard station. Install black vinyl strips for screening and install plantings - est. cost $8,200

 

Phase IV: On the north side of front entrance install a chain-link fence between the existing wall and the main driveway to the club. Install black vinyl strips for screening and install plants - est. cost $6,000. Waterfall and electrical contract: $28,500

 

To quote the Committee, " This approach to our front beautification will be enhanced by our beautiful new waterfall and improved Eagle Creek signs and combine to make the total package something very special."

 

The front entrance to Eagle Creek Country Club sets the image of our Community for our members, our guests, and prospective new members. Something that important to the future of Eagle Creek deserves consideration and consensus of the entire membership. The action taken by the HOA Board in late August when less than 20% of the members are in residence should be tabled until it can be presented to a majority of the property owners.

 

Extensive amounts of chain link fence with black vinyl slat inserts will cheapen the appearance of our community at both the entrance and as viewed from the golf course.

 

It has been suggested that although this approach will make Eagle Creek look like the Wilderness, it will take many years for vegetation to screen this fencing as we have seen from the plantings along our 13th hole.

 

Although we have not seen any proposed sketches for the waterfall, the image does not bring a fresh, up to date look needed to recruit new members to mind. It brings to mind Falling Waters and the miniature golf play land on 41 near Davis. Is this what we want people to equate with our County Club?

 

As architects in the construction business for many years, we know that money spent on this band-aid approach will be spent again, may times over, to redo a "first impression" image of Eagle Creek.

 

PLEASE EMAIL OR TELEPHONE YOUR HOA BOARD REPRESENTATIVE AND OUR CLUB PRESIDENT, DENNIS KRUGER AND ASK THEM TO DELAY ANY PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION UNTIL MORE OF THE MEMBERSHIP HAS A VOICE REGARDING THIS IMPORTANT DECISION FOR THE FUTURE OF EAGLE CREEK.  IT IS NEVER TOO LATE UNTIL IT IS BUILT!

 

 

THE NEXT SCHEDULED HOME OWNER ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR 9AM, OCTOBER 30TH. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO ATTEND TO VOICE YOU OPINION REGARDING THE FUTURE IMAGE OF EAGLE CREEK!

 

 

 

DAVE & MARY LAWSON

Friday, September 28, 2007 6:31 AM

Below are my notes, which are accurate to the best of my knowledge, on the Kite Realty Group Neighborhood Information Meeting that I attended on September 26.
 
Jim Lackey
Kite Realty Group Neighborhood Information Meeting September 26th
 
There were two distinct Neighborhood Information Meetings held.  The first meeting was strictly for re-zoning 25.5 acres of land along U.S. 41 between Circle K Gas Station and the Habitat for Humanity housing development, and between U.S. 41 and the Wal-Mart property.  This meeting is mandated by Collier County.  The follow on meeting was for obtaining Collier County approval of a Developer’s Contribution Agreement, after appearing before the Collier County Planning Commission and Collier County Commissioners.  This meeting is voluntary and not mandated by Collier County.
 
Rezoning Hearing
 
Part of the 25.5 acres is currently zoned for agriculture, and the rezoning request is to have all area zoned for retail.  The intent is to have 235,000 square foot building, which would be Super Target and other retailers who are not identified at this time.  There would be three entrances from U.S. 41, one of which would have a traffic light, and an entrance along S.R. 951, where the entry way exists to Wal-Mart and Habitat housing across from Eagle Creek’s main entrance.  The footprint of the store would be towards U.S. 41, with the parking spaces South of the building.
 
The rezoning request is planned to be presented before the Collier County Planning Commission by the end of December, and then to the County Commissioners in February.  Objections to the rezoning can be filed after the Planning Commission hearing, and all objections must be satisfied before the hearing by the Commissioners.  Objections to the rezoning should be addressed to:
 
John-David Moss, AICP
Principal Planner
Department of Zoning & Land Development Review
2800 North Horseshoe Drive
Naples, Florida 34104
(239) 304-4237
Fax (239) 643-6968
JohnDavidMoss@colliergov.net
 
Developer’s Contribution Agreement
 
A consortium of property owners, consisting of Naples Preserve, Shops at Eagle Creek (which includes Lowe's & Starbucks), Fine Wines & Spirits, Southern Development, Englehoff, Habitat for Humanity, Basic Development, Links Golf Course, and Eagles Lake Golf Club (Boyne South), led by Kite Realty Group, will request Collier County Commissioners’ approval of a Developer’s Contribution Agreement having a value of $42 million and providing an Impact Fee Credit of $24 million to provide at grade improvements at U.S. 41 and S.R. 951 intersection and along U.S. 41 two miles East of the intersection.  DOT Florida intends to contribute $2.7 million to the project, however, it was noted that the State of Florida does not have available funds at this time. 
 
The design details are not finalized, and the county officials discussing the design at the meeting refused to provide detail information since they felt it was not appropriate to do so.  Generally speaking it seems that the intersection improvements will be providing three turning lanes for all roads connecting with the intersection with arrow traffic lights controlling the flow of traffic, and U.S. 41 improvements will be providing four lanes two miles East of the intersection with turn off lanes for the Super Target complex and a traffic light at one of the three entrances.  The improvements will not only accommodate the proposed developments by the members of the consortium, but also the added housing currently being built or proposed to be built by Lely and Fiddler’s Creek who are already vested with Collier County, and not subject to zoning restrictions and concurrency requirements.  The improvements should accommodate the traffic at the U.S. 41 & S.R. 951 intersection until 2013.  A flyover (overpass) is not currently an option.
 
The design work, which would begin after the Developer’s Contribution Agreement goes into affect, is expected to take 1½ years and the follow on construction another 2 years.  In other words, it appears that the roadway improvement work will be completed slightly before 2013 after which time the U.S. 41 & S.R. 951 intersection is expected to fail.
 
Kite Realty Group expects the Developer’s Contribution Agreement will be approved by November 15th.  Some members of the consortium will be allowed to have building permits issued upon the posting of the bond for the Developer’s Contribution Agreement…Lowe’s is one of the members, additional members when the roadway construction starts, and the remaining members when the roadway construction is completed.
 
The bottom line is Lowe’s permit is apparently ready to be issued and the construction of their facility is pending the approval of the Developer’s Contribution Agreement, which is expected to occur around November 15th. 

 

Thursday, September 27, 2007 12:01 PM

Dear members,  do people in this community have such deep pockets, that they do not care how much or how often we are assessed?  Not only are all our fees gone up drastically, but we are then assessed several times through out the year.  Has this board realized the apathy of its members, so they continue on their quest to do whatever they want.  The outrage should be pouring in on what is being thrown at us.  I feel as though I am living in a dictatorship with no say whatsoever.  I have asked to see the board's budget and have been told by Doug, our controller, that he cannot give me that info. by direction of the board.  It is our monies that support this club.  why can't we see how it is being spent?  I set up an appointment with Doug, only to have him cancel it the day of the meeting.  Unfortunately, I had to fly up north, due to a death in our family.  I have been gone for 3 weeks.  I hope to reschedule with Doug soon.  What is all the secrecy about?  The way the board spends our money should be out there for all of us to see.

 

Joann Bolcato

 

Thursday, September 27, 2007 11:43 AM

Lowell, can u tell us when the waterfall at front gate will be done.  I was gone for 3 weeks and just came back to find the same pile of rocks, with nothing else done.  What's the hold up? 

Joann Bolcato

Sunday, September 16, 2007 5:38 AM

Mark your calendar:  On Wednesday September 26, 5:30 pm, at the Manatee Middle School Media Center, Kite Realty Group will hold a Neighborhood Informational Meeting to establish a Developer Contribution Agreement for improvements to the intersection of S.R. 951 and U.S. 41, and for the construction of 4-lane improvements to U.S. 41 East of the intersection.
 
The Developer Contribution Agreement, if approve by the Collier County Commissioners, will allow for the construction of Lowe’s and Starbucks on the property of the Shops at Eagle Creek, and Super Target East of Collier Blvd. adjacent to the Wal-Mart property and the Habitat for Humanity development.  It may allow for other developments at Freedom Plaza, including the property at the corner, and the development where CVS is currently located.
 
Jim Lackey

Saturday, September 15, 2007 3:21 PM

Thank you for CreekChat.  I am learning more about what is going on in Eagle Creek and the area around.  I especially liked Jim Lackey inserting the article from Donna Fiala.  It's nice to know what is happening on 41 and out the back gate.  Fall is in the air in Michigan so I'm anxious for warm weather and Eagle Creek.

Gretchen Lyon

Thursday, September 13, 2007 9:24 AM

Thanks to the Lackeys and the Hardys for straightening out the books and making the shelves so organized in our club library.  In case any members haven't used the library....... it is upstairs over the locker rooms by the pool/tennis courts.  It is a great place to borrow books when friends or family visit....then just return when they are finished.

Betty Jamison

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 7:39 AM

Does the new fee increase mean it will cost $18 to go for a walk on the golf course before 3 O clock?
 

Kenneth McKee

Sunday, September 09, 2007 9:39 PM

In 2000, when my wife and I bought our Condo in Eagle Creek, we were told that you either had to purchase a golf or social membership, and we opted for golf.  We were told that the $49,000 initiation fee was for 70% equity  or $34,300.  In the past several years, because of assessments, this has increased, in our case, by an additional $2,100. We put our Condo on the market last March with the understanding that if a buyer was to agree to the golf membership we would be reimbursed for the $36,400 upon closing.  If a social membership was purchased, we would go on a waiting list of about 2 years to get our $36,400.
 
Mr. Krueger's recent letter indicating the financial situation at Eagle Creek is very disturbing.  We understand your wanting to increase the golf memberships but we feel that the 55 units currently for sale at Eagle Creek should be "grandfathered" from this moratorium on sales to social members.  We always wanted to sell our unit to a golfer but feel we are being squeezed by the restrictions you have just initiated. Please consider our request to grandfather the current people who have their units for sale.
 
Duke and Diane Landis

 

Sunday, September 09, 2007 6:16 PM

After reading the plans of the Homeowners Assn and the Club Board I wonder if anyone on these boards thinks through how we can accomplish developing ideas that will satisfy, keeping the club in the manner members expect while reducing fees. An example would be: Keep the annual dues the same and assess the increase. In the case of the Villa fees why not use the $70000 Insurance return to decrease the fees and assess the difference between the quarterly fee of $2465 and the  decreased amount. It might help in the next season to make sales more attractive. The Club board and the Homeowners Assn need to work closely together and develop solutions.

Jack Harper

 

Saturday, September 08, 2007 5:47 PM

The subject of my comment is the letter written by Dennis Krueger, President of the Eagle Creek Board of Governors.  In this undated letter received in New Jersey today (9-08-07), written on unofficial Eagle Creek letterhead, Mr. Krueger advises regarding Social Memberships, "Any downgrade applications received after August 22 will be placed on a wait list in the order received and processed when a Social Equity Membership is available."  While we are not Social Members and this decision does not effect us personally, I think it goes against any rules of order to institute a policy effective prior to notifying the members affected by the ruling.
 
Dolores O'Connell, Waterford Place

 

Friday, September 07, 2007 12:58 PM
The letter by the board president highlights some bizarre decisions made at the August budget meeting.  After citing the real estate crisis as one of the major factors in the present precarious budget situation, a decision was made to stop issuing social memberships.  National statistics have repeatedly shown that at least 50% of people who purchase real estate at gated golf club communities do not play golf.  Thus this decision effectively reduces the universe of potential buyers at Eagle Creek by half, thereby significantly aggravating the already serious real estate situation at Eagle Creek, and ultimately the budget problems will be dramatically increased.   Not very clear thinking in my opinion.
 
Sheldon G. Gilgore

 

Thursday, September 06, 2007 6:37 AM

Creek chat is getting over 50 hits a day. I thought that we could take a look at where we are as a club and see what everyone would like to see in the future. Send in your comments and I’ll post them for a community discussion.

The Club House is new this year and that should be good for 25 more years.

The Cart Barn is completed and that should be good for 20 more years.

The fairways are new 3 years ago. No major work there either.

We have greens less than 10 years old.  This is good. No need to do anything for the next 15 years.

We can golf any day of the week as long we don’t care about the tee time. We have an exclusive course for our personal use.

We can dine at our leisure whenever the mood fits us.

We have a great gathering space for friendship.

The Board of Governors has done a great job in selecting the right management people for our club. Those that I have met are always attentive and eager to give service.  Well done Board.

Dennis Farley

 

Wednesday, September 05, 2007 10:28 AM

Several people have asked whether or not a decision has been made to erect an eight foot wall along our joint property line with Lowe's and the Kite Realty Group.  FYI, the following statement has been posted on the Community Association web site:
"As a result of the survey conducted by the representatives of Waterford and Condo #5, a decision has been made to accept Lowe's and Kite Realty Group's offer to provide an eight foot high wall along our property line."
You may want to view the Community Association web site http://www.eaglecreekcommunityassociation.org/  use Community Password....(same as used by the Club) for additional information about the proposed Lowe's project.  Under the category MINUTES is the Lowe's Review Meeting Minutes of May 3.
 
There is, of course, other information on the Community Association web site such as the proposed 2007/2008 Budgets for the various Neighborhood Associations and the Community Associations, Minutes of Board Meetings (August 28 Minutes are currently pending approval by board members), and forms for submitting items of concern, work orders and requests for review by the Architectural Review Board.
 
Jim Lackey
 
 

Tuesday, September 04, 2007 6:30 AM

I thought these comments by Donna Fiala may be of interest to you.

 Jim Lackey

 

    For those of you who are in town, you are beginning to see the transformation of U.S.41 E.  The median landscaping will bring a new beauty to East Naples that we will all truly enjoy.  The county has run into a little glitch I’d like to tell you about, just so every one will be on the same page. 
    For a few years now, the people using the Eagle Lakes Community Park, as well as the residents in and surrounding Hitching Post, have been begging for a traffic light from the State of Florida.  FDOT explained to all that “warrants” must be met before they could qualify for a traffic light.  Meanwhile, our transportation department has been moving forward with their promise to landscape U.S.41 East from Rattlesnake Hammock Rd. to Collier Blvd./951.  Of course they had many hurdles to overcome such as the main water line for the area, which continued to burst and finally had to be replaced entirely.  Transportation said 'now that the work has been completed we can move forward'.   The funds have been allocated, the bids approved, the landscape architect finished the design (by the way, that landscape architect is none other than the talented Mike McGee, whose business is in Village Falls) and the construction company retained.  They’ve installed the irrigation lines completely, and started hauling in dirt for planting, when………yup, the approval for the light came through.  With a traffic signal also comes turn lanes and stacking lanes, which means part of the intersection at Barefoot Williams Rd. needs to be removed.  That also means the irrigation lines need to be redesigned and reinstalled.  And, by the way, the main control for all the irrigation happens to be……….yup, at that intersection. 

        Now, this light is terribly important to the people in that area, as well as those who use the park, so we can’t miss the opportunity to get it installed, so…..we are quickly “changing lanes” (little pun there), fixing the problem, and then we will continue to move forward.  Meanwhile, while that area is being changed, the rest of the landscaping effort will move forward.    There will also be a slight delay around the Treviso Bay development while they install turn lanes into their new entryway. 

        What this means is that we will all have lots to watch in the next couple of months, plus much of the job will be completed by the middle of October, with the remainder of the job scheduled to be completed after the alterations are in place, which should be before the end of the year. 

        What you have here is county staff working together to make a wonderful change to the appearance of the East Naples community, and we can all watch it happen.

Donna Fiala