Archives for October 2007 

Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:02 PM

 

Lowe's Erosion, Site and Landscape Plans are available for viewing at:
 
Platinum Property Management
South Office - Eagle Creek
12276 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 501
Naples Florida 34113
Phone: 239-774-5966
 
Jim Lackey

Monday, October 29, 2007 2:14 PM

 

In speaking with one of the present tenants at the Eagle Creek Marketplace, I was told that Kite Realty is asking too much money for rent.

 
While I realize that this is hearsay, it seems logical that one would want to rent space rather than leave it empty.  Unfortunately, the place looks like a ghost town. 
 
Does anyone have any real information regarding rentals?
 
Janet Shemligan
Monday, October 29, 2007 2:11 PM

 
Excellent idea, Rennie.  An announcement in the Eagle Eye would ensure that all members know about CreekChat and its availability. 
 
I'm still wondering about that "homes for sale" sign.
 
Janet Shemligan

Friday, October 26, 2007 7:38 PM

  • Kite Realty Group owns the Shops at Eagle Creek, which includes the property where the Lowe's will be sited. 
  • Kite Realty Group owns the land where Super Target is planned to be built across from 951, along 41. 
  • Starbucks is planned to be built at the Shops at Eagle Creek between Wachovia Bank and the entrance off 41 to the Shops at Eagle Creek. 
  • Kite Realty Group is currently renovating the Shops of Eagle Creek to accommodate Staples and possibly another tenant, which together will occupy the space formerly occupied by Winn-Dixie. 
Kite Realty Group is also taking the lead in obtaining the approval of the $42 million Developer's Contribution Agreement on behalf of twelve property owners for the roadway improvements at the intersection of 951/41 and two miles East of the intersection along 41.  The design work is expected to take 1 1/2 years and construction 2 years.  Kite Realty Group held a Neighborhood Information Meeting at Manatee Elementary School on September 26, where it was stated that they expect to obtain Collier County approval of the Developer's Contribution Agreement on November 15, which would allow Lowe's to subsequently obtain its building permit and begin construction.  The Community Association has had discussions with Kite Realty Group and Lowe's on the conditions of construction of the Lowe's store and there has been general agreement on most of the issues; however, the agreement has not yet finalized, and there are some issues need to be resolved. 
 
At 9 am Tuesday October 30, the Community Association Board of Directors will hold a regular scheduled meeting during which time the membership may observe the board proceedings.  After this meeting is adjourned, the practice has been for the members to comment on any subject that they may decide on.
 
Mr. Eric Strickland, Pre-Development Manager, Kite Realty Group has volunteered to attend the Tuesday meeting, after the adjournment of the Board of Directors meeting, to answer questions on the Lowe's project, and to provide overview maps, plans and schedules with respect to roadway improvements.  For background information on the proposed Lowe's construction and 41 & 951 roadway improvements, please refer to the information that has previously provided on this web site.
 
We appreciate Mr. Strickland's offer to attend our meeting and we look forward to any information he has to offer.  
 
Jim Lackey

Tuesday, October 02, 2007 9:23 AM (Sorry for the delay)

Dennis, my thanks compliments to you and the Board for your continuing efforts and service to the Club.

We have read your recent letter to Equity Members with the attachment to Social Members. We compliment you all for 'thinking out of the box' in trying to balance the membership. We have one question on the plan and would appreciate an explanation. The letter states " Upon the expiration of this new membership offer [December 31, 2007 or 360 golf members], the Board will submit to the Club membership an amendment to the Club By-Laws which will convert to Golf Equity membership those Social Equity memberships that are supplemented with this new membership". Our question is what is the difference in investment of a current Equity Member and this new Equity Member who made an additional investment of $5000 over their original investment as a Social Member? Once we have this information we will be better able to appreciate the offer and how it benefits the Club and its current Equity Members.

Thanks again and we look forward to hearing back from you.

Peace

Ronnie and Dennis Mudd

Wednesday, October 03, 2007 8:45 AM  (Sorry for the delay)

All,  I think some of you have the wrong impression of what the appearance of the 951/Eagle Creek boundary will look like with the chain link fence.  First of all you will not be able to see any chain link fence, with or without black vinyl, from 951.  You may be able to see parts of the fence from inside by #4 green and #5 tee area but the fence there is mostly covered already by growth.  The natural "Florida" vegetation (wild flowers, trees, and shrubs) are now almost completely covering the chain link fence from view along 951.  This "Florida" vegetation needs no artificial irrigation as they are used to the weather conditions here and remain beautiful and green all year around.  
 

Betty Jamison

P.S.  By the way, it never takes "years" for vegetation to grow down here.  We, who live in Eagle Creek year around, know that we have to continually cut back growth so that it doesn't get out of control during the summer. 

Friday, October 26, 2007 2:33 PM

 

Agenda
Eagle Creek Golf & Country Club
Community Association, Inc.
Board of Directors’ Meeting
9 am October 30, 2007 Cypress Room

1. Call to Order:
     a. Marty Weiss resignation as Chairman Architectural Review Board
     b.  Roll Call
     c.  Proof of Meeting Notice
 
2. Minutes of Meetings
    a. August 28 Regular Board Meeting
    b. September 6 2007/2008 Budget Meeting
    c. September 25 Special Assessment Meeting
    d. September 27 Special Assessment Meeting
 
3. Treasurer’s Report
   a.  2006/2007 Fiscal Year Audit Report
   b.  Audit Engagement Letters
 
4.  Property Manager's Report:
   a. Villa roofing work
   b. Fire extinguishers & fire alarms
   c. Eradication of Crystal Lake vegetation
   d. Generator & camera recording system for Gatehouse
   e. Stonegate Building L new roof
   f. Cleanout Villas A/C lines 
   g. Pest Control
   h. Pressure washer & cleaning contract
   i. Mailbox number update
   j. Rental Policy
 
5. Old Business:
   a. Update on Lowe’s
   b. Transfer of deeds 
 
6. New Business
   
7. Committee Reports:
 
  Executive      Don Stack
 
  Bylaw      Ron Ruecker
     a.  Review draft documents
   
  Financial     Dick Dowling
 
  Insurance     Jim Knepper
   
  Ground Maintenance   Lowell Lam
    a.  Front entrance & 951 perimeter improvements
      
  Building Maintenance   Gino Giocondi
  
  Security       John O’Connell
 
  Architectural Review Board  Vacant
 
  Communications    Jim Lackey
  
8. Next meetings: 
Regular Board Meeting Tuesday November 27 
Regular Board Meeting Tuesday January 15
Membership Annual Meeting Tuesday March 25
9. Adjournment of the Board of Directors’ Official Meeting
 
Other Issues
 
1. Responses to comments from the floor
 
Jim Lackey, Secretary
 
 
 
 

Thursday, October 25, 2007 4:45 PM

I sent a notice to everyone that had an email address in the ECGCC directory.  If the address wasn't up to date or blocked they were returned to me. There were over 150 returned undeliverable. I checked for accuracy and my end was pretty much up to snuff.  Spread the word and more people will start using and viewing.

 
If anyone has any Club issues they would like to bring into an open forum send them to me an I will post them.
 
Dennis Farley  
Thursday, October 25, 2007 4:45 PM
 
I am really surprised at how few of our Eagle Creek members know about this Creekchat site or blog or whatever it is called.  I think it is a wonderful means of communication that heretofore was not available to any of us.  The big question is....How to let all members know about Creekchat.  Maybe a story could be included in the Eagle Eye news letter.  I think it is very important that we maintain a means of communication to and among the members that is outside of and not controlled by the establishment.  I would be interested in anyone's opinion of my thoughts.

Thanks. Rennie Leone.
 

Monday, October 22, 2007 9:48 PM
Today, we played at Eagle Creek--- Mort Guerin, Don Lundy, Jerry Brennan, and myself ---- Don played the 4 par 3 holes in 10 shots -- yes, 10 shots -- starting with a hole in one on # 5, then a par on #8, a bogey on #12, and then a birdie 2 on #17.
 
Also on #4 and # 5, we noticed the noise level had been reduced substantially by the new plantings to the left of these 2 holes.
 
Thought all of you who log on the creek chat would be interested.
 
Best--Ward Wettlaufer

 

Friday, October 19, 2007 3:37 PM

With tongue firmly planted in cheek, may I ask where the "homes for sale" sign will go when the newly landscaped beautiful entrance is finished?
 
The clubhouse is magnificent.  It has surpassed our expectations.  Kudos to all who participated.
 
We are happy to be back at our home away from home and with our extended "family".
 
Janet Shemligan

 

Thursday, October 18, 2007 7:37 PM

Attached are a few photos showing some of the new plantings at the front entrance and along the perimiter of the fourth and fifth holes of our golf course. You will note that the Aretha palms provide a dense wall of vegatation under the canopy of Cabbage palms.  Other smaller plantings will line the fence and , as they mature provide a natural barrier from the 951 corridor. Many thanks to Noah and Troy for their input and planning on this project. The results are even better than we had hoped for.

Lowell Lam & Jim Lackey
 

 
 
 

Monday, October 15, 2007 4:57 PM

Posted on the Community Association web site http://www.eaglecreekcommunityassociation.org/  (Community Password is the same as used by the Club's web site) under the category of Meetings & Minutes is the proposed agreement from Kite Realty Group & Lowe's on the conditions of construction of the Lowe's facility.  This agreement will be discussed at the Community Association board meeting at 9 am Tuesday October 30 in the Cypress Room.  Notices of the meeting will be posted on mailboxes throughout the community and members are invited to attend the meeting.
 
As previously mentioned September 28 on this web site, Kite Realty Group expects Collier County to approve its $42 million Developer's Contribution Agreement around November 15, and after receiving that approval and posting a bond on behalf of a consortium of twelve developers, Lowe's will be eligible to receive its building permit from Collier County.
 
If you have questions or comments concerning this matter, please contact your Community Association representative.
 
Jim Lackey

 

Saturday, October 13, 2007 12:28 PM

Thanks (to Lowell Lam) for the front entrance progress report and your efforts. Thanks also to Jim Lackey for this constructive means of communication.

Phil & Carol Sarantos

Thursday, October 11, 2007 4:31 PM

Progress report on front entrance fountain and treatment of 951 perimeter
 
 
Attached are photos of work in progress on our new front entrance Waterfall feature. We are still on schedule for completion by the end of October.

Also, the work on our security fence, and repairs to the existing fence along Rt. 951 is progressing nicely and should be completed by October 19th.

The removal of exotics has been completed and Noah Bess advises me that we will begin planting a variety of trees and plants next week. In those areas, where removal was extreme, we have added additional plantings designed to fill in the openings and reduce the visual impact of the project. As with any new plantings, it will take a bit of time for them to mature, but the end result will be worth the effort and a big improvement.

At this point we are projecting completion of this project within the assigned budget.

Lowell Lam
 

 

Tuesday, October 09, 2007 12:05 PM

This weekend was my first time back to Eagle Creek since April and I  must say I was so impressed with the new club house and the condition of the golf course.  I was so excited to be welcomed back by Don and  the returning staff members as well as introduced to new staff  members.  It was great to see old friends and see the progress that  has been made.  We are very fortunate to have these wonderful  facilities and I offer thanks to the many board members involved in  getting us to this point.   We now look forward to the completion of  our new waterfall entrance.

Corinne  Grandolfo

Monday, October 08, 2007 12:39 PM

Chuck & Carrie Ball:
 
Collier County has approved Lowe's request, on our behalf, that the existing berm and trees are to remain.  Please refer to Lowe's Meeting Minutes of May 3 on the Community Association web site http://www.eaglecreekcommunityassociation.org/
 
Community Password is the same as used by the Club's web site.
 
Jim Lackey

Sunday, October 07, 2007 7:25 PM

Eagle Creek Neighbors,

Interesting "creekchat" discussions aside, I'm sad to say we'll be leaving Eagle Creek soon.

Jim & Marge Richardson
32 Grey wing Pt
239-732-6383

Sunday, October 07, 2007 6:29 PM

Will the berm and more importantly, the trees growing on that berm, along the joint property line with Lowe's, etc. be retained after the 8 foot wall along that property line is built?
 

Chuck & Carrie Ball

Friday, October 05, 2007 11:50 AM

Ron, that is a good idea, I will try to find time this afternoon to take some photos and send them to you all.

Jim Lackey

Friday, October 05, 2007 11:46 AM

(Jim,) can you take some digital photos of the work in progress and send them to us?  I won't be down until after Christmas this year.
 
Ron Ruecker

Friday, October 05, 2007 11:05 AM

                                New Front Entrance Rendering

 
Jim Lackey

 

Friday, October 05, 2007 9:22 AM

Thanks Jim, but that's about 1600 miles from where I am.  Perhaps in the future we could post things like that on one of the EC web sites, or on  creekchat.

Frank Trantanella

Thursday, October 04, 2007 10:38 PM
Frank Trantanella.  There is a rendering and it is in the area between the Pro Shop and the locker rooms.

Jim Lackey

Thursday, October 04, 2007 3:45 PM

In regard to the 951 Main Entrance discussion, surely there must be renderings of what it will look like.  It may help if we could see those.
 
Frank Trantanella

Thursday, October 04, 2007 2:07 PM

The sentiment that Skip Coggin expresses,while certainly correct also applies to the club board,as well as the community association board.
 
 Sheldon G. Gilgore

Thursday, October 04, 2007 1:52 PM

I would like to add to Lowell Lam’s comments emphasizing that our community has a mandated requirement to remove all exotic vegetation.  We are fulfilling that requirement, and supplementing the existing plants and trees in a manner that will provide a buffer superior to what we had, while adding to the appearance.  The existing fence is merely being repaired.  There have been concerns about having black vinyl barrier cover on the fence, which will shield car lights and lights from Wal-Mart.  This barrier and the chain link fence will eventually be shielded by vegetation, as the chain link fence was before the exotic vegetation was removed, so there will be no adverse impact on property values in performing this work. 
 
John Austin is the owner and designer of Waterfalls Unlimited, Inc. that is doing the front entrance work.  John has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Syracuse University and has done several projects within the vicinity of Naples as well as in the state of Vermont.  He designed and constructed the waterfalls at the entrance to Augusta Falls in the Vineyards, which serves as a sales feature for the Vineyards, and for the St. Andrews Country Club of Boca Raton golf course in conjunction with Arnold Palmer.
 
Lowell Lam and members of his committee have given careful consideration in recommending the work to be done at the entrance and along the 951 perimeter.  The proposed work has been reviewed and discussed by the Community Association Board of Directors in public meetings, and individually with interested members of the Club Board and the community.  This work is being performed within the Community Association budget constraints so there will be no additional assessments for this work.
 
Jim Lackey

Wednesday, October 03, 2007 9:45 PM

951 Perimeter
When Hans Peter requested and was given permission to build the 4 story Waterford units, this changed the PUDF for Eagle Creek and required us to be brought into compliance for the new codes. One of these mandated that we remove all exotic vegetation. They allowed us 10 years to comply. As you know, most of the exotics have been removed from the golf course. The remaining exotics must be removed within the next two years.
Logically, our efforts to clean up and beautify along 951 had to include the remaining exotic vegetation. This is now in the process of being done. Sadly, this work will remove some of our existing buffer from 951 and Wal-Mart. To minimize the view of traffic and headlights, our existing fence will be repaired and covered with a black vinyl screen (as proposed by the original 951 planning committee) and shielded by substantial new plantings designed to hide the fence and provide a buffer where the exotics had been removed. Fortunately, this being Florida, these new plantings will fill in the open spaces quickly as they have done so beautifully on the rear perimeter of the golf course.
As security was a concern expressed in the survey, additional fencing with appropriate landscaping is being installed to the north and south of the main entrance.

Main Entrance Beautification
After some permitting delays, construction of our new waterfall is progressing and should be completed by the end of October. Both Eagle Creek signs are being refurbished and landscaped to be compatible with the waterfall.

American Flag
A new-lighted flagpole and American flag has been ordered and should be installed by the first week of November.

At this writing, it appears that we are on target for the projected November 15th completion date and on budget.

Thanks to our Board and Grounds Committee, Lyle Scharenberg, George Brinkmoeller, Bill Krause and Stuart Wolf, for their contributions to these projects.


For Future Consideration: Road Paving
At the last regular Board meeting, the proposal to repave our streets and parking areas was put on hold until next year. We plan to present the slurry seal and seal coat programs at the annual meeting. This will give all homeowners an opportunity to determine their level of participation for their streets in their association.

Lowell Lam

Tuesday, October 02, 2007 6:20 AM

All – I totally agree with Dave and Mary and Skip.  I believe we need to reexamine the structure under which we Eagle Creekers govern ourselves.  My view is not personality-based but process-based.  Quite frankly until we all (the whole community) come to grips with this and determine a strategic direction for all of Eagle Creek we will continue to shoot ourselves in the foot and be disappointed in our community.  Certainly, I did not sign up for a community whose front door is a chain link fence with vinyl inserts   I can’t imagine the hit our property values took on that oine.

Mike Morrissey.

Monday, October 01, 2007 7:16 PM
 

Jim, I think Dave Lawson's and Ron Ruecker's expressed concerns to the Community Association Board state my concerns better than I have. Dave and Mary Lawson have impeccable credentials as heads of a major architectural firm, as well as excellent taste; Ron headed the 951 Study committee which included 10 other residents. I believe many residents expected to see the results of the 951 Study Committee, and to have a chance to comment on them to the CAB, before decisions were made. 

 I think this situation underscores the need for the Community Association Board, when dealing with major issues that affect the entire community, to communicate better, and at a time when a majority of the residents are in Eagle Creek. 

I think most residents appreciate, including me, that the Community Association Board is made up of volunteers, that you spend a lot of time working on our collective behalfs, and that you want the best for Eagle Creek as you see it. This is also your first year as a Board following the departure of the developer, and you have a new President; it takes awhile to get a new Board or any group functioning smoothly. 

I hope the Community Association Board will accept the comments you've received as constructive feedback. Feedback is necessary for improvement. When we're finished with this discussion, I'm hopeful that we will be a stronger and better and more unified community!

Best regards, Skip (Coggin)