2019 Annual Meeting

2019 Annual Meeting and Board Elections took place on January, 24th.  Below is a summary of key discussion points:

COMMUNITY CRIME REPORT
Don Herring, St. Petersburg Police Department:
There has been minimal activity reported in Venetian Isles over the past 2 months. 

• 0 car thefts
• 1 car robbery (key fob was left in the car)
• 1 package stolen from a doorstep
• 1 house robbery (only jewelry was taken and cleaning people are suspected)

FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Captain Jason Mantay, Station 12, St. Petersburg Fire Department

• In 2018, Station 12 (servicing Venetial Isles, Snell Isle and Shore Acres) received 1,170 calls for medical and fire assistance but there were no major incidents
  
• Average response time was 6 minutes (vs. national average of 8 minutes)
  
  • Winding roads, speed humps and parked cars/trucks delay response time
    
  • When cars are parked opposite eachother in Venetian isles, fire trucks cannot get through
    
• The St. Petersburg Fire Department offers a variety of programs (listed below).  Call 727-893-SAFE for details:
  
  • Pool Safety
    
  • Car Seat Installation
    
  • Smoke Detector program
    

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VENETIAN ISLES REAL ESTATE TRENDS
Peggy Naruns and Georgia Naruns Janas, North Star Realty

• There were 41 sales in Venetian Isles in 2018
• North Star Realty will be selling a home fort $700/square foot tomorrow, which is a new record in Venetian Isles
• Venetian Isles Isles is considered highly desirable by buyers due to our deed restrictions and sailboat water
• Homes with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths are the most sought after

DEED RESTRICTION COMMITTEE (DRC) UPDATE
Linda Testa, DRC Chair

• The goal of the Deed Restriction Committee is to protect property values.  There are 5 resident volunteers on the committee and  12 additional volunteers on the Board of Arbitration
• The VIHA expects to sign a contract with Quality Property Management (QPM )around Feb 1
  • Dianne Bargren, the QPM representative responsible for Venetian Isles was introduced to the community
    
• QPM will support the VIHA in enforcing deed restrictions by assuming some of the administrative and monitoring responsibilities previously handled by volunteers.  
• The process for Deed Restriction violations will remain unchanged
  • At least 2 members of the Deed Restriction Committee / Board of Arbitration must approve that there is a violation
  • A letter will be sent to the homeowner notifying them of the violation
  • If there is no response, a second letter is sent
  • Once the homeowner responds to the letter, the Committee will work with the homeowner on a plan / timeframe to remedy the situation
  
  

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE (ARC) UPDATE
Trip Guinan, ARC Chair

• The ARC reviews all construction projects that affect the exterior of the house (including docks, driveways, roofs, air conditioning placement) as well as new construction to ensure they are in compliance with deed restrictions.   There is a checklist of projects that need approval along with submission process on the Venetian Isles website.
• The ARC reviewed 92 projects in 2017 and 94 projects in 2018.  This means that 18% of the homes in Venetian Isles are doing an exterior project each year
• The ARC implemented so changes that decreased the average approval time from 26 days in 2017 to 14 days in 2018 
• The ARC does their best to expedite projects as quickly as possible.  Homeowners are encouraged to contact the ARC at the early stages of considering a project.  The volunteers on the committee are all construction / architecture professionals who can provide guidance prior to formal submission of the project
• ARC approvals are valid for 90 days and all changes to approved projects must be resubmitted.

2019 Elections
The following residents were elected to the 2019 Board at the meeting:
OFFICERS – 1 year term
President: Rich Scanlon
Vice-President: Tom Testa
Treasurer: Randy Havey
Secretary: Mark Brenman

BOARD – 2 year term
Trevor Hall
Steve Cropper
Chuck Miller
Linda Testa

BOARD – 1 year term
Bill Greenfield
Gary Rogers
Eric Johnson
Alan Rosenbaum
Nick Routh


2018 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Rich Scanlon, VIHA President
•Increased number of VIHA members from 346 (65%) to 358 (68%) of the 525 properties
•Continued discussions with homeowner association management companies
–Competed extensive due diligence
–Negotiated a contract effective February 1, 2019
•Completed improvements to Overlook entrance to VI
•Completed new monuments at all VI entrances
•Successful Oktoberfest – third in a row 

2019 GOALS
Rich Scanlon, VIHA President
•Successfully integrate QPM as the homeowner association management company and demonstrate value
•Continue with improved committee functions and responsiveness to property owners
•Revise Deed Restrictions to better reflect current expectations
•Upgrade sprinklers on Grand Canal
•Maintain membership in VIHA at 358 homeowners (68%)
•Solicit VIHA member input for resident-driven beautification projects
•VIHA night at the Trop – May 10 Rays vs. NY Yankees