​Dear Neighbor:
 
A summary of the responses to the 2020 VI Resident Survey has been posted at http://www.ourvi.org/2020-resident-survey.html . Again, my thanks to the 208 people who filled out the survey.  Your input was extremely valuable and will be used by the VIHA Board to make decisions for 2021 and beyond. 
 
The primary concerns noted by survey respondents were:

1. Brickwork on Grand Canal
2. Speeding
3. Road Maintenance
4. Neighbors not maintaining properties / Deed Restriction enforcement 

While the first three issues are the responsibility of the City of St. Petersburg, the VIHA will continue to raise residents’ concerns to the City.  For example, Lisa Schwartz, Chair of the VIHA Beautification Committee, is already working closely with the City to identify a permanent solution for the brickwork. The VIHA Deed Restriction Committee (DRC) is responsible for the fourth.
 
The VIHA Board will continue to assess the responses and has reached out to the residents who requested follow up.  We will find a way to allow for a broader discussion on the survey results once we can meet in a safe manner.
 
Several thefts from docks have been reported recently.  This is a good reminder not to leave valuables out, raise your lifts and never leave keys in your boat or jet ski.
 
Finally, I would like to say THANK YOU to VI Resident Jerry White, owner of Electric Connection, who fixed the lighting on the royal palms at the Overlook entrance saving us the expense of  hiring an electrician.  If you have expertise in a particular area and would like to volunteer your services for the benefit of VI – we would certainly appreciate it!!!!
 
Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving and we hope to see you at a VIHA meeting soon.
 
Thank you.
 
Rich Scanlon
VIHA Board President
rscanlon@ourvi.org 

Dear Neighbor:
 
On November 11, Tropical Storm Eta hit Venetian Isles harder than anyone thought it would.  I’ve lived in VI since 1993 and this was the worst storm I can remember since the mid-1990’s,  Regardless of the number of years you have lived in VI, the message is to take these storms seriously because you never know when they will make a last minute change and have a substantial impact on VI.  Be prepared and don’t leave anything to chance.
 
If you were looking in the bay or the canals after Eta, you could see that there was significant damage to many of the docks in our community but, luckily, there did not appear to be any seawall failures.  As you inspect your docks, remember to check the condition of the pilings that provide the support.  Better to inspect/repair them now then have your dock completely destroyed in the next storm.  Remember, if you are going to replace your dock, for any reason, please submit the plans to the Architectural Review Committee for approval.  The approval process and checklist of required documentation are outlined at http://www.ourvi.org/architectural-review.html
 
I appreciate the efforts of the 208 VI residents who took the time to complete the 2020 Resident Survey.  Your input and insights will be very valuable in guiding the VIHA Board in our priorities for 2021.  The survey results will be summarized and reviewed with the community once we can meet again in a safe manner.
 
Finally, VI continues to maintain our status as a highly sought after neighborhood because of our location and the efforts of our volunteers.  I’d like to recognize Lisa Schwartz, Steve Cropper and Mark Brenman who on the Saturday morning following Eta took it upon themselves to remove a substantial amount of storm debris (see photo below) from Grand Canal, Overlook and Mermaid Point.  I'd also like to thank Bill Greenfield for coordinating the placement of flags throughout VI in honor of Veterans Day. ​

Dear Neighbor:
 
In the President’s Letter in the September issue of “Life on the Isles,” I shared that the Board’s focus for the balance of the year is to revise and update the Deed Restrictions (“DRs”).  In that letter I referenced a “Town Hall Meeting” planned for September 24, the focus of which was to encourage an open and honest discussion of changes to the DRs that VI residents want to prioritize.
 
Unfortunately, continuing concerns surrounding COVID on the part of both LCC and VI residents will require us to cancel that event.  We want to make every effort for the DR revision process to be as “open book” as possible and we need community input to make this effort successful.  Until we can convene a meeting where VI residents can gather safely, the VIHA Board is undertaking efforts to solicit your opinions through the following:

• Emailing to all active VI email addresses a “Survey Monkey” seeking your input to a number of critical questions;
• VIHA Board members will contact VI residents via phone to discuss some of the survey issues in greater detail; and,
• If we are prevented from meeting at LCC through the balance of 2020, we will attempt to coordinate a “VI Zoom Meeting(s)” to review the survey results and receive additional comments.

 
In addition, if you have an issue to discuss, I would encourage you to contact me or another Board member directly.
 
The next VIHA Board Meeting is October 12 and I will provide an update on the efforts listed above afterwards.
 
Oktoberfest is tentatively scheduled for October 17, 2020.  I hope that we can come together safely for this popular VI tradition to celebrate with our neighbors and friends; however, it is subject to receipt of a permit from the City which currently still has limitations on the number of people who can gather in any event.
 
Stay safe and hope to see you out in VI.
 
 Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org
​

This letter was written in mid July and was published in the September issue of Life on the Isles Magazine

​Dear Neighbor:
 
I hope that you have had an enjoyable summer despite the uncertain times we are living in. Venetian Isles continues to be a community where residents can take advantage of the beauty of our neighborhood while practicing safety guidelines.  We all look forward to mid-October when temperatures begin to moderate but let’s stay conscious and prepared for the last weeks of hurricane season.
 
Over the next few months the focus of the Board will be on Deed Restriction (“DR”) updates.  The DRs were initially recorded in 1978 and the last revision took place in January 2015.  The DRs must be updated, there is no question of that.  So much has changed since 1978 when they were first implemented. Despite many residents wanting certain DRs revised, it is a long and arduous process and each revision requires approval of 66.67% of the homeowners. 
 
As homeowners in VI, we invite you to become part of the process by:
-        Joining the Deed Restriction Revision Committee or expressing your opinions to a Committee member;
-        Bringing your suggestions to our September 24 Town Hall Meeting(1) to discuss ways to improve life in VI;
-        Nominating yourself or another resident to join the 2021 Board;
-        Attending the October 29(1) General Meeting where the agenda will include DR revisions, 2021 budget and other items.
 
Realtors are required to advise new homeowners that VI is a Deed Restricted Community.  Membership in the VIHA is voluntary but adherence to the DRs is mandatory.  As of mid-July 357 (68%) homeowners in VI have paid dues for 2020.  These VIHA members pay their dues with the expectation that the VIHA Board will enforce the DRs uniformly and fairly. Lately, we have heard some concerns about the notification process for DR violations and we are working to improve our communications.
 
We make every effort for the VIHA and Board to be as “open book” as possible.  If you have an issue to discuss, please contact me or another Board member or raise it at the upcoming Town Hall Meeting.
 
Oktoberfest is tentatively scheduled for October 17, 2020.  I hope that we can come together safely for this popular VI tradition to celebrate with our neighbors and friends.
 
Stay safe and hope to see you out and about in VI.
 
 Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org
 
(1)Held at Lutheran Church of the Cross assuming risks associated with COVID-19 are under control.

June 14, 2020

 
Dear Neighbor:
I want to make you aware of some incidents that occurred over the past few weeks in our neighborhood so all in VI can be informed and on the lookout for similar patterns going forward.
First, in late May the St. Pete Police Department (“SPPD”) were called to investigate persons who were “squatting” at 2030 Carolina, a home that was for sale and had been unoccupied but was under contract and set to close.  Evidently, they gained entry by breaking a window.  A neighbor noticed this activity, confronted those persons and called police.
The weekend of June 5 - 7, the following occurred at 1956 Carolina Ave (“1956”), a residence that is for sale and has been unoccupied for some time:

• Evening of June 5  –  A VI resident noticed a group of people moving into 1956. Thinking that this could be another group of squatters or a “short-term” Airbnb rental, that resident notified me. Additionally, that resident called the owner of the home, as well as the listing agent, who responded that the owner was not renting the house but was letting “friends” use it for the weekend. However, online research indicated 1956 is listed on Airbnb and has been rented out numerous times, so I asked another neighbor of 1956 to monitor the home for evidence of short-term rentals.
• Morning of June 6 -- The second resident reported that there had been cars coming and going throughout the night and it certainly seemed like there was suspicious activity.  I passed this information along to SPPD Officer Don Herring, our community policing officer.
• Evening of June 6  –  Officer Herring notified me that several persons (I think he said 5) who had been staying at 1956 had been arrested and charged with weapons offenses, including what appeared to be an AK-47, and drug possession.  Thankfully, the SPPD surveilled the residents of 1956 and made the arrest outside of VI.
  

In light of the events outlined above, I’d like to remind all the residents in VI of the following:

• Under the City Code, “short-term” rentals of less than 30 days are allowed only 3 times per year.  If you see a property being used repeatedly for short-term rentals, please contact a member of the VIHA Board.  We will follow up with the City, who enforces the city codes.
• If there is a vacant property on your street, please notify the owner or the SPPD if you see anything that appears to be unusual.  Note that phone numbers for all owners, including absentee owners, are listed in the VI Homeowners Directory that is distributed to all VIHA members.
• Borrowing from the TSA, ‘if you see something, say something.” Call the SPPD non-emergency line 727-893-7780 or dial “911.”  Both of these incidents were addressed thanks to the vigilance of our neighbors.

Thanks again for your support and please let me know of any further questions. 
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org
727-560-3655