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

Dear Neighbor:
 
I hope that you and your families are staying safe and healthy during this unprecedented national health emergency.  Many VI residents have volunteered to help with shopping and other errands for neighbors who are unable or do not want to leave their homes.  If you, or anyone you know, needs assistance, please email admin@ourvi.org.
 
I am happy to report that the Deed Restriction Revitalization effort is complete… and a SUCCESS! After months of hard work by the Organizing Committee, consisting of Randy Havey, Mark Brenman, Linda Testa and Tom Testa, and the support of the over 320 VI Property Owners who signed a Consent Form (far more than the required 263), the appropriate approvals have been received from the Department of Economic Opportunity allowing the Deed Restrictions to be recorded with Clerk of the Court for Pinellas County. 
 
All homeowners will be receiving copies of the final documents as soon as they are printed and distributed.
 
The VIHA Annual Meeting was in January and, while well attended, we tend to have the same people attend this and the General Meeting in October.  While I value the input of this committed group of residents, we want to find different ways of getting out into the community and understanding residents’ goals for the VIHA.
 
We have a number of important items on the VIHA Board Agenda for the balance of 2020.  These include:
 

• Revising / deleting / adding to the existing Deed Restrictions (“DRs”), most of which were drafted in the late 1970’s

 

• Deciding to whether to continue, and potentially expand, the services that we contract with Qualified Property Management (“QPM”).  QPM was engaged in February 2019 to assist in the enforcement of the DRs due to VI residents’ concerns that the DRs be enforced more uniformly; and, the need to supplement the efforts of a small group of volunteers who had undertaken that responsibility for a number of years.  We want community input as the VIHA Board addresses these two items which will shape VI into the future.

 

• Ensuring a greater connection with the community.  Stay tuned for some programs that will give residents the opportunity to share thoughts on how we can improve life in VI with the Board.

 
 
Take care, stay safe and keep practicing social distancing!
 
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org

An earlier version of this letter appeared in the April issue of Life on the Isles

​Dear Neighbor:
 
At the VIHA Annual Meeting on January 23, 2020 we reviewed our accomplishments of the past year and set forth our plans for the upcoming year.
 
Without a doubt, our greatest accomplishment for 2019 was the Revitalization process.  First of all, we very much appreciate the efforts of the Organizing Committee, comprised of Randy Havey, Tom Testa, Mark Brenman and Linda Testa, and a host of volunteers who were successful in collecting Consent Forms from well over 50.1% of the property owners subject to the Deed Restrictions.  Secondly, I would like to thank those property owners who took the time to review the materials that we were required to provide and supported this initiative.
 
The Consent Forms were provided to the VIHA counsel who, upon completion of her review and verification, sent the Consent Forms and the other required materials to the Department of Economic Opportunity which then has 60 days to perform their own independent review.  There are certain other procedural requirements that have to be undertaken subsequent to their review, but we hope to be able to announce the successful completion of this initiative by late April/early May.
 
The Revitalization initiative was very labor intensive and required a lot of Board Members’ time “knocking on doors” and talking to residents of VI to explain the rationale and process.  I found the conversations that I had to be very worthwhile.  Given the hectic lives that we all lead, the VIHA needs to come up with better methods to communicate on a more personal level with VI residents.  As the VIHA President, I’ve taken responsibility for finding ways to improve communications between the Board and residents.  Of course, I’m always happy to take any suggestions so please don’t hesitate to email me at rscanlon@ourvi.org.  Please include “VIHA” in the subject line to ensure it makes it through my corporate “spam filter.”
 
Keep checking www.ourvi.org for upcoming events and, once again, thank you for your support and patience during this Revitalization process.
 
 
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org

Dear Neighbors,

This month I’d like to highlight the accomplishments of the VIHA Beautification Committee.  Led by Lisa Schwartz, the Beautification Committee works hard to keep the entrances, bridges and causeways in our community looking well-maintained and beautiful.   This includes planting, watering, weeding, and mulching on a regular basis This ongoing maintenance is possible thanks to VIHA membership dues. In addition, the Committee works with the City to ensure mangroves and palms are trimmed regularly, the bricks on the causeways are repaired and grass is mowed properly.

Using the funds raised by advertising sales in the VIHA Directory, as well as matching grants from the City of St. Petersburg, the team undertakes several major projects each year.  Recent projects included: securing the upscale black street signs and posts, replacing and lighting the entrance monuments and installing lighting along Overlook Bridge highlighting the majestic royal palms. All of these initiatives give Venetian Isles the more distinctive and manicured appearance  that sets us apart from other neighborhoods. 

Among the team’s 2019 projects: replacing seven dead Foxtail Palms along Grand Canal Boulevard and repairing sprinkler heads and timers to make them more efficient.  In addition, at the request of a resident, the Committee installed plants at Grand Canal and Iowa South next to the bridge.  This parcel is owned by the City and did not have any plantings previously.  The team also added plants to vacant City property on Mermaid Point.

Please contact Lisa Schwartz at lschwartz@ourvi.org if you have suggestions for other beautification projects or if you’d like to volunteer to be on the Committee.  

Please join me in thanking  Lisa, Steve Cropper, Jan Di Biasio and Mark Brenman for everything you do to maintain the superior aesthetics of our neighborhood!
​
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org

This letter also appeared in the February issue of Life on the Isle magazine.

Dear Neighbor:
 
I hope you all had a terrific holiday season and New Year’s, and that you were successful in your holiday football pools!!!  Happy 2020!!!
 
During the General Meeting held on October 17, 2019, the Board reported on the need for VI to “revitalize” our Deed Restrictions (“DR”). The Revitalization process is now nearly complete.  Thank you to all the homeowners who have already sent in their signed Consent Forms.  For those of you who have not already done so, please return your Consent Form by January 20.  If you have any questions, please visit http://www.ourvi.org/revitalization.html or contact a Board Member.  We will confirm whether the existing DR's have been extended for another 30 years at the V.I.H.A. Annual Meeting on January 23rd.
     
The DRs have been in place since properties in VI were constructed starting in the late 1970s.  Although many VI residents specifically moved here because they wanted to live in a deed restricted community and appreciate the benefits that the DRs provide; there are some residents who moved here knowing VI is deed restricted but didn’t necessarily understand that compliance is mandatory.
 
Due to improved technologies, building materials and changes in lifestyles, I think we can all agree that the DRs need to be updated.  We have updated some over the years (fencing, for example) but it is a big task and takes the efforts of many. The Deed Restriction Revision Committee (“DRRC”) had begun work on proposed amendments to the DRs prior to the VIHA kicking off the Revitalization effort.  Assuming the Revitalization effort is successful, the DRRC will continue these efforts and will look for input from owners of DR Properties through a series of emails and Town Hall meetings.  This will be your chance to voice your ideas on an existing DR or propose new ones.  Remember that any changes to the DRs have to be approved by 66.67% of the owners of DR Properties. 
 
The 2020 VIHA Annual Meeting and Board Elections have been scheduled for January 23, 2020 at 7pm at Lutheran Church of the Cross.  Hope to see you there!!!
 
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org
 
Note a version of this letter also appeared in the January issue of Life on the Isles

Dear Neighbors,
 
I want to share a quick summary of the past week’s events:
 
Town Hall Meeting on 11/21 to discuss “Revitalization:”
A good crowd was on hand to learn more about revitalization of the Deed Restrictions (“DR”) in VI.  Anne Hathorn, legal counsel to the VIHA and a specialist in community association law, clarified the process and answered residents’ questions. The discussion highlighted the following points:

• The need for Revitalization is an “unintended consequence” of the passage of the Marketable Records Title Act (“MRTA”)
• If approved, Revitalization will extend the existing Deed Restrictions “as-is” for another 30 years under MRTA
• Approval of 50.1% of the property owners in VI is required for Revitalization of the DR’s to occur
• If Revitalization is not approved, the Board can decide to attempt Revitalization again, let the DRs expire or dissolved the VIHA altogether
• Revitalization does NOT transform the VIHA into a Section 720 HOA

 
By signing the Consent Form, you are agreeing to keep the existing Deed Restrictions in place.  We encourage you to return your signed Consent Form A.S.A.P.  Let’s keep our neighborhood looking beautiful and keep increasing our property values by extending the DR’s.  Once Revitalization is approved, the Deed Restriction Revision Committee will begin evaluating which DRs need to be eliminated, updated or added.
 
The Organizing Committee is available to answer any questions or concerns you may have prior to returning the Consent Forms. The contact info for the Organizing Committee members is included in the Revitalization packet that you should have received, and can also be found at http://www.ourvi.org/revitalization.html

 
First Annual Venetian Isles Fishing Tourney:
A committee lead by Terry Heddon and including Alex Becham, Eric Johnson and Scott Gault successfully organized the first neighborhood fishing tournament on 11/23.  A total of 14 teams participated and competed for a number of trophies, but more importantly “bragging rights.”  Results of the event are posted to www.ourvi.org.  Thanks to the Committee for putting this together and a special thanks to the Tournament’s sponsors who are VI residents:

• Northstar Realty
• St. Pete Brewing
• The Carpet Store

 
St. Pete Neighborhood Shuffleboard Tournament
Congratulations to the Venetian Isles team, led by Janice Drinkwine, for finishing 4th out of 15 Neighborhoods at the St. Pete Neighborhood Shuffle Showdown on November 10.
 
The Annual Meeting, including election of the 2020 VIHA Board, has been scheduled for January 23, 2020 at LCC.  Hope to see you there!!!  Nominations for the 2020 Board are due November 30.  Nomination forms can be found at  http://www.ourvi.org/board-members.html
 
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!
 
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org
 ​

Dear Neighbor:
 
At the General Meeting held on October 17 at LCC, we had our regularly invited guests including Don Herring, our Community Policing Officer from the SPPD, and Lt. Mark Turner and his squad from the Shore Acres Fire Station.  Don reported that crime in VI remains at low levels as long as residents are vigilant about removing valuables from their cars (including valet keys and fobs), locking car doors and making sure your garage doors are closed at night.  Mark Turner echoed the concerns that I wrote about in the November President’s Letter regarding parking and the issues that could face emergency responders.  Please observe the City and VI parking regulations and park only on the east side of the streets within VI (houses with “even” street numbers).
 
Randy Havey gave a report on the need for VI to “revitalize” our Deed Restrictions, based upon recommendation from our counsel, which will preserve them for another 30 years.  The recommendation has been to revitalize now to make sure there is no question as to their applicability. All homeowners of VI will have received a package containing a number of documents by late October explaining the need and the process that we need to undertake.  Included in this package is a “Consent Form” which must be signed by each party whose name appears on the deed for the property.  Randy, Tom Testa, Mark Brenman and Linda Testa have dedicated a lot of time over the past months to get VI ready for this process and we should all extend our thanks for their efforts.  Feel free to reach out to them if you have any questions about this process.  Their contact information can be found on http://www.ourvi.org/board-members.html. We hope to have this process completed within 90 days of its initiation and to be successful, we will need the approval of 50.01% of the residents of VI.
   
The holidays are right around the corner.  Don’t forget to buy your seawall candles from the candle sellers so we can “light up” the seawalls throughout VI on Christmas Eve.  Additional details about this festive VI tradition can be found in this issue and on the ourvi.org website. 
 
The Annual Meeting & Board Elections is scheduled for January 23, 2020 at LCC.  Hope to see you there!!!
 
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org

*Note this letter also appeared in the December issue of Life on the Isles

Dear Neighbor:
 
The VIHA Board is trying to improve the ways we communicate with VI residents.  One of those improvements is to publish the Presidents’ Letter in Life on the Isles.  The only problem is that my copy is due six weeks prior to the month in which it is printed so my comments are sometimes a little outdated by the time the magazine arrives in your mailbox.
 
Through August 31, there have been 38 new residents in VI compared to 33 for all of 2018.  Please make an effort as the weather cools to get out and meet your new neighbors, who made the great decision to become homeowners in VI.  In addition, approximately 72% of VI property owners have joined the VIHA for 2019.  I’d like to personally thank you for your support.
 
One of the other things that the VIHA is trying to facilitate is more “social events” within our community.  By the time you read this I’m hopeful that we enjoyed another fantastic Oktoberfest, VI’s “signature event,” and the first annual VIHA Fishing Tournament.  Look for information on the VIHA Golf Tournament for early 2020.  We know that residents would like to see more social events, but the Board’s primary role is to enforce the Deed Restrictions, which are set forth on the website – www.ourvi.org/deed-restrictions.  If you would like to volunteer to organize or help with any social events, please let us know by sending an email to admin@ourvi.org.
 
Speaking of Deed Restrictions, we continue to receive complaints about parking in VI.  Deed Restriction 35 states “when street parking is necessary, vehicles will be parked on the even numbers sides of the thoroughfare in accordance with the provisions of the City Ordinances in order to make way for fire and police protections.”  Please make sure that lawn, pool and other contractors abide by this regulation when working on your home.  Let’s all participate in making VI a safe and attractive neighborhood.
 
Finally, nominations for the 2020 VIHA Board will open on October 15 and close on November 30.  You must be a VIHA member to serve on the Board.  Information and an application can be found on the VI website at www.ourvi.org/board-members.html. Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting on January 23, 2020. 
 
Next month we’ll talk about holiday activities within VI, until then, hope to see you “around the Isles!!”
 
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org

​This letter also appeared in the November issue of Life on the Isles

Dear Neighbor:
 
Temperatures are cooling and this is the time of year when Venetian Isles residents come together for our annual Oktoberfest block party to meet neighbors and reconnect with friends while enjoying brats, beer, music, children's activities and a new 50/50 Raffle sponsored by Life on the Isles Magazine. For event details, visit http://www.ourvi.org/oktoberfest.html. 

This year, we will also be holding the first ever Venetian Isles Inshore Fishing Tournament.   For additional information visit http://www.ourvi.org/fishing-tournament.html.  Tournament prizes will be awarded at Oktoberfest. Both events will take place on Saturday, October 19.  
 
I’d like to thank the residents who have volunteered their time to organize these community events including the Oktoberfest Committee, chaired by Julie Scanlon, and the Fishing Tournament Committee co-chaired by Alex Beacham, Scott Gault, Terry Hedden, and Eric Johnson.
 
In addition, we greatly appreciate all the Oktoberfest sponsors whose support greatly enhances the quality of this event.  I strongly encourage you to patronize these businesses, most of which are owned by Venetian Isles residents.
 
Both the Oktoberfest 50/50 Raffle and the Fishing Tournament will raise funds for V.I.H.A. Beautification initiatives which will benefit the entire community.  As always, we’re grateful for the participation of our Venetian Isles residents in maintaining our beautiful neighborhood.  
 
All V.I.H.A. members are encouraged to attend the V.I.H.A. General Meeting on Thursday, October 17 at Lutheran Church of the Cross (4545 Chancellor Street) to learn about important neighborhood initiatives.  The Meeting is at 7:00 p.m. with refreshments sponsored by North Star Realty starting at 6:30 p.m.
 
I look forward to seeing you around the neighborhood at our upcoming community and family events!
 
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org