Neighborhood Update

April 22, 2018

Dear Neighbor:
 
I wanted to share a few updates that impact our community in between the quarterly “State of the Isles” letters that are emailed to VIHA residents and posted to  http://ourvi.org

MEMBER SURVEY
We recently sent out a survey to V.I.H.A. members to gauge preliminary interest in hiring a property management company to take over some of the functions currently performed by volunteers.  If you did not receive an email survey, and are a 2018 dues-payer, it is because we do not have a valid email address on file.  If you would like to participate in the survey, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. 
 
To date we have received 128 survey responses, a response rate of about 50% (based upon the number of “active” property owner emails that we have on file) with 78% who agree with the statement made in the survey, 17% who disagreed and 5% who were neutral.  What was most interesting were the extensive comments that we received.  After review of these comments, the V.I.H.A. Board recognized that we need to conduct more due diligence on this issue so we will cancel the “Town Hall” meeting that was scheduled for May 3and reschedule that for some time in the fall.
 
OVERLOOK BRIDGE
As you may have noticed, the grass by the bridge on Overlook is brown.  This is intentional as the City will be soon be installing an updated sprinkler system and replacing all the existing grass with Bitter Blue sod.  The City will also be trimming the hedges, removing weeds and dead vegetation and replacing several green ficus plants.  Once the work is completed, we will be hiring a company to maintain the new landscaping on Overlook Drive..  In addition, we will be installing new electrical service in order to power the irrigation system and light the palm trees. 
 
TRAFFIC CALMING
The City has completed the final phase of the traffic calming device on Overlook Drive.  While I do not respond to comments on social media, I’d like to take this opportunity to clarify a few points:

• Prior to installing a traffic calming device, the City implemented several alternate approaches to slowing the traffic on Overlook Drive, including a traffic speed monitor and police officers.
• All V.I. residents had the opportunity to vote on the installation of the device.  This voting was conducted by the City and the required majority of ballots cast were in favor of the device.
• The City of St. Petersburg is responsible for the design and installation of the device.
• Traffic studies will be completed to assess the effectiveness of the Speed Hump on Overlook Drive and the results will be reported in the June “State of the Isles” email.

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
I’d like to thank Trip Guinan for assuming the role as chair of the ARC and thank Scott Boyle for his many years of service.  Trip is an architect and has been a long-time member of this committee.
 
Please feel free to email with any comments that you may have – [email protected].  Thank you.

Rich Scanlon
V.I.H.A President