June President's Letter

Dear Neighbors,

As we all know, June 1 marks the beginning of the 2026 hurricane season. While we were fortunate to avoid the direct impact of a major storm in 2025, the effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton are still evident throughout our community. Many homes remain under construction or renovation, and some properties are still vacant. I encourage, especially our new residents, to review and implement the hurricane preparedness recommendations provided by the City and local media outlets as soon as possible.

I am often asked, “What does the VIHA do for me?” Here is a summary of some of the activities undertaken by the VIHA Board and its committees since the beginning of 2026:

• Filed a lawsuit against a property owner who was not complying with the Deed Restrictions which created chaos on a particular block
• Obtained a cease/desist order regarding a non-compliant architectural plan for the construction of a new home
• Requested and secured the installation by the City of  “No Parking” signs on Illinois South
• Noted our objections to Mike Harting about the requirement for the provision of sidewalks for new construction homes
• Conducted deed restriction compliance reviews from which 335 DR violation notices affecting 186 properties were noted
• Transitioning to HOA Life in response to property owner suggestions for an all encompassing digital communications software
• Co-sponsored a canal and waterway cleanup with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful
• Hosted “Beer with the VIHA Board” gatherings to discuss community issues and concerns
• Continue to work with the City and utility providers to repair or remove non-functional, green utility boxes seen on all VI streets.  We are also working with the City to obtain grants for beautification along Grand Canal Boulevard. The City requires five contractor estimates before the city will grant 50% of the funding

As a reminder, all of these activities are carried out by a small group of dedicated volunteers who work to preserve the quality of life and property values that residents of VI have enjoyed for decades.
We are currently seeking volunteers to serve on the Board and committees. Several Board members may be retiring from their positions at the end of 2026.  The key to a successful Board and Committees is to have new members who can advance new ideas and perspectives. We have openings on the following committees:

• Membership
• Hospitality
• Block Captains
• Beautification
• Deed Restriction
• Architectural Review

We are looking for residents who can commit just a few hours each month. Volunteering is a great way to contribute to the community while getting to know a wide range of neighbors throughout VI.

Based on property owner feedback, HOA Life has been established as the primary communication platform for our community. To date, only 39% of property owners have created their accounts. If you have not yet done so, please visit https://portal.hoalife.com/ to vote, get connected, and stay informed about community news, events, and important notices.  Signing up is simple.

Balloting for the next round of Deed Restriction Revisions (DRRs) is currently underway. This is the first time we are utilizing electronic voting through HOA Life. Printed ballots were mailed to property owners for whom we do not have an email address, which also means they are not receiving these President's Letters!!
Recently, an anonymous flyer was distributed throughout VI outlining reasons to oppose the proposed DRRs. While all opinions are welcome, I place little weight on anonymous communications. Individuals advocating for or against these revisions should be willing to identify themselves and stand behind their views. More importantly, the statements in the flyer are grossly inaccurate, as reviewed by our counsel.

Members of the VIHA Board and the Deed Restriction Revision Committee are available to answer questions and discuss the proposed changes. If there is sufficient interest, we can also convene a community meeting on June 10th at the LCC, with a Zoom option available for those who prefer to participate remotely. This forum would provide an opportunity to review the proposed revisions and address questions in an open and transparent setting.
Finally, thank you to all property owners who have paid their 2026 VIHA dues. For those who have not yet submitted payment, several payment options are available through the website. Please remember to include your property address when making a payment to ensure proper credit.

As always, I welcome your feedback and suggestions. Please let me know if there are additional issues or initiatives the VIHA Board should focus on to further enhance the quality of life within our community. The only way we can maintain the quality of life within VI that we all enjoy is with YOUR support!!!

Sincerely,
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
[email protected]