Coachman Ridge-CLW

August Newsletter

Aug 03, 1999

The Coachman Observer
COACHMAN RIDGE
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
P.O. Box 7626, Clearwater, FL 33758-7626

August 1999

Homeowners Association
Board of Directors
Bob Wignall-President &
Newsletter Editor, 796-7260
Helen Kennedy-Vice President &
Membership, 796-5094
Frank Kennedy-Beautification, 796-5094
Gloria Losi-Secretary, 797-3149
Chriss Boardman, Treasurer, 669-6982
Tom Panlener, Neighborhood Watch
Coordinator, 725-5617
Ray Spigarelli, 796-7102
Alicia Eager, 796-9466
Ken Kellogg, 669-8626

Crime Report

Clearwater Police reported no incidents of crime in Coachman Ridge over the summer until recently. On the night of 1 August, a car on Stag Run was placed on blocks and two tires were removed.

Our Neighborhood Watch coordinator, Tom Panlener, 725-5617 keeps in touch with the Clearwater Police via e-mail. If you have a question, you can call Tom and he can ask the Clearwater Police.

Tom is seeking Neighborhood Watch captains. The Watch captains serve as coordinators for their portion of the neighborhood and pass on information from Tom. If something significant happens, Tom will pass the information to the Watch captains to disseminate to those within their assigned area. If you are interested in volunteering
for this function in the Neighborhood Watch program, please call Tom.


National Night Out. The City of Clearwater joined many other cities in the nation to highlight neighborhood crime on August 3. Clearwater police placed plainclothes police officers in various neighborhoods. The intent was to have neighbors report suspicious people or situations to the police and then call the police. Flyers on this event were distributed on Sunday, August 1 to all homeowners. If you have any comments on this strategy, please call Tom.

Membership at an all-time high:
175

Membership in the Association has reached 175 members of a possible 252, shortly to be 254. We thank the 175 homeowners for supporting the Association. It is through your dues that the Association pays for maintenance of the entrances, the signs as well as watering of the entrances and the Stag Run cul-de-sac. The only administrative costs relate to the quarterly newsletters and the bi-annual directory. With nearly 70% of homeowners in the Association, it is a clear indication that the value is recognized. Behind the scenes, the Board enforces the deed restrictions and works closely with the City to enforce any City Code violations. This summer eight letters were sent to homeowners explaining deed restriction violations. In all eight cases, the violation was corrected. The Board seeks to be consistent in its enforcement to ensure fairness. Failure by the Board to take action undermines the legality of the deed restriction.

Semi-Annual General Membership Meeting ?– May 5, 1999
The Semi-Annual General Membership Meeting of the Coachman Ridge Homeowners Association was held on May 5 at the Clearwater East Library. Our scheduled guest speaker, City Manager Mike Roberto, became ill but sent his Deputy City Manager, Rick Hedrick in his place. Rick provided an informative and interesting update on the status of the One City, One Future initiative, the beach, the main library, and Greenwood improvements. He also talked about the Phillies proposed stadium at Drew and Old Coachman and stated the city has this at the top of seven sites. (SPJC is anxious to transfer the site to the city, a fact that enhances the chances of approval of this option). Fire Chief, Rowland Herald, explained the proposed fire service fee. Discussion on this issue was quite intense, as several of our homeowners are ex-fireman and police, and did not understand the need and the sudden development of a problem. (As an aside, the fire fee was dropped from this year?’s plan because of the need to further research it). Rick Baier, Public Works Director, explained again the Reclaimed Water initiative. He restated the city ?‘s position that the city cannot bring reclaimed water to Coachman Ridge because it is too expensive. Without any support of other neighborhoods and the location of the storage site on McMullen-Booth Road, reclaimed water will not be a viable option in Coachman Ridge for at least 10 years. After the departure of the City representatives, the meeting resumed with an update by board members on the neighborhood and a discussion of current issues. Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, Tom Panlener, reported no incidents of crime in the neighborhood. It was noted that the houses being built on the final two lots in the neighborhood will be completed sometime this summer. Chriss Boardman, the Association Treasurer, handed out and explained the 1998 expense report and the 1999 budget. Discussions on landscaping centered around the project to improve the neighborhood by either constructing a brick wall or planting a viburnum hedge. A comparison of advantages and disadvantages was provided for discussion. It was agreed to ask the general membership their opinion and then make a decision.

General Membership Meeting

The Annual General Membership meeting will be held on Monday, 27 October at the Clearwater East Library. Mike Roberto, City Manager, will be the guest speaker. The meeting begins at 7 PM and ends punctually at 9 PM.

Board of Director Insurance

The Board of Directors approved the purchase of insurance for board members. While Board members are protected by Florida State law in most cases, purchase of Board insurance is recommended by the Association?’s lawyer and by other associations. It also removes the fear of some homeowners from serving on volunteer boards. The Board also purchased insurance to cover our entrance signs, sprinkler systems etc. Both insurance policies were thoroughly researched and negotiated.

Coachman Ridge Online

The Association will be working through Neighborhood Link to create a free Coachman Ridge Web site. This will allow us to have our current newsletter posted, list events, provide association contact information, offer a discussion area and post the Association deed restrictions. Other options include listing current members and non-members and providing e-mail access to the city staff/council, mayor?’s office and police.

Code Enforcement

Julie Phillips is our Coachman Ridge community response representative. Questions on city code issues can be addressed to Julie at 562-4720.


Brackish Water Desalination Project

Tampa Bay Water invites you to attend a meeting to get your input on a study to determine the feasibility of developing brackish water desalination plants. The meeting is Tuesday, August 17 in the Long Center Cafeteria, 1501 Belcher Road from 5:30-7:30. Attendees may drop in any time during this open house.

What?’s the City doing to improve the intersection at NE Coachman and Old Coachman Road?

To seek the answer to this question, Board member Ken Kellogg talked with Tom Dettenwanger, County Project Manager, to determine the status of the intersection of NE Coachman and Old Coachman Road. Periodically, homeowners ask about the intersection and if anything is being done to correct the drainage problem and improve the intersection. The following information was provided by Mr. Dettenwanter.

The improvements to the intersection are to take place in l4 months, September 2000. Before that, probably in August 2000, the intersection will have lots of digging done to see what's under it; they know much of it, but will probably find lines or pipes forgotten about, which must be taken care of before the September construction work can begin.

The big elephant, the railroad, has finally moved out of the way and has consented to the improvements. Other permits must still be obtained, but are routine; some must be obtained for the second time, to include the Dept. of the Army, which has control over the creek as being a navigable waterway (I asked him - "by canoe"?). However, it is still so listed; the Army did approve a permit some years ago, but the approval time elapsed, so must be done again. Yet none of this appears to be any particular problem.

The improvements to the RR crossing will include removal and relaying of the rails, with insertion of rubber "planks" between the rails (which should take care of the too-slippery problem on turning onto them), as well as regrading of the crossing. There will also be a "mast-arm" signal crossing warning indicator above the crossing.

The roadways at the intersection will be expanded to include a "left-turn only" lane at the intersection only. The other lane will be a combined straight-ahead and right turn lane. Additional grading will also be done at this time, but they already consider the drainage to be adequate, as local roads go, so there won't be much done that way. If we get another 4" rain, it will flood as it did last week, but it'll run off in a satisfactory amount of time, according to Mr. Dettenwanger. While much of this work is going on the entire intersection will be closed. Ken will call him back periodically to find out how things are going.


New Homeowners

The Association welcomes the homeowners listed below who have arrived during the summer:

Lior & Sarit Kimchi
1555 Misty Plateau Trail
Bill & Jean Berry
1627 Farrier Trail


Landscaping Contract Renewed

The Board approved extending the contract with Joe Rogers to maintain the islands and cul-de-sac. The specifications on the contract were expanded and now includes: operating and maintaining the sprinkler system, control of bugs and ants, replace dead plants and shrubs, mulch island and gardens once a year,
fertilize grass and shrubs three times a year,
cut grass weekly April 1-Oct 31 and every other week or as needed for balance of year
and keep bricks straight at El Tair entrance. This agreement was effective 1 June 1999. If any homeowners have suggestions on landscaping or notice a problem with the entrances, please call Frank Kennedy, Beautification Committee, at 796-5094.


The President?’s Message


As the summer comes to an end, the major decision facing our association is determining which Coachman Ridge improvement to begin next. Under consideration, based on comments received over the past several years, is a wall or high hedge around the outside of the entire neighborhood, perhaps with masonry walls flanking the entrances. There are a number of neighborhoods that have used hedges to improve the neighborhood appearance and increase home values. Brick is an ideal material, and new brick walls around neighborhoods can be seen if you drive up the Belcher extension north of Curlew. However, the enormous per foot cost of a masonry wall makes that option unlikely, as a voluntary association has no way to raising the necessary funding. As it stands now, the exterior of our area along NE Coachman consist of a mixture of old/older and partially repaired fences with an occasional yard of new fence. This jumble presents a rundown appearance. A uniform hedge would hide the fences behind it, as well as help screen out traffic noises, making our area more pleasant to live in while maintaining property values. As we decided at the semi-annual May meeting, the Board would like to learn YOUR opinion on what should be done. Please complete your recommendations and send it to the address listed.

In anticipation of our October General Membership meeting, we are again in the situation of seeking new board members. Due to my new work and educational requirements, I will leave the board after four years as President. Others may leave also. The board cannot be sustained with its current limited board membership base with some members having served 12 years. The Board is a key factor in maintaining neighborhood standards. Like any organization, it needs fresh ideas and viewpoints. A home is one of the largest investments a person makes and as with any investment, steps are taken to protect and enhance that investment. The Coachman Ridge Homeowners Association adheres to this focus. It needs to continue to remain effective and efficient. It can only do this by finding others to participate on the board.

Bob Wignall

(Copies of the newsletter are provided to the Mayor, city commissioners, police and city staff)

Coachman Ridge Homeowners Association
Capital Improvement Survey

The Association is interested in surveying homeowners to determine what type of capital improvements they desire. The major improvement discussed over the past several years is a wall of some type around the neighborhood. At the May Semiannual Homeowners Association meeting, the Analysis of Border Around Coachman Ridge (on reverse side) was handed out and discussed. This analysis is provided to offer information to assist in your recommendations. Please complete the recommendation below and mail to Alicia Eager, 1455 Ridge Top Way. Thanks.


Improvements recommended previously include: flower bed lighting, lighting for entrance ways, lighting for signs, entrance drive pavers and electrical outlet at El Tair,

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