Healthy Boundaries
No one likes an unsolicited phone call, a knock on the door, a note wedged in the door, and, yes, a threatening voicemail. If you’re like me, you consider these actions an invasion of your right to privacy.
Recently, I learned from a few board members that some residents, who, shall we say, have poor boundary controls, have been directly approached in this manner. Yes, there are limits to what one may do to assuage one’s burning curiosity.
Board members are private citizens first and volunteer board members second. They enjoy life in this community and value their privacy, as most residents do.
More to the point, questions about rules, practices, and procedures or any other topic relating to the Association should be addressed in writing to the chairman. This procedure has certain practicalities.
First, all communications regarding Association matters need to be logged so they can be tracked and responded to and, if appropriate, maintained in the Association’s records. A telephone call does not meet that test.
Second, written correspondence (handwritten notes or emails) sent to the chairman will meet that requirement. The writer will receive a written response in short order. Contacting Resident Services by email or visiting the office in person will serve the same function of starting a written record of the transaction or request.
Leaving a threatening voicemail on a board member’s phone may get you a visit from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and possibly an introduction to the judicial system.
In other words, the violator will win loads of unwanted and negative attention that may follow that violator for a very long time.
Same with posting someone else’s private telephone numbers or home addresses on Facebook chat groups or Nextdoor, as this may be viewed as harassment or stalking, which may also create more problems for the violator than for the intended victim.
A third legitimate way to contact a board member is to request time to address the Board at a duly noticed meeting of the Association. Informal, verbal communications are not logged because the conversation amounts to hearsay (he said, she said) and cannot be relied upon.
It must also be pointed out that no board member may speak on behalf of the entire board or otherwise commit to taking a board action.
Please respect your neighbor’s privacy. Avoid being impetuous and letting people know what you are really all about.
Community Updates
The Summit in Longleaf Ridge: The steel is complete; drying in the roof is the next step in constructing the building. Rough mechanical work will begin once the building is protected from the weather. This will be a 20,000-square-foot amenity with a 6,000-square-foot ballroom, card room, a large main, and a resistance pool. The estimated completion of this project is forecasted for this winter.
Azura Fitness Center in Candler Hills: This project has begun. In February, a construction fence was installed around the job site. Construction is estimated to begin this summer. We love your interest in the project, but we ask that you stay outside the construction fence. This 8,000-square-foot facility will have a large pool and will be completed before the end of the year.
Recreation Center: Three construction projects are in the works for this amenity. A “facelift” and update of the building and landscape in the front are in the works. A small pavilion near the pickleball courts will be added. Also in the works is a design to cover the eight pickleball courts.
Woodshop: The new, expanded woodshop building is planned for the parcel of land just north of the existing Bay Laurel Center CDD Water Plant #1. This new 8,000-square-foot building will be constructed where the Eco Gardeners Club garden is currently located, providing more space for our growing woodshop membership.
SW 99th Street Eco Gardens: As mentioned previously, a new, convenient location has been selected to rebuild the current SW 99th Street Eco Gardens. This relocation offers the added benefit of additional garden plots. Management recognizes that it takes a great deal of time to build up the tilth of soils, especially for organic gardeners. To this end, management has been working with the Eco Gardeners Club to establish clean soils with high fertility. Construction on the new garden is expected to be completed by late July.
Expansion of Multi-Modal Paths: The addition of multi-modal paths along the west side of SW 90th Terrace Road has been submitted to Marion County for plan review and permitting. This project also includes roadway improvements, which will include underground utilities and roadway pavement from the entrance at Weybourne Landing north to SW 63rd Street, opposite the intersection with Stone Creek.
Candler Hills Golf Club and The Club at Candler Hills: This amenity will see landscape enhancements during the summer golf course renovation.
Irons 9 Golf Course: Construction has begun on the new pitch-and-putt golf course near SW 80th Street and SW 92nd Court Road. This exciting addition will open in late summer.
Gatehouse: A new, automated gatehouse will be erected along SW 92nd Court Road to replace the temporary gate at SW 80th Street. The design team has been chosen, and work has begun on the permit drawings for this project. This automated gate will include a dedicated lane for guests to interact with the virtual gate attendant and a bypass lane for resident owners.
Roadway Improvements
SW 92nd Court Road: Underground utilities are currently being installed, including water, sewer, and data lines. By the end of April, this project will become more recognizable as curbs are formed and the roadway takes shape. Please avoid transiting in this area, yes, even “sightseeing.” Use caution in the adjacent work zones. Large equipment is operating in the area. I’d be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to remind you that the workers in those large pieces of equipment cannot see or hear golf carts or pedestrians. Don’t allow your curiosity to put yourself at risk. Please use extra caution around work areas.
SW 52nd Street: Permission has been granted from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to move forward with the east-west SW 52 Street improvements through Calesa Township. This improvement may offer much-needed traffic relief while SW 80th Avenue and SW 38th Street are under construction by Marion County. An adjacent developer will complete SW 52nd Street from Calesa to the intersection at SW 60th Avenue (including a new traffic signal). On Top of the World Communities will continue to work with the county and the neighboring developer to ensure this much-needed project continues to make progress in a timely manner.
SW 90th Terrace: Plans are substantially complete and will be sent out to bid by March 28. Once bids are received and reviewed, the project will be contracted to start by mid-April. This work will also include an extension of the multi-modal path from Weybourne Landing, south along SW 90th Terrace Road, creating a connection to the SW 80th Street crosswalk opposite the main entry gate at Candler Hills.
AppFolio Owner Portal
This section received numerous email changes last month; therefore, this is being repeated from last month.
On March 1, 2024, all owners in On Top of the World (Central), Candler Hills, Indigo East, and Weybourne Landing received an email from AppFolio inviting them to set up their Owner’s Portal. AppFolio is the management company’s software that allows community service payments and service requests, among many other things. The AppFolio Owner’s Portal is secure, and you can manage your account by creating your password. If Owners have not enrolled, please ensure the Association has your current email address. You may submit your email address to associationinfo@otowfl.net with that information or stop by Resident Services to update your contact information. Once you do so, a link to your portal will be sent to that email address so owners can register their portals completely.
Owners who have set up their portals can now remit payments for Community Service Fees (or other assessments) via eCheck or credit/debit cards (AppFolio service fees apply). They may also update their bank account information to continue with the management company’s automatic debit service. Owners can also submit maintenance service requests and communicate with Resident Services, thus alleviating the need for an in-person visit.
In addition, under Florida HOA Statutes, all official records must be uploaded to a secure portal by January 1, 2025. You will find all these records in the saved documents appearing on every owner’s portal. More information about the modification submittal process for your dwelling and landscape will be coming soon. Stay tuned; if you have not signed up for this valuable tool, please do so!
Travel Season
If you are willing to venture out for a journey, the summer travel season is approaching. We know many residents take extended trips around the country. Experience teaches that added steps must be taken before going on that extended trip to avoid possible disasters in your home when you are gone. Below is a short list of things to do:
Leave your contact number with at least two trusted neighbors or friends.
Update the Association as well with emergency contact information.
Have the home’s interior checked at least once a week by a trusted neighbor or friend, or arrange for an inspection service.
Check in regularly with a trusted neighbor or friend while you are gone.
Arrange for a regular irrigation check if you are going away for an extended term.
Turn down the heat setting on your water heater to conserve energy.
Make sure your homeowner’s insurance policy is current and covers damage from wind, water, and mold. In most cases, this is now an added rider on the policy.
Before departing, make sure the air conditioner is properly serviced by a professional. This includes a drain line flush. Air filters require monthly attention and can be changed by the owner.
Leave the thermostat set at between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps regulate humidity in the home and prevent the occurrence of mold or mildew.
If you plan on being gone for several months, you may wish to consult an air conditioning professional about adding a humidistat to ensure optimal humidity levels in the home.
If the air conditioning system is not properly maintained by an owner, mold and mildew may result and become a serious problem for the owner. Please remember that the proper maintenance or repair of your HVAC unit, water heater and drain pan, and ice maker line (if any) is always the owner’s responsibility.
