QUORUM NOT REACHED FOR
2022 ANNUAL MEETING
Quorum was not reached at the Annual Meeting which was attempted to be held at 6 p.m. on April 13th.
To reach quorum, 15 percent of homeowners need to be in attendance either in person or by proxy.
Even though two notices were mailed out (at considerable costs to the HOA) to every homeowner member of the North Shore HOA, only 30 homeowners sent in proxies and only 24 chose to attend in person.
At 6:01 p.m. the meeting was called to order by HOA President Dave Gordon. After announcing that quorum was not achieved, he adjourned the meeting at 6:03 p.m. No business can be conducted at the Annual Meeting unless quorum is obtained.
Upon adjourning the meeting, two new Board members were announced by president Gordon . They are Lisa Solick and Steve Smith, who were deemed elected according to the HOA Bylaws and Florida Statute Chapter 720 because there were two open seats and only two qualified candidates running for those.
Traffic Survey Results, Participating Homeowners Prefer T-Intersection
A traffic survey sent to homeowners revealed that residents would prefer to have the intersection of Kirby Smith Rd. and North Shore Golf Course Blvd. remain open and turned into a T-intersection instead of dead-ending NSGCB and converting the intersection into a Cul-de-Sac which would have mitigated cut-through traffic on NSGCB. About 70 percent of the 326 homeowners who responded to the survey (out of more than 1,000 who received it), chose this as their preferred option. The survey was sent out twice and promoted in social media. Residents had eight days to submit their answers.
The North Shore at Lake Hart HOA sent the survey out earlier this month to gauge support for the Cul-de-Sac option offered by the county as a potential way to help curb heavy cut-through traffic in our community. The Cul-de-Sac option offered by the county is the direct result of dozens of hours of conversations on this matter with HOA President Dave Gordon.
The T-intersection option offered by the county is to help prevent illegal and dangerous u-turns after entering Kirby Smith Road from NSGCB since there is currently no left turn allowed onto Kirby Smith. One other option presented by the county to prevent illegal u-turns was to install traffic delineators on Kirby Smith Road. These would be a physical barrier, typically a post with a small diameter, that would be placed at the raised median at the intersection of NSGCB and Kirby Smith Rd. The support in the survey results for using delineators was very low.
The results will be shared with county traffic officials, as well as with county commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero, whose district includes Lake Nona, and will be taken into consideration as they decide how to tackle the traffic issues on NSGB.
Community Projects Update
By John DeCrotie
As you may know, there are numerous projects in progress in various stages of completion around the community for amenities that need to be repaired, replaced or improved. Following, there is an up-to-the-minute status for each project.
Gate Controller Upgrades
The more-than decade old metal swing gate openers (known as controllers) have been regularly failing and need replacement. Although scheduled in the Reserve Study for replacement in 2024, new controllers are needed now and the Board voted to move the replacement to this year to save money and improve the operations of the gates. The community has four controllers for the swing gates at every entrance and with nine entrances, we are replacing 36 in total. Due to supply chain issues, our gate company has been sourcing them from multiple wholesalers which will take several weeks.
Intending to replace the worst controllers first, to date the Osprey Landing, Marsh Pine, Mallard Landings and Myrtle Creek (Autumn Creek Lane) controllers have been replaced over the past month. As they are being installed, we thank you for your patience as they all have tweaks and adjustments to be made to integrate them into the existing call boxes and equipment. With five more entrances and if all goes as planned, our intent is to have them all finished by mid June. We will update you as this takes place.
Pool Resurfacing
Scheduled for resurfacing and tiling in 2021, the pool finally began its metamorphosis in March. The pool company drained the pool, removed the old tiles, made repairs to the inlets, replaced the handrails/ladder and prepped the surface for new material. After making necessary repairs, the second week of April they poured and spread the new surface and refilled the pool. Now that this is handled, the next step is a comprehensive month-long required new surface care regimen that our regular pool maintenance company will handle. This includes daily brushing of the surface and close monitoring of the chemical levels in the pool, adjusting them daily as the new surface cures.
Before this major project started our goal has been to have the pool reopened for use before Memorial Day weekend and we are on track to hit that goal.
Water, Power and Cable to Dock
Although the new dock is beautiful and in great condition, we are required to maintain it with power washing and sealing twice a year. Due to the lack of power and water to the location, we would be required to spend tens of thousands of dollars for an outside company to come handle this maintenance. In addition, without power to the area, we have been unable to install the much needed security and surveillance equipment (similar to that which we currently have at the gates and clubhouse). The solution has been to hire a contractor to run water and power to the dock entrance. The contractor is currently obtaining the full permitting and should be able to start running the necessary plumbing and conduit within the next 30 days. The good news is that the cable required for the surveillance was installed last month and just needs the power so that we can run cameras when it is ready.
Storm Damage Recap and Update
Last Fall, the Clubhouse experienced a major storm, and possibly a small tornado, that did major damage to the area around and including the Clubhouse. To date, the following has been repaired or replaced:
- Clubhouse Roof: The shingles that were damaged and torn off have been replaced giving the roof the much-needed permanent protection from the elements. This work was completed the second week of April.
- Clubhouse Soffits: Over half the soffits were blown out from the eaves of the building during the storm. They were replaced the second week of April. The replacement down-lighting for the soffits will be replaced with modern LED lighting by late May, if not sooner.
- Surveillance Cameras: Most of the exterior cameras on the Clubhouse were damaged during the storm which left them hanging and inoperable. During the end of March and early weeks of April, we have had updated internet wiring run and new cameras installed. This new internet-based surveillance system is currently operational and offers the community the much-improved ability to review all events happening in and around the Clubhouse 24/7.
- Playground Sunshade and Structure: The kid’s playground sunshade was also damaged during the storm. The structure that holds the shade up was damaged and needed immediate repair which was handled last November but the shade itself needed to be special ordered. After eight weeks on order, we were glad to see the new sunshade installed in February and the playground now offers the shade needed as we continue into the warmer months.
- Other Structures/Elements: Besides those listed above, the tennis court fence that was seriously bent and damaged was repaired in February. Additionally, due to safety reasons the ball field backstop was removed. It has yet to be determined where the new backstop will be installed but we will keep you posted as that information becomes available. The left rear pool gate was bent and damaged so that it could not operate and that was repaired in late January. Besides the destroyed pool furniture that needs replacing, we are also looking at replacing all the outdated pool furniture which, according to the Reserve Study, is due to be replaced in 2024. The siding on the Clubhouse (facing the ballfield) was damaged and has now been repaired.
So much continues to happen all around North Shore and we trust you are seeing these improvements adding value to your homes and the community.
Volunteer Spotlight:
Tanya Moreno-Almonte
North Shore’s exceptional community schools and proximity to the airport are the top reasons Tanya Moreno-Almonte chose to build her family’s home in Myrtle Creek.
Her husband, Eddie Almonte, works for JetBlue Airlines and Tanya has built her 18-year career at Walt Disney World and is currently the coordinator of the Disney Internship Program. They moved here in 2003 from Staten Island, N.Y.
A firm believer in community involvement, Tanya previously served on the HOA’s Social Committee and Architectural Review Board. She’s volunteered on the Compliance Committee for the past year.
“If you want to make changes, you have to be part of the process,” Tanya said.
In addition to her duties at North Shore, she has volunteered with her daughter at Give Kids the World and provided relief for Puerto Ricans following Hurricane Irma.
Their children, Alexa, 21, and Joel, 25, grew up in North Shore and attended Moss Park Elementary, Lake Nona Middle and Lake Nona High schools. They both participated in the Collegiate Academy, an accelerated program at Valencia College that allowed them to graduate from high school with an AA degree. They both entered the University of Central Florida through the DirectConnect program.
“My kids are fortunate they attended our local schools and had teachers who were passionate about what they do,” said Tanya, whose children qualified for the Bright Futures Scholarship. “This helped guide my kids to be successful.”
Joel worked at Disney through the Aspire program, which helped pay for his college costs while he attended UCF’s mechanical engineering program. Now he lives five minutes away in a townhouse on Moss Park Road. Alexa is starting a physical therapy doctorate program in August at Florida International University in Miami.
Alexa is following her grandmother’s legacy. Alba Moreno moved to Spanish Harlem from Puerto Rico at the age of 14 to work as a nanny. She worked as a home health attendant for a woman whose son she ended up marrying. Then she became a physical therapy aide for special needs children and adults at the Institute of Applied Human Dynamics in New York.
“When Alexa told my mom she was going into the physical therapy doctorate program, my mom said her journey has come full circle,” said Tanya, who added that her mother didn’t have the education or resources to go beyond a PT aid, but her granddaughter will complete her mission.
Alba Moreno was the matriarch of a blended family of 12. She and her husband fostered 20 children and adopted four boys and two girls, who had special needs.
“My mother instilled in us at a young age the responsibility to be engaged in our community,” Tanya said. “Her nature to advocate for those who are underserved has been passed along to the next generations.”
Board Elects HOA Officers at April Meeting, Dog Park Approved
One of the primary purposes for the April 13th Board meeting was to elect new officers for the HOA. The Board elected the following officers:
- HOA President – Dave Gordon
- HOA Vice President – Paul Snyder
- HOA Treasurer – Steve Smith
- HOA Secretary – Lisa Solick
- HOA Board Member at Large – Rob Taub
The Board also voted unanimously to have a 5-foot-tall fence erected in a portion of the open space in the area leading to the dock to create a Dog Park for the use of North Shore residents with dogs. The Dog Park will consist of two individually fenced-in areas, one for smaller dogs and one for larger dogs.
North Shore resident Ashton Adamick presented a proposal to the Board for the creation of a “Little Library” that will be located at the dock area. Ashton is taking this on as part of her Eagle Scout Project. Her presentation included how she will raise funds to build the “Little Library”, install it and maintain it. She did an outstanding job answering all the Board’s questions about the project. After discussion the project was unanimously approved by the Board.
All five Board members including Dave Gordon, Paul Snyder, Rob Taub and newly elected members Lisa Solick and Steve Smith were in attendance. General Manager John DeCrotie and Finance/Administrative Manager Laurie Bihailo were also in attendance at the meeting.
Seven homeowners attended by Zoom and three offered opinions and asked questions during the homeowner comments portion of the meeting.
Smiles were plentiful at North Shore’s Easter basket giveaway, organized by our superb Events Committee. Almost 200 baskets were distributed on April 14 among young residents whose parents helped register them ahead of time. The baskets were brimming with goodies like chocolate and other candy, as well as small toys. We hope everyone had a great Easter!
Meet Laurie Bihailo:
Our New Financial and Administrative Manager
Originally from Boston, Laurie Bihailo brings 12 years of property management experience to North Shore at Lake Hart. While raising her children, she worked in the service industry and is delighted to transition back to the property management field.
Laurie replaces Rebecca Clark, who left the job in March for personal reasons.
“I’m very excited about this new position and look forward to learning about the community,” Laurie said. “Working with residents is something I very much enjoy and I strive to always give the best of myself to take care of our residents’ needs.”
The Kissimmee resident loves to spend time with her family. She has two daughters, Erica, 23 and Chanel, 20, a 2-year-old grandson, Josiah, and another grandchild is due at the end of October. Laurie is a huge sports fan and follows every Boston team. She also likes to travel, hike, ski, mountain climb and watch sunrises and sunsets.
What’s new in the 32832?
By Bob Schoneman
On April 20th, The Florida Communities Trust Governing Board unanimously approved to allow the Split Oaks toll road to move forward. In exchange for the 60 acres needed for right of way, Tavistock Development Company and Deseret Ranches of Florida have offered to donate 1,550 acres of land. In 2020, Orange County voters approved a measure to oppose the construction of the toll road. This battle is likely to continue for some time.
New Vietnamese Restaurant in the Neighborhood
Are you hungry and want to try something new? Papasan’s Vietnamese Cuisine recently opened in St. Cloud at 1358 S. Narcoossee Road. Check out their menu and contact information at facebook.com/PapasansNarcoossee
With lots of construction up and down Narcoossee Road, we’re sure to have some more dining options coming this summer.
Real Estate Update:
4/21/22: As of this writing there is one home for sale in North Shore out of the 1,049 homes in our community. There are three homes pending (under contract) that should close over the next month or two. Only one home sold in our community during March. It was a lakefront home on Hart Branch Circle that sold for $2.29 million or $444 a square foot; BOTH the sales price and price per square foot are records for the community. This record may not last long as one of the pending listings will likely shatter both newly minted highs.
In our zip code (32832) for the month of March, there were 60 homes sold, up from 46 in February. The average sales price was $582,041, up from $479,789 in February and price per square foot of $239 (up from $219 last month). With the average days on the market of 14, up from 13 days in February. There are currently only 24 homes for sale in the entire zip code (the same number as last month at this time). That is only about two weeks of inventory.
Interest rates continue to be the big story, climbing over 5% for the first time this decade. Please keep in mind that interest rates vary by the individual banks and buyer’s credit history. Also remember that as interest rates increase, the buyer’s purchasing power decreases.
Bob Schoneman is an United States Air Force Veteran, a real estate broker, author of SOLD! 8 Simple Steps for Successfully Selling Your Home, co-host of The RIOT