Orange County officials on October 18 presented the findings of a traffic study covering three heavily traveled roads in and around North Shore at Lake Hart. The public meeting, attended by about 40 area residents, was held at Lake Nona High School and called by Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero. A few speed management measures were discussed and publicly debated, but no decisions were made as to which would be implemented or when.

Gomez Cordero said the purpose of the meeting was to receive public input about the different corrective measures that can be taken as a result of the findings. Neither the commissioner nor the county traffic engineers at the gathering showed a preference for any potential solution. Instead, they stressed that safety would drive what happens next.

“Cost is only secondary,” Gomez Cordero said. “The most important thing here is safety.” The commissioner added that she wanted to see the completion of the project before the end of her term, of which there are three years left. “We will move as fast as feasible,” she reiterated.

The study, covering Kirby Smith Road, Tyson Road and North Shore Golf Club Boulevard, also looked at speeding data and confirmed that excessive speed is an issue throughout the study area. The most significant speeding patterns were observed on Kirby Smith, south of North Shore Golf Club Boulevard, ands Tyson Road, between Narcoossee Road and Kirby Smith Road. The first has a posted speed of 30 MPH but the field recorded speeds reached 41.8 MPH, while the latter, with a similar posted speed, recorded many trips of up to 47.5 MPH.

Traffic volume and patterns were also recorded and analyzed. The results show approximately 9,000 daily trips between Moss Park Road and Kirby Smith Road with a destination other than North Shore. Those trips represent 75 percent of the traffic in the area, supporting the residents observations of cut-through traffic. To address the situation two alternatives were initially screened in the studio, including a traffic light and a roundabout that would accommodate trucks. The latter was found to provide greater benefits by reducing traffic speeds better and providing “enhanced safety”, while also being more cost effective.

A cul-de-sac analysis was conducted for North Shore Golf Club Boulevard, east of Kirby Smith Road, and Kirby Smith Road, south of North Shore Golf Club Boulevard. The cul-de-sac would effectively close these roads to cut-through traffic and “improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists”, the study says. However, engineers cautioned that this option would also impact street network connectivity and impact emergency vehicle response time. It will also add more traffic to other roads already stressed.

Opinions in the room were fiercely divided between whether to close or not to close the roads. Some residents felt this was the only true permanent solution to the traffic woes, while others expressed concern over longer travel times and overall community access for residents, visitors, delivery and emergency vehicles.

In terms of short-term solutions, the study looked at upgrading speed tables, an all-way stop at Kirby Smith Road and Tyson Road, eliminate passing zones on Kirby Smith Road, a raised crosswalk at the existing crossing location east of Sunstone Avenue on Tyson Road, and some others. For the complete traffic study, click HERE.

The 2024 budget, which comprises the Homeowner Association Operations Fund and the Reserve Fund, was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting on November 1st. While the country continues to weather an inflation of historical proportions, our HOA finances remain in good health and all community improvement projects remain on track. 

The annual budget framework was prepared by the HOA Treasurer, Steve Smith with input from the Community Association Manager Laurie Bihailo, the HOA’s attorney, our management company’s (Access Management) accountant assigned to North Shore and members of the HOA Board. The resulting document was then thoroughly dissected and discussed at a Finance Committee workshop, with the final budget document emerging from the entirety of this process that was mailed to homeowners on October 17th.

To see the approved Budget in its totality, go HERE. 

These are some of the 2024 Budget highlights:

• Total budgeted expenditures were held to an increase of only $97,608 (4%) from the 2023 budget. 
• The amount budgeted to be transferred to the Reserve Fund increased by $28,500 (6%). The amount that is transferred each year is the amount recommended by the reserve study which was updated in 2023. This study is done by an independent firm specializing in reserve studies. 
• The amount transferred to the Reserve Fund increases each year because of inflation. If we don’t transfer enough money into the Reserve Fund each year, there won’t be enough on hand to pay the costs when the work is done. The largest single expense being reserved for is the re-asphalting of all the streets and parking areas which will occur most likely in 2026 at an estimated cost of $2.5 million as of 2023. Orange County requires us to reserve sufficient funds at all times for periodic major maintenance to our streets. Reserve Funds were established by the original developer and are required by our CC&R’s. You can find the entire Reserve Study on the website at northshoreatlakeharthoa.com.  
• Budgeted insurance costs including property and liability insurance increased by $87,100 (114%). This is the unfortunate reality in the state of Florida, as you have probably noticed in your home insurance as well. We must maintain property insurance coverage to protect against damages from accidents, vandalism and weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and hail. 
• All other budgeted expenses, which include amenity operating and maintenance costs; Common Area expenses including street and sidewalk maintenance and off duty and private patrol costs; gate maintenance and operating expenses; landscaping expenses including mowing, trimming, edging, fertilization, weed control, tree trimming and removal; utility costs including streetlights; and payroll and related benefits and expenses; in total increased by only $10,508 (less than one half percent).  

Frequently Asked Questions About the Budget

In the spirit of transparency, HOA treasurer Smith answered during the budget meeting a list of questions submitted by residents. These are some of the most substantial and frequently asked questions: 

• Why did the monthly assessment go up to $185 in 2024 from $160 in 2023?

The assessment was kept low for a few years with the help of money from Accumulated Surplus (which is different and separate from the amount in the Reserve Fund) to help residents during the pandemic and thereafter. However, inflation and normal increases in the cost of living in Florida, including skyrocketing insurance premiums that are up to four times the national average, make this no longer sustainable. To responsibly manage and maintain community assets we need to adjust the monthly assessments.   

• Who are the HOA’s top paid vendors and what do they do?

1. 1. Servello – Landscaping provider, hired in 2020 after an extensive RFP (Request for Proposal) as the least expensive option.
   2. Orange County Utilities – Water and sewer. No choice in the vendor. 
   3. Orlando Utilities Commission – Provides electricity to selected locations and all the streetlights. No choice in the vendor. 
   4. Duke Energy – They provide electricity to locations not serviced by OUC. No choice in the vendor. 
   5. Access Residential Management – HOA management and support. They provide on-site staff and handle all HR functions as well as the processing and payment of vendor invoices. They also handle the collection of all member accounts including the calculation of interest and late fees.  Additionally, they assist in the budgeting process and the annual meeting, while also preparing the first draft of the monthly financial statements and assisting with the annual audit. 
   6. HD Supply – Supplies paper items such as toilet paper, paper towels, hand wipes, pet waste bags, pet waste container bags, office supplies, light maintenance items, light tools, paint, and asphalt for small street repairs.
   7. Last Chance – They provide private patrol services throughout the community and common areas, helping to prevent vandalism to the Community Center, keeping the streets from being blocked as well as watching for any suspicious activity and calling 911 as necessary. 
   8. NuWave Pool – Pool cleaning and maintenance. 
   9. Orange County Sheriff’s Office – Provide off-duty deputies to patrol the neighborhoods on a random basis as well as for the Annual Meeting.
   10. Performance Gate – Major repairs to the gates as needed.
   11. Sunshine Land Management Group – Repair as needed storm drains, curbs, sidewalks, weirs at the retention ponds, potholes in the street and other infrastructure needs. 
   12. The Orlando Law Group – Provides general legal representation including attending all BOD meetings, assistance with compliance issues, reviewing contracts, reviewing homeowners request for records (most of them related to ongoing legal actions against the HOA), representing HOA in all lawsuits, and other legal matters as needed.

• Why did the budget for legal representation in lawsuits go up to $50K from $30K?

These estimated fees are all related to existing lawsuits from a small group of homeowners that will carry over into 2024.  We had hoped that many of these would be settled or finished in 2023 but they have not been, and several are ramping up for trials.

• Why is there a jump of almost $80K in property liability insurance and did we shop around for prices? 

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Florida is among the most expensive markets nationwide, if not the costliest, for insurance. Many carriers have pulled out of the state, leaving very few choices for consumers.

On a recent afternoon Paige and Henry Marchewka, who are 10 and 12, respectively, bounced from mailbox to mailbox delivering important news to North Shore residents: Toy donations wanted! The children are the new leaders of a community toy-drive started by a young Myrtle Creek neighbor a decade ago to deliver Christmas joy to hospitalized children.

Because the toy drive founder, Mason, is now in college and living away from home, the Marchewka siblings decided to take on the project so that the Christmas spirit of kindness and love that inspired it may live on. Henry is a sixth-grader at Innovation Middle School and Paige is a fourth-grader at Moss Park Elementary. 

“Imagine you are a kid in the hospital on Christmas and have no gifts to open,” Henry said when asked about his motivation. “If nobody else does what we are doing, what will happen to them?” His sister Paige vigorously shook her head in agreement. 

Over the years, hundreds of gifts have been collected in our neighborhood through this effort. For 2023 the goal is to collect 175 unwrapped toys suited for toddlers as well as for teenagers. You may arrange for pickup by emailing lightupmcandmp@gmail.com and Paige and Henry will pick up from your doorsteps. Please do so by December 15. The gifts will be delivered to AdventHealth for Women and Children Hospital in Orlando on time for Christmas. Donations are already coming in but many more are needed. It is easy to help! With just a few clicks, you can access the hospital’s Amazon wish list and secure a gift for the children. Items like matchbox cars, Barbies, Lego sets, art kits and board games are great ideas.

“It would be really nice to see the community coming together for these children,” said  Anneliese, Paige and Henry’s mother. “A hospital is the last place anyone would like to be on Christmas. As a mom, I can only think of how happy I would be if I were in the hospital with one of my kids on Christmas day and someone goes above and beyond to show us kindness.”

As for Henry and Paige, they are planning on spending Christmas morning at home. After opening their presents, they will have Christmas cookies for breakfast. And not just any cookies. They will enjoy anise cookies, their paternal grandmother’s Italian-style hard cookies’ recipe, which the family has enjoyed for generations. After all, Christmas is about making memories. They will be savoring theirs while helping create happy moments for other children. And how do they feel about their community initiative? That’s a no-brainer.

“I feel good, really good,” both children said. 

You can feel just as good by supporting their efforts.

Trivia question: What is the nation’s fastest-growing sport?
That would be pickleball and North Shore is considering adding more courts

Pickleball is growing fast in communities everywhere in the U.S, and North Shore is no exception. Currently, one of our three tennis courts can be used as a pickleball court. Over the past several months, there has been a dramatic increase of homeowners that are playing this upcoming sport at our facilities. What started as a small group of homeowners quickly turned into dozens. A group of these homeowners has made a request to permanently convert the tennis court being used for pickleball into three pickleball courts. At this time, we are reviewing quotes from multiple vendors and discussing the design of the courts so they do not interfere with the homeowners that use the facilities for tennis. We will keep the community abreast as we move forward with this exciting project.  We believe this will be a fantastic addition to our already diverse amenity offerings. So, get your paddles ready!   

What is the craze all about?, you may ask. Here are some cool facts about pickleball.

Pickleball is like a mash-up between tennis and Ping-Pong. Not only is it a great way to get in some exercise, but it’s also low impact enough that anyone can do it. You don’t have to be a pro athlete (or even a regular gym goer) to have fun playing pickleball. It really is accessible for people of all ages. The basic aim of pickleball, like with other racket sports, is to hit the ball over the net and prevent an opponent from hitting it back.

It can be played in singles or doubles, inside or outside on a 20-foot by 44-foot court – approximately the size of a badminton court – and lasts until one side reaches 11 points, with a two-point cushion.

And in case you’re wondering (we certainly were) how this sport came about, it has a very singular, all-American story. According to CNN.com pickleball was invented in 1965 when future U.S. Congressman Joel Pritchard and his friend Bill Bell attempted to entertain their bored children while on vacation. Staying in a property on Bainbridge Island, Washington, with an asphalted badminton court, they mustered together the available equipment – a wiffle ball, ping-pong paddles and a badminton net which they later lowered to 36 inches, closer to the height of a tennis net, once they found that the ball bounced well on the asphalt.

As the holiday progressed, they began to create rules for the game. The ping-pong paddles were deemed too small and substituted for larger plywood paddles they fashioned themselves and a non-volley zone seven feet from the net on either side was created to deter smashing. This non-volley zone, also referred to as the ‘kitchen’, is what gives pickleball much of its distinctiveness. It minimizes running, allowing older players to be just as competitive as younger, fitter players and diminishes the role of power so that children can play alongside adults.

Many celebrities and athletes are among the new players who have picked up paddles in the last few years. In January 2022, Olympic legend Michael Phelps played NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald in an exhibition match, while Stephen Colbert recently produced a “celebrity-packed” pickleball tournament that included names like actors Will Ferrell and Emma Watson, and athletes like Tom Brady and LeBron James.

BDO, a large international independent public accounting firm, recently completed the audit of the financial statements for 2022. Once again, as in all prior years, we received a “Clean Opinion” as to the fairness of the financial statements for 2022. This means that no discrepancies were found during the audit.

They state in their “Independent Auditor’s Report” that management is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles including the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal controls relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

They go on to say that in their opinion, the financial statements present fairly the financial position of North Shore at Lake Hart Homeowners Association, Inc. as of December 31, 2022, and the results of its operations and cash flows for 2022.

The completed Audited Financial Statements for 2022, including footnotes and Supplementary Information, along with the Independent Auditor’s Report are now posted to the North Shore website where you can read, review, or download them.