Unofficial Publication for Villages of Vilano Residents August 2020 Vol. 22 No. 1

President’s Message

I have been waiting to initiate a Summer Villages Voice newsletter until I had substantial updates on the status of

the Walk-Over Bridge Replacement project. With approval of the Board, I signed a contract with AE Engineering

who will coordinate, monitor and certify the project. They will be calling for a video conference among the bridge

manufacturer, Contech (the construction company), Superior Construction; WGI Engineering, the Plans Developer,

Florida Dept. of Transportation Permit Division and our Committee members and Fred Bulls. The timing for start

and finish can only be estimated at this time as Contech has just begun to cut steel on the manufacture of the

bridge. Their lead time has been estimated to be 9 to 10 weeks which takes us out to the end of

September/beginning of October when transportation to the site is included. After the video conference a firm

schedule will be published. I still need to sign a Maintenance Agreement with FDOT and a Usage Agreement with

St. Johns County for the use of Carcaba Rd. during the three-night detour (11PM to 6AM) needed during bridge

replacement.

In mid-June, we have reopened all recreational facilities with strict rules for personal distancing as recommended

by the CDC.

Prior to the 4th

of July celebration, the outside of the clubhouse and indoor pool area were painted; soffits, fascia,

gutters and exhaust fan were replaced. New external windows were also installed around the indoor pool.

We celebrated Independence Day on July 4th

with hot dogs, mimosas, and sodas at the Clubhouse patio. Thanks to

Social Committee and all the volunteers who made this year’s celebration memorable – Jim and Suzanne Brady,

Rick and Sue Chapman, Claudia and Bill Johns, Doris Wojdyla, Jan Voparil and Chris Collier.

Rick and Sue Chapman have been hard at work upgrading the plantings at the entrance of VOV; and three new

plantings of palm trees between the benches facing pond 2. They also coordinated the replacement of the one

dead tree in the west circle of Ocean Hollow. Thank you, Sue and Rick!

Based on the results of the Member survey, Steve Collier recommended and the Board approved the installation of

a new Rowing Machine and additional dumbbell weights in the exercise room.

Routine maintenance has included replacement of the AC unit for the Exercise Room, motor for outdoor pool,

gazebo repair/paint and replacement of aeration motor in Pond 3.

Other projects pending for 4th

quarter are resurfacing of VOV roads and replacement of fences behind the RV/Boat

Trailer lot that may have to wait until 2021 dependant on the progress on the Walk-over Bridge replacement.

I think you will all agree that Green Earth has done a fine job with our lawn with their proper fertilization, pest

control, sod replacement and mowing. Several owners have requested “push mowing" on some of their lawn

strips. According to Kris Durfee this additional labor was not included in their rate guaranteed contract although

the previous contractor complied with several such requests. As more owners have been requesting this special

service, the labor costs from Green Earth are becoming a problem. Kris informs me that they have walk behind

power mowers that could be used instead and produce the same result. We will put this issue on the September

Board Meeting agenda for discussion.

Villages of Vilano Board of Directors 2020 (Elected by members of January 2020)

Pictured left to right Marsha Hurst, Ginny Mitchell, Larry MacCormick, Ron Keiser, Bob Austin

Delay’s in Yard Waste Collection Due to an increased demand for solid waste collection services, St. Johns County's yard debris collection schedules may have been recently delayed. Adherence to CDC guidelines and cleaning protocols are requiring additional time for each route to be completed. St. Johns County is securing additional resources to ensure timely collection services are resumed. On behalf of St. Johns County we would like to thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. For more information, please call 904.827.6980 or email solidwaste@sjcfl.us.

Fred Bulls attended pool certification school in late July.

New CDC rules recommend that no one under the age of 17

should use the hot tub/spa.

Signage in the indoor pool area will be updated to address this

change.

VOV Exercise Room Survey Results

These photos were taken June 15th.

An overflowing dumpster and a refrigerator that should have been left on the street after a call to Advance for a pick-up. One other recent problem was the disposal of dead fish parts causing a malodor wafting over the Villages. Let’s all obey proper disposal rules posted on the fence door: "For disposal of household garbage only.”

A picture says a thousand words!