Hello neighbors!

We hope everyone is having a fantastic year so far and enjoying the warmer weather we're having.

We are very excited to have scheduled our first of many recurring food trucks for our community. February 21st is the first one and will be BBQ. Stay informed via weekly updates, the website above, and the information board by the mailboxes. As soon as confirmation is received for the March food truck, we will let everyone know. *Pending - if possible*, the coordinator is hoping to schedule a Halal food truck for March that some of our neighbors requested.

Our management team, especially Karen, has been working tirelessly with us for months as we navigate all the items below. As most are likely aware, they have kickstarted this new year with a full blanket inspection of everyone's lot, and they will continue to do so to ensure our community documents are followed and so that the community's' curb appeal is just that, appealing. The same is happening with the common areas as well.

Our community is looking great and I'm personally seeing and waving at so many smiling neighbors as myself and my family ride our bikes around the community almost daily. If you see us, feel free to stop us and say hello.

We still visit nearby communities, when visiting friends or otherwise, to gather/assess how they're doing as well. Many that we've been to, including County streets have bent/broken street/other signs, missing shingles/tarps on roofs, fallen trees, etc. Within the last few weeks, I've been to Epperson, Watergrass, Easton Park and noted damage in these communities as well. We have to be incredibly careful not to overspend on things that aren't budgeted, especially this early in the new fiscal year (i.e., storm damage, etc.). Per the prior president's report and the 2025 budget (just started on Jan. 1st), a reserve study will occur at some point this fiscal year, so that in the future we can begin to build reserve funds to hopefully (contractor schedules dependent) avoid slow or otherwise delayed repairs, etc.

OUR WEBSITE - The website was announced at the beginning of this year and since then, but in case you missed it, we have an official website which has been live since January. It's been in development since late last year, and we are adding things to it continuously. It's your one-stop shop for everything you need. Additional sections/features are also coming soon, have a look at www.summerstonehoa.com

UNAUTHORIZED MAINTENANCE - Please be aware, that prior to performing any repairs, everyone must receive permission from the HOA prior to doing anything. We alerted the landscaper of irrigation leaks/sprays around a few trees along the northern pond of Jasper Stone that were noticed while riding around the community late last year (2024). Upon their inspection, our landscaper noticed these trees were attempted to be repaired by unauthorized individuals after the storm(s). It was noted that these attempts likely caused the irrigation breaks as they weren't broken/leaking during their inspection/walkthrough during their post-storm community assessment - these irrigation repairs were non-budgeted expenses the association had to pay for. Conversely, if an authorized contractor/vendor/etc. unintentionally breaks something, they become obligated, from our perspective, to fix at their expense.

ROCKS IN POOL - For everyone's information, since it's recurring so frequently; the pool contractor has begun charging the association an additional $45 every time they have to remove rocks from the bottom of the pool and they service the pool 3x/week. Also, if their equipment is damaged due to rocks that shouldn't be there, the association will have to pay for that equipment/equipment repair. I am asking everyone to please monitor each other and if you see anyone causing problems/potential harm to our/your amenity, please speak up. We decided not to hire an on-site pool attendant when finalizing this year's budget, and we don't want this to occur. While we are getting a security system soon, it's not as good as stopping something immediately, if noticed. Please help police what is ours/yours.

POOL RINSE OFF SHOWER LEAK (NON-EMERGENCY) - A homeowner alerted us of a leak occurring by the shower at the pool recently. This was a very minor leak that looked worse than it was due to repair timing. We immediately contacted the landscaper because it was leaking from a valve box labeled "ICV" (irrigation control valve). They came out the next day to investigate and informed us that it wasn't irrigation, but actual plumbing. Karen coordinated with a plumber who never responded/showed. She then contacted another plumber who was able to come the same day she made contact. I personally met with the plumber to let them in. I was able to stop the leak with the tip of my finger (a small crack - the cause was a tree root). The main water valve (on the street corner) was not shut off because it would have interrupted service to more than just the shower.

INSURANCE - Our community insurance policy was renewed on January 31st.

SIGN QUOTES/REPAIRS - We've been working on these for months. We attempted to get insurance to cover, to see if the CDD would fix or knew of a provider, and the developer was of no assist. We had/have multiple vendors who wouldn't come do a site visit, and we've done two site visits with two others. One of those never returned a quote after the site visit, and the other did (we did approve this quote). We were told they are ordering new parts/signs and posts which are not repairable, and we are awaiting an update from them for their schedule. As soon as we know when the repairs will happen, you will know.

POOL AMENITY ROOF/SOFFIT REPAIR - The amenity roof/soffits are scheduled to be repaired no later than the end of this week. It was delayed due to parts (soffit) availability.

PERIMETER FENCE REPAIR - The fence behind the townhomes along Sorrell Mint has been repaired.

TREE REMOVAL/REPAIR - There is still more work to do. We have to balance available funds to determine if/when we can have them removed and/or repaired. The landscaper has a prioritization plan and we are in continuous contact with them due to early fiscal timing, other priorities, etc.

LANDSCAPING - New seasonal flowers should be going in next week. The installation was delayed only due to delivery delays with the supplier. The areas on both sides of the entry monument/fountain have been emptied/prepped and are ready for planting upon supplier delivery. Additionally, it has gotten warmer earlier than expected this year. This is wonderful, as we are already seeing the grass/landscaping looking fuller and greener, sooner. With this, our landscaper is not contracted to cut weekly until very late April - May. In the meantime, the grass in our community common areas "may" grow slightly longer due to the earlier than expected warmer weather and current bi-weekly cut schedule. However, the head of landscaping says this isn't a bad thing at all. The slightly longer grass will allow it to hold onto water longer, allowing it to thrive with our current infrequent rains. We are in constant communication with them regarding the common area landscaping.

ENTRY MONUMENT LIGHTING - A ticket has been opened to begin research into lighting options to light up the entrance monument from dusk to dawn every night. If you are or know someone who can help with this endeavor, please forward the contact information to us, and we will coordinate with them for a design/quote.

SECURITY SYSTEM/GATE QUOTES - We've received outsourced quotes, none of which were "outstanding" but sufficient. A community member reached out directly to us (the board and Karen), who has been in security for over 30 years, and also owns their own business as well. I've been and still am in direct contact with this homeowner, and received an additional proposal from them. We are still reviewing everything to get our new access/gate/security system in place, and fully understand the urgency of it. A pool area reservations system/policy was mentioned as a future item as well. This new security/gate system needs in place prior to enabling that. Also, a homeowner reached out and asked about one of the pool gates being broken for a year, and I wanted to address that. It hasn't been broken for a year, but it does seem like it. Last Summer, we had a surprise inspection from the County (which happens 2x/year), which closed the pool for a couple of days, due to that gate being broken, but was quickly repaired. The gate has been repaired more than once since that incident due to additional breakages. To alleviate further unnecessary (unbudgeted amounts) repair costs, it was decided that I would put my personal bike lock on it until we (the board) decide on the new security solution in this 2025 fiscal year. This temporary fix satisfies the County to keep our pool open, while at the same time saving the association funds that are not budgeted; just for it to be broken again, as history has demonstrated. Each time we have to call the gate company to come out and evaluate the broken gate lock, it costs the association a minimum of $200 just for a site visit (with the current vendor provided by the developer).

Pending the decision, the new system capabilities may include:
a. cell phone entry
b. electronic entry logs/tracking (no more unreliable fobs)
c. additional cameras w/longer data recording/retention periods to meet legal/enforcement standards. Viewing angles will cover the entire amenity area including the pool, all gates, overhangs, playground, basketball court, mailbox area, parking lots, and green spaces immediately around the amenity area (no personal private property).
d. one main entry/exit gate (center gate) w/ 2 side gates likely becoming emergency exits only (no more propping them open as many have witnessed)
e. remote and/or AI supported monitoring w/ auto reporting to Pasco Sheriff's after hours (dusk to dawn) to enforce trespassing. We renewed the annual trespassing agreement w/ Pasco Sheriff not long ago which covers all areas noted in line c. above.
f. motion sensor lighting
g. warranty

PRESSURE WASHING QUOTES - We will decide on a pressure washing quote/vendor this week. We have been receiving/reviewing quotes since late 2024 in preparation for a pre-spring cleaning. We are looking at pressure washing:
a. pool area
b. pool furniture, including cleaning the orange furniture
c. amenity building/structure
d. playground/patio cover/benches
e. mailbox area
f. basketball court
g. amenity sidewalks & parking lot
h. additional common areas
i. perimeter fence behind townhomes which was repaired


ENGINEERING STUDEY FOLLOW-UPS - Awaiting the results of the community "common area" irrigation system. The entire system is being inspected currently (takes time due to it being a reclaimed water system and the County controls the water pressure of reclaimed water to certain days of the week) by a 3rd party irrigation professional to ensure it's appropriate/per code/standards, etc. The study results are also being thoroughly examined for pushback to the community's developer for any follow-up actions. This takes time to go through and to ensure all necessary action is taken.

ADDITIONAL PAYMEMT OPTION - We are evaluating additional payment options we received. Each will have an effect on next year's budget/dues. We are in final conversations with management and Truist, and will make a final decision as soon as we get a few more final details.

This list isn't all inclusive, but contains most of the items currently happening.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful year and I will always continue to wish you all the very best as we continue to make strides towards our community's bright future!

Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day!


Your Neighbor,

Korey Pickett
Summerstone HOA President