Good morning all,

I find it interesting that this discussion is occurring but there has been no comment about the issue we had with the lift station this week which caused the association $ 2,000.00 in emergency repairs and will cost additional money to try to lessen the cost when the problem happens again. We have lived here 4 years and the lift station has suffered the same problem twice in those four years only because of the unknowing or uncaring attitude of one or more of the owners here. Asking for a little consideration in the past appears to have done no good but I will ask again on behalf of the association, PLEASE DO NOT FLUSH ANYTHING OTHER THAN HUMAN WASTE AND TOILET PAPER DOWN THE TOILET. I think that is fairly clear, if there are any questions feel free to contact me.

As far as the yard waste being piled at the park for collection, I believe this was started for a couple of reasons. First there are some properties that really do not have a place to put this waste on-site. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly it allowed one stop pick-up for the City rather than them having to stop at 20-30 places to pick up what could be done in one or two scoops without moving the truck. There has never been a “requirement” to put your yard waste at the park but rather this was offered as a convenience for all. Ideally, the yard waste was to be put out the morning of collection day and not accumulated throughout the week. This way it would only be unsightly for a few hours and then be gone. I would certainly NOT recommend piling it on Ralph’s empty lot any more than I would recommend piling it on anyone else’s property. Be responsible for your actions. Again, as with the lift station, this takes cooperation from the owners which I think you will agree has been lacking.

Thursday evening at the annual meeting everyone will have an opportunity to become involved with the operations of the community. There will be at least one seat on the board up for grabs as I will be leaving the Board. There are several projects dealing, with landscaping mostly, that I have not been able to bring to fruition due to time constraints. I hope that the new Board will look at these and continue to beautify our community. If you are interested in being a Board member please contact me asap so we can print the ballots. I believe there will be 2 seats up for election but I have not confirmed this.

As in the past, feel free to correct me if what I have written here is incorrect. I look forward to seeing you at the Board meeting Thursday. Check the website for details.

Your 6 day President, Mickey

Dear Eagles Landings Home Owners Association:

 

Exciting news, you don't have to haul your yard waste down to our neighborhood park anymore. You can just put it in front of your house or villa and the Solid Waste Department will pick it up.

 

During the past few weeks I have been researching if our two unofficially designated yard waste pickup locations in the neighborhood park are in compliance with the City of Winter Haven's Code of Ordnances and their Solid Waste Collection Guidelines. I believe we started using these collection locations in 2004 when there was so much debris associated with the hurricanes.

 

I have taken up this cause because one of the yard waste collection locations is across the street from my home. Most days of the week there is yard waste in this location which distracts from my view of our lovely neighborhood park.

 

In addition, the Solid Waste Department uses a backhoe arm to collect the yard waste. This collection process is chipping and scrapping the concrete gutter structure and some of the yard waste debris gets displaced into the gutter.

 

Finally, the Solid Waste Department is unable to establish to whom an additional charge is due if the yard waste is in excess of 2 x 2 x 6 feet (2 cubic yards).

 

From my research (including a discussion with Rick Cardona, Solid Waste Superintendent) I have determined that these collection locations are not in compliance with the City's Code of Ordinances and Solid Waste Collection Guidelines. I would like to start a discussion about eliminating the use of these locations and instead have resident's place their yard waste in front of their homes as specified in the Code of Ordinances and Solid Waste Collection Guide below.

 

The Code of Ordinances of The City of Winter Haven regarding points of collection:

 

(a)

Residential garbage and refuse. Residential garbage containers shall be placed at the edge of the customer's property adjacent to a street and shall be accessible without entering into a building or shelter of any type or by walking under, around or on any obstacles. The city may make exception to the regulation in the case of handicapped or infirmed persons. Accumulations of horticultural refuse shall be stacked in compact piles at curbside separated from nonhorticultural refuse and within the confines of resident's or owner's property lines. Deposits of refuse shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Residential refuse shall be placed on the street's edge, but shall not be placed in the street. All small residential horticultural refuse such as grass clippings, short hedge clippings, weeds and fallen leaves shall be bagged. Refuse placed for collection, which is not within the usual collection container, shall not be placed directly under or adjacent to overhead electric or telephone wires, cable television wires or tree limbs.

 

A Guide for Residential Solid Waste Collection, see page 4.

 

Weekly curbside collection of yard waste is included in the standard solid waste service fee and will be collected in a pile not to exceed 3 X 3 X 6 feet (2 cubic yards). An additional fee will apply for the collection of yard waste piles larger that 2 cubic yards.

 

Yard Waste Collection Guidelines

 

 

I am including a few pictures to help us with our discussion.

 

Thanks for your consideration of this matter.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kelley Clark

19 Aviation Drive

Winter Haven, FL 33881-1146

 

Typical views from front porch and yard of 19 Aviation Drive with yard waste distracting from view of park.