December 2022 public meeting
On December 5, 2022, the North Bay Hills HOA held a public meeting at the Safety Harbor Public Library.
The meeting was called to order by President Greg Childers at 5:30PM.
Treasurer Ryan Murphy discussed the recent accomplishments of the HOA:
We have a new web host for the North Bay Hills HOA and the web site has been refreshed
The three entrances to the HOA have been cleaned up
We have contracted with a new landscaper to maintain the entrances
We have implemented a new approval process for spending, which requires approval of a minimum of two (2) board members.
We opened a new bank account and closed the old account
We rebuilt the financial history of the HOA
We explored options for the SR 580/North Bay Hills Blvd entrance
Ryan also presented a financial update for the HOA:
We have a cash balance of $3,1112.32 with approximately $1,000 designated for a new entrance sign
For the last 12 months ending November 30, 2022, we had deposits of $10,376 and spending of $7,562.
For the last 12 months ending November 30, 2020, we spent approximately 1/3 on landscaping, 1/3 on utilities, and 1/3 on mailings/newsletters.
Since 2018, the HOA has broken even. We spend approximately what we take in.
Approximately, 40% of the households in the North Bay Hills HOA pay annual dues of $35. If we could increase that percentage to 80%, we would have approximately $15,000 in income.
Webmaster Anthony Arceri presented a report. He has moved the HOA website to a new web host and refreshed the website. News, announcements, updates, and meeting information will be posted on the website. He is working on a portal so that the members can pay their dues online.
Sign Committee Chair Kate Kohler presented a report:
The sign at the SR 580/North Bay Hills Blvd entrance was damaged by a hit and run driver earlier this year. The committee worked on fixing the sign, but the city noted it needed replacing. The city removed the sign, and then another driver hit the Duke Energy meter in the median. If the sign is replaced, the city requires a permit to be filed and to follow city codes regarding entrance signs.
The sign committee also did some repair work on the signs at the Allen Avenue/Egret Terrace and the Philippe Parkway/North Bay Hills Blvd entrances. Those signs will eventually need replacing.
Kate reported that sign companies have been contacted and estimates for new signs range from $10K to $19K per sign.
Due to the cost of replacing the sign as well as the costs of utilities and maintenance, the Executive Board has unanimously agreed to relinquish the maintenance of the right of way median at the SR 580/North Bay Hills Blvd entrance back to the City of Safety Harbor in order to focus on the Allen Avenue/Egret Terrace and Philippe Parkway/North Bay Hills Blvd entrances. The signs at those entrances will need to be replaced. We also need to repair the irrigation system at each entrance.
The HOA has common land near the creek on North Bay Hills Blvd south of Evergreen Manor and the SR 580 entrance. After speaking with the City of Safety Harbor arborist, we will be calling on volunteers to clear the ground cover in order to maintain the area for common use. This could potentially serve as a future location for a new entrance sign.
President Greg Childers presented a report on the Deed Restrictions. The original deed restrictions were filed in February 1976. Enforcement of the deed restrictions has proven difficult. Some of the restrictions overlap City and County codes, in which case complaints may be filed with the appropriate municipal enforcement division.
Paul Bushee and Erik McCarthy from the City of Safety Harbor Code Compliance division were present to answer questions from residents. Residents can directly submit a complaint to the City by email or by phone at (727) 724-1550 ext 1705 or by using the Action Line. The State of Florida no longer allows anonymous complaints. When filing a complaint, you must include your full name and complete address. Failure to provide this information will result in your complaint not being investigated.
One of the more common violations cited by homeowners is the parking of recreational vehicles, such as campers and boats, in the neighborhood. The City of Safety Harbor requires that recreational vehicles under thirty-five (35) feet be parked within ten (10) feet of a side lot or be parked in a paved driveway. Recreational vehicles over thirty-five (35) feet must be parked behind a six foot opaque fence. No more than one (1) recreational vehicle is permitted in a front yard. You can download the RV ordinance from the City of Safety Harbor website.
No person shall park a vehicle for a period of time longer than forty-eight (48) hours on all other streets or avenues within the corporate limits of the city. The forty-eight-hour restriction is on a continuous basis and the changing of the position of a vehicle from one point directly to another point within the same block shall be deemed one (1) continuous parking period. Recreational vehicles or similar types of vehicles shall not be parked upon any public street or within a right-of-way for a period longer than six (6) hours, unless signs are posted prohibiting on-street parking or identifying a different period of time. For purposes of this provision, the changing of the position of a vehicle from one (1) point directly to another point within the same block shall be deemed one (1) continuous parking period.
It is unlawful to stop, stand or park a vehicle on a sidewalk in such a manner as to block or impair the passage of pedestrian traffic on such sidewalk, either completely or partially. This also includes people parking in their driveways where their vehicles block the sidewalk.
To report these or any other violations of City of Safety Harbor ordinances, use the Action Line or contact Safety Harbor Code Compliance at (727) 724-1555 ext 1705.
Greg noted the Deed Restrictions need to be revitalized so they can be updated and recorded with the appropriate municipal agency. The Florida Marketable Records Title Act states that recorded covenants governing a community must be preserved before the end of a 30-year period beginning on the date they were recorded. After the covenants expire, the majority of owners may go through a revitalization process to record a new covenant. Volunteers are welcome to sign up for this committee.
Greg noted that the North Bay Hills HOA Bylaws also need to be updated. Volunteers are welcome to sign up for this committee.
Volunteers have been working on the Allen Avenue/Egret Terrace and Philippe Parkway/North Bay Hills Blvd entrances. Our volunteers generously donate their time to do the work of the HOA so please be kind to them.
If there is a streetlight that needs fixing, call the City of Safety Harbor Department of Public Works with the tag number from the pole. Contact them at (727) 724-1550.
The City of Safety Harbor is responsible for pruning tree limbs that have grown over the sidewalks and over the streets. They are also responsible for curb repair and street resurfacing. Contact Safety Harbor Streets Division at (727) 724-1550 ext 2013.
