West Villages Annual Finance Meeting Notice

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
7/26/2016
Miscellaneous Notices
WEST VILLAGES
 IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

NOTICE OF THE DISTRICT'S INTENT TO USE THE UNIFORM METHOD
OF COLLECTION OF NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS

Notice is hereby given that the West Villages Improvement District (the "District") intends to use the uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem assessments to be levied by the District pursuant to Section 197.3632, Florida Statutes. The Board of Supervisors of the District will conduct a public hearing on August 23, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., at the Sarasota County/Englewood Sports Complex, located at 1300 South River Road, Englewood, Florida 34223.

The purpose of the public hearing is to consider the adoption of a resolution authorizing the District to use the uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem assessments to be levied by the District on properties located on land included in, or to be added to, the District.

The District may levy non-ad valorem assessments for the purpose of financing, acquiring, maintaining and/or operating public facilities, services and improvements within and without the boundaries of the District, to consist of, among other things, water, sewer, drainage, irrigation and water management improvements, parks and recreational facilities, roadway improvements, and other improvements and any other lawful projects or services of the District.

Owners of the properties to be assessed and other interested parties may appear at the public hearing and be heard regarding the use of the uniform method of collecting such non-ad valorem assessments.

Also at 11:00 a.m. on August 23, 2016, the Board will hold its regular public meeting to consider any other business that may lawfully be considered by the District.

The public hearing and Board meeting are open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Florida law for independent special districts. This Board meeting and/or the public hearing may be continued in progress to a date and time certain announced at the meeting. Additionally, the public hearing and/or meeting may be cancelled without advertised notice. There may be occasions when Supervisors or staff may participate by speaker telephone. A copy of the agenda for the public hearing and Board meeting may be obtained at the offices of the District Manager, 2501A Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410.

Pursuant to provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in the hearing and/or meeting is asked to contact the District Office at 1-561-630-4922 and/or toll free at 1-877-737-4922, at least forty-eight (48) hours before the hearing and/or meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service at (800) 955-8770, who can aid you in contacting the District Office.

Each person who decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the hearing is advised that person will need a record of the proceedings and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based.

Todd Wodraska
District Manager

WEST VILLAGES IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

Ali H. Johnston, MHA, MBA in Real Estate

Realtor®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

Mobile: 941-460-3179

www.WestVillagesRealty.com

WVID Blogspot

Gran Paradiso Blogspot

NewHomeVenice.com

West Villages Home Site

My Gran Paradiso Site

My IslandWalk Site

Gran Paradiso at the West Villages: Venice Gondolier Sun Article

WEST VILLAGES IS NOW 4TH-FASTEST GROWING COMMUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES

Just down the road from Venice, West Villages even has a planned "beach," complete with white sand (see photo), planned for this large community.

http://yoursun.com/sunne…/venice/11324213-699/story.html.csp

Ali H. Johnston, MHA, MBA in Real Estate

Realtor®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

Mobile: 941-460-3179

www.WestVillagesRealty.com

WVID Blogspot

Gran Paradiso Blogspot

NewHomeVenice.com

West Villages Home Site

My Gran Paradiso Site

My IslandWalk Site

Update posted regarding West Villages roundabout plans

I don't really have any new information, but a little clarification (I guess).

Petition on Change.org

PETITION UPDATE

A little more information

Ali Johnston

Venice, FL

JUL 23, 2016 — I received a message earlier this week that I wanted to share...

[BEGIN QUOTED TEXT]
Hi Ali ---
After receiving the email regarding the petition update, we sent an email to Tanya King to oppose the proposed roundabout. We recd the following reply from her and wanted to share it with you. Text is as follows: 
Hello everyone, 

I understand your concerns with roundabouts, especially after the Jacaranda roundabout. You may not be aware but the modern roundabout, when designed and constructed properly, work more efficient than signals. They reduce fatalities by 90%, serious injuries by 76% and improve safety for all users, including pedestrians while also reducing congestion. It also reduces speeds. 

Mr. ________, you mentioned the Jacaranda roundabout in your email. The Jacaranda roundabout was over designed for the amount of traffic that is currently using it. The county tried to retrofit the design with the quick curb but that did not work either. You may not know but we are currently working with the county to correct the design issues with the Jacaranda roundabout. 

Currently District 1 has 2 roundabouts, US 17 at Hunt Brothers and SR 33 at Dean Still. Both roundabouts are working great for not only large trucks but also for our seasonal residents.

It is our policy now than whenever a signal is warranted the intersection has to be analyzed for a roundabout. We are continuing with our analysis and will update you in the future if anything changes.

Best regards, 
Tanya N. King, P.E., CPM
Traffic Studies Engineer
Florida Department of Transportation
District One MS 1-8
801 North Broadway Avenue
P.O. Box 1249 | Bartow, FL 33830
(: 863.519.2509 7: 863.534.0915
*: tanya.king@dot.state.fl.us 

[END QUOTED TEXT]

After reading this, I am going to try to find out: 1) who, then, is ultimately responsible for the design? And, 2), how did it happen that one was allowed to be installed wrong? 

Seeing as we don't want to allow the same mistakes to happen, I would like to get these questions answered to try to keep tabs on who will actually be responsible for the design and approval of it.

Have a great day!
Ali

Thanks, once again, for reading. :)

Ali H. Johnston, MHA, MBA in Real Estate

Realtor®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

Mobile: 941-460-3179

www.WestVillagesRealty.com

WVID Blogspot

Gran Paradiso Blogspot

NewHomeVenice.com

My West Villages Site

My Gran Paradiso Site

My IslandWalk Site

I do not work for any of the wonderful builders/developers in the West Villages Improvement District, or any others for that matter. My services and information (including the resources provided on all of my websites) are wholly independent of these developers. No other independent professional is more knowledgeable about this community.

Please, check out my Venice area website, and contact me for more information.

Look forward to hearing from you!

­­

Gran Paradiso: Roundabout planned on US41 at entrance

An email was received this morning regarding the results of the analysis for a roundabout at the junction of US41 and IslandWalk/Gran Paradiso.

It states:

The department has reviewed and analyzed the US 41 at Corradino/Galleria intersection.  At this time the department is moving forward with the roundabout option at this location.  We believe this is the best operational treatment for this intersection.  However further analysis is needed, which will include a concept and cost estimate for both the roundabout and traffic signal.  Once this analysis is complete we will be meeting with the builders and/or their representatives to discuss this further.  This effort should take no more than 3 to 4 weeks to complete.  

In the meantime, should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Best regards,

Tanya N. King, P.E., CPM

Traffic Studies Engineer

Florida Department of Transportation

District One MS 1-8

801 North Broadway Avenue

P.O. Box 1249 | Bartow, FL 33830

(: 863.519.2509 7: 863.534.0915

*: tanya.king@dot.state.fl.us

We will have to wait and see what this decision brings.

Contact information for the local leaders are as follows:

Florida Governor
Rick Scott
http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/

State Senator
Nancy Detert
https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s28
Email: DETERT.NANCY@FLSENATE.GOV

State Representative
Julio Gonzalez
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4611&LegislativeTermId=86
Email: JULIO.GONZALEZ@MYFLORIDAHOUSE.GOV

FDOT District 1, Secretary
Billy Hattaway
Email: BILLY.HATTAWAY@DOT.STATE.FL.US

FDOT Public Information Office
Florida Department of Transportation District 1
Email: FDOT-D1PIO@dot.state.fl.us

FDOT Safety Office, Chief Safety Officer
Lora Hollingsworth
Email: LORA.HOLLINGSWORTH@DOT.STATE.FL.US

FDOT Operations and Engineering
Trey Tillander
Email: TREY.TILLANDER@DOT.STATE.FL.US


Thanks for reading!
Ali

Ali H. Johnston, MHA, MBA in Real Estate

Realtor®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

Mobile: 941-460-3179

www.WestVillagesRealty.com

WVID Blogspot

Gran Paradiso Blogspot

NewHomeVenice.com

My West Villages Site

My Gran Paradiso Site

My IslandWalk Site

If you are considering purchasing a home in this community, I can assist you. My services and extensive resources are of no cost to you, and in most instances, I am even able to save home buyers money.  I do not work for any of the wonderful builders/developers in the West Villages Improvement District, or any others for that matter. My services and information (including the resources provided on all of my websites) are wholly independent of these developers. No other independent professional is more knowledgeable about this community, and enlisting me to assist with your transaction can provide you with a wealth of information as well as saving you money.

Please, check out my Venice area website, and contact me for more information.

Look forward to hearing from you!

West Villages sports complex update from the Sarasota Herald Tribune this week

from http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20160713/NEWS/160719844

SPRING TRAINING

Are Atlanta Braves the only team considering Sarasota County?

By Zach Murdock
zach.murdock@heraldtribune.com

Published: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 1:17 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 9:52 a.m.

This is the artist's preliminary design for a spring training stadium in North Port. The Atlanta Braves are in talks with local leaders about bringing the team to a new spring training baseball complex in North Port as soon as 2018. PROVIDED / MATTAMY HOMES

Three to four other clubs are interested in potentially sharing the proposed stadium and practice fields at the heart of the planned West Villages “town center” development on 100 to 150 acres near U.S. 41 and River Road, West Villages General Manager Martin Black said Wednesday afternoon.

Black mentioned the possibility of other teams’ interest in the project during an update to the Venice City Commission on Tuesday afternoon, but he would not say which teams are considering the idea.

It appeared to be the first public disclosure that other teams could be added to the plan — which to date has only publicly included the Braves — but Black said he has noted the possibility to other local groups over the past several weeks.

“It may have never been explicit in an article, but it’s not a new thought for us,” Black said late Wednesday. “We’ve always talked about two teams in our conversations with the state and we’ve been in discussions with other teams for some time, but we’re just not at a point where we can disclose that publicly.”

If the West Villages can sign a second team to the proposed $100 million complex, potential state grants for the project would jump from $20 million to $50 million.

Interest from other clubs could also give West Villages back-up options should the Braves ultimately strike a deal to relocate to Collier or Palm Beach counties, where the team also is negotiating.

“It’s a big financial benefit from the state-funding perspective,” Black said. “It’s a multiplier and it’s an economy of scale type of approach. We have the capacity to do to two teams, as far as acreage.”

Local consultants for the Braves and designers of the West Villages commercial district already are collaborating on specific plans for the proposed complex, but the addition of a second team later would not dramatically change that work, Black said. Another team clubhouse and offices would make relatively modular, easy additions to the plans, he said.

Designs are expected to be available for public consideration by the end of the year and the Braves are expected to make a final decision on their next facility in six to nine months, Black has said.

Black and Sarasota County officials have been negotiating with the team behind closed doors since March, when the county commissioners authorized administrators to negotiate on their behalf with the Braves. The team is also reportedly negotiating with officials in Collier and Palm Beach counties.

County officials would not say this week whether one or more other teams also are being considered. They and team officials have repeatedly declined to comment, citing a confidentiality agreement guarding the ongoing negotiations.

The Braves plan to relocate to a new spring training facility in 2019 after the team’s lease ends at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando.

Black’s comment Tuesday is the first indication that other teams could be in the mix for the North Port proposal, which has previously been a point of contention for the Braves.

The Braves landed in Orlando in 1997 after jilting a proposed spring training complex at a development in Jupiter amid plans that the Braves split the stadium with another team. Roger Dean Stadium was built at the heart of the commercial and residential development there, and is home to the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.

Officials and developers who worked with the Braves then and helped design the site explained earlier this year that it still stings that the team left the area after decades of holding spring training in Palm Beach County.

That development, called Abacoa, became the standard bearer for many of the Florida and Arizona spring training complexes that have followed, and mirrors the plans proposed in North Port.

Facts

The story so far

Early March: Sarasota County approves formal negotiations with the Braves over possible spring training facility in the West Villages development in North Port by 2018

Late March: Palm Beach County officials reveal they are also in discussions with the Braves about a possible West Palm Beach site, near where the team trained for decades before moving to Orlando in 1997

April: Business leaders in Collier County reveal they, too, have discussed a potential site with the Braves, but the County Commission votes down the proposed site

May: Sarasota leaders say they are still negotiating with the team but refuse to discuss plans, citing a confidentiality agreement, and no other county governments approve formal negotiations with the team

Early June: Braves Vice Chairman John Schuerholz writes both Collier and Sarasota county administrators — just days apart — to indicate the team is still interested in pursuing negotiations with both.

June: West Villages General Manager Marty Black announces the Braves have hired local architects and consultants to work with West Villages staff to design a specific site plan for the proposed complex

July: Black suggests he has contacted "several other teams" about the potential for the Braves and another club to both train at the proposed West Villages location or to have a second team interested in the plans if the Braves choose Collier or Palm Beach

West Villages Blog: West Villages Items on the Planning and Zoning Agenda for Public Hearing Thursday

West Villages Blog Post

 (Information copied from posted agenda)

CITY OF NORTH PORT Planning & Zoning

Meeting at 9am on July 7, 2016

CITY HALL Commission Chambers – 2nd Floor

4970 City Hall Boulevard

North Port, Florida 34286

PUBLIC HEARING:

E.1 VIA-15-178 – Ordinance No. 2016-17, Petition No. VIA-15-178, West Villages Index

Map Amendment. (M. NORTON)(QUASI-JUDICIAL)

E.2 CPAL-15-157 – Ordinance No. 2016-22, Petition No. CPAL-15-157, Costamar at West

Villages Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Amendment and Amendment to

Figure 13.1.n of the Land Use Element of the City of North Port Comprehensive Plan.

(C. WHITTAKER)(QUASI-JUDICIAL)

E.3 REZ-15-158 – Ordinance No. 2016-16, Petition No. REZ-15-158, West Villages

Rezoning. (S. WILLETTE-GRONDIN)(QUASI-JUDICIAL)

Just an FYI for those interested in the proceedings.

Ali H. Johnston, MHA, MBA in Real Estate

Realtor®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

Mobile: 941-460-3179

www.WestVillagesRealty.com

WVID Blogspot

Gran Paradiso Blogspot

NewHomeVenice.com

West Villages Home Website

My Gran Paradiso Site

My IslandWalk Site

Annual West Villages Landowners' Meeting on June 28, 2016

From WVID blog

Here is a quick rundown on the last annual landowners' meeting...

Last Tuesday (June 28th), the annual West Villages landowners' meeting was held at IslandWalk's event center and followed by the monthly district meeting. Surprisingly few people were in attendance. There was not much new business anyway, though, but it is typically a time for residents to bring their questions and concerns for response.  

The two items of note from the first part of the session were that Brian Watson's term expired and a new supervisor, David Koon, was added to the board in his place and the district manager went over the district financial status. The previous year's meeting minutes were approved, the district manager did review for attendees the process of filling supervisory seats, and Mr. Koon was sworn in later at the start of the regular monthly district business meeting.

The financials were said to be good overall, with the exception of unit two that includes the former Town Centre project which remains in default and likely will for some time to come. Supervisor Rossman requested that information be obtained for the next monthly meeting on what items the remaining balance in unit 1 is expected to cover. At this time, there was no new or surprising information presented. August will present the final budget for next year to a public hearing. Also, a request was made from a resident to check on poor visibility issues with landscaping at the roundabout on West Villages Parkway.

Notes from the monthly district meeting later...

Thanks for reading!

Ali

Ali H. Johnston, MHA, MBA in Real Estate

Realtor®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

Mobile: 941-460-3179

www.WestVillagesRealty.com

WVID Blogspot

Gran Paradiso Blogspot

NewHomeVenice.com

My West Villages Site

My Gran Paradiso Site

My IslandWalk Site

If you are considering purchasing a home in this community, I can assist you. My services and extensive resources are of no cost to you, and in most instances, I am even able to save home buyers money.  I do not work for any of the wonderful builders/developers in the West Villages Improvement District, or any others for that matter. My services and information (including the resources provided on all of my websites) are wholly independent of these developers. No other independent professional is more knowledgeable about this community, and enlisting me to assist with your transaction can provide you with a wealth of information as well as saving you money.

Please, check out my Venice area website, and contact me for more information.

Look forward to hearing from you!

­­