In 2014, a significant strong rotten egg odor plagued the North Fort Myers area. One source of the odor was determined to be coming from the SLD Construction & Debris Facility just north of Herons Glen. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection Agency (FDEP) was contacted. It was found that the facility like others had Chinese drywall in the Construction & Debris landfill. As the drywall decays, it emits the Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas. The hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas has a very pungent “rotten egg” odor.

The SLD facility is regulated by the FDEP. Once enough data was collected between 2014 & 2016, which included local resident complaints, the FDEP executed a legal consent order in 2016 requiring the SLD facility to take measures to control the Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas emissions. The Herons Glen HOA Air Quality Control representatives hold a quarterly meeting with the management staff of the Waste Connection SLD facility, and the FDEP is included in the meetings as necessary. The purpose is to get updates on their progress to control the emissions and improvements to their systems as required by the FDEP. The FDEP continues their onsite inspections and monitoring of the facilities which include the complaints submitted. The company that owns the SLD facility is now called Waste Connections. Each year they attend the Firewise Community event and provide a table where residents can stop by and ask questions.

Several things need to occur for areas of Herons Glen to experience the “rotten egg” odor. The drywall is deeply covered in the landfill, and a gas collection system operates to burn off the gases. When what they call hot spots develops in an area within the landfill it can release uncollected gases into the air. It is generally not immediately known when this occurs somewhere within the landfill or between daily testing during the week. If a hot spot opens and if the wind direction is from the North or Northwest, then residents in areas of Herons Glen may smell the “rotten egg” odor. The odor may also appear if the gas is in the air, and it rains or there is heavy fog. The facility management team responds when a hot spot is discovered and has equipment to cover the areas to eliminate the release of the (H₂S) gas. The best option to eliminate the (H₂S) gas is what they call a vertical scrubber. It is reported to be the most effective solution. We expect this scrubber to be installed at the facility soon. It will not 100% eliminate a possible gas release incident but will significantly reduce the amount of gas that could be released. The monitoring will continue even after this installation.

There are other odors that come from various sources that are unpleasant, but they are not a hazard or dangerous like the hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas has been determined to be, and the other odor sources are not part of the FDEP monitoring.

The very pungent “rotten egg” odor as it is described is much stronger than the typical sulfur water smell. It can appear at anytime provided the wind or right conditions exist. A sewage or garbage or mix of sulfur and sludge smell or smell like the “dump” is generally not related to the hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas smell. If you are not sure of the offensive odor, it is ok to file the complaint just in case. It is important to file the complaint as soon as you experience it if you can. Have the date, time, and location available. In the survey link below, please note that the general location of Herons Glen on the map is E4.

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1901263/Zemel-Road-Facilities-Survey-Form

Meeting of November 15, 2023, Mary Kelley, who is also a member of ARC, said that Andrew Cohen, ARC Chair, is happy with the ARC Approval Processes flow document that Mike Stropes had revised based on previous comments from Andrew. ARC members reviewed the document at a recent meeting and will conduct one more review at an upcoming meeting. If they agree, the document will be sent to the HOA Board for approval. Linda also asked that Mary consult ARC about any topics, such as frequent violations or misunderstandings, that might be good topics for weekly bulletin or newspaper articles.

The Committee acknowledged that the HOA Board approved the final copy of the Grounds Committee Approval Processes flow document. Use of the document will be discussed at an upcoming meeting.

Mike will work with the HGRD on final changes of the HGRD section of the HOA/HGRD Governing Structures document. Joyce will then review, followed by the Communications Committee, and the final document will go to the HOA Board for approval.

The group discussed having an article about the document for the weekly HOA bulletin, followed by a similar newspaper article. The document will be accessible via a link to the HOA website. Joyce will work with Karen and Jim Mars to have the document posted on the website. Joyce will also send a copy to each HOA Committee Chair, including the Welcome Committee who expressed interest in including it in their new resident packet. A copy of the document may be available for residents at the December 13 HOA Annual Meeting.

Linda will invite Frank and Phyllis DeSmet, Bingo coordinators, to the next meeting to discuss the policy for communicating other HOA and non-HOA activities and solicitations at Bingo. It may also be appropriate to invite Denise Fells, head of the HOA Activities Committee, to attend.

Linda will also invite members of the SSEP Committee to attend to determine how we might collaborate with SSEP. Joyce also asked that we discuss SSEP use of official HGHOA communications channels in publicizing SSEP events and activities.

At a future meeting, the group will spend time discussing what residents want to hear from the HOA so we can plan accordingly.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday December 20, 2023, at 1:00 pm in the HOA Conference Room.

Respectfully submitted
Linda Lynch, Communications Chair

The ARC received 54 applications for the month of November.

The committee reviewed a final draft of the flow chart prepared by the Communications Committee and agree with the final version. The committee voted to forward to the board a draft of proposed changes to ARC Construction Standards for consideration of composite roof tiles.

The next scheduled meeting is December 12, 2023, at 9:00 am in the HOA Conference Room/Zoom. To ensure a successful review of the applications, the December 26th ARC Meeting is cancelled due to the timing of the holiday.

Respectfully Submitted,
Andrew Cohen, Chair

ARC Application submission deadlines and meetings:

• The deadline for the December 12, 2023, ARC Meeting has passed.
• For application review at the January 9th ARC meeting, applications and support documents must be submitted by January 2nd to the HOA Office.

Reminder: The application and support documents must be submitted by the homeowner (not the contractor) to the HOA Office.

The HOA Activities Committee met on Thursday November 16th, 2023. Meeting called to order by HOA Board Liaison Denise Fell at 10:00 AM. In attendance: Bernadette Schirra, Debbie DeFazio, Donna Piascik, Shirley Hrabar, Suzanne Offutt, Joyce Lipkin, Kathy Petrillo Chair of the Welcome Committee. Sue McCoy had an excused absence.

Kathy Petrillo provided the committee with a comprehensive overview of the role of the Welcome Committee. There have been 41 closings since 4/1/23. Twenty-one have completed a 1:1 meet and greet, ten were prior HG residents and six are seasonal residents and will be greeted upon their return. The others have not responded or chose not to be greeted. A Welcome group social with newcomers will be scheduled once the restaurant renovations are completed.

Holiday decorating at the entrance to Herons Glen was completed by volunteers and committee members on November 20th. Special thank you to Lori and Jeremiah from the HOA office for their assistance.

The Christmas Cart Parade was scheduled for Sunday, December 3, 2023. The Marching Gator Band from Island Coast High School led the parade along with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The Activities Fair is scheduled for Sunday, January 21, 2024. Eleven groups are currently registered for the event.

Shredding Event – During the Firewise event on Monday February 12, 2024, from 10-11:30 a.m. the Iron Mountain shredding truck will be at Herons Glen.

Technology Class – A computer class for Seniors is scheduled for February 20,2024. More information to follow.

Ice Cream Social – Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Next meeting to be held on Thursday December 14, 2023, at 10:00 AM in the HOA Conference
Room.

Respectfully submitted.
Denise Fell, HOA Board Liaison

The HOA Office mailed the election ballot packages on November 1st. If you have not received the Herons Glen HOA Board election ballot package as of today, please contact the HOA Office by email at hoaoffice@heronsglenhoa.org to let us know if you need for another package mailed to you and the address it should be mailed to. You may also stop by the HOA Office to pick up a replacement package. Voting is one vote per lot. Deadline for submitting ballots to the HOA Office is close of business (4:00 pm) on December 12th.

• HOA Architectural Review Committee (ARC), Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 9:00am
• HOA Board Workshop Meeting, Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 1:00pm
• HOA Architectural Review Committee (ARC), Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at 9:00am
• HOA Annual Membership Meeting with Regular Board Meeting to Follow, Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 4:30pm in the ballroom
• HOA Grounds Committee, Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 1:00pm
• HOA Communications Committee, Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 1:00pm
• HOA Activities Committee, Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 10:00am
• HOA SSEP Committee, Friday, December 22, 2023, at 8:30am
• HOA Architectural Review Committee (ARC), Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at 9:00am
• HOA Finance Committee, Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 1:30pm

If you are planning to attend any of the published meetings by zoom, please contact the HOA Office at hoaoffice@heronsglenhoa.org for registration information to attend via Zoom. The hour prior to meetings our staff is busy setting up the meeting and necessary communications for the board and committees. We may not see your request during this time. Please contact us at least one hour before the meeting begins.

• The HOA Office will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th in observance of Thanksgiving. We hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Holidays Herons Glen Residents:

We're pleased to once again present the annual Herons Glen Employee Holiday Fund Program as we approach the season of celebration. You should have received this Employee Holiday Fund donation request in the mail. However, we have other options available to you if you prefer to donate electronically versus physically dropping off a check or mailing it in. This initiative offers you a unique chance to express your gratitude and appreciation for the hardworking individuals who have dedicated themselves to enhancing our community throughout the year.

Our remarkable community, with its recent renovations and updates, is a testament to the dedication of our exceptional employees. Their commitment and efforts play a significant role in making Herons Glen the wonderful place it is today.

Many of our employees work diligently behind the scenes. Their contributions, however, are invaluable to our community's well-being. They embody qualities of hard work, loyalty, and a strong commitment to continually improve service to our residents. The Employee Holiday Fund extends to all departments, including both the Recreation District and the Homeowners Association, enabling every member of the Herons Glen team to participate. Funds are distributed based on employee tenure and degree of responsibility.

We are grateful for your generosity in sharing the spirit of this holiday season with the employees of Herons Glen Golf & Country Club. We have a variety of methods for you to choose from to contribute to this fund. You may:

~ Contribute electronically by clicking here.

~ Or bring or mail a check made out to Employee Holiday Fund to the HGRD Administration office, 2250 Herons Glen Boulevard, North Fort Myers, FL 33917.

~ Or print and complete a printable version of the form by clicking here. You may bring or mail the form to the HGRD Administration office, or you may email it to reception@hgrdnfm.com.

Warmest regards,
The HGRD Board of Supervisors
The HGHOA Board of Directors

Before hiring a contractor, it is important to discuss the expectations for job site daily cleanup, safety precautions during the project and the final cleanup. The expectations should be included in your contract. This should include daily and final cleanup, cleaning of sidewalk and street area where vehicles and equipment will be used. It is recommended that parking be discussed. What will remain on the jobsite during the project and how the company intends to secure it, the use of safety cones and caution tape, prevention of road hazards.

Residents should inspect the work and the condition of their property to ensure the contractor has completed the job and the cleanup as agreed too. If you are away during the construction work, it is recommended to have a home watch service or neighbor check on the condition of the property.

The contractor should be doing daily cleanup and removal of trash, loose debris, and nails. Materials should be secured to prevent wind from blowing the items around.

Roofers should have a roller magnet to use in the yard and landscape beds to remove nails. It is important for the roofer to include the areas in proximity as well. The magnet should be used daily and include using it and sweeping on the sidewalk and street in front of your home.

Did you know that during a roof replacement it is possible to get debris in the gutters. If the gutters are not removed or being replaced, the contractor should check to make sure nails and other debris from the construction work did not end up in the gutters. Recently a resident discovered nails and debris in their driveway and other areas around their home where a downspout was located. The debris and nails washed out after it had rained.

The Grounds Committee Meeting was called to order at 1 pm on October 12, 2023.

• 10 resident requests were approved
• There were no yard waste violations

The Grounds Committee met on November 9, 2023, at 1 pm in the HOA Conference Room. A report of this meeting will be provided to the board at the next board workshop on December 5, 2023.

Grounds Committee Meeting Schedule for December
The next Grounds Committee meeting will be held on December 14, 2023, at 1:00 pm in the HOA Conference Room and via Zoom.

Grounds Approval Request Form submission deadline:
Submit request forms and support documents to the HOA Office by December 7th before 2:00 pm for review at the December 14, 2023, Grounds Committee Meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Lindquist
HOA Grounds Committee Co-Chairperson

The Communications Committee met on October 18, 2023. Guests included Andrew Cohen and Bob Stewart from ARC.

The “final” approved copy of the Grounds Committee Approval Processes flow document was discussed. Chris Kozak indicated it would be reviewed by the HOA Board at their November meeting. At that time, we will determine how the document will be distributed and utilized.

Linda Lynch gave a brief overview to the ARC guests about how the Communications Committee has been working with the Grounds Committee to determine how we can assist them in communicating with residents about pertinent rules and regulations. The final Grounds process flow document was shared along with a draft of a similar document for ARC.

Andrew and Bob made a preliminary recommendation for a change to the existing draft which Mike Stropes will incorporate, and the document will then be reviewed by the full ARC group, with feedback to follow. Getting to a final document will take a number of iterations. Linda also asked ARC to think about topics that might be good for newspaper or weekly bulletin articles to better educate residents on ARC requirements.

The Herons Glen HOA and HGRD Governing Structures document has been reviewed by the HOA Board during this month’s HOA Workshop. Discussion about how the document might be distributed ensued, with suggestions that it be included in a weekly HOA Bulletin article with a link to the document so residents can download and print it for future reference. Joyce Gillespie can work with Jim and Karen Mars to be sure the document is easily accessible online. The document can also be provided for use in the New Resident Welcome Kits by the Welcome Committee which they have indicated will be beneficial for new residents. This document is slated for final review and approval by the HOA Board at their next meeting.

In November or December, Linda will invite members of the SSEP Committee to attend our monthly meeting to explain what the Communications Committee is doing and how we might collaborate with SSEP. Joyce also asked that we discuss SSEP use of official HGHOA communications channels in publicizing SSEP events and activities.

Respectfully submitted
Linda Lynch, Chair

Dwelling Live- Security update to the system
1. FRONTSTEPS Dwelling Portal: Stronger password requirements for new users.
Issue: new best practices have been implemented for user passwords on the web portal. Impact:The FRONTSTEPS Dwelling Portal will become more secure with passwords longer than 12 characters with at least one special, alpha, numeric, lower-case, and upper-case for all new passwords.

2. FRONTSTEPS Dwelling Portal: Users whose passwords do not meet the minimum requirements will need to change passwords and log-in again.
Issue: Despite changing new password requirements, most existing users do not meet those requirements Impact: The FRONTSTEPS Dwelling Portal will become more secure with passwords longer than 12 characters with at least one special, alpha, numeric, lower-case, and upper-case for all new passwords. This affects all current users whose passwords did not meet the new requirements.

To change your password, go to: https://community.dwellinglive.com/heronsglen1.aspx

Enter your log in and then when you enter your old password, you should get the option to reset your password. If not, please email hoaoffice@heronsglenhoa.org for a temporary password for log in. Once you log in you must reset your password.

Annual Membership Meeting

The Heron Glen Homeowners Association Annual Membership Meeting will be held on December 13, 2023, at 4:30 p.m., in the Herons Glen Ballroom.

Important: To hold the annual membership meeting it is necessary to have a quorum of 30% of the voting members (390) in person or by proxy. Please take a moment to complete the enclosed blue proxy form. Once you have completed the form, please drop it off to the HOA Office at your convenience.

To submit your proxy online click on the following link:
Annual Membership Meeting Proxy

To download and print a copy of the proxy form click on the following link:
Annual Membership Meeting Proxy.pdf

(If you are not able to open the links when you click on them, please try holding down the control button on your keyboard and while holding down the button, move your mouse pointer over the link and click on it.)

Paper proxy forms will be available on the table outside the HOA Office beginning Friday afternoon or by emailing a request to hoaoffice@heronsglenhoa.org.

To submit paper copy of the proxy form:

Mail to: Herons Glen HOA Office, 2250 Herons Glen Blvd, North Fort Myers, FL 33917,

Email to hoaoffice@heronsglenhoa.org

Drop off to the HOA Office (fold and leave in the HOA Payment Box.)

It’s time to vote! The ballots were mailed out last week and I know some of you are waiting for your mail to be forwarded. The package sent included resumes for the three candidates along with voting instructions. HOA voting is limited to one vote per parcel. Ballots may be returned to the ballot box outside the HOA office during business hours or mailed in; they must be returned no later than the end of business at the HOA office on Tuesday, December 12th (4:00pm). There are three candidates vying for two positions on the HOA Board of Directors. The results will be announced at the Annual Membership Meeting on Wednesday December 13th at 4:30 pm in the Herons Glen Ballroom.

Also, please be sure to turn in your proxy forms (the blue form included in the ballot mailing). Please do not include the proxy form with you ballot since the ballots are not counted until Wednesday morning and the HOA office will keep a running total of proxies to assure that we reach the Florida required minimum of 30% of the parcel owners. See you at the annual meeting.

Rick Romine, HOA President

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