Most Recent Update: SouthSide Information Letter, March 2007,
March 20, 2007
Immediately after hurricane Katrina a newsletter was published by the POA and circulated as best as possible to Southside residents. The intent was to disseminate current information and keep lot owners abreast of developments in the recovery process. The letter was published for several months until the Diamondhead News and other channels of communication were back in operation.
As the Southside rebuilds, issues specific to the area have arisen. Even though we have the normal channels of communication it has become apparent we need faster and more detailed communications. In response to that need, the POA president, Don Kraemer has asked that Jim Hunt and I publish a newsletter as often as needed to bring current information to the Southside property owners.
If you have an issue which is not covered in the newsletter, please let us know by either leaving the request at the POA office, addressed to Jim Hunt or Mario Feola or give it to any security officer.
Marina/Yacht Club Rehabilitation
The Marina Rehabilitation Committee began studying opportunities and options since Dec. 05. They wanted the best use of the facility that would generate income for Diamondhead and at the same time restore a first class marina and restaurant that satisfies the needs of all the community.
We recently engaged the hospitality consulting firm of REVPAR International to advise the Diamondhead POA on the redevelopment of the marina and Yacht Club. REVPAR will actually issue requests for bid and help us evaluate the responses. REVPAR has already completed their initial groundwork and we expect requests for bid to be issued within the next couple of months.
Canal Debris removal
TWO OFFICIAL US COAST GUARD REPRESENTATIVES, CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS JIMMY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS TETIN, CALLED ON CHIP MARZ AND DARRELL KINCHEN TODAY TO LAY OUT THE OFFICIAL SCHEDULE FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL FROM ALL OUR CANALS:
#1 BIDS GO OUT MARCH 16, 2007
(NOTE: THE COAST GUARD WILL BE CONDUCTING
TOURS AND SURVEYS FOR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS
OF OUR CANALS FROM LAND AND WATER TO
ENABLE BID CONTRACTORS TO PREPARE THEIR BIDS.
SECURITY HAS BEEN ALERTED.)
#2 BIDS RETURNED TO USCG APRIL 2, 2007
(NOTE: THE BIDS WILL THEN BE SENT TO NORFOLK,
VA FOR REVIEW FOR 2 WEEKS AND THEN BE
RETURNED TO THE MOBILE USCG STATION.)
#3 BIDS AWARDED APRIL 23, 2007
#4 WORK TO BEGIN MAY 1, 2007
#5 WORK TO BE COMPLETED (approximately) AUGUST 1, 2007
IRWIN JACKSON OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES WILL BE THE POINT MAN IN CHARGE OF OUR PROJECT HERE IN DIAMONDHEAD.
WE ARE DELIGHTED WITH THIS GOOD NEWS, AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL GET THE DEBRIS REMOVED WITHIN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. WE ARE WORKING ON THE DREDGING PROJECT THROUGH MEMA/FEMA, AND THE PROJECT SEEMS TO BE PROGRESSING AS WE HAVE SUPPLIED ALL THE MATERIAL REQUESTED FOR ALL OUR CANALS AND DEVIL’S ELBOW.
IT IS GOING TO TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF POLITICAL SUPPORT FROM LISA COWAND AND THE ENTIRE HANCOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO MAKE THIS PROJECT A SUCCESS, OR IT CAN FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS. HOPEFULLY, LISA WILL WRITE A LETTER TO ALL OF THE AUTHORITIES SWINGING HANCOCK COUNTY BEHIND OUR DREDGING NEEDS AND GIVE US THE PROPER SUPPORT.
THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE WORKED SO DILIGENTLY ON THIS PROJECT AND, HOPEFULLY, WE CAN ALL GET BACK TO NORMAL BOATING ON THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST.
IN THIS CASE, THE SOUTH WILL WIN AND RECOVER!
This will be debris removal only.
Security
Security has increases patrols on the ss. Spot checks are being made on cars entering and leaving the area. Individuals around the marina are also being asked for identification. All this is being done to help protect our assets so please be patient and cooperate with the security officers.
MEDIAN REPAIRS
The medians on Diamondhead Dr. south and Airport Dr. are being filled with dirt and graded. This will help reduce standing water (less mosquitoes) and improve drainage. .
AIRPORT HANGAR AND FUEL SYSTEM
Our POA crews are in the process of finishing repairs on the hangar. The fuel storage tank is already in place and the card reader and pump should be installed and operational in a few weeks. If anyone should ask, please tell them the airport is operational and fuel should be available soon.
COVENANT ISSUES
Immediately after the storm covenants were relaxed in order to give the residents time to recover. The Architectural Committee gave a one year initial term with another six months if conditions warranted an extension. Letters have been sent to lot owners with abandoned homes, abandoned hangars, trailers/RVs on the lot, etc asking them to contact Darrell Kinchen. There are numerous other covenant items being addressed with the goal to restore Diamondhead to pre-Katrina condition. Copies of the covenants are available at the POA office or the court house. Everyone should have a copy and be familiar with the legal document they accepted when they purchased their lots.
DUMPSTERS
Dumpsters were placed at four locations on the Southside. They were made available for debris but not household garbage or new construction scrap. The cost per month was approximately $4,000. Last month the dumpsters removed. It was found they were being filled with household garbage and construction scrap and were not serving their intended purpose. More than likely the abuse was from outside traffic. Building permits require that a dumpster be placed on site.
CLEANING OF LOTS
The lot owners under the covenants are required to maintain their lots in the manner described in those covenants. Many Southside residents have already taken advantage of the government program to clean their lot at no charge. We will have more information on this topic in the next newsletter. Regardless, it is the lot owners responsibility to maintain the lot.
There are lots on the Southside which are not under the covenants. They are lots still in the possession of the Purcell Co. or the commercial properties near the entrance to the Southside. That includes the former boat repair/storage on the northwest corner of the traffic circle. Since we are all affected by this situation we will recommend our president meet or contact these non-covenant lot owners to try to get them cleaned.
Since this is the first of the newsletters we did want to make it too long. A second letter will be issued very shortly with additional topics and more detailed information as well as responses to your questions and comments.
Mario Feola and Jim Hunt
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