2017 Archives

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ROCA 2017 ANNUAL MEETING RESULTS

The ROCA 2017 Annual Meeting took place from 6-7 p.m. on December 4th at St. Gabriel’s Parish Hall, 414 Pine Street, Titusville.  Present were 70 members who gathered to hear the accomplishments over the past year, current status of the Royal Oak Golf Course, and activities now planned for the coming year.  Votes were taken to approve the ROCA 2018 budget and confirm the ROCA Board of Directors for the coming year.  Both actions were passed unanimously.  The briefing charts follow.  Click to view or download in PDF Format (2.6 MB).

Charts, v3, ROCA 2017 Annual Meeting

PLEASE MARK YOU CALENDAR AND ATTEND OUR ANNUAL MEETING!

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Click to View the latest Campaign Overview | 10-2017

or click to expand the online version below.

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ROCA STATUS UPDATE – July 12, 2017

This is a Status Update for our members and everyone concerned with the condition of Royal Oak Golf Course.

It’s been two months since you received our last newsletter, and you deserve to know where we stand. Here is what we know about the status of Royal Oak Golf Course and the options we continue to pursue.

The situation with the ownership of the Course has not changed. Litigation continues between the Mahase brothers, with a hearing set for tomorrow on the issue of foreclosure – the second time for this. We have initiated a number of actions with organizations and individuals interested in working with us to acquire the property, A summary of that work follows.

The potential for sale of the Course is escalating – but liens remain a key issue. There is some interest in syndicating a purchase, but prospective buyers and partners remain skeptical due to ownership issues. Property taxes, growing liens, and general property conditions are all important.

Significant progress was made in building positive support from the Royal Oak Community. ROCA, Inc. is now a 501(c)3 tax exempt non-profit. Newsletters have increased interest and awareness, and our membership is growing. A successful Community Garage Sale was conducted, and Volunteer Clearing/Mowing of the Golf Course made a difference – but current conditions of the property are very poor and actions are needed to clean it up again. Our Membership in ROCA continues to grow – thanks to you!

According to Tracy Murray, our Membership Chair, as of the second quarter of 2017, our membership in Royal Oak Community Alliance continues to steadily grow. We presently have four condominium affiliates and 20 new individual members. As our city is welcoming new businesses in the commercial/retail developments, we too, are gaining new neighbors and ask that you reach out to those moving in to our community with a friendly Florida smile and welcome them to the neighborhood. Please offer them our web address, www.rocatf.org, so they may become better acquainted with R.O.C.A. For those of you who have been around awhile, the Royal Oak community has seen its fair share of changes. If you have not already done so, please consider joining R.O.C.A. so that as a community, we can make our neighborhood a better place to live.

There is currently a problem with the mowing equipment. Although ROCA has provided funds for gasoline and offered to provide a driver, the tractor used for mowing is out of service due to dry rot of the tires (estimated cost is $500 each to replace them). However, help is on the way. Neil Mahase is bringing two tractors, one with 15′ batwing and other will be hooked up to the bush hog that Tim Roach has been using. That is to happen this week, but Neil didn’t provide a specific date. He has to drive the tractor with the batwing from Mims to the Royal Oak Golf Course.

Just in case the tractors don’t arrive, we are exploring options to pay for mowing the course, estimated at $500 to $1,000 for a one-time mowing, but we have less than $5000 total in our treasury as of July 1st. We can’t afford to pay those amounts, but something must be done. (NOTE: If you would like to make a tax-exempt contribution for the mowing or any other purpose, please go to our website at http://rocatf.org/roca-contributions/ or mail your donation to ROCA, Inc., at P. O. Box 2236, Titusville, Fl 32781-2236).

Over the past four months meetings were held to gauge interest from potential partners, and we got really good responses. Initiatives to explore the purchase of the property have included meetings with local groups to outline likely options and issues; telecoms to understand funding sources and requirements; and plans for next steps in the acquisition process. This chart outlines some of the ideas that are under consideration as a part of this process. Nothing is off the table!

The meetings included a number of key organizations: (1) Meeting with Urban Land Institute to explore options for green space. (2) Meeting with Parrish Medical Staff to explore interest in wellness programs for both Seniors and Juniors. (3) Meeting with the North Brevard Economic Development Zone for possible funding support for development projects. (4) Meeting with Brevard County North Area Parks & Recreation to discuss possible park-related recreational uses and maintenance capabilities. (5) Meeting with the YMCA to discuss potential for golf and other uses of the property such as soccer and exercise trails. (6) Meeting with the St. Johns River Water Management District to discuss Stormwater Projects. (7) Meeting with Environmentally Endangered Land Program Staff to discuss possible land acquisition with a focus on ecology and wildlife habitat. (8) Visit by Miami-based real estate group to judge suitability for an on-site educational institute. (9) Meeting with representatives of local faith-based groups seeking to provide outreach to single mothers needed training for workplace skills. (10) Meeting with a representative of LatinoLeadership to explore options for establishing facilities for outreach to community youth for programs in partnership with others for education, wellness, and passive recreational uses. (11) Meeting with Rep. Rene’ Plascensia (aka Coach P) to explore options for possible state funding for community outreach. (12) Potential outright purchase by at least one local person with the intent of gifting Royal Oak Golf Course to ROCA. All these groups expressed interest, but no one has offered to purchase the course . The actual costs of ownership of the land with related buildings and equipment – along with the best way to obtain clear title – remain at issue.

We met with city officials to research establishing a Dependent Special District for Royal Oak. That would require establishing a Managing Board and engaging sources for bond funding for purchase of the property through an assessment of current Royal Oak property owners. To determine their level of commitment for a possible Dependent Special District, we conducted a survey of Royal Oak owners and were surprised at the very positive response received. Of the 200 responses representing individuals from all three major ownership groups (Single Family Homes Abutting the Golf Course (27%); Condominiums/Townhouses Abutting the Golf Course (36%); and Dwellings in the Royal Oak Area but OFF (Not Abutting) the Golf Course (37%) – 91.5% voted to accept the estimated costs ranging from $100 to $400 per year. Of that 91.5% – 21.5% – offered to pay more – some by substantial amounts.

Clearly the Royal Oak community is concerned about the future of Royal Oak Golf Course, and many are willing to support a property assessment if necessary to acquire the land. This option remains open with the city. As a follow-on to these efforts, letters requesting a firm price for the course were sent to both of the owners. No response has been received so far. A request for a letter of intent for a loan to acquire the property was sent to the Community Credit Union of Florida, and a response was received today outlining their requirements for lending money on a mortgage for the property. Requests were also sent to seven of the potential partners for letters of intent to gauge their level of interest, and we expect their responses next week.

Last but not least, although we have yet to resolve the main issue confronting us on the ownership of Royal Oak and its acquisition for community uses, we are encouraged by the level of interest by our partners and will continue working toward that goal. We now have an active Membership Committee working to recruit new members and expand our communications capabilities.

If you are not already a member of ROCA, you can join now and help us grow in numbers and in the power to make things happen. Visit our website at http://rocatf.org/roca-membership-application/ or contact our Membership Chair, Tracy Murray, at murray7@mtw7.com. Thanks!

We welcome your input and will keep you posted as we take our “next steps”.

Thanks for your continuing support.

Dr. Al Koller, ROCA Vice President

Copyright © 2017, ROCA, Inc., All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

P. O. Box 2236,

Titusville, Florida 32781-2236

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Our website address is: www.rocatf.org 

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April 22, 2017

Since our February newsletter there have been considerable efforts with some results and decision time is upon us.  Here are the headlines.  Details follow.

  • Cleanup/Mowing-Doesn’t it look great.
  • Yearly Yard Sale –  Did you Participate?
  • Partnership Discussions –Interesting
  • Condo Association Outreach- On-going
  • We want to buy ROYAL OAK!  We can do it.

Cleanup/Mowing

Tim and Rose Roach continued to lead the community golf course cleanup completing the last three cleanup days during February and early March.  A total of over 90 trailer loads of trash/debris were collected.  We appreciate the labor and the cash donations that made this possible.  Lots of mowing hours by Farmer Tim on the tractor.

This effort has done wonders for the community and we plan to continue as long as we have funds and volunteer manpower.  We have also begun work at improving the entrance at Country Club and Park. Summer mowing season is almost upon us so please contribute.  www.rocatf.org Thanks Tim and Rose.  Keep up the Good work.

Yearly Yard Sale

Rose Roach took the lead in this re-establishment of a Royal Oak tradition, this being the first under Royal Oak Community Alliance. Extensive advertisement in the electronic media (Nextdoor, Facebook, Our web page, e-mails, Swap Shop radio) complemented by local signs, got out the shoppers for 25 sales locations.  ROCA took advantage of the Sale to set up a Royal Oak Latest Information Booth in the club house parking lot.  Harriet Z and I enjoyed talking to several of you and we hope we were able to answer your questions and to hear your concerns. Thanks Rose.  Can’t wait till next year!

Partnership Discussions

Al Koller has taken the lead on this. We have visited the following organizations in the hopes of forging partnerships for the acquisition/rejuvenation of Royal Oak:  YMCA, Parrish Hospital, NB Parks and Recreation, St. John’s River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL).  None can assist in the acquisition of the property, but all would be interested in being a tenant (e.g. maybe YMCA golf) or in improving (e.g. SJRWMD, stormwater) the property.  Additionally, we found a local professional in water resources to investigate the stormwater park initiative pro bono. Thanks Al.  All of this will pay off after we gain ownership.

Condo Association Outreach

One of the reasons for becoming a Community Alliance was to broaden our coverage of the Royal Oak community.  There are about 10 condo associations surrounding the golf course but not in the Royal Oak sub-division, another 10 on Finsterwald, and the Lodges behind the country club.  We needed to get them more involved with the community.  [They were a big support during cleanup.]

We have been holding small group sessions concerning joining ROCA as affiliate members and discussing their interest and role in “What to do about Royal Oak?” We have talked to Spanish Oaks, Villas Escondido, Fairways at Royal Oak, Royal Palms, South Fairways, Golf View, Par 4, Royal Oak View and Royal Oak Lodges.  South Fairways was first to join as an Affiliate!

Buying Royal Oak

Last but not least is “What to do about Royal Oak?”

Nine months ago the city was trying to protect us with a 75ft buffer from a city supported 100 acre residential/commercial development I called Royal Oak Village.  Royal Oak Village could have 15 acres of commercial and residential development of at least 750-1000 homes, condos, town homes.

We spent three months trying to reach agreement with the city. We had an agreed community accepted development option but the city rejected that. We have stopped the original city ordinance, at least for now. Since then we have explored many approaches to acquire ownership of the property.  We have investigated benefactors and partnership, but to no avail.

If we are to succeed we must do it ourselves. We want to buy Royal Oak AS IS as our first step.  That will keep Royal Oak GREEN and prevent development.  Our views would be retained. OUR PROPERTY VALUES WOULD SERIOUSLY IMPROVE.  We could stop selling our homes at bargain basement prices.  What are the challenges to this path for ownership?
1.  We have found a mechanism to facilitate the community acquiring and maintaining the property.  Will we as homeowners be willing to “tax ourselves” to buy the property?

  • Will the owners of single family homes abutting the course (150 of us) be willing to pay up to $400 per year for the next 20 years to purchase and maintain the property as is?
  • Will the owners of a condo/townhouse abutting the course (450 of us) be willing to pay up to $200/year for the next 20 years to purchase and maintain the property as is?
  • Will the homeowners OFF the course but within the Royal Oak sub-division (500 of us) be willing to pay up to $100/year for the next 20 years to purchase and maintain the property as is?

ROCA needs your help to understand what it will take to do this.  Please respond to the online survey we have just sent out.  It takes ten minutes.IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE A COPY, TAKE THE SURVEY NOW AT:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ROCATF

Tell us what your position is.  Help by sharing a copy of this with your neighbors who do not have e-mail so they can respond to the survey.  Numbers count!

2.  For us as a community the next challenge is to work with the city to create the Royal Oak Dependent Special District which would give us the ability to assess ourselves, to secure a bond to fund the purchase and to maintain the property.  The city would have to create an ordinance spelling out all of the requirements outlined in the FL statutes for such a district. [Note there are over 1500 special districts in FL.]

3.  Our third step and a really big challenge will be to negotiate a fair and equitable purchase price with the owner(s) and with all of the lien holders.  We will do our due diligence and if we can’t get a reasonable solution to the free and clear Royal Oak property, then we will walk away and be right back here.  BUT we need to try and I, for one, believe this community can make it happen.

  • A board will be put in place to execute the responsibilities of the District
  • We want the city and ROCA to reach an acceptable relationship so ROCA can play a role in that process to minimize volunteer efforts required to make this happen and to maintain operations.
  • Lastly, we need to accept the challenge to move to the phase 2 aspects of the task by working partnerships for effective utilization of the property. Decisions about what – a 9 hole course and lots of other things including restoring it to a championship 18 hole course are topics for a later date.

In summary, join us in the challenge to make this happen.  Vote to assess yourselves to bring our community back.  Improved property values benefit us all.  I know I enjoy my view right now. Let’s keep Royal Oak green and prevent development in our back yard.

Fill out your survey!!!
Have questions?? Please e-mail me directly at queenwe@earthlink.net.

Thank you for your interest and I thank our hardworking ROCA Board.

Please join ROCA. Please help fund our cleaning/mowing initiative. Go to our web site to join at http://rocatf.org/roca-membership-application/ and pay online with PayPal or mail a check (ROCA ) to ROCA, P.O. Box 2236, Titusville, FL 32781-2236

Please let us know your thoughts on how things are going (email us at info@rocatf.org).

Thanks for your support.

Bill Queen, President, Royal Oak Community Alliance, Inc.

ROCA Officers:
Bill Queen               Dr. Al Koller       Rose Roach         Harriett Zbiegin
President              Vice President       Secretary               Treasurer

ROCA Board:
Sid Chahayeb, Earl Johnson, Jim Hattaway, Dr. Wendell Murray

ROCA IT Manager: Tim Roach

NOTE: We can be reached at info@rocatf.org.  To learn more details and stay current, visit our WEB SITE at  www.rocatf.org

 

February 14, 2017

Since our January newsletter there have been some significant developments and a lot of work by many of you, for which we are very grateful.

HERE ARE THE HEADLINES – Details follow.

  • The Owner of Royal Oak Golf Course wants to sell
  • We have reconstituted ourselves – New Name, same objectives, more flexibility
  • First workday successful. Some mowing accomplished. Tim making great progress
  • Missed you at picnic on the Patio of Royal Oak Clubhouse
  • Robin Fisher recommends we consider a Special Taxing District to purchase/maintain ROCC
  • City Ordinance on Hold
  • Numerous meetings with city staff
  • Stormwater progress?
  • Community garage sale scheduled for April 8
  • With the course for sale, what should ROCA do?

Course for sale

It is our understanding from talking to Mr. Mahase and others that the course will be put up for sale.  Realtor’s are being investigated but one has not been selected.  If not sold by TBD then course would go to foreclosure.  We have not seen any documentation to this effect but we suspect this is the current path of the owner.  Ownership issues and lien situations are still unclear.  We will continue to monitor.

Royal Oak Community Alliance, Inc.

The board decided and has executed a restructuring of the Royal Oak Civic Association, Inc into the Royal Oak Community Alliance, Inc.  The Articles of Incorporation and the newly approved Bylaws are available under the ABOUT US tab on our new website at www.rocatf.org. Neither the major objectives nor our acronym, ROCA, have changed.  Our objective of improving the quality of life for the Royal Oak community and in giving the community a voice within and outside Royal Oak remains our main focus but we have broadened our reach and have provided us additional tools  including those benefits from a non-profit 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Our restructured ROCA, provides a new structure for governance and operations consistent with our additional objectives of (1) broadening the base of membership to include affiliate organizations as well as a greater number of households adjacent to the original subdivision and (2) providing tax exempt status for dues, grants, and contributions as we move forward with actions to “save the Royal Oak Golf Course”.

Our original Royal Oak Civic Association bylaws were in need of total rewrite.  We have done that and included those things required from our broaden scope and the 503(c)3 tax exemption.  Bylaws require two standing committees, Nominations and Membership.  Should you have any interest in being on one of these committees please e-mail to info@rocatc.info with subject Nominations (or Membership) expressing your desire to help.  Please consider.

Course Aesthetics

From our December community meeting, many expressed the desire for ROCA to help with the mowing of the course.  Tim Roach and I met with the volunteer team of mowers from Spanish Oaks (Don Cunningham et al) to see what they would recommend. They stressed the need to clean up of debris from three years of neglect and the hurricane before serious mowing.

Tim Roach, jtroach1@gmail.com, has taken this task on with serious actions.  He has negotiated with Mr. Mahase the free use of his tractor and bush hog.  We, ROCA, were to provide the volunteers and fuel. 

Tim has organized four work days (volunteers, tools, trucks, and trailers) with the first last weekend.   If you are able, please consider joining the work teams over the next three weekends. 

Please note that we are not assuming the owners responsibility for meeting code enforcement but we want to, within the funds contributed for this purpose to ROCA and our volunteer labor, augment his efforts for the betterment of our community. 

This past weekend, we had about 25 volunteers with three trailers.  Probably, 20 trailer loads of debris was hauled from the course and clubhouse grounds.  Hats off to George and our Alliance friends from Fairways at Royal Oak for having 15 volunteers. Many thanks for those who have given ROCA $’s specifically for cleanup/mowing.  We need more volunteers and funds.

After all of the hard work, Tim and Rose fed us all well with hot dogs and hamburgers.  When was the last time you had lunch on the patio at the Royal Oak Clubhouse.  Plan on joining us next weekend.

Special Taxing District

Robin Fisher generously donated his time, knowledge and experience to discussing the Royal Oak problem with several of our board members.  Robin’s advice was that a Special Taxing District would be the only way he could perceive that we could keep Royal Oak green.  A special taxing district would require that the community and the city work together to buy the course with special taxes being added to Royal Oak homeowners.  Robin gave us a lead in Tallahassee for some pro bono consultation to give us ball park estimates and to help understand how best to approach.   More on this later.

City Ordinance

ROCA has convinced the city council to put the ordinance on hold.  We would have preferred that the city kill the ordinance and develop a “process only” Ordinance.  We still are engaged with the city on “what and why” a process ordinance would make sense.  Thanks to all of you who came out to support our position.  It was a long and exciting evening.

Meetings

Numerous meetings with city council members, and city staff on ordinances, special taxing district, stormwater, liens, et al have occurred with perhaps, better understanding of each other’s positions. Several board members and Royal Oak citizens participated in a city wide three hour community conversation for prioritizing city issues for the 2018 budget.  We got some city wide exposure for our Royal Oak problem but how well we will fare is yet to be determined.  A good meeting but “Downtown” still permeates city thinking.

Stormwater

We have the basin maps.  Stormwater splits at Royal Oak/Saunders Pl with my front yard stormwater going to the Indian River and my back yard and the golf course going to the St. John’s.  We expect to be able to arrange a meeting with the St. John’s River Management soon.  Outcome TBD.

Garage Sale

Our Community wide garage sale has been scheduled for Apr 8th.  Rose and Tim Roach are in charge and are planning advertising and support.  Start your preparation now.  Should you like to help with the overall effort please call or e-mail Rose at

ROCA Plans

The decision to sell by the owner is probably a win- win for the owner, city and community.  It does mean that we must take decisive action IF we are going to be able to influence the outcome for our community.  To date and with considerable effort, no funding streams that we can claim have been identified.  What can we do?

First we need to develop a business plan for what we want to happen to Royal Oak.  For starters, lets say that our Phase 1 efforts will be to purchase the course and reactivate the Front 9 as a golf course with a small clubhouse at the front of the old driving range.  Hire a professional golf course management firm.   Phase 2 would be to rehab the clubhouse for community functions and/or partner with someone to open a restaurant.  Phase 3 would develop the back 9 into the back 9 course or a community park for low impact sports including Frisbee golf, skateboard park, bike paths, et al.

Second, and at the same time as the business plan is being developed, to work with the community to determine what parameters the community could shoulder to purchase and maintain the golf course.

Third, determine IF we can find enough investors within the community to buy the course.   Work with lenders/brokers to find a financing mechanism that the ROCA could utilize.

BOTTOM LINE

For each of you, remember what a functioning golf course/green space means to your property values.  Then think about what would you be willing to invest into a city or community owned Royal Oak Golf Course?  What would you be willing to invest each year to maintain the Course? For those fronting the course (150 single family homes, 550 condos) please give this serious thought.  For those of you off the course (500 single family homes) but within the Royal Oak Subdivision please consider what you would be willing to invest.  We will be asking specifics as soon as we can determine realistic numbers.

Please join ROCA. Please help fund our cleaning/mowing initiative. Go to our web site to join at http://rocatf.org/roca-membership-application/ and pay online with PayPal or mail a check (ROCA) to ROCA, P. O. Box 2236, Titusville, FL 32781-2236.

Please let us know your thoughts on how things are going (info@rocatc.info ).  Thanks for your support.

Bill Queen, President, Royal Oak Community Alliance, Inc.

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To continue mowing the golf course we need donations for fuel. If you you can donate for tractor fuel please send checks to: ROCA, P. O. Box 2236, Titusville, Fl 32781-2236 or use paypal at www.rocatc.info.

Royal Oak Golf Course Clean-up Update 4

I would like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers and donors for participating in the beautification of our lovely neighborhood!  Our final clean-up was another great success. Twelve volunteers met at the Royal Oak Golf Course this past Saturday, March 18, and continued the project of removing limbs and fallen trees from the golf course.
Crews worked holes 5 through 8. Volunteers came from Fairways at Royal Oak Condominium and from the Royal Oak Subdivision. We had two trucks and trailers and hauled 10 more loads of debris to the area near the maintenance building. Afterward, we had pizza on the Clubhouse patio area.
Over the four clean-ups days, a total of 72 volunteers gave 288 hours of their time to support this project. Over 90 trailer and truck loads of debris were removed from the golf course and the majority of the golf course has been bush hog mowed.
A special thank you to the many Royal Oak homeowners that have actively removed debris and mowed areas of the golf course independent of the clean-up efforts.

Royal Oak Golf Course Clean-up Update 3

I would like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers and donors for participating in the beautification of our lovely neighborhood!  Our third clean-up was another great success. Fifteen volunteers met at the Royal Oak Golf Course this past Saturday and continued the project of removing limbs and fallen trees from the golf course.
There was an immediate camaraderie that made the work more fun!  Crews worked holes 12 and 16 – 18. Volunteers came from Fairways at Royal Oak Condominium and Royal Oak Subdivision. We had three trucks and trailers and hauled about 20 more loads of debris to the area near the maintenance building. Afterward, we had another cookout on the Clubhouse patio area.
We would like to offer a big thank you to the city of Titusville for sending trucks to pick up the debris from our second clean-up. After our fourth and final clean-up on March 18th, the city will be notified of the need for another pickup.
I also want to thank all of the homeowners that are mowing the golf course behind their homes. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and noticed by all.

 Royal Oak Golf Course Clean-up Update 2

I would like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers and donors for participating in the beautification of our lovely neighborhood!  Our second clean-up was another great success. Twenty volunteers met at the Royal Oak Golf Course this past Saturday and continued the project of removing limbs and fallen trees from the golf course.
There was an immediate camaraderie that made the work more fun!  Crews worked holes 10-15. Volunteers came from Fairways at Royal Oak Condominium, Golf View Terraces Condominium, and Royal Oak Subdivision. We had five trucks and four trailers and hauled about 20 more loads of debris to the area near the maintenance building. Afterward, we had another cookout on the Clubhouse patio area. The large oak provided pleasant shade and the breeze on top of the hill was refreshing.
A big thank you to the city of Titusville for sending trucks to pick up the debris from our first clean-up. They went beyond our expectations and removed stacks of limbs from the clubhouse area and behind the pool. Since today is a federal holiday, the city will be notified tomorrow of the need for another pickup.
I also want to thank all of the homeowners that are mowing the golf course behind their homes. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and noticed by all.
Our next clean-up is scheduled for March 11th, I will begin bush hog mowing the areas that have been cleaned in addition to the areas that will be targeted for clean-ups on March 11th and 18th.  We need more volunteers and trucks with trailers.  We would love to see you there!

Royal Oak Golf Course Clean-up Update 1

I would like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers and donors. Our first clean-up was a great success. Twenty-five volunteers met at the Royal Oak Golf Course this past Saturday and started cleaning up.  There was immediate camaraderie that made the work seem more fun!  Crews worked the entryway at Country Club Drive and Park Ave, clubhouse grounds, holes 1-4, 9, and 10-12. Volunteers came from Fairways at Royal Oak Condominium and Royal Oak Subdivision. We had three trucks with trailers and hauled about 20 loads of debris to the area near the maintenance building. Afterward, we had a cookout on the Clubhouse patio area. The large oak provided pleasant shade and the breeze on top of the hill was refreshing. The city of Titusville has been notified to send trucks to pick up the collected debris.
I also want to thank all of the homeowners that are mowing the golf course behind their homes. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and noticed by all.
This week I will begin bush hog mowing along the tree lines of holes 10 through 18. These mowed spaces provide better travel lanes for the trucks and trailers as well as safer walking areas for our volunteers. The next clean-up is Saturday, February 18th. We need more volunteers and trucks with trailers.  We would love to see you there!
———————————-   URGENT LATE NEWS BREAKING TODAY. Please attend City Council Meeting on January 24 at 6:30 pm.  The city today rejected our community approved ordinance.  ROCA and city tried to resolve but could not.  City staff is going back to city council for direction.  This is a new council and we need your presence to show your support for Royal Oak.  Please be there. January 17, 2017 To the Royal Oak Community
HERE ARE THE HEADLINES – Details follow. 125 residents attended ROCA community meeting in December Community-approved draft ordinance sent to city Met individually with Mayor, councilpersons and city staff to discuss Royal Oak issues City rejects community-approved draft ordinance as too narrow. Attempts at resolution unsuccessful so far. The City’s staff will bring the issue back to the City Council for further direction at their regular meeting on January 24 ROCA is exploring other solutions Ownership issues still unresolved Community not interested in investment with Mahase Happy New Year to all and, hopefully, to the Royal Oak Civic Association (ROCA).  Since our December 12 community meeting much has happened.  The community meeting was attended by about 125 residents of which about 30 were golfers.  Most attendees found out about the meeting with our street signs although many had received our e-mail notice.  At the community meeting, Dr. Al Koller reviewed the ROCA drafted Ordinance as the community’s response to the city draft “City Ordinance on Golf Course Redevelopment.”  Major differences were the community’s objections to a village center, multi-family dwellings, treatment of our stormwater lakes, and density issues. After some discussion, the ROCA draft ordinance was accepted by ALL of the attending residents.  Thus, our draft was to be sent to the city as the community’s alternative to the city draft Ordinance.
Jim Hattaway updated the community on the status of ownership of the Golf Club. Ownership issues are currently being litigated.  Additional filings have occurred since our briefing and resolution has slipped to January and beyond.  We are unsure whether and how it might be finally concluded.  Jim outlined Mr. Neil Mahase’s request to the community should he prevail in the litigation.
Neil desired that Royal Oak homeowners become partners with him to fully restore the golf course. Mr. Mahase wants the community homeowners to invest $1.5 Million (e.g. 300 homeowners @ $5,000 each for the first year) in the golf course to clear liens and refurbish golf course grounds. In return, homeowners would get partial ownership with current owner(s) retaining controlling interest. This was presented to those at the community meeting and only a few (6-8) appeared interested. Homeowners realize the benefits of a functioning Royal Oak Golf Course to their property but can’t see an investment with the current management as a prudent investment.
The mowing situation was briefly discussed with Mr. Mahase usually meeting his commitment by rough mowing the first 25 feet around the course.  Individuals have been mowing some areas behind their homes.  ROCA will investigate other options.
We finished out last year by meeting with Mayor Johnson, City Manager Larese, City Attorney Broome, and Community Development Director Busacca.  City Attorney Broome said our draft was unacceptable because any city Ordinance must apply city wide. We said, “fine, let’s work to fix it.” We discussed those differences identified above.  The mayor reiterated that he desired a solution acceptable to Royal Oak, other communities within Titusville, city management and in compliance with the laws of city and state.
We began the new year with a series of individual (think Sunshine Law) meetings with Council members: 1)Vice Mayor Barringer; 2) Councilman Diesel, city manager and community development director; 3) Councilwoman Stoeckel, city manager and community development director; and, 4) Councilwoman Nelson, city manager and city attorney. We reviewed the history of Royal Oak Golf Course, current ownership issues, differences with the city ordinance, our stormwater/greenspace initiatives and the desire for the city to engage with the community to find an acceptable solution on “What to do about Royal Oak.”
We found several council persons who had fond memories of Royal Oak in the “good ole days”. We found all council persons appreciative of our efforts to inform them of the community’s perception of the issues but several were skeptical of the city being able to engage as this was private ownership – a position consistent with previous city management.  We do believe we were able to convince several council persons that an “outside the box” solution needed attention.
We also reviewed the city’s response to our ordinance submission.  City made a few positive changes but the same issues as previously discussed remained.  We had prepared a counter offer making some concessions on stormwater/lakes.
     At a joint meeting with the planning staff on January 12 it was agreed that the city would withdraw the ordinance in its current form and draft a new “City Ordinance on Golf Course Redevelopment” which would define the process for city, community and developer to work through any redevelopment.  Upon further review by city management, it was decided that the issue must go back to city council for direction.  That will be done on January 24th.
We feel that a process-orientated ordinance would be a major step forward and one that should allow for a win-win situation.  Removing the overlay from the ordinance would remove the cause of our objections.  While this could be construed as delaying the tough decisions, it would permit those decisions to be made with a more rigorous and community involved process than currently required.  Let’s hope the city follows through.  We look forward to working with them on this approach.
We also met with Mr. Neil Mahase and informed him that the community was not going to be able to participate as he had hoped.  I suspect Mr. Mahase was already aware of this conclusion.  Mr. Mahase is still desirous of restoring Royal Oak but he is more realistic about this coming about.  Mr. Mahase is optimistic about his legal challenges.  He won against the Johnson fiasco a couple of years previously.  He is fighting for principle and his investment now. Would he sell? Probably, if the right offer was made.  What is that right offer?         ROCA board will be regrouping and investigating stormwater/greenspace options and some other “outside the box” initiatives.  In the interim, there is a city sponsored “Community Conversation” on January 28 that offers us an opportunity to be heard.  We plan to attend and invite anyone interested to join us. Click on the  2017 Forum Flyer for details.
We will continue to engage the city in all aspects of Royal Oak initiatives.  We tentatively plan a community wide meeting in late March to keep you informed.  Please e-mail us at info@rocatc.info any suggestions that you may have for “What to do about Royal Oak?”  We welcome volunteers for “to be determined” tasks and we encourage all owner associations to join our alliance ( www.rocatf.info ) and make yourself known when we need help at city hall.
Last but not least, we want to thank you for your participation and interest.  We now have over 200 e-mail addresses and ROCA membership of about 70.  If you have not joined ROCA please consider a membership for $20 to help us keep you up to date.  We made a commitment to you to keep you informed.  We hope these newsletters do that.  City management is now well aware of the Royal Oak community and our commitment to be involved in our future.  We are not going away. Thank you for your continuing support. ROCA Officers:
Bill Queen              Dr. Al Koller      Rose Roach           Harriett Zbiegin
President              Vice President       Secretary                   Treasurer ROCA Board:
Pat Adamo, Sid Chahayeb , Earl Johnson, Jim Hattaway, Wendell Murray ROCA IT Manager: Tim Roach NOTE:  All may be reached at info@rocatc.info  and our web site is www.rocatc.info .    

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Update on Golf Course Status as of December 13, 2016

Last evening (Dec. 12th) we presented a revised ordinance to the Royal Oak Community and it was unanimously accepted. While we understand that this ordinance can not guarantee that Royal Oak remains a golf course, it provides a level of protection to our community should development result. At our community meeting we also provided a status report on the golf course. We stressed the importance of finding a greenspace alternative to development should the golf course fail to be reborn. We will begin to focus on Stormwater in the new year. The charts used in last night’s presentation follow.

You can view or download the charts in PDF format by clicking HERE or click on the slides in the gallery below to see each slide online.

If you have questions, please contact us at:  ROCA@rocatc.info.

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Today’s Update on Golf Course Status – October 25, 2016

Good evening from your Royal Oak Civic Association. This is a quick update to share some late breaking information in advance of a newsletter now being prepared for distribution.

We received a note this morning indicating that the Royal Oak foreclosure hearing is now rescheduled for Nov. 29 at 1.15 pm; probably subject to the outcome of the hearing now scheduled on Nov. 17 for appeals by the opposing brothers. We have met with the city Community Development staff and continue to work through our committees to research options ranging from golf course re-development, to ordinance review/revision and stormwater/green space utilization.

Pending the outcome of legal proceedings, we hope to match one or more strategies with the realities of where this is all headed. In the meantime, our list of email contacts and roster of volunteers are growing, and we welcome additional email addresses for homeowners in the Royal Oak area and surrounding neighborhoods. Dues to support our operation in the amount of $20 per home are being solicited for payment online at our website at www.rocatc.info or by mail to ROCA, Post Office Box 2236, Titusville, Florida 32781.

We will provide a newsletter soon by email to all those on the list and will continue to pass along information on status and findings as we know them. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at vicepresident@rocatc.info.

Al Koller, ROCA Vice President