We have scheduled a Special Meeting for July 10th at 7PM in the Office. The meeting will be followed by an Executive Session.
The Agenda for the Special Meeting is as follows: (subject to change)
We had our first of 2 annual applications of Organic Fertilizer this week, primarily in hopes the recent rains would help get it into the roots and begin the process of choking off all of the weeds. There will be another application this Fall.
In the past few months, we have spread about 300 pounds of Bermuda grass seed on both sides of the subdivision and more will be spread as needed to fill in. Plus, there is some St. Augustine grass in many areas that is spreading out very well. Our ultimate goal is to have more grass than weeds, something worth mowing. Our new landscaping contractor, Metroscape, will raise the mower decks and leave the grass a bit longer to prevent loss of moisture, something they normally do in Summer.
We did get a few calls at the Office asking what that stuff was on the sidewalks. Due to the size of the HOA (22 acres), the subcontractor hired to apply the fertilizer used a full size turf tractor and a rather large spreader; this is why the stuff ended up in places which did not necessarily need fertilizer.
We had some trees trimmed this week and have more scheduled for next week. The huge tree just South of the Office had a lot of excess weight on it and we were concerned of large branches falling eventually, so it got a trim. The Certified Arborist from the tree service wanted to remove it entirely, but we opted for a thinning out. It may need to be removed in a few years, but for now, it will remain.
We will be trimming and thinning out the trees around the Pool, on days the Pool is closed (Monday and Thursday). Below is a photo of the Pool trees (click on it to enlarge). Our plans are to thin them out so we can get some grass to grow around the Pool deck and stop the dirt from washing into the Pool when it rains. This has been partially accomplished by adding in some St. Augustine sod, but it needs light to grow and spread out.
There is a Bradford Pear tree in Common Area next to the Pool fence (far right in front of 26 W. Townhouse) which the Arborist also suggested to remove completely. He said these type of trees are prone for limbs breaking off and since it is in Common area, it is the Association’s responsibility if it damages a home or injures someone. We have opted to have it thinned and topped off instead of removal. We will have the tree service check it periodically and follow his advice if things change.
This Oak tree will be thinned, shaped and topped off, something it really needs. We do plan on having additional trees trimmed around the subdivision, as some look like they have never been touched.
We are using SP Tree Service, located here in Grand Prairie, and are getting a reduced price since we are local to them and they want our business. We can certainly keep them busy trimming trees for a few months and we will be spacing things out throughout the Fall. Compared to other dealings I have had in the past with tree services, they are highly competitive.
Any homeowner wanting a free estimate for trimming or removing a tree in your back yard (which some homeowners really need to get done) can contact them thus:
Mention that you live in the GPMCHA subdivision
They have offered to give us a group rate if we can get enough homeowners wanting tree services so they can do several homes in one trip.
We will be posting a 1 page Notice on each and every homeowner’s property so that we all understand the rules and to give everyone the opportunity to correct problems before things escalate. This precedes sending out actual “Notice of Violation” letters and the possible levying of fines as allowed by our Bylaws which state: In addition to such other rights as are specifically granted under the Declaration, the Board shall have the power to impose reasonable fines, which shall constitute a lien upon the Lot of the violator.
If you do happen get a written Notice of Violation, you can find all of the details related to it in our Bylaws, Page 8, Section 20.
Here is a link to the June 2014 Notices going out to all homeowners> Notice Items June 2014
As you can see, this light has been purposefully damaged. For the light to be angled like this, basketball or similar object was thrown at it to skew it in this manner. This same light fixture has been replaced several times, paid for by your dues. It doesn’t take long for the glass globe around the bulb has been shot off and the fixture vandalized and inoperable, as it is now.
We have no idea who is doing this, but if you see anyone damaging or vandalizing any Association property, please call the office and let us know.
This weekend we had a visit from “Bee Rescue Swarm Removal”, a professional bee removal company who came out to remove a swarm from a water valve box in front of one of our townhouses. The beekeeper removed the swarm without killing them.
If any of you have problems with bee swarms on your homes or in your walls, you can contact this company at http://brsr.org/
This comes from the Grand Prairie website and remains in force until further notice.
As of June 3, 2013, the following restrictions are in effect in the city of Grand Prairie:
*The following restrictions also apply at all times:
The Drought Contingency Plan also prohibits all non-essential uses (water use that does not directly benefit or maintain health, personal cleanliness, or firefighting purposes) including the following:
For more information, call 972-237-8377 or 972-237-8154.
I will be posting Summaries of our Board meetings, starting with the June 5th meeting, as a secondary page of Meeting Notices.
The link to it will be at the bottom of the Meeting Notice page, or you can save this link in your browser, http://gpmcha.org/?page_id=383
In lieu of flowers or other memorial items, I have been asked to let homeowners know that the best way to remember Dotti and her love of all animals is to make a donation to the ASPCA or local no-kill animal shelter.
Dotti passed away sometime this morning and at this time we are uncertain of the cause. As I get more information I will pass it along.
We are continuing to plant around the complex; today we got the 3 Chinese Pistache trees planted, they were the largest among the recently acquired trees. In addition, some flowers were added in front of the Office, and some shrubs on the row of townhouses just South of the Office.
We hope to have all shrubs and trees planted by the end of next week and may get more shrubs and trees as needed to fill in the empty spots and replace the dead shrubs. The Fall planting is still on the schedule.
