Month: February 2018

Why putting your trash out properly is important!

Posted on by Don Ryan - 2 Comments

Lately,we have been sending out a lot of Warnings to properties that place their trash bags out the night before trash pickup days. To some, this seems rather innocuous. But in the grand scheme of things, it merely invites critters to tear open these trash bags and scatter thrash everywhere. This is why we do not want trash sitting out over night. This is also a rule of the HOA.

The forms we send out also tell residents that they can put trash out the night before ONLY if it is in a tightly lidded non-metallic trash can. This does not mean you can put one or two bags in the trash can and then surround it with 10 more plastic trash bags. All bags must be inside the trash can, or you can set these bags out in the morning.

It is a big deal when we have to stop and gather up the scattered trash when people do not follow the rules. It is also a health and safety hazard, something for which we can issue fines without notice.

Below is what the City of Grand Prairie has posted on the Nextdoor website: (emphasis added by me)

 

Keep Wildlife in the Wild

It’s almost spring, which means wildlife might start appearing near your home.  Many types of wildlife are attracted to our yards because food is plentiful and easy to obtain. Being aware of your potential contribution to this environment helps reduce nuisance animal incidents in your area.

•  Avoid feeding wild animals, including birds. Birdseed attracts rats and other rodents, a known food source for predators like coyotes.
•  Keep your pets inside and under your control at all times. An animal allowed to roam off-leash, even in your front yard, presents an easy meal for a predator.
•  Secure your trash and trash cans. Don’t place trash outside overnight or the day before pickup. Keep your garbage in your garage or in a secure trash can (not plastic bags) until the morning of pickup.
•  Clean your property to remove overgrowth and underbrush. This helps eliminate nesting or denning sites for wildlife.
•  Pick up any fruits or vegetables at ground level; various wild animals enjoy these types of food.

You can find more useful tips and procedures on the Animal Services website: http://bit.ly/GP_Wildlife

Common Areas, Information, Trash Pickup

Oncor and Subcontractors on Property

Posted on by Don Ryan

We have Oncor and their subcontractors doing work on property on both sides. There is a crew on East Mountain Creek Court running some new cables between the transformers. There is also a temporary wire running across West Townhouse Lane. The operative word is “temporary”. This wire will be buried soon enough.

We have had a few calls to the Office about this wire and we cannot stop any utility company from repairing or upgrading their equipment that is on our property. These buried power cables are over 45 years old in most cases and they are failing. All of our 416 units would like to have continuous electricity so we have to endure some temporary cables on occasion.

I would imagine that Oncor and their subcontractors will be on property updating things for some period of time.

 

Utility Work

GP Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Events

Posted on by Don Ryan

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Bring your household hazardous waste to our FREE household hazardous waste collection event 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday, March 3 at the Development Center, 206 W. Church St. Registration is required. Visit www.gptx.org/WQ/HHW or call 972-237-8055 to register and learn more about what kind of items are accepted.

You can also recycle your old electronics at the same time and place. Registration is required by calling 972-237-4578 or online at http://apps.gptx.org/GPTX/EnvironmentalServices/Recycle/ Missing this one?

Don’t worry, we will have the event again on the following Saturdays: April 14, 2018 May 12, 2018 June 2, 2018 September 8, 2018 October 6, 2018 November 3, 2018 December 1, 2018

Grand Prairie Services

2018 Annual Membership Meeting

Posted on by Don Ryan - Updated

The 2018 Annual Meeting will be held at the Ruthe Jackson Center on Friday, March 23rd. The Agenda for the meeting was sent out in the Election Packets mailed to every homeowner. Only property owners received these packets and only owners can vote in HOA elections.

We have reserved the Dechman Room which holds 50-60 people and we have the room from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The meeting starts at 7 PM sharp.

We will have 2 six foot tables for the Board and vote counting and tables which can accommodate 40 people. We will also have overflow chairs available; the room will hold 90 total.

Here is a link to the Ruthe-Jackson-Center-Floor-Plan showing the room location.

Board of Directors, Meeting Notices

“AT&T Courtesy Representatives” on Property

Posted on by Don Ryan - 1 Comment

I am hearing from several sources that there are 2 young men, maybe in their mid-twenties, ringing door bells and stating they are with AT&T and will telling homeowners that AT&T will be installing fiber optics on our property. I was also told they were trying to enter houses, which there is no reason for that at all. I have also seen these people on the East side, latest reports are from the West side.

If these guys will not identify themselves properly or allow you to call their supervisor and validate who they are, please call the Police and report it.

Suspicious people

Trees Damaged on West Side

Posted on by Don Ryan

The two trees shown below were planted about a year ago and are along Belt Line, between West Creek and West MC Drive.  I have noticed for maybe the past 3 months, limbs are being pulled or broken off these young trees and stuck into the ground. This is absolute vandalism of HOA property. I hope someone sees these kids and lets us know.

Those trees cost money and are not there for kids to destroy. They are there to make the property look nice.

Common Area Damage, Vandalism

Dogs on Common Property

Posted on by Don Ryan

We have been notifying residents for the past 4 years that they cannot let their dogs wander loose on our common property. All dogs must be on a leash and under your control whenever they are on common property.

We also have many dog owners who let their dogs defecate on common property and do not pick it up. I know other residents see this happen and we need you to take a stand and report these inconsiderate people to GP Animal Services. We have affidavits in the office that you can fill out and take to Animal Services.

If HOA personnel observe someone not picking up after their dog, we can fine you under Property Code 209.006 as a Health and Safety violation. We have spent a lot of money putting Pet Sanitation stations around the property; use them or be fined.

Common Areas, Pet Waste