We had a representative from the North Texas Food Bank stop by on Monday and leave a few brochures behind; they detail what assistance is available for those having trouble putting food on the table. These brochures are printed in both English and Spanish.
Their Call Center number is 214-269-0906 . You can get information on how to apply for benefits, the location of local Pantries or Hot Meals and other Social Services that can benefit your family.
Their website is www.ntfb.org
After conferring with our attorney, Jeff Lacy, we had to rethink how to best accomplish the implementation of the recent Fines and Enforcement Policy. Once we checked into things we needed to send a Warning letter out first and then follow it with the statutory letter.
When we do send out the statutory letter by Certified Mail and First Class Mail, the recipient will have 30 days from the receipt of the letter to schedule a hearing before the Board; if no hearing is scheduled, the fines begin.
I wish there was another way to get people to follow the rules that have been around for over 40 years. Perhaps this will get their attention.
For more information on the Fines and Enforcement Policy, click here.
We had S&P Tree Service trim and thin out the trees along Warrior, and they look so much better. We will continue to get our trees worked on until we get them into better shape.
We would still like to get several groups of homeowners together to take advantage of the package deal we have been offered, for a days worth of tree work. There are many trees in our back yards need some work. If any of you would be interested, please contact the Office.
In recent weeks, we have opted to have several trees removed from our Pool and Common Areas. The decision to cut down and remove these large trees was not made lightly and were based upon the expertise of a certified Arborist, and in whose opinion these trees posed a liability to the Association. We must address imminent liabilities when we are informed of them. With the wind storms we have experienced in the past few years, it is not a far-fetched scenario that limbs could fall.
Last week, the large tree near the Gazebo/Pergola on the east side was removed. Many people have asked why this was done and here is our response; this tree was very overgrown and there was an exorbitant amount of weight hanging off either side and in such a way as it could not be trimmed or thinned enough to limit the possibility that it could split and fall on someone or their home. So, we opted to have it removed.
This is also true of the tree in front of the 2 story homes on East Creek; this tree is rotten, unstable and poses a liability to the Association. It will be removed tomorrow as well as more trimming on the trees on Warrior Trail.
Our plans are to replace these two recently removed trees this fall but we will not plant them so near to homes this time. We will locate them near the Gazebo/Pergola, in the large open area.
There will likely be additional tree trimming going on for a while; there are many trees here that need attention, especially those in homeowner’s back yards and which are the homeowner’s responsibility.
The Fines and Enforcement Policy approved by the Board at last night’s Special Meeting has been filed with Dallas County. We will begin to send out Violation notices, per the statute, early next week.
We have been getting a few calls to the Office about barking animals, loose animals, etc.
For these matters, you need to call Grand Prairie Animal Services at 972-237-8575 or email them.
Animal control is the function of the City, not the HOA.
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.
