H.H.P.O.I.A.
Board of Directors
Meeting
Minutes
April 16,
2005
April
16, 2005 President, Arnold DeSandre at 10:00 A.M, called Hickory Hills Property Owner’s Improvement Association
Board Of Director’s Meeting to order.
Board of Directors members Arnold DeSandre, Jane Mucci, Gary Averitt, Freddie Scaggs, and Karl Holz
were present.
1. Following the opening prayer by Arnold DeSandre and roll call of officers, approval of minutes for
Board Meeting and Work Session dated March 19th
was called. Jane Mucci moved to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Karl Holz. The
motion passed without dissent.
2. Treasurer Jane Mucci presented the financial reports answered questions from the floor. She noted
receipt of maintenance fees was down slightly for this reporting period. Arnold DeSandre said the Van Zandt County
Appraisal District taxes community front property for 9-1/2 acres, but recent survey could only document roughly
6 acres.
Also, tax appraisal
for back community property appears to not include portions of the triangular road intersection. Upon close of
discussion, Karl Holz moved to approve the financial reports and Gary Averitt seconded. The motion passed without
dissent.
3. Community Input
a) Arnold DeSandre reminded everyone newly designed Community Logo T-Shirts are on sale at the office.
b)
The Sycamore St.
property owned by the Association is for sale through Rose Realty.
c)
The Community-Wide
Garage Sale on May 21, 2005 is coming soon and resident participation is encouraged. The Ladies’ Club pavilion-area
garage sale is April 23, 2005, and Edom Volunteer Fire Department is having their annual fish fry today. Everyone is encouraged to attend and
support our V.F.D.
d)
Pool passes were
discussed, with Community input from David Poole, Bev Keleminic, Barbara Mortela, Layne DeSandre, and Ted Schroeder. Upon close of discussion, Jane Mucci
moved and Freddie Scaggs seconded to distribute pool passes this year, with the caveat no property owner can be
a guest, to address concerns with property owners having “guest” property owners who are past due on maintenance
fees. Only property owners who are current with their maintenance fees will be issued pool passes.
e)
Initial revision
of Ed Deane-developed Internet web page for the Community is available for review. Arnold DeSandre apologized for
not having time to review, and refreshed everyone on what Ed is doing for our community. He
also noted H.H.P.O.I.A. is paying a nominal fee for the website to be posted on the Internet.
f)
Board-Sponsored
BBQ dinner on June 11, 2005 is on track and everyone is encouraged to attend and help get others to attend. Proceeds
will be used for street signs.
g)
Property owners
Bev Keleminic, Barbara Mortela, Patricia Schroeder and new resident Keiko Couch are working on flowers and floral
arrangements for the front gate, and at no cost to the community. Barbara Mortela presented current beautification
plans.
h)
Arnold DeSandre
read a report on Texas State Legislature empowering Homeowner Associations to assess speeding fines on community
roads. A brief discussion ensued about how difficult that would be to enforce.
4.
Committee Reports
a) Layne DeSandre reported the Easter Egg Hunt was rousing success in spite of inclement weather. Roughly
35 – 40 children attended and had a good time. She noted everything is status quo presently. She reported the local Van Zandt Count Justice of the Peace Office appears to not be on board with
enforcing nuisance abatement cases, claiming that these types of cases have to be sent to Gary Rose in the DA’s
office.
b)
Arthur Mucci with
the Lake Committee reminded everyone lake front weed control chemicals do not work without water, and the lake
is restocked with fish on a seasonal basis as agreed by both Lake Communities. Ensuing
discussion distilled out consensus best method for sealing out weeds from lake front areas is 30mil construction
sheathing secured with concrete blocks, and is approved by biologist Stan Smith. David Poole said debris from poorly
secured weed-control sheathing has clogged the discharge flume gate in the past. Art Mucci also said the maintenance
contractor for the dam is doing a good job.
c)
Freddie Scaggs said
Maintenance summer hires are working on cleaning up the common lake front areas. She also said Bobby and Corky
Merz are cleaning up both area bathhouses. Ted Schroeder asked for the fishing pier and rails to be repaired while
the lake level is low. Freddie Scaggs told everyone present David Boulter is cleaning the David Poole Park area
at the back and doing a splendid job as a volunteer. Maintenance summer helper Larry Lockhart has cleaned up stumps
from exposed lake front areas. Freddie Scaggs also said Maintenance is looking for a more robust commercial mower
for the ditches. Current fragile mower deck is broken again and the mowing season has just started.
d)
Office Committee
report by Arnold DeSandre noted nine (9)-property transfer changes were completed last month. Gerri Heck asked
people to please pay maintenance fees with a check or money order. The office does not keep change for a $100.00
bill, only petty cash.
5.
Unfinished Business
a)
Arnold DeSandre
said bid of $67,500 by McKinney & Moore has been accepted for discharge flume repairs. Galvanized steel has
already been ordered and is scheduled for delivery 5/1/2005. McKinney & Moore estimate 25 working days to complete
the project if they do not encounter any problems. Velvin & Weeks Engineers have sent a letter for the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and after their review; it needs six items changed for accuracy. Galvanizing
on dead man pilings adds roughly $4,000 to contract cost; cold tar coating also is good since these will be power-driven
into the ground at the discharge flume. We have gone for the cold tar process at no additional cost to us. Art Mucci clarified for everyone present
exactly why the Callender Lake Communities have to spend all this money on dam repairs. Arnold DeSandre reminded
everyone Hickory Hill’s Community portion is ½ the cost of all repair contracts.
b)
Waterside dam erosion
repairs are currently on hold. Frieze & Nichols Engineering has suggested clay/sand mix to back fill erosion
areas, but a huge quantity of this would be required plus application would be difficult. Large rock has been suggested,
but the significant wave action at Callender Lake will wash the stones right up the dam embankment. A retaining
wall has been proposed, but Callender Lake Community is unable to contribute their ½ for another project
currently bid at $55,000.00. Arnold DeSandre noted a retaining wall installation will not likely require lowering
lake level to the extent we had to for discharge flume & gate repairs. He also said any plans to repair waterside
dam erosion must be approved by TCEQ. Velvin
& Weeks Engineers will be reviewing this situation and providing their recommendations within the next two
weeks.
c)
With the lake level
lowered, Hickory Hills Drive causeway erosion is being repaired. Culvert pipe is rotted out and erosion was at
least 10 – 12 feet back under the road. This took 6 truckloads of clay/sand, packed by hand, to repair. New plastic
culvert pieces were sleeved inside old culvert and forms erected for concrete barriers at both ends. Nineteen yards
of concrete were used to pour the barriers.
d)
Lowered lake level
has also revealed a very poorly executed glob of concrete at the end of one boat ramp. Bob Lovegrove will be breaking
this up and using the pieces to fill in the large hole at the end of the other boat ramp.
e)
Nominating Committee
member Freddie Scaggs thanked everyone who helped stuff ballots for mailing last Friday. Many ballots were hand
delivered to save postage.
6.
New Business
a) Bills to be approved for payment were presented and discussed by Arnold DeSandre. Karl Holz moved
and Freddie Scaggs seconded to approve. The motion passed without
dissent.
b) Gerri Heck said animal control in our Community is doing much better and she has received some positive
comments from residents.
c) Street signs were included in the Bills to be Paid, with 25 new signs ordered.
d) Next meeting is the Community Annual Meeting and is scheduled for May 21, 2005
Jane Mucci moved and Karl Holz seconded to adjourn the meeting at 11:40 A.M. The motion passed without
dissent.
Signature_______________________________________
H.H.P.O.I.A. Secretary
Dated__________________________________________
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