Inwood Forest Community Improvement Association
2012 Annual Homeowners Meeting
White Oak Conference Center
January 26, 2012
Attendance
The 2012 annual meeting of the members was called to order at 7:39 pm. Board members in attendance were President Jane Martin, Second Vice President Tom Haynes, Treasurer Julie Grothues and Directors Don Emerson and Fred Sheppard. First Vice President Hugo Du Bois was out of town on business and Secretary Michelle Cutler was absent. Sixty nine (69) lot owners signed in. Genesis Community Management representatives included Bryan Pierce, Melissa Scott, and Athena Castillo.
Matt Kornhauser of Hoover Slovacek, LLP was designated as Parliamentarian, and Sergeant Mike Corley, was designated as Sergeant at Arms.
The members of the current board were introduced. After establishing a quorum, Jane Martin asked for a motion to adopt the agenda as the orders of the day. The motion was made by Julie Grothues and seconded by an IF lot owner. The motion carried on a voice vote by the members.
Approval of Minutes for 2011 Annual Meeting
A motion was made to approve the 2011 Annual Meeting minutes as presented. The motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote.
Officer John Vidal
HPD officer John Vidal, who is a member of IFCIA’s off duty HPD patrol group, addressed the membership and talked about security issues for homeowners. He advised everyone to get to know their neighbors and be aware of their surroundings at all times. He also discussed calling HPD when there is a disturbance and to make sure that a police report is filed. This helps if there are repeat offenses at an address.
Near Northwest Management/ Antoine Corridor Project
Dorothy Miller, the chairman of the board of the Near Northwest Management District gave an update on the progress of the Antoine Corridor Project. The project consists of a livable center and a Metro area. She noted that the Management District is working on getting a park in the White Oak Bayou area, adding lighting to central locations and creating a retail/residential center on Antoine. Dorothy noted that the model for this is the Metro Park and Ride on 290 at Skinner Rd in Cypress.
Regarding the former golf course property, Dorothy noted that the City of Houston was working on an interlocal agreement with the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD). Once both entities reach an agreement, it will go before both the City Council and the Harris County Commissioner Court for approval. The property will be used for both flood detention and recreational purposes. The Management District has met with HCFCD to discuss the proposed project and has seen some preliminary drawings.
Dorothy ended by thanking everyone for their participation in the Management District’s livable center study.
Matt Kornhauser of Hoover Slovacek
Matt Kornhauser of Hoover Slovacek, LLP (HS) stated that IFCIA’s legal work regarding deed restriction violations and past due collections was turned over to HS in late February of 2011 and that there have been very good results to date. He noted that the Board has turned over all accounts with balances of $1,900 or more to HS. Several very large accounts and a number of smaller accounts have been paid off during the year. Additionally, some homeowners are now on monitored payment plans. It was noted that IF saw about one or two foreclosures a month in 2011. Matt also noted that there was a change in the Texas property code that went into effect on January 1, 2012 that now mandates the procedure HOA’s must use for handling payment plans. He closed by thanking the Board for their leadership.
Nominations for Directors
Martin turned the meeting over to Treasurer Julie Grothues since Martin was a nominee for the board. Grothues opened the floor for nominations for election to the IFCIA Board of Directors. Grothues noted that four (4) board seats were up for election. Names preprinted on the ballot were Marida Curry, Victor Elgohary, Tom Haynes and Jane Martin. It was noted that each of these candidates had submitted their names to the board on or before December 31, 2011.
Nominations were then opened for candidates to be nominated from the floor. A lot owner nominated Sharon DeRousse.
Each candidate was given several minutes to introduce himself/herself and to give a brief speech. The lot owners were also given a few minutes to ask any of the nominees a question or questions. A question was asked if any of the nominees had filed any legal actions against the IFCIA board. No nominees responded. Grothues then disclosed that Victory Elgohary had a lawsuit pending against the IFCIA Board. There were follow up questions by the lot owners regarding this. There being no further nominations or discussion, nominations were closed so that voting could commence.
Once the votes were counted, parliamentarian Matt Kornhauser announced that Marida Curry, Sharon DeRousse, Tom Haynes and Jane Martin were elected as Board Members.
Open Discussion
The floor was opened for questions for the Board, comments, and general discussion from homeowners in attendance. There was discussion on various topics including the crime rate in IF and the surrounding area and when the new flood maps will be issued for the east side of IF.
Adjournment
The meeting was formally adjourned at 9:00pm.
Election of Officers
At adjournment of the Annual Meeting, the incoming Board members met and unanimously agreed to hold a Special Meeting within the next week to elect officers for 2012.