September 11, 2013 Meeting Minutes

Inwood Forest Community Improvement Association

Board of Directors Meeting

White Oak Conference Center

September 11, 2013 Meeting

Board Members Present:                                         Residents that signed in:

President Julie Grothues                                             Frank Reidy

First Vice President Hugo Du Bois                            Corey Cornett

Director Marida Curry                                               Curtis Holland

Director Dennie Hodge                                               Jeanette Holland

Elvia Barron

Board Members Absent:

Second Vice President Tom Haynes

Treasurer Jane Martin

Meeting Called to Order

 

At 7:05 pm, President Grothues called the meeting to order. Bryan Pierce of Genesis Community Management was appointed parliamentarian and Du Bois was appointed Sergeant at Arms. The agenda was adopted as the Orders of the Day, with no objections. A moment of silence was held for the 12th anniversary of the September 11th attack.

 

                                   

Homeowners Forum

 

A homeowner asked about the future plans for the use of the former golf course property and if there was a plan that residents could see. Grothues informed the resident that the City of Houston bought the entire 27-hole golf course property including, the maintenance sheds and clubhouse in 2011. The City has no funds to mow the property or use for the clubhouse, which is why Near Northwest Management stepped in, and signed a 5 year lease with the city to maintain the building and mow the grass.

 

The city purchased the property with the intention of putting a flood detention on it. At this, there is no specific plan for the detention that will go in on the former golf course property. Some preliminary planning was done prior to the city’s purchase of the property. The city and the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) must enter into an interlocal agreement before any work can be done on the property. The agreement has been drawn up, but the flood control district is not acting upon it at this time because funding is not currently available for the project. However, a few months ago Harris County Commissioner’s Court did approve funding to hire consultants to begin designing plans for detention.

 

A homeowner asked about the status of the issuance of updated flood maps for the area. Grothues noted that the Association has been tracking the progress of HCFCD’s submissions to FEMA and will get the word out to the community as soon as HCFCD sends us an update. Grothues said a written update was requested in July. She noted that she was given a verbal update but is still waiting on a written update.

 

A homeowner questioned whether or not the Board and residents were out of the loop as far as future plans for the property and if we will have say on what will be built on the property. Grothues informed the homeowner that the city and flood control district have both stated that they want to get a buy-in from the homeowners for any future plans for the golf course property. Once, the City and HCFCD come up with a plan, they have said they will come out to the community and present that plan to residents. The property will have dual use as flood detention and green space.

 

 

Approval of Minutes

The Board reviewed the general and executive session minutes from the August 14, 2013 monthly meeting. Du Bois moved to approve the minutes, Hodge seconded. Du Bois and Hodge voted in favor and Curry abstained since she was not present for the entire meeting on August 14, 2013. Motion carried.

 

Financial Reports

 

Martin was absent. Therefore, there were no questions or comments on August 2013 financials.

 

 

Management Reports

 

  1. Properties and Facilities Committee Report

 

Grothues reported that both doors to the offices at the pool were broken into in late August. The doors were damaged and the lock was broken on the second door. The lock on the outer door still works. Eventually, both doors will need to be replaced due to damage done along the edges of the doors.

 

Grothues also reported that pool season ended with no incidents and the Association will be looking to fix the circulation issue with the baby pool within the next few months.

 

The tree debris on various parts of the former West course will be removed by Poli De Leon. The change in the mowing schedule as of September 15th from every week to every 10 days will free up some of his crew’s time.

 

  1. Deed Restrictions Committee Report

 

Pierce reported that there were 422 uncured violations per the September inspection and that 198 violations had been cured. He also noted that a number of the letters sent were for weeds in expansion joints.

 

 

  1. ACC Committee Report

 

Curry reported that there were no current ACC applications to discuss.

 

  1. Security Committee Report

 

Du Bois encouraged all those present to have an alarm system in their home.

 

  1. Communication Committee Report

 

Du Bois reported that he made a change to the homepage of IFCIA’s website so that the first page to come up in a Google search properly displays a description of the community.

 

 

F. Resident Relations Committee Report

 

Grothues announced that the September yard of the month on the east side is 7722 Brushwood and on the west side is 5903 Green Terrace.

 

Old Business

There was no old business to discuss.

 

 

New Business

 

  1. Acceptance of Sharon DeRousse’s Resignation Due to Move

 

Grothues reported that due to Director DeRousse’s recent move, DeRousse has submitted her written resignation from her position on the Board. Upon acceptance of the resignation, the Board will have 6o days to find someone to fill the remainder of the term. Du Bois motioned to accept DeRousse’s resignation. Curry seconded the motion. Curry, Du Bois & Hodge voted in favor. The motion carried.

 

  1. Deed Restriction Violations to Legal

 

The Board will discuss deed restriction violations that are recommended to be sent to legal in Executive Session.

 

  1. Collections to Legal

 

The Board will discuss accounts with outstanding balances that are recommended to go to legal in Executive Session.

 

 

National Night Out – Tuesday, October 1st

 

Grothues reported that National Night Out will be held at the community pool, 4427 Victory, on Tuesday, October 1st. An email blast will be sent requesting residents to RSVP for the BBQ dinner so that the Association has an idea of the number that will be attending the event.

 

  1. Surveillance Cameras

 

Hodge suggested that surveillance cameras be added around the community. She stated that the Association could place signs that indicated video surveillance to warn potential criminals that look to target the community.

 

There was a discussion about issuing stickers for the vehicles of all IF homeowners so that it would be very evident which cars belonged to residents and which did not. There was also a discussion about the issuance of the stickers to residents that are renters and limiting the number of stickers issued per household.

 

Du Bois stated that he would look further into the idea of placing surveillance cameras in IF, where it would be most beneficial to place them and the cost of the necessary equipment.

 

  1. Maintenance Shed Area off of Deep Forest

 

Grothues noted several concerns about the old golf course maintenance shed off of Deep Forest in the 7400 block. First, it was noted that in the past, people have been seen dumping debris in the open area next to the sheds. The area is currently clean.

 

Second, it was noted that parents with kids at the daycare center on Victory are using the cart path to cut thru from Deep Forest to the side of daycare center. They then park at the side of the daycare center.

 

Third, and most importantly, Grothues stated that maintenance shed area is a security issue. There is hole in a section of the fence and the buildings have been tagged with graffiti. IFCIA’s HPD officers have noted that this area is a dangerous place due to its seclusion.

 

Grothues noted that pictures have been taken and a letter and the pictures will be sent to both our city council member and the mayor’s office. Ultimately, the sheds need to be removed and the path that leads to the daycare center needs to be blocked off with concrete posts or fencing.

 

 

The Board moved to Executive Session at 7:52 pm.

 

 

The Board reconvened to the General Session at 8:45 pm.

 

 

 

 

Deed Restriction to Legal

 

The Board voted in Executive Session to send certified deed restriction letters to 8 of 17 addresses listed in Grothues’ email to the board dated September 9, 2013, with the exclusion of those addresses that had bare spots in their yards and two other addresses noted in the Executive Session minutes.

 

 

Collections to Legal

 

The Board voted in Executive Session to send certified collections letters to the 10 accounts listed in Martin’s email to the board dated September 6, 2013.

 

Adjournment

 

With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was formally adjourned at 8:46 pm on a motion by Hodge seconded by Du Bois and unanimously carried.

 

Next Regular Board Meeting

 

The next Board meeting is scheduled for October 9, 2013.