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HLR Open B Board Meeting Minutes

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SUMMARY OF HLRA OPEN B-BOARD MEETING
MARCH 16, 2010

(NOTE: This is an open meeting where agenda items are presented and explained to the property owners of Holly Lake Ranch (HLR.) Comments and questions from participants are summarized and discussed. The property owners may present additional agenda items during the Open Discussion segment of the meeting, if they make arrangements to get on the agenda. No action is taken at this meeting. Where necessary these agenda items will be brought before the Combined A & B Board meeting for discussion and action. IF there is an A/B meeting, it will be March 23, 2010. B Board members present were Garland Ford, Vice President, Larry Bowman, Treasurer, Jeanette Sterner, Secretary and Jim Atchley. Rob James, the GM was present. Several department heads were also present.

Garland Ford opened the meeting. The following items were presented by Rob James and discussed:
I. Wildlife Feeders and Fences.
A. Rob announced the Security Department gave out warnings to individuals who had wild animal feeders. The A/B Board recommended this policy. Rob said even PETA says the feeding of wildlife should be prohibited. This policy is to determine if the non-feeding policy will cause the deer to move off property so as to find more natural feeding resources. Beginning March 1 the Security Department will begin giving fines for those who do not remove their wild animal feeders. The intent of the policy is not to discourage the feeding of wild birds. However, an actual hanging bird feeder is required because of some of the low, close to the ground feeders some people are using to feed the deer, yet they call it a "bird feeder." It should be around 6 feet high so the deer cannot reach the feeder and knock the seed out. Originally, the policy did state 7 feet high, but we realize that many cannot reach the feeders to put seed in the feeders. The point is to stop feeding the deer otherwise we will not know if the deer will move on to other areas around HLR and lessen the deer population on property in a "natural" way.
1. Someone asked about the feeding of wild cats. Rob said the Board would probably review the issue of feeding feral cats. There have been some complaints from residents about the number of feral cats around their homes and neighborhood.
2. A lady said she has seen mutated deer and thinks a lot of that is due to the over-abundance of deer and the inbreeding. Rob said we are also losing the natural beauty of HLR because of the number of deer.
B. Fences are being used to protect the plants and property. The ACC will have to approve the fencing anyone wants to put up. The committee will work with the property owners to be sure the property, gardens, and plants are protected from the deer.

II. Pot Hole Reporting. Rob said the winter weather has caused more potholes than when the weather is milder. Rob reminded everyone of the procedure to report potholes. There is a form in the Admin Office you can fill out to request repairs. REMEMBER, this form is only for POTHOLES. Do not use the form to request large paving jobs. The Maintenance Department, with the assistance of the Road Work Group, has mapped out the roads on the Ranch that need paving. Dave has rated all of the roads to determine the priority of repair. The other issue is road repairs cannot be done until they are dry. Plus, the asphalt seals better when it is warmer. So, you might see a lot of roadwork being done during this cycle of a couple of dry days and then it rains again.

III. Front Entry Sign. A new sign is being built at the West entrance. Someone asked if the lightening would be improved so as to see better. Rob said a good lightening system would be installed.

IV. Exercise Room. Two elliptical machines have been installed. One other piece of exercise equipment will also be purchased. Someone asked if the drinking fountain has been repaired. Rob said it has been fixed.

V. Fishing Building. The Fishing Club is remodeling one of the buildings by the boat dock on Lake Greenbriar. HLRA made for the materials and the club members are doing all of the work. Rob thanked the club for all of the hard work. The second building in the same area is used to store items for HLRA. It will be painted.

VI. Permitted Guests. Some property owners have mentioned the issue of large parties or family gatherings at the park area and swimming pool on the West side or by Lake Greenbriar. Rob said in order to have a large group on HLR; you have to have a HLR person "sponsor" 10 people. So, if you have a party of 50 people, you have to have 10 sponsors, who own property at HLR. This rule is for renters as well.

VII. Water Rate Protest. The hearing with TCEQ on the Water Rate Increase will be in Tyler on April 27. Bob Adams will represent HLRA, but it does not hurt to have as many residents as possible to be there as well. Someone asked what time is the meeting. Bob did not know, but the sessions are usually around 10:00a.m. Rob said he would get that information for those who want to attend. Just call the office for more information. Rob will put the hearing information on the HLR Website. Someone asked if our protest petitions were delivered. Bob said TCEQ received over 400 letters from HLR owners.

VIII. Oil Well. The issue of a property owner wanting to place an oil well on his property came up a little over a year ago. At that time, Rob checked with the lawyer to see about our rights on this issue. Rob said three lawyers reviewed the issue and all three said the same, "Mineral rights supersede property rights." Someone said the HLRA By-laws were misleading if this is allowed. The "Covenants and Restrictions" state there can be no wells. Rob said he would review the statement in the By-laws. A lady said some statement needs to be written either in the By-laws or in some other official HLRA publication, that explains the rights of property owners concerning mineral rights. Someone asked about EPA violations. Rob said they have to adhere to strict state laws concerning the dumping of waste matter caused by the drilling. Rob said it takes about 10 days of drilling and then the large derrick is taken down. They usually "prep" the ground around the pump so it does not look so unsightly. There are some state requirements for restoration of the land. Someone asked about the likelihood of other wells being drilled on HLR. Rob said it is hard to predict the future or drilling. Rob said when we looked at the maps, it appeared that most of the oil, which is suitable for drilling, is West of HLR because of a fault line. Again, it is hard to predict if other wells will be drilled. State laws override community By-laws. Rob also stated HLRA and Silverleaf do not own any mineral rights on HLR. A man said the oil company has the right to tear down your house and put in an oil well. Rob said that was absolutely false. The state laws also protect ones home.

IX. Sabine River Authority. Rob said L-lots are part of the lake property on the lakes of HLR. The L-lots were part of the Sabine River Authority's right to flood Lake Greenbriar. That is also why homeowners were required to build houses several feet from the edge of the water. When it was decided not to flood any of the lakes of HLR, the L-lots were not "flooded" so it "seemed" they were part of the owner's property. It has not been an issue for years, but now lake front property cannot be use as collateral for a loan because the owner does not have a warranty deed for that part of the property. The owner only has a "quick claim deed," but that cannot be used when trying to obtain a loan. Bob Mead has agreed to deed the L-lots to the appropriate lake front property owner. Rodney Duplechain has been working on this issue with a local title company and is assisting in the preparation of the paperwork to be signed by all parties. (NOTE: At an earlier meeting, the title company stated that the legal fees would be $200 for each property owner.)

X. A homeowner asked about the duties of the golf marshal. Rob said some of the golfers having gotten back into the habit of not fixing divots and driving their golf carts on areas that have been deemed "off limits" for golf carts. Carl Worley will warn the golfers to obey the rules of the golf course. The next phase is for the marshal to begin giving "warning tickets" and, if need be, fines to golfers who disobey the golf course rules.

XI. Someone asked about the wild hogs and if the Association is going to do anything about the hogs. Rob said we have had trouble in the past and we did hire someone to trap some hogs on the golf course. One thing that has helped keep hogs and armadillos off the course is spraying for worms and bugs. That is what the wild animals are eating, so if you kill the worms, you may get rid of the hogs as well.

XII. Outside Signs. [NOTE: The policy statement concerning the ability of a property owner to place signs on his/her property, is stated in this section (XII.) It is important to note that this policy statement is under review by the B Board. It was discussed at the B Board meeting held on March 23; however, no change or modification was agreed upon at that meeting. Therefore the issue was "tabled" until the next B Board meeting, which will be held March 30, 2010 at the Holly Board Room located in the HLRA Admin Office Building.]
A. Rob said there is a number of "Prayer" signs on the property of many homeowners. He assured the audience it was not the "message" or the "sentiment" of the sign, but that he has received a number of complaints concerning these signs. The dilemma is that there are too many of these signs and the "appearance" of HLR is questioned. He mentioned that some signs on the "common areas" have been removed because of the rule against putting signs on the "common areas." The most recent being the signs advertising the poker tournament. Rob said the "Prayer" signs had to be taken down by April 15.
1. Someone asked about garage sale signs. Rob said those are considered "temporary" signs and they are allowed because usually those signs are up for less than a week. It is the same for "estate sale" signs.
2. Someone asked about "election" or "candidate" signs. Rob said they are allowed because again they are considered "temporary" signs and after a primary, run-off or regular election, the candidate removes them.
3. Someone mentioned that the Bulletin Boards could be used for advertisements.
4. Someone asked about realtor signs. Rob said there are rules in place for their signs as well and the realtors are very good about abiding by those rules.

[ONCE AGAIN, NOTE: The policy statement concerning the ability of a property owner to place signs on his/her property, is stated in this section (XII.) It is important to note that this policy statement is under review by the B Board. It was discussed at the B Board meeting held on March 23; however, no change or modification was agreed upon at that meeting. Therefore the issue was "tabled" until the next B Board meeting, which will be held March 30, 2010 at the Holly Board Room located in the HLRA Admin Office Building. Three proposals were discussed:
1. "Sign. A property owner may post a sign identifying the property owner's name, section, lot number and the 911 addresses so that it can be read from the street. All other signs are prohibited within Holly Lake Ranch. Bulletin Boards provided by Holly Lake Ranch Association may be used to post non-commercial notices no larger than 8.5" x 11" to announce special events."
2. "Signs of a temporary nature (i.e. wire frame or wooden stake, foam board type) are prohibited with the exception of seasonal signs, holiday signs, garage sale or yard sale signs and political signs. In the case of these exceptions, the signs must be removed at the end of the event."
3. Allow personal signs that are made by a commercial vendor, but require them to be moved closer to the home. The Board will determine the footage from the house to the sign, but a standard of no more than 5 feet from the home should be considered. Handmade signs should not be allowed.
The members of the B Board and the GM were asked to make modifications to one or all of the three proposals or suggest other proposals. The matter will be discussed and voted on by the B Board on March 30, 2010.]

No other questions or comments were made. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The motion passed. A copy of these minutes can be obtained in the HLRA Admin office during regular business hours. Catalog number is MinOpenBMeet011910.
Submitted by Jeanette L. Sterner, Secretary

 

Last Updated on Friday, 26 March 2010 14:19