As many in our neighborhood now know, the Board of Directors of the Meadowcreek Association, Inc., recently initiated a campaign to raise the annual maintenance assessment in Sections 1, 2&3 and 5 by $100.00 per year. What many did not know is that the intent was to also revise the Covenants and Restrictions that govern property in the sections.
A "grass roots" movement was started to inform residents of the actual intent of the board. After an initial meeting at the Black Eyed Pea, individuals volunteered to walk the individual sections, talk with residents, deliver handouts, provide needed supplies and do what was necessary to get the message out.
During the week prior to the November Board meeting held on November 12, 2009, literally hundreds of hours of labor resulted in the largest crowd to attend a homeowners meeting in years. We were elated to see a reporter/photographer team on hand to film the meeting for a news segment on Channel 13 (ABC) Houston. The board appeared to be somewhat surprised, and was totally unprepared to meet the challenge. Documentation was limited, and seats were few. The only area in which the Board was prepared was in providing police protection (three officers were present for crowd control).
As members arrived they were asked to sign in on forms provided. An additional form was provided for those who wished to address the assembly (with a 2 minute time limit). As the meeting progressed, the attorney representing the board was observed asking the reporter from Channel 13 and his photographer to leave. They were told that the clubhouse was private property, and that they needed to leave the property. Many of the homeowners in the immediate vicinity advised the attorney that the reporter was an invited guest, and the end result was that the media representatives were allowed to stay and film the meeting.
During the meeting, board president Doug Parker attempted, with limited success, to defend the boards position regarding the increase in the annual assessment. He met with much less success when asked to defend the changes in the Covenants and Restrictions. Several members that had signed the "petition" for the board insisted, by both voice and letter, that their signatures be removed from the documents held by the board.
Finally, President Parker relented, and advised the audience that the Board would table the petition and make do with the status quo. You can view the news report by visiting the following link:
A "grass roots" movement was started to inform residents of the actual intent of the board. After an initial meeting at the Black Eyed Pea, individuals volunteered to walk the individual sections, talk with residents, deliver handouts, provide needed supplies and do what was necessary to get the message out.
During the week prior to the November Board meeting held on November 12, 2009, literally hundreds of hours of labor resulted in the largest crowd to attend a homeowners meeting in years. We were elated to see a reporter/photographer team on hand to film the meeting for a news segment on Channel 13 (ABC) Houston. The board appeared to be somewhat surprised, and was totally unprepared to meet the challenge. Documentation was limited, and seats were few. The only area in which the Board was prepared was in providing police protection (three officers were present for crowd control).
As members arrived they were asked to sign in on forms provided. An additional form was provided for those who wished to address the assembly (with a 2 minute time limit). As the meeting progressed, the attorney representing the board was observed asking the reporter from Channel 13 and his photographer to leave. They were told that the clubhouse was private property, and that they needed to leave the property. Many of the homeowners in the immediate vicinity advised the attorney that the reporter was an invited guest, and the end result was that the media representatives were allowed to stay and film the meeting.
During the meeting, board president Doug Parker attempted, with limited success, to defend the boards position regarding the increase in the annual assessment. He met with much less success when asked to defend the changes in the Covenants and Restrictions. Several members that had signed the "petition" for the board insisted, by both voice and letter, that their signatures be removed from the documents held by the board.
Finally, President Parker relented, and advised the audience that the Board would table the petition and make do with the status quo. You can view the news report by visiting the following link:
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/video?id=7115716
Then, without allowing a single person who had signed the speakers log to address the meeting to do so, President Parker decided to go into executive session, effectively shutting the residents down. What a surprise. Fifty or so residents left and held an impromptu meeting in the parking lot. It doesn't appear that too many were happy with the way the meeting went. More is sure to follow.
Then, without allowing a single person who had signed the speakers log to address the meeting to do so, President Parker decided to go into executive session, effectively shutting the residents down. What a surprise. Fifty or so residents left and held an impromptu meeting in the parking lot. It doesn't appear that too many were happy with the way the meeting went. More is sure to follow.
Actually, everyone who signed up at the original meeting was invited to sign up on the same table (as the sign in sheet). He encouraged everyone to sign up on that sheet. I am the lady who had lived in the neighborhood for two weeks. I signed up, and only ten folks showed to the review of those deed restrictions. Honestly, I was very suprised after all of the hub-bub at the first meeting. I was one of those who actually showed to review them. I saw the document. All other elements were taken off the table except the $100 increase to keep the pool open, the CPI index was off the table entirely. There will be a copy to sign to turn in to the county and have a copy to keep for your own records. No secrets there.
ReplyDeleteAn additional comment, at the original meeting everything was tabled. The board invited everyone to sign up for a review of the deed restrictions. I signed up, and 1 week later I showed up. After much discussion, reviewing expenses and so forth, we said that the $100 was not the problem. It was the pages of deed restrictions and the CPI index.
ReplyDeleteIf the increase doesn't pass, the board will make do and make the necessary cuts. I will even volunteer to organize a community garage sale for the pool repair. Things like insurance, electricity, and so forth have gone up since 1977.
We all live here, and we all want our property to continue to appreciate. A broken pool, streets that need to be repaired, and other basic repairs doesn't help with that goal.
When the Meadowcreek Board fixes a city street you be sure and post the information where we can all go and see it.
ReplyDeleteI believe that street repair is not covered under any deed restrictions other than the Patio Homes. Where did you ever get the idea that the association did this for the single family homes?
Looks like the board toadies have shown up.
ReplyDeleteWhat is missing from the chatter is the fact that the TH folks have been taking an unfair financial beating by an entrenched board (and the lawyer) for years.
ReplyDeleteI looked at the TH deed restrictions (DR) to estimate where their payments should be to date. Sadly, when using the CPI inflator in the TH DR, it would appear that the TH members’ annual assessment should not be anywhere close to $1800; more like 1200; and that may be a bit high. Secondly, if the board is indeed extracting $ 180 from each TH member’s annual assessment, they are incorrectly doing so and this is a sad commentary. I will not go through the details but using the formula in their DR, the TH member’s contribution to the general funds should be far less than $180; more like an estimated average $55/year – in short, the TH members have been taking an ungodly financial beating for many years. However, they seem to be enjoying the pain – never hear a word out of them! They need to fight their own battle or join the single family home members push for fiscal sanity on a dysfunctional board.
Hey, my understanding from the last board meeting was that the TH members borrowed $110,000 to take care of needed repairs after hurricane Ike. Does anybody know anything about this loan? Judging from the information in this blog, it would seem that the single family homes are footing the bill whether we like it or not; I am not a lawyer but the fact that my money is being used to fund (or benefit) someone else mortgage seems awfully close to fraud (or misappropriation of funds). Is there a lawyer in the house? I think this board is knee deep in trouble and might want to spend more time on their day-job v. trying to manage a business.
Fyi...file that document with the County, in any form, and you have started the first step to losing your current deed restrictions. And, as I understand from a very intelligent and well written blog, the so-called revised proposal includes a provision for a special assessment. If this would have gone through, you would have not had a garage to sell from. Just ask the the townhome members how the Special Assessment works with this board...i.e. board arbitrarily borrowed $110,000 - assessed the payback to the townhome members; sadly single family homes contributed to the loan payback. Essentially, someone else's mortgage benefitted from my money. Judging from some blogs, I don't think most folks really understand the MESS that this board has gotten us into...
ReplyDeleteBy the way,would you want your business run in this manner. How about just facing the cruel reality that this board needs to be replaced. Any takers -- you got my vote.
Street Repairs??????? Someone might do well to learn the basics of this Association's gameplan. They collect say $250k a year...and I can assure you they do NOTHING for the Single family homes. I mean "0". This might also explain why no one attends their meetings.
ReplyDeletePs..I would rather someome tell me how the $250k is being spent as opposed to how I know it is NOT... ask anyone in the Patio Home section and they will not be able to cite any street (Private street for those who don't know)repairs in a while --WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?????
HUB BUB ???? THAT'S A NEW ONE. I don't think you are giving almost 200+ of your neighbors credit for saving your mortgage from financial ruination...did you read those proposed changes. Now, what you should really be asking is "How much money did the board spend to have that CRAP drafted?"
ReplyDeleteI would be willing to bet that we would have had a surplus had they not ventured into their "no-win" scheme. If nothing else, they would have enough funds to mailout the 2010 statement...and annual meeting notice which, the last I read, is required by LAW.
GIVE ME A BREAK....!!!!!