JANUARY 2020 - Pine Trails Community Improvement Association

   PINE TRAILS NEWSLETTER
January, 2020
   Pine Trails Community Improvement Association
   6003 Wood Bend, Houston, TX 77049
Tel: (281) 458-6764 | Fax: (281) 458-7250
   Email: pinetrailscia@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.pinetrailscia.com

BOARD MEMBERS: Amy Benedict Sandra Denson
   J.J. Fuentes    Myrtis Lester Helen Lewis
Norma Martinez Abraham Mathews
   Eva Palkin               Caroline Wright

   Office Staff:     Tayna Sims, Manager
Idis Morales, Assistant

Upcoming board meeting: January 7, 2020 @ 7:00 p.m. at Community Center.

Pine Trails Office will be CLOSED: December 25, 2019    and January 1, 2020.

Reminder: Christmas decorations and lights are to be taken down by January 15, 2020.

Election Results: Incumbents Amy Benedict, Myrtis Lester and new member, Norma Martinez were elected to the Board at the 2019 October Annual Members’ Meeting.

2020 Maintenance Fee: Dates to Remember
   Jan 2    $250 payment is due.
   Jan 14    Delinquent Notice mailed;
$25 admin/mailing fees charged.
   Feb 14    Last day to pay without Late Charge and arrange a payment plan.You may
make partial payments prior to the
cutoff date but account must be paid
in full by Feb 17, 2020 to avoid the
late fee.
Feb 17 $50 Late Fee charged to accounts
with a balance due.
Mar 9    Liens filed on all delinquent
accounts; $150 filing fee charged
to account
   Apr 20 Legal Action; all delinquent
accounts may be referred
to the O’Neal Law Firm
   for collection.
If you have not received your invoice, please call the office to confirm your billing address. Also, please provide your current address and email for ease in future communications. Your information is private and will not be shared with anyone.

Alley Repairs: 5803 Hopetown 5819-5823 Hollow Pines
14519 Lorne (14518 Lourdes) 14605 Lorne

Selection for repair is prioritized based on most terrible condition, use, accessibility, safety, need for County or Aqua involvement and availability of funds.

Food Distribution: The Houston Food Bank is partnering with Cunningham Middle School to distribute food to the community. Visit the PAW PANTRY at CMS, 14110 Wallisville Road, for fresh produce, grains, dry beans, meat, and a variety of shelf items. For details, dates and time, call the school at    832-386-4470.
Transportation: Have you seen the signs? Beginning, December 2, 2019, Harris County Transit Bus Route 11 will run every hour along Purple Sage Drive to various local destinations. Rides are FREE until FEBRUARY 3, 2020. Costs; $.50-1.00. Riders will also be able to connect to other routes and to Metro Buses. Visit the Pine Trails website (www.pinetrailscia.com) for a map of the Routes and Connections or call 832-927-4950 for additional information.

Notice: Shell Pipeline Company is in the neighborhood conducting repair and maintenance work around the Dartwood pipeline. Expect to see related traffic through the neighborhood for probably ninety days. All possible safety precautions are being taken.

WHY Complete an Architectural Control Committee (ACC) Form? There are many types of common improvements, such as adding a fence, pool, storage building, repairing driveway or remodeling that residents like to make to their homes. To protect everyone’s property values and to minimize the impact that your improvements may have on neighbors’ property all projects like these and others that change the exterior of the home or lot require advance approval from the Architectural Control Committee (ACC). This is to ensure changes are in compliance with guidelines such as fence/storage height, materials used, easements, boundaries, etc. Obtaining ACC approval for your project is very easy. Your project’s description should be submitted using the necessary drawings and specifications to completely describe the plans. If you have not submitted the proper ACC form, prior to beginning the work, you may receive a “cease-and-desist” notification which only means you need to complete the form before you go any further. While someone in the neighborhood may have a like or similar structure that you want to build using the same material does not necessarily mean they are in compliance and have not received a violation notice. Once all of the necessary documentation is made available to the Committee, they must approve or deny a project within 30 days. In practice, the time is much shorter. Also, Harris County requires homeowners to obtain a permit from them BEFORE pouring concrete…they have inspectors who monitor neighborhoods.

2020 Census- The census is taken once every ten years. It counts our population and households, provides the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting and distributing federal funds to support states, counties and communities. The census impacts housing, education, transportation, employment, health care and public policy. Get ready and be prepared to accurately complete the census forms you receive in the mail. The U.S. Census Bureau is looking for workers to assist with the 2020 Census count. For temporary work visit… 2020Census.Gov

Homestead Exemptions: REMEMBER…A homestead exemption removes part of the value of your property from taxation and lowers your taxes. You may get an additional exemption if you qualify as 65+ or if you are disabled. You should file your regular residential homestead exemption application between January 1 and April 30. If your application is postmarked by April 30, this will allow the district time to process it before your tax statement comes out in the fall.

PTCIA FINANCES:
INCOME 2020 Budget    10/30/19 YTD
Bank Interest $900    $2,143
Maintenance Fees (current/past) $321,800 $297,713    Community Hall Rental $8,700 $8,150
Admin/Misc. Income    $30,000 $27,592
Transfer Fee/Recovery Costs $18,700    $15,002
Other Income    $9,000 $7,028
Late Fees $6,000 $5,785 Transfer from Capital    $118,334 A
TOTAL INCOME $513,434 $363,413
EXPENSES
Salaries/P/R Taxes $56,180 $52,555
Administrative:
Bank Service Charges    $60    $1,460
Dues/Subscriptions    $1,500    $1,121
Insurance $26,000 $25,196
Office Supplies/Misc.    $6,060    $4,286
Postage $7,200    $7,562
Accounting/Audit $10,000
Community Hall Supplies    $1,500 $796
Computer Expense/Internet    $2,520    $2,400
Legal/Liens    $14,100    $14,838
Newsletter $4,020 $4,801
TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE    $72,960 $62, 460
Utilities:
Telephone    $1,380 $1,252
Electric-Office    $2,520    $2,327
Water $1,560    $1,472
TOTAL UTILITIES $5,460    $5,051

Street Lights    $78,000 $67,135
Total Alley Repairs $40,000    $10,380
Maintenance:
Office $200    $70
Community Hall    $600    $13,377
Capital Expense-Office $500
Miscellaneous ____
TOTAL MAINTENANCE $1,300    $ 13,447
Grounds Maintenance:
Mowing $48,060 $45,256
Bids & Contract    $45,000 $44,260
Dump/Landfill Expense    $1,500    $794
Beautification    $1,020 $835
TOTAL GROUNDS MAINTENANCE $95,580 $91,145
Security Service $145,764    $115,803
Other Operating Expenses:
Deed Restriction Mileage    $420    $444
Block Captains Expense    $1,800 $1,072
Playground Expense    $1,500
Property Taxes $450    $23
Community Service YOM $1,020 $1,184
Capital Expense- Community Events/Other $13,000    $22,336
TOTAL OTHER OPERATING    $18,190 $25,059
TOTAL EXPENSE $ 513,434    $ 443,035

$(79,622) A