PINE TRAILS NEWSLETTER
January, 2021
BOARD MEMBERS: Amy Benedict Sandra DeWalt-Denson J.J. Fuentes Myrtis Lester Eva Palkin Helen Lewis Norma Martinez Francis Pradier Caroline Wright
Office Staff: Tayna Sims, Manager Idis Morales, Assistant
REMINDER - Monthly Open Board meetings are currently not being held at the Community Center to comply with mandated COVID-19 guidelines and safety measures. The Board is meeting monthly in Executive Session via teleconference calls in order to conduct ongoing business as necessary. Minutes of those sessions will be read at the next regular Open Meeting. Though the State currently allows restricted gatherings with guidelines, the Association is not in a position to meet all of the safety measures in respect to crowd control, constant cleaning and sanitizing of common areas. The Pine Trails Office, Community Center and Playground are closed to the public until further notice. The office is manned to communicate via phone, email or fax. Forms, payments, requests, etc. may be placed in the door drop box.
Pine Trails Office will be CLOSED: December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
REMINDER: Christmas decorations and lights are to be taken down by
January 18, 2021.
Alleyway speed limit 5-10 mph …we love our children!!!!
LIMIT YOUR SPEED: The Board is asking all residents and guests not to speed in the alleyways. It is everyone's responsibility to slow down! It would be horrible if anyone is injured or killed. Please slow down (5-10 mph) and Don't text and Drive!!
SPEED BUMPS: Would you like speed bumps installed in the alleyways? Call or email the office to make your opinion known; leave name, address and call back number.
SECURITY SYSTEM UPGRADE: Existing cameras have been upgraded and additional cameras installed in and around the community center to increase security. Visitors to the office and community center will be on camera.
2021 Maintenance Fee:
Dates to Remember
Jan 4 $250 payment is due.
Jan 15 Delinquent Notice mailed; $25 admin/mailing fees charged.
Feb 15 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 16, 2021 to avoid the late fee.
Feb 16 $50 Late Fee charged to accounts with a balance due.
March 8 Liens filed on all delinquent accounts; $150 filing fee charged to accounts.
Apr 9 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.
OCTOBER 12, 2020, MASK GIVE-AWAY: An amazing and huge success. Thanks to Juan Cardoza-Oquendo/Policy and Community Engagement Coordinator, Office of Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis for delivering 1,500 plus masks. Special Thanks to the board members, block captains and office staff who volunteered: A. Benedict, O. Brown, S. DeWalt-Denson, A. Drennon, J. Fuentes, C. Joseph, H. Lewis, I. Morales, F. Pradier and T. Sims. Also,” Special Thanks” to front line volunteers: Sergeant J. Davis, and Deputies
A. Green, K. Jones and V. Jones.
ALLEY REPAIRS: 5803 Hopetown, 5819-5823 Hollow Pines, 14519 Lorne, 14605 Lorne, 14218 Morinscott, 14226-14230 Morinscott, 14511 Lourdes, 14003 Meyersville, 14626-14634 Flair, 14113 Meyersville, 14654 Kemrock-14651 Leacrest, 14663 Lourdes, 14618-14622 Flair, 6202 Purple Sage, 14135 Meyersville, 14638-14642 Flair, 14602-14610 Flair, 14662-14666 Flair, 14603 Kemrock.
ILLEGAL DUMPING: There have been recent incidences of illegal dumping (household trash, dried branches, concrete pieces, etc.) on the Association’s property along Purple Sage behind Valero. So much so that the county health department has issued a “Notice to Abate Nuisance.” The Board is taking immediate corrective action to comply with the abatement. The area immediately adjacent to the fence line will be cleared as requested and monitored to prevent future occurrences. The Board request that homeowners help with the monitoring by being observant and alert; report any dumping activity (anywhere in the community) to the office or county dispatch. Take pictures, license plate numbers and descriptions. It is your maintenance dollars that will be used to constantly clean up the messes created.
ANOTHER REMINDER: Any improvements to the exterior of your home must have an ACC Request filed and approved before any work is started! Go to: www.pinetrailscia.com to view By-laws, covenants and to download forms. Recently, more and more homeowners have begun and even completed such work without completing the ACC. It is important that you complete the form in a timely manner as the Committee has thirty (30 days) to act though they generally get back to the homeowner much sooner. The Committee and Board will be reviewing ALL construction, new and old, for an ACC approval and compliance to deed guidelines. You may soon receive a notification letter if your file lacks an ACC for changes made to the outside of your home. Adhering to the guidelines improves the community overall and enhances the value of everyone’s property.
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 2021 Budget 11/30/20 YTD
EXPENSES
Salaries/P/R Taxes $60,100 $59,463
Administrative:
Utilities:
Street Lights $63,600 $62,599
Total Alley Repairs $45,000 $99,293
Maintenance:
Grounds Maintenance:
Security Service $151,740 $145,188
Other Operating Expenses:
TOTAL EXPENSE $519,705 $552,401
$(192, 824)A
January, 2021
BOARD MEMBERS: Amy Benedict Sandra DeWalt-Denson J.J. Fuentes Myrtis Lester Eva Palkin Helen Lewis Norma Martinez Francis Pradier Caroline Wright
Office Staff: Tayna Sims, Manager Idis Morales, Assistant
REMINDER - Monthly Open Board meetings are currently not being held at the Community Center to comply with mandated COVID-19 guidelines and safety measures. The Board is meeting monthly in Executive Session via teleconference calls in order to conduct ongoing business as necessary. Minutes of those sessions will be read at the next regular Open Meeting. Though the State currently allows restricted gatherings with guidelines, the Association is not in a position to meet all of the safety measures in respect to crowd control, constant cleaning and sanitizing of common areas. The Pine Trails Office, Community Center and Playground are closed to the public until further notice. The office is manned to communicate via phone, email or fax. Forms, payments, requests, etc. may be placed in the door drop box.
Pine Trails Office will be CLOSED: December 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
REMINDER: Christmas decorations and lights are to be taken down by
January 18, 2021.
Alleyway speed limit 5-10 mph …we love our children!!!!
LIMIT YOUR SPEED: The Board is asking all residents and guests not to speed in the alleyways. It is everyone's responsibility to slow down! It would be horrible if anyone is injured or killed. Please slow down (5-10 mph) and Don't text and Drive!!
SPEED BUMPS: Would you like speed bumps installed in the alleyways? Call or email the office to make your opinion known; leave name, address and call back number.
SECURITY SYSTEM UPGRADE: Existing cameras have been upgraded and additional cameras installed in and around the community center to increase security. Visitors to the office and community center will be on camera.
2021 Maintenance Fee:
Dates to Remember
Jan 4 $250 payment is due.
Jan 15 Delinquent Notice mailed; $25 admin/mailing fees charged.
Feb 15 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 16, 2021 to avoid the late fee.
Feb 16 $50 Late Fee charged to accounts with a balance due.
March 8 Liens filed on all delinquent accounts; $150 filing fee charged to accounts.
Apr 9 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.
OCTOBER 12, 2020, MASK GIVE-AWAY: An amazing and huge success. Thanks to Juan Cardoza-Oquendo/Policy and Community Engagement Coordinator, Office of Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis for delivering 1,500 plus masks. Special Thanks to the board members, block captains and office staff who volunteered: A. Benedict, O. Brown, S. DeWalt-Denson, A. Drennon, J. Fuentes, C. Joseph, H. Lewis, I. Morales, F. Pradier and T. Sims. Also,” Special Thanks” to front line volunteers: Sergeant J. Davis, and Deputies
A. Green, K. Jones and V. Jones.
ALLEY REPAIRS: 5803 Hopetown, 5819-5823 Hollow Pines, 14519 Lorne, 14605 Lorne, 14218 Morinscott, 14226-14230 Morinscott, 14511 Lourdes, 14003 Meyersville, 14626-14634 Flair, 14113 Meyersville, 14654 Kemrock-14651 Leacrest, 14663 Lourdes, 14618-14622 Flair, 6202 Purple Sage, 14135 Meyersville, 14638-14642 Flair, 14602-14610 Flair, 14662-14666 Flair, 14603 Kemrock.
ILLEGAL DUMPING: There have been recent incidences of illegal dumping (household trash, dried branches, concrete pieces, etc.) on the Association’s property along Purple Sage behind Valero. So much so that the county health department has issued a “Notice to Abate Nuisance.” The Board is taking immediate corrective action to comply with the abatement. The area immediately adjacent to the fence line will be cleared as requested and monitored to prevent future occurrences. The Board request that homeowners help with the monitoring by being observant and alert; report any dumping activity (anywhere in the community) to the office or county dispatch. Take pictures, license plate numbers and descriptions. It is your maintenance dollars that will be used to constantly clean up the messes created.
ANOTHER REMINDER: Any improvements to the exterior of your home must have an ACC Request filed and approved before any work is started! Go to: www.pinetrailscia.com to view By-laws, covenants and to download forms. Recently, more and more homeowners have begun and even completed such work without completing the ACC. It is important that you complete the form in a timely manner as the Committee has thirty (30 days) to act though they generally get back to the homeowner much sooner. The Committee and Board will be reviewing ALL construction, new and old, for an ACC approval and compliance to deed guidelines. You may soon receive a notification letter if your file lacks an ACC for changes made to the outside of your home. Adhering to the guidelines improves the community overall and enhances the value of everyone’s property.
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 2021 Budget 11/30/20 YTD
- Bank Interest $6, 900 $396
- Maintenance Fees (current/past) $318,000 $308,945
- Community Hall Rental $6,000 $1,900
- Admin/Misc. Income $24,000 $23,514
- Transfer Fee/Recovery Costs $13,300 $6,678
- Other Income $150 $12,684
- Late Fees $6,000 $5,460
- Transfer from Capital $145,355 __A__
EXPENSES
Salaries/P/R Taxes $60,100 $59,463
Administrative:
- Bank Service Charges $ $-10
- Dues/Subscriptions $1,380 $763
- Insurance $22,500 $20,557
- Office Supplies/Misc. $3,600 $5,388
- Postage $8,400 $8,470
- Accounting/Audit $10,000 $11,875
- Community Hall Supplies $1,500 $3,743
- Computer Expense/Internet $840 $3,155
- Legal/Liens $12,500 $9,244
- Newsletter $6,600 $7,314
Utilities:
- Telephone $1,080 $1,088
- Electric-Office $1,800 $1,799
- Water $1,620 $1,486
Street Lights $63,600 $62,599
Total Alley Repairs $45,000 $99,293
Maintenance:
- Office $400 $33
- Community Hall $750 $462
- Capital Expense-Office $339
- Miscellaneous $1,880 $1,844
Grounds Maintenance:
- Mowing $46,740 $40,805
- Bids & Contract $61,200 $55,860
- Dump/Landfill Expense $1,679
- Beautification $700 $50
Security Service $151,740 $145,188
Other Operating Expenses:
- Deed Restriction Mileage $650 $644
- Block Captains Expense $1,200 $469
- Playground Expense $209 Property Taxes $425 $403
- Community Service YOM $500 $1,064
- Capital Expense- Community Events/Other $13,000 $7,125
TOTAL EXPENSE $519,705 $552,401
$(192, 824)A