w e i v e R
Estates of Russell Creek Estates of
Russell Creek May 2009
Volume 3, Issue 5
Official Publication of The Estates of Russell Creek Homeowners Association
Hello ERC Neighbors & Happy Spring to Everyone!
First let me start off by saying thank you. Thank you to all of you that attended our 2009 ERC Annual Meeting on March 24th. It was good to see many of our neighbors take an active interest in their community by attending and participating in our Annual Meeting. We obtained great feedback regarding areas of potential ERC focus that evening. Hopefully next year’s turn out will be even greater. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Denise Duggan, who recently completed her board term, for her years of service to ERC. Denise has served in many different ERC capacities over the past several years, including serving on the Board of Directors, handling ERC electronic communications and coordinating several ERC activities. I appreciate all of you that voted to reelect me to the Board of Directors, and my fellow board members that have once again entrusted me with the responsibility of being President of the ERC HOA. I look forward to serving our wonderful community over the coming year. There are still improvements I would like to see and I will do my best to implement them over the next year. Landscaping – It is that time of year again when everyone’s yard is in need of some seasonal maintenance. Please give your yard the time and attention it needs this spring to get it in the best shape possible. The ERC HOA is working on improving the common area Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.
landscaping, so please do your part to make the ERC a visually pleasing community. The condition of homeowner’s landscaping was one of the top complaints voiced by the attendees at the past Annual Meeting. Note that 407 notices were sent to homeowners during 2008 regarding Rules Enforcement. Many of these notices were simply due to the condition of a homeowner’s landscaping. Therefore lets all be neighborly and do the best we can to maintain our landscaping. Pool Rules – With the community pools opening this month, please take a moment to review the ERC pool rules published in this edition of the newsletter. All the rules are important, but please take special note of the one about not opening the access gates for unauthorized individuals. Anyone who is entitled to use the pools and tennis courts has been issued an access card. Therefore, please think twice before letting anyone in through an access gate. None of us likes being the “Bad Guy” by turning down someone’s request to be let in through a gate. However, you just never know who you could be letting in. Please think of your and everyone else’s safety, and do not open an access gate for an unauthorized person. Furthermore, while the ERC HOA community encompasses a majority of the homes in the neighborhood, the ERC HOA does not include all the homes in the Estates
Save the Date! Erc End Of School Year Extravaganza June 5th, Bonita Park & Pool
More details to follow. Be sure to sign up to receive the ERC Enews at www.estatesofrussellcreek.com so you won’t miss out!
Thank You!
Garage Sale Thank You A special thanks to Laura Roth, Michele Erickson and Denise Duggan for coordinating the ERC 2009 Annual Garage Sale. Thanks to the many homeowners who participated to make this a successful event. Everyone’s garages look so much better…
(Continued on page 3) Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - May 2009
Estates of Russell Creek erc board members
Volunteers Needed
David Oldani, President....................................972-731-6244 Amy Newell, Vice President..............................972-335-5860 John Dwyer, Secretary.......................................972-377-0246 Jeff Einspahr, Treasurer......................................972-335-5413 Doug Finn, Director.........................................972-712-4655 Sandra Johnson, Director..................................972-712-2337 Robert Simmons, Director................................972-731-9683 Dan Estep (CMA).............................................972-943-2856
Volunteers are what make our neighborhood a community. If you are willing to help with any of these areas or if you have any questions about these volunteer opportunities, please contact Amy Newell, VP ERC Board of Directors at 972-335-5860 or
[email protected]. New ideas are welcome and encouraged! If you have an idea for a neighborhood activity, please let us know. Our Association has budgeted funds to support neighborhood activities. We are currently working on how these funds will be allocated this year.
newsletter info Editor Geoff Clark.......................
[email protected] ..................................................................... 214-924-7168 Publisher Peel, Inc........................ www.PEELinc.com, 512-263-9181
[email protected], 512-263-9181 Advertising Information Please support the businesses that advertise in the Estates of Russell Creek Review Community Newsletter. Their advertising dollars make it possible for all Estates of Russell Creek residents to receive the monthly newsletter at no charge. No homeowners association funds are used to produce or mail the newsletters. If you would like to support the newsletter by advertising, please contact our sales office @ 512-263-9181 or advertising@ PEELinc.com. The advertising deadline is the 20th of each month for the following month's newsletter. Classified Ads Personal classifieds (one time sell items, such as a used bike...) run at no charge to Estates of Russell Creek residents, limit 30 words, please e-mail
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Adult Activities Chairman - Responsible for planning an event for “adults only”. This may be an evening pool party, special dinners, etc. New ideas are welcome! Maybe an event for our empty-nesters? Or one for parents with new babies? Bonita Swim Club- Pool Watch - Responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the two recreational swim facilities. This includes pool maintenance, cleaning, rule enforcement, services, and security. Beautification Chairman - Responsible for promoting beautification projects in our neighborhood. Possible program would be “Yard of the Month” and prizes for decorations in December. Could also help with lawn and tree maintenance tips for homeowners. (Continued on page 4)
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Estates of Russell Creek President's Letter - (Continued from Cover) of Russell Creek. Over 170 ERC residences are not members of the HOA. Members of the ERC HOA are the ones that pay to maintain the community facilities (such as the playgrounds, sports court, pools and tennis courts) and are the ones entitled to use and enjoy these facilities. By opening an access gate for a non-member (even if you “recognize them as living in the ERC”), you are allowing them free use of facilities that you and others pay for. Ask yourself this question: “How would it feel if you pay for a car, but others get to drive it free of charge, anytime they want?” While you ask yourself this question, the non-HOA members reading this are probably asking themselves: “Why pay for something when I know others will give it to me for free?” (For you non-members reading this, please take note of the 2-year dues free membership special that the ERC HOA is currently offering detailed in this newsletter.) Talk to Me! - Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts, suggestions or concerns you may have regarding the ERC. I will do my best to address all matters brought to my attention. However, I and the other members of your Board cannot do anything about a situation unless we first know about it. So please let me know if there is something we need to discuss. I can be reached via email at
[email protected] or at 972.731.6244. Best regards, Dave Oldani - President, Estates of Russell Creek HOA
New ERC Newsletter Editor Greetings neighbors! My name is Geoff Clark and I am the new Editor of the ERC Newsletter. I live at 3724 Stockport with my wife, Lindsey, and three boys, Lane (8), Paul (1) and Geoff (in utero, due in July!). We moved to the Estates of Russell Creek nearly two years ago from the other side of Coit. We love our new neighborhood, and look forward to becoming more involved in it! As residents of ERC, we care about many of the same things. We care about the value of our property, the safety of our families and connecting with our neighbors. Since we have this common ground, let’s hear specifically what is on your mind! Do you have an ERC question you want answered? A soapbox you want to stand on? A topic you want covered in the newsletter? Send your emails to editor@ estatesofrussellcreek.com. I look forward to hearing from you! Geoff Clark
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Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - May 2009
Estates of Russell Creek Volunteers Needed - (Continued from page 2) Children’s Activity Chairman - Responsible for planning a community events for our pre-school and elementary aged children. Past activities have included a Spring Fling, Halloween Party, Back to School Party, and End of Year School Party. New ideas are welcome! Crime Watch Chairman - Acts as the community’s liaison to the City Crime Watch Program and provides crime and safety reports to the ERC Board of Directors. Works closely with the Block Captains to distribute vital information. Family Annual Event Chairman - Responsible for planning an annual event for the entire family. Past events have included pool games, music, food, etc. Golf Chairman - Organize a golf event for the neighborhood. For fun? For charity? Scramble? Texas Shamble? You decide! Hardship Chairman - Responsible for coordinating and meeting the special needs for those families in the Estates of Russell Creek that are undergoing a family crisis or hardship. Ladies Activities - Organize a special activity just for the ladies. Past activities have included wine tasting, holiday cookie exchange, dinner parties, dinner at local restaurants, etc.
Landscape Improvements - Work with the ERC Board of Directors and local landscapers to improve the landscaping and aesthetics in ERC. Possibly work with local landscape vendors to organize discounts on landscape services for our neighbors. Tennis Activities - Coordinates activities for the tennis courts.
ERC HOA Membership Special Join the ERC HOA and get your next two years worth of dues for free and waiver of the activation fee. A $970.00 value!!! By joining you will gain access to all the ERC amenities including two community pools, tennis courts, sports courts and playgrounds. Additionally, you will be able to attend community parties and other ERC HOA sponsored events and activities. Please contact our property manager, Dan Estep with Community Management Associates (CMA) at
[email protected] or 972.943.2856 for further details.
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Estates of Russell Creek ERC Enews – Are you on the list? One of the goals the ERC Board of Directors has established is to improve communication in the neighborhood. Last month we launched a new enews service and it has been very well received. Approximately once a month we will send an electronic newsletter. The enews contains information about what is happening in our community, landscape tips, community news, and much more. Updates will be sent as needed throughout the month. If there is a crime alert – you will be notified through the enews. If there is new information about an ERC activity – you will be notified through the enews. We encourage all of our neighbors to sign up for this service. Homeowners can sign up for more than one email address, update their information, remove themselves from the list, forward to a friend – all through the email. If you are not signed up yet here is how: • Go to the neighborhood web site: www.estatesofrussellcreek. com • In the box at the top of the page, enter the email address you would like to include or update and select “go”.
• Complete the information form. When you update your personal information, it will ask you to choose which list to join. All of the neighborhood information is sent to the ERC Members list and the ERC Neighbors. If you are NOT a dues paying member of the association, you are an ERC Neighbor. This allows us to periodically send information to Members only, such as information on by-laws; information on member’s only activities; etc. To improve communication, we need to build our list of contacts and work to update everyone’s information. If you are already receiving the enews, please take 30 seconds to update your profile by clicking on the “Update Profile / Email Address” at the bottom of the next enews. If you know of neighbors who are not receiving the email, you may forward it to them by clicking on the “Forward Email” button located on the left side of the enews. You are welcome to add multiple email addresses for your family. To submit information for the enews, send an email to: enews@ estatesofrussellcreek.com
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Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - May 2009
Estates of Russell Creek ERC Pool Rules Now that our community pools are about to open for the summer, it is a good time to remind ERC HOA Members of the established pool rules. In addition, it is important to note that both ERC Swim Clubs require an access card to gain entry. This controlled access system is in place to benefit ERC residents who have paid annual dues for the privilege of using the facilities. ERC members enjoying the pools should not be placed in the uncomfortable position of being asked to open gates by other residents that do not have an access card with them. You need to bring your access card with you if you want to gain entry to the pools. Lost cards can be replaced for a $25.00 fee by contacting CMA management at 972.934.2800. 1. Swim at your own risk. No lifeguard is on duty. 2. The Swim Clubs are available for Swim Club members and their guests only. Four guests are allowed per household. Guests must be accompanied by an adult Swim Club member. ERC residents who are nonSwim Club members are not considered guests. 3. Persons under 13 must be accompanied by an adult that is age 18 or over.* 4. Only children 4 and under are allowed in the children’s pools. 5. No glass containers are allowed in the pool area. No food or beverages may be consumed in the pool. Trash must be placed in the containers provided in the pool area.* 6. Pets are not allowed in the pool area. 7. Appropriate swim apparel is required. Small children who have not been toilet trained must wear sealed waterproof pants or “water diapers” when using the pools.* 8. No hanging on the volleyball nets or the diving area rope. (Bonita Pool) 9. Pool gates are to remain closed. Do not prop open pool gates.* 10. Do not open access gates allowing entry for any other individual(s). 11. Members are personally responsible for any damaged caused by themselves or their guests. 12. Running on the pool deck is prohibited. No horseplay in the pool or on the pool deck. 13. No skateboards, scooters, roller blades or bicycles are allowed in the pool area. 14. No diving. 15. State regulations require that a shower be taken before entering the pool.
16. Pool hours are 8:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. every day. Do not use the pools outside of these times. 17. Members are responsible for their personal belongings. 18. Please report any pool contamination or other problems immediately to CMA management at 972.943.2800. 19. Parties Parties will be allowed at both pools with the following restrictions: • A party is defined as a gathering of people for a specific purpose or celebration (i.e., birthdays, sports teams, playgroups, clubs, etc.) • Parties will be permitted by reservation only. • A $50.00 non-refundable user fee will be charged in advanced. All user fees will be placed in a separate pool fund and will be used exclusively for the pool facilities. • 20 guest maximum. Includes one adult per 5 children under the age of 13. • Parties are limited to off-peak days/times only. This is defined as: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday • Only one party will be allowed at each pool at the designated times above. • A maximum of two tables/8 chairs may be used for parties. (It’s recommended the two furthest tables from the entrance be used.) • CMA management is responsible for all Swim Club reservations. Please contact them with your questions or reservation requests at 972.943.2800. *Plano City ordinances require that these rules must be followed. Violation of any of these ordinances is a misdemeanor offense and is subject to a fine up to $2,000 per violation. All fines imposed by the City of Plano for code violations will be the responsibility of the homeowner of the homeowner in violation. In addition, all first offenses of item #2 through #16 may result in the immediate revocation of Swim Club privileges for a period of two (2) weeks. Second violations will result in revocation of Swim Club privileges for one (l) month. Again, the above rules and policies have been established to ensure the use and enjoyment of the facilities by all Swim Club members. Your observance of them will help in this effort.
Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - May 2009
Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.
Estates of Russell Creek Architecturally Sound by Mike Casole Yes, the Architectural Committee of the ERC Home Owners Association is still around! Though it has been a while since I have written an article for the newsletter, you can expect a more regular Architecturally Sound contribution going forward (and I am sure this will be the highlight of your read). Since the severe windstorm last April and the more recent heavy winds this spring, the replacement of original 1990’s fencing continues. This is a good thing. As our neighborhood matures we must remember it is the appearance of our individual properties that helps keep values steady (love to say up, but you would all laugh at me) and interest high relative to similar neighborhoods. In addition, this may be a good opportunity to remind everyone of what is required for the most common Architectural Committee requests. Storage Sheds - Must submit drawings and specify color, location and materials. Size - 120-sq. ft. maximum. Must not be visible from any street or alley and must be of similar design as the existing home, including roof shingles and trim. Basketball Goals - Must have black poles with clear backboards if visible from the front of the house. Swimming Pools - Must submit detailed plans. Pool
equipment must not be visible from the front of the house. Playhouse/Swing sets - Must submit drawings and specify color, location and materials. Height limit 12 ft. Home Additions - Must submit detailed architectural drawings, colors and building materials. External Fence - Must submit colors of stain being used, painted fences are not permitted. Fence posts must be on the interior if visible from the street. Satellite Dish - Must submit plans including placement. Must not be visible from the front of the home. Driveway Additions - Must submit plans. Must not be visible from front of home. Property additions, landscaping, and other modifications must be tastefully done and meet the appearance standards of the community. Lastly, please remember that overgrown shrubs and vines can obscure your house number. This visible number is often the only way emergency crews can find your home, and Plano City code demands a clear view of this home address to assist fire and rescue efforts. Let’s not risk our lives. Please be sure your house number is visible from the street and, just as important, the alley.
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Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - May 2009
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