Community Contact | Spring 2018

Spring 2018

Community

CONTACT A Resource For Homeowners Associations, Condominiums, Townhomes, and Cooperatives

FEATURING: Lessons from Serving on a POA/ HOA Board Ignorance is not Bliss: Why Are Community Associatoin Volunteer Board Members Sued?

Spring Time Tips for Saving Time and Money

www.dfwcai.org

Protecting your largest investment and your peace of mind for years to come?

Challenge accepted.

Secure your community’s future with national resources and local expertise.

The most successful associations know that fair governance, responsible budgeting and community maintenance are the cornerstone of sound community management because they understand that focusing on these core initiatives is vital to protecting—and even raising—the value of their largest investment: their home.

It takes more than just a provider to deliver the core services and customized solutions necessary to keep a community functioning at the highest level – it takes an experienced partner.

Associa’s national resources and local expertise have uniquely positioned us to help you accomplish your community’s goals. Top-tier management, bulletproof finances, comprehensive maintenance and a customizable menu of additional services ensure your community thrives, and our local, qualified team members are committed to being your trusted advisors every step of the way. You deserve a team that has seen it all and is ready to help your community achieve its vision.

Associa is up for the challenge.

CONTACT US TODAY!

12700 Park Central Drive, Suite 600 Dallas, TX 75251 214.368.4030

9001 Airport Freeway, Suite 450 North Richland Hills, TX 76180 817.451.7300

www.associaonline.com Delivering unsurpassed management and lifestyle services to communities worldwide.

1• CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Protecting your largest investment and your peace of mind for years to come?

Challenge accepted.

Secure your community’s future with national resources and local expertise.

The most successful associations know that fair governance, responsible budgeting and community maintenance are the cornerstone of sound community management because they understand that focusing on these core initiatives is vital to protecting—and even raising—the value of their largest investment: their home.

It takes more than just a provider to deliver the core services and customized solutions necessary to keep a community functioning at the highest level – it takes an experienced partner.

Associa’s national resources and local expertise have uniquely positioned us to help you accomplish your community’s goals. Top-tier management, bulletproof finances, comprehensive maintenance and a customizable menu of additional services ensure your community thrives, and our local, qualified team members are committed to being your trusted advisors every step of the way. You deserve a team that has seen it all and is ready to help your community achieve its vision.

Associa is up for the challenge.

CONTACT US TODAY!

12700 Park Central Drive, Suite 600 Dallas, TX 75251 214.368.4030

9001 Airport Freeway, Suite 450 North Richland Hills, TX 76180 817.451.7300

www.associaonline.com Delivering unsurpassed management and lifestyle services to communities worldwide.

1• CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Community SBB Management Company is dedicated to providing professional homeowners association management and consultation to Texas communities.

Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC)

43 Years of Association Leadership!

• Enduring Client Relationships • Unparalleled Staff Longevity • Industry Leading Technology • Continuing Education Programs • Senior Direct Support Personnel • Robust Accounting Analysis Tools • Mobile Management Platform • Digital Document Management • Family Corporate Culture

CONTACT 8

The Algae Triangle: thout Pesticides Aquatic Plants Wi ement Managing Nuisance Litude Lake Manag SO at ist 12 log Eco

by Gavin Ferris,

.

S E I T

CO

I N U MM

de Show 14 2018 Expo and Tra Board g on a POA/HOA A Lessons from Servin of Lake Kiowa HO er mb Me ard 18 mer Bo

by Dan Busch, For strictions Enforcing Deed Re 22 Sipra Boyd

by Clint Brown and ard Members Sued? atoin Volunteer Bo oci Ass ity un mm s: Why Are Co Ignorance is not Blis , MLIS 30 CIRMS, CCAL Fellow

by Joel W. Meskin,

ney Mo for Saving Time and Spring Time Tips 32 sul Ton c Eri by es Tre for Your - What It Meands orist Soil Management Certified Master Arb 34 ard Bo n, lso Ne y

by Ronn w No me Ho r You f - Pest-Proo Spring is in the Air 36 t Defense Condition

by HomeTeam Pes ncerning a Defective y Taking Action Co Wh y: Eas ver Ne er’s Decisions Are A Property Manag y Forward May be the Only Wa 40 Kenzie Rhody, LLP

by Tom Devine, Mc ck in Personality Put the “Person” Ba 42 n, CMCA; CCMC lso Wi ssa Aly by er mm Su for ady Re Getting Your Pool l Service

O; Champion Poo 46

by Jerry Jurden, CP

n atio tiliz Fer of The Importance

by TreeNewal

50 ews 53 DFW CAI In-The-N Events 54 2018 Calendar of rt Membership Repo

8360 LBJ Freeway, Suite 300 • Dallas, TX 75243 • Phone (972) 960-2800 • Fax (972) 991-6642 www.sbbmanagement.com • emailus@sbbmanagement.com

Find us on Access Your HOA - Anytime, Anywhere

2 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

AAMC®

Community Associations Institute is a national, non-profit, membership organization dedicated to the successful creation and operation of community associations. The Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter was established in 1980 to provide support for the North Texas area. Community Contact is published by the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter of Community Associations Institute and is issued with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering financial, legal, accounting or other professional services, or be construed as a recommendation for any course of action regarding financial, legal, accounting or other professional services by Community Contact or its authors or advertisers. The services of a competent professional should be sought where professional services are required. The articles appearing in Community Contact do not necessarily reflect the opinion of CAI or the DFW Chapter, and acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services.

All contents of Community Contact are protected by copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is expressly prohibited. AAMC, AMS, and PCAM are registered trademarks of Community Associations Institute. CMCA is a registered trademark of the Community Association Managers International Certification Board. Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Use of a term in this publication should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.

Community SBB Management Company is dedicated to providing professional homeowners association management and consultation to Texas communities.

Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC)

43 Years of Association Leadership!

• Enduring Client Relationships • Unparalleled Staff Longevity • Industry Leading Technology • Continuing Education Programs • Senior Direct Support Personnel • Robust Accounting Analysis Tools • Mobile Management Platform • Digital Document Management • Family Corporate Culture

CONTACT 8

The Algae Triangle: thout Pesticides Aquatic Plants Wi ement Managing Nuisance Litude Lake Manag SO at ist 12 log Eco

by Gavin Ferris,

.

S E I T

CO

I N U MM

de Show 14 2018 Expo and Tra Board g on a POA/HOA A Lessons from Servin of Lake Kiowa HO er mb Me ard 18 mer Bo

by Dan Busch, For strictions Enforcing Deed Re 22 Sipra Boyd

by Clint Brown and ard Members Sued? atoin Volunteer Bo oci Ass ity un mm s: Why Are Co Ignorance is not Blis , MLIS 30 CIRMS, CCAL Fellow

by Joel W. Meskin,

ney Mo for Saving Time and Spring Time Tips 32 sul Ton c Eri by es Tre for Your - What It Meands orist Soil Management Certified Master Arb 34 ard Bo n, lso Ne y

by Ronn w No me Ho r You f - Pest-Proo Spring is in the Air 36 t Defense Condition

by HomeTeam Pes ncerning a Defective y Taking Action Co Wh y: Eas ver Ne er’s Decisions Are A Property Manag y Forward May be the Only Wa 40 Kenzie Rhody, LLP

by Tom Devine, Mc ck in Personality Put the “Person” Ba 42 n, CMCA; CCMC lso Wi ssa Aly by er mm Su for ady Re Getting Your Pool l Service

O; Champion Poo 46

by Jerry Jurden, CP

n atio tiliz Fer of The Importance

by TreeNewal

50 ews 53 DFW CAI In-The-N Events 54 2018 Calendar of rt Membership Repo

8360 LBJ Freeway, Suite 300 • Dallas, TX 75243 • Phone (972) 960-2800 • Fax (972) 991-6642 www.sbbmanagement.com • emailus@sbbmanagement.com

Find us on Access Your HOA - Anytime, Anywhere

2 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

AAMC®

Community Associations Institute is a national, non-profit, membership organization dedicated to the successful creation and operation of community associations. The Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter was established in 1980 to provide support for the North Texas area. Community Contact is published by the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter of Community Associations Institute and is issued with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering financial, legal, accounting or other professional services, or be construed as a recommendation for any course of action regarding financial, legal, accounting or other professional services by Community Contact or its authors or advertisers. The services of a competent professional should be sought where professional services are required. The articles appearing in Community Contact do not necessarily reflect the opinion of CAI or the DFW Chapter, and acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services.

All contents of Community Contact are protected by copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is expressly prohibited. AAMC, AMS, and PCAM are registered trademarks of Community Associations Institute. CMCA is a registered trademark of the Community Association Managers International Certification Board. Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Use of a term in this publication should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.

2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2018 ANNUAL SPONSORS SUPER SPONSORS

PRESIDENT Robin Anderson Reconstruction Experts, Inc. robina@reconexp.com PRESIDENT-ELECT Bruce Crawford, AMS, PCAM Insight Association Management, AAMC bcrawford@insightam.com VICE PRESIDENT Anne Bernhardt Park Towers Condominium Association anneb972@gmail.com SECRETARY Chris Broach, CMCA, AMS, PCAM SBB Management, Company, AAMC c.broach@sbbmanagement.com TREASURER Kevin Cavanaugh Cavanaugh and Company, PLLC kcavanaugh@cavanaughcpas.com DIRECTORS Elle Larkin Alliance Association Bank elarkin@allianceassociationbank.com Clayton Hearn Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey, PC chearn@rmwbhlaw.com Worth W. Ross, CMCA, AMS Worth Ross Management Company, AAMC worth@worthross.com

MANAGEMENT James Nicholson, Chapter Executive Director DFW Community Associations Institute 14070 Proton Road, Suite 100 Dallas, TX 75244-3601 (972) 246-3540 www.dfwcai.org office@dfwcai.org

2018 DFW CAI Chapter President Robin Anderson

Benson, Kerrane, Storz, & Nelson, PC Kings III Emergency Communications Lake Management Services SBB Management Company, AAMC DIAMOND SPONSORS CCMC, AAMC CertaPro RTI/Community Management Associates, Inc. “CMA”, AAMC Neighborhood Management, Inc., AAMC Orlando Group Pavecon, Ltd. Worth Ross Management Company PLATINUM SPONSORS Acme Roof Systems Alliance Association Bank Blackmon Mooring/BMS CAT Brightview Landscape Services Classic Construction & Restoration Excel Association Management, Inc., AAMC Globus Management Group Homeowners Association Insurance Managers (A Scarbrough Medlin Company) Magnolia Fisheries & Lone Star Fountains McKenzie Rhody, LLP Mutual of Omaha Bank & Condocerts Pavement Services Timothy, Devolt and Company, PC

2018 DFW CAI Committee Chairpersons Ambassadors of Fun Olivia Hurtado Mutual of Omaha Olivia.Hurtado@mutualofomahabank.com Community Affairs Committee Barbara Thomas, CMCA barbaramcthomas@gmail.com

GOLD SPONSORS BB&T Financial Services Davis-Dyer-Max Fannin Tree Farm Henry Oddo Austin Fletcher, PC Insight Association Management, AAMC Inspections ‘R’ Us Interstate Restoration RealManage Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey, PC SOLitude Lake Management Union Bank

Membership Committee Clayton Hearn Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey, PC chearn@rmwbhlaw.com

SILVER SPONSORS Bob Owens Electric, Inc. Classic Property Management Cornerstone Association Management Services Singer Association Management Texas Disaster Restoration

Expo Committee Betty Clarady Benson, Kerrane, Storz, & Nelson, PC betty@bensonopc.com

BRONZE SPONSORS Advanced Association Management - Allegra Marketing Print Mail - Paul Baker Insurance Agency, Inc. - The Blend Law Firm; Canady & Canady, PC - Cavanaugh & Company, PLLC - Community Association Experts, AAMC - Kraftsman Playground and Park Equipment - Riddle and Williams, PC EDUCATION SPONSORS Excel Association Management, Inc., AAMC Greater Texas Landscapes - Pool Referees - Sheri Wilson Insurance Agency - Southern Botanical

High Rise Managers Forum (Co-Chairs) Worth W. Ross, CMCA, AMS Worth Ross Management Co., AAMC worth@worthross.com

Programming Committee Beverly Coghlan, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Neighborhood Management, Inc., AAMC beverly@nmitx.com Magazine Committee Betty Crudden, CMCA, AMS, PCAM SBB Management, Company, AAMC b.crudden@sbbmanagement.com Golf Committee Jeff Higgins McKenzie Rhody, LLP jhiggins@mrcdlaw.com

5• CONTACT, SPRING 2018

2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2018 ANNUAL SPONSORS SUPER SPONSORS

PRESIDENT Robin Anderson Reconstruction Experts, Inc. robina@reconexp.com PRESIDENT-ELECT Bruce Crawford, AMS, PCAM Insight Association Management, AAMC bcrawford@insightam.com VICE PRESIDENT Anne Bernhardt Park Towers Condominium Association anneb972@gmail.com SECRETARY Chris Broach, CMCA, AMS, PCAM SBB Management, Company, AAMC c.broach@sbbmanagement.com TREASURER Kevin Cavanaugh Cavanaugh and Company, PLLC kcavanaugh@cavanaughcpas.com DIRECTORS Elle Larkin Alliance Association Bank elarkin@allianceassociationbank.com Clayton Hearn Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey, PC chearn@rmwbhlaw.com Worth W. Ross, CMCA, AMS Worth Ross Management Company, AAMC worth@worthross.com

MANAGEMENT James Nicholson, Chapter Executive Director DFW Community Associations Institute 14070 Proton Road, Suite 100 Dallas, TX 75244-3601 (972) 246-3540 www.dfwcai.org office@dfwcai.org

2018 DFW CAI Chapter President Robin Anderson

Benson, Kerrane, Storz, & Nelson, PC Kings III Emergency Communications Lake Management Services SBB Management Company, AAMC DIAMOND SPONSORS CCMC, AAMC CertaPro RTI/Community Management Associates, Inc. “CMA”, AAMC Neighborhood Management, Inc., AAMC Orlando Group Pavecon, Ltd. Worth Ross Management Company PLATINUM SPONSORS Acme Roof Systems Alliance Association Bank Blackmon Mooring/BMS CAT Brightview Landscape Services Classic Construction & Restoration Excel Association Management, Inc., AAMC Globus Management Group Homeowners Association Insurance Managers (A Scarbrough Medlin Company) Magnolia Fisheries & Lone Star Fountains McKenzie Rhody, LLP Mutual of Omaha Bank & Condocerts Pavement Services Timothy, Devolt and Company, PC

2018 DFW CAI Committee Chairpersons Ambassadors of Fun Olivia Hurtado Mutual of Omaha Olivia.Hurtado@mutualofomahabank.com Community Affairs Committee Barbara Thomas, CMCA barbaramcthomas@gmail.com

GOLD SPONSORS BB&T Financial Services Davis-Dyer-Max Fannin Tree Farm Henry Oddo Austin Fletcher, PC Insight Association Management, AAMC Inspections ‘R’ Us Interstate Restoration RealManage Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey, PC SOLitude Lake Management Union Bank

Membership Committee Clayton Hearn Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey, PC chearn@rmwbhlaw.com

SILVER SPONSORS Bob Owens Electric, Inc. Classic Property Management Cornerstone Association Management Services Singer Association Management Texas Disaster Restoration

Expo Committee Betty Clarady Benson, Kerrane, Storz, & Nelson, PC betty@bensonopc.com

BRONZE SPONSORS Advanced Association Management - Allegra Marketing Print Mail - Paul Baker Insurance Agency, Inc. - The Blend Law Firm; Canady & Canady, PC - Cavanaugh & Company, PLLC - Community Association Experts, AAMC - Kraftsman Playground and Park Equipment - Riddle and Williams, PC EDUCATION SPONSORS Excel Association Management, Inc., AAMC Greater Texas Landscapes - Pool Referees - Sheri Wilson Insurance Agency - Southern Botanical

High Rise Managers Forum (Co-Chairs) Worth W. Ross, CMCA, AMS Worth Ross Management Co., AAMC worth@worthross.com

Programming Committee Beverly Coghlan, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Neighborhood Management, Inc., AAMC beverly@nmitx.com Magazine Committee Betty Crudden, CMCA, AMS, PCAM SBB Management, Company, AAMC b.crudden@sbbmanagement.com Golf Committee Jeff Higgins McKenzie Rhody, LLP jhiggins@mrcdlaw.com

5• CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Balconies/Patios Expansive Soils Roof Defects Structural and Foundation Defects Water Intrusion All Other Construction Defect Claims

6 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

7 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Balconies/Patios Expansive Soils Roof Defects Structural and Foundation Defects Water Intrusion All Other Construction Defect Claims

6 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

7 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

The Algae Triangle:

Gavin Ferris, Ecologist at SOLitude Lake Management

Managing Nuisance Aquatic Plants Without Pesticides In addition to thriving in water that receives lots of sunlight, algae and nuisance weeds also flourish in stratified waterbodies. A stagnant, sun-warmed layer floating on top of colder, deeper water can serve as a perfect habitat for undesirable species.

Circulation with a diffused aeration system breaks this stratification and allows the water to mix more evenly, resulting in more consistent temperatures and less warming in the sunlit portions of the water.

Aeration is also effective at improving the health of an aquatic ecosystem in a number of other ways, such as preventing oxygen depletion and fish kills, improving beneficial bacteria levels, and preventing the release of excess nutrients from the sediment. This brings us to the real meat and potatoes of preventative maintenance: nutrient management.

Nuisance algae: Pesticide applications can be a safe and effective strategy to reduce nuisance aquatic weeds and algae, but the most sustainable alternative is proactive management.

I frequently use herbicides and algaecides in my line of work.

Having attended college and graduate school to be an Ecologist, it isn’t something I thought I would do very often, but with the frequency of environmental problems that involve invasive flora, nuisance aquatic weeds and potentially-toxic algae, EPAapproved pesticides are an invaluable tool. There are, however, times when pesticide use is impractical, imprudent, illegal or impossible. Maybe the HOA or property manager prefers that pesticides not be applied to nearby waters. Perhaps the regulatory bodies in a given area aren’t permitting the use of certain products. Whatever the reason, sometimes this option just isn’t on the table. But how do we effectively manage algae and weeds without pesticides?

I employ a simple concept that I call the algae triangle, though it works for all forms of vegetation. If you had the same fire safety lessons in elementary school, you may remember the Fire Triangle, which is based on the idea that three elements are necessary for fire: fuel, oxygen and heat. If you have enough of all three, you’ll ignite a fire. Eliminate any corner of the triangle, and the fire goes out. Similarly, if you have water, sunlight and nutrients, you’ll likely develop some form of algae or vegetation.

If the triangle becomes too imbalanced, the resulting plant species can become a nuisance.

8 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Obviously, in the lake management field, we aren’t removing water from the equation, so establishing balance between each factor is the focus. Putting this concept into practice means understanding how sunlight and nutrients affect the ecology of the waterbody in question. Communities have several natural options to help mitigate against algae and aquatic weed growth, including limiting sunlight, improving water circulation and reducing excess nutrients.

If a stormwater pond receives full sunlight during the growing season, this directly impacts plants and algae by increasing water temperatures and providing the light necessary for photosynthesis. To prevent sunlight from penetrating the water column and stimulating the growth of deep submersed plants and benthic algae, water levels can be increased. Dredging is an effective strategy to increase the depth of a lake or pond, however, it is often the costliest project a community will ever face. Instead, proactive hydro-raking can help maintain existing water depths and prolong the need for dredging by removing unconsolidated muck and organic debris from the bottom of a lake or stormwater pond. Likewise, blue or black pond dye can be applied to reflect sunlight. Pond dye can enhance the aesthetics of a waterbody while simultaneously absorbing sunlight before it can penetrate the waterbody and fuel excessive plant growth.

Phosphorous is the most important nutrient contributing to excess vegetation in lakes and stormwater ponds, and it can enter the water column in runoff containing lawn fertilizers, grass clippings, pet droppings, and waste from faulty septic systems.

A number of nutrient reduction strategies should be considered if water quality tests reveal nutrient levels are too high. A professional lake manager can apply beneficial bacteria to the waterbody to utilize nutrients that would otherwise be available for plant and algae growth. Water quality can also be amended by using products that bind with phosphorous to keep it from becoming fuel for nuisance plants. Additionally, strategically planting desirable buffer vegetation around the shore of the waterbody can help to intercept phosphorus before it enters the water and is absorbed by unwanted vegetation. Your lake manager can help identify buffer plants that are native to your region.

Aeration: Floating fountain aerators provide effective oxygenation in lakes and ponds, which can help reduce undesirable algae by facilitating the conversion of phosphorus to forms that do not sustain algae growth.

When it comes to quickly and effectively managing nuisance aquatic weeds and algae, EPA-approved pesticides can be very useful, and in many instances, they are the safest and most practical option available. Nonetheless, natural and proactive management techniques can be tremendously effective at improving the health and appearance of almost any community waterbody before a problem occurs, which is why it’s important for homeowners associations and property managers to consider sustainable and holistic plant management methods whenever possible.

Gavin Ferris is an Ecologist with SOLitude Lake Management, an environmental firm providing sustainable lake, pond, wetland and fisheries management solutions. Learn more about this topic at www.solitudelakemanagement.com/knowledge.

Hydro-raking: Hydro-raking can be a less invasive and more cost-efficient alternative to traditional dredging, which is often times one of the most expensive projects a community will ever face.

9 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

The Algae Triangle:

Gavin Ferris, Ecologist at SOLitude Lake Management

Managing Nuisance Aquatic Plants Without Pesticides In addition to thriving in water that receives lots of sunlight, algae and nuisance weeds also flourish in stratified waterbodies. A stagnant, sun-warmed layer floating on top of colder, deeper water can serve as a perfect habitat for undesirable species.

Circulation with a diffused aeration system breaks this stratification and allows the water to mix more evenly, resulting in more consistent temperatures and less warming in the sunlit portions of the water.

Aeration is also effective at improving the health of an aquatic ecosystem in a number of other ways, such as preventing oxygen depletion and fish kills, improving beneficial bacteria levels, and preventing the release of excess nutrients from the sediment. This brings us to the real meat and potatoes of preventative maintenance: nutrient management.

Nuisance algae: Pesticide applications can be a safe and effective strategy to reduce nuisance aquatic weeds and algae, but the most sustainable alternative is proactive management.

I frequently use herbicides and algaecides in my line of work.

Having attended college and graduate school to be an Ecologist, it isn’t something I thought I would do very often, but with the frequency of environmental problems that involve invasive flora, nuisance aquatic weeds and potentially-toxic algae, EPAapproved pesticides are an invaluable tool. There are, however, times when pesticide use is impractical, imprudent, illegal or impossible. Maybe the HOA or property manager prefers that pesticides not be applied to nearby waters. Perhaps the regulatory bodies in a given area aren’t permitting the use of certain products. Whatever the reason, sometimes this option just isn’t on the table. But how do we effectively manage algae and weeds without pesticides?

I employ a simple concept that I call the algae triangle, though it works for all forms of vegetation. If you had the same fire safety lessons in elementary school, you may remember the Fire Triangle, which is based on the idea that three elements are necessary for fire: fuel, oxygen and heat. If you have enough of all three, you’ll ignite a fire. Eliminate any corner of the triangle, and the fire goes out. Similarly, if you have water, sunlight and nutrients, you’ll likely develop some form of algae or vegetation.

If the triangle becomes too imbalanced, the resulting plant species can become a nuisance.

8 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Obviously, in the lake management field, we aren’t removing water from the equation, so establishing balance between each factor is the focus. Putting this concept into practice means understanding how sunlight and nutrients affect the ecology of the waterbody in question. Communities have several natural options to help mitigate against algae and aquatic weed growth, including limiting sunlight, improving water circulation and reducing excess nutrients.

If a stormwater pond receives full sunlight during the growing season, this directly impacts plants and algae by increasing water temperatures and providing the light necessary for photosynthesis. To prevent sunlight from penetrating the water column and stimulating the growth of deep submersed plants and benthic algae, water levels can be increased. Dredging is an effective strategy to increase the depth of a lake or pond, however, it is often the costliest project a community will ever face. Instead, proactive hydro-raking can help maintain existing water depths and prolong the need for dredging by removing unconsolidated muck and organic debris from the bottom of a lake or stormwater pond. Likewise, blue or black pond dye can be applied to reflect sunlight. Pond dye can enhance the aesthetics of a waterbody while simultaneously absorbing sunlight before it can penetrate the waterbody and fuel excessive plant growth.

Phosphorous is the most important nutrient contributing to excess vegetation in lakes and stormwater ponds, and it can enter the water column in runoff containing lawn fertilizers, grass clippings, pet droppings, and waste from faulty septic systems.

A number of nutrient reduction strategies should be considered if water quality tests reveal nutrient levels are too high. A professional lake manager can apply beneficial bacteria to the waterbody to utilize nutrients that would otherwise be available for plant and algae growth. Water quality can also be amended by using products that bind with phosphorous to keep it from becoming fuel for nuisance plants. Additionally, strategically planting desirable buffer vegetation around the shore of the waterbody can help to intercept phosphorus before it enters the water and is absorbed by unwanted vegetation. Your lake manager can help identify buffer plants that are native to your region.

Aeration: Floating fountain aerators provide effective oxygenation in lakes and ponds, which can help reduce undesirable algae by facilitating the conversion of phosphorus to forms that do not sustain algae growth.

When it comes to quickly and effectively managing nuisance aquatic weeds and algae, EPA-approved pesticides can be very useful, and in many instances, they are the safest and most practical option available. Nonetheless, natural and proactive management techniques can be tremendously effective at improving the health and appearance of almost any community waterbody before a problem occurs, which is why it’s important for homeowners associations and property managers to consider sustainable and holistic plant management methods whenever possible.

Gavin Ferris is an Ecologist with SOLitude Lake Management, an environmental firm providing sustainable lake, pond, wetland and fisheries management solutions. Learn more about this topic at www.solitudelakemanagement.com/knowledge.

Hydro-raking: Hydro-raking can be a less invasive and more cost-efficient alternative to traditional dredging, which is often times one of the most expensive projects a community will ever face.

9 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

A FAMILY OWNED, FULL-SERVICE GENERAL CONTRACTOR SERVING THE METROPOLEX FOR OVER

If you’ve been affected by a catastrophe, you can count on us to make things right again.

90 YEARS

Fire Restoration

Concrete Repair & Replacement

Flood Restoration

Fascia & Soffit Repairs

Roofing

Brick Wall: Repair & Total Replacement

Construction Defect Consulting:

Drywall & Framing Repairs

Destructive Testing;

Structural Inspection & Repairs

Observations Documentation;

Foundation Repair

Preservation of Evidence

Plumbing, Electrical & HVAC

Complete Property Rehabs

General Building Maintenance

Roof, Window & Door Leak: Investigation & Repair-Infrared Inspections

EMERGENCY SERVICES AVAILABLE 24/7 FULLY INSURED

ClassicConstruction.com 972.272.8740 | 406 South Yale Drive | Garland, Texas 75042 sendmeinfo@classicconstruction.com 10 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

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∙

11 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

A FAMILY OWNED, FULL-SERVICE GENERAL CONTRACTOR SERVING THE METROPOLEX FOR OVER

If you’ve been affected by a catastrophe, you can count on us to make things right again.

90 YEARS

Fire Restoration

Concrete Repair & Replacement

Flood Restoration

Fascia & Soffit Repairs

Roofing

Brick Wall: Repair & Total Replacement

Construction Defect Consulting:

Drywall & Framing Repairs

Destructive Testing;

Structural Inspection & Repairs

Observations Documentation;

Foundation Repair

Preservation of Evidence

Plumbing, Electrical & HVAC

Complete Property Rehabs

General Building Maintenance

Roof, Window & Door Leak: Investigation & Repair-Infrared Inspections

EMERGENCY SERVICES AVAILABLE 24/7 FULLY INSURED

ClassicConstruction.com 972.272.8740 | 406 South Yale Drive | Garland, Texas 75042 sendmeinfo@classicconstruction.com 10 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

∙

∙

11 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

PAINTING. QUALITY. PEACE OF MIND. Focused on the requirements of your property or business, consider CertaPro Painters® as part of your capital improvement plan.

Kevin Adkins CedarHill-Seagoville, TX 972-349-9519 CedarHill-Seagoville.certapro.com

Rich Freddo Lewisville/Flower Mound, TX 972-280-0608 lewisville.certapro.com

Jerry Baker Plano, TX 972-208-8500 plano.certapro.com

Don Lenehan Richardson, TX 972-561-0183 richardson.certapro.com

Gary & Tina Barton Far North TX 972-965-9565 mckinney.certapro.com frisco-denton.certapro.com

Tyler & Tammy Mancuso Rockwall, TX 972-722-0062 rockwall.certapro.com

Gerald Bushong Weatherford/Granbury Texas 817-406-0090 Weatherford.certapro.com Christy Crookes Arlington/Mansfield, TX 469-672-5159 south-arlington-tx.certapro.com

Each CertaPro Painters® business is independently owned and operated.

12 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Terry Plemons Southlake, TX 817-377-9018 southlake.certapro.com Jon Ragsdale North Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 817-652-4000 fortworth.certapro.com Clark Penfold North Central Dallas, TX 214-796-1379 central-dallas.certapro.com

We Do Painting. You Do Life.™

13 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

PAINTING. QUALITY. PEACE OF MIND. Focused on the requirements of your property or business, consider CertaPro Painters® as part of your capital improvement plan.

Kevin Adkins CedarHill-Seagoville, TX 972-349-9519 CedarHill-Seagoville.certapro.com

Rich Freddo Lewisville/Flower Mound, TX 972-280-0608 lewisville.certapro.com

Jerry Baker Plano, TX 972-208-8500 plano.certapro.com

Don Lenehan Richardson, TX 972-561-0183 richardson.certapro.com

Gary & Tina Barton Far North TX 972-965-9565 mckinney.certapro.com frisco-denton.certapro.com

Tyler & Tammy Mancuso Rockwall, TX 972-722-0062 rockwall.certapro.com

Gerald Bushong Weatherford/Granbury Texas 817-406-0090 Weatherford.certapro.com Christy Crookes Arlington/Mansfield, TX 469-672-5159 south-arlington-tx.certapro.com

Each CertaPro Painters® business is independently owned and operated.

12 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Terry Plemons Southlake, TX 817-377-9018 southlake.certapro.com Jon Ragsdale North Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 817-652-4000 fortworth.certapro.com Clark Penfold North Central Dallas, TX 214-796-1379 central-dallas.certapro.com

We Do Painting. You Do Life.™

13 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Lessons from Serving on a POA/HOA Board At the end of a three year term on a large Property owners association board with 2 of those years as President, I wanted to record some of my lessons learned for anyone serving on this type of board.

1. Read, understand, refer back to your governing documents. These would include, rules and regulations, by-laws, covenants etc. Use them during your term and refer to them as needed. This will make sure you follow “the law” and your own rules as you make decisions.

2. Spend time on the financials, understand the cost drivers and reserve funds. The dollars associated with these associations are different from a typical company.

3. Make a difference, accomplish something. Many times it is easy to just show up at board meetings and vote on things. Be able to say “ When I was on the board we did this” ..

4. Emotion rules with members, remember you are the one who needs to stay calm. Do not respond on social media, except to guide people to appropriate meetings or documents.

5. Communicate with members, be available to discuss or meet.

6. Set a vision, and some guiding principles, “improve property appearance or financial reporting or built some gathering places” 7. Conduct and be part of professional meetings. Prepare agendas helps run a professional meeting.

Remember that board meetings are public meetings BUT NOT MEETING OF THE PUBLIC, the board meetings are for the boards to work together and discuss, there may be a public comment session as part of the meeting , or handle those as part of a community meeting.

8. Stay focused on the bigger strategic meetings, giving direction to the operations team and have them execute the plan. Be careful to stay out of the details.

9. Remember that all board members will not agree on all issues. Make a commitment to each other to voice opinions and listen to other points of view, and after the vote, support the board decision and move forward.

10. Enjoy the experience, with a volunteer position there will be times that are very frustrating.

Remember to do what is in the long term best interest of your community.

By Dan Busch Former Board Member of Lake Kiowa HOA

14• CONTACT, SPRING 2018

15 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Lessons from Serving on a POA/HOA Board At the end of a three year term on a large Property owners association board with 2 of those years as President, I wanted to record some of my lessons learned for anyone serving on this type of board.

1. Read, understand, refer back to your governing documents. These would include, rules and regulations, by-laws, covenants etc. Use them during your term and refer to them as needed. This will make sure you follow “the law” and your own rules as you make decisions.

2. Spend time on the financials, understand the cost drivers and reserve funds. The dollars associated with these associations are different from a typical company.

3. Make a difference, accomplish something. Many times it is easy to just show up at board meetings and vote on things. Be able to say “ When I was on the board we did this” ..

4. Emotion rules with members, remember you are the one who needs to stay calm. Do not respond on social media, except to guide people to appropriate meetings or documents.

5. Communicate with members, be available to discuss or meet.

6. Set a vision, and some guiding principles, “improve property appearance or financial reporting or built some gathering places” 7. Conduct and be part of professional meetings. Prepare agendas helps run a professional meeting.

Remember that board meetings are public meetings BUT NOT MEETING OF THE PUBLIC, the board meetings are for the boards to work together and discuss, there may be a public comment session as part of the meeting , or handle those as part of a community meeting.

8. Stay focused on the bigger strategic meetings, giving direction to the operations team and have them execute the plan. Be careful to stay out of the details.

9. Remember that all board members will not agree on all issues. Make a commitment to each other to voice opinions and listen to other points of view, and after the vote, support the board decision and move forward.

10. Enjoy the experience, with a volunteer position there will be times that are very frustrating.

Remember to do what is in the long term best interest of your community.

By Dan Busch Former Board Member of Lake Kiowa HOA

14• CONTACT, SPRING 2018

15 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

retail | office | mixed-use | multi-family | civic | education healthcare | lodging & hospitality

www.cleanscapes.net | info@cleanscapes.net 16 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

17 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

retail | office | mixed-use | multi-family | civic | education healthcare | lodging & hospitality

www.cleanscapes.net | info@cleanscapes.net 16 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

17 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Enforcing Deed Restrictions

Clint Brown and Sipra Boyd

could quickly deplete maintenance funds. In order to be entitled to reimbursement of its attorneys’ fees, community associations must follow the law. Fortunately, there are several statutes which give community associations the right to recover attorneys’ fees for the enforcement of deed restrictions if legal help becomes necessary.

Section 209.006 of the Texas Property Code provides detailed disclosures required to be given by community associations prior to the recovery of attorneys’ fees for deed restriction violations.

It also makes a distinction between curable and incurable violations while laying out the detailed notice procedure.

Namely, the association must send the violating owner notice by verified mail outlining the following: (1) a description of the violation; (2) a reasonable period to cure the violation (unless the violation is incurable as defined by the statute); (3) a right to request a hearing in front of the board to discuss the violation; (4) notice that the owner may have special rights if the owner is serving in active military duty; and (5) specify the date by which the owner must cure the violation (“209 Letter”).

The statute requires different disclosures for incurable violations.

Incurable violations are defined in the statute and recognize the difficultly with mandating a reasonable period to cure for violations that are not of a reoccurring nature such as shooting fireworks or garage sales.

Cut your grass, maintain your landscaping, weed your flower beds, you want to paint your house what color?! These are some typical examples of deed restrictions either requiring some sort of action on the part of the homeowner or preventing other actions. Currently, over 65 million American homeowners have these types of deed restrictions attached to their property.

Originally, deed restrictions were written directly into deeds when property was first transferred but have since evolved into substantive stand along documents dictating what homeowners may or may not do to their properties. In some master planned communities, each section has a unique set of deed restrictions which may supplement the master set of deed restrictions and are often enforced by a sub-association, creating a complex set of governing documents. Community associations are straddled with the often difficult task of both enforcing and interpreting restrictions.

Unfortunately, over the past few decades community associations have received negative media attention due to a variety of issues. To ensure legal compliance with laws and encourage the practical application of the restrictions, it has become paramount for legal counsel and management companies to assist community associations with enforcement, interpretation, and compliance of their deed restrictions.

In the event any Person shall violate or attempt to violate any of the provisions of the Declaration, the Association, each Owner of a Lot within the Subdivision, or any portion thereof, may institute and prosecute any proceeding at law or in equity to abate, preempt or enjoin any such violation or attempted violation or to recover monetary damages caused by such violation or attempted violation.

The lack of these types of provisions may signal an issue, require a deeper review of the restrictions, or force reliance on a statute to determine if enforcement rights exist. Providing for the creation of a community association should be a precursor to the right of the community association to enforce the restrictions.

Enforcement Process

This article will discuss enforcement rights and general procedures to follow for effective enforcement.

Assuming the community association is properly created and existing, both restrictions and the law can be laden with traps for the inexperienced enforcer. Community associations should first attempt to gain compliance by initiating a simple enforcement protocol providing for a series of letters to the non-compliant owner. Often, a few friendly reminders may encourage compliance. However, if an owner ignores these requests for compliance, an ill-maintained exterior or unapproved construction could quickly escalate to the need for legal assistance.

Enforcement Authority

A. Texas Property Code Section 209.006

When a person or entity purchases property within a deed restricted community, they are automatically charged with knowledge of any properly recorded restrictions and their contents. Typically, restrictions provide for the creation of a community association which is endowed with the power to enforce deed restrictions by express right. The following is an example of a common provision for enforcement:

Prior to turning to the association’s counsel for enforcement, community associations for single-family and townhome communities must send at least one letter with several required disclosures before the association may recover any attorneys’ fees incurred in enforcement. Although community associations may have the express right to enforce restrictions, using an attorney to assist with prosecution if it becomes necessary

18 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

violation. The statute explicitly provides that the 209 hearing is “to discuss and verify facts and resolve the matter in issue.”

The board should avoid arguing with the owner and take time to deliberate as a board to determine how it should proceed once the hearing is over. If the owner elects to involve counsel, the association should consider having its counsel present with the understanding that any attorneys’ fees incurred by the association prior to the conclusion of the 209 hearing are not recoverable.

3. Curable vs. Incurable In recent years, community associations have struggled with the cure period when dealing with violations such as shooting fireworks, property damage or garage sales because these violations cannot logically be given a reasonable period to cure.

Recognizing this frustration, in 2015 the legislature attempted to give associations some assistance with this issue. Although an owner is still entitled to request a hearing for the violation, the association is no longer required to give the owner a reasonable period to cure the violation. Therefore, associations can immediately assess fines or suspend common area privileges before the 209 hearing. Additionally, associations are not required to specify the date by which the owner must cure the violation if it poses a threat to public health or safety.

1. Notice

4. The 209 Letter Exception

Notice should be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested (CMRRR) or some other similar method providing for proof of delivery. The association is not required to ensure the owner actually receives the notice. Since owners routinely fail to either receive CMRRR notice or pick up the notice after initial delivery attempts fail, sending the 209 Letter by regular, first-class mail as well could assist with achieving compliance and ensure actual notice.

In the same vein as incurable violations, an owner who is proceeding with unapproved construction or committing other violations which may result in irreparable injury to the association if it is required to wait thirty (30) days for the owner to request a hearing, an association is not required to send a 209 Letter before filing an application for a temporary restraining order (TRO) or temporary injunction (TI) against an owner for a violation. If the association files suit seeking a TRO or TI, the association will not be precluded from recovering attorneys’ fees for failing to send the 209 Letter. Although some notice, possibly in the form of a cease and desist hand-couriered letter, is still advisable, it is not required. In fact, courts routinely require some sort of pre-suit notice to the defendant prior to granting relief during ex-parte proceedings such as TROs, which, by its nature, is supposed to be an ex parte proceeding.

For urgent or critical issues, the association may choose to have the notice hand delivered through a courier service.

The 209 Letter should clearly describe the violations.

Homeowners often complain that the letter was confusing or unclear often resulting in additional frustrations during an already tense period. Including time and date-stamped pictures of the violations with the 209 Letter also assists with identifying the violation and could protect the association if litigation becomes necessary. Associations must also ensure that the period to cure is reasonable in relations to the violation and should allow owners additional time to correct violations if requested.

2. 209 Hearing If and when an owner requests a hearing, the Board must advise the owner about the date, time and location of the hearing no later than ten (10) days before the hearing. The hearing must occur within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the request although postponements may be allowed. If the hearing is in front of a committee as opposed to the board, the owner must be notified of owner’s right to appeal the decision of the committee to the board.

Setting up standard protocols for the 209 hearing procedure is critical. In addition, the board or committee should provide a safe and respectful space for the owner to address the

Associations may not recover attorneys’ fees incurred before the conclusion of the 209 hearing or until the expiration of time period given to the owner to request a hearing in front of the board. It is obvious that the Texas legislature feels it necessary to protect homeowners in the arena of deed restriction enforcement by requiring associations to employ a protracted and detailed procedure before being entitled to recover attorneys’ fees. Community associations should work closely with their attorneys to ensure that the 209 Letter strictly follows the letter of the law. Careless errors in the 209 Letter may cause additional frustrations in the enforcement process and could result in the denial of the recovery of attorneys’ fees incurred by the association.

Overall, by following the proper state law procedures and enforcing deed restrictions consistently and fairly to the community as a whole, community associations will ensure healthy property values and happy homeowners for years to come.

19 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Enforcing Deed Restrictions

Clint Brown and Sipra Boyd

could quickly deplete maintenance funds. In order to be entitled to reimbursement of its attorneys’ fees, community associations must follow the law. Fortunately, there are several statutes which give community associations the right to recover attorneys’ fees for the enforcement of deed restrictions if legal help becomes necessary.

Section 209.006 of the Texas Property Code provides detailed disclosures required to be given by community associations prior to the recovery of attorneys’ fees for deed restriction violations.

It also makes a distinction between curable and incurable violations while laying out the detailed notice procedure.

Namely, the association must send the violating owner notice by verified mail outlining the following: (1) a description of the violation; (2) a reasonable period to cure the violation (unless the violation is incurable as defined by the statute); (3) a right to request a hearing in front of the board to discuss the violation; (4) notice that the owner may have special rights if the owner is serving in active military duty; and (5) specify the date by which the owner must cure the violation (“209 Letter”).

The statute requires different disclosures for incurable violations.

Incurable violations are defined in the statute and recognize the difficultly with mandating a reasonable period to cure for violations that are not of a reoccurring nature such as shooting fireworks or garage sales.

Cut your grass, maintain your landscaping, weed your flower beds, you want to paint your house what color?! These are some typical examples of deed restrictions either requiring some sort of action on the part of the homeowner or preventing other actions. Currently, over 65 million American homeowners have these types of deed restrictions attached to their property.

Originally, deed restrictions were written directly into deeds when property was first transferred but have since evolved into substantive stand along documents dictating what homeowners may or may not do to their properties. In some master planned communities, each section has a unique set of deed restrictions which may supplement the master set of deed restrictions and are often enforced by a sub-association, creating a complex set of governing documents. Community associations are straddled with the often difficult task of both enforcing and interpreting restrictions.

Unfortunately, over the past few decades community associations have received negative media attention due to a variety of issues. To ensure legal compliance with laws and encourage the practical application of the restrictions, it has become paramount for legal counsel and management companies to assist community associations with enforcement, interpretation, and compliance of their deed restrictions.

In the event any Person shall violate or attempt to violate any of the provisions of the Declaration, the Association, each Owner of a Lot within the Subdivision, or any portion thereof, may institute and prosecute any proceeding at law or in equity to abate, preempt or enjoin any such violation or attempted violation or to recover monetary damages caused by such violation or attempted violation.

The lack of these types of provisions may signal an issue, require a deeper review of the restrictions, or force reliance on a statute to determine if enforcement rights exist. Providing for the creation of a community association should be a precursor to the right of the community association to enforce the restrictions.

Enforcement Process

This article will discuss enforcement rights and general procedures to follow for effective enforcement.

Assuming the community association is properly created and existing, both restrictions and the law can be laden with traps for the inexperienced enforcer. Community associations should first attempt to gain compliance by initiating a simple enforcement protocol providing for a series of letters to the non-compliant owner. Often, a few friendly reminders may encourage compliance. However, if an owner ignores these requests for compliance, an ill-maintained exterior or unapproved construction could quickly escalate to the need for legal assistance.

Enforcement Authority

A. Texas Property Code Section 209.006

When a person or entity purchases property within a deed restricted community, they are automatically charged with knowledge of any properly recorded restrictions and their contents. Typically, restrictions provide for the creation of a community association which is endowed with the power to enforce deed restrictions by express right. The following is an example of a common provision for enforcement:

Prior to turning to the association’s counsel for enforcement, community associations for single-family and townhome communities must send at least one letter with several required disclosures before the association may recover any attorneys’ fees incurred in enforcement. Although community associations may have the express right to enforce restrictions, using an attorney to assist with prosecution if it becomes necessary

18 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

violation. The statute explicitly provides that the 209 hearing is “to discuss and verify facts and resolve the matter in issue.”

The board should avoid arguing with the owner and take time to deliberate as a board to determine how it should proceed once the hearing is over. If the owner elects to involve counsel, the association should consider having its counsel present with the understanding that any attorneys’ fees incurred by the association prior to the conclusion of the 209 hearing are not recoverable.

3. Curable vs. Incurable In recent years, community associations have struggled with the cure period when dealing with violations such as shooting fireworks, property damage or garage sales because these violations cannot logically be given a reasonable period to cure.

Recognizing this frustration, in 2015 the legislature attempted to give associations some assistance with this issue. Although an owner is still entitled to request a hearing for the violation, the association is no longer required to give the owner a reasonable period to cure the violation. Therefore, associations can immediately assess fines or suspend common area privileges before the 209 hearing. Additionally, associations are not required to specify the date by which the owner must cure the violation if it poses a threat to public health or safety.

1. Notice

4. The 209 Letter Exception

Notice should be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested (CMRRR) or some other similar method providing for proof of delivery. The association is not required to ensure the owner actually receives the notice. Since owners routinely fail to either receive CMRRR notice or pick up the notice after initial delivery attempts fail, sending the 209 Letter by regular, first-class mail as well could assist with achieving compliance and ensure actual notice.

In the same vein as incurable violations, an owner who is proceeding with unapproved construction or committing other violations which may result in irreparable injury to the association if it is required to wait thirty (30) days for the owner to request a hearing, an association is not required to send a 209 Letter before filing an application for a temporary restraining order (TRO) or temporary injunction (TI) against an owner for a violation. If the association files suit seeking a TRO or TI, the association will not be precluded from recovering attorneys’ fees for failing to send the 209 Letter. Although some notice, possibly in the form of a cease and desist hand-couriered letter, is still advisable, it is not required. In fact, courts routinely require some sort of pre-suit notice to the defendant prior to granting relief during ex-parte proceedings such as TROs, which, by its nature, is supposed to be an ex parte proceeding.

For urgent or critical issues, the association may choose to have the notice hand delivered through a courier service.

The 209 Letter should clearly describe the violations.

Homeowners often complain that the letter was confusing or unclear often resulting in additional frustrations during an already tense period. Including time and date-stamped pictures of the violations with the 209 Letter also assists with identifying the violation and could protect the association if litigation becomes necessary. Associations must also ensure that the period to cure is reasonable in relations to the violation and should allow owners additional time to correct violations if requested.

2. 209 Hearing If and when an owner requests a hearing, the Board must advise the owner about the date, time and location of the hearing no later than ten (10) days before the hearing. The hearing must occur within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the request although postponements may be allowed. If the hearing is in front of a committee as opposed to the board, the owner must be notified of owner’s right to appeal the decision of the committee to the board.

Setting up standard protocols for the 209 hearing procedure is critical. In addition, the board or committee should provide a safe and respectful space for the owner to address the

Associations may not recover attorneys’ fees incurred before the conclusion of the 209 hearing or until the expiration of time period given to the owner to request a hearing in front of the board. It is obvious that the Texas legislature feels it necessary to protect homeowners in the arena of deed restriction enforcement by requiring associations to employ a protracted and detailed procedure before being entitled to recover attorneys’ fees. Community associations should work closely with their attorneys to ensure that the 209 Letter strictly follows the letter of the law. Careless errors in the 209 Letter may cause additional frustrations in the enforcement process and could result in the denial of the recovery of attorneys’ fees incurred by the association.

Overall, by following the proper state law procedures and enforcing deed restrictions consistently and fairly to the community as a whole, community associations will ensure healthy property values and happy homeowners for years to come.

19 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Call the Commercial Insurance Specialist Today!

WATER & FLOOD DAMAGE RESTORATION SEWAGE CLE ANUP

Paul Baker Insurance Agency, Inc.

FIRE / SMOKE RESTORATION MOLD & A SBESTOS REMEDIATION CRIME SCENE / TRAUMA CLE AN-UP

Specializing in insurance for community associations of all sizes throughout Texas for 55 years.

4 Master Policies 4 D&O 4 Commercial Umbrellas 4 Fidelity Bonds 4 24-hour Claims Service 4 CAI Member

4 Personal Lines program home, auto, life, health and umbrella coverages 4 Condo unit owners and renters coverage available 4 Vendor referrals on request

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TexasDisasterRestoration.com 20 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Call (972) 271-9502 today!

Make Sure Your Condo Association Insurance is a Great Fit! 1449 Forest Lane s Garland, Texas 75042 Office (972) 271-9502

Fax (972) 271-8758

Residence21 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018 (972) 475-8261

Call the Commercial Insurance Specialist Today!

WATER & FLOOD DAMAGE RESTORATION SEWAGE CLE ANUP

Paul Baker Insurance Agency, Inc.

FIRE / SMOKE RESTORATION MOLD & A SBESTOS REMEDIATION CRIME SCENE / TRAUMA CLE AN-UP

Specializing in insurance for community associations of all sizes throughout Texas for 55 years.

4 Master Policies 4 D&O 4 Commercial Umbrellas 4 Fidelity Bonds 4 24-hour Claims Service 4 CAI Member

4 Personal Lines program home, auto, life, health and umbrella coverages 4 Condo unit owners and renters coverage available 4 Vendor referrals on request

4 Ask about our discounts!

2270 Springlake Rd. Ste 40 0 Farmers Branch, TX 75234 (214)227-7530 • (214)989-7674 kayelyn@texasdisasterrestoration.com

TexasDisasterRestoration.com 20 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Call (972) 271-9502 today!

Make Sure Your Condo Association Insurance is a Great Fit! 1449 Forest Lane s Garland, Texas 75042 Office (972) 271-9502

Fax (972) 271-8758

Residence21 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018 (972) 475-8261

Ignorance is not Bliss: Why Are Community Association Volunteer Board Members Sued?

By Joel W. Meskin, Esq., CIRMS, CCAL Fellow, MLIS 2018 © Joel W. Meskin

Volunteer board members are often baffled and incredulous when someone challenges or complains about a decision that they have made, a rule that they have been changed, or a special assessment that they have issued. I have touched in one way or another between five and six thousand claims and/ or lawsuits against community Associations and their volunteer board members. As I travel around the country, people ask me what I have been able to distill from all these claims. Without skipping a beat, I respond by telling them that “ignorance is not bliss”!

The “ignorance” I refer to is twofold. First, unit owners do not read the governing documents they have agreed to comply with prior to purchasing their home in a common interest association.

In most cases, these unit owners probably do not read the governing documents until they have an issue with the board, the association or their neighbors.

Practice Pointer 1: read the governing documents before you buy; ignorance of the governing documents is not a defense and an association member is presumed to have read the documents he or she has agreed to when they purchased their unit.

Second, the volunteer board members turn their volunteer board position into something beyond its purpose and their authority.

This is further exacerbated by the fact that these volunteer board members are often the same unit owners that have not read the governing documents.

Practice Pointer 2: Each association member who wants to join the board should be required to confirm that he or she has read the governing documents before agreeing to become a board member.

22 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

What comes to mind each time this twofold dilemma comes up is a pearl of wisdom my father used to share with me. He would say “why do people never have time to do things right in the first place, but always have time to fix them”?

Practice Pointer 3: Each board should have an annual board training, even those who have been on the board. The value of an annual training far outweighs the cost, if any, as well as the effort. Both items will lead to both monetary and time savings when the board knows how to operate the board. The National CAI has great resources as well as on demand video courses on training. There is no excuse for not taking the time to prepare for a board position.

I tell boards and managers that in the normal course a board meeting should not take more than an hour. Yes, certain issues create exceptions, but that should in fact be an “exception.” In response, I often hear “yah, right.” The key is for board members to understand their obligation, responsibility and treat the management of the association as the business it is.

The board is a body comprised of individuals that is charged to manage the association pursuant to the by-laws and relevant statutes. The board is a body that makes decisions and policies and delegates to the individual who will carry out the delegated matter. When a board member exits the properly noticed board meeting, they have NO authority to act in their capacity as a board member except pursuant to the delegated authority expressly given them by the board during a properly noticed board meeting, or proper consent to act without a meeting.

Remember, each board member has “one” vote whether he or she is also an officer of the association such as the president, Vice President or other.

Most delegated tasks by the board are given to the community association manager if there is one, or employees. Sometimes, there is no CAM or employee, and the action is delegated to a volunteer board member or other association member volunteer.

In that case, the board member is carrying out the delegated action as a “volunteer” and not in his or her capacity as a board member.

Practice Pointer 4: Remember, a board member is not an employee, and apathy is not a defense. If the board member says I have to do it, because no one else will. However, if no one else will, there is a deeper issue that must be addressed, because again the “volunteer board member or “other volunteer” is not an employee. If no one will step up, the board should hire a management company or an employee. If the board is not willing to do that, then the board should go to court and seek a receiver which will end up costing the board and the association the money they did not otherwise want to spend. At the end of the day, the board is charged with protecting the association’s assets and must take the steps to do so.

In addition to understanding the role as a board member, the following are additional practices that will help simplify and shorten a board meeting.

• The board members must open, read and prepare questions, if any, on the issues to be addressed on the agenda. The single biggest waste of time in board meetings are board members who come unprepared and spend time getting up to speed during the meeting.

• Adopt a form of Roberts Rules of Order and stick to them.

Even if the board are close friends and the use of rules seems awkward, the day a rogue unit owner or someone not playing

with a full deck shows up, having in place a consistent set of rules will be worth its weight in gold. If rule are first used with respect to a specific individual, the door to discriminatory application of rules is opened. These rules should include a limited time for speaking by unit owners at a board meeting.

• Have a prepared agenda and stick to the agenda. If there are items that are not on the agenda, they should be tabled for another meeting.

• Do not tolerate a lack of civility or an individual who insists on disrupting a meeting. Do not engage that individual and adjourn the meeting to discuss further action with counsel.

Counsel may need to seek a court order. A court may require a security guard and put the cost on the disrupter.

• Just because someone asks a question does not mean an answer must be given. There may be questions out of order or otherwise inappropriate. This is why an established set of rules are warranted.

• Whenever possible, even if an open meeting is not required by the governing documents or statute, have an open meeting to avoid any appearance of secrecy or conspiracy.

• Prepare a short video regarding “life in our community.”

This can identify the governing documents, identify how the association is managed and who is eligible for the board and rules they may be unique to this association or to life in a common interest development.

Understanding the board’s duties and obligations and making sure unit owners receive, read and ask questions about governing documents is the best risk management tool the association can use.

23 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Ignorance is not Bliss: Why Are Community Association Volunteer Board Members Sued?

By Joel W. Meskin, Esq., CIRMS, CCAL Fellow, MLIS 2018 © Joel W. Meskin

Volunteer board members are often baffled and incredulous when someone challenges or complains about a decision that they have made, a rule that they have been changed, or a special assessment that they have issued. I have touched in one way or another between five and six thousand claims and/ or lawsuits against community Associations and their volunteer board members. As I travel around the country, people ask me what I have been able to distill from all these claims. Without skipping a beat, I respond by telling them that “ignorance is not bliss”!

The “ignorance” I refer to is twofold. First, unit owners do not read the governing documents they have agreed to comply with prior to purchasing their home in a common interest association.

In most cases, these unit owners probably do not read the governing documents until they have an issue with the board, the association or their neighbors.

Practice Pointer 1: read the governing documents before you buy; ignorance of the governing documents is not a defense and an association member is presumed to have read the documents he or she has agreed to when they purchased their unit.

Second, the volunteer board members turn their volunteer board position into something beyond its purpose and their authority.

This is further exacerbated by the fact that these volunteer board members are often the same unit owners that have not read the governing documents.

Practice Pointer 2: Each association member who wants to join the board should be required to confirm that he or she has read the governing documents before agreeing to become a board member.

22 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

What comes to mind each time this twofold dilemma comes up is a pearl of wisdom my father used to share with me. He would say “why do people never have time to do things right in the first place, but always have time to fix them”?

Practice Pointer 3: Each board should have an annual board training, even those who have been on the board. The value of an annual training far outweighs the cost, if any, as well as the effort. Both items will lead to both monetary and time savings when the board knows how to operate the board. The National CAI has great resources as well as on demand video courses on training. There is no excuse for not taking the time to prepare for a board position.

I tell boards and managers that in the normal course a board meeting should not take more than an hour. Yes, certain issues create exceptions, but that should in fact be an “exception.” In response, I often hear “yah, right.” The key is for board members to understand their obligation, responsibility and treat the management of the association as the business it is.

The board is a body comprised of individuals that is charged to manage the association pursuant to the by-laws and relevant statutes. The board is a body that makes decisions and policies and delegates to the individual who will carry out the delegated matter. When a board member exits the properly noticed board meeting, they have NO authority to act in their capacity as a board member except pursuant to the delegated authority expressly given them by the board during a properly noticed board meeting, or proper consent to act without a meeting.

Remember, each board member has “one” vote whether he or she is also an officer of the association such as the president, Vice President or other.

Most delegated tasks by the board are given to the community association manager if there is one, or employees. Sometimes, there is no CAM or employee, and the action is delegated to a volunteer board member or other association member volunteer.

In that case, the board member is carrying out the delegated action as a “volunteer” and not in his or her capacity as a board member.

Practice Pointer 4: Remember, a board member is not an employee, and apathy is not a defense. If the board member says I have to do it, because no one else will. However, if no one else will, there is a deeper issue that must be addressed, because again the “volunteer board member or “other volunteer” is not an employee. If no one will step up, the board should hire a management company or an employee. If the board is not willing to do that, then the board should go to court and seek a receiver which will end up costing the board and the association the money they did not otherwise want to spend. At the end of the day, the board is charged with protecting the association’s assets and must take the steps to do so.

In addition to understanding the role as a board member, the following are additional practices that will help simplify and shorten a board meeting.

• The board members must open, read and prepare questions, if any, on the issues to be addressed on the agenda. The single biggest waste of time in board meetings are board members who come unprepared and spend time getting up to speed during the meeting.

• Adopt a form of Roberts Rules of Order and stick to them.

Even if the board are close friends and the use of rules seems awkward, the day a rogue unit owner or someone not playing

with a full deck shows up, having in place a consistent set of rules will be worth its weight in gold. If rule are first used with respect to a specific individual, the door to discriminatory application of rules is opened. These rules should include a limited time for speaking by unit owners at a board meeting.

• Have a prepared agenda and stick to the agenda. If there are items that are not on the agenda, they should be tabled for another meeting.

• Do not tolerate a lack of civility or an individual who insists on disrupting a meeting. Do not engage that individual and adjourn the meeting to discuss further action with counsel.

Counsel may need to seek a court order. A court may require a security guard and put the cost on the disrupter.

• Just because someone asks a question does not mean an answer must be given. There may be questions out of order or otherwise inappropriate. This is why an established set of rules are warranted.

• Whenever possible, even if an open meeting is not required by the governing documents or statute, have an open meeting to avoid any appearance of secrecy or conspiracy.

• Prepare a short video regarding “life in our community.”

This can identify the governing documents, identify how the association is managed and who is eligible for the board and rules they may be unique to this association or to life in a common interest development.

Understanding the board’s duties and obligations and making sure unit owners receive, read and ask questions about governing documents is the best risk management tool the association can use.

23 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

A Resident Expert in your Landscape Creating a place that feels like home starts from

Community.

Well Served.

the ground up. Enlist a skilled team with deep expertise in creating outdoor spaces that impress and ensure your community is a coveted place to live. With thoughtful planning and an unwavering attention to detail, we ensure your community’s

Knowledge. Expertise. Value.

goals are met and resident satisfaction is high.

What Are You Looking For in a Management Company?

Contact Us

When it comes to protecting the value of your neighborhood, consider a company that:

One Partner for All your Landscape Needs Design

•

Develop

•

Maintain

•

Enhance

Drew Dunn 817-430-4848 Drew.Dunn@brightview.com www.brightview.com

• Adheres to the highest ethical standards • Possesses an outstanding reputation and more than a quarter century of experience • Employs top-notch, professionally qualified staff • Strives to enhance the appeal and value of your property CMA serves a wide variety of communities including single family, masterplanned communities, condominiums, townhomes, mid-rise, mixed use communities and commercial/retail properties.

Founded in 1983, CMA has grown to be one of the largest locally owned management companies in the Metroplex.

Contact: Jean Sloan (972) 943-2848 or visit us online at: www.cmamanagement.com

AAMC

ACCREDITED ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Community. Well Served. ©2018 RTI/Community Management Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

24 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

25 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

A Resident Expert in your Landscape Creating a place that feels like home starts from

Community.

Well Served.

the ground up. Enlist a skilled team with deep expertise in creating outdoor spaces that impress and ensure your community is a coveted place to live. With thoughtful planning and an unwavering attention to detail, we ensure your community’s

Knowledge. Expertise. Value.

goals are met and resident satisfaction is high.

What Are You Looking For in a Management Company?

Contact Us

When it comes to protecting the value of your neighborhood, consider a company that:

One Partner for All your Landscape Needs Design

•

Develop

•

Maintain

•

Enhance

Drew Dunn 817-430-4848 Drew.Dunn@brightview.com www.brightview.com

• Adheres to the highest ethical standards • Possesses an outstanding reputation and more than a quarter century of experience • Employs top-notch, professionally qualified staff • Strives to enhance the appeal and value of your property CMA serves a wide variety of communities including single family, masterplanned communities, condominiums, townhomes, mid-rise, mixed use communities and commercial/retail properties.

Founded in 1983, CMA has grown to be one of the largest locally owned management companies in the Metroplex.

Contact: Jean Sloan (972) 943-2848 or visit us online at: www.cmamanagement.com

AAMC

ACCREDITED ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Community. Well Served. ©2018 RTI/Community Management Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

24 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

25 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

More members of the College of Community Association Lawyers than any other law firm in America

Gregory S. Cagle Josh Bolen

Lincoln Hobbs*

Curtis S. Ekmark* Scott Carpenter

James Hazlewood

Michael Nagle*

A Full Service Community Association and Business Law Firm Aggressive Enforcement | General Counsel | Collections | Construction Defects Litigation/Insurance Defense | Free Education | Legislative Advocates

Austin | Dallas | San Antonio Arizona | California | Colorado | Texas | Utah

CCHLaw.com | 877.336.0228 *Not licensed in Texas

26 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

27 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

More members of the College of Community Association Lawyers than any other law firm in America

Gregory S. Cagle Josh Bolen

Lincoln Hobbs*

Curtis S. Ekmark* Scott Carpenter

James Hazlewood

Michael Nagle*

A Full Service Community Association and Business Law Firm Aggressive Enforcement | General Counsel | Collections | Construction Defects Litigation/Insurance Defense | Free Education | Legislative Advocates

Austin | Dallas | San Antonio Arizona | California | Colorado | Texas | Utah

CCHLaw.com | 877.336.0228 *Not licensed in Texas

26 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

27 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

BRING YOUR POND Service that sets the industry standard TO LIFE! since 1991 Not Your Average CPAs Our friendly, personalized service and exceptional support set us apart from the rest.

Shelters

Since 1985 we have been providing condominium and homeowner associations with the following: ▪ Audit Services

▪ Income Tax Preparation

▪ Review Services

▪ Franchise Tax Preparation

▪ Compilations

▪ Annual Vote Counts

▪ Bookkeeping

▪ Consultation

Site Furnishings

Contact us today for a free initial consultation

AFS Certified Biologists Aquatic Weed Control Floating Fountain Sales Fish for Stocking Waterfall Pumps Fountain Repair

MAGNOLIA

FISHERIES

LONE STAR FOUNTAINS

magnoliafisheries.com lonestarfountains.com

972.724.0071

www.timothydevolt.com | OFFICE 972-980-4315 clientsupport@timothydevolt.com 4099 McEwen Road, Suite 130 Farmers Branch, TX 75244

Playgrounds

Safety Surfacing

• • • • •

FREE Site Design Visits FREE Estimates FREE Project Mgmt.

FREE Maint. Training FREE Annual Inspections

800-726-1816 www.playwellgroup.com 28 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

29 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

BRING YOUR POND Service that sets the industry standard TO LIFE! since 1991 Not Your Average CPAs Our friendly, personalized service and exceptional support set us apart from the rest.

Shelters

Since 1985 we have been providing condominium and homeowner associations with the following: ▪ Audit Services

▪ Income Tax Preparation

▪ Review Services

▪ Franchise Tax Preparation

▪ Compilations

▪ Annual Vote Counts

▪ Bookkeeping

▪ Consultation

Site Furnishings

Contact us today for a free initial consultation

AFS Certified Biologists Aquatic Weed Control Floating Fountain Sales Fish for Stocking Waterfall Pumps Fountain Repair

MAGNOLIA

FISHERIES

LONE STAR FOUNTAINS

magnoliafisheries.com lonestarfountains.com

972.724.0071

www.timothydevolt.com | OFFICE 972-980-4315 clientsupport@timothydevolt.com 4099 McEwen Road, Suite 130 Farmers Branch, TX 75244

Playgrounds

Safety Surfacing

• • • • •

FREE Site Design Visits FREE Estimates FREE Project Mgmt.

FREE Maint. Training FREE Annual Inspections

800-726-1816 www.playwellgroup.com 28 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

29 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Creating a Better World through The SOLution We’re Making a Difference in the World... And So Can You

By Eric Tonsul

I

t’s that time of year again. Multiple polar vortices have dissipated, the weather warms up and the rare ice storms in Texas relinquish their frosty hold. Living in Texas, there are 3 absolute truths when Spring rolls around: 1) heat waves are around the corner, 2) there will be many reluctant husbands and boyfriends taking photos in bluebonnets, and 3) homeowners’ lawns and weeds are about to grow faster than you can say water conservation. It is during this time that a homeowners association should be proactive in communicating with its owners regarding the standards and guidelines related to the community. Communication is key. As legal counsel for numerous property owners associations across the great State of Texas, the vast majority of deed restriction violation enforcement matters boil down to one simple premise… homeowners are uninformed.

Despite the fact that an owner is deemed to have constructive notice of a properly recorded set of deed restrictions, constructive notice is by no means analogous to actual notice.

Either by choice or by being unfamiliar with the restrictive covenants pertaining to their property, there always seem to be properties within a subdivision that draw the ire of neighbors as a result of being in non-compliance with the deed restrictions.

Rather than having an association’s first communication be a deed restriction demand letter which has been known (on occasion) to incite a call-to-arms against the oppressive, heavyhanded, good-for-nothing Board of Directors…associations should consider being proactive instead of reactive.

For example, sending a Spring spruce up letter to all owners in the subdivision is a relatively inexpensive, yet effective way of reminding owners of their obligation to maintain their properties

in conformance with the subdivision’s standards. The letter can include bullet points of typical violations that are often cited within the subdivision. Assuming the association’s dedicatory instruments are available online, the association should reference the association’s website and direct the owner where to look in order to obtain more information and greater detail regarding the association’s rules, regulations and guidelines. The letter should also include the association’s contact information (phone number, mailing address, etc.) for those technologyadverse folks that have no idea what a data plan is, or how to use those darn internet machines.

On the other side of fence (hopefully without broken on missing pickets) an owner should be encouraged to initiate communication with his/her association. Opening the lines of communication with owners can be beneficial to both the association and the owner. By having an open dialogue prior to enforcement, the association can hopefully avoid the expenses and legal fees associated with pursuing one of its own. Similarly, an owner can avoid the time, cost and stress of rattling sabers with the perceived enemy.

With so many challenges facing the world today, we have made it a company mission to be part of The SOLution.

Through community involvement, volunteerism, activism, outreach and environmental consciousness, we continue to improve our local communities and make a difference in the world we live in.

JOIN US IN BEING PART OF THE SOLUTION: solitudelakemanagement.com/the-solution

Restoring Balance. Enhancing Beauty.

888.480.LAKE • solitudelakemanagement.com

In short, communicating with owners (whether through a spruce up letter or other means of communication) is a means to maintain healthy relationships within a community and avoid the unnecessary board meeting and courtroom battles that can ensue when both sides remain silent. By being proactive, this allows everyone to spend their valuable time focusing on the more important things in life…like finding that perfect spot along the highway where the western-setting sun illuminates the bluebonnets just right.

HOA RENOVATIONS

COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT 972.494.1600 GLOBUSMANAGE.COM 30 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

31 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Creating a Better World through The SOLution We’re Making a Difference in the World... And So Can You

By Eric Tonsul

I

t’s that time of year again. Multiple polar vortices have dissipated, the weather warms up and the rare ice storms in Texas relinquish their frosty hold. Living in Texas, there are 3 absolute truths when Spring rolls around: 1) heat waves are around the corner, 2) there will be many reluctant husbands and boyfriends taking photos in bluebonnets, and 3) homeowners’ lawns and weeds are about to grow faster than you can say water conservation. It is during this time that a homeowners association should be proactive in communicating with its owners regarding the standards and guidelines related to the community. Communication is key. As legal counsel for numerous property owners associations across the great State of Texas, the vast majority of deed restriction violation enforcement matters boil down to one simple premise… homeowners are uninformed.

Despite the fact that an owner is deemed to have constructive notice of a properly recorded set of deed restrictions, constructive notice is by no means analogous to actual notice.

Either by choice or by being unfamiliar with the restrictive covenants pertaining to their property, there always seem to be properties within a subdivision that draw the ire of neighbors as a result of being in non-compliance with the deed restrictions.

Rather than having an association’s first communication be a deed restriction demand letter which has been known (on occasion) to incite a call-to-arms against the oppressive, heavyhanded, good-for-nothing Board of Directors…associations should consider being proactive instead of reactive.

For example, sending a Spring spruce up letter to all owners in the subdivision is a relatively inexpensive, yet effective way of reminding owners of their obligation to maintain their properties

in conformance with the subdivision’s standards. The letter can include bullet points of typical violations that are often cited within the subdivision. Assuming the association’s dedicatory instruments are available online, the association should reference the association’s website and direct the owner where to look in order to obtain more information and greater detail regarding the association’s rules, regulations and guidelines. The letter should also include the association’s contact information (phone number, mailing address, etc.) for those technologyadverse folks that have no idea what a data plan is, or how to use those darn internet machines.

On the other side of fence (hopefully without broken on missing pickets) an owner should be encouraged to initiate communication with his/her association. Opening the lines of communication with owners can be beneficial to both the association and the owner. By having an open dialogue prior to enforcement, the association can hopefully avoid the expenses and legal fees associated with pursuing one of its own. Similarly, an owner can avoid the time, cost and stress of rattling sabers with the perceived enemy.

With so many challenges facing the world today, we have made it a company mission to be part of The SOLution.

Through community involvement, volunteerism, activism, outreach and environmental consciousness, we continue to improve our local communities and make a difference in the world we live in.

JOIN US IN BEING PART OF THE SOLUTION: solitudelakemanagement.com/the-solution

Restoring Balance. Enhancing Beauty.

888.480.LAKE • solitudelakemanagement.com

In short, communicating with owners (whether through a spruce up letter or other means of communication) is a means to maintain healthy relationships within a community and avoid the unnecessary board meeting and courtroom battles that can ensue when both sides remain silent. By being proactive, this allows everyone to spend their valuable time focusing on the more important things in life…like finding that perfect spot along the highway where the western-setting sun illuminates the bluebonnets just right.

HOA RENOVATIONS

COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT 972.494.1600 GLOBUSMANAGE.COM 30 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

31 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Soil Management – What It Means For Your Trees

By Ronny Nelson, Board Certified Master Arborist, President of Tree Services, Fannin Tree Farm

Managing trees in urban areas is more than adding fertilizer and pruning. It requires an understanding of soil physical and chemical properties. This information is necessary to develop a plan for ongoing care and management. Available resources, such as certified arborist, professional agronomist, local extension specialist, soil web survey, and soil testing laboratories should be consulted with to develop soil maintenance programs.

Soil modification is the physical or chemical altering of soils to improve conditions for growing plants. Aerating, tilling, composting, mulching, and fertilizing, are a few practical ways to modify soil. Positive actions to modify soil will almost always lead to plant response. Managing trees in urban areas should be thought as a long-term commitment. This may require multiple applications of various fertilizers and organic residues, over many years.

The Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS), Soil Web Survey has one of the best resources on soil data, mapping, chemical and physical properties. Professionals use this resource to understand soil characteristics and limitations that may restrict growth. Large stature trees should be planted in areas that are suitable for long-term sustainability. Often tree growth is limited by soil quality and space.

Accredited soil testing laboratories can analyze soil chemical properties and provide detailed information and recommendations for plant nutrition. It is important to consult with a professional agronomist, or certified arborist who specializes in soil and plant nutrition, prior to modifying soils. A standard soil test is used to evaluate soil exchange capacity, pH and nutrient levels. Advance testing, such as saturated paste test is sometimes necessary to determine the availability of nutrients in soil solution.

It is very helpful to have a standard test and a saturated paste test for the same site, especially when dealing with poor site conditions. Landscapes that are highly disturbed, irrigated with well water, or in areas near recent road salt applications, would be candidates for both testing methods.

Interpreting soil test requires training. Some laboratories will provide fertilizer recommendations that may seem excessive. For this reason, it is best to consult with a local practitioner that can interpret the information provided by the laboratory, and make reasonable applications.

32 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

The American National Standard Institute (ANSI), A300-Part 2, Soil Management standard is a reference for professionals. An arborist with a good understanding of soil fertility is able to interpret the ANSI standards. It is important to follow the standard while making fertilizer recommendations. For instance, the ANSI standard states that fertilizers with 50% water insoluble nitrogen, should be preferred. Also, fertilizers with less than 50% salt index, should be preferred.

Prior to fertilizing trees, it is important to understand your soils and its limitations. Nutrient deficiencies should be addressed using products that are designed for the specific task. Applications using liquid humates, fluvic acids, seaweed extracts and other trending methods for fertilizing trees should only be used as an additive. In order to carry out biological processes, plants require appropriate amounts of specific nutrients. These trending methods have not been proven to correct nutrient deficiencies.

Always address site conditions that may inhibit plant growth.

Tools such as a pneumatic air-spade can reduce soil compaction levels. Adding soil amendments, such as compost and peat moss will improve soil aggregation and biological activity. Mulching soils around trees will reduce further compaction and improve water retention.

It is preferable to use native compost and mulch. Native mulches have been demonstrated to increase populations of beneficial organisms (antagonistic pathogens). Many harmful plant pathogens are considered opportunistic. These beneficial microorganisms found in native mulches are effective in reducing populations of opportunistic pathogens.

Soil web survey can provide information about the soil depth and volume that is not easily seen from above ground. Soil depth may be the limiting factor for growing trees in a certain area. Large stature trees require more soil volume to reach its maximum potential. In shallow soils, where bedrock is within the top 10-15 inches, plant growth is greatly limited. Plant growth is reduced when root development is restricted (e.g., parking islands, street planters).

Understanding your soil is a cost-effective way to make valuable improvements to your community and it’s trees. So whether your community is brand new or decades old, take a few minutes to request a review of your soil. It could save your trees and your money.

33 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Soil Management – What It Means For Your Trees

By Ronny Nelson, Board Certified Master Arborist, President of Tree Services, Fannin Tree Farm

Managing trees in urban areas is more than adding fertilizer and pruning. It requires an understanding of soil physical and chemical properties. This information is necessary to develop a plan for ongoing care and management. Available resources, such as certified arborist, professional agronomist, local extension specialist, soil web survey, and soil testing laboratories should be consulted with to develop soil maintenance programs.

Soil modification is the physical or chemical altering of soils to improve conditions for growing plants. Aerating, tilling, composting, mulching, and fertilizing, are a few practical ways to modify soil. Positive actions to modify soil will almost always lead to plant response. Managing trees in urban areas should be thought as a long-term commitment. This may require multiple applications of various fertilizers and organic residues, over many years.

The Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS), Soil Web Survey has one of the best resources on soil data, mapping, chemical and physical properties. Professionals use this resource to understand soil characteristics and limitations that may restrict growth. Large stature trees should be planted in areas that are suitable for long-term sustainability. Often tree growth is limited by soil quality and space.

Accredited soil testing laboratories can analyze soil chemical properties and provide detailed information and recommendations for plant nutrition. It is important to consult with a professional agronomist, or certified arborist who specializes in soil and plant nutrition, prior to modifying soils. A standard soil test is used to evaluate soil exchange capacity, pH and nutrient levels. Advance testing, such as saturated paste test is sometimes necessary to determine the availability of nutrients in soil solution.

It is very helpful to have a standard test and a saturated paste test for the same site, especially when dealing with poor site conditions. Landscapes that are highly disturbed, irrigated with well water, or in areas near recent road salt applications, would be candidates for both testing methods.

Interpreting soil test requires training. Some laboratories will provide fertilizer recommendations that may seem excessive. For this reason, it is best to consult with a local practitioner that can interpret the information provided by the laboratory, and make reasonable applications.

32 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

The American National Standard Institute (ANSI), A300-Part 2, Soil Management standard is a reference for professionals. An arborist with a good understanding of soil fertility is able to interpret the ANSI standards. It is important to follow the standard while making fertilizer recommendations. For instance, the ANSI standard states that fertilizers with 50% water insoluble nitrogen, should be preferred. Also, fertilizers with less than 50% salt index, should be preferred.

Prior to fertilizing trees, it is important to understand your soils and its limitations. Nutrient deficiencies should be addressed using products that are designed for the specific task. Applications using liquid humates, fluvic acids, seaweed extracts and other trending methods for fertilizing trees should only be used as an additive. In order to carry out biological processes, plants require appropriate amounts of specific nutrients. These trending methods have not been proven to correct nutrient deficiencies.

Always address site conditions that may inhibit plant growth.

Tools such as a pneumatic air-spade can reduce soil compaction levels. Adding soil amendments, such as compost and peat moss will improve soil aggregation and biological activity. Mulching soils around trees will reduce further compaction and improve water retention.

It is preferable to use native compost and mulch. Native mulches have been demonstrated to increase populations of beneficial organisms (antagonistic pathogens). Many harmful plant pathogens are considered opportunistic. These beneficial microorganisms found in native mulches are effective in reducing populations of opportunistic pathogens.

Soil web survey can provide information about the soil depth and volume that is not easily seen from above ground. Soil depth may be the limiting factor for growing trees in a certain area. Large stature trees require more soil volume to reach its maximum potential. In shallow soils, where bedrock is within the top 10-15 inches, plant growth is greatly limited. Plant growth is reduced when root development is restricted (e.g., parking islands, street planters).

Understanding your soil is a cost-effective way to make valuable improvements to your community and it’s trees. So whether your community is brand new or decades old, take a few minutes to request a review of your soil. It could save your trees and your money.

33 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Spring is in the Air − Pest-Proof Your Home Now

Spring has arrived and with it comes more pests. While “good bugs” (bees, ladybugs and butterflies) are welcomed, many pests can be a nuisance, dangerous or even cause significant damage to your home.

More than 80% of homeowners experience a problem with pests each year, and last year was a banner year for pests due to warmer, wetter weather. Right now, it’s a little too early to predict what the 2018 pest season will entail, but when the weather warms up, spring pests will start to increase.

Is That An Ant or Termite?

Spring is an especially busy time for subterranean termites to swarm.

During cold months, these pests move deep underground to find the warmth they need to survive. With spring bringing rising temperatures and rain, swarming and winged termites begin to emerge and establish new colonies.

Swarming termites appear as early as February in warm and moist areas, so now is a great time for homeowners to inspect 34 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

their home for signs of termite infestation. There are four key signs that can help homeowners determine whether their home has a termite problem: •

Temporary swarm of winged insects around the home

•

Discarded wings from swarmers

•

Wood that sounds hollow when tapped

•

Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams or crawl spaces

It can be difficult for the average homeowner to tell the difference between swarming termites and ants. HomeTeam has a handy guide available at https://pestdefense.com/ termites-facts-signs-and-tips/ that can help homeowners determine if they might have a termite problem.

Homeowners can take the following steps to help prevent termites in their home: • •

Trim vegetation around the home Eliminate moisture and standing water

• • • • • •

Relocate firewood 20 feet from the home Maintain a 4-inch gap between soil and wood Inspect the home regularly Throw away wood debris Effectively clean gutters and downspouts Separate mulch from the home’s foundation

Spring Tips to Control Other Pests Here are some DIY tips from the entomologists at HomeTeam Pest Defense on steps that homeowners can take now to protect their home from other spring pests: • Eliminate water sources. Termites aren’t the only ones looking for a source of water! Fix dripping taps and leaking pipes to remove the water and humidity that pests need to survive.

• Use caulk to seal potential entry points. Pests such as ants and spiders find their way indoors through cracks and crevices around doors, walls and windows.

• Replace standard outdoor lights with yellow bug lights.

Minimizing lighting outside of the home will reduce the overall number of pests that swarm around at night.

• Remove spider webs. Discourage web building by vacuuming or sweeping in closets, under furniture, and in corners. Use a long pole which can be purchased at home improvement stores, to remove webs from hard-to-reach corners inside and outside of the home.

• Cut back tree branches and bushes to keep pests away from the side of the home and roof. There should be at least a onefoot gap between vegetation and the home.

•

Empty garbage cans and recycle bins regularly.

• Store food in sealed containers. Common household pests such as cockroaches and house ants are always looking for a tasty meal.

• Termites aren’t the only pests that love wood! Firewood can be a good hiding place for rodents and spiders, so the further the firewood is moved away from the home, the better.

If these tasks seem a little daunting, call HomeTeam. We will be happy to inspect homes in your community for household pests and termites, check for potential entry points, and protect the homes against the arrival of spring pests. Visit www. pestdefense.com for more information.

About HomeTeam Pest Defense HomeTeam Pest Defense is dedicated to protecting homes and improving communities. HomeTeam services more than 1 million homes annually and delivers the kind of highly professional and personalized service you expect from a leader in pest defense services. We are the #1 pest management company servicing home builders and have installed our unique built-in-the-walls pest control system, Taexx®, in over one million homes.

35 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Spring is in the Air − Pest-Proof Your Home Now

Spring has arrived and with it comes more pests. While “good bugs” (bees, ladybugs and butterflies) are welcomed, many pests can be a nuisance, dangerous or even cause significant damage to your home.

More than 80% of homeowners experience a problem with pests each year, and last year was a banner year for pests due to warmer, wetter weather. Right now, it’s a little too early to predict what the 2018 pest season will entail, but when the weather warms up, spring pests will start to increase.

Is That An Ant or Termite?

Spring is an especially busy time for subterranean termites to swarm.

During cold months, these pests move deep underground to find the warmth they need to survive. With spring bringing rising temperatures and rain, swarming and winged termites begin to emerge and establish new colonies.

Swarming termites appear as early as February in warm and moist areas, so now is a great time for homeowners to inspect 34 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

their home for signs of termite infestation. There are four key signs that can help homeowners determine whether their home has a termite problem: •

Temporary swarm of winged insects around the home

•

Discarded wings from swarmers

•

Wood that sounds hollow when tapped

•

Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams or crawl spaces

It can be difficult for the average homeowner to tell the difference between swarming termites and ants. HomeTeam has a handy guide available at https://pestdefense.com/ termites-facts-signs-and-tips/ that can help homeowners determine if they might have a termite problem.

Homeowners can take the following steps to help prevent termites in their home: • •

Trim vegetation around the home Eliminate moisture and standing water

• • • • • •

Relocate firewood 20 feet from the home Maintain a 4-inch gap between soil and wood Inspect the home regularly Throw away wood debris Effectively clean gutters and downspouts Separate mulch from the home’s foundation

Spring Tips to Control Other Pests Here are some DIY tips from the entomologists at HomeTeam Pest Defense on steps that homeowners can take now to protect their home from other spring pests: • Eliminate water sources. Termites aren’t the only ones looking for a source of water! Fix dripping taps and leaking pipes to remove the water and humidity that pests need to survive.

• Use caulk to seal potential entry points. Pests such as ants and spiders find their way indoors through cracks and crevices around doors, walls and windows.

• Replace standard outdoor lights with yellow bug lights.

Minimizing lighting outside of the home will reduce the overall number of pests that swarm around at night.

• Remove spider webs. Discourage web building by vacuuming or sweeping in closets, under furniture, and in corners. Use a long pole which can be purchased at home improvement stores, to remove webs from hard-to-reach corners inside and outside of the home.

• Cut back tree branches and bushes to keep pests away from the side of the home and roof. There should be at least a onefoot gap between vegetation and the home.

•

Empty garbage cans and recycle bins regularly.

• Store food in sealed containers. Common household pests such as cockroaches and house ants are always looking for a tasty meal.

• Termites aren’t the only pests that love wood! Firewood can be a good hiding place for rodents and spiders, so the further the firewood is moved away from the home, the better.

If these tasks seem a little daunting, call HomeTeam. We will be happy to inspect homes in your community for household pests and termites, check for potential entry points, and protect the homes against the arrival of spring pests. Visit www. pestdefense.com for more information.

About HomeTeam Pest Defense HomeTeam Pest Defense is dedicated to protecting homes and improving communities. HomeTeam services more than 1 million homes annually and delivers the kind of highly professional and personalized service you expect from a leader in pest defense services. We are the #1 pest management company servicing home builders and have installed our unique built-in-the-walls pest control system, Taexx®, in over one million homes.

35 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

A Property Manager’s Decisions Are Never Easy Why Taking Action Concerning a Defective Condition May be the Only Way Forward

by Tom Devine, McKenzie Rhody, LLP

My friends and colleagues within the property management community generally agree that their primary roles are to “observe and report”: to identify conditions within the communities that they manage, present their boards with available solutions, and allow their boards of directors to make decisions as they see fit. When faced with a defective condition on a property, a property manager is faced with three options: (1) determine whether the original builder can be held liable for the defective condition; (2) specially assess the membership to fund necessary repairs; or (3) ignore the problem and hope it goes away. Prior to 2017, a property manager could ignore a condition as long as the board had decided that no action was necessary. However, following a Court of Appeals decision from June, 2017, a property manager may no longer be allowed to be inactive in response to a defective condition on property.

A property manager received complaints from homeowners in a community regarding a retaining wall within the property’s common areas. The retaining walls were affecting surface drainage in such a way that the adjacent townhomes were taking on water. The water was soaking the foundation soils, causing structural movement within the townhomes. The homeowners requested that the association and property manager take action to repair the condition.

In response, the property manager obtained a reserve study for the entire community. The reserve study identified the retaining wall within the community that was defective, and recommended the complete replacement of the wall within the next year. At the property manager’s recommendation, the community proposed a special assessment to cover the cost of the suggested retaining wall repairs. The board membership, 9 members and 4 officers, voted down the special assessment. Several years later, the property manager received a second reserve study, which again recommended replacement of the defective retaining walls. Again, the board membership considered, and again voted down, a special assessment to contribute to the reserve account.

Without any movement from the board of directors or the property manager, and with damage continuing to their homes, the affected homeowners sued not only the community association, but the property manager as well. The homeowners alleged numerous causes of action against the association as well as the property manager, but in sum claimed that the property manager was negligent in maintaining and operating the common area in such a manner as to improperly divert surface water onto private property, causing damage to the townhomes. The jury agreed, and returned a verdict against 36 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

both the association and the property manager, jointly and severally (meaning that either or both the association and the manager are responsible for the entire verdict).

The property manager appealed the verdict, arguing that as the property manager it merely transmitted information to the board of directors for their determination; and that a property manager does not have authority to act on behalf of an association because the association always retained the authority to evaluate and make decisions regarding capital improvements.

The Court of Appeals disagreed, and held that the actions of the property manager – in acting as the association’s agent, in providing advice to the association on how to handle the retaining wall issues, and in soliciting an engineering report on behalf of the association – undertook the responsibility and authority for maintaining the common areas, and thus was liable to the homeowners for failing to maintain the common areas.

What could the property manager have done? This property manager was undeniably in a predicament, having observed and reported the condition only to have the board of directors vote down a special assessment which would have funded the repairs. If the retaining walls were defectively constructed by the installation contractor; or if the walls were defectively designed by the engineers who authored the drainage plan for the area or the design of the retaining wall, the association would have been presented with a viable alternative to a special assessment: a construction defect claim against the responsible parties. While a construction defect claim may not always be an available avenue for a manager to pursue, holding the responsible parties liable for their defective work will always be an alternative to special assessment that the property manager must investigate.

Sometimes a property manager is simply stuck in the middle. If the board does not approve action, and a construction defect claim is not available, the property manager might be held jointly liable with the association for failing to take action. In the particular circumstance described in this article, the property manager’s only viable option may have been to terminate the management agreement, citing the board’s refusal to take appropriate action as grounds to terminate the contract for cause. Hindsight is always 20/20, and prior to June, 2017 there was no precedent for holding a property manager jointly liable with a homeowners association for inaction concerning a defective condition; but please, in every event, beware any defective condition on your properties, and do not let them sit unattended – take action no matter what!

Committed to our communities For 30 years, BB&T Association Services has provided solutions specifically designed to meet the needs of property management companies and community associations. You can count on us to be your trusted partner. BBT.com/AssociationServices

 Payment processing  Association loans

 Payments by ACH and online  Coupon books and statements

Association Services Matt Hiebert, AVP, Relationship Manager 469-440-0717 • MHiebert@BBandT.com

Branch Banking and Trust Company is a Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

Loans are subject to credit approval. Only deposit products are FDIC insured. © 2016, Branch Banking and Trust Company. All rights reserved.

37 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

A Property Manager’s Decisions Are Never Easy Why Taking Action Concerning a Defective Condition May be the Only Way Forward

by Tom Devine, McKenzie Rhody, LLP

My friends and colleagues within the property management community generally agree that their primary roles are to “observe and report”: to identify conditions within the communities that they manage, present their boards with available solutions, and allow their boards of directors to make decisions as they see fit. When faced with a defective condition on a property, a property manager is faced with three options: (1) determine whether the original builder can be held liable for the defective condition; (2) specially assess the membership to fund necessary repairs; or (3) ignore the problem and hope it goes away. Prior to 2017, a property manager could ignore a condition as long as the board had decided that no action was necessary. However, following a Court of Appeals decision from June, 2017, a property manager may no longer be allowed to be inactive in response to a defective condition on property.

A property manager received complaints from homeowners in a community regarding a retaining wall within the property’s common areas. The retaining walls were affecting surface drainage in such a way that the adjacent townhomes were taking on water. The water was soaking the foundation soils, causing structural movement within the townhomes. The homeowners requested that the association and property manager take action to repair the condition.

In response, the property manager obtained a reserve study for the entire community. The reserve study identified the retaining wall within the community that was defective, and recommended the complete replacement of the wall within the next year. At the property manager’s recommendation, the community proposed a special assessment to cover the cost of the suggested retaining wall repairs. The board membership, 9 members and 4 officers, voted down the special assessment. Several years later, the property manager received a second reserve study, which again recommended replacement of the defective retaining walls. Again, the board membership considered, and again voted down, a special assessment to contribute to the reserve account.

Without any movement from the board of directors or the property manager, and with damage continuing to their homes, the affected homeowners sued not only the community association, but the property manager as well. The homeowners alleged numerous causes of action against the association as well as the property manager, but in sum claimed that the property manager was negligent in maintaining and operating the common area in such a manner as to improperly divert surface water onto private property, causing damage to the townhomes. The jury agreed, and returned a verdict against 36 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

both the association and the property manager, jointly and severally (meaning that either or both the association and the manager are responsible for the entire verdict).

The property manager appealed the verdict, arguing that as the property manager it merely transmitted information to the board of directors for their determination; and that a property manager does not have authority to act on behalf of an association because the association always retained the authority to evaluate and make decisions regarding capital improvements.

The Court of Appeals disagreed, and held that the actions of the property manager – in acting as the association’s agent, in providing advice to the association on how to handle the retaining wall issues, and in soliciting an engineering report on behalf of the association – undertook the responsibility and authority for maintaining the common areas, and thus was liable to the homeowners for failing to maintain the common areas.

What could the property manager have done? This property manager was undeniably in a predicament, having observed and reported the condition only to have the board of directors vote down a special assessment which would have funded the repairs. If the retaining walls were defectively constructed by the installation contractor; or if the walls were defectively designed by the engineers who authored the drainage plan for the area or the design of the retaining wall, the association would have been presented with a viable alternative to a special assessment: a construction defect claim against the responsible parties. While a construction defect claim may not always be an available avenue for a manager to pursue, holding the responsible parties liable for their defective work will always be an alternative to special assessment that the property manager must investigate.

Sometimes a property manager is simply stuck in the middle. If the board does not approve action, and a construction defect claim is not available, the property manager might be held jointly liable with the association for failing to take action. In the particular circumstance described in this article, the property manager’s only viable option may have been to terminate the management agreement, citing the board’s refusal to take appropriate action as grounds to terminate the contract for cause. Hindsight is always 20/20, and prior to June, 2017 there was no precedent for holding a property manager jointly liable with a homeowners association for inaction concerning a defective condition; but please, in every event, beware any defective condition on your properties, and do not let them sit unattended – take action no matter what!

Committed to our communities For 30 years, BB&T Association Services has provided solutions specifically designed to meet the needs of property management companies and community associations. You can count on us to be your trusted partner. BBT.com/AssociationServices

 Payment processing  Association loans

 Payments by ACH and online  Coupon books and statements

Association Services Matt Hiebert, AVP, Relationship Manager 469-440-0717 • MHiebert@BBandT.com

Branch Banking and Trust Company is a Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

Loans are subject to credit approval. Only deposit products are FDIC insured. © 2016, Branch Banking and Trust Company. All rights reserved.

37 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

Enhance. Preserve.

Increase. Protect.

Community Management life can be hard

Greener Pastures is an award winning, full service landscape company with over 20 years of quality service across the country.

Maintenance Division Chemical Application Division Tree Maintenance Division Irrigation Division Construction Division Landscape Design

That’s why AssociationVoice Web sites are easy.

Get a FREE Quote and Comprehensive Property Consultation Today!

Why do most of the management companies who switch to AssociationVoice stick with us year after year? It’s easy! Our clients know simple to use web sites are the only ones that not only get embraced by their communities, but make their lives easier. From messaging and maintenance, to accounting integration, now you can try AssociationVoice risk free for 90 days. You can see firsthand the easier your website the more they’ll use it, and the easier your life will become.

Arizona • California • Nevada • New Mexico •Texas

214.634.0806 GreenerPasturesdfw.com

800.992.4384 | EmailUs@AssociationVoice.com

www.AssociationVoice.com 38 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

39 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

Enhance. Preserve.

Increase. Protect.

Community Management life can be hard

Greener Pastures is an award winning, full service landscape company with over 20 years of quality service across the country.

Maintenance Division Chemical Application Division Tree Maintenance Division Irrigation Division Construction Division Landscape Design

That’s why AssociationVoice Web sites are easy.

Get a FREE Quote and Comprehensive Property Consultation Today!

Why do most of the management companies who switch to AssociationVoice stick with us year after year? It’s easy! Our clients know simple to use web sites are the only ones that not only get embraced by their communities, but make their lives easier. From messaging and maintenance, to accounting integration, now you can try AssociationVoice risk free for 90 days. You can see firsthand the easier your website the more they’ll use it, and the easier your life will become.

Arizona • California • Nevada • New Mexico •Texas

214.634.0806 GreenerPasturesdfw.com

800.992.4384 | EmailUs@AssociationVoice.com

www.AssociationVoice.com 38 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

39 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

Personal Attention.

Proven Results for HOAs.

Put the “Person” back in Personality

by Alyssa Wilson, CMCA; CCMC

5 tips to be a more Authentic Community Management Team Member

For over two decades, Henry, Oddo, Austin & Fletcher, P.C. has provided clients throughout Texas with trusted counsel. Their experience related to homeowners associations is unmatched – providing guidance, leadership and oversight to community associations. Their attorneys have experience resolving disputes and advising homeowners associations on legal issues.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

As community management professionals we are in the position to manage the “right way” and follow the governing documents that homeowners agree to while executing the vision a developer has funded. However, the communities we serve are changing, needs, communication styles and personalities. How do you continue to provide exceptional customer service without losing yourself? By applying each of the following areas to your daily habits you will see a return to yourself.

1. BE REAL, BE YOU If you are in the industry chances are some part of your heart has a passion for service. Ignite the fire in yourself to lead and use your life experiences to be a real person. Don’t be another phone company representative that passes you on to 4 people.

Find a way to engage and give a response from the heart. By the time they get you on the line you don’t want them to be so irritated that they fail to remember what they called for in the first place.

CMY

Assist developers with drafting governing documents Advise boards on governance and collection issues Assist boards in enforcing bylaws and covenants Attend association meetings to provide explanations of the association’s rights and responsibilities, to help maintain rules of order, and to address issues of concern to members and directors Assist boards in interpreting governing documents

Draft revisions to association governing documents to clarify issues of governance Work with boards and management companies in dealing with property owners Cost effective and creative debt collection methods leading to revenue recovery Active participation and support of Texas Community Association Advocates (TCAA) and Community Associations Institute (CAI)

K

Judd A. Austin, Jr. - Shareholder jaamex@hoaf.com

Vinay B. Patel - Shareholder vpatel@hoaf.com

1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 2700, Dallas, Texas 75201 | (214) 658-1900 | www.hoaf.com

2. BE PERSONABLE Take time to get to know homeowners. Instead of just addressing them with a number like the DMV but take time to find out what they like and don’t like. Learn their communication styles. Figure out how you can relate to them and then write it down, commit it to memory. Maybe event divide your homeowners into 5 categories so you know the general style of people you are servicing. My five categories might relate to their age, their family, holidays… just whatever you can relate too.

3. FOLLOW THROUGH Once you have taken the time to learn who you are serving, remember to follow up on their request. Not just literally follow up on their email & phone request, which is step 1. Remember the secondary follow up, if you asked them about their favorite queso place, in a week send them an email about your favorite queso place. It takes the business out of the conversation and humanizes you as a professional.

4. IN IT FOR THE “SHARES,” NOT IN IT FOR THE “LIKES” Social media has been a game changer for the marketing and advertising industry but we have all experienced how taxing it can be for community management team members. Remember that it is more important to share factual information even if it is not the most popular rather than get in a heated, emotional emoji war. It is important to manage communities with relevant facts about your homeowners association. This creates credibility and builds your audience.

5. USE YOUR TEAM Often times we get in the mindset of “I have to do it all and be it all.” At CCMC, our company values utilizing resources to help build and encourage our teams. We want our teams to be well-trained and when adversity strikes they know they have a support system that can help them. Don’t be afraid to ask for an opinion before you respond to a disgruntled homeowner. Use your office team to help find unique ways to make your customer happy.

In closing, being passionate about your work and showing your personality has to come from within. The steps above help you focus on the people you encounter on a day to day basis. If you follow, the steps above you will impact the lives of so many more people and begin to love what you do even more. Your investment into people is key to a fun environment but it is all up to you and your actions.

40 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

41 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

Personal Attention.

Proven Results for HOAs.

Put the “Person” back in Personality

by Alyssa Wilson, CMCA; CCMC

5 tips to be a more Authentic Community Management Team Member

For over two decades, Henry, Oddo, Austin & Fletcher, P.C. has provided clients throughout Texas with trusted counsel. Their experience related to homeowners associations is unmatched – providing guidance, leadership and oversight to community associations. Their attorneys have experience resolving disputes and advising homeowners associations on legal issues.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

As community management professionals we are in the position to manage the “right way” and follow the governing documents that homeowners agree to while executing the vision a developer has funded. However, the communities we serve are changing, needs, communication styles and personalities. How do you continue to provide exceptional customer service without losing yourself? By applying each of the following areas to your daily habits you will see a return to yourself.

1. BE REAL, BE YOU If you are in the industry chances are some part of your heart has a passion for service. Ignite the fire in yourself to lead and use your life experiences to be a real person. Don’t be another phone company representative that passes you on to 4 people.

Find a way to engage and give a response from the heart. By the time they get you on the line you don’t want them to be so irritated that they fail to remember what they called for in the first place.

CMY

Assist developers with drafting governing documents Advise boards on governance and collection issues Assist boards in enforcing bylaws and covenants Attend association meetings to provide explanations of the association’s rights and responsibilities, to help maintain rules of order, and to address issues of concern to members and directors Assist boards in interpreting governing documents

Draft revisions to association governing documents to clarify issues of governance Work with boards and management companies in dealing with property owners Cost effective and creative debt collection methods leading to revenue recovery Active participation and support of Texas Community Association Advocates (TCAA) and Community Associations Institute (CAI)

K

Judd A. Austin, Jr. - Shareholder jaamex@hoaf.com

Vinay B. Patel - Shareholder vpatel@hoaf.com

1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 2700, Dallas, Texas 75201 | (214) 658-1900 | www.hoaf.com

2. BE PERSONABLE Take time to get to know homeowners. Instead of just addressing them with a number like the DMV but take time to find out what they like and don’t like. Learn their communication styles. Figure out how you can relate to them and then write it down, commit it to memory. Maybe event divide your homeowners into 5 categories so you know the general style of people you are servicing. My five categories might relate to their age, their family, holidays… just whatever you can relate too.

3. FOLLOW THROUGH Once you have taken the time to learn who you are serving, remember to follow up on their request. Not just literally follow up on their email & phone request, which is step 1. Remember the secondary follow up, if you asked them about their favorite queso place, in a week send them an email about your favorite queso place. It takes the business out of the conversation and humanizes you as a professional.

4. IN IT FOR THE “SHARES,” NOT IN IT FOR THE “LIKES” Social media has been a game changer for the marketing and advertising industry but we have all experienced how taxing it can be for community management team members. Remember that it is more important to share factual information even if it is not the most popular rather than get in a heated, emotional emoji war. It is important to manage communities with relevant facts about your homeowners association. This creates credibility and builds your audience.

5. USE YOUR TEAM Often times we get in the mindset of “I have to do it all and be it all.” At CCMC, our company values utilizing resources to help build and encourage our teams. We want our teams to be well-trained and when adversity strikes they know they have a support system that can help them. Don’t be afraid to ask for an opinion before you respond to a disgruntled homeowner. Use your office team to help find unique ways to make your customer happy.

In closing, being passionate about your work and showing your personality has to come from within. The steps above help you focus on the people you encounter on a day to day basis. If you follow, the steps above you will impact the lives of so many more people and begin to love what you do even more. Your investment into people is key to a fun environment but it is all up to you and your actions.

40 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

41 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

of 1 pound per 10 square feet of filter area. For example, a 48 sq. ft. filter would require 5 lbs of DE in the skimmer to recharge it after a filter clean. If you have a sand filter, now would also be a good time to replace the sand inside the filter if it is more than 3-5 years old. We recommend calling a pool professional to do this as it is very labor intensive.

It’s All in the Timing While most community pools run 24/7, if you own a residential pool, you need to be cognizant of how the timer is set to run the pool on a daily basis. As the weather warms up, it is critical to make sure your pool timer is set properly to accommodate the warmer pool water.

Getting Your Pool Ready for Summer

By Jerry Jurden, CPO President and CEO, Champion Pool Service

Spring is a great time of year, but if you are the proud owner or manager of a residential or HOA swimming pool, there are a number of things you need to do during spring to get ready for the upcoming swim season and make sure your pool is in tip-top shape, ensuring your guests have an optimal swimming experience.

Aside from general cleaning, brushing, chlorinating, and debris removal, here are some additional items you should complete.

42 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

A Clean Pool Requires a Clean Filter If your filter hasn’t been cleaned in the past few months, it is a good idea to make sure it is clean prior to the start of pool season. As the filter is the heart of your pool system, this is probably the most important step you can take. If you have a sand filter this doesn’t apply to you, but if you have a cartridge or diatomaceous earth (DE) filter, cleaning the filter would be a critical part of your summer prep regimen.

When we use the phrase “clean the filter”, do not confuse that with “backwashing” or “backflushing”. Backwashing a filter is simply reversing the flow of water inside the filter to rinse it out. What we are recommending here is actually disassembling the filter and manually cleaning the cartridges or filter grids inside with a high-pressure water hose. This is recommended at least every six months, but doing it just before the start of pool season will help ensure crystal clear water.

If you have a DE filter, just be sure and recharge the filter with DE at the rate

In winter, you may dial your timer back to as little as 2 hours per day in the coldest part of the season. As spring gets into high gear, though, you will need to increase that to about 8-10 hours a day as you move into the summer months.

Furthermore, do not try to save on electricity by running your pump at night.

During the warmer weather, the pump should run during the hottest part of the day to combat the growth of algae.

Variable Speed Pump Considerations If you have a variable or two-speed pump, you will need to increase the run time as you decrease the speed of the pool pump. For example, if you run the pump at ½-speed, you will typically need to increase the run time by a factor of about 1.5 to make sure the pool turns over adequately. For example, during this time of year, instead of 8 hours with a regular single-speed pump, if you have a variablespeed pump you would run it about 12 hours assuming you run it at ½-speed.

If you have a booster pump or cleaner attached to the pool, make sure you program your pump to run at least a couple of hours on the full speed setting, and coordinate your booster pump timing, if applicable, so the booster pump comes on during the high-speed run-time of your main pump. This will ensure your cleaner runs at maximum efficiency.

Checking the Conditioner If it has been a few months since you have checked the conditioner level in your pool, now is a good time to do it.

Conditioner, also known as stabilizer, is probably the most important chemical in the pool. But since it doesn’t fluctuate much, it is typically not tested as often as other chemicals. Also known as cyanuric acid, or CYA, conditioner should be in the

neighborhood of 30-80ppm as measured by a reputable drop test kit.

If your CYA measures below 30ppm, you will need to add some CYA to ensure your chlorine shock doesn’t evaporate out of the pool too quickly. Pool stores typically sell gallons of “instant conditioner” that is pre-dissolved, whereas granules typically take up to 72 hours to fully dissolve into the pool water.

If your CYA is 90 or over, you should consider draining off a portion of your pool water and replacing it with fresh water.

Based on your CYA reading, you should drain off enough water to reduce the CYA to about 50. For example, if your CYA measures 100, you would need to drain and replace half of your pool water to bring the level down to 50. Keeping the CYA above the recommended range will result in algae growth as it prevents the chlorine from sanitizing.

Testing the Equipment

measures and displays the salt level, don’t trust it. Get a salt level drop test and test it independently of your salt system, as it can produce false salt level readings if the cell gets dirty or starts going bad. Your salt cell should be cleaned with a mixture of ½ muriatic acid and ½ water.

If your salt level is below about 2,500 you will need to add more salt to the pool to ensure the chlorine generator works at maximum efficiency. Be sure and calculate how many bags of salt you need. One 40lb bag of salt will add 500ppm for each 10,000 gallons of pool water. For example, if your pool is 30,000 gallons, it will take three 40lb bags of salt to increase the salt by 500ppm.

In Conclusion

Following these steps will ensure that your pool water is crystal clear for the upcoming swim season and that your family and guests have an optimal swimming experience.

Test your pool equipment and make sure it is working properly and ensure there are no strange noises coming from your equipment area. If you hear a high-pitched whine coming from one of your pump motors, then the motor bearings are going out and it is at risk of seizing up at any moment and will require a new pump motor.

Check all valve settings and make sure you have adequate suction to each skimmer as well as the main drain. Check for plumbing and union leaks and make sure the pump is reaching “full prime”, meaning there is little or no air left in the pump basket while the pump is running.

We also recommend lubricating the Orings in your pool valves. This is fairly easy to do if you have the popular black Jandy valves, just unscrew the valve cover and apply a little silicone- or Teflon-based lubricant such as Magic Lube. Do not use Vaseline as this will dissolve the Orings over time. If you have a push-pull backwash valve, pull it out and lubricate it as well. You might have to remove a couple of screws to pull it out.

Also, be sure and replace any broken pump or skimmer baskets, as these can allow debris through the pump and clog the pump impeller, pool filter, or both.

Don’t Pass on the Salt If you have a saltwater pool, be sure and check your salt level and clean your salt cell. If you have a control panel that 43 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

of 1 pound per 10 square feet of filter area. For example, a 48 sq. ft. filter would require 5 lbs of DE in the skimmer to recharge it after a filter clean. If you have a sand filter, now would also be a good time to replace the sand inside the filter if it is more than 3-5 years old. We recommend calling a pool professional to do this as it is very labor intensive.

It’s All in the Timing While most community pools run 24/7, if you own a residential pool, you need to be cognizant of how the timer is set to run the pool on a daily basis. As the weather warms up, it is critical to make sure your pool timer is set properly to accommodate the warmer pool water.

Getting Your Pool Ready for Summer

By Jerry Jurden, CPO President and CEO, Champion Pool Service

Spring is a great time of year, but if you are the proud owner or manager of a residential or HOA swimming pool, there are a number of things you need to do during spring to get ready for the upcoming swim season and make sure your pool is in tip-top shape, ensuring your guests have an optimal swimming experience.

Aside from general cleaning, brushing, chlorinating, and debris removal, here are some additional items you should complete.

42 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

A Clean Pool Requires a Clean Filter If your filter hasn’t been cleaned in the past few months, it is a good idea to make sure it is clean prior to the start of pool season. As the filter is the heart of your pool system, this is probably the most important step you can take. If you have a sand filter this doesn’t apply to you, but if you have a cartridge or diatomaceous earth (DE) filter, cleaning the filter would be a critical part of your summer prep regimen.

When we use the phrase “clean the filter”, do not confuse that with “backwashing” or “backflushing”. Backwashing a filter is simply reversing the flow of water inside the filter to rinse it out. What we are recommending here is actually disassembling the filter and manually cleaning the cartridges or filter grids inside with a high-pressure water hose. This is recommended at least every six months, but doing it just before the start of pool season will help ensure crystal clear water.

If you have a DE filter, just be sure and recharge the filter with DE at the rate

In winter, you may dial your timer back to as little as 2 hours per day in the coldest part of the season. As spring gets into high gear, though, you will need to increase that to about 8-10 hours a day as you move into the summer months.

Furthermore, do not try to save on electricity by running your pump at night.

During the warmer weather, the pump should run during the hottest part of the day to combat the growth of algae.

Variable Speed Pump Considerations If you have a variable or two-speed pump, you will need to increase the run time as you decrease the speed of the pool pump. For example, if you run the pump at ½-speed, you will typically need to increase the run time by a factor of about 1.5 to make sure the pool turns over adequately. For example, during this time of year, instead of 8 hours with a regular single-speed pump, if you have a variablespeed pump you would run it about 12 hours assuming you run it at ½-speed.

If you have a booster pump or cleaner attached to the pool, make sure you program your pump to run at least a couple of hours on the full speed setting, and coordinate your booster pump timing, if applicable, so the booster pump comes on during the high-speed run-time of your main pump. This will ensure your cleaner runs at maximum efficiency.

Checking the Conditioner If it has been a few months since you have checked the conditioner level in your pool, now is a good time to do it.

Conditioner, also known as stabilizer, is probably the most important chemical in the pool. But since it doesn’t fluctuate much, it is typically not tested as often as other chemicals. Also known as cyanuric acid, or CYA, conditioner should be in the

neighborhood of 30-80ppm as measured by a reputable drop test kit.

If your CYA measures below 30ppm, you will need to add some CYA to ensure your chlorine shock doesn’t evaporate out of the pool too quickly. Pool stores typically sell gallons of “instant conditioner” that is pre-dissolved, whereas granules typically take up to 72 hours to fully dissolve into the pool water.

If your CYA is 90 or over, you should consider draining off a portion of your pool water and replacing it with fresh water.

Based on your CYA reading, you should drain off enough water to reduce the CYA to about 50. For example, if your CYA measures 100, you would need to drain and replace half of your pool water to bring the level down to 50. Keeping the CYA above the recommended range will result in algae growth as it prevents the chlorine from sanitizing.

Testing the Equipment

measures and displays the salt level, don’t trust it. Get a salt level drop test and test it independently of your salt system, as it can produce false salt level readings if the cell gets dirty or starts going bad. Your salt cell should be cleaned with a mixture of ½ muriatic acid and ½ water.

If your salt level is below about 2,500 you will need to add more salt to the pool to ensure the chlorine generator works at maximum efficiency. Be sure and calculate how many bags of salt you need. One 40lb bag of salt will add 500ppm for each 10,000 gallons of pool water. For example, if your pool is 30,000 gallons, it will take three 40lb bags of salt to increase the salt by 500ppm.

In Conclusion

Following these steps will ensure that your pool water is crystal clear for the upcoming swim season and that your family and guests have an optimal swimming experience.

Test your pool equipment and make sure it is working properly and ensure there are no strange noises coming from your equipment area. If you hear a high-pitched whine coming from one of your pump motors, then the motor bearings are going out and it is at risk of seizing up at any moment and will require a new pump motor.

Check all valve settings and make sure you have adequate suction to each skimmer as well as the main drain. Check for plumbing and union leaks and make sure the pump is reaching “full prime”, meaning there is little or no air left in the pump basket while the pump is running.

We also recommend lubricating the Orings in your pool valves. This is fairly easy to do if you have the popular black Jandy valves, just unscrew the valve cover and apply a little silicone- or Teflon-based lubricant such as Magic Lube. Do not use Vaseline as this will dissolve the Orings over time. If you have a push-pull backwash valve, pull it out and lubricate it as well. You might have to remove a couple of screws to pull it out.

Also, be sure and replace any broken pump or skimmer baskets, as these can allow debris through the pump and clog the pump impeller, pool filter, or both.

Don’t Pass on the Salt If you have a saltwater pool, be sure and check your salt level and clean your salt cell. If you have a control panel that 43 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

YOUR PAVEMENT PROBLEMS, SOLVED.

• Asphalt & Concrete • Parking Lots, Sidewalks & Curbs • Asphalt Crack Seal & Seal Coat • Concrete Crack & Joint Seal • Striping, Signage & Bollards • ADA Compliance Trusted CAI Member Since 2002 Free Quotes. Call Now. 972.263.3223

pavecon.com 44 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Call us at (800) 713-4625 or visit www. rmwbhlaw.com

For more than 35 years, RMWBH has been representing community and condominium associations.

We are committed to providing an enhanced level of service to clients in the following practice areas: Appellate | Arbitration and Mediation | Commercial Litigation | Community Association Law Construction Law Corporate Transactions | Outside General Counsel | Cyber Risk | Directors and Officers Litigation | Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration Elder Law and Guardianship Fidiciary Litigation Labor and Employment Professional Liability Real Estate Law

Houston | Austin | Dallas | San Antonio | Fort Bend 45 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

YOUR PAVEMENT PROBLEMS, SOLVED.

• Asphalt & Concrete • Parking Lots, Sidewalks & Curbs • Asphalt Crack Seal & Seal Coat • Concrete Crack & Joint Seal • Striping, Signage & Bollards • ADA Compliance Trusted CAI Member Since 2002 Free Quotes. Call Now. 972.263.3223

pavecon.com 44 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Call us at (800) 713-4625 or visit www. rmwbhlaw.com

For more than 35 years, RMWBH has been representing community and condominium associations.

We are committed to providing an enhanced level of service to clients in the following practice areas: Appellate | Arbitration and Mediation | Commercial Litigation | Community Association Law Construction Law Corporate Transactions | Outside General Counsel | Cyber Risk | Directors and Officers Litigation | Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration Elder Law and Guardianship Fidiciary Litigation Labor and Employment Professional Liability Real Estate Law

Houston | Austin | Dallas | San Antonio | Fort Bend 45 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

The Importance of Fertilization Homeowners and landscape professionals work extremely hard to create the perfect yard. They carefully select their favorite trees, plants, and shrubs from only the best growers and local nurseries, and they follow that hard work with meticulous planting and watering.

Still, no matter how close to perfect that yard may be, the overall environment is extremely challenging for the plants and trees you’ve selected. Why? Well, just like an aquarium isn’t quite the same for fish as the ocean is, for a tree, nothing beats the natural habit of a forest.

Think about it: raw nutrients surround plants and trees in the forest (leaves, soil, fallen bark, twigs, etc.). All of those nutrients are seemingly in endless supply, and it’s not something that can be duplicated in someone’s front yard or backyard. A key way to combat these inherent deficiencies and give your trees and plants what they need to grow and live for a very long time is to fertilize.

What is fertilization?

When we fertilize our trees, plants, and shrubs – whether they be newly-planted or in a mature state – we replace nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) they are missing out on by being in our yard rather than in their natural habitat. Fertilizing provides additional benefits, including: • • • • •

resistance to disease and insects stronger roots and enhanced root growth better water absorption ability to stand up to harsh season conditions (summer, winter) saving you money in the long run

Employing an earnest fertilization schedule is critical to your tree’s overall development and lifespan and should be combined with watering during dry spells, trimming and pruning, and proper mulching. Not doing so can cause irreparable harm to your landscapes and cost you more money in the long run.

Here are a few signs to look for when plants and trees are not being properly fertilized: • • • •

growth at a slower rate than previous seasons dead branches signs of fungus, disease, and insects deformed or discolored leaves

46 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

When is the best time to fertilize?

We recently wrote an article that answered the question of when is the best time of year to plant? Many homeowners ask a similar question about fertilizing – when is the right time of year to do it?

You can fertilize practically any time of year depending on the product, but the general rule of thumb is to fertilize in either late fall or mid-spring. Most plants and trees are dormant during these times, which means they can use some of the nutrients immediately while storing the rest for other times of the year.

At TreeNewal, LLC, we specialize in helping healthy and distressed trees, plants & turf flourish by solving issues at the source – the roots. We are both a distributor and professional installer of the patented Mitogrow™ Pellet3-IA, an IBA and vitamin B1 pellet that stimulates root development and encourages growth in most species of plants and trees.

The sustained released pellet delivers IBA, a naturally-occurring auxin found in willows and some other species' leaves and seeds, in a non-water-soluble form to enhance root regeneration over a more extended period. This product has changed the way we go about restoring damaged trees to optimal health. It also maintains the health of existing trees and plants.

Simply put, these pellets are the premier rooting hormone and fertilization program in the country.

Call TreeNewal Today!!!

At TreeNewal, we believe every landscape is unique. Whether you prefer to fertilize in the fall or spring, we can make a full assessment of your property and determine the strategy that works for your landscape.

TreeNewal has become the go-to landscaper/arborist for builders, developers, and residential homeowners who are looking for someone who is dedicated to their craft and has the resources to develop a landscape project from beginning to end.

They put their trust in us because we have proven we are more interested in doing right by the client and their landscapes – year-round.

For more information, visit www.treenewal.com or call (817) 329-8576.

47 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

The Importance of Fertilization Homeowners and landscape professionals work extremely hard to create the perfect yard. They carefully select their favorite trees, plants, and shrubs from only the best growers and local nurseries, and they follow that hard work with meticulous planting and watering.

Still, no matter how close to perfect that yard may be, the overall environment is extremely challenging for the plants and trees you’ve selected. Why? Well, just like an aquarium isn’t quite the same for fish as the ocean is, for a tree, nothing beats the natural habit of a forest.

Think about it: raw nutrients surround plants and trees in the forest (leaves, soil, fallen bark, twigs, etc.). All of those nutrients are seemingly in endless supply, and it’s not something that can be duplicated in someone’s front yard or backyard. A key way to combat these inherent deficiencies and give your trees and plants what they need to grow and live for a very long time is to fertilize.

What is fertilization?

When we fertilize our trees, plants, and shrubs – whether they be newly-planted or in a mature state – we replace nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) they are missing out on by being in our yard rather than in their natural habitat. Fertilizing provides additional benefits, including: • • • • •

resistance to disease and insects stronger roots and enhanced root growth better water absorption ability to stand up to harsh season conditions (summer, winter) saving you money in the long run

Employing an earnest fertilization schedule is critical to your tree’s overall development and lifespan and should be combined with watering during dry spells, trimming and pruning, and proper mulching. Not doing so can cause irreparable harm to your landscapes and cost you more money in the long run.

Here are a few signs to look for when plants and trees are not being properly fertilized: • • • •

growth at a slower rate than previous seasons dead branches signs of fungus, disease, and insects deformed or discolored leaves

46 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

When is the best time to fertilize?

We recently wrote an article that answered the question of when is the best time of year to plant? Many homeowners ask a similar question about fertilizing – when is the right time of year to do it?

You can fertilize practically any time of year depending on the product, but the general rule of thumb is to fertilize in either late fall or mid-spring. Most plants and trees are dormant during these times, which means they can use some of the nutrients immediately while storing the rest for other times of the year.

At TreeNewal, LLC, we specialize in helping healthy and distressed trees, plants & turf flourish by solving issues at the source – the roots. We are both a distributor and professional installer of the patented Mitogrow™ Pellet3-IA, an IBA and vitamin B1 pellet that stimulates root development and encourages growth in most species of plants and trees.

The sustained released pellet delivers IBA, a naturally-occurring auxin found in willows and some other species' leaves and seeds, in a non-water-soluble form to enhance root regeneration over a more extended period. This product has changed the way we go about restoring damaged trees to optimal health. It also maintains the health of existing trees and plants.

Simply put, these pellets are the premier rooting hormone and fertilization program in the country.

Call TreeNewal Today!!!

At TreeNewal, we believe every landscape is unique. Whether you prefer to fertilize in the fall or spring, we can make a full assessment of your property and determine the strategy that works for your landscape.

TreeNewal has become the go-to landscaper/arborist for builders, developers, and residential homeowners who are looking for someone who is dedicated to their craft and has the resources to develop a landscape project from beginning to end.

They put their trust in us because we have proven we are more interested in doing right by the client and their landscapes – year-round.

For more information, visit www.treenewal.com or call (817) 329-8576.

47 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

TRANSPARENCY WITH INCREASED SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATION

EVERYTHING YOUR CONDO OR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION NEEDS

Comprehensive Community Management Solutions

Contact us today at (866) 403.1588 or visit www.realmanage.com

RESERVE STUDIES

Easy Does It To use.

Pretty much everything.

Our remarkably simple reserve study system.

Our advanced reserve studies help you achieve a deeper engagement with your properties and a more effective way to manage them. Both today and tomorrow.

And with total confidence.

Banking solutions to help your communities thrive At Union Bank®, we offer customized banking and lending solutions to meet the unique needs of the community association industry. With over 25 years of experience, our specialized HOA team applies their in-depth knowledge to help support and grow your business.

Mr. Paul Dolfi Director, Sales Manager 770.242.8035 paul.foldi@unionbank.com

Learn how we simplify banking and the financing of your projects at HOAbankservices.com.

For your reserve study proposal, contact Jacque Martin at (800) 221-9882 or visit reserveadvisors.com.

48 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Financing subject to credit and collateral approval. Other restrictions may apply.

Terms and conditions subject to change.

©2018 MUFG Union Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Union Bank is a registered trademark and brand name of MUFG Union Bank, N.A. 49 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

TRANSPARENCY WITH INCREASED SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATION

EVERYTHING YOUR CONDO OR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION NEEDS

Comprehensive Community Management Solutions

Contact us today at (866) 403.1588 or visit www.realmanage.com

RESERVE STUDIES

Easy Does It To use.

Pretty much everything.

Our remarkably simple reserve study system.

Our advanced reserve studies help you achieve a deeper engagement with your properties and a more effective way to manage them. Both today and tomorrow.

And with total confidence.

Banking solutions to help your communities thrive At Union Bank®, we offer customized banking and lending solutions to meet the unique needs of the community association industry. With over 25 years of experience, our specialized HOA team applies their in-depth knowledge to help support and grow your business.

Mr. Paul Dolfi Director, Sales Manager 770.242.8035 paul.foldi@unionbank.com

Learn how we simplify banking and the financing of your projects at HOAbankservices.com.

For your reserve study proposal, contact Jacque Martin at (800) 221-9882 or visit reserveadvisors.com.

48 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Financing subject to credit and collateral approval. Other restrictions may apply.

Terms and conditions subject to change.

©2018 MUFG Union Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Union Bank is a registered trademark and brand name of MUFG Union Bank, N.A. 49 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

DFW CAI In The News Cagle Carpenter Hazlewood

1. We welcome Devin Knox as the newest attorney to join Cagle Carpenter Hazlewood!

2. I have been promoted to Senior Marketing Specialist over our entire Texas market, so I will be moving to Texas!! This means y’all will be seeing even more of me - yay!!

Association Reserves Announces the Opening of First Texas Office AUSTIN, TX –Association Reserves, the nation’s leading provider of Reserve Studies for Association-governed communities, announced the opening of their first Texas office and Elon Goldman as the president, effective April 1, 2018.

Goldman, a former Association Reserves, Inc. employee has completed over 500 Reserve Studies in the US, Mexico, and Australia. He has led a variety of projects, ranging from small 20 unit condominium associations to large, sprawling planned unit developments with over 12,000 single family homes as well as numerous high-rises, schools, resorts, worship facilities, and municipalities. Goldman enjoys the dual requirements of the job - the physical dynamics of site inspections and the ability to think critically in the office. By combining these skills, Goldman crafts reports that are unique and tailored to each association’s needs. In anticipation of his move to Texas, Goldman has been serving as the lead Project Manager for Texas clients the past year.

According to Association Reserves Founder/CEO, Robert Nordlund, PE, RS, “Elon has been a tremendous asset to our organization and our Texas clients. His reserve funding expertise, experience, and commitment to customer service will be a huge benefit to Association-governed communities in this area who need help preparing for their major repair and replacement projects.”

Goldman is excited about his partnership with Association Reserves and the expansion into his new role as an office president. He is looking forward to delivering the high quality Reserve Studies and customer service that Association Reserves is already known for in this area.

LAWYERS CAN APPLY NOW FOR NEW REAL ESTATE LAW SPECIALTY

by Sharon Reuler, Texas Lawyer www.txlandlaw.com sreuler@txlandlaw.com (972) 720-9727

April 30, 2018 is the deadline to apply for the inaugural class of legal certifications in Property Owners Association Law, a new real estate law specialty created by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. By year-end Texas will have Board-certified POA Law specialists.

State certification in POA Law is available for Texas attorneys who work with any aspect of common-interest developments at least 20% of the time and have at least 5 years of full-time law practice. The new legal specialty is designed to include lawyers representing developers and unit owners, as well as lawyers representing associations of owners.

Lawyers who are already certified by TBLS in Residential or Commercial Real Estate Law may become certified in POA Law without taking the exam, if they meet all the other qualifications and are licensed at least 10 years.

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization website is the official source of information about the new specialty. That’s where you’ll find the application and certification requirements. TBLS invites you to contact them directly with any questions or concerns you have regarding the certification requirements or processes.

TBLS website - http://www.tbls.org TBLS email - tbls@tbls.org TBLS phone - (512) 453-7266 The Texas Board of Legal Specialization is authorized by the State of Texas to create and certify legal specialties as a service to the citizens of Texas. TBLS is an agency of the State Bar of Texas that operates under the continuing jurisdiction of the Texas Supreme Court.

Texas Board of Legal Specialization Announces New Attorney Board Certification – Property Owners Association Law Contact: Sylvester Palacios

Pierpoint Communications

(512) 448-4950

spalacios@piercom.com

AUSTIN, TEXAS (March 21, 2018) ¬¬– The Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) today announced the addition of its newest specialty area, Property Owners Association (POA) Law, to its attorney board certification program. The fourth category of Real Estate Law, POA Law is the 24th specialty area offered to attorneys. TBLS is accepting applications through April 30, 2018 for this inaugural year of the POA Law specialty.

The practice of POA Law is the rendering of advice and services in connection with common-interest developments, the mandatory-membership associations of real property owners, and the individual owners of real property in common-interest developments, which includes condominiums, subdivisions and mixed-use developments.

About TBLS

Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) is authorized by the Supreme Court of Texas. It certifies attorneys in 24 specific areas of law and paralegals in eight specific areas. TBLS serves as a resource by listing all certified attorneys and paralegals online. TBLS works to ensure that the citizens of Texas receive the highest quality legal services.

“The need for POA-dedicated attorneys has certainly ballooned in correlation with the complexity of issues POAs deal with as well as Texas’ booming housing market. There are currently estimated to be over 25,000 POAs in the state,” said TBLS Executive Director Leo Figueroa. “This prompted TBLS and the Texas Supreme Court to officially launch POA Law Board Certification this year, which gives the public a way to identify attorneys with special competence in this area of law.”

State certification in POA Law is available for Texas attorneys who work with any aspect of common-interest developments at least 20 percent of the time, have devoted a minimum of 30 percent of his or her time practicing Texas Real Estate Law during each year of the 3 years immediately preceding application, and have at least 5 years of full-time law practice.

The new legal specialty is designed to include lawyers representing developers and unit owners, as well as lawyers representing associations of owners. Lawyers who are already certified by TBLS in Residential or Commercial Real Estate Law may become certified in POA Law without taking the exam, if they meet all the other qualifications and are licensed at least 10 years.

TBLS’ Board Certification program was created in 1974 to serve the public interest and advance quality standards within the legal profession by awarding a Certification of Special Competence to attorneys with demonstrated expertise within a specific area of law. TBLS is the largest legal board certification program in the nation, with more than 7,400 board certified Texas attorneys. In addition to POA Law, TBLS’ newest specialty areas include Child Welfare Law and Construction Law. To learn more about Board Certification or find a certified attorney in your area, visit www.tbls.org.

50 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

51 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

DFW CAI In The News Cagle Carpenter Hazlewood

1. We welcome Devin Knox as the newest attorney to join Cagle Carpenter Hazlewood!

2. I have been promoted to Senior Marketing Specialist over our entire Texas market, so I will be moving to Texas!! This means y’all will be seeing even more of me - yay!!

Association Reserves Announces the Opening of First Texas Office AUSTIN, TX –Association Reserves, the nation’s leading provider of Reserve Studies for Association-governed communities, announced the opening of their first Texas office and Elon Goldman as the president, effective April 1, 2018.

Goldman, a former Association Reserves, Inc. employee has completed over 500 Reserve Studies in the US, Mexico, and Australia. He has led a variety of projects, ranging from small 20 unit condominium associations to large, sprawling planned unit developments with over 12,000 single family homes as well as numerous high-rises, schools, resorts, worship facilities, and municipalities. Goldman enjoys the dual requirements of the job - the physical dynamics of site inspections and the ability to think critically in the office. By combining these skills, Goldman crafts reports that are unique and tailored to each association’s needs. In anticipation of his move to Texas, Goldman has been serving as the lead Project Manager for Texas clients the past year.

According to Association Reserves Founder/CEO, Robert Nordlund, PE, RS, “Elon has been a tremendous asset to our organization and our Texas clients. His reserve funding expertise, experience, and commitment to customer service will be a huge benefit to Association-governed communities in this area who need help preparing for their major repair and replacement projects.”

Goldman is excited about his partnership with Association Reserves and the expansion into his new role as an office president. He is looking forward to delivering the high quality Reserve Studies and customer service that Association Reserves is already known for in this area.

LAWYERS CAN APPLY NOW FOR NEW REAL ESTATE LAW SPECIALTY

by Sharon Reuler, Texas Lawyer www.txlandlaw.com sreuler@txlandlaw.com (972) 720-9727

April 30, 2018 is the deadline to apply for the inaugural class of legal certifications in Property Owners Association Law, a new real estate law specialty created by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. By year-end Texas will have Board-certified POA Law specialists.

State certification in POA Law is available for Texas attorneys who work with any aspect of common-interest developments at least 20% of the time and have at least 5 years of full-time law practice. The new legal specialty is designed to include lawyers representing developers and unit owners, as well as lawyers representing associations of owners.

Lawyers who are already certified by TBLS in Residential or Commercial Real Estate Law may become certified in POA Law without taking the exam, if they meet all the other qualifications and are licensed at least 10 years.

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization website is the official source of information about the new specialty. That’s where you’ll find the application and certification requirements. TBLS invites you to contact them directly with any questions or concerns you have regarding the certification requirements or processes.

TBLS website - http://www.tbls.org TBLS email - tbls@tbls.org TBLS phone - (512) 453-7266 The Texas Board of Legal Specialization is authorized by the State of Texas to create and certify legal specialties as a service to the citizens of Texas. TBLS is an agency of the State Bar of Texas that operates under the continuing jurisdiction of the Texas Supreme Court.

Texas Board of Legal Specialization Announces New Attorney Board Certification – Property Owners Association Law Contact: Sylvester Palacios

Pierpoint Communications

(512) 448-4950

spalacios@piercom.com

AUSTIN, TEXAS (March 21, 2018) ¬¬– The Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) today announced the addition of its newest specialty area, Property Owners Association (POA) Law, to its attorney board certification program. The fourth category of Real Estate Law, POA Law is the 24th specialty area offered to attorneys. TBLS is accepting applications through April 30, 2018 for this inaugural year of the POA Law specialty.

The practice of POA Law is the rendering of advice and services in connection with common-interest developments, the mandatory-membership associations of real property owners, and the individual owners of real property in common-interest developments, which includes condominiums, subdivisions and mixed-use developments.

About TBLS

Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) is authorized by the Supreme Court of Texas. It certifies attorneys in 24 specific areas of law and paralegals in eight specific areas. TBLS serves as a resource by listing all certified attorneys and paralegals online. TBLS works to ensure that the citizens of Texas receive the highest quality legal services.

“The need for POA-dedicated attorneys has certainly ballooned in correlation with the complexity of issues POAs deal with as well as Texas’ booming housing market. There are currently estimated to be over 25,000 POAs in the state,” said TBLS Executive Director Leo Figueroa. “This prompted TBLS and the Texas Supreme Court to officially launch POA Law Board Certification this year, which gives the public a way to identify attorneys with special competence in this area of law.”

State certification in POA Law is available for Texas attorneys who work with any aspect of common-interest developments at least 20 percent of the time, have devoted a minimum of 30 percent of his or her time practicing Texas Real Estate Law during each year of the 3 years immediately preceding application, and have at least 5 years of full-time law practice.

The new legal specialty is designed to include lawyers representing developers and unit owners, as well as lawyers representing associations of owners. Lawyers who are already certified by TBLS in Residential or Commercial Real Estate Law may become certified in POA Law without taking the exam, if they meet all the other qualifications and are licensed at least 10 years.

TBLS’ Board Certification program was created in 1974 to serve the public interest and advance quality standards within the legal profession by awarding a Certification of Special Competence to attorneys with demonstrated expertise within a specific area of law. TBLS is the largest legal board certification program in the nation, with more than 7,400 board certified Texas attorneys. In addition to POA Law, TBLS’ newest specialty areas include Child Welfare Law and Construction Law. To learn more about Board Certification or find a certified attorney in your area, visit www.tbls.org.

50 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

51 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

Magazine

2018 Calendar of Events January

How Do I Submit An ArƟcle?

The DFW Chapter welcomes ar�cles! If you have an ar�cle that you believe would be important to our membership, you can send it directly to the DFW Chapter by e-mailing office@dfwcai.org.

Ar�cles can range anywhere from 700 words to several thousand words. We prefer that they be submi�ed in Word format. If you have pictures that accompany the ar�cle, please send them as a�achments instead of inside the body of the ar�cle.

Ar�cles should be informa�ve in nature. You are welcome to provide a brief bio about the speaker, your company or community, along with contact informa�on for inclusion at the end of the ar�cle.

Ar�cles and adver�sements are accepted un�l the middle of the month prior to publica�on. Contact is produced every quarter, in March, June, September, and December, so we would need your ar�cle or adver�sement no later than February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 to ensure inclusion in the upcoming magazine.

Contact is mailed to over 500+ ac�ve members each quarter.

How Do I AdverƟse?

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Buy All Four Issues & Receive a 10% Discount!!!

tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ DĂLJ ϵth to ^ĂƚƵƌĚĂLJ͕ DĂLJ ϭϮth / EĂƟŽŶĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ tĂƐŚŝŶŐƚŽŶ͕ ΎEĂƟŽŶĂů ǀĞŶƚ

tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ϯϭst to ^ĂƚƵƌĚĂLJ͕ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ ϯƌĚ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ >Ăǁ ^ĞŵŝŶĂƌ WĂůŵ ^ƉƌŝŶŐƐ͕ ΎEĂƟŽŶĂů ǀĞŶƚ

&ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ DĂLJ Ϯϱth K& Ͳ d &ŝĞůĚ ĂLJ >ŽĐĂƟŽŶ d

February tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ ϭϰth DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď

March tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ DĂƌĐŚ ϭϰth DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ DĂƌĐŚ Ϯϭst K& Ͳ Ed& ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞ ĂLJ ϭ͗ϬϬƉŵ Ͳ ϯ͗ϯϬƉŵ EŽƌƚŚ dĞdžĂƐ &ŽŽĚ ĂŶŬ

April tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ Ɖƌŝů ϭϭth DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď

May

52 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

5

tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ DĂLJ ϵth DĞŵďĞƌ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď

tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ ϭϵth &t ϭϱƚŚ ŶŶƵĂů džƉŽ Θ dƌĂĚĞ ^ŚŽǁ WůĂŶŽ ǀĞŶƚƐ ĞŶƚĞƌ ϴ͗ϬϬ D Ͳ ϱ͗ϬϬ WD

October

June dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ :ƵŶĞ ϳth to &ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ :ƵŶĞ ϴth DͲϮϬϮ͗ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ,ŝŐŚ ZŝƐĞ DĂŶĂŐĞƌ͛Ɛ &ŽƌƵŵ ĂƚĞ ĂŶĚ >ŽĐĂƟŽŶ dŽ Ğ ĞƚĞƌŵŝŶĞĚ ϴ͗ϬϬ D ƚŽ ϱ͗ϬϬ WD

July dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ :ƵůLJ ϭϵth to ^ĂƚƵƌĚĂLJ͕ :ƵůLJ Ϯϭst DͲϭϬϬ͗ ƐƐĞŶƟĂůƐ ŽĨ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƚŽŶ DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ

August tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ ƵŐƵƐƚ ϴ DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď th

DŽŶĚĂLJ͕ Ɖƌŝů ϯϬth ŶŶƵĂů &t / 'ŽůĨ dŽƵƌŶĂŵĞŶƚ ϵ͗ϬϬĂŵ Ͳ ϰ͗ϬϬƉŵ ,ĂĐŬďĞƌƌLJ ƌĞĞŬ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď

PosiƟoning of adverƟsing is at the sole discreƟon of the Editor. Preferred posiƟons may be available—inquire for availability and price. CancellaƟons or changes of orders are not accepted aŌer the closing date. If proofs are not furnished, reproducƟons and registraƟon quality is at the adverƟser’s risk. AdverƟser and adverƟsing agency assumes liability for all content including text representaƟon and illustraƟons of adverƟsements printed and also assumes responsibility for any claims arising there from made against the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to reject any adverƟsing contract or inserƟon for any reason.

September

tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ϭϬth :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ǁĂƌĚƐ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď

dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ ϮϮŶĚ to &ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ ϮϯƌĚ DͲϮϬϱ͗ ZŝƐŬ DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ

Rates (per issue) Members Non-Members $100 $125 $175 $250 $250 $325

May, cont.

tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ ƵŐƵƐƚ ϮϮŶĚ K& Ͳ ŶŶƵĂů ŽǁůŝŶŐ dŽƵƌŶĂŵĞŶƚ ϱ͗ϬϬƉŵ Ͳ ϴ͗ϬϬƉŵ ŽǁůŵŽƌ >ĂŶĞƐ

Some dates may be subject to ĐŚĂŶŐĞ͘ WůĞĂƐĞ ĐŚĞĐŬ ǁǁǁ͘ĚĨǁĐĂŝ͘ŽƌŐ ƚŽ ĐŽŶĮƌŵ Ăůů ĚĂƚĞƐ ĂƐ ǁĞ ĂƉƉƌŽĂĐŚ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ͘ zŽƵ ĐĂŶ ĂůƐŽ ƐŝŐŶ ƵƉ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ email updates, which will let you ŬŶŽǁ ŝĨ ĂŶLJ ĚĂƚĞƐ ŚĂǀĞ ĐŚĂŶŐĞĚ͘

tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϭϬth DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϭϳth K& Ͳ >ŽŽƚ &Žƌ ŽŽƚƐ ƐƵƉƉůLJ ĚƌŝǀĞ ϯ͗ϬϬƉŵ Ͳ ϲ͗ϬϬƉŵ ,ƵŵƉďĞƌĚŝŶŬ͛Ɛ ĂůůĂƐ dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ KĐƚŽďĞƌ Ϯϱth to &ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ KĐƚŽďĞƌ Ϯϲth WD W ĂƐĞ ^ƚƵĚLJ

November &ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϵth K& Ͳ dŽůĨ 'ŽůĨ ǀĞŶƚ dŝŵĞ d dŽƉ 'ŽůĨ Ͳ WĂƌŬ >ĂŶĞ tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϭϰth EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ >ĞŐĂů hƉĚĂƚĞ Θ DĞŵďĞƌ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϯϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď Ύ ĂŶŶĞĚ &ŽŽĚ ƌŝǀĞ /Ŷ ŽŶũƵŶĐƟŽŶ tŝƚŚ dŚĞ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϭϱth to &ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϭϲth DͲϮϬϲ͗ &ŝŶĂŶĐŝĂů DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ

December tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ ĞĐĞŵďĞƌ ϭϮth DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď ΎdŽLJ ƌŝǀĞ /Ŷ ŽŶũƵŶĐƟŽŶ tŝƚŚ dŚĞ DĞŵďĞƌ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ 53 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

Magazine

2018 Calendar of Events January

How Do I Submit An ArƟcle?

The DFW Chapter welcomes ar�cles! If you have an ar�cle that you believe would be important to our membership, you can send it directly to the DFW Chapter by e-mailing office@dfwcai.org.

Ar�cles can range anywhere from 700 words to several thousand words. We prefer that they be submi�ed in Word format. If you have pictures that accompany the ar�cle, please send them as a�achments instead of inside the body of the ar�cle.

Ar�cles should be informa�ve in nature. You are welcome to provide a brief bio about the speaker, your company or community, along with contact informa�on for inclusion at the end of the ar�cle.

Ar�cles and adver�sements are accepted un�l the middle of the month prior to publica�on. Contact is produced every quarter, in March, June, September, and December, so we would need your ar�cle or adver�sement no later than February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 to ensure inclusion in the upcoming magazine.

Contact is mailed to over 500+ ac�ve members each quarter.

How Do I AdverƟse?

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Dimensions

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Full Page

Inside Front Cover 7.5w x 10h (4 Available) Inside Back Cover 7.5w x 10h (4 Available) Outside Back Cover 7.5w x 6h (4 Available)

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tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ DĂLJ ϵth to ^ĂƚƵƌĚĂLJ͕ DĂLJ ϭϮth / EĂƟŽŶĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ tĂƐŚŝŶŐƚŽŶ͕ ΎEĂƟŽŶĂů ǀĞŶƚ

tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ϯϭst to ^ĂƚƵƌĚĂLJ͕ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ ϯƌĚ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ >Ăǁ ^ĞŵŝŶĂƌ WĂůŵ ^ƉƌŝŶŐƐ͕ ΎEĂƟŽŶĂů ǀĞŶƚ

&ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ DĂLJ Ϯϱth K& Ͳ d &ŝĞůĚ ĂLJ >ŽĐĂƟŽŶ d

February tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ ϭϰth DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď

March tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ DĂƌĐŚ ϭϰth DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ DĂƌĐŚ Ϯϭst K& Ͳ Ed& ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞ ĂLJ ϭ͗ϬϬƉŵ Ͳ ϯ͗ϯϬƉŵ EŽƌƚŚ dĞdžĂƐ &ŽŽĚ ĂŶŬ

April tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ Ɖƌŝů ϭϭth DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď

May

52 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

5

tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ DĂLJ ϵth DĞŵďĞƌ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď

tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ ϭϵth &t ϭϱƚŚ ŶŶƵĂů džƉŽ Θ dƌĂĚĞ ^ŚŽǁ WůĂŶŽ ǀĞŶƚƐ ĞŶƚĞƌ ϴ͗ϬϬ D Ͳ ϱ͗ϬϬ WD

October

June dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ :ƵŶĞ ϳth to &ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ :ƵŶĞ ϴth DͲϮϬϮ͗ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ,ŝŐŚ ZŝƐĞ DĂŶĂŐĞƌ͛Ɛ &ŽƌƵŵ ĂƚĞ ĂŶĚ >ŽĐĂƟŽŶ dŽ Ğ ĞƚĞƌŵŝŶĞĚ ϴ͗ϬϬ D ƚŽ ϱ͗ϬϬ WD

July dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ :ƵůLJ ϭϵth to ^ĂƚƵƌĚĂLJ͕ :ƵůLJ Ϯϭst DͲϭϬϬ͗ ƐƐĞŶƟĂůƐ ŽĨ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƚŽŶ DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ

August tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ ƵŐƵƐƚ ϴ DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď th

DŽŶĚĂLJ͕ Ɖƌŝů ϯϬth ŶŶƵĂů &t / 'ŽůĨ dŽƵƌŶĂŵĞŶƚ ϵ͗ϬϬĂŵ Ͳ ϰ͗ϬϬƉŵ ,ĂĐŬďĞƌƌLJ ƌĞĞŬ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď

PosiƟoning of adverƟsing is at the sole discreƟon of the Editor. Preferred posiƟons may be available—inquire for availability and price. CancellaƟons or changes of orders are not accepted aŌer the closing date. If proofs are not furnished, reproducƟons and registraƟon quality is at the adverƟser’s risk. AdverƟser and adverƟsing agency assumes liability for all content including text representaƟon and illustraƟons of adverƟsements printed and also assumes responsibility for any claims arising there from made against the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to reject any adverƟsing contract or inserƟon for any reason.

September

tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ϭϬth :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ǁĂƌĚƐ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď

dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ ϮϮŶĚ to &ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ ϮϯƌĚ DͲϮϬϱ͗ ZŝƐŬ DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ

Rates (per issue) Members Non-Members $100 $125 $175 $250 $250 $325

May, cont.

tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ ƵŐƵƐƚ ϮϮŶĚ K& Ͳ ŶŶƵĂů ŽǁůŝŶŐ dŽƵƌŶĂŵĞŶƚ ϱ͗ϬϬƉŵ Ͳ ϴ͗ϬϬƉŵ ŽǁůŵŽƌ >ĂŶĞƐ

Some dates may be subject to ĐŚĂŶŐĞ͘ WůĞĂƐĞ ĐŚĞĐŬ ǁǁǁ͘ĚĨǁĐĂŝ͘ŽƌŐ ƚŽ ĐŽŶĮƌŵ Ăůů ĚĂƚĞƐ ĂƐ ǁĞ ĂƉƉƌŽĂĐŚ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ͘ zŽƵ ĐĂŶ ĂůƐŽ ƐŝŐŶ ƵƉ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ email updates, which will let you ŬŶŽǁ ŝĨ ĂŶLJ ĚĂƚĞƐ ŚĂǀĞ ĐŚĂŶŐĞĚ͘

tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϭϬth DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϭϳth K& Ͳ >ŽŽƚ &Žƌ ŽŽƚƐ ƐƵƉƉůLJ ĚƌŝǀĞ ϯ͗ϬϬƉŵ Ͳ ϲ͗ϬϬƉŵ ,ƵŵƉďĞƌĚŝŶŬ͛Ɛ ĂůůĂƐ dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ KĐƚŽďĞƌ Ϯϱth to &ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ KĐƚŽďĞƌ Ϯϲth WD W ĂƐĞ ^ƚƵĚLJ

November &ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϵth K& Ͳ dŽůĨ 'ŽůĨ ǀĞŶƚ dŝŵĞ d dŽƉ 'ŽůĨ Ͳ WĂƌŬ >ĂŶĞ tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϭϰth EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ >ĞŐĂů hƉĚĂƚĞ Θ DĞŵďĞƌ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϯϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď Ύ ĂŶŶĞĚ &ŽŽĚ ƌŝǀĞ /Ŷ ŽŶũƵŶĐƟŽŶ tŝƚŚ dŚĞ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϭϱth to &ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϭϲth DͲϮϬϲ͗ &ŝŶĂŶĐŝĂů DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ

December tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͕ ĞĐĞŵďĞƌ ϭϮth DĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ ϭϭ͗ϯϬ D Ͳ ϭ͗ϬϬ WD ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ůƵď ΎdŽLJ ƌŝǀĞ /Ŷ ŽŶũƵŶĐƟŽŶ tŝƚŚ dŚĞ DĞŵďĞƌ >ƵŶĐŚĞŽŶ 53 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

MEMBERSHIP

REPORT

MEMBERSHIP

REPORT

New DFW CAI Members Brandy Adams Manager Membership FirstService Residential (320)288-9013 brandy.adams@fsresidential.com Jeremy Mayes Manager Membership CCMC (214)682-2032 jmayes@ccmcnet.com Mallory Nombrano Manager Membership Worth Ross Management (214)522-1943 (240) mallory@worthross.com Mr. Andrew Brock Manager Membership Associa (214)272-4136 abrock@associaonline.com Mr. Bob Flynn Volunteer Leader Riverbend of Fort Worth Homeowner Association, Inc. (817)457-1726 bob.flynn@charter.net

Mr. George Natsis Volunteer Leader Frisco Lakes Community Association (361)782-8068 Gnatsis@sbcglobal.net http://www.friscolakes.com

Mrs. Angela Dawn Wilbur Manager Membership Competitive Edge Realty (972)552-0048 angie@angiewilbur.com http://cerdfw.com

Mr. Joao David Manager Membership Associa (214)272-4136

Mrs. Debra Roberts Volunteer Leader (972)495-5413 dar@cr-ar.com

Mr. John Lebeck Volunteer Leader Frisco Lakes Community Association (214)469-1887 J_Lebeck@msn.com http://www.friscolakes.com

Mrs. Diana Cupp Volunteer Leader Riverbend of Fort Worth Homeowner Association, Inc. (817)454-8484 cupp2424@yahoo.com

Mr. Jonathan Driver Manager Membership The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch (423)504-5350 jonathan.m.driver@ritzcarlton.com

Ms. Angela Frieling Business Partners Townsq (214)272-4082 afrieling@associaonline.com

Mr. Jose Maldonado Manager Membership Associa (214)272-4136

Ms. April Lynn Tuey, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Manager Membership Associa PMG of North Texas (214)475-5070 atuey@principal-mgmt.com

Mr. Bruce Mcdonald Business Partners Greener Pastures Landscape (214)634-0806 brucem@greenerpasturesdfw.com

Mr. Larry Pollis Volunteer Leader Rockcreek Place Home Owners Association (469)500-3561 larrypollis@icloud.com

Ms. Bonnie Ball Manager Membership Somerset Association Management (214)239-4530 bball@somersetassociations.com

Mr. Chris Collins Business Partners Custom Greenscaping, Inc. (817)217-8992 chris@customgreenscaping.com www.customgreenscaping.com

Mr. Matt Howe Volunteer Leader (817)889-0456 matthowe24@gmail.com

Ms. Brenda Simmons Multi-Chapter Membership for Business Partners Lallier Construction, Inc. (769)208-7069 Brenda@kitexas.com http://www.lallierconstruction.com

Mr. Dan Schulze Multi-Chapter Membership for Business Partners First-Citizens Bank & Trust Co (214)665-3401 Dan.Schulze@firstcitizens.com http://www.firstcitizens.com Mr. Daniel W Dyess Business Partners Fix A Gate, LLC (214)349-4283 sales@fixagate.com fixagate.com Mr. David Rekerdres Business Partners R & A Insurance (214)954-0800 David@Rekerdres.com http://www.rekerdres.com Mr. Gary Maberry Volunteer Leader Riverbend of Fort Worth Homeowner Association, Inc. (817)307-3906 d.maberry@hotmail.com 54 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Mr. Matthew Skipper Manager Membership CCMC (863)532-1120 mskipper@ccmcnet.com Mr. Michael Kan Business Partners Applied Concepts - Stalker Radar (972)801-4835 michaelk@stalkerradar.com stalkerradar.com Mr. Robert Kling Business Partners York Landscaping (817)451-9675 bob@yorklandscaping.com www.yorklandscaping.com Mr. William Lee Casey Business Partners Smart Outdoor Services, Inc. (469)298-0837 info@save-both.com www.save-both.com

Ms. Calinda V. Haddock Manager Membership (512)695-2931 calindahaddock@hotmail.com Ms. Jan McNerney Volunteer Leader Riverbend of Fort Worth Homeowner Association, Inc. (817)528-5006 asujan78@gmail.com Ms. Kelly Jo Stafford Manager Membership Neighborhood Management, Inc. (972)359-1548 (174) kellyjostafford@att.net Ms. Margie A. Maxwell Management Company Assured Association Management, Inc. 469-480-8000 mmaxwell@assuredmanagement.com www.assuredmanagement.com

New DFW CAI Members Ms. Marianne E. Bailey Multi-Chapter Membership for Business Partners Inspections R Us (866)574-6773 marianne@inspectionsr.us www.InspectionsR.us Ms. Mary Rettig Volunteer Leader Riverbend of Fort Worth Homeowner Association, Inc. maryrettig@att.net Ms. Pam Cormier Manager Membership Worth Ross Management (817)877-3000 pam@worthross.com Ms. Rosanne M Hill, CMCA, AMS Manager Membership CMA (972)943-2876 rhill@cmamanagement.com Ms. Sasha Johnson Manager Membership Worth Ross Management (512)499-8742 sasha@worthross.com Ms. Suzanne Henry Manager Membership (214)668-4449 suzanne.henryk@gmail.com Ms. Wendy Martin Volunteer Leader Riverbend of Fort Worth Homeowner Association, Inc. (817)233-3906 wdmartin15@gmail.com

Renewed Members Miss Nicole Lee Carciofini, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Mr. Anthoney Martinez Mr. Anthony Steven Rolfes Mr. Billy Weaver Mr. Brent Charles Benoit, CMCA, AMS Mr. Brett Wiklund, CMCA Mr. Chris Hoofnagle, CMCA Mr. Chris Leonard Mr. Christopher Bushman Mr. Colby Gschwend, CMCA Mr. Dale L. Smith, CMCA Mr. Dan Schulze Mr. David Covington, CMCA Mr. David Garrett, CMCA Mr. David Garrett, CMCA Mr. David Meyer, CMCA Mr. Don Rosics Mr. Drew Dunn Mr. Duane J. Fangman Mr. Dustin Neyra Mr. Gregory Herbst, CMCA, AMS Mr. James Garner Mr. James Heck, II, CMCA, AMS, PCAM

Mr. Jody Waggoner Mr. Joe A. Decorte Mr. John Krueger Mr. Keith Adams Mr. Monte Irion Mr. Paul Coggins Mr. Price Trosin Mr. Ray Vil Mr. Richard Joseph Coady, III Mr. Ryan South Mr. Scott A. Young Mr. Steven C. Grant, RS Mr. Steven Painter Mr. Todd Davidson, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Mr. Tony Diaz, III, CMCA Mr. William F. Crawford, CMCA Mr. William Rathburn Mrs. Alicia Lee Mrs. Alyssa Wilson, CMCA Mrs. Andrea Willett Mrs. Catherine Cora Kemp Mrs. Debra Campbell, CMCA Mrs. Debra Wyatte, CMCA Mrs. Jillian Meers, CMCA Mrs. Katrina Swindle, CMCA, AMS Mrs. Kimberly Musser, CMCA, AMS Mrs. LaWanda Brannon, CMCA Mrs. Tameka Ebonee Jackson Mrs. Tara Spivey Mrs. Teresa Muchler, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Ms. Alice M. McKee, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Ms. Alison E DeCarlucci, CMCA Ms. Amber Anderson Ms. Annette McCracken Rejoined Members Ms. Candice Roy Ms. Carol Moore Moran, CMCA, AMS Ms. Chelsea Faxon Ms. Chris Munsch, CMCA, AMS Ms. Cindy Huey Ms. Cindy Lynn Martin, CMCA, AMS Ms. Consuelo Lopez, CMCA, AMS Ms. Debbie Sanderson, CMCA, AMS Ms. Dodie Slama, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Ms. Elle Larkin Ms. Janel Dolan Jones Ms. Janet Stern Ms. Judith L. Dreis, PCAM Ms. Karli Sharrow Ms. Katie Marie Hartley, CMCA, AMS Ms. KaTracy Sullivan Ms. Kortney Glass Ms. Leslie Alvarez, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM Ms. Linda M. Arquilla, CMCA Ms. Linda Neel Ms. Margaret Diane Parker, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Ms. Maria Cardoso Ms. Marian Theresa Mcwilliams, CMCA Ms. Marsha Hove, CMCA Ms. Mary Beth Burger Ms. MaryAnn Naegle Ms. Melissa Verde, CMCA Ms. Michele Hernandez, CMCA, AMS Ms. Monday Makin Ms. Penny Curtis Ms. Rebecca Tarpley, CMCA Ms. Rhonda Vantassell, CMCA Ms. Sandra Gotterup Ms. Sharon L. Walters Ms. Susan Anne Blevins, CMCA, AMS Ms. Susan Garrett 55 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

MEMBERSHIP

REPORT

MEMBERSHIP

REPORT

New DFW CAI Members Brandy Adams Manager Membership FirstService Residential (320)288-9013 brandy.adams@fsresidential.com Jeremy Mayes Manager Membership CCMC (214)682-2032 jmayes@ccmcnet.com Mallory Nombrano Manager Membership Worth Ross Management (214)522-1943 (240) mallory@worthross.com Mr. Andrew Brock Manager Membership Associa (214)272-4136 abrock@associaonline.com Mr. Bob Flynn Volunteer Leader Riverbend of Fort Worth Homeowner Association, Inc. (817)457-1726 bob.flynn@charter.net

Mr. George Natsis Volunteer Leader Frisco Lakes Community Association (361)782-8068 Gnatsis@sbcglobal.net http://www.friscolakes.com

Mrs. Angela Dawn Wilbur Manager Membership Competitive Edge Realty (972)552-0048 angie@angiewilbur.com http://cerdfw.com

Mr. Joao David Manager Membership Associa (214)272-4136

Mrs. Debra Roberts Volunteer Leader (972)495-5413 dar@cr-ar.com

Mr. John Lebeck Volunteer Leader Frisco Lakes Community Association (214)469-1887 J_Lebeck@msn.com http://www.friscolakes.com

Mrs. Diana Cupp Volunteer Leader Riverbend of Fort Worth Homeowner Association, Inc. (817)454-8484 cupp2424@yahoo.com

Mr. Jonathan Driver Manager Membership The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch (423)504-5350 jonathan.m.driver@ritzcarlton.com

Ms. Angela Frieling Business Partners Townsq (214)272-4082 afrieling@associaonline.com

Mr. Jose Maldonado Manager Membership Associa (214)272-4136

Ms. April Lynn Tuey, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Manager Membership Associa PMG of North Texas (214)475-5070 atuey@principal-mgmt.com

Mr. Bruce Mcdonald Business Partners Greener Pastures Landscape (214)634-0806 brucem@greenerpasturesdfw.com

Mr. Larry Pollis Volunteer Leader Rockcreek Place Home Owners Association (469)500-3561 larrypollis@icloud.com

Ms. Bonnie Ball Manager Membership Somerset Association Management (214)239-4530 bball@somersetassociations.com

Mr. Chris Collins Business Partners Custom Greenscaping, Inc. (817)217-8992 chris@customgreenscaping.com www.customgreenscaping.com

Mr. Matt Howe Volunteer Leader (817)889-0456 matthowe24@gmail.com

Ms. Brenda Simmons Multi-Chapter Membership for Business Partners Lallier Construction, Inc. (769)208-7069 Brenda@kitexas.com http://www.lallierconstruction.com

Mr. Dan Schulze Multi-Chapter Membership for Business Partners First-Citizens Bank & Trust Co (214)665-3401 Dan.Schulze@firstcitizens.com http://www.firstcitizens.com Mr. Daniel W Dyess Business Partners Fix A Gate, LLC (214)349-4283 sales@fixagate.com fixagate.com Mr. David Rekerdres Business Partners R & A Insurance (214)954-0800 David@Rekerdres.com http://www.rekerdres.com Mr. Gary Maberry Volunteer Leader Riverbend of Fort Worth Homeowner Association, Inc. (817)307-3906 d.maberry@hotmail.com 54 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

Mr. Matthew Skipper Manager Membership CCMC (863)532-1120 mskipper@ccmcnet.com Mr. Michael Kan Business Partners Applied Concepts - Stalker Radar (972)801-4835 michaelk@stalkerradar.com stalkerradar.com Mr. Robert Kling Business Partners York Landscaping (817)451-9675 bob@yorklandscaping.com www.yorklandscaping.com Mr. William Lee Casey Business Partners Smart Outdoor Services, Inc. (469)298-0837 info@save-both.com www.save-both.com

Ms. Calinda V. Haddock Manager Membership (512)695-2931 calindahaddock@hotmail.com Ms. Jan McNerney Volunteer Leader Riverbend of Fort Worth Homeowner Association, Inc. (817)528-5006 asujan78@gmail.com Ms. Kelly Jo Stafford Manager Membership Neighborhood Management, Inc. (972)359-1548 (174) kellyjostafford@att.net Ms. Margie A. Maxwell Management Company Assured Association Management, Inc. 469-480-8000 mmaxwell@assuredmanagement.com www.assuredmanagement.com

New DFW CAI Members Ms. Marianne E. Bailey Multi-Chapter Membership for Business Partners Inspections R Us (866)574-6773 marianne@inspectionsr.us www.InspectionsR.us Ms. Mary Rettig Volunteer Leader Riverbend of Fort Worth Homeowner Association, Inc. maryrettig@att.net Ms. Pam Cormier Manager Membership Worth Ross Management (817)877-3000 pam@worthross.com Ms. Rosanne M Hill, CMCA, AMS Manager Membership CMA (972)943-2876 rhill@cmamanagement.com Ms. Sasha Johnson Manager Membership Worth Ross Management (512)499-8742 sasha@worthross.com Ms. Suzanne Henry Manager Membership (214)668-4449 suzanne.henryk@gmail.com Ms. Wendy Martin Volunteer Leader Riverbend of Fort Worth Homeowner Association, Inc. (817)233-3906 wdmartin15@gmail.com

Renewed Members Miss Nicole Lee Carciofini, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Mr. Anthoney Martinez Mr. Anthony Steven Rolfes Mr. Billy Weaver Mr. Brent Charles Benoit, CMCA, AMS Mr. Brett Wiklund, CMCA Mr. Chris Hoofnagle, CMCA Mr. Chris Leonard Mr. Christopher Bushman Mr. Colby Gschwend, CMCA Mr. Dale L. Smith, CMCA Mr. Dan Schulze Mr. David Covington, CMCA Mr. David Garrett, CMCA Mr. David Garrett, CMCA Mr. David Meyer, CMCA Mr. Don Rosics Mr. Drew Dunn Mr. Duane J. Fangman Mr. Dustin Neyra Mr. Gregory Herbst, CMCA, AMS Mr. James Garner Mr. James Heck, II, CMCA, AMS, PCAM

Mr. Jody Waggoner Mr. Joe A. Decorte Mr. John Krueger Mr. Keith Adams Mr. Monte Irion Mr. Paul Coggins Mr. Price Trosin Mr. Ray Vil Mr. Richard Joseph Coady, III Mr. Ryan South Mr. Scott A. Young Mr. Steven C. Grant, RS Mr. Steven Painter Mr. Todd Davidson, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Mr. Tony Diaz, III, CMCA Mr. William F. Crawford, CMCA Mr. William Rathburn Mrs. Alicia Lee Mrs. Alyssa Wilson, CMCA Mrs. Andrea Willett Mrs. Catherine Cora Kemp Mrs. Debra Campbell, CMCA Mrs. Debra Wyatte, CMCA Mrs. Jillian Meers, CMCA Mrs. Katrina Swindle, CMCA, AMS Mrs. Kimberly Musser, CMCA, AMS Mrs. LaWanda Brannon, CMCA Mrs. Tameka Ebonee Jackson Mrs. Tara Spivey Mrs. Teresa Muchler, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Ms. Alice M. McKee, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Ms. Alison E DeCarlucci, CMCA Ms. Amber Anderson Ms. Annette McCracken Rejoined Members Ms. Candice Roy Ms. Carol Moore Moran, CMCA, AMS Ms. Chelsea Faxon Ms. Chris Munsch, CMCA, AMS Ms. Cindy Huey Ms. Cindy Lynn Martin, CMCA, AMS Ms. Consuelo Lopez, CMCA, AMS Ms. Debbie Sanderson, CMCA, AMS Ms. Dodie Slama, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Ms. Elle Larkin Ms. Janel Dolan Jones Ms. Janet Stern Ms. Judith L. Dreis, PCAM Ms. Karli Sharrow Ms. Katie Marie Hartley, CMCA, AMS Ms. KaTracy Sullivan Ms. Kortney Glass Ms. Leslie Alvarez, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM Ms. Linda M. Arquilla, CMCA Ms. Linda Neel Ms. Margaret Diane Parker, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Ms. Maria Cardoso Ms. Marian Theresa Mcwilliams, CMCA Ms. Marsha Hove, CMCA Ms. Mary Beth Burger Ms. MaryAnn Naegle Ms. Melissa Verde, CMCA Ms. Michele Hernandez, CMCA, AMS Ms. Monday Makin Ms. Penny Curtis Ms. Rebecca Tarpley, CMCA Ms. Rhonda Vantassell, CMCA Ms. Sandra Gotterup Ms. Sharon L. Walters Ms. Susan Anne Blevins, CMCA, AMS Ms. Susan Garrett 55 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

MEMBERSHIP REPORT Renewed Members Ms. Susan Ward-Freeman Ms. Tammy Hatter, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Ms. Teena Solomon, CMCA, AMS Ms. Tiffany Tononi Ms. Vickie Johnson, CMCA, AMS Ms. Victoria Baubie Ms. Virginia Townley, CPM CCIM Ms. Whitney De la cruz Oscar Pedrajo

Rejoined Members Mr. Benjamin Chris Broach, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Mr. Bob Flynn Mr. David Dotson, RS Mr. Gary Maberry Mr. Robert M. Blend, Esq. Mr. Thomas Allen Park, CMCA Mrs. Diana Cupp Mrs. Tami Smith, CMCA, AMS Ms. Betty Crudden, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Ms. Emily Susan Law Ms. Jamie Chamberlain, CMCA, AMS Ms. Jan McNerney Ms. Jane Holtz Ms. Mary Rettig Ms. Vickie Davis Ms. Wendy Martin

Congratulations - New Membership Designations Mr. Barry Jones, CMCA, AMS Worth Ross bjbarryjones@yahoo.com (469)236-5896

AMS

4/13/2018

Ms. Michele Colvin, CMCA RTI/CMA Management mmcnicol@cmamanagement.com (940)231-5211

CMCA

2/14/2018

Mr. Robert Ikard, Jr., CMCA robertikard@yahoo.com (469)246-3502

CMCA

2/9/2018

Ms. Rosanne M Hill, CMCA, AMS RTI/CMA Management rhill@cmamanagement.com (972)943-2876

AMS

2/20/2018

Ms. Teena Solomon, CMCA, AMS Neighborhood Management, Inc. tsolomon@nmitx.com (972)261-6916

AMS

4/18/2018

Ms. Amanda Duckworth, CMCA CMCA Classic Property Management amandaduckworth@classicpm.com (469)912-5934

3/16/2018

Ms. Chelsea Chambo, CMCA, AMS SBB Management Company c.chambo@sbbmanagement.com (972)679-3842

AMS

3/6/2018

Ms. Jamie Chamberlain, CMCA, thechamberlains0726@gmail.com (940)297-5252

AMS

2/21/2018

56 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

57 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

MEMBERSHIP REPORT Renewed Members Ms. Susan Ward-Freeman Ms. Tammy Hatter, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Ms. Teena Solomon, CMCA, AMS Ms. Tiffany Tononi Ms. Vickie Johnson, CMCA, AMS Ms. Victoria Baubie Ms. Virginia Townley, CPM CCIM Ms. Whitney De la cruz Oscar Pedrajo

Rejoined Members Mr. Benjamin Chris Broach, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Mr. Bob Flynn Mr. David Dotson, RS Mr. Gary Maberry Mr. Robert M. Blend, Esq. Mr. Thomas Allen Park, CMCA Mrs. Diana Cupp Mrs. Tami Smith, CMCA, AMS Ms. Betty Crudden, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Ms. Emily Susan Law Ms. Jamie Chamberlain, CMCA, AMS Ms. Jan McNerney Ms. Jane Holtz Ms. Mary Rettig Ms. Vickie Davis Ms. Wendy Martin

Congratulations - New Membership Designations Mr. Barry Jones, CMCA, AMS Worth Ross bjbarryjones@yahoo.com (469)236-5896

AMS

4/13/2018

Ms. Michele Colvin, CMCA RTI/CMA Management mmcnicol@cmamanagement.com (940)231-5211

CMCA

2/14/2018

Mr. Robert Ikard, Jr., CMCA robertikard@yahoo.com (469)246-3502

CMCA

2/9/2018

Ms. Rosanne M Hill, CMCA, AMS RTI/CMA Management rhill@cmamanagement.com (972)943-2876

AMS

2/20/2018

Ms. Teena Solomon, CMCA, AMS Neighborhood Management, Inc. tsolomon@nmitx.com (972)261-6916

AMS

4/18/2018

Ms. Amanda Duckworth, CMCA CMCA Classic Property Management amandaduckworth@classicpm.com (469)912-5934

3/16/2018

Ms. Chelsea Chambo, CMCA, AMS SBB Management Company c.chambo@sbbmanagement.com (972)679-3842

AMS

3/6/2018

Ms. Jamie Chamberlain, CMCA, thechamberlains0726@gmail.com (940)297-5252

AMS

2/21/2018

56 • CONTACT, SPRING 2018

57 • CONTACT, SPRING 20186

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