Category Archives: News & Notable

The latest news that homeowners will want to know.

Reminder: Each Lot Owner is Responsible for the Drainage on Their Property…Including Easements!

Posted on by Posted in "Covenants" CC&Rs, Helpful Reminders, News & Notable

On June 22, 2018, Goodwin Harrison Management arranged for a civil engineering firm to inspect the drainage ditches at the front of each lot within the Quail Creek Subdivision. At that time, the primary area of concern was along the East side of Pheasant Hill. Several lots had standing water issues and Goodwin Harrison volunteered to initiate the inspection at no charge to the HOA.

The inspection report was emailed to the Homeowners on October 19th and discussed during the October 22nd HOA Regular Board Meeting. Although the report from SBSA included a bid for a grading and drainage plan for those lots of concern on Pheasant Hill, no scope of work was authorized, nor funds allocated by the HOA. This report may have been misleading to some homeowners that understood the HOA was going to pay for drainage repairs on those lots. The HOA is not responsible for maintaining the drainage ditch on each homeowner’s property. The CCR’s define the responsibility of each homeowner to maintain and repair the ditches to allow for unimpeded water flow throughout the neighborhood.

There has also been some question as to ownership of the drainage ditch (often referred to as an easement). As noted on the neighborhood plat, filed with Rockwall County, each lot runs to the street. Therefore, the drainage ditch is part of the owner’s lot. Some lots along the South side of Quail Creek, the South and East sides of Partridge Drive and the North and West sides of Pheasant Hill have a 15 ft. water line at the front of their property. Those lots would be subject to an easement to the water company. CLICK HERE to view the CC&R’s (a copy of the plat that is located on pages 27-29).

The unusually heavy rains this fall have made the drainage situation more prevalent and therefor the need for each homeowner to assess their lot more important. If you have water standing in your ditch, the Board asks that it be addressed and repaired according to Section 7.12 and 9.2 of the CCR’s. Also, be aware that if your neighbor has standing water, it may be because your lot is impeding their water flow, and this should also be addressed and repaired.

Warm weather will be here before we know it! Standing water is a magnet for mosquitos… Let’s all do our part to work together to keep our drainage ditches clean, flowing and free of standing water!

Read Goodwin Harrison Management Company Letter to Homeowners

 

New Trash Company Service Begins January 1 with new THURSDAY Pickup

Posted on by Posted in Community, Government News, News & Notable, Utilities News

Beginning January 1, 2019 trash pickup will be on Thursdays instead of Fridays and trash bins will be swapped out with new ones.  That’s because the City has changed the trash service contractor to Community Waste Disposal (CWD), the largest independently owned solid waste and recycling company in the DFW area. Expect to see mailings from CWD soon regarding the transition to the new trash bins, which will utilize the same 95-gallon trash and/or recycling cart. In addition to this service, CWO will collect up to four (4) cubic yards of bulk/brush weekly.

The new company will also be utilizing semi-automated rear load two axle 33,000lb vehicles, which are supposed to be easier on our streets and are powered by natural gas instead of diesel, which is more environmentally fr1endly.

Lawn Maintenance Policy Is Now Effective

Posted on by Posted in New Homeowners, News & Notable, Policies

To help ensure that the beauty of our neighborhood is not diminished by neglectful homeowners, the Board has enacted a Lawn Maintenance Policy that establishes basic standards. Most already go well above and beyond these standards but the new policy enables the Board to hold those who don’t accountable. To read the new policy, select from the main menu above “HOA Business”; submenus “Records & Documents”; “Policies.”

Quail Creek Neighbor Achieves Rank of DFD Chief!

Posted on by Posted in News & Notable

Quail Creek resident, Justin Hood, has risen to the rank of Chief in the Dallas Fire Department!

This achievement is extraordinary, especially in light of the size of the department and a highly competitive atmosphere among firefighters.  As he did when he was working to earn the rank of Lieutenant and Captain, Justin faced a comprehensive written exam to qualify as a finalist.

The real test took place a few weeks later at the Kay Bailey Convention Center in Dallas where he faced a rigorous three-day interview process, where Fire Chief’s from around the nation were flown in to evaluate candidates that were confronted with mock scenarios of real-world situations.  Candidates were required to respond to and demonstrate their ability to prioritize and work through the problems, and as they did that, new situations and challenges were added to mirror the dynamic nature of the command.

Incredibly, Justin ranked #8 out of a large pool of finalists, with just fractions of points separating him from those who ranked higher!

So “Captain Hood” is now officially “Chief Hood,” though we can all still call him Justin!

Justin and his wife Jennifer have lived in Quail Creek for seven years and have a ten-year-old daughter, Abby.  Three years ago this May, the Lord took their four-year-old son, David, home to heaven following a lifetime of medical challenges due to a rare heart defect.

Those who know him best see Justin as a hard-charging individual whose life is not defined by his duties with the fire department, but by his faith in Jesus Christ.  As an example of this, many will remember when Justin officiated at the funeral of his next-door neighbor and friend, Lonnie Cannon, last month.

We are all very proud to have a DFD fire chief living in our neighborhood, but even more grateful to have a man like Justin as our neighbor.

The Passing of a Wonderful Neighbor

Posted on by Posted in News & Notable

Last night at approximately 10pm our dear neighbor Mr. Lonnie Cannon passed away at his home surrounded by his family. Lonnie & his beloved wife Marilyn moved here about three years ago from East Texas so that Marilyn could be closer to doctors as she successfully battled cancer. A few months ago, however, Lonnie was diagnosed with stage four cancer.

Lonnie & Marilyn Cannon Celebrate 51 years of Marriage

Lonnie & Marilyn Cannon Celebrate 51 years of Marriage

Lonnie loved sitting on his back porch looking out to watch the cows graze in the open pasture. When warm weather came around each year he was often seen mounted on his riding mower or tending the landscape that has always looked pristine and well manicured.

His immediate neighbors, Justin & Jennifer Hood, shared how much they have enjoyed having the Cannons for neighbors as Lonnie loved teasing Justin about how tired he got from watching Justin do every project “the hard way.” Despite the fact that he was more than twice Justin’s age, Lonnie would often take it upon himself to come over and help fix a project Justin may have been working on. Most of all, the Hoods shared that they will miss those times that they just sat out on Lonnie’s back porch to talk as neighbors.

Over the past couple of weeks, Mr. Cannon was most enthusiastic about his love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He shared about how he accepted the gift of eternal life that he could never have earned on his own without the good news of grace through Christ alone.

The Cannon’s and the Hoods have both shared in the grief of losing a son at very young ages. So it is understandable that in one of the last times they spoke, Justin asked Lonnie that when he sees their son David in Heaven to give him a hug for his daddy, which Mr. Cannon said he was eager to do.

Lonnie said that he was ready to go Home but worried about leaving the love of his life Marilyn alone. Along with the Hoods, we have committed to help Marilyn in whatever ways we are able and invite all neighbors to join with us in taking care of Mrs. Cannon. Obviously her family is present and tending to her needs at this time but we know that as days pass the opportunity to reach out to her will be more abundant. We will post some opportunities to love Mrs. Cannon, like preparing meals, tending the lawn, etc, soon so if you or your family is interested in helping out then keep watching on Nextdoor or message me to let me know how you might be able to help.

VIDEO:  Quail Creek Resident and Councilman, Robert Steinhagen, pays tribute to Mr. Cannon during the March 14 City Council Meeting

Street Crack Repairs Are Complete

Posted on by Posted in News & Notable, Street Damage/Repair
Last week, preventative street maintenance was completed where the many cracks were routed out and filled in with a Urethane sealant, which is supposed to improve the longevity of the repairs.
We thank you for your patience throughout the process and for taking caution when approaching/passing the crews!
This marks the first phase of the repairs approved by the members at the annual meeting in October 2015.  Funds from the Special Assessment are being used to pay for the repairs.  Please reach out to any Board Member if you have questions about the repairs or assessment.

Homeowners Approve $825 Special Assessment for Street Repairs

Posted on by Posted in Membership Meetings, News & Notable, Street Damage/Repair, Voting & Elections

Homeowners voted overwhelmingly (93%) in favor of a Special Assessment to finish the major repairs to the streets at the front entrance and make preventative maintenance to the streets throughout the neighborhood.  The $825 Special Assessment is in addition to the Regular Annual Assessment, which the Board voted Tuesday to keep at the current rate of $319 (the Board may, without a vote of the homeowners, raise the annual regular assessment 10%).

Quail Creek Neighborhood’s annual assessment is among the lowest in Rockwall County, which makes it necessary to propose special assements from time to time, especially when it comes to street repair and maintenance.

Another development with a very low regular annual assessment is Kentwood (south of QC along 1139), which has just 17 homes, but is facing more than $116,000 to repair their street, which is in serious state of disrepair!  Our ability to split repair costs among 69 owners is a true advantage over other developments.

The $825 Special Assessment, voted and approved by homeowners during the October 6 Annual Meeting, will be billed in January.  Homeowners are encouraged to pay the full amount, rather than pay in three annual installments, which was proposed for homeowners who may be on a fixed income or where it may cause undue financial strain.  The Board will make repairs as funds come available, which is why it is so important for as many homeowners as possible to pay the full amount in January.

Annual Meeting Summary

Posted on by Posted in Board Related, Governance, Membership Meetings, Neighborhood Park, News & Notable, Street Damage/Repair, Voting & Elections

This year’s Annual Meeting was one of the highest attended since the completion of Phase II, where 70% of the Membership was represented, either in person or by proxy.  A new Board was voted in and many motions were considered.

  • The Board Officers for the 2015/2016 term are
    • Shana Nalls, President
    • Casey Berley, Vice President
    • Rhonda Smith, Treasurer
    • Brad Peters, Secretary
    • Architectural Review Committee
      • David Hoye, Chairman
      • David Fuller
      • Ken Daulong
  • The treasurer’s report is posted below under Budget 2015/2016.
  • President’s Report
    • Bob Steinhagen, outgoing president, spoke about the many accomplishments of the Board, which include:
        1. Improved communications with homeowners including a new website, the newsletters, and email correspondence for important matters.
        2. Amending the governing documents of the HOA, which include the CC&Rs & Bylaws to bring the Association into compliance with new state standards, through a Ballot initiative that the Board created & developed, as well as many new policies, most of which were state mandated.
        3. Improvements to the neighborhood streets, which include the opportunity for homeowners to consider a Special Assessment for preventative maintenance and major repairs to the front entrance of the development.
        4. The decision to place a mailbox at the front entrance of the neighborhood for HOA related matters, which included a detailed explanation of the option between a decorative metal mailbox, which, while it would not conform to neighborhood standards, would be more cost effective verses a brick mailbox, where homeowners voted, via a poll posted on the HOA website, for the brick mailbox.
    • Mr. Steinhagen also thanked the current board, Vice President, Brad Peters, Treasurer, Shana Nalls, Secretary, Glenna Brown, and the ARC, Ken Daulong, David Fuller, & David Hoye, for their tireless support to help reinvigorate homeowners confidence in the Board through their tireless and dedicated efforts.
  • A Motion to post a “No Soliciting” sign at the front entrance to the neighborhood passed, with the understanding that neighborhood school children may still go door to door to raise funds for their schools.
  •  Motion to remove the two stop signs on Pheasant Hill failed by just four votes.
  • A Motion to sell the lot that currently is the park in the community and use the proceeds to repair the road near the entrance of Quail Creek failed overwhelmingly, with just six votes in favor of the motion.
  • A Motion to rename Mockingbird Hill Lane to Clint Packer Way was withdrawn.
  • A Motion for the Association to, on January 1, 2016, levy a Special Assessment of $825.00 for neighborhood street repairs and preventative maintenance, which shall either be due in full on the 31st of the same month or may be paid in up to three annual installments of not less than $275.00, where each installment comes due on the 31st of January of the installment year passed overwhelmingly (93%), with just three votes against the motion.

UPDATE: Board Approves Front Entrance Street Repairs

Posted on by Posted in ARC, Board Related, News & Notable

Tonight, the Board voted by unanimous consent to approve a proposal by Midway Sealcoating & Striping to remove and replace a total of 1,250 square feet of street that runs along both sides of the median at the entrance of our development.  The repairs will be made in two phases, to keep open one lane for ingress & egress.

The dates of construction will likely be late August or early September, but that information will be posted on this website once we are provided notice.

The cost for these repairs is $15,000, where a little over $11,000 of our $22,000 capital reserves will be used in addition to $4,000 that was budgeted this year for street repairs.

It should be noted that these repairs are not patches, but entire sections.  Two of the patches that were installed two years ago and are now beginning to falter, will be removed as part of this repair.

Not included in this repair is the third large-patched section that runs farthest away from the entrance, which is estimated to cost another $6 to 8 thousand.  The Board opted against including this section at this time because to do so would deplete our capital reserves to a dangerous level, should a costly emergency occur.

Once this, the most immediate concern, which impacts all homeowners, is addressed, the issue of preventative measures (primarily filling in cracks along most all of the streets) will be tackled.

The total cost for the proposed preventative repairs is $25, 442.40, plus another $6 to $8 thousand to finish the front entrance repair.

It is likely that either a special assessment of between $350 to $500 or a $100 increase to the annual assessment will be proposed during the October 6 Annual Membership Meeting, to meet these needs.  This gives homeowners the right to consider and propose options and possible decide how we move forward.