Ashton Village Homeowners Association

ASHTON VILLAGE HOA

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 20, 2009

PRESENT:                                                                                           

John Hunter                                                                  

Michael Gould

Russell Hawbaker                                                         

David Felton     

Eric Bennington                                    

Also present was Susan Vandagriff representing VanMor Properties, Inc., City of Houston Council Member Pam Holm as well as numerous homeowners as attached as Exhibit “A”. 

The meeting was called to order by John Hunter, President at 7:00 p.m.

John Hunter welcomed homeowners and introduced guest Pam Holm, City of Houston Council Member for District G.   Homeowners in attendance discussed/requested the following:

·         Public Safety – not enough police on the streets

-           Constables are partnering with the City of Houston.

-          Crime rates are on the rise for burglary of homes and vehicles.

-          Homeowners were encouraged to get involved in the PIP’s program with the Westside Command Station.

·         Neighborhood Street Reconstruction Program

-          Homeowners need to submit a petition for total replacement.

-          The process takes 7 to 13 years.

-          The City of Houston ranks placement based on the degree of need.

-          State Law requires the petition to say if the City does not have funds homeowners must pay.

-          The Association has the option to opt out but the City of Houston has never charged anyone.

·         Speed Humps

-          City of Houston installs rubber split hump so emergency vehicles can straddle the     hump to avoid slowing down.

-          One person can apply and if approved a petition will be required to be submitted. 

-          The Traffic Department will help develop a plan for speed hump installation.

·         Council Member Holm’s office number is 832-793-3007.

·         Standing Water

-          Standing water is due to faults, sand and shifting ground.

-          City of Houston will not correct this problem on an individual basis which just transfers the problem to a neighbor.

-          Homeowners were encouraged to continue reporting this matter to the City of Houston on an individual basis to help develop a track record of standing water. 

·         311 – Call to request service.

-          Homeowners were encouraged to record the tracking number when they call in a complaint or service request to the City of Houston.

-          It was noted that homeowners can follow progress on-line until the request/compliant has been assigned to a department. 

OPEN HOMEOWNER DISCUSSION: Homeowners in attendance discussed/requested the following:          

·         City of Houston did a water line replacement program 4 or 5 years ago.  Paul Coleman experienced subsidence problems since the work was completed.  Homeowners with the same problem should contact Yvonne Clayton in Pam Holm’s office.

·         Burglaries – the District Attorney’s office did not prosecute a burglar that was found in a homeowner’s stolen vehicle.  It was noted that the District Attorney’s office will need to provide an answer to this action.

·         Major water lie breaks on Westpark and Dairy Ashford go for days without repairs.  Water rate increases for improvements, not the cost of water.  

·         Does the City of Houston use lobbyist in Austin to work on bills detrimental to Homeowner’s Associations. It was noted that the City will only fight or support a bill that supports the Association’s Deed Restrictions. The Association should make sure that there is language in the Deed Restrictions that prohibit subdividing or re-plating of lots.

·         Neighborhood protection is of no help to the HOA. Homeowners should contact Brittney Phillips Faulk in Pam Holm’s office.

·         Center Point Energy’s infrastructure is really bad in some parts of the neighborhood.

·         Tennis court is in bad shape and the fence is falling apart.

·         Backdoor trash pick up would save money that could be used to fix the tennis courts.

·         Homeowners should reports stray animals and barking dogs to the City of Houston.

·         Break-ins are down since January.       

The next meeting was scheduled for  May 18, 2009. 

There being no further business, Russell Hawbaker made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:40pm. The motion was seconded by Michael Gould and unanimously approved.

Respectfully Submitted,

____________________________

Russell Hawbaker, Secretary 

Balance Sheet -  31 March 2009

Income Expense - 31 March2009

Homeowner Account Summary - 31 March 2009