Kleinwood - July 2013 by Peel, Inc.

KLEINWOOD

K leinwood Krier Official Publication of the Kleinwood Homeowners Association

July 2013

Volume 3, Issue 7

Future of water conservation in Harris County to be in hands of voters this November Voters will have a chance to weigh in this November on a new $2.5 billion funding mechanism passed by the Texas Legislature in late May that would conserve the state’s water supply through funding from the state’s Economic Stabilization Fund. Voters will either deny or support Senate Joint Resolution 1, a constitutional amendment authored by state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, to create two new accounts outside of general revenue and transfer funds to the State Water Implementation Fund of Texas for the state’s new water conservation plan laid out in House Bill 4. Passed through the Texas House and Senate late last month, HB 4 is constructed to support the next 50 years and $30 billion worth of the state’s water supply and promote water conservation in hindsight of the statewide 2011 drought that created $8.7 billion in damages. HB 4 was conceived in early January in response to the statewide drought in 2011. Houston’s water supply from Lake Houston experience a substantial drop in water levels forcing the city to pull from Lake Conroe. Once levels in Lake Conroe fell nine feet, the state looked to respond. Of the projects HB 4 is expected to fund, the Luce Bayou Project awaits construction depending on voting results in November. Developed to stream water from the Trinity River into Lake Houston to alleviate Lake Conroe water levels, water supply in Harris County residential areas will look to benefit the most. “People have to understand in a time when people are saying no new taxes, this isn’t taxes it’s an appropriation, we could lose water,” said Barbara Payne, North Harris County Regional Water Authority communications specialist. Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc.

Three major public water systems in Harris County, The City of Houston, Jersey Village and Municipal Utility District 102, are on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s watch list of limited water supply to avoid shortages. With a combined service to 2.1 million residents, the new legislation is expected to relieve these stressed water providers as well as systems across the state. Payne said the bill will supplement other commitments in Harris County as well as aid smaller municipalities that cannot afford to restore or repair their water systems. According to NHCRWA Board Member Al Rendl, if voters decide to repeal SJR 1 the Luce Bayou Project will proceed as scheduled but will result in increased water bills within the NHCRWA region. Rendl said the project has been fast tracked to be a priority within the state to be completed between 2018 and 2020.

(Continued on Page 2) The Kleinwood Krier - July 2013

KLEINWOOD IMPORTANT NUMBERS KLEINWOOD MAINTENANCE BOARD Larry Chamberlin, President............................ 281-580-2222 Ronnie Brod, Vice President............................. 281-370-9200 Tom Houser, Secretary..................................... 281-379-6517 Jeff Gobbell, Treasurer...................................... 281-251-7767 Kelly Smith, Director at Large.......................... 281-370-9735 KLEINWOOD MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT Robert Ehmann, President............................... 281-251-8621 Sherry Allard, Vice President............................ 281-923-8603 Joe Fratangelo, Secretary/Treasurer................... 281-251-3189 Bernie Bryl, Assis. V. P. & Asst. Sec.................. 281-251-2688 Mike Morgan, Assis. Sec.& Investment Off...... 281-376-6607

Drought(Continued from Cover Page)

“What we want to do is to keep the cost of water as low as possible as long as possible,” said Rendl. “We raise our rates only to sustain and service the bonds we have.” The Luce Bayou canal, once completed, is expected to pump 400 million gallons of water daily to residents within the Houston Metro area. The 2012 State Water Plan integrated with HB 4 recommends 562 unique water supply projects to meet the state’s projected needs for additional water supplies throughout the next 50 years. Reprinted with permission: Community Impact News http://impactnews.com/houston-metro/northwest-houston/future-ofwater-conservation-in-harris-county-to-be-hands-of/

MANAGEMENT COMPANY Chaparral Management.................................... 281-537-0957 POOL MANAGEMENT COMPANY Southwest Pool Management........................... 281-370-2474 MUD FACILITY MANAGER & BUILDING RENTALS Roger Schuett................................................... 281-685-1275 NEIGHBORHOOD COORDINATORS Message Board Coordinator.........................................OPEN Jeff Gobbell, Pool Liaison................................. 281-251-7767 Mona Currey, Newsletter Editor............. mona@aegis-web.com Ronnie Brod, Tennis Liaison............................ 281-370-9200 John Bush, Signs..................................................................... Head Block Captain.....................................................OPEN SCHOOLS Mittelstadt Elementary..................................... 832-484-6711 Kleb Middle School......................................... 832-249-5500 Klein High School............................................ 832-484-4000 COMMUNITY SERVICES Emergency........................................................................911 Harris County Constable................................. 281-376-3472 C.C.E.M.S....................................................... 281-440-4300 St. Lukes Vintage Hospital............................... 832-534-5000 Methodist Willowbrook Hospital..................... 281-737-1000 Poison Control Center..................................... 281-654-1701 Waste Management.......................................... 713-686-6666 Klein VFD Business Office............................... 281-376-4449 Water/Sewer Repairs (24/7).............................. 832-467-1599 Water/Sewer Billing Questions......................... 832-467-1599 Reliant Energy/HL&P..................................... 713-207-7777 Centerpoint (report streetlight outings)............ 713-207-2222 Harris County Library, Barbara Bush Branch... 281-376-4610 Harris County, Precinct 4................................. 281-353-8424 Harris County Animal Control........................ 281-999-3191 Aircraft Noise Complaints................................ 281-233-3900 Environmental Development Partners.............. 832-467-1599 NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER PEEL Inc.................................................... www.peelinc.com Advertising....................................................... 888-687-6444 2

The Kleinwood Krier - July 2013

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KLEINWOOD

STAY INFORMED ON THE GO It only takes one hurricane strike to make it an “active” season for Harris County. Staying informed during Hurricane Season is always a must. The Harris County Flood Control District offers multiple ways to get important information on the go, with mobile websites and user-friendly mapping tools to help learn your flood risk, track an actual storm as it approaches, and keep an eye on neighborhood flood gages if waters rise. Our NEW Hurricane Tracker mobile website, www. thehurricanetracker.org allows residents to track a current storm, view evacuation routes and contraflow maps, access a hurricane preparedness list, and much more. Our Flood Education Mapping Tool at www.harriscountyfemt.org provides information about mapped floodplains in Harris County. Residents can type in their address and view maps based on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM or floodplain map) for Harris County. Our Flood Warning System website and mobile website, www. harriscountyfws.org offer a convenient way to monitor rainfall and bayou levels near your home, places of work and daily commuter routes. This website provides data from a network of gages that continually measure rainfall and water levels in bayous and major streams throughout Harris County. A user-friendly map allows residents to check rainfall and gage levels - either at home or on-the-go -- and to stay alert for flooding risks. Please use posts below for your social media sites: FACEBOOK: Will a major hurricane hit Harris County this season? The Harris County Flood Control District offers handy mobile websites that help you get prepared and stay informed. You can track storms, learn your neighborhood flooding risk, keep an eye on bayou levels and more, at www.hcfcd.org #HCFCDnews #Hurricane Season #HOUwx #HOUNews TWITTER: What’s your No.1 tip for #HurricaneSeason prep? The Flood Control District has a list at http://bit.ly/ihyixq #HCFCDnews #HOUwx #HOUNews

Submitted by one of our neighbors… 2011 tweaks hold key to rights vs. homeowners groups

Lots of people can’t get their HOA boards to tell them where their money is going, and they’ve faced resistance when they have tried to document meetings. The solution, according to Texas HOA experts, is to request information in writing and to be aware of new state laws. In 2011, the Texas Legislature approved significant changes that will help owners have greater access to HOA information. Most updates applied to non-condo associations. Condo guidelines still remain less detailed. “They adopted what I call light versions of the open meetings and open records laws that provide a lot of guidance and specific procedures for requesting to inspect and obtain documents from an HOA,” said Austin lawyer Gregory Cagle, a real estate and business litiga- tion attorney who focuses his practice on HOA law. Now, associations can be sued more easily and cheaply for denying access to records. “As a general rule, homeowners are permitted to see the books and records of the association and, generally, there are just a few things that can be excluded,” said Mitchell Katine, a Houston real estate lawyer who represents HOAs and homeowners. Minutes as well as vendor, bank account and contract information should be available. Records related to attorneyclient privilege are excluded as are employee personnel records. Associations also cannot release an individual owner’s violations, financial history or contact information other than address. “If an HOA does not reply and provide the records, there is now this procedure where a homeowner can go to a justice of the peace court and get an order requiring the association to provide the records,” Katine said. “Otherwise, associations would not respond, would ignore it, not reply and the homeowner would have no place to go.” According to the Texas Community Association Advocates, HOAs govern the residences of nearly 5 million people statewide. “The law requires that they send a written request by certified mail detailing the records they are requesting and electing either to inspect the records in person or, if they want copies, (Continued on Page 5) The Kleinwood Krier - July 2013

KLEINWOOD Kids’ Cross-Country

Team’s Season Starts September 10th The Northwest Flyers Track Club Youth Cross-Country Team kicks off the fall season with registration and an orientation for parents and athletes on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. (location to be announced). The first practice will be held at the Cypress Creek YMCA on Thursday, September 12. The Northwest Flyers Track Club is a member program of USA Track and Field (USATF), the national governing body for track and cross country. The club is in its 26th year in the northwest Houston area. Ages 6 - 18 may participate in the team, and both beginners and experienced runners are welcome. Contact Coach Eric Wentworth at emw1105@gmail.com, 281-961-6603, or Coach Donnell Carter at dcarterpfs@ msn.com, 281-467-4727, for more information. Visit www.northwestflyers.org to get updates and learn more about the team.

Cypress Symphony to Host Inaugural Founder’s Dinner The Cypress Symphony cordially invites you to “Encore!” our Inaugural Fundraising dinner. Excitement is building for Cypress Symphony’s first season and you can help by attending this event. Your $100 ticket will help secure our first year and contribute to the cultivation of an arts culture in Northwest Houston. You will also enjoy an elegant dinner at one of Cypress’ premier restaurants, Dario’s Cuisine. Look forward to a silent auction as well as a musical surprise. We can’t wait to spend this special evening with you! Tickets to this event can be purchased at csencore.eventbrite.com. Tickets to our inaugural concert season can be purchased at cypresssymphony.org.

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The Kleinwood Krier - July 2013

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KLEINWOOD Submitted by Neighbor Continued from Page 3)

there are certain costs that are outlined in the law,” said TCAA chairwoman Judi Phares, who is based in suburban Dallas. Cagle’s 800-page “Texas Homeowners Association Law: The Essential Legal Guide for Texas Homeowners Associations and Homeowners” includes sample letters that owners can use to craft their requests. His website — www.texashoalaw.com — is an additional free resource. HOAs also are required to give notice of board meetings and allow owners to observe the proceedings. And, everyone gets to vote regardless of their assessment payment history, the status of violations or whether the property is their primary residence. The HOA experts also agreed that it is not unlawful for a person participating in a meeting to make a recording. “I know a lot of boards get upset when someone sets up a big tripod,” Ka-tine said. “Put a little tape recorder in your pocket and ... don’t make a big deal about it.” HOA ground rules The Texas Legislature passed sweeping reforms for property associations in 2011. It’s important to note that different statutes govern condominium HOAs and non-condo communities. Here’s some clarification: Records requests: Access to records should be requested in writing and sent by certified mail. Records availability: Condo records should be available at the association’s registered or principal office for examination by a unit owner or the owner’s agent; non-condo records should be available and owners are entitled to copies. The association must adopt a records production policy and may provide documents by hard copy, electronic or other format. Records retention: A non-condo association of more than 14 lots must adopt and comply with a records retention policy that would preserve documents from four years to permanently. Meetings: Association and board meetings must be open to owners and notice is required. Notice for non-condo associations must be mailed to each owner 10 days in advance or provided at least 72 hours prior by posting in a common area, on a web site or by emailing owners. Voting: Owners may not be excluded from voting for delinquent assessments or other money owed. Recordings: Video or audio recording is not prohibited in HOA meetings. Sources: Texas Property Code chapters 81, 82 and 209; lawyers Gregory Cagle and Mitchell Katine; Texas Community Association Advocates Reprint: Houston Chronicle, Saturday, May 25, 2013

Cypress-Tomball Democrats July Meeting The next Cypress-Tomball Democrats monthly meeting will be on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. It will be held at Rudy’s Grill & Cantina, 11760 Grant Rd., Cypress, TX 77429, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend and to join this growing club, which meets on the third Tuesday of every month. The meetings always feature informative guest speakers who address timely topics. For more information, visit the website at www. cytomdems.com or contact Glenn Etienne at cytomdems@ yahoo.com.

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KLEINWOOD

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The Kleinwood Krier - July 2013

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KLEINWOOD CROSSWORD PUZZLE Crossword Puzzle

ACROSS ACROSS 1.1.Charge Curse 5.5.Syrian bishop Glasses 9.9.Against Charge card 10. 10.Landing Japanese dish 11. 11.Leaves Pear type 12. boxalcohol 12.Boom Type of 13.Allure Mete out 13. 15.African Deer relative 15. antelope 16.Polite Mountains 16. 18.Leafy Sin green 18. 21. Fawn's mom 21. Marry 22. Rain shoe 22. Esophagus 26. Angry 26. Woken 28.Goad Sole 28. 29. Whoop 29. Type of tooth 30. A spinning toy (2 wds.) 30. Refer 31. Plateau 31. Posttraumatic stress 32. Former magistrate of disorder Venice 32. Sieve

ACROSS 1. Curse 5. Glasses 9. Charge card 10. Japanese dish 11. Pear type 12. Type of alcohol 13. Mete out 15. Deer relative 16. Mountains 18. Sin 21. Fawn's mom 22. Rain shoe 26. Angry 28. Sole 29. Whoop 30. A spinning toy (2 wds.) 31. Plateau 32. Former magistrate of Venice

DOWN 1. Baby's "ball" 2. Famous cookies 3. Loch __ monster 4. Levy 5. Jag 6. Direct 7. Animal kingdom division 8. Soft materials 10. Member of an American Indian people 14. Dancer Rogers 17. Put more ammunition in 18. Abhorrence 19. Skill 20. Heroic actions 23. Upon 24. Slug 25. Publicity 27. Drink

DOWN DOWN 1.1.Nativity scene piece Baby's "ball" 2.2.Competition at the Greek Famous cookies 3.games Loch __ monster 3.4.Capital Levy of the Ukraine 4.5.Symbol Jag 5.6.Expression of surprise Direct Animal kingdom division 6.7.Emblem Soft materials 7.8.Pickle juice Member of bounds an American 8.10. A ball out of (2 wds.) Indian people 10. Twist violently 14.Ripper Dancer Rogers 14. 17. Put more ammunition in 17. Strums 18. Abhorrence 18. Slough 19.Ross Skill___, philanthropist 19. 20. Heroic actions 20. Gods 23. Upon 23. Brand of sandwich cookie 24. Slug 24. Seaweed substance 25. Publicity 25. Cabana 27. Drink 27. Blue

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The Kleinwood Krier - July 2013

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The Kleinwood Krier - July 2013