Plum Creek - May 2021 by Peel, Inc.

PLUM CREEK POST

POST The Official Newsletter of the Plum Creek Homeowner Association May 2021 Volume 12, Issue 05

Save the Date: Front Porch Days is May 15 and May 16 www.frontporchdays.com Check out our new event website Fr o n t Po r c h D a y s i s fast approaching. Front Porch Days is our huge neighborhood event during May which includes music, local vendors, pie baking contest, washer tournament, carnival attractions, family fishing, crafts, food, and more. Excited? Here are the highlights of the upcoming activities and dates: • Saturday, May 8: Spring Community Wide Garage/

Front Porch Sale • Saturday, May 15: Races start at 6:30 am. Plum Creek Garden Tour 9 am – 11am • Sunday, May 16: 12 pm to 4 pm Front Porch Days Carnival, the Pie Baking Contest, Washer Tournament and more at Haupt Park. • Sunday, May 16: Family Fishing Day 3 to 6 pm. Come by the TPWD booth. Front Porch Days is a great time to spend with family and neighbors. The entertainment and rides are FREE. Bring money to purchase food, drinks, and products from vendors and community groups. Have a baker in the family? Pull out that favorite recipe and start practicing your dough-rolling skills. The pie baking contest awards prizes for taste and appearance and has Youth and Adult age groups. Keep an eye on the website for additional information. Interested in another aspect of Front Porch Days? You can direct general questions about the event to recreation@plumcreektxhoa.com Volunteers Needed- as always Plum Creek community events needs volunteers. It can be as simple as packing race packets, standing at a street corner to cheer on walkers and runners, rolling out garbage cans the day of the festival, placing sponsorship signs around the park or judging the pies. We look forward to seeing you at the event! Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

Family Fishing Day Sunday, May 16, 2021 3pm-6pm

Plum Creek residents are invited to join the Lake and Parks Committee for a fun and educational fishing event at the lake. At 3 pm, join the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Angler Ed Instructors and volunteers to learn how to be a better angler. Come learn about fish ID, fishing safety and gear, casting, knot tying, what makes good habitat, how to release fish safely, fishing regulations and much more. After the program, grab your rod and go fish. TPWD and HOA volunteers will be available to help and provide advice. Fishing is Catch and Release only. You can bait your hook with night crawlers or pieces of bacon, hotdog, or bread balls. Live minnows are not allowed. Better yet, bring your favorite artificial lures. Participants are asked to wear their REC Tags.

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PLUM CREEK POST Committee Contacts

Garden Tour

PLUM CREEK HOA MANAGER Adriane Carbajal................. plumcreekmanager@goodwintx.com PLUM CREEK POST AND WEEKLY ENEWS Alexis Moore........................................pcoffice@goodwintx.com COMMUNITY CENTER RESERVATION QUESTIONS Alexis Moore........................................pcoffice@goodwintx.com DOG PARK COMMITTEE Chris Clement................................ dogpark@plumcreektxhoa.com LAKE/PARK COMMITTEE Linda Campbell .......................................................................... ............................................................. lake@plumcreektxhoa.com GARDEN COMMITTEE Sandra Gonzalez............................... garden@plumcreektxhoa.com POOL COMMITTEE Open................................................... pool@plumcreektxhoa.com RECREATION COMMITTEE Jennifer Crosby............................................................................ .....................................................recreation@plumcreektxhoa.com SAFETY & NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH COMMITTEE Open..................................................safety@plumcreektxhoa.com WELCOME COMMITTEE Arcelia & Gary Gibbs.................................................................. ................................................... welcome@plumcreektxhoa.com YARD SPIRIT COMMITTEE Kevin Foley................................yardspirit@plumcreektxhoa.com HOA OFFICE PHONE....................................... 512.262.1140 PLUM CREEK HOA WEBSITE:............. www.plumcreektxhoa.com

Important Numbers STREET LIGHTS, ROAD REPAIRS, STREET SIGNS City of Kyle Public Works Dept...................... 512.262.3024 ................................................................pw@cityofkyle.com TRI SHIELD SECURITY...............................512-486-9955 ANIMAL CONTROL City of Kyle Animal Control .......................... 512.268.8800 SOLID WASTE TDS Customer Care Dept .......................... 1.800.375.8375 POWER OUTAGES PEC ............................................................ 1.888.883.3379 SCHOOLS Hays CISD .................................................... 512.268.2141 Negley Elementary .........................................512-268.8501 Barton Middle School .................................... 512.268.1472 Hays High School .......................................... 512.268.2911

YOU SHOULD RECIEVE THE PLUM CREEK POST EACH MONTH ON OR BEFORE THE 10TH. 2

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It is that time again – Spring! Time to start sprucing up lawns and gardens. While you are working on that fabulous garden, please consider showing off all your hard work by volunteering to be one of the gardens featured on our annual “Garden Tour”. This year’s Garden Tour is scheduled for Saturday May 16th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Contact Sandy Gonzalez at garden@ plumcreektxhoa.com if you would like to have your garden featured, or if you want more details. Last year’s Tour featured a variety of gardens. Some homeowners focused on wonderful colors and tough plants, while others revitalized their front yards and medians with sun- and heat-tolerant plantings. We would love to showcase your creativity in our neighborhood this year. Please contact the Garden Committee if you have any questions. Just note: we welcome all nominations for the Garden Tour. You do not have to provide anything to attendees, and if you want to have your garden featured but you cannot be present that day, we can present your gardening work on your behalf. If you have tried unsuccessfully to grow grass on your lawn – and you want something other than mulch as an option – how about “groundcovers?” Soil preparation is one of the keys to success. Clear the soil of any weeds or grass [being careful not to damage existing tree roots], and amend with compost and organic matter. Using an organic slow-release fertilizer will also help the new plants become better established. Plan on buying about four plants per square foot if you are using 4-inch pots. Some groundcovers can be mowed, and some might need to be trimmed back occasionally. Some weeding will be necessary until the groundcover grows thick enough to crowd out the weeds. Plan on watering according to the plants’ needs. Some of the groundcovers that do well in our area include: dwarf monkey grass, horseherb, leadwort plumbago, oregano, periwinkle, pigeonberry, sedges, frogfruit, silver ponyfoot, and mint. Keep in mind sun and water requirements for these before you plant. Oregano, for example, does best in full sun, while pigeonberry prefers shade. Horseherb is not a weed. It is great for poor soils. If you have questions or comments, contact Sandy Gonzalez at garden@plumcreektxhoa.com. Thank you for making our neighborhood wonderful. Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc

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PLUM CREEK POST Please Trim Those Trees! With Spring around the corner and leaf blooming season it is time to trim trees! Due to safety concerns and the trees belong to the homeowner, we want to provide residents with the opportunity to prune their own trees. The HOA requests that you prune your trees seven (7) feet above the sidewalk to prevent injury and fourteen (14) feet above the street to prevent damage to emergency vehicles. Corner lots and roundabout lots need to clear limbs for sight distance of traffic signs and oncoming vehicular traffic at intersections. See the Architectural Guidelines for tree trimming requirements. City of Kyle and Hays CISD regularly drive through Plum Creek to inspect for drivability for large fire trucks and school buses. When raising your tree’s canopy, follow proper pruning techniques, including cleaning tools between trees and wound spraying any cuts on all OAK trees to prevent Oak Wilt. For information and diagrams about pruning visit: www.treesaregood.org http://texastreeplanting.tamu.edu/PruneYoungTree.html www.plumcreektxhoa.com

AT THE FENCE

PARKING ON PRIVATE STREETS AND ALLEYS No automobiles or other vehicles may be parked overnight on any private alley or private roadway (these private roadways include the private streets of Michaelis, Utterback, Edwin, Echols, Grace and Lightfoot) within the Property except in areas designated for parking on a Plat or as approved by the Board of Directors. At no time shall any automobile or other vehicle be parked on the lawn within a Lot. 2020 Resident of the Year Congratulations Jennifer Crosby, thank you for all your hard work!

REMINDER: The Plum Creek Street Tree List was updated as of November 2018, which can be found on the Plum Creek website under Deed Restrictions>Street tree list>Amended Street Tree List or under Tree Care Information>Street Tree List. **Mexican Sycamores can be removed from the planting strip without approval, however please notify the HOA office if you intend to remove the Sycamore in the planting strip. Large canopy trees can be removed from the front yard without approval if a canopy tree exists in the planting strip. A planting strip canopy tree can be removed if the front yard has an existing canopy tree. Review the Landscape Template (on the Plum Creek website) for ornamental tree replacement requirements in the front yard.

Yard of the Month Yard of the Month started in April. Yard Spirit committee will review the yards. Send nominations to: yardspirit@ plumcreektxhoa.com Prizes will be award to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in April, May and June. Keep working in the yards and gardens. 4

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PLUM CREEK POST LAKE TRAILS IN SPRING WATCH FOR SNAKES

It is springtime in Texas, and that means wildflowers, birdsong and yes, snakes waking up from their winter slumber. Remember that our parks and lakes support a diversity of wildlife, including snakes. Not all are venomous, but some are, like rattlesnakes and water moccasins. We also have nonvenomous snakes like water snakes. There are lots of sources both digital and print that can help you learn how to identify common Texas snakes. For example, a snake with heatsensing pits is venomous. Triangular heads are another commonality in most venomous snakes. The rattlesnake, copperhead, and water moccasin all have arrowhead faces and pointed snouts. If you can get close enough to see, pit vipers also have pupils that are oblong, like a slit. In contrast, water snakes are not venomous and have more oval or oblong heads, rounded snouts and round eyes. Harmless water snakes swim with their bodies submerged under the water, whereas water moccasins swim with their entire bodies visible on top of the water. If you encounter a snake, leave it alone and give it room. There is no need to take a chance when you can avoid the snake. Use caution during this time of year and remember to watch your dogs. HOA rules require that dogs be on a leash at all times and this is especially important during the spring.

Swimming Pool Hygiene Swimmers add body oils, sunscreen and hair products to the pools. These break down the chemistry in the pools. Here are few tips to help the pool chemicals stay balanced: 1. Shower before going to the pool. Remove hair products. 2. Wait 15 – 20 minutes after applying sunscreen before jumping into the pools. This allows the sunscreen to adhere to the skin and less of it to wash off into the pool. 3. Use water proof sunscreens. This minimizes the sunscreen that washes off. 4. After laying out, use the pool showers to wash off body oils and sunscreen before jumping into the pool. 5.Stay out of the water if you or a family member has diarrhea. 6. Don’t pee in the water. Fecal matter contamination can shut the pool down for 30 hours. Swim Diapers: Swim diapers are not leak proof. If your baby is not feeling well, it is best not to take them swimming. -Check diapers every hour when the lifeguard calls for a break -Take your kids to the potty every hour to prevent pee and poop in the pool

For all the other students, parents and especially our teachers, congratulations on another year! This hasn’t been the easiest time for anyone, now it is time to relax and sit by the pool. The last week of school is always a busy time at the Plum Creek pools. Please be kind to our new Life Guards. Let’s show them what a great neighborhood we are. If you are planning on visiting the pools on the last week of school, especially the last day, please keep in mind that these days the pools reach capacity very quickly. We encourage you to have a backup plan! Life Guards will be on duty so the following rules will be enforced. Here are a few points to keep in mind: Pool Capacity 1.The McNaughton pool capacity is 154 guests (inside the fenced area) 2.The Haupt Pool Capacity is 84 Guest (inside the fenced area) a.When Capacity is reached guards will allow one person in when one person leaves b.Did you know that booking the community center does not give you access to the pools? The pool is first come first serve. 3.Guest policy a.Each Plum Creek HOA family is allowed 4 guests (Adult residents must have rec tag and pool key) b. Minors 11-17 with a rec tag and pool key may bring 1 Guest (11 or Older) 4.Adults must stay in the pool area (inside the fence) at all times with minors or non-residents that they are hosting or supervising. They are also counted toward capacity. 5. All minors under 11 must be accompanied by an adult 6. The pool gate should never be propped open *A complete list of the pool rules can be found on the HOA website and is posted inside the bulletin boards. The pool rules listed posted inside each pool is a summary. We hope that everyone enjoys the last week of school and has a chance to visits the pools as often as possible!!! See you on Deck. Plum Creek Post - May 2021 5

PLUM CREEK POST Violation Process Overview The Association management team assists the Board of Directors with running the business of the Association. This includes planning the annual operating budget, upkeep of the commonly owned elements, supervising contracts, collection of assessments, and inspecting the individual lots for deed restriction violations. The violation process is complex and a generalized summary is provided. General Purpose of Violation Inspections Inspecting homeowner’s lots is one aspect of living in a deed restricted homeowners association. There are reasons for the violation inspection process: 1.Notices must be sent in writing per the Texas Property Code. Notices are sent to the last known address provided by the owner. If the violation escalates (continues), a written notice must be issued. Landscape violations can be escalated so that the association manager, with the proper notice and board approval, can hire a contractor to correct the issue. 2.Inspecting the back yards from the alleys can help reduce or limit unmaintained back yards. This reduces potential pest infestation. 3.The inspection process reduces unmaintained property. 4.Keeping the overall community looking great helps maintain property values. Homes are investments. The association covenants and rules help to keep property values up so that homes will sell quickly. The purpose of the violation notices is to prevent the violation

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from escalating. It is difficult to receive a notice of a violation. It can feel like judgement and being singled out. No one likes to issue these notices but this process falls under the umbrella of running the business of the Association. If the violation continues and is not cured, the Association follows the Board approved Fine Resolution to help remedy the situation. The sequence of notices is designed to provide owners time to cure the violation before the fine issued or contact the Plum Creek HOA office to discuss. Violation Notice Sequence If you receive a violation notice look in the Re: (regarding) field in the letter to see the status of the sequence of the letter. Notices in the same category within the same 6-month period continue a violation sequence. Letter Status in Re field: •First notice- Courtesy Notice: this is issued with no fine. Just a friendly reminder to correct the issue. •Second Notice- warning notice no fine: this notice can be issued as soon as 14 days after the Courtesy Notice. This is the second reminder to correct the reported violation issue before a fine is issued. The next notice carries a fine and certified mail fee. This notice can be issued two weeks after the Courtesy Notice. •Third Notice-Violation with fine: this notice is issued as soon as 28 days after the 1st violation notice. A fine and a certified mail fee is applied on this notice. •Each subsequent notice in the same category is issued with a fine and certified mail fee. Inspection Drives •Inspection drives are scheduled approximately every two weeks. •This process gives the owner the benefit of the doubt by sending two notices without fines prior to sending a fine. These warning letters provide a minimum of 28 days for the owner to cure the violation before receiving a fine. •The inspection drivers note what they see on the drives. There are 2100 lots to inspect driving down the front public streets and the alleys. *Texas Property Code Overview: •Per the Texas Property Code notices are required to be mailed to owners to escalate the process. •If the violation is not cured by the next inspection, a follow up notice is mailed. •Violations issued under the same category that have not been cured within the preceding six (6) months continue the violation notice sequence. •Notices with fines must be mailed via verified mail. This translates to certified mail via USPS. •Notices are mailed to the last known address provided by the owner. • ensure that the notification process is followed, the management company tracks the sequence of the letters. This is an overview. It does not explain each individual situation. The HOA office will discuss individual circumstances on a case-bycase basis with the owner of the lot. There is lots of information related to governing an Association. It takes time to read all the material and learn about community governance. Reading resources are posted on the Plum Creek HOA resident website: www.plumcreektxhoa.com Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc

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Plum Creek Post - May 2021