Spring Trails - December 2021 by Peel, Inc.

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE SPRING TRAILS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ISSUE 12

VOL 3

2022 Spring Trails Election Results

Mr. Mark Zimmerhanzel was voted by acclamation at the Annual Meeting of the Members to serve a 3-year term on the Board of Directors. Mark was appointed to the Board in July 2020 to serve the balance of a vacated term and was the only nomination received for the 2022 election. Mark and his wife Debra moved to Spring Trails in 2019. As a retired Chief Deputy from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and former Chief of Enforcement at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Mark’s leadership style is policy-driven and his decisions formed after thoughtful consideration of the facts. During his down time, Mark enjoys spending time at the beach with his wife and playing softball in an over-60 league…and he has the trophies to prove it. Congratulations to Mark Zimmerhanzel and thank you Spring Trails for your support and participation in this year’s election cycle.

Spring Trails - December 2021

Community Contact Information INFRAMARK (Spring Trails Property Management).................... 281.870.0585 SPRING TRAILS HOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Request Manager through www.springtrails.com CEDRIC CLOUD LEANNE KESSLER ROGER OLSEN JERRY RUESCHHOFF MARK ZIMMERHANZEL ALL EMERGENCIES – 911 NON-EMERGENCY SERVICES

December 3rd – Winter Festival December 7th – MUD 94 Board Meeting SPECIAL TIME & LOCATION: 6:00 pm at Spring Creek Nature Center, 1300 Riley Fuzzel Rd

December 8th – Recycle Pick Up December 10th – Heavy Trash Day December 20-31 – Conroe ISD Holiday December 22nd – Recycle Pick Up January 3-4 – Conroe ISD professional development

Law Enforcement (Sheriff or Constable)...936.760.5800 & press 3

(no students)

Fire (South Montgomery Fire Department).............. 281.363.3473

January 4th – MUD 94 Board Meeting

EMS (Montgomery County Hospital District).......... 936.523.5000

January 5th – Recycle Pick Up

SCHOOLS

January 19th – Recycle Pick Up

Sue Park Broadway Elementary............................. 281.367.4677 Cox Intermediate School....................................... 281.465.3200 York Junior High School....................................... 832.592.8600

January 20th – HOA Board Meeting Find details for these and other upcoming activities on the Spring Trails website Calendar.

Grand Oaks High School...................................... 281.939.0000 Conroe I.S.D. Administration............................... 936.709.7752 MONTGOMERY COUNTY MUD 94 MUD 94/Board of Directors......................... www.mcmud94.com MUD 94 / H2O Innovations (water and sewer)...... 281.355.1312 MUD 94/Republic Services (trash & recycle pickup).713.726.7300 MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Montgomery County............................................ 936.756.0571 Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack................. 936.539.7817 Sheriff Rand Henderson........................................ 936.760.5871 Constable Ryan Gable........................................... 281.364.4211 VISIT THE SPRING TRAILS WEBSITE FOR LINKS TO THESE AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS

Advertising Information PUBLISHER Peel, Inc.............................www.PEELinc.com, 512.263.9181 Advertising.....................................advertising@PEELinc.com

Newsletter Information Please support the advertisers that make Spring Trails newsletter possible. If you would like to support the newsletter by advertising, please contact our sales office at 512.263.9181 or advertising@ PEELinc.com. The advertising deadline is the 8th of the month prior to the issue. Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

Spring Trails Needs

You! Spring Trails always has something going on. What’s important to remember is that most of the community activities and events are coordinated by our very own neighbors. Volunteers with the Architectural Review Committee save the Association tens of thousands of dollars a year reviewing and ruling on home improvement applications. Spring Trails’ garden and reforestation initiatives are second to none due to the volunteer efforts of the Beautification Committee. Community clean ups are critical to maintaining a beautiful and safe environment for residents and wildlife…again all volunteer. Do you enjoy brainstorming with others? Does working outdoors re-energize your soul? How about eating, fishing, writing, bird watching, or other social activities? Or maybe you’re interested in learning more about your community and the operations that support the Association? Whatever your interest, Spring Trails has an opportunity for you. Contact the Board of Directors to discuss how you can be part of the Spring Trails Volunteer Force. Spring Trails - December 2021

SPRING TRAILS NOTICE TO HOMEOWNERS

A series of policy resolutions were adopted this past Fall in response to legislation passed during the 87th Texas Legislative Session. One of these resolutions imposes disclosure requirements and restrictions on lease terms and amenity privileges. Effective October 2021, owners of leased properties within Spring Trails are required to disclose the following information to the Association: 1. The commencement date and term/duration of the lease, and subsequent lease renewals; 2. Contact information of the legal tenant and all adult tenants residing in the leased residence. The resolution further requires minimum lease terms of 120 calendar days and that homeowners assign all rights and privileges to amenities to the tenant/resident. Owners of leased properties are advised to review the new requirements and contact Inframark with questions or to report the required information (customercare@inframark.com or 281-870-0585). The full text of all recent and previously adopted resolutions is available on the Spring Trails website under Documents/Spring Trails Official Documents.

2022 Maintenance Assessments are due January 1, 2022. Contact Inframark at customercare@inframark.com if you have not received your annual statement or to arrange payment. Residential assessment (all properties) - $720.00 Neighborhood assessments: Laurel Brook - $375.00 Sweet Bay Crossing - $300.00 Whispering Oaks - $375.00

2021 Meeting of the Members Recap Didn’t make the Meeting of the Members this year? Not to worry… here’s a recap. Treasurer Roger Olsen presented the 2022 operational budget to members including a year-to-year comparison of 2021 operational expenses and 2022 projected operational expenses.

* Projected income based on a 95% collection rate. 4

Spring Trails - December 2021

Benchmark has been chosen as the general contractor. Demolition will begin as soon as the contract is in place and permits are received from the Fire Marshall. During demolition and construction, property management and the Board will rely heavily on electronic and telephone communications as well as virtual capabilities. Alternate meeting sites are being pursued. The Board announced plans to celebrate Spring Trails’ 20th anniversary in 2022. Spring Trails was incorporated in September 2002. The Board has planned a variety of activities leading up to a celebration in the Fall of 2022. Watch for eblasts and website updates for details throughout the year. Directors were excited to recognize Spring Trails homeowners for their volunteer efforts in 2021: Genette Wilbanks supports events and community communications by maintaining website content, preparing eblasts, promoting events and coordinating event registrations. Al and Mary Nowak and Ralph and Dolores Jones returned to the “event circuit” lifting the community’s spirits with their enthusiasm and excitement. Tracie Nutt serves tirelessly on the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) and is the current committee chair. ARC consists of 6 homeowner volunteers who review and rule on home improvement applications. Fernando Guirola serves on the Beautification Committee and was recently named committee chair. Fernando continues to build on the successes of the committee and actively pursues alternate resources and partnerships to support ongoing and new beautification initiatives. Marcia Rueschhoff, also a member on the Beautification Committee, serves as the lead of the community’s wildflower program and never misses an opportunity to lend a hand to the numerous community activities and initiatives. Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

SPRING TRAILS

How Does Your Garden Grow? Contributed by Roger Olsen So it’s December and you’re looking forward to the holidays and maybe a chance to take a breath after nearly two years of almost unrelenting stress. It may seem like more work but if you are like me, I find exceptional stress relief completing gardening and lawn care tasks even in December. By now, you should see your lawn is taking a breather as well. With very little growth and watering at a minimum, what tasks should you be considering? Well, here are some reminders from Buchanan’s Native Plants here in Houston: Planting: Deadhead and feed cool-season color and vegetables with an organic slow-release fertilizer such as Microlife Flower and Vegetable. Microlife can be found at most larger nurseries and organic products vendors. Watering: Maintain watering on newly planted seeds and transplants. Continue to deep water trees and shrubs. A well-hydrated plant holds up to frosts and freezes better than a drought-stressed plant. Pests: Bring in containerized tropicals such as plumerias, crotons, dracaenas, etc. Check undersides of leaves and new growth for insects and treat accordingly. If you can’t bring them in, check websites on how to care for them while they “sleep”. Lawns: Mow fallen leaves with a mulching mower. When the lawn can’t take more leaves, add to flower beds. When beds are full of mulched leaves, add them to the compost bin. Whatever you do, DON’T send them to the landfill! They will provide needed organics for your gardens and lawn. Poinsettias: ALWAYS a mystery to me personally but Buchanans advises owners to water well until soil is saturated and allow to dry between waterings. Apply water to soil and not the foliage or blooms. Keep away from drafts. Birds: Don’t forget to keep seed feeders full and fresh water in birdbaths. Put out suet cakes — the extra protein helps keep our feathered friends warm in the winter months. Use squirrel resistant feeders so the birds will have a chance at the goodies. Besides, there’s lots of acorns for the squirrels. Freezes: Well, we know too well from last year what this is like. Have frost cloth on hand to cover tender plants in case of freezing weather. Wrap plants completely down to ground level. The fewer drafts that move under the frost cloth, the better. Soil: Work compost into the top couple inches of your garden beds. Use cover crops such as peas, oats, or rye to keep the soil active. These cover crops can be cut and worked into the soil before spring planting. Hopefully you have already put on lawn winterizer which is high in root strengthening minerals and will give your lawn an advantage over competing weeds. If you really went for it, you’ve also already applied Preen or other weed inhibitor that actually prevents weed seeds from sprouting next year. Now, go ahead and enjoy the holidays, time with family, and enjoy a breather from daily tasks. Best wishes to all and Happy Gardening!! Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

National Neighborhood Watch offers these simple safety tips to reduce your risk of theft or harm during the holidays: At Home • Make sure all doors and windows have secondary locks (window pins, deadbolts, dowels, etc.) and use them! • Don't hide spare keys in planters or under doormats. • Ensure dark areas and entrances have outdoor lights that are turned on after dark or are activated by sensors. • Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed so they do not conceal doors and windows. • Place gifts where they can't be seen from the outside. • Mail cards, checks or gift certificates from the Post Office. • Lock your vehicle and remove all valuables; even in your driveway. Strangers at your Door • Use caution anytime there is a stranger at your door. • Be suspicious of unexpected sales calls or deliveries. Ask for identification. • Be aware of scams that criminals commit to take advantage of people's generosity. • Investigate charities before making donations. Ask how the funds will be used. Leaving for the Holidays • Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to watch your home. • Use timers for lights and radios while you're away. • Remember to make arrangements for mail and newspapers. After the Holidays • Don't advertise expensive gifts received by leaving the boxes for garbage collections. Break down large boxes and place them in garbage bags for pick-up. • Add new items to your home inventory. Take photos or video of all items of value in your home and list each item's make, model, serial number and other information. • Engrave new items to help identify them in the event they are stolen. In the event you are a victim of a crime, report, report, report. Contact local law enforcement, notify your insurance company, secure available surveillance footage, and warn your neighbors. Stay safe this and every holiday season.

Spring Trails - December 2021

SPRING TRAILS

Holiday Celebration Etiquette The holidays are here and it’s time to celebrate with family and friends. As you make plans and arrangements for your parties and house guests be mindful of your neighbors and these community covenants: Parking – Streets within sections are narrow and not conducive to guest parking. Parking in driveways is preferred. If temporary street parking is necessary, adhere to required distances from fire hydrants, stop signs and intersections, park in the direction of traffic and ensure parking is limited to one side of the street. Noise – Spring Trails’ noise policy states production or causing of amplified sound will be limited to no earlier than 8:00 am and no later than 9:00 pm. Take the celebrations inside or simply turn down the volume so everyone can enjoy their holiday. Fireworks – Use of fireworks within the community is prohibited not only as a courtesy but to minimize risk of forest and brush fires. Do your part to keep Spring Trails safe and peaceful this holiday season.

Spring Trails - December 2021

SPRING TRAILS

On behalf of the Association, the Board of Directors would like to thank the community’s service partners for their dedication and professionalism serving and supporting Spring Trails. 1. Inframark - Property management 2. Daughtry & Farine and Gregg & Gregg - Legal 3. Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates - Insurance 4. O’Neal & Holmes - Accounting 5. Brightview - Landscaping 6. Arborist – Trees by Frank 7. Gates in Motion - Gate maintenance 8. JBG Services - General maintenance 9. American Pool - Pool 10. Coverall - Janitorial 11. Excalibur - Mosquito abatement 12. Cypress Creek Pest Control - Pest control 13. Texas Feral Hog Control - Feral hog trapping 14. Lake Pro - Redbud Creek pond maintenance 15. Peel Inc. - Newsletter 16. Ian Grain - Website administration

Spring Trails - December 2021

SPRING TRAILS

Spring Trails - December 2021

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Spring Trails - December 2021