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PAID Allen, TX Permit 178
STONEBRIDGE RANCH HOA NEWS AUGUST 2014
Vol. 2, Issue 8
Contents IN EVERY ISSUE 5
From the President by Jon Dell’Antonia
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This Month’s Feature by Sherine George
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In the News by Sherine George
12 www.stonebridgeranch.com by Sherine George 14
Inside the HOA by Michael Lesku
16
Community Calendar
18
Financial Update by Michael Lesku
19
Compliance Tips by Nate Russell
22
Your Neighbor by Sherine George
24 Lifestyle 28
Social Scene
SPECIAL SECTIONS 13
Around the Ranch
20
Landscape & Grounds by Sherine George
26
Public Safety
Stonebridge Ranch HOA News © 2014 is published by Moonlight Graphics. All rights reserved. It is individually mailed free of charge to all residents of Stonebridge Ranch. Moonlight Graphics, P.O. Box 132, Allen, TX 75013, 972.727.4569, fax 972.396.0807. Visit www.allenimage.com.
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from the presIdent STONEBRIDGE RANCH HOA NEWS
publisher/editor Barbara Peavy
office administrator Carrie McCormick
Revised Stage 3 water restrictions are in full force. The city has established significantly more water restrictions effective July 1. There is additional information about those restrictions in this issue of the magazine and on the Stonebridge website. Those restrictions also apply to the association’s ability to water the medians and all of our other landscaping. Under the new restrictions, we will only be able to water our common areas every other week on Wednesdays. This is going to put all of our landscaping under stress and we do not know what impact that water restriction is going to have on its appearance or our ability to maintain it in the manner we are all accustomed to and that we would like. The board has decided to defer the planting of any new landscaping material during the water restriction as anything we would plant would likely not survive due to lack of water. We certainly all hope the water restrictions will not last long. In the meantime, we need to conserve as much as we can and comply with the new restrictions. By doing this, hopefully we will not get to Stage 4, which would virtually eliminate all watering.
June 26 Board Meeting
contributing writers Jon Dell’Antonia Michael Lesku Sherine George Nate Russell
cover photo KwikImage.com
The board meeting was called to order at 1 p.m. Six board members were present. The meeting began with a Homeowners Open Forum. No homeowners appeared. The first item of business was to ratify the May 22 board meeting minutes and the seasonal color for the community entrances.
Old Business
Assistant Police Chief Brewer updated the board on the city’s golf cart regulations and police enforcement actions. Please see the City of McKinney golf cart regulations on page 27 of this issue. The board discussed enforcement of homeowner landscape violations in light of the current water restrictions. We made a decision to send notifications to residents who have violations but put on hold any requirement to fix the violation until the water restrictions are lifted. There are currently approximately 400 violations in this category and we anticipate it will continue to grow due to the water restrictions. We reviewed proposed changes to the reserve study and approved them. Once those changes are incorporated into the study, it will be approved.
New Business
CMA presented some additional options for a website the board uses for communication. The new enhancements will allow us to keep reports there and avoid sending them to the board in the monthly electronic board binder. We believe this will save time at the board meetings and reduce the size of the electronic board binder. The board then received an update of the Master Landscape Plan and provided guidance on next steps. More on this as we get further along with development of the plan. A homeowner from Cascades made a presentation to the board about the appearance of the landscaping in front of the two entrance monuments at Cascades. With the recent hard winter, the landscaping there has not recovered and needs replacing. The board did place a high priority on replacing and improving the landscaping at the two Cascades entries from Stonebridge Drive. The Landscape and Grounds Committee will be developing a landscape design to improve the appearance. However, implementation of the plan will be dependent on the plants selected and a lifting of current water restrictions.
Executive Session
For information or to place an advertisement, please contact: Moonlight Graphics, P.O. Box 132, Allen, TX 75013, call 972.727.4569 or email sue@allenimage.com.
The board reviewed and approved the Collections report and reviewed the Collections Committee report and Violation report. We reviewed and made appropriate decisions on seven violations that were presented to the board for resolution. I want to take a moment to explain when violations are sent to the board for action. It is only after about six months of violation notifications to a homeowner with failure to correct the violation that it comes to the board for further action. The first three notifications are courtesy notifications with no fines followed by three more notifications with fines. We then received an update on legal issues from our Association Director.
Association Reports
The board approved the Violations Summary report and Strategic Planning and heard updates from all of the board liaisons on their respective committee activities. The meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m. Jon Dell’Antonia President Stonebridge Ranch HOA News x August 2014
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Stonebridge Ranch Community Association Professionally managed by Community Management Associates (CMA) 6201 Virginia Parkway, McKinney, TX 75071 214.733.5800 • fax 214.778.0595 Courtesy Patrol 214.794.4945
Association Hours Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Association Staff Michael Lesku—Director of Operations Shannon Sheriff—Assistant Manager Candace Rickman—Community Service Coordinator Nate Russell—Compliance Coordinator Maria Ford—Compliance Coordinator Rony Peterson—Compliance Coordinator Joyce Martin—M.A.R.C. Compliance Coordinator Sherine George—Communications Coordinator Michael Cawley—Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Torres—Maintenance Assistant David Wiest—Lifestyle Director Lynette Rowell—Administrative Assistant
Board of Directors Jon Dell’Antonia—President Ron Ferris—Vice-President Richard MacFee—Treasurer Michael Yon—Secretary David Counts—Director Tom George—Director Bill Campbell—Director Stonebridge Ranch Homeowners Association News is the only authorized and official monthly publication for the residents of the Stonebridge Ranch community, with news and calendar of community events endorsed by the Stonebridge Ranch HOA and its members. Stonebridge Ranch HOA News is published for the residents of Stonebridge Ranch for informational purposes only. The Stonebridge Ranch HOA does not guarantee any work or claims made by the advertisers and claims no responsibility or liability for statements made in the publication. Stonebridge Ranch does not in any way endorse or support, nor does it take any credit or responsibility for the services, paid or volunteer, nor statements made in articles or letters published herein not endorsed by the Association or the group decision of the Board of Directors.
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thIs month’ s feature Updating the Master Landscape Plan by Sherine George As we move forward into fall, the Landscape and Grounds Committee is working hard towards accomplishing the first goal in the Stonebridge Ranch Community Association (SRCA) Strategic Plan: updating the Master Landscape Plan (MLP). After an initial plan was drafted in 2010, the board presented the Landscape and Grounds Committee the task of updating the plan while taking into consideration a financial goal. This target financial goal is $300,000 annually for a span of 7 years, which will cover 519 acres of common area. This budget was developed through the direction and careful planning of the board, which has worked diligently through the years in maintaining assessments with minimal increases (only a $27 increase in the past 7 years). Ultimately, the MLP has two goals: to update and revitalize the common areas in an effort to maximize homeowner value and to maintain a unifying identity for SRCA using landscape design standards. Maturing trees in the community have been a chief point of focus for the updated plan. One of the key objectives in the MLP will be to convert most nonvegetative or mulch areas into green ground cover since it
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is most aesthetically pleasing and consistent with the Stonebridge Ranch identity. In addition, for the first time in 25 years, SRCA implemented a Class B pruning technique for maturing trees in Stonebridge Ranch to allow more sunlight to touch the ground and help sustain newly planted ground cover. The committee has made significant progress in breaking down the previous MLP into deliverables for 2015. The updated plan is a scaled back version of its previous counterpart and focuses solely on landscape. The committee consulted with design experts who mapped the assets within the Stonebridge Ranch community. This map was broken down into a matrix of roadways, medians and parkways. After meeting with these experts, the committee now has a handle on how to fiscally manage the plan and stay within the annual budget. As a result of this detailed analysis, they’ve learned that it will take a total of 10 years to complete the plan given the proposed annual budget. The committee is currently collecting all relevant data and is moving forward in making the appropriate recommendations to the board. Notably, the committee is right on target with the timeline outlined in the
thIs month’ s feature
Strategic Plan for this project. Once the plan is approved by the board, the implementation of the plan will be scheduled according to optimum planting conditions. In addition to the MLP, the Landscape and Grounds committee is dealing with a few immediate issues. The SRCA is currently tackling the limitations placed on the community due to Stage 3 water restrictions. In efforts to minimize water usage, a third party audited the irrigation system and all leaking issues were addressed and repaired as needed. Additionally, CMA and our landscape maintenance team of Precision and Valley Crest are meeting weekly to ensure the irrigation priorities are optimized for the latest weather conditions to protect trees and shrubs from damage throughout the summer months.
The severe cold weather from winter, coupled with last year’s extreme summer heat, has caused significant damage to the Asian jasmine ground cover. The committee and board are considering solutions for this winter damage to Asian jasmine ground covers while understanding the limitations of planting in the current drought conditions. In an effort toward being more proactive in that matter, the committee has organized a group of experts including horticulturists, nursery retailers and landscape professionals, who are studying the community needs given the latest watering restrictions and temperature extremes experienced the last few years. The committee aims to have an updated plant palette optimized for drought and alkaline soil conditions to aid homeowners in their landscape plant selections. “Updating the Master Landscape Plan is vitally important to maintaining the long term beauty and uniqueness of Stonebridge Ranch. Continual investment by the HOA is needed to accomplish this goal,” shares Tom George, board member and liaison to the Landscape and Grounds Committee. As with every goal in the Strategic Plan, the Master Landscape Plan aligns with the mission of our community: to preserve and enhance the quality and natural beauty of Stonebridge Ranch. Stonebridge Ranch is incredibly fortunate to have a board and committee members that are always mindful of this overarching goal in every undertaking and decision that they make. F
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In the news National Night Out This August 5 by Sherine George If you haven’t already, now is the time to meet your neighbor! Come out on Tuesday, August 5, for National Night Out. This event is an annual anti-crime campaign designed to increase neighborhood spirit, improve police and community partnerships and keep our neighborhoods safe. This is an overall fun event for the whole family, but its key focus is to increase neighborhood involvement in crime prevention activities while encouraging a more intimate community. This organized effort sends a message to criminals that neighborhoods are vigilant and uniform in their fight against crime. The City of McKinney is doing its part in the national “lights on” initiative, which starts with the simple turning on of a porch light. The idea is that switching on that porch light will in turn foster ongoing relationships in the community. Every year the city reports 40 to 45 block parties. Officer Randy Haak, Education and Awareness officer for the McKinney Police Department, asks for more participation from the Stonebridge Ranch community this year. The city plans to send out its first responders and
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elected officials to meet and engage with the residents in each block. Residents are asked to register for the event as early as possible to help with the planning and logistics. It is important to register your event on the city’s website so that you will receive your necessary supplies and a visit from the police and fire department. Supplies include brochures, t-shirts and trinkets for kids. Officer Haak reminds residents attending the event to take preventative measures to ensure personal safety. He advises residents to lock all doors and windows, keep garage doors closed when not outside and immediately report all suspicious persons and activity to the police. So what does the event entail? From ice cream socials to barbeques, the possibilities are endless. It is all up to you and your neighborhood crime watch captain to decide. The neighborhood crime watch captain or the block captain usually organize the event and then notify the city. If you don’t have a crime watch/block captain, please contact Officer Hack at 972.547.2795 and he will get you started! F
www.stonebrI dgeranch.com Quick Links To Help You Find What You’re Looking For by Sherine George If you have visited our website at www. stonebridgeranch.com recently, you may have noticed a few more improvements. As you may recall, we have a Help Me Find and a Quick Links section on the right-hand side of the website. These two sections are designed with you and your most requested items in mind. The most notable change is under the Help Me Find section. Are you making a change to the exterior of your home? Well, there is a link for just that under the Help Me Find section. This link will take you to a page that gives you a step-by-step list of the modification process. You no longer have to visit the Documents and Forms Library on the website to find what guidelines to follow to make a modification on your home. This page not only details the modifications process, it has direct links to all the documents you may need. It even has a drop-down menu that lists all the subdivisions that require adherence to additional design guidelines—make sure to check to see if your village has these extra guidelines! Who do I call? This link under the Help Me Find section takes you to the Contact Us page. Depending on your need, you may want to call or email a specific individual or office. Stonebridge Ranch Community Association is professionally managed by Community Management Associates (CMA). You can call the CMA office for
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questions regarding billing, refinance, making phone payments and resale certificates. All other inquires can be handled directly at the association office. Do I need a Stonebridge Ranch photo ID? If you still haven’t come in for a photo ID session, you have a few more opportunities do so. The schedule has been available to you on the www.stonebridgranch.com homepage all summer long. Not sure if you need a photo ID? Click on the link, Do I need a Photo ID for Pool Access? You will be able to download a flow chart that details who needs a photo ID and all the requirements for obtaining one. The Quick Links section is also a great tool to instantly access SRCA information. Visit the Community Calendar to find events like Coffee Talk and Evening on the Veranda. Perhaps you were driving through the community and saw a sign for an event you are interested in attending, but didn’t quite catch the details. The Community Calendar is where you go to find addtional information about the event. SRCA sponsored activities will always be included in the Community Calendar. Don’t forgot to sign up for the SRCA e-news, this way you will get information on SRCA activities and news delivered directly to your inbox. These updates are made to make your online experience easier and more enjoyable. So take time to visit your community’s website! As always, we welcome your feedback and questions. F
around the ranch
Stonebridge Ranch HOA News x August 2014
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InsId e the hoa The Nature of Homeowner Associations by Michael Lesku Delivering Services and Amenities
Homeowner associations (HOAs) deliver services and amenities that were once the exclusive province of local government, including pools, parks and tennis courts to name a few. This transfer, or privatization, of services and amenities has become commonplace as the demand for housing has outpaced the ability of many local governments to provide services. Not only has privatization relieved local municipal budgets, but it has proven economically efficient for homeowners. Many of today’s homebuyers are second- and thirdtime buyers in homeowner associations—people who understand and value the benefits and services provided in planned communities. • HOAs maintain common area landscape. Reserves are maintained for future repairs and replacement of common property. • Many HOAs maintain swimming pools, tennis courts, playgrounds and other amenities that most Americans cannot afford on their own. Many HOAs also provide social activities, clubhouses, walking trails and more. • In the best communities, HOAs offer a real sense of community, an important contribution in an increasingly transient society.
Providing Value and Protecting Property Values
By delivering services at the direction of their members, HOAs meet the expectations of residents by working to provide a safe, well-maintained living environment, preserving the nature of the community and protecting property values. Cooperation and compliance are accomplished through governing documents that typically address architectural guidelines (dealing with items such as additions, decks and paint colors) and rules pertaining to issues such as noise, pets and parking. Enforced fairly and equitably by the members themselves, these documents guide the management and governance of the HOA and are generally consistent with zoning and other provisions of the larger civil community in which the HOA is located.
Offering Protection and Oversight
HOA rules and regulations are not really all that much different from their municipal counterparts. In practical terms, HOA regulations are another layer of protection against neighborhood degradation and another means of maintaining community standards and protecting property values. HOAs lessen the need for local government oversight of housing conditions since design guidelines and covenant
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InsIde the hoa inspections are performed by the HOA—the functional equivalent of building and zoning inspectors. Associations have one big advantage: while most municipalities are not equipped—i.e., do not have the manpower—to monitor housing, community association homeowners have a vested interest in reporting problems, from architectural and building code violations to landscaping issues
Inspiring Responsibility and Involvement
Community association homeowners like the responsibility that comes with homeowner control of their own neighborhoods. Importantly, community association leaders are elected by their neighbors to serve the best interests of the community as a whole. Because they live in their communities, these leaders better understand the needs of the community, from the delivery of core services and amenities to decisions affecting the future of the community. Significantly, many HOAs enjoy a higher level of civic involvement than municipalities in terms of voting, meeting attendance and volunteerism. Voting by proxy helps HOAs meet quorum requirements, an option that is not available in municipal elections.
Stonebridge Ranch
As you can see, HOA living is more than just paying your assessments and attending the annual meeting.
Stonebridge Ranch provides amenities and services members enjoy, while at the same time, protects and enhances property values and brings owners together by building a sense of community through its social events. Stonebridge Ranch has many of the attributes that make up a successful HOA. It’s these attributes that continue to make Stonebridge Ranch one of the most desirable communities to build and live in. F
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August 6, 13, 20 & 27
coffee talk 8:30 a.m. (CR)
August 7 Kids Splash Hop 8:30 a.m. (BTC) August 11 beach club pool party 6 p.m. (btc) August 21
End of Season Pool Party 8:30 p.m. (AC)
August 26 Travel club 9 a.m. (cr)
Coffee Talk, 8:30
Visit www.StonebridgeRanch. com for event details.
MARC Meeting 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (BR)
Landscape & Grou 7-9 p.m. (BR)
8:30-9:30 am—Stroller Strides (BTC) 8 am-2 pm—Junior Tennis Camps, Select Tennis Academy (BTC) 6-7 pm—Fit4Baby (CR)
Beach Club Pool Party, 6 p.m. (BTC) 8:30-9:30 am—Stroller Strides (BTC) 8 am-2 pm—Junior Tennis Camps, Select Tennis Academy (BTC) 6-7 pm—Fit4Baby (CR)
8 am-2 pm—Junior Tennis Camps, Select Tennis Academy (BTC)
ARC Meeting, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (BR)
8 am-2 pm—Junior Tennis Camps, Select Tennis Academy (BTC)
8:30-9:30 am—Stroller Strides (BTC)
8 am-2 pm—Junior Tennis Camps, Select Tennis Academy (BTC)
Travel Club, 9 a.m. (CR) 8 am-2 pm—Junior Tennis Camps, Select Tennis Academy (BTC) 6-7 pm—Fit4Baby (CR)
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8 am-2 pm—Junior Ten Select Tennis Academ 6-7 pm—Fit4 Baby (CR)
Coffee Talk, 8:30 a
8:30-9:30 am—Stroller St
8 am-2 pm—Junior Tenn Select Tennis Academy 6-7 pm—Fit 4Baby (CR)
Coffee Talk, 8:30
Social Committee (BR)
ARC Meeting, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (BR) 8:30-9:30 am—Stroller Strides (BTC)
8:30-9:30 am—Stroller S
Modifications Meeting, 6 p.m. (BR)
MARC Meeting 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (BR)
8 am-2 pm—Junior Tennis Camps, Select Tennis Academy (BTC) 6-7 pm—Fit4Baby (CR)
Amenities Comm 7-9 p.m. (BR)
Modifications Meeting, 6 p.m. (BR) Stonebridge Singles Group, 7-8 p.m. (CR) 8 am-2 pm—Junior Tennis Camps, Select Tennis Academy (BTC)
8:30-9:30 am—Stroller S
8 am-2 pm—Junior Ten Select Tennis Academ 6-7 pm—Fit4Baby (CR)
Coffee Talk, 8:30 a
8:30-9:30 am—Stroller S
8 am-2 pm—Junior Ten Select Tennis Academ 6-7 pm—Fit4Baby (CR)
Photo ID Session, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (CR)
a.m. (CR)
mittee Meeting,
Kids Splash Hop, 8:30 a.m. (BTC)
unds Meeting,
Photo ID Session, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (CR)
Strides (BTC)
8 am-2 pm—Junior Tennis Camps, Select Tennis Academy (BTC)
Photo ID Session, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (CR) 8:30-9:30 am—Stroller Strides (BTC)
nnis Camps, my (BTC) )
a.m. (CR) 8:30-9:30 am—Stroller Strides (BTC)
trides (BTC)
nis Camps, y (BTC)
a.m. (CR)
e Meeting, 9 a.m.
Strides (BTC)
nnis Camps, my (BTC)
a.m. (CR)
Visit www.StonebridgeRanch. com for event details.
8 am-2 pm—Junior Tennis Camps, Select Tennis Academy (BTC)
Communications Committee Meeting, 9-10 a.m. (BR) End of Season Pool Party, 8:30 p.m. (AC)
8:30-9:30 am—Stroller Strides (BTC)
8 am-2 pm—Junior Tennis Camps, Select Tennis Academy (BTC)
Board of Directors Meeting, 1-5 p.m. (BR)
8:30-9:30 am—Stroller Strides (BTC)
Strides (BTC)
nnis Camps, my (BTC)
8 am-2 pm—Junior Tennis Camps, Select Tennis Academy (BTC)
Stonebridge Ranch HOA News x August 2014
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landscape & grounds City Revises Stage 3 Water Restrictions to Once Every Other Week by Sherine George Due to the below average rainfall this summer and the water levels in reservoirs reaching historic lows, the City of McKinney has issued an ordinance limiting landscape watering with the use of irrigation systems and sprinklers to once every other week. All businesses, homes and common areas fall under this new city ordinance. Please note irrigation systems using smart controllers are no longer exempt from the watering schedule.
What is the HOA going to do about the common areas in the community?
As always, Stonebridge Ranch Community Association (SRCA) will comply with the city ordinance. You will see medians and common areas being watered every other Wednesday between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.
How will revised water restrictions affect Stonebridge Ranch?
As one can expect, the increased water restriction will affect our landscape and grounds. You will likely see changes in turf color from a green to a yellowish brown as the turf becomes dormant. Watering of trees, shrubs and groundcover
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will take priority over turf grass. This decision is based on the potential replacement cost of these landscape elements.
When can I water?
• Addresses ending in even numbers may be watered every other Tuesday, starting July 1 • Addresses ending in odd numbers may be watered every other Thursday, starting July 3
What other restrictions do I need to be aware of?
• No watering with an irrigation system between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. • No use of water that allows runoff or other water waste • No landscape watering during any form of precipitation • No hydro seeding, hydro mulching or sprigging • 30-day exemptions for watering new turf are only allowed for new construction • No turf watering with hand-held hoses, soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems
Will the homeowner association be more lenient in light of the revised water restrictions? Violations regarding bare trees, shrubs and ground cover
landscape & grounds What happens to the golf courses?
Golf courses that utilize city water for irrigation may water greens and tee boxes as needed. Golf courses that have their own water wells can irrigate with no restriction.
Is all water restricted by this ordinance?
A property that uses an alternate source of water supply for irrigation, other than treated water from the city, can irrigate without restrictions.
What landscape watering is allowed?
Lake Lavon—McKinney’s source of water will still be enforced. Our Compliance Coordinators are visiting SRCA property on a daily basis. Any violations observed will be noted on the homeowner’s account. The violation will remain active until water restrictions are eased by the City of McKinney and owners can cure the violation.
Will I be able to fill my new pool?
Newly constructed pools, Jacuzzis and spas may be filled.
• Watering plants, trees and foundations with a hand-held hose that uses an automatic shut-off nozzle, a soaker hose or drip irrigation system for up to two hours daily • Power washing paved surfaces • Using a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle for washing, rinsing or maintenance purposes • Watering property with an alternate water supply other than treated water • Filling new pools or replenishing existing pools to maintain operational levels Please visit www.mckinneytexas.org/waterrestrictions for more details or changes on this city ordinance. F
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fInancIal update The Benefits of a Fully Funded Reserve Fund by Michael Lesku Did you know that the Stonebridge Ranch Community Association (SRCA) has an independent Reserve Engineer that conducts a reserve study update every three years, which serves as an asset management and budget-planning tool for the board of directors? Perhaps you are curious to find out how your community fared in this year’s study update. Outlined below is an overview of HOA reserve studies and how it relates to the SRCA reserve fund.
What is a reserve study and why is it important to me?
A reserve study is an in-depth evaluation of the association’s common area assets and an analysis of its reserve fund balances. The primary purpose of a reserve study is to determine the health of the financial funds for future major repair and/or the replacement of common area homeowner association (HOA) assets like the Beach Club and the Aquatic Center. One of the primary responsibilities of the Stonebridge Ranch Community Association is to maintain, preserve and replace the common area assets for the future use of the association members. A well-prepared reserve study can avert special assessments and support a thriving community.
What does a reserve study consist of?
The reserve study has both a financial and physical component. The physical analysis includes a comprehensive on-site inspection, which results in a complete inventory of common area assets. The financial analysis of the reserve study includes analyzing the current reserve fund, formulating a detailed plan for adequately funding the reserve account and a 30-year projection for cash-flow management.
When was our last study done?
Community Association Reserves, an independent engineering firm that prepares reserve studies for community associations throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, was contracted to perform a reserve study update for our community in January 2014. The engineers spent a week on-site inspecting all common area assets including the Beach Club, Aquatic Center, parks, lakes, irrigation and landscaping.
What scale is used to assess my community?
HOAs are measured on a scale from “weak” financial position (when the community is 0 to 30% funded) to “ideal” (100% funded, where the association has the exact amount of funds it needs in the reserve account). A majority of associations fall under the category of “fair” (31% to 69% funded). Being in a “fair” financial position certainly doesn’t illustrate financial strength and stability, but there is a diminished likelihood of special assessments and deferred maintenance.
So, how is Stonebridge Ranch doing?
The reserve study update results show that the association is fully funded at 117.3% and therefore in an “ideal” financial position. Through the careful planning and fiscally responsible performance of our board, the association has been able to avoid assessment increases for several years. In fact, over the past seven years, there has only been a $27 increase in assessments. You will be pleased to note that the board operates on sound funding principles, which ensures optimal financial safety for the Stonebridge Ranch Community. F
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complIance tI ps Compliance and Your Furry Friends by Nate Russell It’s that time of year again. Summer is almost over and the first day of school is just around the corner. With the children walking to and from school, please remember to drive safely and keep an eye out for those school zones. While your dog might be your best friend, he may not be the best friend of everyone in your village. That is why the City of McKinney has a leash law in effect providing that no dog or cat can leave any home or fenced backyard area without being leashed and accompanied by its owner. Each owner is responsible for removing animal feces. This applies to cats as well. Cats who wander around the villages are prone to get into trash and have been known to tear up other resident’s porch furniture. Any complaints regarding animal noise or animals running around without owners should be directed to the City of McKinney Animal Control office at 972.547.7445.
• Doghouses need to be made of wood, plastic or resin construction. If you would like to build a dog run, you once again do not need to submit a request as long as the guidelines are followed. Here are a few guidelines: • Your fence must be 5-ft. or less. • You dog run needs to be smaller than 35 square feet. • A dog run must be behind a 6-ft. privacy fence or some other form of screen so it cannot be seen from the public right-of-way or golf courses. • You can only have one dog run per lot. • Your dog run needs to have a concrete slab and be cleaned often to avoid a foul smell. If you have any questions about pet guidelines or any other compliance issues, feel free to call us or come see us at the office. We’re here for you and would love to help with any concerns you may have. Please help us keep pets safe and Stonebridge Ranch beautiful. Thank you for your compliance! Rony Peterson, Maria Ford, Nate Russell, Joyce Martin CMA Compliance Coordinators F
If you want to build a home for your furry friend, check the guidelines on our website at www. stonebridgeranch.com. All of our design guidelines are posted online for any project you want to begin. You do not have to submit a modification application for a doghouse as long as you follow the guidelines. Some key pointers on doghouses are: • They can only be in the rear yard or the side yard. • Your doghouse cannot be bigger than 15 square feet. • If you have a doghouse it has to be behind a 6-ft. privacy fence or some other form of screen so it cannot be seen from the public right-of-way or golf courses. • You can only have one doghouse per lot. Stonebridge Ranch HOA News x August 2014
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your neIg hbor Resident Spotlight: Chris Spear by Sherine George
What are your hobbies or special interests?
Golf, weather (I’m a radar watcher), history and documentaries.
What are you most proud of?
Definitely our son. It is a pleasure to watch him grow into a great young man.
Can you share something interesting about yourself that may surprise others?
I played for State Championship and College National Championship baseball teams.
Why the Landscape and Grounds Committee?
I enjoy working in the yard and the beauty of a wellmaintained yard, even though mine struggles from time to time. I wanted to “give back” time to the community that I love and the Landscaping and Grounds Committee seemed the logical fit.
How long have you lived in Stonebridge Ranch?
25 Years. We moved into our home January of 1989.
In what village do you reside and how did you find your way to the area?
Our first home was in Quail Creek and now we reside in Falcon Creek. My first job out of college was as an accountant with a pager company located in Richardson. The CEO lived in Prosper and watched Stonebridge’s
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your neIghbor development. He knew I was a golfer and a newlywed. He asked me if we had looked at Stonebridge Ranch. I had not heard of it and thought McKinney was way out in the country. Nonetheless, we drove out to take a look and we were hooked.
What do you love most about the Stonebridge Ranch community?
It’s like living at a resort with the variety of activities offered, multiple aquatic options and golf courses. The community exudes physical fitness; walkers and joggers are on the sidewalks most any time of day.
Tell us about your family.
We are a family of three, my darling wife of 26 years, Cynthia and our son Alex, a senior at Texas A&M. My parents are also residents of Stonebridge and my in-laws are lifelong residents of Richardson.
What are your family’s favorite things to do in the community? Friday evening golf and dinner was a staple; now Adriatica is a frequent haunt of ours.
Looking back on your time in Stonebridge, what are some of your most memorable moments?
It was 1989 or ‘90, I can’t remember, but all the residents were invited to a golf charity event hosted by Greg Norman and Curtis Strange. They were two of the biggest names in golf at the time. The comedy entertainment was George Lopez. No one had heard of him at the time, but I remember laughing so hard. He was hilarious and it was a wonderful event held on the lawn of Stonebridge Country Club. We had the best Fourth of July parades down Lake Forest. The kids decorated their bicycles and wagons and the McKinney Fire Department had a fire truck available for the kids to tour. Later those nights we would all gather with our lawn chairs at Lake Forest and Glen Oaks Drive for fireworks. It was always a great show. I love that it was truly a sense of community. I remember countless nights in front of the house with neighbors enjoying cookouts while visiting, and the kids playing as we were doing life together. These are lifelong friendships I wouldn’t trade for anything.
What are some of your earliest memories of Stonebridge Ranch? What changes have you seen since then?
Drive and Virginia and we rode our bikes up there often. We could get milk and bread without driving 15 to 20 minutes. I worked in downtown Dallas and the lack of traffic allowed me to make the trip in 40 minutes. The good ole days!
Is there any wisdom you’d want to pass on to new Stonebridge Ranch residents?
Sign up on the Stonebridge website; take advantage of the multitude of activities for all ages. Check out “Experience McKinney” through the McKinney Chamber of Commerce, it will give you a broad view of McKinney’s history and the opportunities available to you. Attend the annual homeowner’s association meetings; they have great prizes and you will receive a wealth of knowledge about Stonebridge. Get involved in YOUR great community!
What would you want them to know?
I’m not sure people realize the financial strength and stability the Stonebridge Homeowner’s Association maintains due to the strong leadership and longevity of our board. F
Virginia Parkway had two lanes, Brookshires was the closest grocery store, there were five villages and 200 people in Stonebridge and Quail Creek had two streets when we moved here. Our Ranch Country Club monthly dues were $50—imagine that! Darling Homes used our home as a model home for prospective homebuyers interested in our floor plan. Bill and Steve Darling were absolutely the best to work with. Everybody knew each other and took such an interest since there were a small number of residents. We were so excited when Norby’s (convenience store and gas station) was built on the corner of Stonebridge Stonebridge Ranch HOA News x August 2014
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lIfestyle McKinney Area Newcomers Club If you are new to the McKinney area, come join us for fun, information and friendship. Every month we have great speakers, nice door prizes, tasty refreshments and lots of good socializing with new friends. Our monthly Coffee Meeting is a great way to find out about all the various social activities we offer. For more information on Newcomers, visit www.mckinneynewcomers.com. Our meeting will feature the installation of our board of directors for the 2014-2015 year. We are excited for you to come and meet our new officers. Please join McKinney Area Newcomers at its meeting at 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 19, in the Eva Joplin Hall at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 Virginia Parkway in McKinney. Social time with refreshments will begin at 9:30 a.m.
McKinney Ladies Association Fall Yard Sale The public is invited to enjoy huge bargains for a great cause on Saturday, September 20, at the McKinney Ladies Association’s (MLA) community-wide Fall Yard Sale. And, if you have items you’d like to sell, please register ASAP as a vendor! The fall sale is set from 7 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, September 20, in the parking lot of Stonebridge United Methodist Church, 1800 S. Stonebridge Drive in McKinney. All proceeds benefit college scholarships for the children of McKinney’s first responders. During MLA’s spring sale, for example, the women’s group raised $5,000 for scholarships. Vendors: Register with MLA by September 15 to sell your items. Each vendor space is the width of one parking space, and spaces are limited to the first 126 registered (no concession sales). The cost is $45 per space. Contact Connie Hollstein-Drexel at cjhollstein@aol.com or go to www. mckinneyladies.org to download and complete the registration forms. The forms and your payment must be received via mail on September 15. Shoppers: Adults are asked to make a $1 donation to shop while children accompanied by an adult can shop for free. MLA’s semiannual community-wide yard sales always draw hundreds of shoppers. Items for sale will include children’s and adults’ clothing, jeans, toys, furniture, household items, strollers, bikes, yard equipment and much more. For more information, please go to www. mckinneyladies.org. F
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publIc safety Safety first! As summer draws to a close, Stonebridge Ranch residents start their preparations for back to school activities. This is a time when safety is a growing concern for children. From school zones to bus stops, precautions need to be taken every step of the way as kids return to school for fall. We ask parents to keep informed of current safety rules so that they can responsibly share this information with their children. Here are some tips by the National Safety Council, SAFE KIDS and the American Academy of Pediatrics to help you and your family practice great safety. Preventing backpack-related injuries: • Choose a backpack for your child carefully, keeping safety and comfort in mind. • Don’t overstuff a backpack. It should weigh no more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight. • Ask your child to use both straps when wearing his backpack to evenly distribute the weight of the backpack. Traveling to and from school: • If you are driving your children to school, drop them off and pick them up as close to the school as possible. Wait to leave until they are in the schoolyard or building. • Plan a route to school or to the bus stop. Choose the most direct way with the fewest street crossings and with intersections that have crossing guards. Make sure to plan routes that are not secluded or vacant. Ideally
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your child should be walking with a sibling, friend or neighbor. Instruct your child to never accept rides or gifts from strangers or anyone he doesn’t know well. Have a contingency plan in case his usual form of transportation is unavailable. Make sure your child knows and follows all traffic signals, signs and traffic officers. If walking, remind him to stop and look both ways before crossing a street. To avoid street crossings, encourage your child to take the many city tunnels available. You will find that many kids already ride their bikes through tunnels near the Aquatic Center, in Adriatica and across the street from the SRCA office and various other tunnels. If your child is riding a bike to school, make sure he wears a helmet that meets appropriate safety standards. Research has shown that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent.
publIc safety • Plan for your children to arrive at their bus stop early and then wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching the street. Always watch for cars and avoid the driver’s blind spot. When riding on the bus, remind your children to stay seated at all times and keep their heads and arms inside the bus. When exiting the bus, children should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, exit from the front using the handrail to avoid falls and cross the street at least ten feet in front of the bus. Remind your child not to bend down in front of the bus to tie shoes or pick up objects, as the driver may not see him before starting to move. • Be sure that your child knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult and how to call 911 for emergencies. On the playground: • Avoid drawstrings on the hood or around the neck of jackets and sweatshirts. Drawstrings at the waist or bottom of jackets should extend no more than three inches long to prevent catching in car and school bus doors or getting caught on playground equipment. • Teach children proper playground behavior—no pushing or shoving, • Give your child some strategies for coping with playground bullies. Ask that he simply walk away or tell a bully to stop. If the bullying continues, instruct your child to talk to the teacher. F
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socIal scene Summer Camps 2014 10 & Under
10 & Under Tennis is an exciting new play format for learning tennis designed to bring kids into the game by adapting the equipment, court dimensions and the scoring to the age and size of the children. 10 & Under Tennis enables kids to have more enjoyable experiences early on in the learning process and having fun is the number one factor in keeping kids involved. Time: 10-11 a.m. Cost: $65 per week
Future Star Camp (ages 11 & up)
This class is designed for beginner and intermediate players ages 11 and up. Players will be placed in groups according to ability level. All aspects of the game will be covered in this class. Time: 10-11:30 a.m. Cost: $85 per week
Tennis Academy
For players who are competing in ZAT, Champ and Super Champ tournaments. Topics covered include stroke production, tactics and strategy, quickness drills and mental toughness and match play. Players should be at a high level of fitness before attending this camp. Time: 8-11 a.m.—Drills & Fitness 12-2 p.m.—Match Play Cost: Full Camp—$299 per week; Morning Session only—$199 per week; Match Camp Session only—$165 per week (space limited)
14th Annual Summer Spectacular Kid’s Camp
This camp is for kids ages 6-10 and includes tennis, swimming, arts and crafts and lunch Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost: $150 for one camp and $280 for both camps; Week I—July 28-31; Week II—August 4-7
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socIal scene Tennis Camp Dates: Week 8—July 28-31; Week 9—August 4-7; Week 10—August 11-14; Week 11—August 18-21 Camp Policies And Procedures: Due to inclement weather, Fridays will be used as make-up days for all camps. If you are uncertain whether classes will be held or not due to inclement weather, a message will be posted on www.TennisCoachDave.com 1/2 hour before class time. A 10% discount will be given to all students signing up for multiple weeks. It is the parent’s responsibility to take off the 10% prior to sending the check. Registration can also be done online at www.TennisCoachDave.com or mail to Stonebridge Ranch Community Association, 6201 Virginia Parkway, McKinney, TX 75071 attn. Dave Wiest.
Family Beach Party
Don’t miss out on a fun-filled event! On Monday, August 11, from 6 to 9 p.m., a Family Beach Party will be held with entertainment from musical guest The Rumble Kings, a classic rock band. Space is limited to the first 500 residents and guests. Hot dogs will be served until supplies run out. We are providing one hotdog per person, so if you have a big appetite please pack a picnic basket! This is a swimming event, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Valid ID required: Stonebridge ID for children/adults or driver’s license for adults with current Stonebridge Ranch address. Coolers are permitted, but no glass containers. There is a $5 guest fee. Stonebridge Ranch HOA News x August 2014
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socIal scene Kids Splash Hop at the Aquatic Center On Thursday, August 7, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., a Kids Splash Hop will be held at the Aquatic Center for ages 10-12 years only. Drop off the kids and enjoy your evening! There will be plenty of security with a pool manager, lifeguards and the McKinney Police Department in attendance. Hot dogs will be served and a disc jockey will be playing. There is no charge for SBR residents; however there is a $5 charge for non-residents. The front gate will be monitored by the McKinney Police Department and children will not be allowed outside the gates once they are checked in. Parents should plan on picking up their children INSIDE the gate by 10:30 p.m. Parents, please remember that this event is for ages 10-12 ONLY.
End of Summer Pool Party: Music Video Night Summer sure did fly by, but the fun isn’t over yet. Bring the whole family out to the Aquatic Center on Thursday night, August 21, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., for an all-ages swim party AND music videos on the big screen. We had a great turnout for this event the last couple of summers and we are bringing it back! Hot dogs will be served until supplies run out. BYOB. NO glass containers. All coolers will be checked at the gate. Non-resident guest fee is $5 and an updated Stonebridge ID or driver ’s license is required. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult and have a current Stonebridge ID.
The Social Committee Has Added a New Monthly Group: Singles of Stonebridge! The purpose of this group is to get together and plan fun activities to do with other singles in the community. The Singles Group will meet on Tuesday, August 26, from 7 to 8 p.m., in the Community Room at Stonebridge Ranch, 6201 Virginia Parkway. Appetizers and soft drinks will be provided. Please RSVP at http:// tinyurl.com/srcasingles. F
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