Howdy all!  Or should I say ya’ll?!  It IS Houston Rodeo season after all and this neighbor is ready for some great concerts and “fried anything on a stick”.  Break out those boots and rodeo up – just take the antacid first and remember that no matter how many beers you’ve had, it is not appropriate to jump on the back of any FFA livestock!  The months seem to be flying by and it’s hard to believe that Spring Break will soon be upon us.  There is much going on within our community as well.  Seems everything kind of “bloomed” March 1^st. 

Lemm Elementary.  Sigh.  Our poor elementary school.  Many have wondered what was going on with this facility and why it has been shuttered for so long.   Klein ISD held a town hall last month and it was incredibly refreshing and informative for those in attendance.  Klein ISD representatives gave a synopsis of the many challenges that caused the significant delays in rebuilding.  These same representatives gave the community their assurance that they would do everything within their power to rebuild and reopen the facility prior to the start of the 2018-2019 school year.  The “new” Lemm Elementary will be an amazing place for education as the administration, architects and construction team are implementing significant changes to update the facilities.  You can refer to the renderings by clicking on this link:  https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=41627709  The budget for this rebuild is just a little more than $13MM and it should be an incredible environment for our children when done.  The contract was issued to ICI Constructors, a general contractor who has experience with Lemm, and work began mobilizing in earnest on March 2^nd.  Be patient with the construction teams and heavy equipment that will be in the area in the coming months and let’s cheer on this group in the hopes of an August completion.   I will do my best to update everyone if I learn any more information. 

While we are on the subject of school news………It is official!  Our intermediate school children have been rezoned to Strack Intermediate located near Cypresswood and Kuykehdahl.  Previously, all of the 6^th-8^th graders in our community, and those of Devonshire, Lakes of CF, CF Lakes, Estates and many others, were zoned to Schindewolf Intermediate.  The rezoning was made official at the February Klein ISD board meeting.  While Strack is an older facility (built in 1977), the curriculum and level of education is equal (or greater) than that of Schindewolf.  This rezoning will increase the teacher-to-student ratio to a peak level and Strack will be the lowest utilized intermediate facility in the district (per KISD analysis).  With the addition of our kiddos and a new principal at Strack this year, our students are going to roar!

You have probably noticed that work at the Hendricks Interest development sight have renewed in earnest.  This work is of particular concern after seeing the devastation that Hurricane Harvey left behind.  It has been confirmed that this work is a continuation of the master plan addressed at last year’s town hall meeting.  I have personally talked to Harris County Flood Control who said they are acutely aware of the progress on the jobsite and that they have reviewed and approved this work (subsequent to Harvey).  The earth that is being placed on the vacant land is being sourced solely from a retention pond being built just to the south of the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) and no new dirt or materials are to be deposited onto this land at this time.  There is no buyer or proposed buyer for the land at this time and this work is being performed to make this investment property more appeasing to potential buyers/developers.  We all recognize the anxiety this work causes for many of us and the uncertainty surrounding this project.  As promised from the origination, I will do my best to stay on top of plans and actions related to this land and convey what I know to each of you. 

As noted in previous The Chatter articles, the board did not feel we were being properly served by our community managers at PMG.  We put the management company on notice and they have assured the board, and more importantly you as vested neighbors, that things will improve in the coming months.  The management company immediately assigned us a new community manager.  Please join me in welcoming Krisi Miller.  Ms. Miller is expected to be a great asset to Cypress Forest as she has been in property management for nearly two decades.  She has also owned her own property management company in the past and her focus is centered on customer service.  You can reach Ms. Miller at 713-329-7158 (direct line) or a kmiller@pmghouston.com  The board hopes this change signifies an improvement in service to you and our community as we hold ourselves accountable to you and this neighborhood.  As always, we always invite you to contact any one of the board directly as it is the surest way to get immediate attention to any question or problem you might be experiencing. 

“At the last annual board meeting for Cypress Forest, a resident brought a great idea to the board’s attention….this happen(ed) almost immediately upon request.  It is for this exact reason that we welcome and encourage homeowners to attend the board meetings….the board does listen.”

At the last annual board meeting for Cypress Forest, a resident brought a great idea to the board’s attention in that our community needed “no outlet” signage on the cul-de-sac street signs.  I am happy to report that Harris County Precinct 4 Maintenance and Jack Cagle’s office made this happen almost immediately upon request.  These signs will help alleviate traffic on these dead-end streets and they look very nice perched up on top of the signs.  It is for this exact reason that we welcome and encourage homeowners to attend the board meetings.  They can be nauseatingly boring at times, but the board does listen and tries to follow through with any request you might have to the best of our abilities.  Our next meeting is June 4^th.   Please join us!  If you can’t attend a meeting or need action in the interim, we invite you to call or email one of us directly as you will get the same response and attention that you’d get from a face-to-face at the board meeting. 

Remember to “spring” your clocks forward on March 11^th at 2am.  Most will remember this.  However, many will forget that this is a great time to check the batteries and test your smoke detectors.    It is so vital to have working smoke detectors in your home and I make it a point to check mine each time the clocks change (twice a year).

Some other important dates to note are St. Patrick’s Day on March 17^th (the annual FM 1660 parade will be on March 11^th this year).  Klein ISD will be observing Spring Break from March 10^th to March 17^th.   The amazing and wonderful Easter egg hunt, hosted by HC WCID #110 at the Forest Oaks Park, will be held on March 24^th from noon to 2pm and this is an event you do not want to miss!  Finally, a day that I always like to observe:  International Day of Happiness Day is observed on March 20^th of this year!  Do something to make yourself happy and try to also spend a little effort in brightening someone else’s day. 

Many have asked about social media pages pertinent to our community.  The board has considered forming a Facebook page for Cypress Forest and might do this in the very near future.  In the meantime, there is Nextdoor.com which is a free forum for neighbors to discuss anything from missing dogs to local politics.  This author greatly enjoys the “Ask Spring” group on Facebook as it is extremely active and there is much good information on this closed group’s page.  Spring Happenings and Community Impact – both with print media and online publications – are great resources for news related to our region.  If you’d like to find out more about a Nextdoor invite, please reach out to me as I’d be happy to help you get onboarded to this website/application.  

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I will mention this for the second month.  The association has a record number of delinquent accounts outstanding.  Assessments were due January 10^th!  The board works very hard to keep assessments extremely competitive and low.  However, we also depend on collecting timely to provide the ability to pay necessary expenses and fund improvements.  Do note that we must turn over all accounts to the attorney in April and the costs of such collection efforts are legally charged to each respective account.  Please make sure you have paid your assessments and if there are extenuating circumstances as to why you cannot fund, please reach out to a board member to discuss.  We do accept credit cards, offer payment plans and other options if you are having trouble funding the assessments due. 

That’s a wrap for March!  Enjoy rodeo season, start planting those annuals, and do your best to dodge the pollen allergies this month.   The board joins me in wishing each of you a great day and a fantastic spring.  Please reach out to any one of us if we can ever be of assistance of any sort.  It is you that makes Cypress Forest an incredible place to live and we are grateful for your friendship and neighborly spirit.

Scott Hubert

Neighbor and President

Howdy all!  Welcome to the “month of love” and one that is going to fly by with only 28 days on the blocks.  I hope this newsletter finds all of our neighbors happy and healthy.  The healthy part is especially important at the moment given the particularly disastrous flu season we are enduring.  Any kissing done on February 14^th should be followed with a good swish of mouthwash!  There is much more going on this month versus the start of the year and I’ll get right to it. 

The board of Cypress Forest CAI, your homeowner’s association, met on February 5^th of this month.  It was a productive meeting and the board truly appreciates those of you who took the time to attend the meeting or who helped by sending in proxies.  The board wishes we could get more involvement from our neighbors as all as your voices do matter and the board values each and every bit of feedback.  We try to act on any action item suggested and always work to get your questions answered promptly.  We have posted the draft minutes to our website for your review.  Please take a minute or two to review as I think you will find the items noted beneficial.  Some key points to note:

• Three incumbent members of the board, Pat Barbier, Kevin Warren, and myself (Scott Hubert) were reelected for a new two-year term. The officer positions/titles remained the same as the board is a cohesive one and everyone chips in equally.   That and keeping the positions static makes letterhead and website postings much easier! 
• A valued neighbor who attended the meeting requested that the community petition the county to install “no outlet” signs atop of the street signs for the areas terminating in a cul-de-sac. The board is working on that in tandem with Harris County Precinct 4 and are hoping we can get this effected in the next few months. 
• The sign and lighting at Cypress Oaks has again been vandalized. The Harris County Constables are investigating this damage as it has happened several times in the recent past.  The board recognizes this sign and the landscaping around the sign need new upkeep and repair.  The board will be working with Hendricks Interest, who shares maintenance responsibilities with the board in this region, to get sign updated and lights replaced soon.  The board is looking at a different design and option for the lighting to transition to “downlighting” from ground-mounted fixtures. 
• Kevin Warren, a valued three-term board member, is working tirelessly with the new landscaper to get new and improved irrigation systems to all areas of Cypress Forest while also devising a plan to update the landscaping in all maintenance areas around our community. Big things are to come, and the board has allocated resources to help Kevin in this magnificent task.

There are many other pertinent items noted in the minutes and we hope you’ll take a moment or two to read the update as to all that is occurring within our community.  We try to update this website and The Chatter on a monthly basis, but also invite our residents to log-in to Nextdoor and Facebook regularly so as to read about and comment on current events affecting us all.    

Speaking of current events, there is a recent concern brewing about the status of Lemm Elementary and the ability of Klein ISD to rebuild and remediate in time for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.  The school district has communicated that it is doing all it can in order to get the school open in August 2018 but does share the “significant challenges” it faces in doing so.  The district is holding a town hall at the Klein Multipurpose building beginning at 6:30pm on February 15^th.  It should also be noted that the Klein ISD school board is at the conclusion of a rezoning project for the intermediate schools.  In all seven of the rezoning proposals, our community will have our intermediate school students going to Strack Intermediate (they were previously zoned to Schindewolf).  It is anticipated that the school board will allow current 6^th and 7^th grade students to “grandfather” in to Schindewolf if they provide their own transportation.  This proposal, sure to pass unanimously, is slated to be voted on at the next KISD board meeting on February 12^th.   I’ll keep everyone updated on this topic as it directly affects both our children’s education and our home values. 

“The board notes that there have been some problems with resident’s calls, concerns and complaints conveyed to our management company (PMG/Associa) being passed up to our attention.  We just recently became aware of these issues and are working with PMG to remedy this situation.  “

It was recently noted by residents that many of the roads in our community were being intentionally demolished and rebuilt.  This is in relation to the sewer rehab project being performed by our MUD district (Harris County WCID #110).  The crews seem to be doing a good job of cleaning up after themselves, but if you see something they missed or have questions about this project, feel free to give Jody Dellinger, representative for HC WCID #110, a quick phone call at 281-353-0998.  I’m to understand that this project will wrap up in the next few months.  

The board notes that there have been some problems with resident’s calls, concerns and complaints conveyed to our management company (PMG/Associa) being passed up to our attention.  We just recently became aware of these issues and are working with PMG to remedy this situation.  In the meantime, we encourage you to call one of the board members if you have questions, need a problem resolved, or would like to discuss happenings within Cypress Forest.  You can find each of our contact numbers on the information page and the president (me!) can always be reached at 832-663-0133.  If you do happen to call PMG and experience issues or your issue is not resolved within 24 hours, please help us all out by calling that number and allow us to step in and resolve the matter.  The board does pride itself on being responsive and accountable to each of you and the lack of proper communication by PMG/Associa is unacceptable and will be corrected quickly.  

Just a reminder to all that assessments ($250) were due on January 10, 2018.  The association currently has an unusually high number of delinquent accounts.   If you are finding the assessment difficult to fund, or if you have questions about your invoice, please reach out to a board member and we can help resolve this delinquency as partners.  The board makes a concerted effort to keep the assessments extremely competitive and low, yet this reduced amount means we must collect in a timely manner to keep cash flow and operations moving forward.  If you have not funded your account yet, please do so immediately. 

Some dates to note in the upcoming month of March:  Primary elections are to be held on March 6, 2018.  Locations for both early and regular voting can be found at www.harrisvotes.com  I recently learned that the Harris County Clerk intends to roll out new enrollment “tablets” (versus the old paper books) and so leave some extra time to get signed in and get to the booths.  Clocks “spring” forward  an hour on March 11, 2018.  On the morning of March 24^th, our water board (HC WCID #110) will be hosting an Easter egg hunt.  This guy has been to a few of these in the past and they are not to be missed if little ones are involved. 

Have a wonderful February neighbors.  Be sure to get that smooch on February 14^th.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or another board member if any of us can be of assistance in the coming month.  Make it a great one……

 Scott Hubert

 Neighbor and President

Howdy friends and neighbors!  Happy 2018 to everyone.  I hope that the burial of 2017 was a deep, quiet affair.   What a year; full of huge ups and deep lows.  The Cypress Forest board of directors wishes everyone a Happy New Year and we are as excited as you are about starting a fresh year. 

A reminder that assessments were sent out approximately 45 days ago.   The assessment rate for Cypress Forest is $250/annum for the 2017 year.  A cover letter was attached to the invoice explaining the $25 increase for 2018.  This assessment amount is due January 10^th, 2018.  Anything received after this date is subject to penalties and interest.  The association must follow our management contract as well as the statutes of Texas in how we administer these accounts.  The association does offer a payment plan.  We also can take payment via credit card on the online community portal hosted by PMG/Associa (our management company).  If you find you might have trouble paying the balance due, please reach out to PMG or a board member.  We would be happy to discuss a payment plan and can discuss any other options available to you at this time.  We also invite flood victims to contact us if you might have trouble funding your assessments for the current year.  If you’d like to learn how the association spends these assessments, the approved budget can be found on our website at www.cypressforest.net or the board would be happy to mail a copy out to anyone who requests this. 

Another reminder, property taxes become delinquent if paid after January 31^st.  While these taxes are not our jurisdiction, it’s always a good practice to remind each other about due dates.  We all get so busy nowadays.  For new homeowners or those who have recently turned 65, be certain to complete and submit your exemptions to the county.  The homestead exemption is due April 30^th of the year to which you have established a homestead.  Homestead exemption documents can be found on the Harris County Appraisal District website at www.hcad.org   I’d be happy to help answer questions or assist in any way if there are questions about how to complete these applications. 

“If you plan on making any changes to your home –  whether it be a major addition or simply laying a fresh coat of paint down –  please be sure to get approval prior to the project through your architectural control committee.  “

If you plan on making any changes to your home –  whether it be a major addition or simply laying a fresh coat of paint down –  please be sure to get approval prior to the project through your architectural control committee.  This includes items like fence replacement and tree removal.  The process is in place as it helps keep home values high and ensures that no project is installed contrary to the community covenants.  The board also contributes an honest effort to make you aware of problems that might hurt or hinder a property sales transaction at a later date.   Actions such as building on top of an easement or making unsafe improvements will often be noted contrary to approval.  The process of filing an application is quite simple.  A current application is located on the home page of this website (or one can be mailed to you upon request).   Complete that application and submit via US Mail to our management company along with a $25 check.  This fee does not go to the association but rather the management company to help offset their expense of internal ARC website.  It always helps if you email me a copy of the application to the association president so that he/she can ensure the management company processes this efficiently.   If you are not sure who to contact for the proper approval, please give me a quick call and I would be happy to lead you through the simple process of filing a modification request. 

The Cypress Forest CAI annual meeting will be held at the MUD board building (19023 Joanleigh Drive, Spring, Texas, 77388) on Monday, February 5, 2018, beginning at 6:30pm.  There will be refreshments for all and a great discussion.  The meetings usually last just over an hour and any and all concerns are welcomed.   If you cannot attend, please help the board and the community by completing a proxy which was mailed to everyone last month.  This proxy allows the board to make quorum and conduct business.  If you need a copy or if you have concerns that cannot be addressed at the meeting, feel free to reach out to myself or any other board member (names and contact are listed on the “about us” page).    

That’s it for this month.  Thankfully, a much less eventful month than previous ones and let’s hope it remains that way for the foreseeable future.  Again, the board wishes each of you a very Happy New Year and a prosperous, memorable 2018. 

Scott Hubert

Neighbor and President