Howdy all!  I hope the month of April is off to a great start for everyone.  It’s great to see the neighborhood “come alive” once again and the yards are already starting to look fantastic.  Let’s make it a Spring to remember.

The board received several calls last month from concerned homeowners who had received a deed restriction letter in the mail.   I sensed the frustration and concern in the voices of those I spoke with and can empathize with those emotions.  This president also gets letters from time to time.  While it’s extremely important to do your part to keep your property and the community in peak shape, the board is cognizant that “life” can ruin many good intentions.  We realize how difficult it is to keep it together 100% of the time.  With that in mind, I want to share a few tidbits on deed violation letters and especially that first letter.   When you such a letter – please don’t panic.  The first letter is always just a “courtesy letter”.  It must be understood that the board and management company personnel are not aware if the matter has even been noted by the respective property owner.  This first notification is simply a way to communicate regarding a potential issue.  This letter will always give you 30 days to correct the violation and in most cases, that should be ample time.  However, if there are extenuating circumstances or if you disagree with the letter, please take the time to communicate with the board and management company on the issue.  It is important that communication be made prior to the second letter which contains the “209 language”.  It is that second letter when things begin to escalate and if we have not heard from you, we often must escalate the matter.  An active dialogue can often head off this escalation and help everyone work together to resolve the issue.  This is even more pertinent under the current “Harvey” environment.  The board is making a concerted effort to be extra reasonable with our flooded neighbors but don’t always know if an issue is flood-related or not (or if the home was subject to water damage).  You can contact the board or the management company via email, telephone or US Mail.  Our contact information is listed under the “contact page”.  If you’d prefer to contact the management company (PMG/Associa), they can be reached at 713-329-7100.  I can honestly share that in about ninety percent of the cases where a homeowner contested a letter or shared concerns, an amicable resolution was attained, and the homeowner walked away satisfied with the situation.

After taking a hiatus last year, the association is starting up Yard of the Month again in May 2018.   Not only do you get to display a sign and get bragging rights, but you also receive a home improvement gift card.  The program will run from May to August and then will officially conclude with the holiday lighting competition during December.   I’m hoping everyone will make a sincere effort to get those yards into YOTM shape in the coming months.  Good luck to all!

Sadly, the board has noted repeated vandalism to some of our signs and association property in the past few months.  The first reaction was that the vandalism was random, but as it continues to occur shortly after infrastructure is repaired, the board is beginning to wonder if we are being specifically targeted.    We have reported each of these incidents to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable who is investigating this as a felony criminal mischief case.   I am hoping that this vandalism is originating from an external source and that we can identify the perpetrator soon.  If you have seen any suspicious behavior around the “Cypress Forest” signs, especially the large one on Cypress Oaks, or if you have any information regarding these repeated incidents, I encourage you to reach out to Lt. George Beck of Precinct 4 Constables.  He can be reached by calling 281-367-3472.  It is advisable that each resident program in this number to their phones as it rings the non-emergency dispatch line.  If you ever have an issue or see suspicious behavior, this number will get you in direct contact with a dispatcher who will send a deputy out quickly.  The board will discuss repairs of this vandalism at the upcoming board meeting, but resources for such repairs are thin given the many instances of this destructive behavior in such a short period.   Our priority is to catch and prosecute the person or persons responsible for this damage quickly.  This immature behavior is especially frustrating as it costs each of the residents in Cypress Forest treasured funds which could be used for other beautification projects.

“If you have seen any suspicious behavior around the “Cypress Forest” signs, especially the large one on Cypress Oaks, or if you have any information regarding these repeated incidents, I encourage you to reach out to Lt. George Beck of Precinct 4 Constables.  He can be reached by calling 281-367-3472.  It is advisable that each resident program in this number to their phones as it rings the non-emergency dispatch line.”

Some of our residents have inquired regarding the work being done in and around Seals Gully and other tributaries. This work is being conducted jointly by Harris County Flood Control and Precinct 4 Maintenance Division (Jack Cagle’s Office) to better accommodate runoff and prevent severe flooding during storms.  This dredging and widening of these gullies is a much-needed service and should bring some relief at the next large deluge.  I am told the projects should wind up prior to June 2018.  Hendricks Development, in conjunction with HC WCID #110 (MUD board) is working assiduously on the retention pond and dirt work for the private development along Cypress Oaks.  There have been some complaints regarding the amount of dirt blowing into the community and the County and regulatory agencies have been notified.  I am told the contractor will do a better job of spraying the land to keep dust blow to a minimum.  If it again becomes a problem, you can call Harris County Pollution Control at 713-920-2831.  If you are more comfortable calling a board member, we’d be happy to take your call and call the appropriate office on your behalf.  This project is slated to last another two or three months and then it is to be determined what will come of this private land.

Klein ISD recently released an update regarding the construction on Lemm Elementary and you can review the update here:  https://goo.gl/8q8A35   Based on the pace of the work and escalation of manpower, this editor feels like an August 2018 opening is well within expectations.  The budget for this rebuild is currently over $13MM and this renewed facility should not only provide a great campus for our children, but should help increase home values as well.

Our management company has yet once again changed their online portal.  I hope to be able to tell you that this is the last time we will experience change.  The new portal is called Town Sq (“Square”).  It can be accessed by directing your browser to https://app.townsq.io/login  At this page, you can set up new account access.  Once enrolled, you’ll find that you can pay your assessments online as well as view activity on your account.  Please feel free to call the management company or any board member if you have any questions about this online community portal or need help establishing an account.

Hurricane season is fast approaching.  In that vein, the state comptroller has planned its tax free weekend for hurricane preparation items for the weekend of April 28 – 30.  For more information on this program and what is included as tax free, you can browse to the official Comptroller’s page on the topic:  https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/publications/98-1017.php

I wish each and every one of my friends, neighbors and family members in the community a most fabulous month of April and a fantastic spring season.  Things are extremely busy in our region right now and I hope that when all of the dust settles, we’ll find a much better environment to call home.  Regardless, it is the homeowners and families within the community that make Cypress Forest so great.  Keep on rockin’ the community and keep up the great work!

Oh…and……Go Rockets!

Scott Hubert

Neighbor and President (and huge Rockets fan!)