The Board hosted the annual meeting last Wednesday. 14 ballots were returned ahead of time and 47 residents attend virtually, 2.1% and 7% of the total households respectively. We appreciate those that replied and joined, but are always looking for ways to increase participation. We addressed many of the repeated concerns raised during the fall annual survey. Here is a quick recap of what was discussed.
There were no write-in candidates for the two open positions. Bennie Lunsford and Brian Luckett nominated themselves for an additional 3-year term. We appreciate their willingness to serve the residents of Hayden Lakes. If anyone is interested in the Board or has questions about the duties and responsibilities, please reach out to us.
Light Poles – The two poles that were hit at the end of 2024 were replaced last Tuesday at no cost to the Association. These were both reported the day of each incident and the repair schedule was set by CenterPoint.
Garage Sale – The spring community garage sale is March 29 in coordination with Wildwood.
Dog Poop – Reminder to please pick up after pets when walking within the community. Discussion and recommendations were taken to help deal with this. Suggestions were made for additional waste stations so those may be ordered to be placed by each lake.
Pool – Swim At Your Own Risk begins on March 1. If you do not yet have a release waiver on file and want to swim before lifeguards begin after school is out, please submit those as it takes time to process. Replacement pool card cost was lowered from $40 to $20 after analyzing our cost and in coordination with Sterling.
Landscaping – We are planning to refresh the plants in front of the main entrance sign on Boudreaux. Pine trees were infested by bark beetles this fall and multiple trees had to be removed due to this.
Meeting in person – We asked for input if residents would like to have the annual meeting in person next year. The overwhelming response was to continue virtual meetings for convenience and a cost savings.
Social Media – The Board reminded all residents that we use Facebook in a positive manner to disseminate information and reach more residents. We do not respond to inquiries requiring lengthy explanations. We encourage and are open and transparent with all inquiries submitted via email.
Trash in the streets drains to the lakes – Reminder that all paper, plastic, and debris in the streets after trash day or anytime will be washed into the storm sewers, which flow directly into our lakes. Request to please pick up any trash in front of your home or on your streets for the long-term preservation and beauty of the lakes.
Inspections – Accountability for upkeep of resident yards and homes was a top concern this year on the survey. There will be a grace period for landscaping damage after the winter weather but all residents are expected to maintain lawns, shrubs, and overall appearances by this spring. Every resident has a part and responsibility for the overall aesthetic of our neighborhood.
Yard of the Month – This program will continue to recognize residents who go above on landscaping. There are a few gift cards remaining but when they run out, they will not be replaced. Consensus was that residents primarily take care of their yards as a sense of pride.
Fences – The Board is working to resolve continued questions about responsibility for upkeep of fences that border residential yards and Association property. This will require a surveyor to determine where fences are built in relation to the legal lot lines. The outcome will affect budget planning and future repairs.
Ducks – A lively but respectful and productive discussion for both sides of controlling duck population vs letting them live unrestrained was held. The ducks are an invasive species so the ability to simply capture and relocate them is not an option per Texas regulations. The general consensus was that any solution should be safe, humane, and cost effective. We will start with the removal of eggs and asking residents not to feed them. The Board is soliciting additional information from vendors and wildlife professionals.
Reserve Study – The first comprehensive reserve study of Hayden Lakes was completed at the end of 2024. The annual contribution recommendations will help set the budget to meet future expenses while avoiding special assessments or loans. Contributions increase by the average inflation rate yearly in an effort to have today’s homeowners and future homeowners share a fair and equitable portion of the financial obligations to maintain the community. It is recommended to start with $165,000 this year. The individual parts of the study were reviewed and explained. It is clear that our current budgeted savings of $15,000/year is significantly underfunded. The effect on budget and dues for 2026 has not yet been determined. We will work with the community on priorities and any change will be transparent and clearly communicated. The full report may be found at https://haydenlakeshoa.org/reserve-study/.
As mentioned, several of the topics for the meeting were taken from the 2024 survey responses. To better understand the overall requests and concerns of fellow residents, we uploaded several documents to our website. View response summaries, all de-identified survey replies, and a FAQ document compiled by the Board. https://haydenlakeshoa.org/2024-survey-results/
If there are any additional questions or feedback for the Board, please email board@haydenlakeshoa.org. There are many additional resources on our self-maintained website, haydenlakeshoa.org.