2018 Fall Newsletter

by Wood Creek HOA Management | Nov 1, 2018 | Newsletters

Fall 2018 Newsletter

Credit Card Payment Option Available

Wood Creek can now accept credit card payments for HOA dues through QuickBooks. If you would like to take advantage of this option, there will be an additional processing fee added to your total. The processing fee is 3.75% which would increase the regular monthly payment of $155.00 to $160.81.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this payment option, please contact Sara with management and she can walk you through the process. Payments can be made over the phone, at the Meadowlark Property Management office, or Sara can email you an invoice that you can directly click on to pay.

If you are not interested in using this option, please continue making payments as you have done in the past.

Website Launch

We are excited to announce the launch of our Wood Creek website. Board member Margretta DeVries created the layout, and our Property Manager, Sara Rock will continue to add content. Please feel free to check it out and email management if you have any suggestions.

www.WoodCreekLawrence.com

Residing Project Continues
We are now more than 1/3 of the way done with our residing project! We have resided 6 of our 18 townhouse buildings and are currently working on our 7th, Building 14.

During this residing process  buildings are wrapped with an underlayment (adding R-value, sound dampening, moisture control and resistance to insect/pest intrusion) along with new vinyl siding which brings beautiful long lasting color as well as increased protection against the elements.

Common Area Concerns
Leaf mulching season has arrived!! Please remove all items from the common area grass. Personal property may only be stored on decks or porches so that maintenance has a clear path to mow/mulch.

Curb Parking
We would like to remind residents about our curbside parking rules. There is no parking allowed along curbs painted yellow. This is for the safety of drivers and pedestrians. Vehicles parked in these no parking zones will be warned and then vehicles will be towed at owner’s expense.

When parking along the curbs, please keep vehicles off of the curbs and grass!

Dog Ties / Dog Waste
We are continuing to have issues with unattended dogs and dog waste throughout the complex.

Please remember the following rules and regulations regarding dogs at Wood Creek:

– A pet may not be tied to fixtures and left unattended.

If you have a dog tie set up outside your unit, it will be removed by management. Dogs must be attended to at all times for the safety of residents. Also, we have been having problems with dog ties being run over by the mower.

– It is the responsibility if the pet owner to remove and properly dispose of pet droppings.

You are required to pick up after your pet every time they poop. This applies to all of the common areas, including directly in front and in back of your unit. There are dog waste stations set up throughout the complex if you need supplies.

Now Hiring!

Wood Creek is now hiring for a part-time position of maintenance worker. The job available is 10-30 hours per week, depending on weather and time of year. Pay is based on experience and applicants must be 18 or older. Please see the job description below, and contact management if you are interested in applying.

We are also looking for residents who would like to help with snow removal. We would provide shovels and salt, and you would help maintenance personnel shovel snow from walks, driveways, and parking lots, and spread salt in those areas. Applicants must be 18 or older, and pay is $12/hour. Contact maintenance if you are interested.

Maintenance Worker Description:

The position of landscaping and groundskeeping worker consists of landscaping or maintaining grounds and property of the Woodcreek Townhouse Association, Inc. using hand or power tools or equipment.

Tasks:

• Care for common area lawns by mulching, weeding, removing thatch, and trimming and edging around flower beds;
• Gather and remove litter;
• Maintain and repair tools, equipment, and structures such as buildings, playground, basketball court, fences, railings, gutters, and exterior lights, using hand and power tools;
• Mow and edge lawns, using power mowers and edgers;
• Operate vehicles and powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, snow blowers, chain saws, electric clippers, and pruning saws;
• Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, planters, and other ground features;
• Prune and trim trees, shrubs, and hedges suing shears, pruners, or chain saws;
• Clear gutters of debris;
• Shovel snow from walks, driveways, and parking lots, and spread salt in those areas;
• Clean, repair, and maintain dumpsters;
• Climb ladders to reach elevated tasks;

Inoperable Vehicles

Inoperable vehicles are not allowed at Wood Creek. If you have a vehicle parked in a guest spot, make sure that it is tagged and operable or management will tow it at your expense.

If you have a vehicle parked in a guest spot that has not moved in more than a month, it will be ticketed to be towed.

You are free to park any vehicle in your marked spot as long as it has current tags.

Parking is limited at Wood Creek, so please be courteous to your neighbors by not taking up parking spaces with inoperable vehicles.

If you would like to report an inoperable vehicle, please call or email management and they will take the necessary steps for removal.

Feel free to contact management if you have questions or concerns. We will be more diligent with enforcing these rules at the request of owners and residents.

Entryway Debris

We’d like to remind owners and residents to please keep porches and decks free and clear of debris. We are asking all residents to do a fall porch and deck cleanup to help with the beautification of the Wood Creek community. What does that mean?

– Do you have a spare tire you can’t seem to figure out what to do with? Call or email management and they will arrange a special pickup by the City of Lawrence Solid Waste Division.

– Are those materials from your remodeling project you haven’t quite gotten around cluttering the entryway? Please do not store construction materials on decks or porches after your project is complete.

– How about the children’s toys that have spilled out of the playroom and out the front door? Make sure that toys are stored neatly and not in the grassy common areas.

Let’s keep Wood Creek clean and clutter free.

2018 Meeting Dates

by Wood Creek HOA Management | Jan 1, 2018 | Newsletters

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Wood Creek Townhouse Board of Directors

2018 Meeting Dates

Location: Wood Creek Office (unless specified)

Time: 7pm

2018
January 16
February 20
March 15 (Annual Meeting – Veritas School)
April 17
May 15
June 19
July 17
August 21
September 18
October 16
November 20
December 18

2017 Summer Newsletter

by Wood Creek HOA Management | Jun 26, 2017 | Newsletters

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Dog Waste Stations

We are happy to announce that we recently installed three dog waste stations throughout the complex, one along each entrance and one on the west lawn of the playground area.

Please remember the following rules regarding dogs at Wood Creek:

• A pet may not be tied to fixtures and left unattended
• It is the responsibility of the pet owner to remove and properly dispose of pet droppings.

Remember to pick up dog waste immediately so that it is not stepped in or run over by the lawnmower.

Little Free Library

In February we installed a Little Free Library outside the Wood Creek office. This library belongs to the entire Wood Creek community and we encourage everyone to participate by donating and taking books.

Guest Parking

We want to remind residents that their guests are not allowed park in other units’ numbered spots and that doing so can result in their car being towed. Guest parking is permitted in any of the blank yellow spots throughout the townhouse complex or along the curbs not marked with a yellow stripe. Please be considerate to your neighbors.

Sincerely,

Wood Creek Townhouse Association

2017 Spring Newsletter

by Wood Creek HOA Management | Feb 27, 2017 | Newsletters

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Volunteer Work (The Big Event)

On Saturday April 8, 2017 from 10:00am to 2:00pm, volunteers from KU’s “The Big Event” will be on site to provide service to the Wood Creek community. “The mission of the Big Event at KU is to unite KU students, faculty and staff with the Lawrence community, to foster a culture of service through collaboration, and to continue the tradition of giving back with our one big day, one big thanks, and one big event.”

If you have ideas for projects around the complex or projects specific to your unit, please contact Sara with Management.

Little Free Library

In February we installed a Little Free Library outside the Wood Creek office. This library belongs to the entire Wood Creek community and we encourage everyone to participate by donating and taking books.

Guest Parking

We want to remind residents that their guests are not allowed park in other units’ numbered spots and that doing so can result in their car being towed. Guest parking is permitted in any of the blank yellow spots throughout the townhouse complex or along the curbs not marked with a yellow stripe. Please be considerate to your neighbors.

A/C Units

Maintenance of A/C units is owner responsibility. Dunco Heating & Cooling has offered the following coupon to Wood Creek owners:

Sincerely,

Wood Creek Townhouse Association

2016 Winter Newsletter

by Wood Creek HOA Management | Dec 27, 2016 | Newsletters

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Budget
The 2017 Annual Budget meeting was held October 18, 2016. The Board is pleased to announce that after thorough review of the 2017 budget dues will remain unchanged for the coming year. Monthly dues for 2017 will continue at $155.00/month.

Residing Project Continues
The building selected for residing in 2017 is Building 19. Congratulations to the owners and residents there. The entire building will be wrapped with an underlayment (adding R-value, sound dampening, moisture control and resistance to insect/pest intrusion) along with new vinyl siding which will bring beautiful long lasting color as well as increased protection against the elements.

Pet Cleanup

A reminder to pet owners at Wood Creek, please remember to keep your pets leashed and clean up after them (See Rules and Regulations No. 7).  Your neighbors and maintenance staff will appreciate it. Dogs are not allowed to be left unattended for any amount of time outside of your townhome.

Entryway Debris

We’d like to remind owners and residents to please keep porches and decks free and clear of debris. What does that mean? So glad you asked. Do you have a spare tire you can’t seem to figure out what to do with? Is that moped parked on your porch for the winter instead of a parking spot? Are those materials from your remodeling project you haven’t quite gotten around cluttering the entryway? How about the children’s toys that have spilled out of the playroom and out the front door? Yes, all of these belong inside and out of the entryway. —please relocate them (See Rules and Regulations No. 2 & 10). Let’s keep Wood Creek clean and clutter free.

Thank you for allowing us to continue to serve you. We wish everyone here at Wood Creek a pleasant holiday season.

Sincerely,

Meadowlark Property Management

2016 Summer Newsletter

by Wood Creek HOA Management | Jun 20, 2016 | Newsletters

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Entryway Debris:

Now that warmer weather is here, we’d like to remind owners and residents to please keep the common area entry way (i.e. your porch) free and clear of debris. Those spare tires you can’t seem to figure out what to do with, that moped parked on your porch instead of a parking spot, those materials from your remodeling project you haven’t quite gotten around to yet, those children’s toys that have spilled out of the playroom and out the front door—please relocate them indoors or off site (See Rules and Regulations No. 2 & 10). If you have any questions or concerns, please give Sara Rock a call.

Exterior Fixtures:

Please note, owner added fixtures on the exterior of all buildings are prohibited (See Rules and Regulations No. 5, 9 and 23). This includes satellite dishes which damage and impair the integrity of the siding. At this time, the Board is not requiring current dishes affixed to wood sided buildings be removed. However, all buildings with newly installed vinyl siding will need to remove any attached items and relocate their dish to the roof or have it ground mounted (Please notify and obtain site approval from Management prior to ground mounting).  Additionally, if owners or residents are aware of inoperable dishes (i.e. satellite dishes attached to the siding but no longer in use—perhaps from a prior owner or renter), please contact management to have the dish removed.

Pet Cleanup:

A reminder to pet owners at Wood Creek: The grass is growing faster and no one wants to stumble onto Sparky’s hidden surprise. Please remember to keep your pets leashed and clean up after them. You’re neighbors and maintenance staff will appreciate it. Also, we want to remind residents that dog ties are not allowed at Wood Creek. Pets may not be tied to fixtures and left unattended for any amount of time (See Rules and Regulations No. 7 regarding pets).

Repair Requests:

Here at Wood Creek, the Board and Management strive to anticipate, locate and prioritize needed repairs. If you think we’ve missed something important, or would like a status report on a current request, please contact Sara Rock.

UPDATES & EVENTS

Re-siding Project Continues:

With warmer weather, it’s time to pick up where we left off with the Wood Creek Townhome Re-Siding Project. For those of you that missed our last newsletter, the building selected this year for re-siding is Building No. 3. Congratulations to the owners and residents there. The entire building will be wrapped with an underlayment (adding insulating R-value, sound dampening, moisture control and increased resistance to insect/pest intrusion) along with new vinyl siding which will bring beautiful long lasting color as well as increased protection against the elements. Work is estimated to begin in late Summer or early Fall. Owners and residents of Building 3 will be notified when a start date is set. Please note, as mentioned above (see Exterior Fixtures), any satellite dishes or other items currently attached to the exterior walls of Building 3 will be removed by installation crews and will not be reattached to the new siding.  Building 3 owners and/or residents are encouraged to contact their current dish provider and request they reinstall dishes in an acceptable location.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact Management.

Termite Inspections:

Annual termite inspections will be tentatively held in September this year. Inspectors from Haley’s Pest Control will be onsite to inspect the interior and exterior of each building. Inspections take about 10-15 minutes for each unit. You are welcome to attend the inspection or provide a resident or Management with a key. You may also contact Management to request a rescheduling of your appointment if you prefer to be present. We will send out another notice as the event draws closer.

Raised Garden Bed Plots:

You may have noticed a few improvements while cruising through Wood Creek. That’s because one Saturday morning in April, Board Members, Management, Maintenance and about 60 volunteers (not all pictured) from KU’s Big Event descended on Wood Creek.  The weather was perfect, overcast and not too hot. The students arrived at 10:00am sharp by the truckloads with rakes, shovels, clippers, brushes and fantastic attitudes. Under Management and Board supervision, several teams fanned out throughout the complex and went to work.  Weeds were pulled, railings painted, trash removed, planters improved and trees mulched but the primary project included building several raised garden beds near the road just west of Building 8. The project was selected based on owner feedback, cost and overall benefit to the Wood Creek Community.  The garden site was chosen due to its sunny location and ease of access. The project was also timed to coincide with KU’s annual volunteer event providing a large free source of labor. The beds are for owners and residents alike that want to try their hand at gardening but just don’t have the space or light.  Immediately following the completion of the project, a notice was sent out noting five garden beds would be available on a first come first serve basis. As of the writing of this newsletter, all beds have been reserved for the remainder of the season.  Please note, however, the site was built with potential expansion in mind so if you missed your chance, contact Sara Rock and let her know you’d like to see more spaces next year. We are excited to see this project take root (sorry, I couldn’t resist) and look forward to a bountiful harvest.  We encourage you to come by the gardens and see what’s growing but ask that you please be respectful and leave the picking to the owners of the beds.  Likewise, if you’d like more information regarding bed reservations for next year, or would simply like more information on garden rules and guidelines, contact Ms. Rock.

Compost & Mulch:

In preparation for the building of the raised beds and various other improvement projects, mulch and compost was obtained during one of the City of Lawrence’s Community Compost & Woodchip Sales. Several truckloads of mulch and compost were brought in and placed at the edge of the parking lot west of Building 1 & 2 at significant savings to Wood Creek.  All owners and residents are encouraged to help themselves to any mulch/compost available to use around your building yards and gardens (Not to worry, we will periodically bring in more if we run out).

Thank you to all the volunteers, Board Members, Management and Staff for making this volunteer day possible. We are very excited about what we were able to accomplish and hope you are too. We are already looking toward next years’ event so if you have any suggestions or would like to volunteer…yes, you guessed it…let management know.

Thank you for your continued support, and stay cool out there this Summer.

Sincerely,

Wood Creek Townhome Association

Board of Directors

2015 Winter Newsletter

by Wood Creek HOA Management | Dec 7, 2015 | Newsletters

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Budget
The 2015 Winter Newsletter is here and with it a copy of the projected 2016 budget. The 2016 Annual Budget meeting was held October 20, 2015. The Board is pleased to announce that after thorough review of the 2016 budget dues will remain unchanged for the coming year. Monthly dues for 2016 will continue at $155.00/month.

Residing Project Continues
The building selected for residing in 2016 is Building 3. Congratulations to the owners and residents there. Work will begin in late summer of 2016. The entire building will be wrapped with an underlayment (adding R-value, sound dampening, moisture control and resistance to insect/pest intrusion) along with new vinyl siding which will bring beautiful long lasting color as well as increased protection against the elements.

Pet Cleanup

A reminder to pet owners at Wood Creek, please remember to keep your pets leashed and clean up after them (See Rules and Regulations No. 7).  Your neighbors and maintenance staff will appreciate it. Dogs are not allowed to be left unattended for any amount of time outside of your townhome.

Entryway Debris

We’d like to remind owners and residents to please keep porches and decks free and clear of debris. What does that mean? So glad you asked. Do you have a spare tire you can’t seem to figure out what to do with? Is that moped parked on your porch for the winter instead of a parking spot? Are those materials from your remodeling project you haven’t quite gotten around cluttering the entryway? How about the children’s toys that have spilled out of the playroom and out the front door? Yes, all of these belong inside and out of the entryway. —please relocate them (See Rules and Regulations No. 2 & 10). Let’s keep Wood Creek clean and clutter free.

Thank you for allowing us to continue to serve you. We wish everyone here at Wood Creek a pleasant holiday season.

Sincerely,

Wood Creek Townhome Association

Board of Directors

Project Survey

by Wood Creek HOA Management | Sep 10, 2015 | Newsletters

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The Board of Directors would like your feedback on various projects recently presented or considered by the Board for review. These projects may or may not be approved. However, your feedback helps us consider priorities with consideration to owner interest. Please feel free to add comments below each project or attach them to the survey. Please return this survey by mail or place in the mail slot in the Wood Creek Office by October 1, 2015.

Below, please place a number next to the following projects on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being least desirable and 5 being most desirable. You can list more than one project using any number from 1 to 5.

1. ___ Extending curb walkways on North and South entrances. Would include a small retaining wall.
   1. Projected Cost: $20,000-$25,000 each
   2. Primary Purpose: Improve access to and from Wood Creek via Michigan Street.
   3. Secondary Purpose 1: Improve safety for pedestrians particularly during snow and icy weather
   4. Secondary Purpose 2: Retaining wall installation would reduce erosion along nearby inclines improving Wood Creek aesthetic

2. ___ Build a community garden along the open area field near the playground. Plots may or may not be rented for a small seasonal fee.
   1. Project Estimate: $1,500 – $2,500 (Depending on number of plots constructed)
   2. Primary Purpose: Provide plots for owners/residents to grow fresh fruits and vegetables
   3. Secondary Purpose 1: Improve aesthetic and community involvement

3. ___ Restore/Improve Playground area (Note: Stage 1 approved)
   1. Projected Cost: Stage 2 – $8,000 (Adding River Rock to playground borders)
   2. Projected Cost: Stage 3 – $1,500 (Adding plants)
   3. Primary Purpose: Improve Playground and surrounding lot for owners and tenants
   4. Secondary Purpose: Improve Wood Creek aesthetic

4. ___ Add Playground additional playground equipment.
   1. Projected Cost: $10,000 to $25,000 (Price depending on equipment purchased)
   2. Primary Purpose: Improve Playground and surrounding lot for owners and tenants
   3. Secondary Purpose: Improve Wood Creek aesthetic

5. ___ Increase Community Events (Community Yard sales & BBQs).
   1. Projected Cost: $500 to $750 annually (Price depending on event & volunteer availability)
   2. Primary Purpose: Improve Community Involvement

6. ___ Increase Bylaw Violation Enforcement.
   1. Projected Cost: Negligible
   2. Primary Purpose: Improve Community safety
   3. Secondary Purpose: Maintain Community Standards as outlined in the Wood Creek Bylaws and Declaration
   4. Secondary Purpose: Additional minimal income from fines collected

7. ___ Increase Maintenance around the Common Areas (mowing & edging)
   1. Projected Cost: $2,000-$8,000 annually
   2. Primary Purpose: Increase general appearance of Wood Creek landscaping

8. ___ Replace rented Street Lights with smaller Association owned streetlights.
   1. Projected rough estimate: $20,000 – $40,000 (Approx. 10 Poles to replace)
   2. Projected Savings: Unknown. Requires additional research
   3. Primary Purpose: Eliminate rental fees for light poles

9. ___ Add parking spaces along the western lot adjacent to the playground.
   1. Projected Cost: Unknown
   2. Primary Purpose: Add additional parking spaces reducing parking along nearby curbs
   3. Secondary Purpose: Provide potential location to deposit snow from plowing streets

10. ___ Your Ideas/Comments

2015 Fall Newsletter

by Wood Creek HOA Management | Sep 10, 2015 | Newsletters

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Greetings Wood Creek Townhome Owners and residents,

We hope you have enjoyed the Summer. We’d like to take this opportunity as we transition to Fall to give you a few reminders and review some of what Management and the Board have been up to lately.

Playground Project: In July, the Board turned its focus on improving the playground and surrounding area. Bids were collected and reviewed and a project selected. The project will be implemented in stages as funds become available. Stage 1 has been funded and involves adding weed-block and sand to the playground. Stay tuned for future improvements in the coming months.

Beautification: Over the spring and summer months, we’ve been working steadily to improve the common areas, particularly along the north and south road entrances. We’ve added plants and mulch around trees in key locations.  In addition, excess mulch is provided free of charge to owners and tenants that wish to make use of it in the common areas around their homes.  Mulch is located next to the parking lot along the north entrance between buildings 1 and 3. The Board is always looking for ideas to improve the common areas around Wood Creek.  For example, if you have plants/cuttings you’d like to see more of around Wood Creek and would like to donate them, or if you have a green thumb and would like to volunteer your time (1 hour or 20, we’d love your help), please contact Management.

Partitioned Gardens/Flower Boxes:  Dovetailing on Beautification, the Board reminds owners and residents that gardens partitioned off from the common area are required to be maintained by the association (see Declaration 6.1(b)). The Association has permitted owners to make these partitions with the understanding that the owner will maintain these areas.  This includes flowerboxes hung along windows and railings. Please be aware that if your unit has a partitioned garden and it is not being maintained (i.e. weeds, overgrown plants, dead plants/trees, etc.), or if your flower boxes are unused and falling apart, the association reserves the right to remove the partition and/or flower boxes and resume maintenance of the reclaimed area. Owners will be notified if their partition or flower boxes are being considered for reclamation or removal. Additionally, if you have flower boxes you’d like removed or have a partitioned area you do not wish to maintain any longer, please contact Management to schedule removal or reclamation.

Contact Information Update: If you are an owner living off site with tenants living in your unit, please be sure to contact Management should you or your tenant’s contact information change. This will allow Management to communicate with you quickly in the event of an emergency and keep you informed of any changes and events at Wood Creek.

Termite Inspection: Inspections are scheduled in September (please see enclosed flyer).  Inspections take roughly 10-15 minutes per unit. If you are unable to be present during the time allotted, please make plans to provide a spare key to Management.  If you prefer to be present but have a scheduling conflict, please contact Management.

Siding Replacement: Building 9 was selected this year for re-siding and has recently been completed. The Board would like to thank Wempe Brothers Construction for their hard work and invite you to take a look at the finished product.

**A Note to Owners and Occupants of Building 9 – A reminder: All satellite dishes, plants, and fixtures attached to the walls of re-sided buildings will not be replaced (items include anything that may damage the siding or compromise its integrity. See R&R No. 9). If you have questions regarding removed items and where they may be re-attached, please contact Management.

Common Area Entryway Reminder:  We’d like to take this opportunity to remind owners and residents as the new school year begins to please clear out your common area entryways. Examples of things to clear off the porch include:

1. That old tire or bucket of paint you aren’t sure what to do with (consider recycling them);
2. Your Moped/Motorcycle (please park it in your designated parking space);
3. The kids’ bicycles and toys (there are bicycle racks for bikes and toys should be stored inside);
4. Miscellaneous tools and materials from that project you’ve been meaning to get to (please store these in the basement until you’re ready to tackle it); and
5. Anything that blocks reasonable access to your front door (your mail carrier and guests will thank you).

Items generally considered ok to have on your entryway (provided they don’t’ obstruct access) include:

1. Potted plants;
2. Barbeques (please leave at least 3 feet between the BBQ and your siding when in use to prevent siding damage);
3. Tables and chairs
4. Seasonal decorations (Halloween props, Christmas lights, etc.)
5. Temporary items (if it’s collecting spider webs, it’s probably not temporary)

In addition, if you have items listed above lying around your unit in the common area, you will be asked to remove the items. If you have a concern that something may or may not fall into the above categories, please contact Management and they’ll be happy to review it with you.

Budget Review Meeting: In October the Board and Management will review and determine the Wood Creek Townhome budget for the coming year. We invite owners to attend, ask questions and provide feedback to the board about our vision for the community. Do you like the work being done? Do you want to see more? Do you want to see less? Are you curious how your dues are spent? Let us know. If you are unable to attend, contact Management with your questions/comments or to request a copy of the budget. We look forward to seeing you in October.

New Board Members:  In July and August, the Board appointed two new members, Margretta Devries and TJ Henderson to serve out the remaining terms of two available Board positions vacated last year.  We’d like to thank them for their interest in serving Wood Creek and we look forward to working with them. Likewise, there remain 3 available seats on the Board. If you are interested in serving, please contact Management or attend one of our monthly Board Meetings (3^rd Tuesday of the month).

Thank you for allowing us to continue to serve you. We wish everyone here at Wood Creek a pleasant Fall season.

Sincerely,

Wood Creek Townhome Association

Board of Directors

2015 Spring Newsletter

by Wood Creek HOA Management | Feb 24, 2015 | Newsletters

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Greetings Wood Creek Townhome Owners and Residents,

Entryway Debris:

Warmer weather is approaching and we’d like to remind owners and residents to please keep the common area entryway (i.e. your porch) tidy. All porches should be kept free and clear of rubbish, debris and other unsightly materials. Please help keep Wood Creek clutter free.

Pet Cleanup:

Please remember to keep your pets leashed and clean up after them (See Rules and Regulations No. 7).  You’re neighbors and maintenance staff appreciate it.

Re-siding Project Continues:

We are into our fourth year of Wood Creek’s re-siding project. The building selected this year for re-siding is Building No. 9. Congratulations to the owners and residents there. The entire building will be wrapped with an underlayment (adding R-value, sound dampening, moisture control and resistance to insect/pest intrusion) along with new vinyl siding which will bring beautiful long lasting color as well as increased protection against the elements. Work on siding will begin this spring. Owners and residents of Building 9 will be notified when a project date is set. Please note, any satellite dishes or other items currently attached to the exterior walls of Building 9 will be removed by installation crews and will not be reattached to the new siding.  Building 9 owners and/or residents are encouraged to contact their current dish provider and request they reinstall dishes in an acceptable location.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact Management.

Board of Directors Meetings:

We encourage all owners to participate in Wood Creek decisions. Owners and residents are welcome to attend the Wood Creek Townhouse Association Board of Directors monthly meetings. Please see attached schedule for meeting times and dates.

Sincerely,

Meadowlark Property Management

Wood Creek Townhome Association, Board of Directors

2014 Winter Newsletter

by Wood Creek HOA Management | Dec 10, 2014 | Newsletters

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Budget

The 2014 Winter Newsletter is here and with it a copy of the projected 2015 budget. The budget meeting was held October 21, 2014 and the Board is pleased to note that no dues increase is necessary for the coming year. This was due in part to a conservation of labor hours and in part to a short term leasing agreement reached between the Condo Association and the Townhome Association regarding general maintenance of Wood Creek common areas. Further negotiations are planned to cement a longer term leasing arrangement in the near future.  If you have any questions about the budget or would like additional information please contact Management.

Recycling

We are excited to announce the start of single-stream residential recycling collection by the City of Lawrence!  Wood Creek’s two recycling containers are located in the cul-de-sacs nearest the North and South entrances. Please help make the City’s new recycling program a success by only placing acceptable recyclable materials in the recycling bins.  Unacceptable items (plastic bags, food waste, Styrofoam, to-go food containers) can contaminate the entire load of recyclables and cause them to be sent to the landfill instead of being recycled. Please see the list of accepted and non-accepted items for recycling attached to this newsletter. Thank you for your help in making the recycling program a success.  For more information on recycling in Lawrence, visit www.LawrenceRecycles.org or call 832-3032.

Snow Removal

In the words of House Stark, Winter is Coming, and with it, the possibility of snow and ice. We ask that all owners and residents refrain from attempting to remove any snow and ice from their porches or walkways. The Association has purchased a nice snow-blower and Management has shoveling crews ready to go when the flakes start falling. We ask your patience though as a number of elements including severity of the storm, location of parked vehicles and time of day (or night) the storm begins impacts how fast the roads and walks are cleared. For those of you who work at night or have an emergency and need to have your area cleared at a specific time, please contact Management and provide them with as much notice as you are able and they will do their best to accommodate your request.

Thank you for allowing us to continue to serve you. We wish everyone here at Wood Creek a pleasant holiday season.

Sincerely,

Wood Creek Townhome Association

Board of Directors

2014 Fall Newsletter

by Wood Creek HOA Management | Aug 26, 2014 | Newsletters

pdf download

Greetings Wood Creek Townhome Owners and residents,

We hope you have enjoyed another mild Summer. We’d like to take this opportunity as we transition to Fall to give you a few reminders and review some of what Management and the Board have been up to lately.

Beautification Project: In June, the Board approved a beautification project proposed by owner and avid gardener Konni Leffler. Ms. Leffler, working with Management, has begun identifying common areas that need improvement. Ms. Leffler has an eye for efficiency and has recommended transplantation of plants from bordered gardens no longer actively maintained as a way to reduce costs on materials. If you have plants or cuttings you’d like to see more of around Wood Creek and would like to donate them, or if you have a green thumb and would like to volunteer your time (it doesn’t matter if it’s 1 hour or 20), please contact Management.

Partitioned Gardens/Flower Boxes:  Dovetailing on Ms. Leffler’s project, the Board reminds owners and residents that gardens partitioned off from the common area are required to be maintained by the association (see Declaration 6.1(b)). The Association has permitted owners to make these partitions with the understanding that the owner will maintain these areas.  This includes flowerboxes hung along windows and railings. Please be aware that if your unit has a partitioned garden and it is not being maintained (i.e. weeds, overgrown plants, dead plants/trees, etc.), or if your flower boxes are unused and falling apart, the association may decide to remove the partition and/or flower boxes and resume maintenance of the reclaimed area. Owners will be notified if their partition or flower boxes are being considered for reclamation or removal. Additionally, if you have flower boxes you’d like removed or have a partitioned area you do not wish to maintain any longer, please contact Management to schedule removal or reclamation.

Contact Information Update: If you are an owner living off site with tenants, please be sure to contact Management should you or your tenant’s contact information change. This will allow Management to communicate with you quickly in the event of an emergency and keep you informed of any changes and events at Wood Creek.

Termite Inspection: In June we had our annual termite inspections. Once again, we are pleased to announce that no termites were discovered in any of the buildings. A BIG thank you to our owners, residents and Meadowlark Manager Sara Rock for making the inspections run smoothly once again.

Siding Replacement: The delay due to a labor shortage is over. Siding installation by Pete Wempe of Wempe Brothers Construction for Building 17 is underway, marking the 3^rd building in the Board’s residing project.  A quick note to owners and occupants of building 17 – all satellite dishes, plants, and fixtures attached to the walls of the building will be removed and will not be replaced (items include anything that may damage the siding or compromise its integrity. See R&R No. 9). If you have questions regarding removed items, please contact Management.

Common Area Entryway Reminder:  We’d like to take the opportunity to again remind owners and residents as the new school year begins to please clear out your common area entryways.

Examples of things to clear off the porch include:

1. That old tire or bucket of paint you aren’t sure what to do with (consider recycling them);
2. Your Moped/Motorcycle (please park it in your designated parking space);
3. The kids’ bicycles and toys (there are bicycle racks for bikes and toys should be stored inside);
4. Miscellaneous tools and materials from that project you’ve been meaning to get to (please store these in the basement until you really are ready to tackle it); and
5. Anything that blocks reasonable access to your front door (your mail carrier and guests will thank you).

Items generally considered ok to have on your entryway (provided they don’t’ obstruct access) include:

1. Potted plants;
2. Barbeques (please leave at least 3 feet between the BBQ and your siding when in use to prevent siding damage);
3. Tables and chairs
4. Seasonal decorations (Halloween props, Christmas lights, etc.)
5. Temporary items (if it’s collecting spider webs, it’s probably not temporary)

If you have a concern that something may or may not fall into the above categories, please contact Meadowlark Management and they’ll be happy to review it with you.

Wood Creek Address Change and/or Central Mailboxes: At our August meeting, a representative from the United States Postal Service attended to discuss the option of installing Central Mailboxes around Wood Creek instead of delivering mail to individual units. These mailboxes would allow for improved security and accuracy of mail delivery though some board members noted the boxes might be less convenient.   The boxes themselves would be funded by a Federal Grant. The association would be responsible for funding and installing the concrete foundation for the boxes.

The representative also noted that mail efficiency would be improved on their end and ours were Wood Creek to adopt a simple number only address for each unit. Instead of addressing a parcel to 255 N. Michigan 3-14 (building 3, No. 14), owners would simply list 255 N. Michigan No. 14. It was noted at the meeting that utility services still list the building first followed by the unit number in their systems which might cause unforeseen issues with the Utility companies’ mail. The USPS rep promised to work with us to address this issue with the utilities should we decide to make an address change.

The board has not made a decision on either of these suggestions and would like your feedback. Do you like the idea of a central mailbox? Do you hate it? Do you want your unit address adjusted? Are you happy with the way it is? Call or e-mail Management and let us know.

Budget Review Meeting: In October the Board and Management will review and determine the Wood Creek Townhome budget for the coming year. We invite owners to attend, ask questions and provide feedback to the board about our vision for the community. Do you like the work being done? Do you want to see more? Do you want to see less? Are you curious how your dues are spent? Let us know. If you are unable to attend, contact Management with your questions/comments or to request a copy of the budget. We look forward to seeing you in October.

Board Member Farewell:  The August Board meeting was the last official meeting for Board Secretary Jennifer Meitl-Conrad. Ms. Conrad’s family is expanding and she recently sold her home to move into larger digs. Ms. Conrad joined the board with several currently serving members in 2010 with a strong desire to serve and improve Wood Creek for everyone. In her 4 years on the board, she organized a number of events, took meeting minutes and made a host of important decisions for Wood Creek’s benefit. Thank you for your service Jennifer. We wish you the best.

Board Member Positions Available: In light of Ms. Conrad’s departure, we’d like to note there are currently 3 slots available by appointment on the Wood Creek Townhome Board of Directors. If you’ve ever been interested in the work that goes into maintaining Wood Creek and can volunteer your time, contact Management or come to one of our meetings (Generally the 3^rd Monday of the month at 7pm. See a detailed list of meeting dates posted on the office bulletin board).

Thank you for allowing us to continue to serve you. We wish everyone here at Wood Creek a pleasant Fall season.

Sincerely,

Wood Creek Townhome Association

Board of Directors

2014 Spring Newsletter

by Wood Creek HOA Management | Apr 28, 2014 | Newsletters

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Greetings Wood Creek Townhome Owners and residents,

This is your Spring 2014 Newsletter. Now that winter is behind us and hay fever not yet upon us (hopefully), Wood Creek Management and the Board would like to take the time to update and remind you of several upcoming events and policies.

REMINDERS:

Entryway Debris:

Now that warmer weather and Spring Cleaning is here, we’d like to remind owners and residents to please keep the common area entry way (i.e. your porch) free and clear of debris. Those spare tires you can’t seem to figure out what to do with, that moped parked on your porch instead of a parking spot, those materials from your remodeling project you haven’t quite gotten around to yet, those children’s toys that have spilled out of the playroom and out the front door—please relocate them (See Rules and Regulations No. 2 & 10). Let’s keep Wood Creek clutter free.

Exterior Fixtures:

Please note, owner added fixtures on the exterior of all buildings are prohibited (See Rules and Regulations No. 5, 9 and 23). This includes satellite dishes which damage and impair the integrity of the siding. At this time, the Board is not requiring current dishes affixed to wood sided buildings be removed. However, all buildings with newly installed vinyl siding will need to remove any attached items and relocate their dish to the roof or a pole. Additionally, if owners or residents are aware of inoperable dishes (i.e. satellite dishes attached to the siding but no longer in use), please contact management and they will promptly remove and dispose of them.

Pet Cleanup:

A reminder to pet owners at Wood Creek. The grass is growing faster and no one wants to stumble onto Sparky’s hidden present. Please remember to keep your pets leashed and clean up after them (See Rules and Regulations No. 7).  You’re neighbors and maintenance staff will appreciate it.

Repair Requests:

Here at Wood Creek, we strive to anticipate needed repairs. However, sometimes we miss something. If we do, please bring it to Management’s attention.

UPDATES & EVENTS

Tree Trimming:

Beginning this week Wright Tree Service in cooperation with Westar Energy will be trimming trees throughout the Wood Creek complex. Their focus will be along the North, West, and South property lines; Wright will trim all trees posing a hazard to the electric lines. This work should not cause anyone to lose power. If Wright/Westar needs to cut power to any unit, you will be notified prior to shutoff.

Re-siding Project Continues:

With warmer weather, it’s time to pick up where we left off with the Wood Creek Townhome Re-Siding Project. The building selected this year for re-siding is Building No. 17. Congratulations to the owners and residents there. The entire building will be wrapped with an underlayment (adding R-value, sound dampening, moisture control and resistance to insect/pest intrusion) along with new vinyl siding which will bring beautiful long lasting color as well as increased protection against the elements. Work on siding is estimated to begin in May. Owners and residents of Building 17 will be notified when a date to begin the project is set. Please note, as mentioned above (see Exterior Fixtures), any satellite dishes or other items currently attached to the exterior walls of Building 17 will be removed by installation crews and will not be reattached to the new siding.  Building 17 owners and/or residents are encouraged to contact their current dish provider and request they reinstall dishes in an acceptable location.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact Management.

Termite Inspections:

Annual termite inspections will be held in June this year. Inspectors from Haley’s Pest Control will be onsite to inspect the interior and exterior of each building. Inspections take about 10-15 minutes for each unit. You are welcome to attend the inspection or provide a resident or Management with a key. You may also contact Management to request a rescheduling of your appointment if you prefer to be present. We will send out another notice as the event draws closer.

Townhome Dues Status Update:

In our previous newsletter, the Board noted the estrangement between the Condo Association and Townhome Association and the resulting income loss to general maintenance. The Board also noted the potential need to further increase dues to bridge the loss of Condo Association contributions to general funds and the loss of access to common areas for Condo Association owners and residents. We are pleased to note that at our April 21, 2014 meeting, the newly elected Condo Board President attended and requested negotiations resume among the Townhome and Condo Boards. We will bring you more information on this encouraging development in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Wood Creek Townhome Association

Board of Directors