March 2002

FCPOA Bylaw Changes
Proposed
by Kurt Hilarides, FCPOA Secretary

Presidents Report
By Max Pirner, FCPOA President

Power Outages
Our thanks to John Kellum, Harvey Ewing, and James Kelly of Reliant Energy HL&P for attending the monthly meeting of the FCPOA on February 28^th. They presented information on the power grid servicing Forest Cove, along with an analysis of recent power interruptions.  (All but one interruption were due to trees falling on lines. The exception was a main transformer failure.)  This was an excellent presentation, with the added plus that the three gentlemen took time to answer questions about problems experienced by individual residents. 
Regarding the issue of dead trees, that are located outside of the 10' easement on the rear of our lots, but still pose a hazard to power lines, it was stated that HL&P would cut these trees down for residents and cut the trunks to log length, BUT, every thing would be left where the tree was felled. It would then be the responsibility of the resident to get the material to the side of the road for heavy trash pick-up.
Mosquito Control
As reported earlier, spraying for mosquitoes is no longer done by the county on a regular basis. It is only done if there is a significant increase in salt grass mosquitoes, or if there are indications of St. Louis encephalitis. To get regular spraying, home owner associations must contract with private contractors to do this work. At the February 28^th meeting the board approved $1,800 to provide this service for 2002. The Property Committee will be making the arrangements to get this done.
Flood Plain Buy-outs
At the monthly FCPOA meeting on March 28^th, Mr. Clay Haynes of the Harris County Flood Control District will discuss buy-outs of flood plain properties. He has been specifically requested to present information on the following general issues:
§ Are buy-out requests submitted after the 1994 flood still pending?
§ What are the criteria for a buy-out?
§ Who maintains a buy-out property after the structure is demolished?
§ Why does there appear to be a disparity

Board of Directors
Max Pirner, President
281-358-6531
Marian Burrows, Vice President
281-358-3033
Kurt Hilarides, Secretary, SNC, Newsletter
281-359-7027
Paul Caramanian, Treasurer, Pool Liaison
281-358-9566
Ben Neiman, Crime Watch &
Security                               
281-358-3075
Jim Suggs, Architect. Control
281-358-5415
Jim Wallace, Deed Restrictions
281-358-3741
Jean Montes, Asst. Treasurer, Deed Restrictions   
281-358-3263
Walt Cook, Property Committee
281-358-3605
Architectural Control
Committee
Jim Suggs, Chair... 281-358-5415
Ben Neiman ......... 281-358-3075
Bettye Norman .... 281-358-1845
Joe Geldens .......... 281-358-3804
Carl Quebedeaux .. 281-358-6797
KCAPOP Committee
   Max Pirner, Chair..281-358-6531
Drainage Committee
Dennis Fikes, Chair.281-358-1936
FCPOA Accountants
Price & Price,CPAs..281-358-3022
Forest Cove Organizations
Choraliers, Kay Noxon
281-358-3064
Civic Center Rental Ruth Flake
281-359-2405
FC-KW Baseball, Bruce Castro
281-360-7747
Garden Club, Paulette Murray
281-358-8625
Swim Team, Brad Albrecht
281-359-2452
Beacon Editors
Bettye Norman....281-358-1845
Kurt Hilarides......281-359-7027

The Forest Cove Property Owners Association  (FCPOA) board of directors have proposed two amendments to the FCPOA bylaws. Article XIII. states that "These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by a majority of the members present at any regular meeting or at any special meeting of the members, if at least fifteen days' written notice is given to the members of the intention to alter, amend or repeal or adopt new bylaws at such meeting. 
These amendments will be put to a vote of the membership at the special meeting of the board on Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 7:30 at the Community Center. 
The amendment proposed by director Paul Caramanian at the February 28th board meeting  would change the date of the annual meeting. SECTION 1: (ANNUAL MEETING) "An annual meeting of the members shall be held on the third Wednesday in the month of May in each year, at the hour of 8:00 o'clock, P.M." would be changed to: "An annual meeting of the members shall be held on the fourth Thursday  in the month of May in each year, at the hour of 7:30 o'clock P.M.". With this change, the annual meeting would be on the same day of the month as our monthly meetings. Also, most people have fewer conflicts in their schedules on Thursdays than Wednesdays.
Director Walt Cook proposed an amendment at the August 23rd board meeting that would eliminate the "management fee," and replace it with a "fee for services and operation of the common area." This change would make the bylaws consistent with our current procedures which conform to current State of Texas property code.
The current Article II, Section3, reads: "(MANAGEMENT FEE) In addition to all other fees herein provided for, a management fee of $50 per year shall be attached to each improved property. This fee shall increase, based on the Cost of Living Index as reflected by the changes in Social Security payments. These funds shall be used only for the benefit

Presidents Report (cont.)

Bylaw Change Proposals  (cont.)

between the prices paid for earlier buy-outs, and those that have occurred most recently?
I'm sure there will also be individual property owner questions that will arise during the meeting, and we will try to get as many of these handled, at the meeting, as time allows. At the very least we will set up a way to get these issues presented to the proper authorities for answers.
Drainage Control Committee
Through the efforts of City of Houston Council Member Addie Wiseman, representatives of the committee met with engineers from Houston's Public Works and Engineering Department. At this meeting we were assured that Forest Cove would be covered by a current project to analyze the overall drainage system for the Kingwood area. We feel the information from this project will go a long way toward alleviating the flooding in the "high" areas of Forest Cove. Information on  ditch maintenance, covered ditches, and the work order procedure for specific drainage problems, was also discussed. It was a very productive meeting. Our thanks to Mrs. Wiseman and her staff for making the arrangements for this meeting.
Miscellaneous...
-Thanks to Paul Caramanian and Jim Wallace for doing plumbing repairs in the pool area, and for turning the water off at the Civic Center during the recent cold weather.
-Chip Chipman, who voluntarily mows most of the roadsides south of Hamblen Road, has requested that residents notify anyone they see littering in this area to talk to the people they see doing it, or report the individuals to the City of Houston. (Call 311). Chip says he spends more time cleaning up the litter than he does mowing. We continue to appreciate this service that Chip is providing for Forest Cove.
-There have been reports that some lawn maintenance businesses are dumping their waste on Sunrise Trail and other roadsides where flood plain homes have been demolished. If anyone sees this being done please report the business to the City of Houston. Once again, call 311.

of the community and at the discretion of the Board of Directors."   The amendment would replace this section with "(SERVICES AND OPERATION OF COMMON AREAS FEE) In addition to all other fees herein provided for, a regular assessment for Services and Operations of common areas shall be assessed and collected from each owner of improved property annually. The amount of such fee shall be based upon a reasonable budgeted operating cost of services and operation of areas and facilities common to the Forest Cove Property Owners for the coming year. The amount of such fee shall be determined by a resolution of the board of directors."
The current bylaws were written before a change in the Texas property code. The amendment is based upon the new Property Code Chapter 204.010., Powers of Property Owners' Association, which was adopted in 1995 by the state Legislature. This code states that "… the property owners' association, acting through its board of directors or trustees, may: … (2) adopt and amend budgets for revenues, expenditures, and reserves and collect regular assessments or special assessments for common expenses from property owners; ..." This code is the basis for the current  procedure used by the Board of Directors to set fees, which requires the board to set fees based upon the cost of services and operations that are provided to property owners.
Both of these amendments will be discussed, amended, and voted upon by the membership of the Association present at the special meeting of the board on Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 7:30 at the Community Center. 

March - April Community Events

Help Wanted

The FCPOA is soliciting volunteers for positions on the Beacon staff. We need an editor, writers, a type setter, proof readers, and a webmaster for the FCPOA web site.
Please help us communicate within the community if you can. If you are willing to help with any of these jobs, please contact Kurt Hilarides at 281.359.7027, or send email to fcpoa@forestcove.org.

Marina & Nature Center

It's a great time of year to enjoy the wildlife or go fishing at the Forest Cove Marina and Nature Center. Birds are migrating, the fish are biting, and the livin' is easy. Marina memberships are available to all Forest Cove residents. If you aren't a member yet, contact Kurt Hilarides at 281.359.7027, or come to the monthly meeting, to get a membership application. There is a $10 annual fee to cover maintenance and expenses. 
A spring cleanup day is scheduled for Saturday April 20th at 8:00 am at the Marina. 

In any deed restriction enforcement matter, you have the opportunity to be heard at the regular meeting of the property owners association. Please bring your request to the Board in advance so that you may be included on the agenda.

Forest Cove Fightin' Frogs
by Susan Ecoff, V.P. Forest Cove Swim Team

The Forest Cove Fightin' Frogs are making preparations for the 2002 season. Before long we will be in the Frog Pond! The team's first registration day and workday will be Saturday, April 13^th from 9am until 1pm. Team fees for the 2002 season are as follows:  $80 for 1^st swimmer, $70 for 2^nd swimmer, $60 for 3^rd swimmer and 4^th swimmer of the same family is free. All new Fightin' Frog families will receive 50% off the registration fees. If you are a Frog swimmer from the past and have a friend join the team, you will receive a pair of Frog Boxers! The swim team will be doing the following projects at the pool:  to the clubhouse: replacing the front porch, putting in a wall to increase storage space, refinishing the floor, painting the walls, and repainting the information sign. We will help with replacing a section of the iron fence that surrounds the pool, help tear down the storage building behind the pool, distribute flyers about pool membership to town homes, apartments and homes by the pool that aren't part of Forest Cove, and sell water and soda at the Forest Cove 4^th of July celebration (proceeds will be given to the Property Owners). Our team car wash will be Sunday, April 21^st, at Chase Bank on Kingwood Drive. You can sign-up to work the car wash at the same time you register for the team. You can also register for the team at the car wash or at Susan Ecoff's home at 1711 Chestnut Ridge Road from 5pm - 7pm on Sunday, April 21^st. The Frogs will have a table at the Foster Carnival on Friday, April 5th. The preseason issue of Frog Talk will be mailed to all swim team families the second week of April.
Rookie Camp will start on Monday, April 29^th, at 4:45pm. All participants should come ready to get in the pool. The coach will access each swimmer and place them in practice groups. Practice groups are as follows:  Group I 4:45pm - 5:30pm and Group II 5:30pm - 6:15pm. These groups will practice Tuesday, 4/30 through Friday 5/3. There is a $20 fee for Rookie Camp participants.
After school practice for the entire team will start on Tuesday, May 6^th. Practice groups and times are as follows: 
Tadpoles   4:00pm - 4:30pm
6 year olds and younger  4:30pm - 5:00pm
7-10 year olds  5:00pm - 5:45pm
11-18 year olds  5:45pm - 7:00pm
(Tadpoles are swimmers from rookie camp recommended by the coach for this program).
Please come ready to swim at the practice session that corresponds to your swimmers age as of 6/01/02. Practice times for the rest of the season will be in your team packet that you will receive at registration and in your preseason issue of Frog Talk. 
The training schedule for meet officials has been finalized. Training starts early in April. Starters and Referees have to renew their starter certification. All other officials will be automatically recertified. We would like to add 2 new starters for the 2002 swim season. Please consider helping the team in this area. You can contact Susan Ecoff at 281-359-0549 for details.
Remember to use your Randalls' card when shopping. The team number is 6604. We are currently earning $30 per quarter. Also, don't forget about the team's web page at                       http://homestead.com/forestcovefightinfrogs. It is updated as details for the season are available. 

Garden Club
by  Paulette Murray, Pres. Garden Club

The Garden Club Fashion Show was a great success, with 110 guests. A wonderful time was had by all.
The Garden Club will be taking a field trip to Brenham on Thursday  April 11 to view  bluebonnets, visit a nursery and the Rose Emporium, and eat Blue Bell ice cream. They will be traveling by Harris Co. Pct. 4 bus, leaving at 8:00 AM from the Community Center, and returning by 5:00 PM
Tickets are $23 per person, which includes transportation, admission fees, and lunch. Contact Paulette Murray at 281-358-8625 for tickets and information.

Emergency Phone Numbers

Emergency Services (Ambulance, Fire, Police) ........911
Harris County Sheriff (Dispatch) ........... 713-221-6000
Houston Police Department (Dispatch)  713-222-3131

           Key Map #336
City of Houston Phone Numbers

Council Member Addie Wiseman ....... 713-247-3072
Houston 'Rat-On-A-Rat' ....................... 713-525-2728
Houston Small Animal Services .......... 713-238-2170
HPD Kingwood substation ................. 281-913-4500
HPD Officer Ulrich ................................. 281-913-4541
Neighborhood Protection ....................... 713-525-2525
Solid Waste Management .................... 713-837-9299

Helpful Numbers

ASPCA ................................................... 713-869-7722
Citizens Assistance Kingwood .......... 281-361-9550
Harris County Pollution Control ........ 713-920-2831
Humble Sheriff's Office ........................ 281-446-9155
Lake Houston Patrol ............................ 281-324-2250
Forest Cove Swimming Pool ............... 281-358-6832
Texas Parks and Wildlife....................         281-649-0708

Forest Cove Property Owners Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 6886
Kingwood, TX  77325-6862

To:  Forest Cove Resident
  Rural Route 11
  Kingwood TX  77339

Forest Cove Beacon - The Official Publication of the Forest Cove Property Owners Association, Inc.

A 15,000 sq./ft air-conditioned facility complete with stage, chairs and tables, kitchen, handicap accessible bathrooms, and outdoor picnic and playground area.