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Originally delivered on 4/17/2021 3:05 pm

SUBJECT: April HOA Newsletter - Speaker May 4th

April 2021


TIME TO PAY YOUR HOA DUES

Thank you to all residents who have paid their 2021 HOA dues.  We appreciate you!  If you haven't paid yet, it's easy to pay online using the link below.  Dues are just $150.  Prefer to pay by check?  Print a Member Information Form to include with your check.

Save the stamp - drop your check and Membership form in the HOA drop box located on porch at 3916 Hogan Manor Drive

Prefer to mail - EFCHOA, PO Box 251271, Plano, TX 75025 

Your membership dues are critical to us being able to maintain and continuously improve our landscape investments along the Hearst Castle median and entrance beds at Hogan Manor and Hearst Castle.

2021 Membership Drive Progress

  • Year to date Members: 180
  • -57 members versus this point in April 2020
  • If you requested a 2021 sticker we are placing those on your sign
  • If you requested a new sign, it will be delivered soon


Jessie Zhan, Membership Director
membership@efchoa.com

Click Here to Log In & Pay Dues Online
UPCOMING EVENTS
Turning Tragedy Into Triumph

Estates of Forest Creek resident Julie Coon will talk about how she survived a sudden cardiac arrest and her mission to make it easy to find the closest AED right from your phone. 

When:  Tuesday, May 4th at 7pm

Register here to receive the Zoom link

The HOA May Board Meeting will follow Julie Coon's talk. All are welcome to stay for the meeting too.

Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Bring unused and expired drugs to a National Prescription Drug Take Back drop-off site. Human and pet meds are accepted at this free Plano Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) event.  Tablets, capsules and solid forms of medicine are accepted.  Needles, syringes and inhalers are not accepted. Find safe disposal options for sharps and other medical waste.  

To protect your privacy:  

  • Mark out names and addresses on the pill bottles   
  • Pour medications into a disposable bag  

Saturday, April 24  

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

Drive-thru drop-off sites:   

  • Clark High School, 523 W. Spring Creek Pkwy.  
  • Plano East Senior High School, 3000 Los Rios Blvd.  
  • Plano Senior High School, 2200 Independence Pkwy.  
  • Plano West Senior High School, 5601 W. Parker Rd.  
BEAUTIFICATION NEWS
Winter Storm Impact on Landscaping

Many Plano neighborhood associations experienced significant damage to their landscaping and irrigation systems during this year's winter storm. We are happy to report our damage was limited to rosemary bushes that were due to be replaced soon. Most of our irrigation system problems were also able to be repaired by John Caldwell, our Infrastructure volunteer.  Did you know, every week, John checks (and repairs if he can) all 450 of our sprinkler heads the day before they run?  HOA Members can help by reporting sprinkler damage they notice to John at 972-948-4883.

For residents who still have questions about plant damage from the winter storm, Beautification Director, Kristen Kerwin, provides information for you from two resources.  Other references available are Facebook pages:   Aggie Horticulture, Smith County Master Gardener, and Neil Sperry's GARDENS.

Kristen Kerwin, Beautification Director
beautification@efchoa.com

CRIME WATCH NEWS
Plano Police Traffic Study in EFC

In a response to complaints from residents regarding speeding in our neighborhood we reached out to the Plano Police.

They responded promptly and completed a couple of traffic data surveys for Hearst Castle Way to get the data of the traffic flow and speed. Due to the middle median, they had to do two separate surveys.

THE RESULTS: 

  • Westbound 3521 Hearst Castle:
    (5 day survey) 2,207 vehicles surveyed, Mean speed (average) = 25.1 MPH

      CLICK FOR WESTBOUND DETAIL

  • Eastbound 3516 Hearst Castle:
    (7 day survey) 4,294 vehicles surveyed, Mean speed (average) = 29.5 MPH

       CLICK FOR EASTBOUND DETAIL

Hearst Castle Way is a 30 MPH residential street. At this time, the survey numbers do not show a speeding issue, according to the Plano Police. 

NEXT STEP:

The City will be following up with some speed calming equipment.


Thomas Moden, Crime Watch Coordinator
crimewatch@efchoa.com

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS NEWS
Keeping Pennsbury Trees Healthy

We worked with the city of Plano's arborist to remove two trees along Pennsbury Lane that we identified as unhealthy.  We are also working with the city to have those trees replaced with new ones.

Property Tax Exemption For Winter Storm Damage

On Friday, February 12, 2021 Governor Greg Abbott issued a Disaster Declaration in response to severe winter weather in Texas. This declaration enables property owners in Collin County to file for a temporary property tax exemption under Section 11.35 of the Texas Property Tax Code for qualified property (improvement) damaged by the disaster. CLICK HERE for more information, including qualifying for the exemption.

May 1 Election - Bond Referendum & City Council Members

Bond Referendum

The 2021 Bond Referendum focuses on renovation and maintenance of existing assets. The referendum totals $364 million in new bond authority, placed across six propositions over a four-year period.  For more information


For General Election and Candidate Information


 Early voting runs from Monday, April 19-Tuesday, April 27.

Sunil Thadani, Government Affairs
government@efchoa.com

COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Davis Library Renovation

A renovation of Davis Library starts this month.  It will expand services and extend part of the library into the Joint Use Facility across the breezeway. This $5.3 million dollar project, funded by the 2017 voter-approved bond referendum, is expected to wrap up in late spring 2022.

Click here for more details from the city on the renovation

HOA Website - Community Information

The Community Information section of your HOA's website contains links to helpful information from the City of Plano or topics that may be of interest to you.

  • Covid-19 Resources
    - City of Plano Information
    - Covid-19 Vaccine Appointments
  • City Watering Schedule April 1 - October 31
  • City of Plano Resources for Adults 50+
  • Crime Watch
  • Fix It Plano
  • Neighborhood Concerns?  Here's who to call
  • Road Construction in Plano
  • Bobcats & Coyotes
  • Need to Retire a Flag?
  • City of Plano website
  • Estates of Forest Creek Schools
  • Estates of Forest Creek Environmental Interest Group

If you have a topic you think other residents might be interested in having us post, let us know at president@efchoa.com

Environmental Interest Group
Little Seed Library Open for Spring

The Little Seed Library is a Texas based initiative designed to facilitate community access to pollinator, fruit, and vegetable seeds and to encourage the health and sustainability of our environment.

Location:  7304 Swanson Drive

Environmental Newsletter Volume 8

If you are interested in installing a rain barrel for your garden, see the City of Plano's offer.  Deadline to place online orders is Sunday, May 16th at 11pm.

jennifer.rauschmayer@icloud.com

Rain Barrel Program
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