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Huckleberry Estates 2011 Activities
This timeline outlines the activities and events of Huckleberry Estates, Derby, KS, for the year 2011 starting with the election of the Board of Directors. -
The Votes Are In
The annual membership meeting was held Thursday June 17 in Bob Cropp's driveway. Bob announced that that votes are in and a Board has been elected. Bob bowed out as President and all encumbent Board members were elected plus one new member, Dave Clark. Welcome Dave! the Board will meet soon to decide who will act as President of the Board. -
Dead Riverbirch Removed
Daryl Davis removed the dead riverbirch tree that was just behind the front wall at the south end. -
Sprinkler System Repaired
One of the circuits on the sprinkler system at the entrance has been malfunctioning for some time now. Most people didn't notice because the system waters in the early morning hours. After some investigation it was discovered that circuit #2 ran any time circuit #1 or #3 were running. As a result, circuit #1 and #3 were not putting out enough water to maintain the grass and water flooded the street from circuit #2 running all of the time. The solenoid on valve #2 was not functioning when it was -
New Mowing Strategy
Marc Ratzliff (Landscape Committee Co-chair) is spearheading the campaign to solicite volunteers for mowing the common areas. After discussing the issue with Daryl Davis (HOA Board Member) he discovered that Daryl was thinking along the same line and Daryl mentioned that he thought Boyd Altman would help out as well. Being the community minded individual that he is, Boyd anxiously agreed. Marc thinks he knows of others who will help and if we can get about 4-6 people to split up the mowing aroun -
Mowing Strategy Approved by BOD
Board voted to accept the offer of a volunteer team of men from our community to maintain the commons areas. Initial volunteers are: Daryl Davis, Marc Ratzliff, Dennis Moon, Dave Clark, Boyd Altman, and Rick Gabbard. -
July BOD Meeting
The new BOD met for the first monthly Board meeing and Daryl Davis was voted in as President of Huckleberry Estates HOA. Daryl announced that there would be monthly Board meeting at least for a while to discuss some maintenance matters and make decisions. Minutes -
Mowing Service Cancelled
Letter written to cancel our mowing service -
More on the Mowing
Additional Huckleberry Estates HOA members have volunteered to serve our community by helping with the mowing. They are Dave Clark, Dennis Moon, & Rick Gabbard. Thanks guys! -
Tree Spraying Equipment Ordered
Tree spraying equipment ordered to maintain the trees in the commons areas. -
Lake Cleanup Began
Cleanup of weeds and scrubby trees began around the lake. -
Aligator Spotted in Lake
On Saturday July 16th Daryl Davis & Marc Ratzliff were looking over the south spillway ditch and discussion options for repairing it when Daryl thought he saw and alligator submerged in the canal spillway. When he told Marc what he had seen, Marc said "old man, you've been in the sun too long." They laughed for a bit and then it surfaced again and they both saw it. Marc was still not convinced it was a gator, but later that day Daryl went back to the spillway with his camera and snapped this ph -
Vandalism at Huckleberry
On approximately Saturday, July, 16, some letters were stolen from the Huckleberry Estates sign on the wall at our entrance. Letters stolen were the H, L, and E from HUCKLEBERRY and an A from ESTATES. The vandals returned a few days later to paint letters of their choice in the vacant locations (use your imagination). Marc Ratzliff and Daryl Davis cleaned the paint off as soon as it was noticed. A few days later Marc spotted a can of spray paint of the same color discarded in our commons area. -
Alligator in Lake
Alligator spotted in lake. Photo taken. -
Volunteers Trim Trees
Volunteers began trimming trees and removing scrubby trees around the lake. Initial volunteers were: Marc Ratzliff & Daryl Davis -
Alligator Photographed
Additional photos of alligator taken. Kansas Fish & Game called. -
Lake Cleanup
Marc Ratzliff, Daryl Davis, and Boyd Altman have been clearing some of the brushy trees from the lake shoreline. Others have offered to join in the effort to beautify our lake shore. All dead limbs and unhealthy willow are being removed and the remaining willows are being thinned. Some clumps of bushes are also being left for wildlife habitat. Small cottonwood trees that will grow up to spread cotton all over the neighborhood are also being removed. Larger cotton woods and willows and specialty -
Stump Removal
There are 35 stumps in the common areas that will be removed in the near future. Marc Ratzliff has obtained an estimate from Stump Hunters, a professional stump removal company who has done work for Marc in the past. The Board of Directors is reviewing the estimate for approval. -
KW&P Respond
Kansas Wildlife and Parks officer responded PM and sighted the alligator himself along with other members of the community. -
Tree Spraying
Northern Tool Tree SprayerThe HOA has purchased tree spraying equipment so we can spray out own trees around the lake. Several of our cottonwood and willow trees are infested by cottonwood borers and are slowly dying. We hope to bring them back to health with regular insecticide treatments (twice per year). On Saturday 7-16-11, 16 of the cottonwood and willow trees were treated for cottonwood borers; the remaining 5 pine trees were treated to prevent the Sawyer beetle from infecting them with pine wilt; the evergreen tre -
Traps Set for Alligator
Sedgwick County Animal Control responed AM and set baited lines -
Requested Legal Assistance
Requested Lawyer to provide Bylaws to member who is questioning the HOA fees. -
Additional Vandalism
Additional vandalism occured to the Huckleberry Estates sign (aparently the previous nite) in the form of spray paint. -
Channel 3 & 10 Interviews
Marc and Daryl interviewed by Channel 3 & 10 about alligator. Provided photos. -
Alligator Still Loose
Owner of alligator showed up and asked if he could look for it. Permission granted. -
Sherriff Called
Called Sheriff's office (subsequently 911) and reported vandalism. -
Alligator Caught
Alligator captured by Boyd Altman, assisted by Dennis Moon, 9:30 pm. -
Alligator Safe with Owner
Alligator returned to owner who was on site at the time of capture. -
More Interviews
Marc and Daryl interviewed with Channel 10. Dennis Moon interviewed with Channel 12 & 3. -
Stump Hunters
Board approved hiring Stump Hunters to grind several stumps in the commons areas. -
Tree Trimming Continues
Tree trimming and scrubby tree removal continues around the lake and Boyd Altman joined the volunteer team. -
HB 2472
DeAnn requested Mike Herd come to our Board Meeting and discuss HB 2472 and answer other questions. -
Covenants & Bylaws
Phil Schroeder provided copies of the Covenants and Bylaws in Word format. Phil volunteered to help with maintenance where needed in the common area, which was promptly accepted. -
Covenant Violations
Requested assistance from the Architectual Control Committee on a violation of the Covenants at 6920 Huckleberry lane. -
Legal Assistance
Lawyer sent letter to member about the Bylaws concerning HOA dues. -
HB 2472 Discussion
Questions submitted to Lawyer in preparation to discuss HB 2472 at the BOD meeting on Tuesday 8/2/11. -
Follow-up on Vandalism
On Friday, July 29, the Sherriff's office called to follow-up on the incident of vandalism to our sign. He asked if we had heard anything about who may have committed to act which we had not. The Sherriff's investigation had not turned up anything either. Please keep your ears open and keep your eyes peeled for any suspicious persons or activity that may be related to the incident. -
Follow-up on Vandalism Report
The Sherriff called today to 'follow-up" on my report. No progress. -
Weed Trimming / Mowing
Phil Schroeder and I trimmed weeds around edge of lake. Marc Ratzliff mowed the rest of the lake botton on the south end of the west side. Pat Hall also mowed the lake bottom. -
Dirt Estimates
Ken Cain reported that he will have an estimate on the dirt to fill the hole on Monday 8/1/11. -
More Tree Trimming
Tree trimming and scrubby tree removal around the lake is complete. Additional volunteers were: Jim Coote, Phil Schroeder, David Engleking, and Marc Ratzliff's son-in-law John (not an HOA member). -
Tapering the Shoreline
Daryl worked on tapering the shoreline in the commons area between Davis & McWilliams. John Smith stopped by to compliment on the cleanup job around the lake. John offered that there is electric power in the common area on the east side of the lake between the first and second house south of the entrance. -
Annual Assessment Fees - Late
Any unpaid HOA dues are now late. Members can be fined $5 per day up to the amount of the annual dues. -
Dig Safe
Marc called Dig Safe to find the electric line John Smith told me about. He asked them to check from the north ditch to the south ditch. They said they would have it marked by 8/4/11. AT&T came out today and flagged the phone line. -
Southeast Ditch Clean-up
Met with Landscape Committee Chairman (Marc Ratzliff) to survey the southeast ditch. Decided to work on clearing it in the evenings this week and complete on Saturday morning. Invited Boyd Altman and David Engleking to help. Sent email to Jim Coote, Phil Schroeder, Dave Clark, & Dennis Moon inviting them to help. -
Ditch Repair Proposal
Took a trip with Landscape Committed Chairman (Marc Ratzliff) to Duck Creek in Derby to investigate how the drainage ditch is constructed using concrete. Discussed what it would take to repair our north ditch in this way. Priced material at Sutherland, measured and estimated the cubic yrds of concrete required. Talked to Pat Hall about volunteering to move dirt using his Partner's bobcat. Emailed the Board to get approval to proceed. -
Southeast Ditch Clean-up
Marc Ratzliff, James Coote, and Daryl worked on clearing the southeast ditch of trees and brush. We got over half done. -
August BOD Meeting
August [August BOD Mtg Minutes](<a href='http://app.myhoahelper.com/users/myteam26722/Media66.pdf)' >BOD meeting</a> with special guest Mike Herd (HOA Lawyer) to discuss HB 2472 and other matters. -
Dig Safe
Dig Safe came out and flagged the area, it it appears they looked in the wrong place. John Smith stopped by and showed Marc and I the old electric meter where the power line shoud be. Marc Ratzliff, James Coote and I worked on clearing the southeast ditch. David Engleking stopped by to encourage us. -
North Ditch Dirt Work
Worked on southeast ditch with Marc. Turns out Pat can not get the bobcat to move dirt and fill & shape the north ditch so he found someone who can do it. Met with him this evening and got an estimate. He will start work on the 13th. -
Fill Dirt for Hole
Mr. Cain brough estimate for dirt for hole and said we could probably get dirt for free if we were willing to wait and take it at a moment's notice - this is underconsideration. Marc and I finished cleaning up limbs and trash from the southeast ditch. Someone hauled off limbs from the southeast ditch today during the day. -
Stump Removal
Marc, Pat Hall and I dug up one large stump from between the culverts in the north ditch in preparation of excavation to lay concrete and started digging the second (largest) one. After about 4 hrs the stump was still solidly in place. -
Weed Killing
I sprayed brush/weed/grass killer in the southeast ditch and the southwest ditch while Pat, Chase, Ron Meyer, and Boyd Altman finished digging out the large stump. A man Pat knows who lays concrete came out to see the ditch. He wants to see the excavation before provding an estimate. I placed signs at the front entrance to say New Landscaping Coming Soon. -
Dreamscapes
Talked with Dreamscapes about designing the landscaping for the entrance where the hole is today. -
August BOD Meeting Minutes
Typed minutes of 8/2/11 BOD Meeting with Mike Herd and sent them out to the Board members for review. -
More Stump Removal
Marc brought a guy out to estimate grinding 6 stumps on the north end of the lake and in the north ditch where we are planning (at this time) to pour concrete. We are getting a second estimate on Friday morning. -
Covenant Enforcement
Checked on cost of renting a stump grinder. Talked with Phil Schroeder about a meeting between the ACC and the HOA BOD to discuss the Covenants and who is responsible for enforcement. Phil gave me his signed waiver. -
New Huckleberry Sign
The second estimate on grinding the stumps was much better than the first. 6 stumps for $160. He also ground 2 for Boyd and some for Marc while he was here. Called City blueprint about printing a pattern for the Huckleberry Estates sign so we could make a new sign in one-piece so the letters couldnt be stolen. -
Weed Trimming
Trimmed weeds in South ditch and ditch by Boyd's house as well as the growth around the hole at the front entrance. Got a free fountain off Craigs list and brother Dan helped me bring it home, think it might be a candidate for the front entrance. -
Maintenance Discussion
Discussed ditch repair, filling hole at entrance, renting a bobcat, and the new sign with Marc Ratzliff. -
Letter for Non-payment of Annual Assessment
Picked up sign pattern for Huckleberry Estates and showed it to DeAnn. I will take it to a metal cutting shop to get an estimate for cutting it out as one piece. Typed a proposal for the contents of a letter to our non-paying HOA member. -
Legal Matters
Recieved email from Mike Herd that he had received a response from our non-paying HOA member. Sent proposed content for letter (to non-paying HOA member) to BOD and Mike Herd for consideration. -
North Ditch Dirt Work
Aaron O'Brien started moving dirt in the north ditch about 2:00 and worked until 9:00. -
North Ditch Dirt Work Completed
Aaron came back at 7:00 and worked until 11:00 at a cost of $800. I mowed and trimmed the front entrance and trimmed the northeast ditch while he worked. Phil Schroeder stopped by to get the paint for the signs around the lake. -
First Estimate for Cement in North Ditch
The cement contractor (Habanero) came to review the dirt work and said it looked good. He also said that the big cottonwood trees should come out or they will definitely cause cracks in the concrete within a few years. -
Weed Killing / Tree Cutting
Daryl sprayed the Johnson Grass in the southeast ditch at 7:00 am. Pat Hall, Chase Hall, Boyd Altman, myself, and Chase's friend cut down the two big cottonwood trees beginning at 7:30 until 11:00. -
Tree Cutting / Mowing / Painting
Discussed with Marc and Boyd about removing the (nearly) dead cottonwood. We made a plan to cut it down Thursday evening and stack it up in prep for hauling it to the dump on Saturday morning. Phil Schroeder worked on painting signs around the lake. Sent and email to Dave Clark about mowing the southeast side and south end of the lake. -
Legal Matters
DeAnn brought over a letter from Mike Herd for the billing related to non-paying homeowner. -
First Cost Estimate for Concrete in North Ditch
Pat brought the estimate from (contractor) Habanero, it was high ($12K). We decided to get a couple of other estimates. I called a friend of mine who recently had cement work done and he gave me the name of the person who did it. I called Juan and he is coming over tomorrow to look at the job. -
Second Estimate for Concrete in North Ditch
Juan (contractor recommended by a friend) came by and looked at the ditch and said he would email me an estimate later tonight. Pat stopped by to tell me he has a guy coming to give us an estimate tomorrow night about 5:00pm. Boyd and I cut down the dead cottonwood about half way down on the east side of the lake and the pine tree near by that was dying. -
Third Estimate for Concrete in North Ditch
Kevin Nevins (Contractor) came to look at the ditches and provide an estimate. I showed him both ditches and the hole at the entrance and talked about the northeast ditch. I drove him around the neighborhood and discussed the possibilities of other work in the neighborhood. I showed him some work I want done to my driveway and embankment. -
Second Cost Estimate for Concrete in North Ditch
Juan provided an estimate of $14K for each ditch. I told him that had figured the material at ~$5K and ask him if that sounded close, he didnt really respond, I think he just figured it by the square foot. -
Third Cost Estimate for Concrete in the North Ditch
Nevins called me with an estimate of $30K for both ditches and filling in the hole. After some discussion he said he would sharpen his pencil and see if he could do better. He called again with an estimate of 11,950 for each ditch and would fill in the hole for free. I asked him to send me a written estimate. He emailed and had mistakes (only figured one side of the ditches) so I pointed them out to him. He revised is estimate to $14K for each ditch. -
Ditch Repair Estimates
The landscape committee Chairman (Marc Ratzliff) and volunteers are soliciting estimates from 3 - 4 contractors for cement work in the north and south ditches. Contractors were obtained from recommendations of local residences and acquaintances. If a reasonable estimate is submitted the work will begin soon. Other options are also being considered including rock. -
Ron Meyer Suggested a Possible Contractor
Daryl talked to Ron Meyer about a contractor he knows (Doffing) providing an estimate. He called the guy, discussed it with him, gave him my phone number, and said he would come by Tue or Wed night. -
Contractor No Show
Did not hear from or see Doffing. -
Discussed Rock as Option for Ditch
Did not hear from or see Doffing. Pat Hall came by to discuss the estimates and whether rock would be a viable option. I told him that we had gotten an estimate to install rock before and it was high, it may be more reasonable if we do it ourselves. Pat may have access to a bobcat in the coming weeks and he is going to check on what rock would cost. Marc came over and we discussed getting started doing the cement work ourselves if Doffing didn't work out and the rock was not cost effective (rela -
Landscaper Suggested
Sue Bitel called to say thanks for the work that is being done in the common areas. We discussed the new landscaping plans and she said she knows a woman who work at Botanica who started her own landscape design business. She is going to get he contact information and ask her to call me about some ideas for our entrance. -
Rock Becomes Viable Option for North Ditch
Pat stopped by to tell me he got an estimate on rock and it is considerably cheaper than cement, about 1/3rd. Rock presented to BOD as viable option. BOD approved. -
Preparing the Hole for Filling
Boyd and I began removing a few rows or rock from the wall in the hole at the front entrance so they would not interfere with any planting when the landscaping is installed. We put the rock in the northeast ditch at the culvert by oliver to fill the washout. -
More Prep on the Hole
Boyd, Dave Clark and I moved the remaining rocks from the wall around the hole and put them in the adjacent ditch. Dave's wife came by and took some rocks home for her use. -
Sprinkler Work at Entrance
The Coote's helped me mark the sprinklers around the hole so I could plug the ones that may be covered up. As it turned out only one sprinkler was in the area that would be covered so I entended it up temporarily so it wouldnt be buried. -
Rock Ordered from Quarry
Pat Hall called the quarry and had the first load of rock delivered. The remaining loads to be delivered on Thrusday. -
Trees Removed / Rock Delivered
Pat had the day off and the remaining loads of rock were delivered. Pat also got the bobcat from his partner and began working the dirt in preparation to lay rock. Boyd, Dave, and I cut down the trees in the hole and cut them up in right sized to be taken to the Derby limb pile. Boyed helped Pat place rock and I sprayed the growth in the hole with Roundup. Phil Schroeder came by so I asked him if he could haul off limbs on Friday. He said he would. James Coote came by about dark so I asked him i -
Limbs Hauled Off / Bobcat Delivered
Jim Coote and Phil Schroeder hauled off about 2/3 of the limbs. After work I loaded my pickup for an early trip to the limb pile on Saturday morning. The track bobcat that we ordered from Foley came at about 3:30 and the final load of rock came about the same time. Board meeting. -
Pine Tree Removed / Rock Layed in North Ditch
Hauled two loads of limbs to the Derby limb pile at High Park with help from Brian Gregory, Phil Schroeder hauled one. Cut off the stump left from the pine tree near McWilliams, covered it with dirt, and used the pine needles as mulch around the trees in the Common area between Davis and McWilliams. Pat, Chase, Boyd, Brian Gregory, and I worked on the north ditch rock project until we got rained out. Discussed new landscaping at the entrance with Cindy DeRee, she said Jerry could offer some advi -
North Ditch Repair
Estimates for cement were too expensive and the decision was made to rock the ditch similar to the south ditch. Repair began the week of 9/5 as semi loads of rock arived from a local quarry. Pat Hall began moving rock on 9/8 with a borrowed bobcat. After getting stuck several time it was clear that a track bobcat was required to navigate the sand in the ditch. Foley Rental delived the cat on 9/9 and Pat began using it that evening with great success. On Saturday work was interupted by rain but t -
Rock Layed in North Ditch
Boyd, Daryl and Pat layed rock in north ditch. -
Fabricator Estimate for Sign / Worked on Ditch
Took Huckleberry sign to fabricator for an estimate. He will make our sign out of 3/16 steel plate with mounting holes and powder coat it flat black for ~$315. Sent email to Board members for approval. Dennis responded almost immediately. Worked on ditch with Boyd and Pat. -
North Ditch Repair Completed
The north ditch repair has been completed by volunteers from the neighborhood. A special thanks to Pat Hall for running the bobcat. Several people including, Pat & Chase Hall, Boyd Altman, Dave Clark, Bryan Gregory and Daryl Davis carefully placed rocks to create a floodway that should last for years to come. Many people have commented on how good it looks and how it enhances our country setting. Total cost of the ditch repair was approximately $6000 including repair to the area around the culve -
Finished Rocking North Ditch
DeAnn called about the sign and approved. Finished the north ditch with Dave Clark and Pat. Jerry and Cindy DeRee stopped by and talked about the new landscaping. Jerry said he has a guy at the greenhouse that is good at that kind of thing and he will bring him out to look at the site and make some suggestions. Started work to repair the drainage around the northeast culverts. Talked to Dave Clark about the sign and he approved. -
Fabricator Started New Sign
Ordered new Huckleberry estates sign. Created a flyer for the Ice Cream and Hotdog Fall Social and mailed it to the other Board memebers for approval. Worked on drainage around the northeast culverts. Talked to DeAnn about the Ice Cream and Hotdog Fall Social and made revisions. John Smith had two truckloads of dirt delivered to the hole. -
Rock Around Northeast Culverts
Finished laying rock for drainage around northeast culverts with Pat Hall. Surveyed the south ditch with Pat and Boyd and came up with a game plan to repair it. -
Grass Planted Around North Ditch
Grass has been planted around the north ditch, the northeast culverts, and the common area where the rock for the ditch was piled. -
South Ditch Repair Completed
Repair to the falling rock in the south ditch has been completed. Pat Hall, Daryl Davis, Boyd Altman, and Dave Clark moved the final load of rock into place on the ditch sidewalls and backfilled around the edges with dirt to complete the ditch repair for a total cost of approximately $1500. Grass will be planted soon around the perimeter of the ditch and local common area that was damaged by equipment and rock piles. -
New Landscaping Coming at Front Entrance
The hole at the entrance has been filled with dirt and plans are under way to install some new landscaping. Several suggestions have been made on what to plant. DeAnn Coote is taking the lead on the final design with input from residents and subject to approval by the Board. The plan under consideration is an oval shaped bed similar to the others and some trees and flowering shrubs that will provide color the year around. An additional bed behind the wall similar to the bed in front of the wall -
Shoreline Erosion Prevention
In 2010 the Board approved tapering of the shorline adjacent to Daryl Davis' property at Daryl's request as a test to see if it would stop the erosion that is ocurring. A portion of this shoreline has been tapered for years and shows no signs of erosion while the straight bank area continually drops off and falls in the lake due to the pounding waves. The dirt removed from the edge of the lake was used to fill low areas in the common area and provide a gentle taper on the common area. At the sam -
Vandals Strike Again
Twice in the last week vandals have driven across the new grass area in the front entrance. The made a total of six passes on two different nights. The first night was Saturday 12/3/11 and the second night was Wednesday 12/7/11. If anyone saw or heard anything suspicious please call Daryl Davis at 316-788-5022 so it can be reported to the police. -
Mowing / Trimming
Trimmed north, east and south edges of the lake with the weedeater and mowed the south and east lake bottom as well as the east and south Common area around the lake.
