Preston Highlands

2013 Dues Statements Coming Soon

Preston Highlands’ Homeowners Assessments of $175 will be mailed out to all owners in December. Assessments will be due on January 1, 2013. If paid after January 31, 2013, they will be considered delinquent and late fees and interest could apply. If you have any questions or need assistance with your yearly assessment, please contact Cyndy Long, of SBB Management, at 972.960.2800, ext. 358 or via email at c.long@sbbmanagement.com.

Calling All Candidates

Annually, residents are called upon to elect resident homeowners to fill open HOA Board Officer Positions. In February 2013, we will vote for three such positions: President (two-year term), Vice President (one-year term) and Treasurer (two-year term). The Vice President position will be one year to finish out the term for a past Board member who had to resign due to personal reasons. According to our Bylaws, each year the Board establishes a temporary nominating committee charged with vetting applicants and bringing a slate of candidates to the floor for a vote at our annual meeting. (Nominations from the floor also are added to the ballot.)

If you are interested in serving, please complete a candidate application form (see below). The deadline for application submission is noon on January 11, 2013. All applications must be returned to SBB Management Company, Attention: Cyndy Long by mail to 8360 LBJ Frwy., Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75243, by fax to 972-991-6642, or by email to c.long@sbbmanagement.com.

2013 Board of Director Candidate Application

Name: ______________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________________________

I understand that openings for President, Vice President and Treasurer are available on the PRESTON HIGHLANDS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Board of Directors and those candidates receiving the greatest number of votes for each open role will be elected to the Board of Directors.

I believe I can make a contribution to the business aspects of the Association and represent all the Association members on the Board. I understand that the Board of Directors is charged with the responsibility to govern the affairs of the Association according to the governing documents. I fully understand those documents and will not be in personal violation of any part of them. I understand that to be elected and hold a Board of Directors position I must:

· Own a lot and home in Preston Highlands, and

· Be a current resident in Preston Highlands.

I understand that the Board of Directors must make its decisions based on what is in the best interest of the community as a whole, not on interest of any individual lot owner or group of lot owners. I believe I can make a contribution to this decision making process and commit to fully support the membership’s final decision. If I am elected to the Board of Directors I will respect the position appointed to me and consistently act in a professional, ethical manner to those on the Board and all members of the Association.

I submit this application for the position of (check all that apply):

President (2-year term) Vice President (1-year term)

Treasurer (2-year term)

Community Association Experience:
Board of Directors Experience in Business or Community:
Business or Job Related Activity/Experience:
I believe I can serve the community well because:
My goals for the community during my tenure are:
I have been a Homeowner at Preston Highlands Homeowners Association, Inc. since / / and currently reside on the property

Signature Date

If you are interested in running for the Board of Directors, please complete this form and return it by Noon on 1/11/2013 to SBB Management Company, Attention: Cyndy Long by mail to 8360 LBJ Frwy., Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75243, by fax to 972-991-6642, or by email to c.long@sbbmanagement.com.

Lost or Found Pets

If you have LOST or FOUND a pet, please contact Allison Baker at communications@phhaonline.com. This is the FASTEST way to get the word out and will save you lots of time. The neighborhood has been highly successful in finding and/or returning lost animals to owners in a very short time period by using our e-News blasts.

Heading in the Wrong Direction

We continue to receive reports from neighbors that police are issuing tickets for parking against traffic flow ... sometimes after being in the house for 30 minutes or less. Save yourself some money and stress! If you have to park your car in front of your house, make sure you’re headed in the same direction as traffic flow. And tell your family, friends and visitors to do the same.

Not receiving Preston Highlands' e-news and Crime Watch alerts? Click here to register.

News For You

We Live With Wildlife
We share our community with a variety of wildlife, including coyotes, bobcats and feral cats. Coyotes are typically nocturnal, but could be searching for water and food sources with the heat. They usually eat rodents, however, smaller pets are not safe from attacks. Refrain from leaving pet food out also. Tips for living in areas with coyotes:

Do not feed coyotes. When coyotes begin associating humans with food, they lose their natural fears and may become aggressive or dangerous.

Eliminate water sources. Standing water attracts rodents, birds and snakes that coyotes can prey on.

Position bird feeders so coyotes cannot get to the feed. Coyotes also may be attracted by birds and small animals lured by the feeder.

Do not discard edible garbage. Coyotes are opportunistic and will feed on any table scraps.

Place trash containers out the morning of pick-up. Leaving them out overnight offers opportunity for coyotes to scavenge.

Do not leave your barbeque grill outside or uncovered. The smell and the contents in the drip pan can attract coyotes.

Feed pets indoors whenever possible. Remove any leftovers if feeding outdoors.

Do not allow pets to run free. Secure housing -- especially at night -- deters coyotes who see small dogs, cats, rabbits, etc. as potential prey.

Clear brush and weeds from around your property. This deprives potential prey of cover and deters coyotes from hunting in the area.

Do not leave small children outside alone if coyotes have been spotted.

Discourage coyotes in your area. If approached, harass them by throwing rocks, shouting and making loud noises.

And from the Q&A on the Dallas Animal Services Website (3-1-1):

I’ve seen some bobcats/coyotes in my neighborhood. Are you going to remove them? Dallas Animal Services will remove wildlife only if they become a threat to humans or homes. There is a healthy wildlife population in Dallas, especially if you live near creeks or lakes. Wildlife is present because there is a food and/or water source near by. Be sure to never leave pet food outside, secure your trashcans, and don’t leave very small animals unattended outside.

Don’t Get Tripped Up
A lot of sidewalks in our neighborhood are in bad shape and need repairs.

The City of Dallas has two different programs for sidewalk repairs.

Fast Fix: A new sidewalk replacement program which has the option to obtain residential sidewalk repair/replacement without waiting. Key portions include: obtaining the advantage of the purchasing power of the City, work that will be completed and inspected to City standards, not needing to obtain a building permit, and a warranty. The program is easy to use; just call the City for an estimate and if acceptable, pay the City contractor 100% of the repair work cost through an existing City of Dallas price agreement. The work is then completed within weeks.

Cost share program: The traditional Cost Share Program partners the City with residents to share 50/50 in the cost of replacement of sidewalks. The City hires contractors for this program, however funding for the City's share of the cost is limited which means a wait for some time until funding becomes available. Repairs are made on a first come, first served basis until the City funding is depleted. The City's portion of the funding is allocated from the Capital Bond program or general funds approved by Council.

City ordinance: when a sidewalk, drive approach, or any appurtenance becomes defective, unsafe or hazardous, the abutting property owner is responsible for repair/replacement.

For more information on these programs, please go to the Dallas city webpage

http://www.dallascityhall.com/pdf/pwt/sidewalk.pdf.

Registered Web users: To view the Preston Highlands' 2010 HOA budget, click here. To view the Powerpoint presentation from the 2010 Annual Meeting, click here.

CAN WE REACH YOU IN AN EMERGENCY?!
Need to change your contact info in the neighborhood directory? Just follow these steps:
1. Click on Resident Directory on the left side menu
2. Enter your Username & Password
3. Click the Log In button
4. Click Your Entry on the left side menu
5. Click on the link to your address
6. Edit your Phone, Email Address, and Alternate Phone Number as appropriate
7. Click the Save and return to list button

Forgot your Username? Typically it is your last name and intitial of your first name (eg. John Doe would be doej)

LIGHT UP PRESTON HIGHLANDS! VIP patrols report some alleys with no driveway lighting and others with very little. This provides thieves the atmosphere to harm you and/or your property. Don't be complacent! Turn on front and rear lights all night and set alarms. Keep garage doors closed and park cars in your garage.

Apply to join Volunteers in Patrol. Our team has grown to 30 patrollers, but we need more! Contact VIP@phhaonline.org or click here to get an application and liability waiver. Check out the Volunteers in Patrol Training Class Schedule. If you see anything suspicious, call Dallas 9-1-1! Please also send an email to VIP@phhaonline.org, so alerts can be sent to the neighborhood.

BOARD AND HOMEOWNER MEETINGS
Please check the calendar for monthly Board meeting dates.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Please see the calendar and the Social Activites page for details.

Here to Help You

Have questions, comments, or need info about Preston Highlands? Our full-service management company, SBB Management, is your first point of contact. Contact them for questions regarding dues billing, compliance or fine notifications, re-sale certificates, or other issues.

Cyndy Long, Community Manager
SBB Management
8360 LBJ Freeway, Suite #300
Dallas, TX 75243-1160
972-960-2800, ext. 358 (office)
972-991-6642 (fax)
c.long@sbbmanagement.com
SBB Management

Map and Driving Directions

Click Here for a map of and driving directions to Preston Highlands.