Spring/Summer 2023 Newsletter
Hello, Cross Creek Neighbors!
Welcome to Cross Creek to those of you who have recently moved here.
Check out the Cross Creek HOA webpage to learn about our neighborhood and find answers to any questions you may have. If you don’t see what you are looking for, send an email to the Board or ACC through your Elite Housing Management portal or Contact HOA on the website.
Annual HOA Meeting
The Cross Creek HOA met for our Annual Meeting on March 9, 2023, at Hope Church. We had a good turnout but did not have enough members present to have a quorum.
- Members heard outgoing HOA President Dave Jones report on the HOA’s 2022 business and about the repairs to our common areas over the last year.
- Treasurer Christian Smitherman explained the HOA's financial reports, which are located on the HOA website. (You must log in to your account on the website to view).
- Several HOA members expressed their ideas about whether or not to replace the Capshaw fence that was destroyed by termites, with the consensus being that the cost does not justify a replacement.
Thank You to Dave Jones
The Board, ACC, and the HOA community would like to express our appreciation to our outgoing President, Dave Jones. He served over 4 years on the Board, with 2 terms as President and worked diligently to make sure that HOA business was conducted in a professional manner.
We have been very fortunate to have people like Dave who volunteer to serve on our HOA Board, ACC, Welcome Committee, and other volunteer positions. Thank you, Dave.
The Board, ACC, and the HOA community would like to express our appreciation to our outgoing President, Dave Jones. He served over 4 years on the Board, with 2 terms as President and worked diligently to make sure that HOA business was conducted in a professional manner.
We have been very fortunate to have people like Dave who volunteer to serve on our HOA Board, ACC, Welcome Committee, and other volunteer positions. Thank you, Dave.
HOA Board and ACC for 2023
There have been some changes to our HOA Board and ACC. Jim Frederick was the only person to "put his name in the hat" for the vacant Director's position on the Board and was appointed to the position by the Board due to there not being a quorum at the Annual Meeting.
At the Board’s yearly organizational meeting, the following officers were appointed:
President: Jim Frederick
Vice-President: Toni Smedley
Treasurer: Christian Smitherman
Secretary: Allison Garrett
ACC Chairman: Victor Pratt
ACC Member: Brad Banister
NEW ACC Member: Bev Gallegos
Our Welcome Committee members visit new Cross Creek residents to share information about Cross Creek and the HOA, and to present them with a welcome gift.
Alan Whitten, Chairman Mary Dulaney
Beth Pratt Martha Petri
Alan Whitten also manages the membership and Directory for the HOA website, and Allison Garrett manages the content.
Jan Nolin and a couple of Board members graciously help with the clubhouse before and after private events.
Thank you to all who volunteer to make our neighborhood a wonderful place to live.
There have been some changes to our HOA Board and ACC. Jim Frederick was the only person to "put his name in the hat" for the vacant Director's position on the Board and was appointed to the position by the Board due to there not being a quorum at the Annual Meeting.
At the Board’s yearly organizational meeting, the following officers were appointed:
President: Jim Frederick
Vice-President: Toni Smedley
Treasurer: Christian Smitherman
Secretary: Allison Garrett
ACC Chairman: Victor Pratt
ACC Member: Brad Banister
NEW ACC Member: Bev Gallegos
Our Welcome Committee members visit new Cross Creek residents to share information about Cross Creek and the HOA, and to present them with a welcome gift.
Alan Whitten, Chairman Mary Dulaney
Beth Pratt Martha Petri
Alan Whitten also manages the membership and Directory for the HOA website, and Allison Garrett manages the content.
Jan Nolin and a couple of Board members graciously help with the clubhouse before and after private events.
Thank you to all who volunteer to make our neighborhood a wonderful place to live.
About Your HOA Board of Directors, Officers, and ACC Members
HOA Board of Directors and Officers
President: Jim Frederick
Jim retired from Active Duty in 2008 after serving 24 years in the U.S. Navy. Currently, he works for Raytheon and, at the end of this April, will have worked there for 15 years.
Vice-President: Toni Smedley
Toni has been in the medical field for over 35 years, serving at civilian hospitals and all the military clinics on Oahu, Hawaii, and the Army hospital on Oahu. Currently, she is an on-call nurse for several hospitals in various locations.
Treasurer: Christian Smitherman
Christian is a licensed CPA with previous public accounting experience in audits, nonprofits, and taxes. He has worked as an auditor for the City of Tuscaloosa, a government contractor, and is currently serving as controller for the Bentley Automotive Group.
Secretary: Allison Garrett
Allison is a retired educator who taught in Talladega County for three years, followed by 33 years at The Donoho School in Anniston, AL. She was a classroom teacher in grades 2 through 6, until becoming the Lower School Technology Coordinator and technology teacher.
The Architectural Control Committee (ACC)*
*Also called ARC (Architectural Review Committee) by Elite Housing Management.
ACC Chairman: Victor Pratt
Vic retired from the Navy in 2014 after 34 years both active and reserve. He works for SAIC as a contractor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a cloud computing engineer.
ACC Member: Brad Banister
Brad retired from the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in 2009 after serving 28 years. He has worked for the US Government managing Short Range Air Defense Systems International Programs for the past 14 years.
ACC Member: Bev Gallegos
Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Bev has lived in North Alabama since 2004. She was in the financial services industry in Marketing for over 20 years, moving to Delaware, Orlando, Atlanta, Tampa, and eventually to Madison to work with Compass Bank (PNC). When that chapter closed, she began a career in Real Estate and has been licensed since 2013.
Vic retired from the Navy in 2014 after 34 years both active and reserve. He works for SAIC as a contractor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a cloud computing engineer.
ACC Member: Brad Banister
Brad retired from the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in 2009 after serving 28 years. He has worked for the US Government managing Short Range Air Defense Systems International Programs for the past 14 years.
ACC Member: Bev Gallegos
Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Bev has lived in North Alabama since 2004. She was in the financial services industry in Marketing for over 20 years, moving to Delaware, Orlando, Atlanta, Tampa, and eventually to Madison to work with Compass Bank (PNC). When that chapter closed, she began a career in Real Estate and has been licensed since 2013.
The Pool is Open
The pool opened for the summer season on Saturday, April 22, even though the weather hasn't been cooperating.
New ceiling fans and lights have been installed over the patio, due to the age and condition of the original ones. The outdoor furniture has been cleaned and the outdoor lightbulbs and floodlights have been replaced with LED bulbs, so the pool is ready for you to enjoy.
The pool opened for the summer season on Saturday, April 22, even though the weather hasn't been cooperating.
New ceiling fans and lights have been installed over the patio, due to the age and condition of the original ones. The outdoor furniture has been cleaned and the outdoor lightbulbs and floodlights have been replaced with LED bulbs, so the pool is ready for you to enjoy.
As of April 22, your keycard will work on the pool gate lock and the side door to the restrooms until the pool closes in the fall.
Remember to not let anyone into the pool gate with you just because they say they forgot or lost their keycard. It could be someone who isn't an HOA member and doesn't have access to the pool. If you have any incidents with someone doing that, please notify a Board member.
Pool Safety Rules
On the Pool page of the HOA website, you will find the Pool Safety Rules. Our rules are based on requirements and recommendations from the Alabama Public Health Department.
Please read these rules and discuss them with your children.
Especially note the following when at the clubhouse and pool:
- NO DIVING, running, bikes, skateboards, or loud music allowed.
- NO EATING OR DRINKING IS ALLOWED IN THE POOL or near the pool’s edge.
- NO GLASS BOTTLES OR CONTAINERS ARE ALLOWED INSIDE THE POOL FENCE to protect bare feet and the pool from broken glass.
- SMOKING AND VAPING ARE NOT ALLOWED ANYWHERE ON THE POOL AND CLUBHOUSE PROPERTY.
- No pets inside the pool fence, other than service dogs.
- All trash should be put in the two small patio trash cans. If a bag is full, please put it in the large bins; additional garbage bags are at the bottom of the trash cans.
- Only bagged trash goes in the large garbage bins.
- Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or adult over 21 years of age.
NOTE: The kiddie pool has been cleaned; it is just stained from leaves.
Help us keep the pool area clean and safe for everyone.
ANTS!!!
We have an ant infestation in and around the clubhouse, pool, and parking lot. A pest control company has treated the entire clubhouse and pool property, and the ants should be gone by May 8. If they aren't, we will have the area treated again.
You can help by making sure you don't leave food around the pool and patio and that all trash is put in the trash cans. If you spill liquids (other than water) or food, please clean it up so the little stinkers will have nothing to eat.
Updated Architectural Control Committee (ACC) Guidelines
Have plans to add or replace a fence? Want to add, remove, or replace trees or shrubs? Want to build a shed or repaint your house, fence, or shed?
It is always recommended that you check the list of Guidelines on the ACC’s webpage and, for most projects, ask for ACC approval on your Elite portal account, before beginning any projects around your home’s exterior. Doing so will prevent you from having to pay a fine and undo or redo your project.
Some things, like adding or replacing flowers or similar shrubs in an existing bed, DO NOT require ACC approval. Read the Guidelines to clarify what is allowed. If you are unsure, contact the ACC through your Elite portal account.
Updated ACC Guidelines: The ACC recently reviewed and updated its Guidelines. To clarify what is appropriate and allowed for Cross Creek, it is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Cross Creek Covenants, in addition to the Guidelines.
IMPORTANT: Addition to Schedule of Fines: There has been a $500 immediate fine added for implementing projects without prior ACC approval. This measure was necessary to dissuade people from starting projects without prior approval. Familiarize yourself with the Covenants and Guidelines before starting exterior projects.
Updated ACC Guidelines: The ACC recently reviewed and updated its Guidelines. To clarify what is appropriate and allowed for Cross Creek, it is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Cross Creek Covenants, in addition to the Guidelines.
IMPORTANT: Addition to Schedule of Fines: There has been a $500 immediate fine added for implementing projects without prior ACC approval. This measure was necessary to dissuade people from starting projects without prior approval. Familiarize yourself with the Covenants and Guidelines before starting exterior projects.
The Fine Schedule can be found on the same ACC webpage as the Guidelines.
Spring Neighborhood Yard Sale Postponed Until Fall
One of our neighbors, Tina Garbe, was interested in organizing a neighborhood yard sale in late April, but very few people were able to participate.
If there is enough interest in the fall, she may attempt to organize one then. Watch for a possible announcement in the fall on Cross Creek’s private Facebook page. You must ask permission to join the page.
Annual Yard Maintenance Reminders
…as required by the Covenants and ACC Guidelines:
Annual Yard Maintenance Reminders
…as required by the Covenants and ACC Guidelines:
- Mow grass regularly.
- Treat weeds consistently throughout the year to control them.
- Bag grass clippings or blow them into your yard; avoid blowing them on the street or sidewalks. Please sweep up anything that may have gone into the street.
- Edge grass properly and weed-eat around your house and yard where needed.
- Keep flower beds weeded, mulched, and properly maintained.
- Trim shrubbery when needed.
- Properly clean, power wash, and maintain the exterior of your home when needed.
- Keep garbage and recycling cans out of sight; only put them out the night before they are to be emptied, and remove them from the street as soon as possible.
- Repaint mailboxes and posts, as needed (see Mailbox Guidelines).
Doing these things will keep our neighborhood beautiful and maintain our property values, as well as keep fines from being assessed. A well-kept community increases everyone’s property values.
Weather-Damaged Shrubs, Trees, and Plants
This year, our yards may have some shrubbery or trees that did not survive the extremely cold weather we had in early March. Horticulturists and local greenhouse nurseries recommend waiting until early- to mid-May to see if they are still viable.
Alabama A&M and Auburn University Extension have an informative article entitled Post Freeze Ornamental Plant Care.
If you have any shrubs, plants, or trees that did not survive, you will need to remove and/or replace them*.
If you have any shrubs, plants, or trees that did not survive, you will need to remove and/or replace them*.
*Note that if replaced with something similar in size and style, it is not necessary to ask for ACC approval.
About Your Sidewalk...
About Your Sidewalk...
Now that the weather is getting warmer and people are outdoors walking more, more people will be using the sidewalks.
As per the *Covenants, sidewalks shall not be obstructed/blocked, with trash, yard/tree debris, and vehicles. This is not only for appearance but also for our neighbors’ safety.
*Section 32. Sidewalks: Sidewalks shall not be altered or obstructed by any Owner or Occupant. Any sidewalk located on a Lot shall be maintained by the Owner in accordance with Article V, Section 2, hereof.
*Section 32. Sidewalks: Sidewalks shall not be altered or obstructed by any Owner or Occupant. Any sidewalk located on a Lot shall be maintained by the Owner in accordance with Article V, Section 2, hereof.
Regarding Walking Your Dogs...
Overall, it seems that people are being very conscientious about picking up after their dogs and not dropping waste bags randomly in the neighborhood, which is appreciated by everyone.
Street Safety Concerns
Some of our neighbors have expressed concerns about drivers who exceed the speed limit on our neighborhood streets and who are not obeying the stop signs, even going around stopped vehicles at stop signs.
Please always use caution when driving through the neighborhood; be mindful of children riding their bicycles and playing in their yards close to the streets, as well as people and their pets who are walking in our neighborhood.
PLEASE OBEY THE TRAFFIC LAWS Slow down and stop at stop signs.
Obey the subdivision speed limit of 25 MPH.
Neighborhood Repairs
The City of Huntsville has recently repaired several streetlights and a fire hydrant in the neighborhood.
When you see items that require repair or maintenance (such as streetlights, hydrants, potholes, or drainage problems in the streets or the storm drains) and that are not within the HOA’s responsibility, please use the following website to report them: See Click Fix Huntsville. The city is very responsive to requests.
(Note that the clubhouse property, including the parking lot lights, is the responsibility of the HOA.)
Hoping you have a great spring and summer!
Your HOA Board and ACC
