We are the residents of the Tallwood Condominiums. We work together to make our complex a pleasant place to live, with a sense of community that we can be proud of.

The HOA board can be reached at:
e-mail: board@tallwoodcondos.com

New mailing address

The Wright Management Group is our property manager now. Lee Properties was a great partner after getting away from the developers and Radec, but we felt Wright, with their concentration on condo HOAs, would be a better fit for Tallwood.

HOA Dues and any correspondence should now go to:
Tallwood c/o Wright Management
PO Box 303127
Austin, TX 78703


Further contact info:
Office phone: 512-495-9636
Office fax: 512-495-9690
Jeff Wright: jeff@thewrightmgmtgroup.com
Emily Doyle: emily@thewrightmgmtgroup.com
Audrey Rocha: audrey@thewrightmgmtgroup.com

The Tallwood Descale Project is ON!

After wrestling with finding the money to pay for the work we have reached a point where we are ready to proceed. We've scheduled the initial walkthrough of the descale process. Plumbing and valves will be checked for obvious problems that could cause. The walkthrough is scheduled for Thursday December 3rd.

If there are not large, obvious problems, the descale work will take place December 15-17 (Tue-Thur.)

If you have circumstances that should know about before the workmen come onsite (working at night so you're sleeping during the day, you have pets, etc.) please tell the Board.

There are still a few people who have not turned over a key to their unit for the workmen to use during the work. Please remember that we need all the keys to do the work. Per the bylaws, if access to a unit is required to performs maintenance work and an owner does not supply a key, the board is authorized to gain entry by force. In this case it would mean having a locksmith drill out the locks and replace it. The unit owner would be billed for the locksmiths time and materials. The final deadline for turning in a key is Tuesday December 1. If we don't have your key by Dec. 1, the lock will be drilled out on Dec. 2. So please, if you haven't given your key, get in touch with the board.

For those that have not paid the assessment, we haven't forgotten about you. You are still responsible for the money and we will continue to pursue payment. For those that are continuing with their agreed payment plans, we again thank you for working with us.

Another item for consideration in regards to the descale. Some folks may not wish to stay on site while the water will be unavailable. I know that some have friends or family in the area that they can stay with, but some do not. I've spoken with the Holiday Inn next door and if we can get a minimum of 10 rooms booked, we'd be eligible for a group rate.

The rate would be $69 a night, plus tax, and would be for either a single or double room. This is about $25 off their usual rate.

Please remember that the Board and HOA is not paying for the rooms, just acting as a negotiator to get a group rate for anyone who needs a place to stay during the descale.

If anyone is interested in a room, please email the board. Owners, please pass this info on to your renters. If there are single folks who wouldn't mind sharing a room to save money rather than have a room to yourself, mention that in your email too.

Deadline for booking will be December 4th, anyone expressing interest to the board will be given further information about booking.

Proceeding with the descale work is happy news and a long time coming. We thank everyone for sticking with us and for working with us at the home stretch.

Following the Get-Together last week, a Q&A has been created, relating to the upcoming descale procedure. If, after reading, you have more questions please feel free to email the board. Also, owners are encouraged to forward the information on to their tennats.

The board had enacted new rules regarding late dues. The policy now is that lien proceedings will start when it becomes a matter of three months of dues being outstanding. These three months need not be concurrent.

If you have not paid your full assessment you are now subject to our usual late fee policy. However, if you contacted the Board and/or Lee about a payment plan before the recent July 15th due date, fees will not be assigned. For those that have made arrangements for payment plans, please stick with them or fees may be assigned for failure to meet the plan.

Lee has already started making calls to those who have not taken care of their assessment and, so far, responses have been mostly productive. We understand that this expense is a difficulty for some and unpleasant for all, but we appreciate those who are taking care of their responsibilities as best they can.

There have also been some concerns about bugs around the complex. Unfortunately, adding bug service to our pest control would triple the cost. At this point, we simply do not have the money. Please keep in mind that a large reason for the increased visibility of bugs is because of the dry condition. They're getting bolder and going where they usually wouldn't because they're looking for water.

Also, the Community Get-Togethers are going to be decreased. The lack of attendence indicates a lack of interest so it will be decreased to every other Thursday and one Sunday a month. If an issue comes up, a board member would be happy to communicate over email or meet in person if arrangements are made beforehand.

The new Board has been established. The new Board consists of Jim Obson, Victor Dube and Sarah Jackson.

Hello, all. Here is the latest community news.

Lawsuit: The Developers' discovery responses were due July 6. By that date they had submitted documentation and information to our lawyer and it is being reviewed.

Current assessment amount is $43,408.39. This is also a reminder that the final payments are due July 15th. Payments can be mailed to the following address:

Tallwood HOA
c/o Lee Properties
10303 Golden Meadow Dr. Suite E
Austin, TX 78758

Election: We are now just ONE vote short of a quorum. Please please please, VOTE! We're not above bribery for participation. Cookies will be made available at the next Thursday Get-Together. Please, we need your vote!

Hello, all. Apologies for the delay in this update, but breaking news required it. Here is how we stand on current issues:

Lawsuit: Nothing new to report on the lawsuit front

Fence: Lee has received the bids for the fence repair and have submitted them to the insurance company. Once one bid is chosen, the selected company can begin work. In the meantime, please remember to not keep valuables in plain site in your cars. Some Tallwood residents have forwarded Police notices of car break-ins in the area.

Assessment: As of today we have receive $40,492.19. Again, thank you to those owners who have paid their assessment all at once and those who are making use of the installment breakdown. On the other hand, many have paid nothing at all, so far. Please keep in mind that payments can be split up, as stated in previous communications. If you have concerns, please email the board.

HOA Election: We have received more votes via email, but are still a ways off from a quorum. Efforts are being made to contact those who have not voted via email. Please remember that we need a 2/3 quorum to elect the new board. If we do not receive it we'll have to start the voting process all over again until we do get a quorum. Please respond to the email you received from vote@tallwoodcondos.com with your votes. If you did not receive an email from that email address, please check your emails trash as it may have been filtered out accidentally. If there is still no sign of the message, please let the board know.

Reminder: There will be a Get-Together this upcoming Sunday, at noon in the clubhouse. Remember the Thursday Get-Togethers too. A calendar of up coming Get-Togethers is posted on the clubhouse door.

***** IMPORTANT NEW ITEM *****
During the descale procedure, running water will be unavailable in the complex for 72 hours, excluding cold water in toilets. That will be three days without washers, showers and tap water.

Some have stated they plan on leaving the complex for those days, staying with friends or family in the area. For those who don't have another place to go, the Board has been in contact with the Holiday Inn next door to the complex. A group rate could be arranged, if a minimum of 10 rooms would be reserved. For single folks who would be open to the idea, roommates could be arranged to split costs. Expenses for staying at the hotel would fall to individuals, but the Board is happy to do the negotiating with the hotel on behalf of the group. A formal write up of these options will be made closer to the time of the descale and will be distributed to all.

Owners who rent their units may wish to pass this information onto their tenants. Owners may also let their tenants know they are welcome to attend Get-Togethers if they have concerns about the process and would like to talk.

We have a few weeks before this all happens, but it's important to start thinking about this now, so plans can be made. Please also remember your pets when considering options during this time.
*****

Hello, all.  Here are updates on current issues:

Lawsuit:  Negotiations are still underway

Fence:  Lee is still working to get bids.

Assessment:  As of today we have receive $34,875.  Some have asked when work can begin.  That depends on how long it takes us to raise the money necessary. Our goal for work beginning is around $48k. This is the halfway point for the descale, plus the contingency plumbing (taking care of little leaks, replacing valves, etc.) and the legal fees. Many owners have paid their assessment all at once and we thank you.  On the other hand, many have paid nothing at all, so far.  Please keep in mind that payments can be split up, as stated in previous communications.

HOA Election:  We have received some votes via email.  Please remember that we need a 2/3 quorum to elect the new board.  If we do not receive it we'll have to start the voting process all over again until we do get a quorum.  Please respond to the email you received from vote@tallwoodcondos.com with your votes.

Reminder:  There will not be a Get-Together this upcoming Sunday.  It's every other week so the next Sunday Get-Together will be the 30th. Remember the Thursday Get-Togethers too.

Upcoming dates to keep in mind for those planning to run for the HOA Board:

Friday May 15th - Final date to submit resumes to the board. Resumes do not need to be complicated. Name, relevant experience and any information about your plans/abilities that you'd like to share with the community. Submit through mailing to Lee or through vote@tallwoodcondos.com.

Tuesday May 19th - Anticipated date where Lee will mail out packets with resumes and a ballot.

Tuesday June 2nd - Final date to submit ballots. Submit through mailing to Lee or through vote@tallwoodcondos.com. Please remember that a quorum is needed to elect a new board so it is important that everyone participate in the election.

Tuesday June 9th - Anticipated date where election results will be announced.

We have information from the community meeting. Due to the nature of the information we are sending out hard-copy mailings.

The 2009 Budget for the complex has been reached as was discussed at the HOA meeting on November 18th. As part of the finances for 2009, HOA dues will be increasing, effective January 1, 2009.

In an effort to solve the water pressure/temperature problem, a sixth procedure was performed last Thursday. Initial findings are positive. That is, consistent temperature and pressure is now being reported complex-wide. In the past, we’ve requested feedback concerning this topic and very few have responded.

The board, developers and plumbers NEED EVERYONE'S input in order to get a full picture of the situation and work through any problems. Once the developers finish this project, any individual plumbing issues will be up to individual owners to solve unless it involves a common area. It is imperative that we hear now to avoid this in the future.

A questionnaire was sent out via e-mail. Please take a few moments to respond to it. If you did not receive the questionnaire, please request one from board@tallwoodcondos.com

In an effort to resolve the hot water/water pressure issue, a test was performed a few weeks ago by maintanence/plumbing crews through Radec and Sutton. That test was inconclusive, but another attempt will be made next week. This second test will involve water being shut off Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. More details will be posted as they become available.

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Sutton has said plans will be submitted concerning the replacement hot tub in the next few weeks

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The roof over the mailbox area has been replaced.

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The Board hopes to hold a community meeting in November, before Thanksgiving.

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Cha-ching! Thanks to the efforts of our HOA Board, Tallwood is saving thousands of dollars in energy bills by switching to compact florescent bulbs. Major money has also been saved by changing insurance providers. These two projects should mean a savings of about $15k a year!

Thanks very much, Board, especially our President, who spent a great deal of time and effort chasing down these savings.

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The Board joined representatives from Radec and Sutton Company in a walkthrough of the complex. Details of final repairs were addressed and plans have been put in place for crews to take care of the work needed.

A big issue covered in the walkthrough was the hot tub and the Board received assurances that Sutton would find a suitable, and code-compliant, replacement as soon as possible.