The Crossings. Spring 2018 Newsletter. Fun in the Sun. Home Owners Association Meetings Take Place Every Third Wednesday at 5:30 PM In the Clubhouse

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1 The Crossings Spring 2018 Newsletter Board of Directors Sherri French, President Terry Holcomb, Member-at-Large Belinda Pollock, Member-at-Large Management Company The Tiehen Group, Inc College Boulevard, Ste. 250 Leawood, KS fax John Clock, Property Manager ext. 38 Home Owners Association Meetings Take Place Every Third Wednesday at 5:30 PM In the Clubhouse If there is an emergency in your home, does the Tiehen Group have your contact information? Not being able to contact an owner has been a problem in the past. In regard to water leaks, if we cannot contact you, the police will be called to access your home. To avoid this scenario, please owner and/ or renter contact information to the Tiehen Group at Amy@tiehengroup.com. Fun in the Sun Please review the pool rules on page 4 I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Pg 2 Community Courtesies, Insurance Pg 3 Safety News, Water Leaks Pg 4 Pool Regulations, Clubhouse Info Pg 5 Other Important Notices Pg 6 Fire Department Letter Pg 7 Architectural Change Request Insert- Emergency Contact Form Thank You! To the anonymous person who voluntarily cleared sidewalks in front of some of our buildings this winter when the snow accumulation totals did not warrant having the contractor shovel them. To those persons who carry or take their trash to a trash shed that is a bit further from their home because it is not as full as the one closest to their unit. To those owners who diligently and consistently clean up after their furry friends when taking them out for walks. To those persons, big and little, who stop and pick up trash on the property and dispose of it properly when they are walking around our property. To those owners of subterranean units who consistently maintain their area so that it is clear of leaves and other debris. Swimming Pool Concerns: In mid-april an unidentified person or persons placed notices on selected units within The Crossings stating that the pool was unsafe due to the fact that only two of six jets are working and encouraging those who received these notices to contact John Clock of the Tiehen Group. When the Tiehen Group and the HOA Board were notified about these notices, we reached out to Heschmeyer Pools, the company with whom we have contracted with for several years to maintain our pool. They provided us with the following response: Although the swimming pool may seem to be in disrepair two of the return jets not working the pool water is completely safe for swimmers. This is the same condition the pool has been in for years. At some point, a leak had developed on the line that feeds those two jets. That line was then abandoned (capped off in the equipment room and plugged off in the pool). The pool, as it is now, still meets Overland Park requirements for a turnover rate of at least 3 times per day. The pump, filter, chlorinator, and return lines are adequately moving water for a safe, disinfected swimming experience. There is no danger to swimmers. Further, Tiehen Property Management and the HOA Board note that the city of Overland Park inspects the pool on a regular basis and the pool has always passed their inspections. Your HOA Dues at Work In fall 2017, the HOA Board passed a special assessment to allow for some much needed work to occur on our property. As of this time, several projects have already been started or completed. In review, all buildings with subterranean units have had larger gutters and downspouts installed on the south side of the buildings. All gutters were cleared of debris during the week of April 9, 2018 and are scheduled to be cleaned two more times during the 2018 calendar year. All subterranean unit drains were verified to be clear by Tiehen Maintenance on March 22, Subterranean unit owners are reminded of their responsibilities in keeping the patio area and retaining wall area clean and clear of debris. Landscaping projects have been begun to facilitate drainage. Three buildings, all carports, and all trash sheds will be painted during summer Additional projects are planned as were discussed during the Annual Meeting in September 2017 and will occur as funds become available through the timely payment of your homeowner dues.

2 Crossings Condominiums Spring 2018 Newsletter Community Courtesies Keep our Community Clean! Everyone benefits when our property is clean and free of litter. If you happen upon some litter on the ground as you stroll through the neighborhood, please pick it up and dispose of it in the nearest trash receptacle. We all need to do our part to keep the community clean and beautiful. No Oil Changes or Car Work, Please Motor oil is a serious environmental hazard. Please remember that our community regulations do not allow residents to change the oil or work on their vehicles on community property. Balconies Just a reminder that our balconies make a great place for relaxing and enjoying a pleasant evening. Please do not hang laundry, towels, rugs, etc. on balcony railings. This is unsightly and prohibited by community rules. Also, please do not leave your pet unattended on the balcony. Thank you. Pet Reminder It is a privilege to own a dog. They are great pets and can be wonderful companions. When you walk your friend, you must be sure to pick up what is inevitably left behind in common community areas, even if it is in your own yard. Dogi-Pots have been installed throughout the property to assist with this task, just in case your friend has an emergency and you have to go out quickly without a bag in hand. Please keep your pet at least 20 feet away from anyone s home when it is relieving itself. There are plenty of green spaces and open areas to walk your pet without getting too close to your neighbor s home and potentially burning their grass. Also, always make sure your dog is on a leash and under control. Overland Park City ordinances and The Crossings Rules and Regulations cover all of this. There are to be no more than two (2) total pets of any type per unit as per ordinances and rules and regulations. Any unit with more than the two total pets that this rule allows will be liable for disciplinary action. Above all else, please be courteous to your neighbors! Repeated violations can result in fines being charged to your account. Remember, no one wants your money, just your cooperation in trying to maintain an attractive neighborhood filled with happy neighbors. Dumpsters We appreciate those residents who regularly place their garbage inside the dumpster rather than alongside. Trash left outside the dumpster is unsightly and can attract pests. Please don t place substances harmful to the environment, such as pesticides, antifreeze, motor oil, or car batteries in the dumpsters. Also, please do not place large items such as carpeting, blinds, chairs, desks, dressers, mattresses and box springs, etc. inside or alongside the dumpsters and trash sheds. If you need to dispose of large items such as these, please call our trash contractor, Deffenbaugh at to arrange for a large item pickup. They will gladly work with you to accomplish this. Noise Patrol Please keep your neighbors in mind when you turn on your stereo. No matter how much you like your music, it is not guaranteed to please the folks living next door. Also, if you and your friends are outside on your deck or balcony, please be sure to talk quietly so as not to disturb your neighbors. Thank you for your consideration! Insurance Condominium Owners Insurance: The Association pays for insurance that covers your home from the sheetrock out. That means in a loss, the HOA insurance policy would cover the exterior walls, roof, materials in between the walls, and the subfloor. Any interior improvements such as carpet, tile, paint, cabinets, countertops, and appliances, etc. would not be covered by the HOA policy. You need your own policy to protect those areas, as well as your personal belongings, loss of use, and your personal liability. In having your own policy, typically referred to as an HO6 Policy, you should also ask your agent about broadening your coverages. We recommend adding loss assessment coverage which is sometimes called deductible assessment coverage. The HOA has a $10,000 per occurrence deductible for all perils except at $25,000 deductible for wind and hail. If you have loss assessment coverage on your own policy, you may be able to protect yourself for the portion of the deductible that you are assessed. Also, we recommend adding a special perils coverage to Coverage A of your policy, changing perils from named perils to all risk unless excluded. Both of these coverage features are affordable and should be discussed with your personal agent. HO6 Policy Components Coverage A Dwelling (built in interior improvements) Coverage C Personal property Coverage D Loss of use Coverage E Personal liability Newsletters are available on 2

3 Crossings Condominiums Spring 2018 Newsletter Safety AC Condensation Lines All owners need to remember to regularly check the condensation lines from their air conditioner for any clogs. Clogged lines will cause drainage and water damage to adjacent units. The owner whose condensation line is clogged is responsible for paying for any damage occurring in other units as a result of the clog. Please be respectful of your neighbors. Speed Limit While we all want to get where we are going quickly, it is important to observe the speed limit in all areas of The Crossings. There are many people, including young children, as well as pets who drivers need to be aware of at all times. Please observe the 10 mile per hour speed limit to avoid any accidents. Grease Please do not pour grease of any type down your sink drain. This causes clogs in the drain line and impacts adjacent units. Place grease from cooking into an empty jar or can and take out to the dumpster instead. Thank you for your consideration. Smoking Outside? Use Caution Please! During an extremely windy day a couple of years ago, we had a balcony fire at The Crossings. The building and units in it were spared significant damages through a fortunate occurrence of events. It appears that cigarette embers fell into a crack containing leaves catching them on fire. This fell to the balcony below igniting the wood floor. The owner of the subterranean unit came home and saw the fire. He immediately got his hose and extinguished the majority of the fire from below. Then he alerted the owners of the mid-level unit and they worked together to thoroughly ensure the fire was extinguished by dumping buckets of water over the affected area and continuing to monitor it for another 12 hours. Had this fire not been seen when it was, the potential for significant damage to an entire building was great. Please be aware and careful when smoking outside! Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors Don t let a dead battery or faulty detector endanger your life. Change the battery and test the detector regularly. Be sure to replace every 10 years. Tips from the Police The best way to protect your vehicle from vandalism is to keep it locked and not leave anything of value visible! Suffice it to say, you can reduce a lot of thefts and vandalism to vehicles by simply not giving the thieves an opportunity to commit the crime. These people are basically lazy, so they will always go to the easiest target. It is plain and simple make your property less attractive and thieves will go elsewhere. If you see suspicious activity, please call 911 right away. Overland Park Police Problems with a Neighbor If you are having problems with your neighbor regarding noise, trash, fights, etc. and talking with them has not helped. Call the police and let John Clock at the Tiehen Group know. This includes break-ins and vandalism to your car or home. If you do not let us know, we cannot alert your neighbors. The police will not notify the Tiehen Group of any calls due to privacy concerns. Fire Safety Plan Does your household have a fire safety plan? You should discuss fire safety with your entire household, including a place where everyone is to meet, well away from the building, in the event of an evacuation due to fire. It is recommended that each home in our community have at least one fire extinguisher available at all times. Know where it is and how to use it! Fireplace Inspection Please remember that if you use your fireplace, you must have it inspected annually by a professional. 3 Water Leaks Over the past year, several residents have been affected by water leaks in adjacent units. These leaks have been the result of several conditions including AC condensation lines during the summer, broken pipes within units, heat being turned off in units, and common pipes between units. If you find you have a water leak situation, attempt the following actions: Determine where the leak is coming from. If the leak is from your unit, turn your water supply off immediately. The unit water turn off valve can be found in the utility room on the wall opposite the door. It is usually next to the water heater. If the leak is not from your unit, try to determine if the leak is coming from an adjacent unit and contact the owner to have the water turned off in the unit causing the problem. In all situations, keep the Tiehen Group informed as they may need to make an emergency entry into a unit to turn off the water. In communal living, it is imperative that all owners be vigilant in correcting any water leaks as a small leak in your unit could create a large flood for your neighbor. Several things to be on the lookout for are: Regularly check your AC condensation hose for leaks and clogs (especially during air conditioning season). We suggest having it drain through your washing machine drain to assist with draining issues and potential clogs and back-ups in the interior drain. Check the hoses on your washer, dishwasher, and sinks for wear. Replace when necessary. Check the water shut-off valves by your toilet(s), under your kitchen sink, under your bathroom sink(s), and in the laundry room to make sure they work. Please have them replaced if they do not work. If you do not have a main shut-off valve in your unit, we strongly suggest you have one installed. We suggest that you replace the hose going from your clothes washer to the drain in the wall with a steel flex hose that will not break. If you are leaving for an extended period of time, turn off your water at the main interior valve, but in the winter months do not turn off your heat. Get to know your neighbors and maybe leave a telephone number or key for contact or access in case of an emergency. Also, PLEASE give an emergency contact number to the Tiehen Group. (See Attached Form) It is the homeowner s responsibility to correct any leaks from appliances or pipes leading to them. Also, if a leak causes damage to a neighboring unit, it is your responsibility to fix that, too! It is the personal responsibility of each owner and resident to carry homeowners or renters insurance to cover losses in your own unit. The Home Owners Association is responsible only for the repairs of common area items shared by more than one unit. You may want to consider checking with your insurance company about having Loss Assessment Coverage added to your policy. This will help with the replacement of any improvements such as carpet or tile on the subfloor, paint or wallpaper on the sheetrock, cabinets, countertops, appliances, etc.

4 Crossings Condominiums Spring 2018 Newsletter Pool Rules Pool Rules The Association will not be liable for accidents, damage to your personal property, or theft, and will not provide supervision of the pool area. SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY! 1. Pool Hours: Sunday through Thursday 9:00 AM-10:00 PM; Friday and Saturday 9:00 AM-11:00 PM. The pool will be open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day of each calendar year. 2. Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult owner/resident. 3. The pool is for the use of residents and their guests only. Limit your guests to no more than four (4) during the prime swimming time. Guests must be accompanied by the owner/resident at all times. 4. The pool cannot be used for private parties. 5. Appropriate swimwear must be worn in the pool at all times. (No diapers or cut-off jeans.) 6. No running or other activity that could be considered dangerous. NO DIVING anywhere in the pool. 7. No glass containers allowed. Help keep the pool area clean. Use trash receptacles and ashtrays. Remember that volunteers do the pool area trash removal. So, take your trash home or to the nearest trash shed and dispose of it there. 8. Each owner/resident will be issued one (1) key for the pool gate. No owner/resident is to enter the maintenance door to the pump house to adjust pool chemicals. Only the contracted pool service company workers are to adjust pool chemicals. Pool keys are NOT TO BE DUPLICATED. If you lose your key, please contact the designated Association board member to obtain a replacement key at the cost of $10.00 per key. 9. Any games or equipment which endanger or bother other swimmers or sunbathers are prohibited. 10. Please keep the volume of your radios at a minimum. 11. No pets are allowed in the pool areas. In order for an owner/resident to use the pool, his/her association dues must be paid current. Individuals who are behind in these dues ARE NOT PERMITTED to use the pool. Pool keys will not be given to any owner who is not current in payment of Association fees. Pool keys will only be given to owners or to someone previously designated in writing by owners. Anyone without prior written permission will not receive a key. Note: Please familiarize yourself with the Pool Rules that have been posted on the entrance gate of the Pool and on the Cabana House. Clubhouse The Crossings Clubhouse is available to rent for private parties. There is a $50 rental charge and a security deposit of $250 to be paid when the rental contract is submitted. Only homeowners in good standing with Association fees may rent the facility. Any damages to the clubhouse will result in forfeiture of security deposit. Please call Amy at The Tiehen Group to make a reservation ext. 36 or amy@tiehengroup.com 4

5 Crossings Condominiums Spring 2018 Newsletter Other Important Notices Subterranean Unit Owners Subterranean unit owners have the responsibility of regularly clearing and cleaning the drains associated with their units. This is the best way to avoid flooding in your unit. We advise you to test the drain after you have cleaned it by pouring water down the drain and making sure it comes out of the other end. Accumulated leaves and other debris makes this something that must be accomplished several times each year. Note: All subterranean drains were checked by Tiehen Maintenance on March 22, 2018 and were running clear at that time. FOR ANY EXTERIOR CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS, PLEASE SUBMIT A CHANGE REQUEST FORM FOR APPROVAL to the Board at least 30 days before you plan to have to work performed. This includes items such as satellite dish installation, window and door replacement, and changes to the common areas such as installing border edging or patio pavers, etc. These forms are available on the community website at or by contacting Amy at , ext. 36 or Amy@tiehengroup.com. Douse the Flames Summertime is here and it is time to fire up the grill, the electric grill that is. Remember, the Overland Park Fire Code states you cannot use or store a flame-producing device within 10 feet of a combustible surface (i.e., house, carport, shed, fence, etc.) Please remove all non-electric grills and fire pits. The City can and will charge a fine to anyone who has a gas or charcoal frill on their deck or patio, even if it is not currently being used! For your convenience, grills are available for use by owners/residents in the pool area. See the attached letter from the Overland Park Fire Department. Avoid Water Damage It has been brought to our attention that there is a product called Watchdog Water Alarm that can be purchased at Home Depot for approximately $10 that will alert you when you have a leak. This alarm can detect a very small amount of water and produces a loud 110 db alarm that provides an effective early warning system. This inexpensive device could save you costly repair expenses and keep you in good graces with the homeowner below you. Dryer Vent Cleaning The Association currently provides once a year cleaning of the dryer vents in the fall of each year. The cleaning is from the outside only and does NOT fully clean the entire vent. This means that the first time you use your dryer after the vents have been cleaned more than likely lint will be visible in the cage over the vents. Any further cleaning and cleaning of the interior part of the vent is the responsibility of and at the cost of the owner. If further cleaning is desired, you may contact Tiehen Maintenance to make arrangements or make arrangements with any other provider of vent cleaning services of your choice. HAVE YOU REGISTERED? Please register for the Crossings website at This site contains important HOA information, such as: HOA rules and regulations Newsletters Monthly budget comparisons Board minutes Announcements Methods to Contact management company Submit service request Pay monthly dues This is a secure site for owners only. HOA Rules and Regulations: Since there seems to be some concern about exactly what the HOA Rules and Regulations state, we have enclosed a copy of these with this newsletter. If you are an owner of a unit that currently has renters occupying it, it is your responsibility to be certain that the renters have a copy of these and are fully aware of what they encompass. 5

6 January 16, 2018 Dear Property Owner: Fire code requirements currently enforced by the City of Overland Park prohibit the use and storage of open flame devices (including, but not limited to, grills, chimineas and tiki torches) within I 0 feet of combustible construction in apartment and condominium communities unless such buildings (including decks) are fully protected by an automatic sprinkler system. By definition, combustible construction includes building materials, fencing and railings. Electric and pellet type grills are not considered to be open flame devices and may be used if approved by local property regulations. The fire code also requires that chimneys for wood burning fireplaces, in these same buildings, is inspected annually and cleaned needed in accordance with nationally accepted standards. During the course of routine fire inspections, the owner, property manager or authorized representative wil1 be asked to provide documentation that each dwelling unit owner/tenant has been officially notified of the above-mentioned code requirements. Such documentation will be kept on file at the Overland Park Fire Department and becomes, along with inspection reports, a matter of public record. I would encourage you to notify your tenants of this code and remind them that propane is not allowed to be stored within any building (i.e., apartment, basement or dwelling unit storage area). I would also suggest that you keep a close eye on your common storage areas for propane containers. It is the responsibility of the property owner/property manager to ensure that all city codes and ordinances are adhered to on their property. Please be reminded that uncorrected violations are subject to a fee for service and/or a $ ticket established by the City of Overland Park. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these requirements, please feel free to call me at Sincerely, Mark Sweany Fire Marshall 6

7 The Crossings Architectural Request Form Name of Applicant: Address: Evening Phone: Day Telephone: Type of Proposed Improvement: Type/Description of the Project/ Material to be Used: Estimated Beginning Date of Construction: Name of Person or Company Performing Work: Estimated Completion Date: Include Drawing or Plot Plan for Improvement with Relation to lot of Your Home Is a City of Overland Park Building Permit Required? Yes No If yes, attach a copy Signature Of Applicant: ALL ADJOINING PROPERTY OWNERS MUST SIGN. We, the adjoining property owners are aware of the proposed structure Name Address Object Consent Homes Association Board of Directors Finding: Approved/Disapproved Approved/Disapproved Approved/Disapproved Approved/Disapproved Date This Application Is Hereby Approved / Denied Coordinator: Date If disapproved, reason for disapproval: Please send to John Clock at The Tiehen Group, 3401 College Blvd, Suite 250, Leawood, Kansas john@tiehengroup.com / Fax / Phone x38

8 Homes Association The Crossings Newsletter Spring 2018 The Crossings Condominiums C/o The Tiehen Group, Inc College Boulevard, Suite 250 Leawood, KS