Master Association Report
Jimmy Gentry, Hawthorne Valley’s representative to the Hawthorne Community Master Association
(i.e., the Master) submitted this report to the Hawthorne Valley annual meeting on Saturday, March 4,
2023.
Hawthorne Valley is 1 of 8 subsidiary associations that make up the Master. I am currently
treasurer of the Master and frequently work with the City of OP on some issues, especially potholes and
street maintenance. My report will include decisions or actions by the Master, as well as City of OP
updates.
Valley Streets
Probably the most important activity in the past year was the City of OP’s re-surfacing our streets. Prior
to the start of the project, I met with the city inspector for our job and took him on a driving tour
through our streets to point out areas of particular concern for our neighborhood. The biggest areas of
concern were the neighborhood entrances, especially from TCP onto Linden but also at 122nd and
Rosewood. I emphasized the inadequate turning radiuses at all neighborhood entrances from TCP,
which had resulted in crushed curbs, damaged walkways and large ruts in the grass.
As we know, the city increased the turning radius at each neighborhood entrance and replaced the
sidewalk in some places. All surfaces were ground down and replaced with asphalt - no chipseal!
Depending on how bad the existing street was, anywhere from 2 to 6 inches of the existing asphalt base
was removed and replaced. The project was delayed a bit when workers discovered that the subsurface
of areas on Linden and W. 121 st were unusually unstable and had to be reinforced.
The board has received good feedback about the new streets. In fact, one of our neighbors took her
children rollerblading on the new street and reported that the ride was “smooth as buttah.”
Park
In other matters, the Master has been exploring ways to make use of the park south of TCP and
between the west and east ends of Hawthorne Valley. As part of our research, I took two managers from
OPKS Parks and Recreation to the park in June to discuss possible uses for the area. They said the easiest
and most practical use could be to return some of the space to a natural state, to create a large stand of
sunflowers or create a bee habitat.
About that time I noticed that there was a stand of native grasses on the east side of Blue Valley North
High School. I contacted the school and wound up meeting at the park and lake with two Blue Valley
North environmental studies teachers to discuss possibilities for returning a part of the space to its
natural state. We also discussed using the lake for a turtle research project. Students would do all
projects as class activities under the supervision of a teacher. Students would not be allowed to work on
projects without supervision from their class teacher. Around Christmas, I met with BVN assistant
principal to formalize an agreement and to get approval for a student release form.
The parks and recreation managers and I also discussed the possibility of building a bridge across the
runoff creek in the park to replace the one that washed out years ago. I was told that to build a bridge,
we would need a city building permit and would need to hire a licensed engineer to develop a plan,
identify abutment needs, etc. The OPKS managers estimated such a bridge could “cost $200,000 easily
including abutments.” Also, depending on how the bridge or other changes might affect the floodplain,
we might have to deal with state restrictions. Obviously, the Master decided not to pursue the bridge.
The OPKS managers also agreed with me that the drainage creek edgeposes a significant liability danger
and that we should install some sort of warning fence. The Master then approved $3450 to install about
250 feet of hazard notification cable and posts along the south side of the drainage creek. The cable was
installed a few months ago and serves as a good warning, particularly in places where the erosion is
especially pronounced. We left about five feet of space between the fence and creek to allow wild
grasses to grow.
Although the Master would love to upgrade the park and make the area usable by Valley residents, the
entire area is in a floodplain and the Master does not feel like the estimated cost of upgrades is a good
use of funds. If you have questions, let me know.
Fallen limbs
Some questions have arisen about fallen limbs on Master property, meaning areas between the walls
and TCP, etc. This is especially noticeable in the fall after regular mowing concludes and on through
winter and into spring. The limbs are mostly along TCP and fall when we have high winds or an ice
storm. The Master has an agreement with our mowing service, Epic Landscape, to pick up limbs if
residents will place them in selected locations along TCP, Nall and Roe. These maps show the four
locations along TCP and one each on Nall and Roe. The limbs will be picked up on an “on call or as
needed” basis. If you, like me, take regular walks around our neighborhood, feel free to pick up
wayward limbs and deposit them at the marked locations. For more information on how this works,
check our website.
Landscaping
In spring 2021, the Master reconstructed the small planting area at Nall and TCP with a goal of making it
more sustainable and visually attractive. It followed up in spring 2022. At this time the area looks pretty
unkept and I don’t know what the next steps might be. The Master would be glad to let Valley residents
take over this job. Let me or Kate know if you might be interested in helping rebuild the area.
The Master is considering whether to reconstruct the larger planting area at Roe and TCP. We have a
preliminary plan for the area, but the project could be fairly expensive so we need volunteers to plan
and execute of the project. Let me or Kate know if you might be interested in helping renovate the area.
Lake
The Master approved funds for repairing sections of the walkway around the lake. Those repairs have
been made and the walkway looks good. However, geese continue to be a seasonal problem.
Silt pond dredging
Every five or six years the Master hires a firm to dredge our silt ponds which capture much of the debris
that flows down toward the lake. It is time again for that process. The silt pond was last dredged in 2016
and before that in 2010. In 2016, the cost was approximately $72,000. The firm that did the work in
2016 would not give us an estimate in fall 2022 but we know it will cost more. Regular dredging of the
silt ponds means we need to dredge the lake less often. You might have noticed that we have had the
lake depth measured during the last two summers so we can monitor its depth and can anticipate the
major expense of dredging.
To be conservative, the Master has budgeted $90,000 for this summer’s silt pond work. The good news
is that our reserves are more than adequate to cover the cost and still will leave us with more than
$250,000 in reserves going forward. Master by-laws require keeping reserves of at least $200,000.
Banking
The Master recently closed all of our accounts at U.S. Bank and Security Bank, and moved all of those
funds to Alliance Association Bank, which specializes in working with HOAs. This move will simplify bill
paying, record keeping and management of Master funds.
Valley Sign
The Master is looking for a company to reattach the Hawthorne Valley sign to the wall near the tower at
TCP and Roe. The sign currently is lying face down in the grass in front of the wall.
Dues and budget
All members of the Master board strongly support not increasing dues, and do not anticipate any
immediate changes. As noted above, bylaws call for $200,000 in reserve; we expect to have at least
$250,000 in reserves after the silt ponds project is completed.
A few Valley residents occasionally ask questions about the Master budget. If you would like to have a
detailed review, the Master plans to hold an open review in the next few months. Let me know if you
would like to be invited.
(i.e., the Master) submitted this report to the Hawthorne Valley annual meeting on Saturday, March 4,
2023.
Hawthorne Valley is 1 of 8 subsidiary associations that make up the Master. I am currently
treasurer of the Master and frequently work with the City of OP on some issues, especially potholes and
street maintenance. My report will include decisions or actions by the Master, as well as City of OP
updates.
Valley Streets
Probably the most important activity in the past year was the City of OP’s re-surfacing our streets. Prior
to the start of the project, I met with the city inspector for our job and took him on a driving tour
through our streets to point out areas of particular concern for our neighborhood. The biggest areas of
concern were the neighborhood entrances, especially from TCP onto Linden but also at 122nd and
Rosewood. I emphasized the inadequate turning radiuses at all neighborhood entrances from TCP,
which had resulted in crushed curbs, damaged walkways and large ruts in the grass.
As we know, the city increased the turning radius at each neighborhood entrance and replaced the
sidewalk in some places. All surfaces were ground down and replaced with asphalt - no chipseal!
Depending on how bad the existing street was, anywhere from 2 to 6 inches of the existing asphalt base
was removed and replaced. The project was delayed a bit when workers discovered that the subsurface
of areas on Linden and W. 121 st were unusually unstable and had to be reinforced.
The board has received good feedback about the new streets. In fact, one of our neighbors took her
children rollerblading on the new street and reported that the ride was “smooth as buttah.”
Park
In other matters, the Master has been exploring ways to make use of the park south of TCP and
between the west and east ends of Hawthorne Valley. As part of our research, I took two managers from
OPKS Parks and Recreation to the park in June to discuss possible uses for the area. They said the easiest
and most practical use could be to return some of the space to a natural state, to create a large stand of
sunflowers or create a bee habitat.
About that time I noticed that there was a stand of native grasses on the east side of Blue Valley North
High School. I contacted the school and wound up meeting at the park and lake with two Blue Valley
North environmental studies teachers to discuss possibilities for returning a part of the space to its
natural state. We also discussed using the lake for a turtle research project. Students would do all
projects as class activities under the supervision of a teacher. Students would not be allowed to work on
projects without supervision from their class teacher. Around Christmas, I met with BVN assistant
principal to formalize an agreement and to get approval for a student release form.
The parks and recreation managers and I also discussed the possibility of building a bridge across the
runoff creek in the park to replace the one that washed out years ago. I was told that to build a bridge,
we would need a city building permit and would need to hire a licensed engineer to develop a plan,
identify abutment needs, etc. The OPKS managers estimated such a bridge could “cost $200,000 easily
including abutments.” Also, depending on how the bridge or other changes might affect the floodplain,
we might have to deal with state restrictions. Obviously, the Master decided not to pursue the bridge.
The OPKS managers also agreed with me that the drainage creek edgeposes a significant liability danger
and that we should install some sort of warning fence. The Master then approved $3450 to install about
250 feet of hazard notification cable and posts along the south side of the drainage creek. The cable was
installed a few months ago and serves as a good warning, particularly in places where the erosion is
especially pronounced. We left about five feet of space between the fence and creek to allow wild
grasses to grow.
Although the Master would love to upgrade the park and make the area usable by Valley residents, the
entire area is in a floodplain and the Master does not feel like the estimated cost of upgrades is a good
use of funds. If you have questions, let me know.
Fallen limbs
Some questions have arisen about fallen limbs on Master property, meaning areas between the walls
and TCP, etc. This is especially noticeable in the fall after regular mowing concludes and on through
winter and into spring. The limbs are mostly along TCP and fall when we have high winds or an ice
storm. The Master has an agreement with our mowing service, Epic Landscape, to pick up limbs if
residents will place them in selected locations along TCP, Nall and Roe. These maps show the four
locations along TCP and one each on Nall and Roe. The limbs will be picked up on an “on call or as
needed” basis. If you, like me, take regular walks around our neighborhood, feel free to pick up
wayward limbs and deposit them at the marked locations. For more information on how this works,
check our website.
Landscaping
In spring 2021, the Master reconstructed the small planting area at Nall and TCP with a goal of making it
more sustainable and visually attractive. It followed up in spring 2022. At this time the area looks pretty
unkept and I don’t know what the next steps might be. The Master would be glad to let Valley residents
take over this job. Let me or Kate know if you might be interested in helping rebuild the area.
The Master is considering whether to reconstruct the larger planting area at Roe and TCP. We have a
preliminary plan for the area, but the project could be fairly expensive so we need volunteers to plan
and execute of the project. Let me or Kate know if you might be interested in helping renovate the area.
Lake
The Master approved funds for repairing sections of the walkway around the lake. Those repairs have
been made and the walkway looks good. However, geese continue to be a seasonal problem.
Silt pond dredging
Every five or six years the Master hires a firm to dredge our silt ponds which capture much of the debris
that flows down toward the lake. It is time again for that process. The silt pond was last dredged in 2016
and before that in 2010. In 2016, the cost was approximately $72,000. The firm that did the work in
2016 would not give us an estimate in fall 2022 but we know it will cost more. Regular dredging of the
silt ponds means we need to dredge the lake less often. You might have noticed that we have had the
lake depth measured during the last two summers so we can monitor its depth and can anticipate the
major expense of dredging.
To be conservative, the Master has budgeted $90,000 for this summer’s silt pond work. The good news
is that our reserves are more than adequate to cover the cost and still will leave us with more than
$250,000 in reserves going forward. Master by-laws require keeping reserves of at least $200,000.
Banking
The Master recently closed all of our accounts at U.S. Bank and Security Bank, and moved all of those
funds to Alliance Association Bank, which specializes in working with HOAs. This move will simplify bill
paying, record keeping and management of Master funds.
Valley Sign
The Master is looking for a company to reattach the Hawthorne Valley sign to the wall near the tower at
TCP and Roe. The sign currently is lying face down in the grass in front of the wall.
Dues and budget
All members of the Master board strongly support not increasing dues, and do not anticipate any
immediate changes. As noted above, bylaws call for $200,000 in reserve; we expect to have at least
$250,000 in reserves after the silt ponds project is completed.
A few Valley residents occasionally ask questions about the Master budget. If you would like to have a
detailed review, the Master plans to hold an open review in the next few months. Let me know if you
would like to be invited.
Pages
- Home
- About Hawthorne
- Board of Directors
- Trash and Recycle
- Brush Pickup from Common Areas
- Dues
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Current and Past News
- Helpful Resources
- Board Meeting Minutes
- Neighborhood Directory
- Budget
- ByLaws and Amendments
- Neighborhood Calendar
- Info for Realtors
- Hawthorne Valley Plat Info
- Master Association Report