Getting to Know Brandylee Dawson-Marsh

Getting To Know Our Candidate - Election Edition 2025

Coles Crossing HOA

1. What are your plans to improve current amenities and future new ones to keep our community updated for young families and our senior population?

During my tenure, the Board has touched and/or updated all of our amenities. The next amenity improvement phase is Phase 2 of the Community Center Parks Project. This project was submitted with the original Playground proposal but was divided out due to the cost of replacing and expanding the new playground. Phase 2 will target the replacement of the outdated and damaged fitness equipment at the Community Center Park with a new Outdoor Fitness Park. This equipment is specifically designed to be outdoors, regardless of the elements.

Our goal is to partner with our MUDs for help in funding this project. Plans include weights, strength training, and inclusive workout solutions. The Playgrounds committee will begin the process of design and seek input from other neighborhoods’ experiences along with the advice from companies who specialize in this. Competitive bids will be a part of this process, and the cost vs. benefit is always a consideration. The goal is to maintain and provide amenities that are attractive to current and potential homeowners.

Let’s talk about the Jarvis property! There is much concern about this section of land. This property is mostly in the floodway.

Map Note: This map was sent by County Engineering. The grey shaded area is designated a floodway where the majority of the HOA land is located. The HOA does not own this entire map area. Some of it is already owned by the County and other landowners on the other side of the creek. I feel it is important to see the entire scope of the affected floodway acreage. The land is restricted to the types of infrastructure, if any, allowed. Should we decide to partner with the County, additional restrictions can be added to address how the property is used.

My goal aligns with the Board’s goal- the preservation of the property. We are trying to find a way to make an asset usable by the community and increase safety, all while not adding new maintenance requirements to our budget. The in-depth look at the land and its potential associated liability and opportunities started before my tenure on the Board. The County has a long history of developing parks using an in-kind donation system of deeding property for amenities. Our goal is to restore the Jarvis trails to their former glory, cease dumping, reduce liability, and add a safety patrol component- all without a financial burden to the community. The property is currently accessible to the public, and there are no restrictions on use. The addition of safety patrols provided by the County, if we partner with them, would be a huge plus.

2. What do you believe is the most important function of the HOA, and how do you intend to fulfill that function effectively?

When I ran for the Board three years ago, I did it to ensure every household had a voice in the decisions being made. My experience has been most illuminating. I’ve learned a lot about how our rules are structured and what we can and can’t do. I feel I provide a unique perspective on the Board and have the ability to navigate heated situations that arise. But I think the question really dominating my thoughts is- What do I think my job as a Board member encompasses? I believe my number one job is to preserve the nature of the community and protect the value of the property owned by members. It is to promote harmony among the community and provide a framework for enforcing community standards. I am a compassionate and empathetic listener. These are qualities I feel are vital to an effective leader. Listening to all sides of an issue and striving to bring everyone together to forge an understanding compromise is the key to a healthy and harmonious community. I have worked during my term to try to find a way for the community to bring concerns to their Board and bring us together rather than divide us. This will remain a focused and global priority.

3. What will you do to ensure that Coles Crossing will attract young families to move here when other newer neighborhoods have more amenities and also have good schools?

I would start by saying that Sampson Elementary is a destination elementary school in CFISD. With the new paid Pre-K program starting in the Fall of 2025, young families will have the ability for their children to attend Preschool right here in the middle of the neighborhood.

I helped our Playgrounds and Parks Committee, navigate the process required by our CCRs and the State in order to get the project approved, designs submitted, and the bid process completed. I served on the Events Committee for 5 years before I assumed the responsibility as chair for an additional 5 years. I was part of the original founders of our beloved traditions such as Summer Fun Day, the Easter Egg Hunt, Breakfast with Santa, and co- founded the Turkey Trot. Our dues remain lower than most surrounding communities, especially when one considers they include trash collection, which is our number one expense. Our tax rates are also extremely attractive to young families as they are lower than new communities. I am passionate about bringing the entire Community together through Legacy Events, but also specialized events like our Wine and Whiskey Tasting. Expanding the Events Committee and our Events, along with having beautifully well-maintained amenities, are key to bringing in families, but I also believe this is a key factor as to why people don’t move out. Hey, we live in a great neighborhood and I don’t want to leave! Keep in mind, when people stay, this reduces sales and turnover and opportunity for new residents to move in, but that is not a bad thing, as it serves to increase the stability and desirability of the community. Overall, home values have risen over the 20-plus years since Coles Crossing’s Founding.

Our competitors are just that, competitors. We are the gold standard they are chasing. Since 1998, Coles Crossing has set itself apart from surrounding neighborhoods. Our beautiful trees, landscape, and curb appeal have continued to enhance the value and desirability of our Community. In my three years on the Board, we have now touched all our major assets, so it can be stated we are new too!

Week 2

4. What are the top five issues facing the neighborhood that you address?

Infrastructure and Safety are my number one priority. We need to build and fix existing sidewalks for safer walking around the neighborhood. Not all sidewalks are the HOAs, so we need to partner with the county and the MUDs. Additionally, we need to work with the MUD and the School District to build a safe method for our children to walk to and from school. I spoke to the CFISD Board on this issue last June.
Communication- We need to find a better way to disseminate information to the neighborhood. Currently we have electronic newsletters going out every two weeks. One is our Legacy newsletter the Paperboy, the other is the mid-Month 5. These have a very low “read” statistic. I want to bring back quarterly Town Hall Meetings where neighbors can come and report issues within the neighborhood. These will be static dates. Additionally, we have a staffed office to report issues that need fixing. Giving people a timeline on issues being solved is the best way to maintain a coherent and ongoing flow of information with the community.
Who Does What? Communicating to our Neighborhood which entity is in charge of what geography. By compiling a map and decimating it along with the contact information for the various boards and companies will give our neighbors the access they need in order to report issues. Also, knowing who is in charge of what, helps groups plan and execute projects that are beneficial to the entire community.
Repairing our Social Media Presence and Reputation- With great power comes great responsibility. One of our biggest issues is the tone of our presence on social media. This is very damaging to our community, inhibits volunteers, shuts down the voices of the many over the voices of the few and truly gives us a poor reputation outside of the community. I believe that the Board should speak as one voice. Perhaps we could have one of our secretaries post weekly updates on projects and issues that affect the community. This way, neighbors don’t way to wait a month or two to receive updates.
Increase Volunteerism- Volunteering in the neighborhood is how I made my friends, got involved with other young moms, and met others who were interested in the same things I was. When I first here I was involved with the Events Committee, Story time at the Community Center, Music with Moms, Scrapbooking and two different Book Clubs. And let’s not forget soccer and swim team!! All these events were advertised by the HOA, not necessarily sponsored, but operated under the umbrella of the Coles Crossing Community and were advertised as such. By having these events marketed on the HOA website, and block captains passing out flyers we had a large percentage of the population involved. more families can get involved and get plugged in. Events, teams, clubs are the lifeblood of the community. Neighbors should not have to pay to use the Community Center except for a cleaning fee. This is how the Community Center Committee originally was designed.

5. In your opinion, what are three overarching goals of the HOA that should guide annual objective and day-to-day decision making?

Listening, not just to the loud voices, but truly hearing and encouraging the silent to engage. Every voice is important. Being an active and empathetic listener is crucial to serving on the board.
Project planning- We need to continue to have a solid project management mindset. This doesn’t just include the planning, but the execution and follow-up with all projects. We need to continue plug in volunteers who are experts in their various fields.
Follow Up- We need to make sure that our contractors and vendors are doing what we asked and how we asked that things be done.

6. Have you read the by-laws in full? Do you have the experience with reading and interpreting legal documents for real property?

Yes. I have read them in all their iterations. Our By-Laws are straightforward and do not require a legal background to interpret them. When questions arise that the Board or I is unclear on, we refer to legal counsel for guidance and interpretations.

The CC&R documents and by-laws are our governing documents and are critical in that they outline the responsibilities and duties of both board and residents. When we are elected to serve, we, based on our By Laws and Code Of Conduct have fiduciary responsibilities to the community – to serve and protect.

Our documents serve to sustain the quality of the community via the enforcement of deed restrictions. We also must insure that our documents remain in compliance with state laws. The Texas legislature, every other year, reviews the property code laws and often has new rules and regulations that we must adopt. We get updates of those once they are passed and discuss them and ask questions if there are any.

Week 3 - Pending

7. Our tennis courts (2-5 courts) are frequently reserved for leagues or tennis lessons during peak hours, primarily in the afternoons and evenings. Additionally, one of the courts has been converted into pickleball courts. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult for residents to find an available court during these peak times. Are you aware of this issue, and what suggestions do you have for addressing it?

Yes, I am aware of the use by League of anywhere from 2 to 5 courts in the mornings, lessons in the mornings and afternoons, the use of up to 3 courts and evening league using typically 3 courts. Coles Crossing has a very active Tennis Community. They are involved in various leagues and lessons for all ages and stages.

4 new pickleball courts are under construction via an addition to court 6 – these will be dedicated pickleball courts. This process began over a year ago with several different committees being formed. There has been much speculation and contention with regards to this process. I tried to inform those who reached out with questions and also held the committees to the directives given to them by the board. I am looking forward to seeing our new pickleball courts completed in the coming weeks getting ready for summer.

With regards to court availability, the tennis league does have a calendar posted on the HOA website and also at the tennis courts. As a board, we need to make sure that it is updated and reflective of the actual schedule, the number of courts used at any given time and the hours in use – guaranteeing there is always at least one 1 courts available for play, when the leagues are at home.

I would like to investigate the use of an online reservation system for residents. This would supercede any league overflow and avoid any confusion. Leagues can reserve their courts and times and residents can do the same.

8. What’s your plan for community sustainability (budget and cost wise) and keeping HOA dues low since there's increased in tax and insurance?

Budget sustainability

Every year we take steps to make sure that every contract provides the best services possible at the best price. All contracts over $50k up for renewal must go through a competitive bidding process. We aim to sign multi-year contracts where appropriate to help maintain the predictability of our costs and prevent the immediate impact of inflation. All contracts have a 30-day notice-out/cancellation clause permitting us to cancel them for any reason.

We also have a contracts committee who reviews every contract to make sure that the interests of the Association are protected, and their peer review is presented to the Board.

We are fortunate to be sales tax exempt. Maintaining that exemption is key to significant savings.

HOA’s property tax is very different from the property tax we pay as individual homeowners. The property owned by HOAs is assigned both a market and assessed value – just like homeowners. However, the assessed value for HOA’s per parcel is at nominal value, which is $100. The assessed value is the value we are taxed on by the taxing entities which include, Harris County, Mud 364 or 365, depending on which district the parcel is in and Cy Fair ISD. Our HOA property taxes are very low and only impacted if the mileage rises as the value per parcel is always assessed at “nominal value”, which is $100 per parcel. Taxes paid per parcel are as low as a few cents to a few dollars.

9. What are your key specific objectives for the HOA - do YOU want to achieve during your term as a board of director?

- Open dialogue – We need to design a system that allows homeowners to interact with the board in a meaningful way. We need to move initial discussions from social media to open forum meetings that dictate a respect between the board, members and between the members themselves. We may all have different opinions, but we all deserve respect and the ability to voice our opinions and concerns free from threats and beratement. I would like to have televised Meetings just like the School Board. These will be posted for community members to refer back to if questions arise.

- Collaboration-We should also work with both MUDs to better serve the community. There are limits to joint projects because the use of Mud funds necessitates that the amenity/project have public access. The HOA does not want to be in the position of paying to maintain a public access amenity as this is very costly to the membership and yet wear and tear from non-paying utilizers can be significant.

- Volunteerism- We need to make volunteering easy. They should never have to jump through hoops or be treated poorly. It is imperative that we continue to provide a community we can be proud of – one with great curb appeal that supports continued property value growth. With the number of homes we have, it should be simple and easy to fill out our committees and determine if we need different ones.

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