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Published monthly by the Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association
Communications Committee - January 1, 2019 Edition!
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"Let our New Year's resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word."
~Goran Persson
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| New Year, New You! Plan to Live Your Life Your Way |
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Many people feel as if they are adrift in the world. They work hard, but don't seem to get anywhere worthwhile. Are you having trouble figuring out what to focus your time on right now? Or maybe even, what to focus on this coming year? We all know that with New Year's Day come resolutions, but resolutions never come to fruition without a plan.
A key reason that this may happen is that people don't spend enough time thinking about what they want from their life and haven't set themselves formal goals. After all, would you set out on a major journey with no real idea of your destination?
Probably not!
That is why you must be intentional about writing your goals and action steps to ensure they come to fruition.
One way to motivate yourself to set goals is to think more closely about the benefits this activity may bring you like:
- Clearer Focus - properly thought out and stated goals set out your intentions and desires to the things you really want to achieve;
- Effective Use of Time - time is a vital resource and deserves special consideration. It's been said that "if you want to improve how you manage time, stop doing what doesn't need to be done";
- Peace of Mind - we are often boggled down with many thoughts. Writing down goals can help you take all the ideas that come to you and allow you to prioritize and apply perspective so it can galvanize you into action and commitment;
- Clarity to Decision Making - when you know what it is you are trying to do, then you ask "does this activity get me closer to my goal?";
- More Freedom of Thought - by setting goals you release your creative energies so you can focus on the HOW to achieve them. Soon you'll be finding yourself looking for new ways to make things happen.
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Goal setting to the NOW is a quick way to get organized and asking this focusing question, "What's the ONE THING I can do such that by doing it, everything else becomes easier or unnecessary?" is a great way to maintain focus throughout your day. Keep these in mind as you map out your plans for 2019.
Think big picture and narrow in from there to find out what you need to do now.
"Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success." ~Pablo Picasso
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PAYING OUR ANNUAL HOA ASSESSMENTS
As my November article stated, our annual assessments were not increased this year. The total annual assessment remains $396 or $99 quarterly, should you choose to pay quarterly. If you find that $99 is a bit much to pay at the beginning of each quarter, you may like this idea. Another homeowner recently told me of a clever way to make monthly payments work and possibly even get ahead.
If you were to make a monthly payment slightly larger than the $33, you could eventually be paying your assessments in advance, yet still not having to pay $99 in a single month. For example, after paying the initial 1st quarter of $99, if you paid $40 each month, at the end of 2019 your account would have a prepaid balance of $183. As long as you continued to pay more than the required amount each month, your account balance would continue to grow without ever having to pay that quarterly amount in a lump at the beginning of each quarter.
If you were to make a monthly payment slightly larger than the $33, you could eventually be paying your assessments in advance, yet still not having to pay $99 in a single month. For example, after paying the initial 1st quarter of $99, if you paid $40 each month at the end of 2019 your account would have a prepaid balance of $183. As long as you continued to pay more than the required amount each month, your account balance would continue to grow without ever having to pay that quarterly amount in a lump at the beginning of each quarter.
Eventually, you would be paying your entire annual assessment in advance. This could be a big help should illness or other unexpected expenses cause financial strain. Of course, if you get behind on assessments we are always willing to set up a payment plan, but those generally involve administrative fees. This method is a way to establish your own "payment plan" without incurring additional costs.
Do you have a question about some HOA financial subject? Send it to me at [email protected] and I'll try to answer it in a future article.
Submitted by: Judi Cannon, VWOA Treasurer
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NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE INFORMATIONAL MEETING
In accordance with the VWOA Bylaws and Administrative Resolution 48, the Board President appointed Board Member Judi Cannon to chair the Nominations Committee for election year 2019. The committee will consist of at least 3 homeowners to serve as voting committee members, also appointed by the Board.
Anyone interested in serving may join the committee after being appointed by the Board.
The primary responsibilities of the Nominations Committee are:
- Determining the number of nominations needed.
- Ensuring that deadlines for nominations are met.
- Overseeing the posting of nomination forms using the prescribed form.
- Ensuring the accuracy of the information when it is presented to the community.
- Reporting to the Board monthly updates on the candidates.
- Assisting the Board in conducting two Meet the Candidates meetings 60 and 30 days before the Annual Meeting.
With the 2019 Annual Membership meeting coming in April, the committee must begin its work very soon to ensure a smooth nomination and election process.
Therefore, we will hold an informational meeting for all potential committee members on
Tuesday, January 8th, at 6:00 PM in the Community Center Conference Room.
If you wish to serve and assist with preparations for our 2019 Board Election process, please join us. The names of those who wish to serve will be presented to the Board for appointment at the January 17th Board meeting. If you cannot attend the meeting on January 8th, you may still be appointed to the committee by attending the Board meeting and expressing a desire to participate.
Submitted by: Judi Cannon, Nominations Committee Chairperson
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Hello Villages of Westcreek! My name is Jacob Fey and I am your new Community Manager, replacing Mike Hunsucker starting January 1, 2019.
I have worked at Spectrum Association Management for more than two and a half years. During that time, I was promoted to a junior supervisor role in which I managed a team of four community managers in San Antonio, two in Corpus Christi and one in Midland/Odessa. Those seven communities had a combined unit count of more than 5,000. I also have managed San Antonio's second largest account, Timberwood Park, as well as some more upscale communities like the Vineyard, Big Springs and Los Reyes Canyons. You might have seen me around the office over the last two months while Mike was showing me the specifics of Westcreek. Now I will put all that experience and training to work as I begin managing the Villages of Westcreek.
On a personal note, I have been married since 2012 and have three children: a 15 year old, 4 year old and 20 month old.
I look forward to working with the entire community so that the Villages of Westcreek remains a great place to live. If you have any concerns or issues, feel free to contact me or the office staff at 210-679-8761 or send an email to
[email protected].
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Last November, voters passed
Option 2 which p
revents annexation while permitting the City of San Antonio to adopt and enforce land use ordinances to protect our military bases and their missions. Now that the voters have spoken you may be wondering
"What's the Next Step?"
We reached out to the
City of San Antonio's Planning Department and were advised by
Sidra Schimelpfening,
Senior Planner - Regional Planning Division, that t
he City of San Antonio is currently working on the land use regulations for the protection of the military and that they will have to amend the Unified Development Code (UDC). They are hoping to take the proposed ordinances related to the land use regulations to City Council in the summer. There will be community meetings scheduled prior to City Council public hearings and they will be notifying property owners of these meetings.
As we learn more, we will keep you advised so you can stay informed and engaged about how the outcome of this vote will impact your community.
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In recent months we have been working on a project to address lighting issues and concerns in the Sports Park. This work is being done to improve the security and safety of our residents who use the park during hours of darkness. We are happy to report that Phase 1 of the project has been completed.
Phase 1- We installed 5 25' poles, with a total of 15 light fixtures that contain 166 watt LED bulbs. 1 pole has 2 fixtures, 3 poles have 3 fixtures and the 5th pole has 4 fixtures.
Phase 2- We are looking to add another 2 fixtures to the pole in the parking lot to add light to the baseball outfield. We will also add another 2 poles that will have a total of 6 fixtures along the walking trail on the outfield of the baseball field to help light both the path and the fields. We are also looking at adding a pole in the overflow parking lot that will have 4 fixtures to help light that area.
Be sure to visit your park in the evening to see the improvement first hand!
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RATE ADJUSTMENT
A rate adjustment approved by San Antonio City Council in December 2017 takes effect January 1, 2019.
The 4.7 percent average adjustment will change the average monthly residential bill from $62.89 to $65.83 - a difference of $2.94 (excluding regulatory pass-through fees).
- The impact on your own bill may be greater than or less than the average depending on your water use.
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A new year means a fresh start, a clean slate, an opportunity to clear out the clutter. Why not start with your medicine cabinet? Gather all those expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications and bring them to the first MedDropSA collection event for 2019.
Bring any unwanted medicines, along with other household hazardous waste items, to the City of San Antonio's collection event. Please empty pill bottles into a zipper storage bag and remove labels from bottles of liquids and inhalers.
This safe, free disposal method helps keep pharmaceuticals out of the environment and out of the reach of unintended users.
WHEN: Saturday, January 26th, from 8:00 AM till 1:00 PM.
WHERE: Bulky Waste Collection Center located at 2755 Rigsby Ave.
NOTE: Another option is to contact the following
Walgreens about their program to dispose of expired prescriptions and over the counter medications:
WALGREENS
12352 FM 1957
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78253
210-679-0130
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Your First Quarter Assessment of $99.00 is due on January 1, 2019.
As of January 29, 2019, all accounts with outstanding balances begin incurring a late fee of $20.00, plus a delinquent interest charge.
CLICK HERE
for more information about how to pay your assessments and our
Billing/Collection Policy
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NOTE
: The Office is open Monday thru Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, excluding holidays. In addition, the Office is open on the 2nd Saturday each month from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
- Payments can still be made here at the VWOA onsite office during business hours.
- Payments may also be mailed to our office, made payable to VWOA, at 12395 Military Dr. West, San Antonio, TX 78253. You can also mail your payment directly to Spectrum Association Management, P.O. Box 299008, Lewisville, TX 75029. Mailed payments are processed electronically; please do not send cash!
- You may drop off cash (in a sealed envelope), check, or money-order at the drop box, located to the right of our front entry doors at the business office. Make sure you include your address on your check/money order.
- Cash is accepted in the office.
- Card Payments will be accepted only after the homeowner is registered with Spectrumam.com.
- Pay by Phone- 1-877-342-6233 (your account number needed).
PAYMENT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE
If you need extra time to pay your assessments, fill out the form below to see if you qualify for a payment plan. Payment plan requests are reviewed within two business days, and if approved, a payment plan agreement will be emailed to sign and return to our office within five business days.
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SHOPPING IS CHEAPER THAN THERAPY!
The Villages of Westcreek will be holding our next "Community Market Day" on Saturday, January 12, 2019, from 9:00 AM till 1:00 PM, in the Community Center Main Hall located at 12395 Military Dr. W., San Antonio, TX 78253.
If you are a vendor and would like to reserve a slot, please contact the VWOA Office at 210-679-8761. There is a Vendor Registration Fee of $20.00 which includes 8ft table and two chairs.
One vendor per product.
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COMMUNITY MEMBERS RESPOND
A community-wide THANK YOU goes to all those who responded by supporting our annual Angel Tree Project. Community members adopted 30 Angels from "New Beginnings Children's Home" and our "Westcreek Community." Your commitment of sharing joy with these children is greatly appreciated.
"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." - Coretta Scott King
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SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS
The Villages of Westcreek launched an experiment to see if there was enough interest and support within the community for us to host local Food Trucks.
What started with just two food trucks serving the community on Friday, Saturday and Monday evenings, has now expanded to several additional trucks offering their cuisine throughout the week.
The support we received from community members and the Food Truck vendors has made this a successful venture.
If you know of a Food Truck that you think would be interested in joining the
"StrEATS of Westcreek,"
have them contact the VWOA Office at 210-679-8761 during our normal business hours. There is a small $25 fee for each truck that participates in the program. We only allow one truck per evening.
CLICK HERE
to view the StrEATS of Westcreek Food Truck schedule and menus!
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Our next scheduled Community Yard Sales will be held on
January 12, 2019
. Community Yard Sales listings will be posted on the
VWOA website,
the day prior to the event. If you wish to add your yard sale to the listing, please call the VWOA Office at 210-679-8761 by 12 noon on the Friday before the scheduled yard sale.
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| Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, Administrative Director |
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Sign up during "Early Bird" registration and SAVE $10!
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Registration Dates |
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- Early Bird - July 1, 2018 ~ March 17, 2019
- Regular - March 18, 2019 ~ April 6, 2019
- Late - April 7, 2019 ~ April 20, 2019
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- Regular - January 1, 2019 ~ January 19, 2019
- Late - January 20, 2019 ~ February 9, 2019
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- Early Bird - July 1, 2018 ~ March 17, 2019
- Regular - March 18, 2019 ~ April 6, 2019
- Late - April 7, 2019 ~ April 27, 2019
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- Early Bird - December 17, 2018 ~ August 17, 2019
- Regular - August 18, 2019 ~ August 31, 2019
- Late - September 1, 2019 ~ September 21, 2019
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- September 24, 2018 - January 27, 2019
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As a reminder, an article in our November 2018 edition of Westcreek Living stated that outdoor decorations, during the Christmas and New Year's holidays, may be displayed on the premises no earlier than forty (40) calendar days before Christmas day and removed no later than January 16th.
Now that new resolutions have been made for 2019, residents need to plan on removing the outdoor Christmas holiday decorations by January 16th and begin looking forward to decorating future holidays.
Outdoor decorations for all other holidays are allowed no earlier than thirty (30) calendar days before the holiday's date and removed no later than fifteen (15) days after the actual holiday's date.
Source
: Section 6.7 of the Standards
Submitted by: Gene Hopkins, Chair, Architectural Review Committee
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This Committee consists of five (5) volunteer homeowners (3 regular members and two (2) alternates) who are appointed by the Board of Directors and usually meet in the Community Center's Conference Room every Tuesday at 4:30 PM.
The ARC is responsible for maintaining a set of Standards as supported by the Declaration of "Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R's), County, State and Federal Government. The ARC is also responsible for reviewing homeowner proposals to improve or change any portion of the outside premises of the property. The purpose of this procedure is to assist the homeowners in maintaining their property values at the highest level of excellence in accordance with the CC&R's, Standards, Administrative Resolutions and Forced Maintenance documents that are located on the VWOA website at "www.villagesofWestcreek.com" under "Documents."
Improvements and changes to the outside premises of the property require prior approval of the ARC except for those that are listed in "Appendix A" of the Standards.
As appropriate, all requests require a Plat/Lot Survey form showing the proposed location(s); colored paint samples; color picture of the dwelling; type of material; the length, width and height; and any other supporting items/objects. If there is any doubt as to what must be submitted with the proposed request, call the Standards Manager at 210-679-8761.
All requests must be submitted on a Property Improvement Application (PIA) that is available on the VWOA website at "www.villagesofwestcreek.com" under "Architectural Review" or may be obtained at the Community Center's office.
SOURCE:
Article IX of the CC&R's and Sections 5.1 and 5.2 of the Standards!
Submitted by: Gene Hopkins, Chair, Architectural Review Committee
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HOW LEAVES CAN DAMAGE YOUR ROOF
Damage caused by leaves
When leaves fall and clump on the roof, they collect water. This causes the asphalt shingles below the leaves to rot. Eventually, the roofing beneath the shingles will also rot, and water will leak into the home, causing further damage. Clumps of wet leaves will put uneven pressure on the roof, causing the beams to weaken.
Preventing leaf damage
You can prevent the whole problem by keeping branches that overhang the roof trimmed back. An additional benefit is that trimming back branches will allow more sunlight to reach the roof, preventing moss growth and mildew from forming. You will also reduce the risk of branches falling in a storm and causing severe damage to the roof.
Cleaning leaves from your roof
The best and safest way to inspect your roof is with both feet on the ground and a pair of binoculars in your hand. You may also, depending on the size of your home, be able to pull leaves out of the gutters and eaves with a window-cleaning brush.
If you absolutely must use a ladder to reach your roof, make sure to use a ladder that is at least 2 feet taller than the roof. This makes the ladder more stable and if it slides a little bit, it will still be on the roof line. You can also drive a long stake into the ground behind the ladder. This will help stabilize the ladder even more. Remember to never reach while on a ladder. If you can't easily get to the area you need, move the ladder.
Because of the dangers inherent with a slippery roof, it's best to hire a professional for this type of job. Walking around on a wet roof is risky and could lead to serious injuries. A professional can inspect your roof and clean the leaves off for you.
Submitted by: Gene Hopkins, Chair, Architectural Review Committee
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National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week
®:
2019 National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week will be acknowledged from Tuesday, January 22nd, through Sunday, January 27th.
With cooler temperatures and winter breaks, kids and young adults may have more free time with increased time spent indoors.
It is important to consider medication and substance safety, as common household items may serve more than their intended purpose.
Prescription Medications
Keep medications (especially controlled substances) locked up or stored up high out of reach of children. This includes medications such as blood pressure medication, diabetes medication, antidepressants and pain medication.
Think!
These medications are taken for high blood pressure or high blood sugar. But children or others accidentally or intentionally ingesting these medications can lower their blood pressure or blood sugar creating a medical emergency!
Some pain medications, if taken in high enough doses or in combination with other substances, can cause someone to stop breathing.
Some antidepressants, if taken in high enough doses, can be toxic and cause seizures or changes in heart function.
Inhalants
People who use inhalants breathe the fumes in through their nose or mouth, usually by "sniffing," "snorting," "bagging," or "huffing." Different terms come from different substances and equipment used. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2017).
Volatile solvents are liquids that become a gas at room temperature. They are found in:
- paint thinner
- nail polish remover
- degreaser
- dry-cleaning fluid
- gasoline
- some art or office supplies, such as correction fluid, felt-tip marker fluid, and electronic contact cleaner
Aerosols are sprays that contain propellants and solvents. They include:
- spray paint
- hair spray
- deodorant spray
- vegetable oil spray
- fabric protector spray
Synthetic Herbal Products "Synthetic Marijuana"
Typically these are herbs mixed with man-made chemicals that are sprayed onto the leaves.
These chemicals can be dangerous if ingested or inhaled. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2017)
Other Considerations:
- If you drink alcohol, don't forget to arrange safe transport with a designated driver you know or consider transportation arrangements like Uber, Lyft, or a taxi.
If Someone You Know Needs Help:
Resources:
Submitted by: Jacqueline Khalaf, RN, CPST
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WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT AND WHAT SERVICES DO WE PROVIDE?
An Emergency Services District (ESD) is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, similar to a School District, Library District or Hospital District. Depending on the ESD's creation documents, an ESD can provide fire protection, emergency medical services or both. A board of five commissioners governs ESDs and operate independently from the county government. In most counties in Texas, the County Commissioners Court appoints the commissioners to two-year terms. Commissioners are elected for ESDs in Harris, Orange, and Smith counties, as well as for ESDs that exist in more than one county.
The voters approved Bexar County ESD No. 2 in May of 2003. We provide the following services:
Emergency Response
Bexar County 2 Fire Department provides Emergency Medical Care as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) First Responders. When responding to medical emergencies, responders use the same equipment and abide by the same standards as the transporting ambulance provider. All of our members are certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Approximately 50% of our 80 member staff are certified at a higher level certification such as EMT-Advanced and EMT-Paramedic. The District is currently in the planning stages of becoming a Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) capable ambulance provider. We are extremely excited about the increased level of service this will bring to the residents of Bexar County Emergency Services District No. 2.
Emergency Medical Care
Bexar County 2 Fire Department provides Emergency Medical Care as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) First Responders. When responding to medical emergencies, responders use the same equipment and abide by the same standards as the transporting ambulance provider. All of our members are certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Approximately 50% of our 80 member staff are certified at a higher level certification such as EMT-Advanced and EMT-Paramedic. The District is currently in the planning stages of becoming an Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) capable ambulance provider. We are extremely excited about the increased level of service this will bring to the residents of Bexar County Emergency Services District No. 2.
Special Operations
The Special Operations Division is a part of the Emergency Response at Bexar County 2 Fire Department. All personnel under Special Operations are certified firefighters and and receive specialized training in HazMat, Swift Water, Wildland or Search and Rescue. These sections provide specialized responses to hazardous materials spills, all water emergencies; including standing or swift, major disaster responses; manmade or natural, and weapons of mass destruction responses providing decontamination and initial medical treatment.
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SpotCrime is an independent, commercial site that provides crime mapping and incident information.
Official
Police Reports can be obtained from the BCSO Central Records Office. Contact information, fees, and hours of operation can be found on the
Central Records page
.
CLICK HERE to view SpotCrime mapping for the Villages of Westcreek.
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Submitted by: Patrol Administration Deputy Meyer, Bexar County Sheriff's Office
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ACTIVE SHOOTER EVENT TRAINING - VIDEO SUMMARY
As we continue scheduling our Surviving Active Shooter And Other Violent Events Workshops we have been asked to provide a short summary of the 2 hours workshop.
CLICK HERE to view a short video summary as it was presented during a recent TEDX Talk. More workshops coming near you in January 2019.
Thank you all for your support!
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