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Published monthly by the Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association
Communications Committee - February 1, 2021 Edition!
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"Real, sustainable community change requires the initiative and engagement of community members."
~Helene D. Gayle
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PROJECT TO IMPACT SPORTS PARK
SAWS notified the Board of Directors at the end of January that they will be installing a water line through the middle of the community Sports Park.
SAWS has an easement and this potential project has been anticipated for many years, but no definitive project date was ever assigned until now. SAWS estimates this project will only take a few weeks. Members of the Board have met with the Project Manager to discuss the scope of work and impact to our amenities. As the project progresses, certain areas of the fields will be closed. We have been reassured that they will work around the heritage oaks in the park and any items damaged such as irrigation, sod, field goals, lights, etc., will be replaced. The Community Activities Department will work with the project manager to minimize interference in our sports programs.
We would like to ask that homeowners not allow their kids to pull up any flags or stakes in the work area that could be marking utilities in that space.
Please make sure you are signed up for Constant Contact to receive updates on closures within the Sports Park. Submitted by: Heather Mallia, VWOA Treasurer
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IMPACT ON COMMUNITY GATHERINGS AND AMENITY USE
The concern over the COVID-19 pandemic is a grave issue for our nation and community. The Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association wants to make sure we are all doing our part as individuals and as a community to help stay ahead of the curve and slow down this virus's spreading.
The Board of Directors will follow city, county, and state guidelines to determine the reopening of amenities and classes. The current status of community openings and closures are as follows:
AMENITY/ACTIVITIES OPENINGS AND RESTARTS
- The Sports Park Fields, Dog Park, Walking Track, Tot Lot, Basketball Court, and Tennis Courts are OPEN. Per the county's latest declaration of a public health emergency, all community members should practice social distancing of 6ft or more.
- VWOA Sports Programs have resumed.
- Monthly "Garage Sales" are permitted on the 2nd Saturday of every month. Estate Sales are also allowed.
- The VWOA Office has reopened. See details in the "Front and Center Office News" section of this newsletter. Masks are required for entry.
- Please check with the VWOA Office for the most up-to-date Facility Rental guidelines.
MEETINGS AND CLASSES
- We have suspended all "in-person" Committee and Board Meetings until further notice. These meetings are being held on Zoom. Meeting announcements and Zoom links will be sent to all registered emails and posted to the VWOA website.
- All Community Center classes and activities have been canceled until further notice.
- Please note that the "SMASH Class" has restarted!
FUTURE UPDATES AND RESOURCES
- The Board and Staff are monitoring the situation closely and will notify the community of any other updates as they impact meetings, activities, access to amenities, etc. These communications will be sent out in the "What's the Buzz" publication and posted on our website and Facebook page.
- A link to the Spectrum COVID-19 Community Resource page is on the VWOA website.
We appreciate your understanding and attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
Submitted by: Heather Mallia, VWOA Treasurer
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COVID-19 AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS
The Board understands the effect on the community that COVID-19 has had and the financial hardships it has created.
If you have been affected and unable to make your HOA assessment payments, please email the office staff or Community Manager with your request for relief of the late fees assessed. We will review each request on a case by case basis and communicate back to each homeowner individually. Submitted by: Jacob Fey, VWOA Community Manager
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BOARD APPOINTS NEW ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
On January 28, 2021, the Board of Directors appointed the following homeowners to the Architectural Review Committee (ARC).
- Elaine Maurer - Regular Member and Chair
- Brandon Schuler - Regular Member
- Charlie Wasser - Regular Member
- Bill Fenstermacher - Alternate Member
We still have a vacancy for another Alternate Member.
HOW TO APPLY!
CLICK HERE to send an email to the VWOA Community Manager to submit your name for consideration. Be sure to include your home address, phone number and email address.
Submitted by: Jacob Fey, VWOA Community Manager
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The VWOA office will be closed as follows:
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Presidents Day- February 15, 2021
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager
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VWOA OFFICE OPENING
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.
The plexiglass barriers are up for the safety of the staff and residents. We are committed to the health and safety of our residents, and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, individuals are required to wear masks and practice social distancing when they are in the building.
On June 22, 2020, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff put out an executive order to all commercial entities in Bexar County which requires visitors to wear a mask in order to enter business premises and receive services. With this being said, please cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when entering the Villages of Westcreek Community Center.
Please note the following: - Limit 4 people maximum in the lobby.
- If you need to meet with specific staff members, you will need to schedule an appointment by calling 210-679-8761.
SOCIAL DISTANCING Social distancing, also called "physical distancing," means keeping space between yourself and other people. To practice social or physical distancing: - Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from other people.
- Tape Markings will be set up outside of the VWOA office for Social Distancing.
- Do not gather in groups.
FACE MASKS REQUIRED - Cloth face coverings should NOT be placed on children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- Keep at least 6 feet between yourself and others, even when you wear a face covering.
RFID CARDS We are happy to announce that we have started the process of issuing residents their Radio Frequency Identification Cards. Simply come to the office during our regular business hours (Mon- Fri 9am-6pm). RFID cards will be issued in the Community Center Hall. - Please enter the side entrance by the Community Center Pool.
- All residents and children over 12 will need to be issued an RFID Card.
- This process can take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to issue the new cards to each household since we must take new photos of each cardholder.
- Limit 4 people maximum in the Community Center Hall.
RFID CARDS WILL BE ISSUED DURING THE FOLLOWING HOURS: - Morning Session -10 am till 1 pm.
- Closed for Sanitizing - 1 pm till 2 pm.
- Afternoon Session - 2 pm till 5 pm.
RFID CARD FEES: - First RFID Card for Homeowners is FREE.
- Replacement RFID cards fee is $20.00.
- Tenant's RFID cards fee is $10.00 (Updated Lease Needed).
If you need a Replacement RFID card or Tenant's RFID card, please drop by the VWOA Office first to prepay your fees.
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Our next scheduled Community Yard Sales will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2021.
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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Your 1st Quarter Assessment of $99.00 was due on January 1, 2021.
On January 30, 2021, all accounts with outstanding balances began 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.
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).
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If you need extra time to pay your assessments, fill out the form on the website 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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SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS
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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WROUGHT IRON FENCING AND HANDRAILS
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Wrought iron fencing requires a variance from the BOD and is limited to six (6') feet in height and may only replace the back fence if the area in back of the fence is a greenbelt or utility easement. (Similar products may be approved on a case-by-case basis.)
The request needs to be given to the ARC with clearly described product information along with a copy of the Plat/Lot Survey showing the proposed location to be presented to the BOD for consideration.
Handrails, new or additional, may not exceed three (3') feet in height. The request for prior ARC approval must clearly describe the product and its necessity along with a copy of the Plat/Lot Survey showing the proposed location.
Fencing and handrails must be maintained such as removing chipped paint, repainting, removal of rust and the repair of any other damage that may occur.
References:
Submitted by: Beverly Hover, Standards Manager
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SMASH DANCE IS BACK!
SMASH Classes every Wednesday!
Registration is now in progress!
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JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
Valentine's Day Printable Mad Libs
Hidden Pictures Activities
Paper Heart Wreath Craft
Chinese New Year Craft Activities for Kids
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh, Communications Committee Secretary
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Soil Peparation
Prep Soil Now for Great Results in Spring
Our native soil stinks. The best advice is to prep your soil. A little extra effort now will ease gardening chores later.
One of the easiest ways to prep your soil each gardening season is to add compost by tilling it into the top 2-3 inches of your existing raised beds. If you will be planting in a new area, it's advised to first till the soil to a minimum depth of 12-15 inches. Once your native soil has been tilled, you can mix in your composted material and till that down into the first 6 inches of soil.
Rainbow Gardens loves Happy Frog Soil Conditioner from FoxFarm, which helps loosen and acidify soil while also providing it with active beneficial microbes. These microbes help feed your plants by breaking down nutrients available in the soil, and they also fight against bad bacteria. Cotton Burr Compost also loosens soil, making it the correct consistency to allow the plant roots (and water) to penetrate easily.
A Plea for Soil Prep Each Season
Soil preparation is the gift that keeps on giving, especially if you are offering rich, organic material. Nature finds a way of using all organic matter to create something of greater value.
Soil that hasn't been planted in for a season or more becomes sterile. This means it has zero nutrients in it to offer your plants. You will find yourself fighting an uphill battle to coax your plants to health. Soil should never lie fallow. Even if you aren't planting a garden each season, you can plant cover crops that will feed your soil until you are ready to plant again.
Soil that has been well prepped throughout the year produces healthy, vibrant, and abundantly producing plants that can withstand the elements of nature better than plants in poor, undernourished soil.
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh, Communications Committee Secretary
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Morning sun or light shade. The pale, bluish foliage makes a striking specimen in a shady landscape, with cream-colored bloom stalks in spring. Pale-leaf is generally more drought tolerant than soft-leaf yucca, with which it is often confused. It grows as a small stemless rosette, with leaves soft and flexible enough to be placed safely in the garden. It may produce offsets; give it good drainage.
Click here to learn more about this beautiful plant, maintenance requirements and plant features from San Antonio Garden Style!
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BEXAR COUNTY ESD 2 - FIFTH FIRE STATION OPEN!
Bexar County ESD No. 2's fifth fire station is opened for service. The station is located at 14785 Omicron Drive and staffs an engine and ambulance crew. This station primarily services Sundance, Arcadia Ridge, Briggs Ranch, Hidden Canyons, Potranco Run, Redbird Ranch, Stevens Ranch, Bella Vista, Ladera, Pioneer Estates, and several commercial properties located on Highway 90, Potranco Road, Highway 211 and the Texas Research Business Park.
Station 124 will also improve response times for emergencies that require a second response apparatus to neighborhoods close by in Station 121's primary response district. This means quicker response times for dual company responses to Westcreek.
As a reminder to all home & property owners in our community: June 01, 2020, BC2FD achieved a milestone of improving our Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating issued by the Insurance Service Office (ISO) to a Class 2 rating.
This rating entitles residential and commercial property owners within the Bexar County Emergency Service District No. 2 to receive the maximum credit on their insurance premiums. Property owners should contact their insurance providers to inquire if their premiums will be impacted by the new classification rating. Please visit our website at www.bc2fd.org for a letter providing additional information for property owners within the Bexar County Emergency service District No. 2 to provide insurance providers for any additional questions or information, please email us at [email protected] .
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