Published monthly by the Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association
Communications Committee - July 1, 2022 Edition!
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"How many legs does a dog have if you call his tail a leg? Four. Saying that a tail is a leg doesn't make it a leg."
~ Abraham Lincoln
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING |
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The VWOA Finance Committee is responsible for assisting the Board in developing an operating budget, a schedule of capital repair and replacement expenditures, and a budget for projected capital improvements. The Finance Committee will conduct its Annual Meeting to review the preliminary 2023 Budget before it's submitted to the Board of Directors for their review and approval. This meeting will be held via Zoom on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at 3 pm and is open to all homeowners.
Submitted by: Heather Mallia, VWOA Treasurer
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3rd QUARTER ASSESSMENT OF $99 DUE
JULY 1, 2022
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On July 30, 2022, all accounts with outstanding balances will begin incurring a late fee of $20.00, plus a delinquent interest charge.
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 dropbox, 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).
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager
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Q: What do you do here at Westcreek?
A: Building Maintenance Supervisor. That includes completing work orders, painting, patching drywall, minor concrete work, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, tree trimming, and I help keep Westcreek looking beautiful! I also oversee and partner with our vendors for contract work, a very recent example was the Clock Tower refresh.
Q: How long have you been with us at Westcreek?
A: I just completed 3 years!
Q: What brought you to Westcreek? What keeps you here?
A: I like the People in this Community and the Board I work with. I really enjoy what I do and the sense of satisfaction I get from a job well done. It can be challenging and it's something different every single day.
Q: What are your hobbies outside of work?
A: I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking (both grilling and trying new recipes) and listening to music. While I tend to be shy around new people, I will always lend a hand to someone in need or offer help with my handy skills I have spent a lifetime developing.
“We are so proud to have you as part of our team!”
Submitted by: Brian Bush, VWOA Assistant Secretary
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REMINDERS FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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Villages of Westcreek Community
Sometimes we don’t understand or agree with the rules, because maybe that particular set of rules doesn’t apply to us or our situation. In a community of 3000+ homes, we have to take everyone into consideration. Lately, we have been having some issues in a variety of areas, so we wanted to give a gentle reminder and ask for your assistance in the following areas, where we have had the most concern recently.
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Please only wear swim material in the pools. Cotton, denim, and other such materials wreck havoc on the pool pumps, which in turn causes numerous maintenance issues. This is why only appropriate swim attire is allowed in the pools.
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Please be sure to listen and be courteous to pool monitors, security guards and HOA staff. They are there to assist you, keep our community safe and enforce the rules. We appreciate you helping make their job easier. Residents found to be rude, condescending or belligerent, run the risk of having privileges suspended for a period of up to 60 days.
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NO alcohol is allowed in the pool areas. If you are caught, you will be asked to remove it immediately.
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Roughhousing and music with foul language and profanity are not allowed in the pool or park areas. Please remember this is a family atmosphere.
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Please check your area when you’re ready to leave, and clean it up for the next resident. Leaving it better than you found it is a great way to be a good neighbor.
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Please keep children from putting rocks and mud in the water fountains. This clogs the pipes and is expensive to repair. If it continues, it could result in us having to turn off access to water fountains.
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Be aware that the pools and park close at 10:00 p.m. Be ready to depart the park promptly. This saves the community money by avoiding paying overtime to pool monitors and security guards.
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Obey speed limits when driving through the neighborhoods and fully stop at stop signs. Parents, speak to young drivers in your home about the importance of this. Be aware of kids playing outside. With the construction around our community, many animals have been displaced. We are seeing more deer, hogs and the like being pushed into the neighborhood. Prevent accidents by being cautious. Many folks are new to our community or just passing through on their way to work or home so please be a courteous neighbor.
- Fireworks season is upon us once again. Do not blow trash into storm drains. Instead, within 24 hours of using fireworks, sweep up the debris, wet it down to be sure it’s extinguished, and dispose of it in the trash.
We appreciate your cooperation and help to keep Westcreek a wonderful place to live!
The Villages of Westcreek Board of Directors
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CITIZENS ON PATROL - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Villages of Westcreek needs your help. We are looking for community members to volunteer to go through the Bexar County COPS training program and help our community be a safer place. This would not be in place of security patrols & off-duty deputies we currently employ to patrol Westcreek, this would offer another layer of patrols for observation & reporting.
The next COP training session is Saturday, July 16, 2022. If you are interested, please contact the office at 210-679-8761.
Also, please click on the Bexar County COPS program link below for more details and for the application to sign up for the training program:
Submitted by: Elaine Maurer, VWOA President
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HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOUR MAIL OR PACKAGES WILL BE ARRIVING |
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UPS My Choice is a service that allows you to track your packages. It also allows you to get delivery alerts or to change delivery options, if needed. This is a free service. CLICK HERE for more information.
FedEx has a service that will allow you to redirect a package that’s already headed your way to a secure FedEx location for pickup. All you need is the tracking number. Walgreens is also a secure location to drop off or pick up FedEx packages. If you drop off a package, be sure to get a receipt. CLICK HERE for more information.
The U.S. Postal Service has a way for you to see what’s going to be in your mailbox that day & what packages are being delivered. This service is free of charge, and you will receive a daily email with images of your mail expected to be delivered that day and the details on USPS package delivery. Please remember that checking your mail daily not only will prevent overstuffed mailboxes but hopefully also prevent someone with bad intentions from getting ahold of your personal information. CLICK HERE for more information.
If you see something amiss with one of our mailboxes, call the Postmaster at the Heritage Post Office (210) 543-8237 to file a complaint and notify the HOA office at (210) 679-7257 so they can also make an additional call to the Postmaster because sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease!
Amazon has a service when you order that will email you once your package is delivered or give a time frame to be expecting it. Some drivers even take a photo once it’s left at your door. CLICK HERE for more information on delivery notification services. They also have package delivery lockers at the Valero/Circle K at the corner of Military Dr. West and Loop 1604.
Submitted by: Elaine Maurer, VWOA President
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A MESSAGE FROM BEXAR COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL/OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT |
Due to the ongoing heat and extended drought conditions in Bexar County, Commissioners Court confirmed and ratified an order restricting certain fireworks. The order is effective in unincorporated Bexar County until drought conditions improve or until July 18, 2022, whichever is earlier.
Fire Marshal Chris Lopez said, “We want folks to be responsible when they enjoy their 4th of July fireworks. Fires often happen after fireworks were used. The family has gone to bed and the smoldering debris reignites in the trash can. Please make sure to thoroughly soak your fireworks debris in a bucket of water.”
The order prohibits the sale and use of fireworks classified as “skyrockets with sticks” or “missiles with fins.” All other legally sold consumer fireworks can still be used. Violations of the order are considered a class C misdemeanor with fines not to exceed $500.
FIREWORKS USE WITHIN THE VILLAGES
Inside the Villages of Westcreek, fireworks are not allowed on:
- Utility easements;
- Grassy and weeded areas;
- Military Drive West;
- Westcreek Oaks Drive;
- Westcreek View;
- Grosenbacher Road; and
- Any common properties within the Villages of Westcreek.
In addition, all trash/debris from fireworks must be removed from the streets/lawns by 9:00 AM the following day.
References:
PETS, VETS, AND FIREWORKS
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Submitted by: Bill Fenstermacher - Communications Committee Vice Chair |
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SOLICITATION FOR VOLUNTEER SARC CHAIRPERSON |
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The primary responsibility of the Suggestion and Recommendation Committee is to advise and assist the Board in making creative suggestions in the planning of future projects.
The SARC performs functions which includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Hold regular meetings on a date set forth by the Chairperson.
- Evaluating current common area needs and present it to the Board in a prioritized manner.
- Evaluating future needs for common areas.
- Working with the Board to stay in line with the Reserve Study and other Budget guidelines.
- Assisting the appropriate committees to implement plans approved by the Board.
- May perform other functions as directed or approved by the Board.
If you are interested in chairing this committee and getting it back up and running, or have questions about what it takes to chair a committee, please email us at Board@VillagesofWestcreek.com.
Submitted by: Heather Mallia, VWOA Treasurer
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OFFICE CLOSURE
The office will be closed:
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Monday, July 4, 2022, in observance of the July 4th holiday. The office will reopen on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, for normal business hours.
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Friday, July 22, 2022, from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. for Staff Development and Team Building.
Submitted by: Maria Robinson - VWOA Community Manager
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Any homeowner who has experienced damage to their fence along Talley due to the construction taking place during the expansion project (that has not been repaired at this time), please file a complaint with Texas Sterling's insurance company by visiting: https://texassterling.com/contact-us/ and choosing their South Texas Office.
It is best practice to provide before and after photos when submitting your claim.
Submitted by: Maria Robinson - VWOA Community Manager
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SAFETY AND SECURITY REMINDERS! |
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This month the board agreed to increase security patrols during the day and at night within Westcreek. However, it takes all of us to help lower crimes of opportunity. Here are a few things we can do to help lower our risk.
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Lock your vehicles and remove all valuables out of your car daily, keep items out of clear sight.
- DO NOT LEAVE GUNS IN YOUR VEHICLE FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME.
- Check your gate latches to be sure they latch properly. You can get combination locks for gates for additional security and combinations to make it so that you don’t have to have a key every time you need to pull out the trash or recycle cans.
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Lock the doors of your house even when you are home and alarm them when away. Some automatic home door locks can be set to lock after 5 minutes, in case you forget. Keep windows locked.
- Turn on our porch lights nightly. There is a new smart light bulb that is inexpensive and can be purchased through Amazon, it will automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn. WOW!!
- If you have cameras double-check that they are functional.
- Check your mail every day and have a neighbor pick up packages that are delivered when you are away.
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If you see something say something, call the Bexar County non-emergency number (210) 335-6000, or 911 if you feel there’s imminent danger.
WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE VS BEING REACTIVE!!
Submitted by: Elaine Maurer, VWOA President
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On June 14th we celebrated National Flag Day. Do you have a flag that you recently retired due to it being tattered, faded, or worn? If so, the local Boy Scout troop has a flag retirement box located in the homeowners' association office. You can drop your flag off in the box during regular business hours for it to be properly retired. The troop picks up the flags every few months. So please don’t throw old worn-out flags out, bring them in and drop them off. The box is located in the lobby just inside the front door.
Submitted by: Elaine Maurer, VWOA President
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This month we will be looking at the various venomous snakes in our neighborhood and what to do should you be bitten by one of these snakes. Lastly, we will provide you with contact information for snake relocation services in The Villages of Westcreek.
First, let me begin by saying that should you come across a snake and are unsure if it’s venomous, leave it alone, and it will go away on its own (spraying it with a water hose works well). Second, you must understand why you are seeing snakes right now:
1. It’s summertime, and they are going to be out and about.
2. Construction work on Wiseman, Tally & Military, and neighboring communities is driving these poor things out of their home.
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TEXAS CORAL SNAKE
The first one we will discuss is the elusive venomous Texas Coral Snake. The Coral Snake has a lot of myths about it, with most being false. It has never killed, so the rhyme is false. It is so elusive that it will disappear as soon as you see it
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COPPERHEAD
The Copperhead has a very distinct shape on its body, known as Hershey Kisses (as you can see in the photo). The Copperhead is a Pit Viper, which means its venom is highly potent. Juvenile Copperheads are grey in color, while adults will be copper in color.
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WESTERN DIAMOND BACK RATTLESNAKES
This is one of the deadliest snakes in the world. As you can see, they have a Diamond shape pattern on their back and a rattle on their tail (the bigger the rattle, the bigger the snake). These are extremely dangerous, so don’t handle them unless you are properly trained. If bitten, you will be seriously wounded if not killed.
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With the advancement of technology, there are APPS out there to help you should you find yourself bitten by one of these snakes. I recommend downloading SnakeBite911. If bitten by a venomous snake, you should do these things:
- Call 911 IMMEDIATELY
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The SnakeBite911 app will tell you EVERYTHING you need to do next. It will tell you which hospitals here in San Antonio carry Snake Antivenom. It also has detailed instructions for the doctors to follow once you get to the hospital.
Finally, if you need assistance in relocating a snake in Westcreek, contact Jessica Lessard at (210) 275-5828.
To learn more about snakes here are some helpful Facebook pages that may be of interest to you.
Submitted by: Joseph Phillips, Homeowner
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VWOA POOL CALENDAR FOR JULY |
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PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
- Cotton, denim, and other natural fibers are getting into the pool filtering systems and causing issues. We respectfully remind everyone that proper trunks, suits, and swim shirts (if being used) must be designed for swimming.
- The Community Center pool lights are being damaged due to kids pulling them out, and swimmers using them as steps to exit the pool. We request your assistance by not using the lights as a step when exiting the pool and by reminding your children not to mess with the lights.
CLICK HERE or click on the calendar above to download it.
Submitted by: Maria Robinson - VWOA Community Manager
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ENJOY BINGO on TUESDAY - JULY 12, 2022 |
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Splash Pad-TABLED until 2023 due to the cost of the project.
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Clock Tower Landscape Design-CLOSED- The project was started on May 2, 2022, and was completed as of the end of May 2022.
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Monuments at Daisy Field and Potranco-OPEN- The Community Manager is still working with TXDOT to obtain a more current map of the Right of Way at this location.
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Garden Lily and Tally Rd.-TABLED- The Board has decided to table this project until 2022 due to the construction on Talley Road now being completed.
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Mountain Bike Trails-OPEN- The Communities Activities Director was informed that the trail is ready to be cleared and this will entail trimming trees.
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RFID Cards at Dog Park-TABLED- This is tabled until after the clock tower landscaping has been completed in Spring 2022.
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Pointe Monument-OPEN- Currently this project needs trenching under the street to provide electricity at both monuments. Proposals have been provided to the Board for review.
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The Park Monument Electric-OPEN- The Community Manager is working with CPS to get this meter in the HOA’s name and the electrician is scheduled to go out to the monument and provide the next steps once the meter is on.
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Maintenance Shop Replacement-OPEN- The contract for this has been signed and the deposit invoice received, this project is currently scheduled to begin around July 20th as of June 7, 2022.
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Maintenance Shop Concrete Pad-OPEN- The vendor has informed us as of last week (May 30th-June 3rd) that we are roughly 3 weeks out from the beginning of this project.
Submitted by: Maria Robinson - VWOA Community Manager
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Submitted by: Maria Robinson - VWOA Community Manager |
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Contract and Facility Rental Information links are below!
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia - VWOA Office Manager
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HEALTH AND FITNESS CLASS INFORMATION
The Villages of Westcreek offers a variety of Health and Fitness Programs throughout the year. Please click on the following link to see the latest information about these programs:
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Submitted by: Melissa Garcia - VWOA Office Manager
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Submitted by: Melissa Garcia - VWOA Office Manager
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Our next scheduled Community-Wide Weekend Yard Sales will be held between the hours of 7:00 am till 7:00 pm on the following dates:
- Saturday, July 9, 2022
- Sunday, July 10, 2022
Community Yard Sales listings will be posted on the VWOA website, the day prior to the event.
During the week leading up to your yard sales, the Association will place signs at the major intersections and entrances to the Villages of Westcreek that state: Yard Sales this Weekend.
If you wish to add your yard sale to the listing, please call the VWOA Office at 210-679-8761 by 12 noon on Friday before the scheduled yard sale.
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia - VWOA Office Manager
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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.
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia - VWOA Office Manager
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SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS
SPECIAL NOTE: At the May 19, 2022, Board meeting, it was discussed and decided to no longer charge food trucks to set up and serve our homeowners unless it is an event in which case, the $25 fee still applies. This was decided in order to have more food trucks visit our community and serve our homeowners.
CLICK HERE to view the StrEATS of Westcreek Food Truck schedule and menus!
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia - VWOA Office Manager
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XERISCAPING
With the lack of rain and the expense and restrictions of watering sod, some may be considering an alternative. Below is what is written in our Standards regarding Xeriscaping.
6.11.1 Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is permitted, but no more than fifty (50%) percent of the front yard, including driveways and walkways, may be covered by impermeable materials (e.g., asphalt, concrete). Xeriscaping is an option to provide ground cover in areas that have little rain and/or mandatory water restrictions. A combination of plants along with ground cover such as rock, flagstone or gravel is preferred. For a list of plants that thrive well in hot climates with little water, we would recommend viewing the website:
If using rock and gravel, it is suggested their size be no larger than nickels and quarters for the ease of walking on. Also, appropriate weed blocking material is recommended to help prevent any vegetation from growing through the ground cover.
Any plants closer than ten (10’) feet from the curb may not exceed three (3’) feet in height, as measured from ground level, to provide adequate visibility for motorists at intersections and when backing out of driveways. A Property Improvement Application (PIA) with a comprehensive description of all plantings and materials along with a copy of the Plat/Lot Survey showing the proposed location(s) must be submitted to the ARC for review. All xeriscaped areas must be maintained as designed and proposed and not allowed to fall into a state of disrepair. (Refer to VWOACC&Rs, Article XI, Section 11.02 g.)
Submitted by: Lynette Bradley - Chairperson, Architectural Review Committee
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CLICK HERE to see more about the various VWOA sports programs.
Contact:
Jason Dunbar
VWOA Parks & Recreation Manager
Phone - 210-748-2245
Submitted by: Jason Dunbar - VWOA Parks & Recreation Manager
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CHALLENGER SOCCER CAMP - JULY 2022 |
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Submitted by: Jason Dunbar - VWOA Parks & Recreation Manager |
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WESTCREEK SPORTS FALL 2022 SOCCER PROGRAM |
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Coed, ages 3 through 16
Registration Dates:
Early bird - June 27th 2022 through July 10th 2022
$60.00 per child & $45.00 for additional children
Coach- $45.00 per child
Regular - July 11th 2022 through July 24th 2022
$70.00 per child & $55.00 for additional children
Coach- $55.00 per child
Late - July 25th 2022 through August 7th 2022
$80.00 per child & $65.00 for additional children
Coach- $65.00 per child
Proposed Schedule:
Practice begins the week of August 29th 2022
Practice day and time determined by the coach
First game is September 10th 2022
Last Regular Season Game is October 29th 2022
End of Season Tournament November 12th and 19th 2022
Submitted by: Jason Dunbar - VWOA Parks & Recreation Manager
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Printable Summer Holidays Word Search
Printable Maze and Activities
Crossword Puzzle
July 4th Mad Ad Libs
Connect the Dots Activity
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh - Communications Committee Secretary
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Four Tips for Gardening During the Summer Sun
Wilted plants don’t always mean they need water.
Droopy leaves are generally a sign that your plants are thirsty, right? This is not necessarily true in summer. Sometimes the wilting is not because your soil is dry. It may just be that the heat from the sun has caused some of the water in the foliage to evaporate. If this is the case, your plant will generally perk up in the cooler morning hours. This happens often when the sun is shining, and the temperatures rise. Always check your soil for moisture before watering. If you water just because your plant looks wilted, you may just end up with a hot, soggy mess at the base of your plant that quickly results in root rot and the death of your plant.
Mulch is your plants’ best friend.
Mulch is one of the best products to have in your gardening arsenal. When the sun is blazing, a 2"-3" layer of mulch will help cool the soil around the roots of your plants and conserve moisture by preventing evaporation.
Some spring container plants may need to be moved.
Potted plants like geraniums or lobelia that enjoyed a center spot in the sun might need to be moved to a location that can offer some shade in the afternoon. It could just take one afternoon for the sun to sizzle the leaves of your heat-sensitive plants.
Pest activity ramps up in summer.
Hot weather lures in the pests. It’s time now more than ever to be diligently observing your gardens and landscapes. Early detection of pests is key. Fruits are developing on veggies, and they don’t just look delicious to you. They are irresistible to pests. Watch out for hornworms and leaf-footed bugs on tomatoes, slugs and snails on petunias, spider mites on marigolds and junipers, and aphids on most anything.
When June bugs show up around your porch and patio lights, they’ll be heading to your turf a couple of weeks later to lay eggs which turn into grubs that feed on the roots of your lawn. None of this is to scare you. It's just to give you a heads up so you won’t be taken by surprise. Again, prevention or early detection is key when it comes to pest control and gardening.
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh - Communications Committee Secretary
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