Author: timberwoodparksa

Here are notes for your information from some recent meetings I have attended or committees for which I am a part:

 

EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICT (ESD) 3

Timberwood Park is part of the area that ESD 3 currently serves for our fire and emergency services.  The annual meeting for Bexar Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department ESD 3, which I attended,  was held May 29, 2015.  At this meeting there was general discussion which included the districts annual operating budget, the potential annexation of many of the developments which surround Timberwood and a large portion of what is the current ESD 3, the fact that Timberwood is non-annexed and will remain in ESD 3 regardless of the other neighborhoods which may be migrated into City of San Antonio jurisdiction because of it’s successful completion of a non-annexation agreement, and an election was held for the 2 positions on the board of directors which were eligible to be filled.

What’s important for everyone to pay attention to in Timberwood is that regardless of what the City ultimately decides to do with the annexation of the surrounding developments, we will remain in ESD 3 and will need to ensure we have adequate, timely coverage for our neighborhood in emergency services.  Existing fire stations for our district are: #1 on Borgfeld Road, and #2 on  Bulverde Road next to Johnson High School.  A third station is proposed somewhere near the Canyon Golf and Overlook Parkway area but has not yet broken ground. Discussion at this meeting indicated that the intent is to begin construction on the new facility (station #3) in the near future with land already in place.

Again, of importance here is that Timberwood residents remain vocal in their desire ensure we have adequate and timely response times in emergency situations for our neighborhood even if there is a shift in what ESD 3 covers because of annexation…i.e. will the annexation negate any of the station(s) proposed to be built, or could annexation allow for a station which has been built in ESD 3 to be turned over to City rather than stay with ESD 3?  Should we be asking about the potential remodel/upgrade of Station #1 given it’s age and condition to ensure we have close adequate coverage for our property owners regardless of the outcome of the annexation talks?

There was a $3.1 million budget for 2014 in place thanks to voter approval of a tax increase which gave the district a much larger operating budget than the 2013 $349,000.00 budget.  The TPC area is the only other area in ESD 3 that is guaranteed to be spared by annexation since it also has a non-annexation agreement in place covering the hotel and surrounding properties.  It makes sense for Station #2 to be in place to protect that area in a timely manner, but it also makes sense for some improvements to be occurring in our existing Station #1 to better serve our needs and the needs of the firefighters and EMS who house themselves in that station.  Should something happen that precludes Station #3 from being completed, or it doesn’t stay with ESD #3 if annexation of the area happens, Timberwood needs a station that has up to date technology and equipment as well as up to date facilities to house our firefighters and EMS personnel properly.

 

PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLES

Timberwood Park is provided law enforcement coverage by the Constables of Precinct 3.  We also have coverage through the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.  The Constables provide the same law enforcement services as the Sheriff’s office and are able to do anything from traffic control, to vacation checks on your home, to traffic stops and citations, to serving warrants and other related services.

I was recently appointed to serve as a Constable’s Commissioner for Precinct 3.  As a Commissioner, I will be serving on an advisory committee to the Constables of Precinct 3 to help provide feedback to and from our neighborhood and surrounding community.  If you have a suggestion, comment, complaint, concern or compliment regarding services you would like to see provided, how services can be provided more effectively for our neighborhood, or if you have a suggestion you’d like passed along to the office, please let me know.

The goal of this Advisory Committee is to provide a public set of “everyday” eyes and ears to assist the Constable in aiding our community to the best of it’s ability.  This is a new committee, and we are just getting started but I look forward to the opportunity to serve in this volunteer position on behalf of our neighborhood and Precinct 3.

You can find the Constables contact numbers on the “Who To Call for…” tab of this web page www.timberwoodparksa.org .

 

HOA MEETING – June 2015

The June meeting for the TPOA was held Tuesday, June 2, 2015. Topics of discussion included citizens to be heard, treasurer report, status of fish being brought back into the lake, restrooms around the lake progress, a lawsuit settlement, events and activities updates, Borgfeld Road update, Blanco Road light at Slumber Pass update, and the bond election results.

For those of you unable to attend:

Under Citizens to be Heard there were several property owners who discussed a wide array of matters included the drainage ditches in Timberwood, easements and who is responsible for which easements maintenance in the neighborhood, issues with pool passes, brush dumping into easements, etc.

Neighborhood Watch discussion included some tips to protect your home and a request for more block captains to sign up with the new Chairs of the committee.

An update of the Borgfeld Road Phase I construction made note of the weather and the delay it has caused in completion of Phase I.  Board members stated the belief it will now be late summer before the project is complete.  The stop light for Blanco/Slumber Pass has been delayed  but is funded and currently out for bid.  Look for that construction to be somewhere in August or thereafter at the earliest.

There was brief discussion about a lawsuit which was settled recently in favor of the HOA.

The bond election results were that the revised bond passed.  According to the discussion at the meeting, another bond will be up for consideration and vote in 2017 to cover a potential site for a high school for our area of the district.  The current bond will cover the construction of the middle school in the Kinder Ranch subdivision area that should be completed by 2017.

The treasurers report gave an overview of our accounts, outstanding unpaid assessments and collections in process.

There was an update on the restroom project slated for the back side of the lake and while construction has begun it will be 3-4 months before it is complete.

Social events report was given which included Music In The Park scheduled June 12, 19 and 26 – which is also the Picnic In the Park event this year.  A change was made to schedule Picnic in the Park prior to the 4th of July this year because there had been some discussion about many being unable to attend because they are out of town over the 4th.  The change this year was to see if it made a difference in the attendance or not.

The HOA is in the process of restocking the lake and in the near future 400 4-6″ large mouth bass will be added to the ecosystem of the lake.

Next meeting will occur in August.

 

I hope you all enjoy your summer and as news warrants I will continue to post updates to this blog!

 

 

It’s been a while since I last posted new material for you.

I am once again getting involved in a few new committees and organizations in and around Timberwood/Bexar County.  Stay tuned for more updates soon with regard to those activities.  I plan to begin posting information that I think  you might find useful in the near future and as they are available.

Visit the TimberwoodPark website for new updates and design!

I have revised and reorganized the web page so I invite you to visit it once again and see the changes.  New links are available to reach State Rep. Lyle Larson as well as Commissioner Kevin Wolff with your questions and concerns located on Important Numbers which has also been updated for changes to some telephone numbers and helpful web pages previously posted.  Additionally, there are some new professionals who have joined the page that you might find helpful if you need someone for repairs, improvements, projects, etc.  Let me know what else you think might be helpful on the web page and I will look into whether or not I can provide it for you!

There are lots of activities and events coming up in the near future and already scheduled into the summer.  I’ve listed a few of them below:

NOTE:  The events and activities are for Timberwood homeowners/property owners only.  They are generally NOT open to the public.  Gate access cards are checked at most events.

The next  brush and bulky items collection for Timberwood Park is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Amenity Center. Only the front gate (on Timberline Drive) will be open if you are dropping off items for collection. The back gate (Trixie Drive) will not be open during this time in order to alleviate traffic and congestion during the drop-offs. Be prepared to show your gate access card before entering the Amenity Center.

Pool passes are on sale beginning April 16.  The 2015 Timberwood Park pool season begins  April 24 with grand opening of the pool combined with a Music In The Park Concert. The passes can be purchased in the park office which is open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday.  Pricing and further details are found in your property owner e-mails.  Park office phone number is available on the Important Numbers tab of the Timberwood Park web page.

Rain Barrel making opportunity May 9, 2015 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the clubhouse.  Check your property owner e-mails for details about how and who to rsvp to as well as the cost associated with this great opportunity for property owners to learn more about conservation and reuse of rainwater.

There was a complete listing of concerts for Music in the Park this season appearing in the April property owners newsletter.  As dates near, you will no doubt receive updates on times and performers via the e-mail system for property owners.

Looking forward to providing you with more information in and around Timberwood soon…enjoy spring….fast enough it will be summer and we will wish for these rainy and cooler days!

Tell your neighbors if you think they might benefit from subscribing to this webpage/blog and as always, thank you  for subscribing!!

 

 

 

I missed the mark this year.  I planned to start blogging with the turn of the clock to 2015.  As happens on a regular basis life got in the way!  I hope that each of you brought 2015 in with your own special flair and attention to a new year, a new start and hopes of a great year to come.

January has already passed the halfway mark, and we’ve all experienced many cold, cold days for the typical San Antonio winter we all usually enjoy.  It’s nice the weather finally made a change back this week to what we typically see this time of year…60’s and maybe 70’s and lots of sunshine.  You don’t realize how much you miss it until it’s gone!

Just a quick reminder that many of you are receiving your backflow regulator notices in the mail this week as SAWS has begun distributing them to property owners with a regulator on their property.  Be sure to get your testing scheduled with one of the many testers provided on a list sent along with your notice by SAWS or with another tester you may already be working with.  We have used American Backflow successfully for several years now.

The annual HOA board election in December for Timberwood Park brought out approximately  10-15% of our voting population  to provide a decision regarding who will govern our development for the coming election cycle.  Voting in this election  is your right. Voting determines who will be in charge of our assessment dollars and how they are spent, the management of our common areas, development oversight, social events and activities and so much more.  While those who voted let their voices be heard, they also provided the decision for the silent majority who for any number of reasons didn’t cast a vote.  Whether it was a lack of time to get to the voting place, the absentee ballot didn’t get sent back in, the voter didn’t feel it was important to vote in this local election, or didn’t think their vote mattered, the majority didn’t vote.  Some might say that this is a reflection of the fact that most property owners feel like things are running well and everyone is generally happy with the management in place and that’s certainly one possibility.

Another possibility might be that perhaps the silent majority feels like they are not heard when they voice a complaint or have a concern.  Perhaps the silent majority feels dismissed because they present a differing opinion or position on a particular matter or issue but are told that the elected officials will make decisions as they see fit because they were elected to.  Whatever the reason, allowing 10-15% of the voters to decide what works for 100% seems like taking a big risk with your rights.  Please be sure to cast your vote when the opportunity is presented whenever possible!

I hope each of you will attend as many of the meetings this year as you can fit into your schedules.  The newsletter listed each of the HOA meetings for 2015 leading up the annual meeting — Feb 3, Apr 7, Jun 2,  Aug 4 and Oct 6.  These dates are opportunities for you to participate in the management of our development and let your voice be heard regarding choices being made on how your assessment dollars are spent, what improvements are made to our common areas, what programs are added or deleted in the social arena, and more.  They are also an opportunity for you to see how the board makes decisions and hear about progress on many of the projected and/or scheduled improvements planned for the coming year.

We have made much progress managing our own affairs and determining how best to spend our HOA monies appropriately on behalf of all property owners.  There’s always room for improvement and there’s always an option to move status quo in new directions.  Be involved wherever and whenever you can and be sure to let your voice be heard.  You are the best advocate for your rights and the things you feel are important!  Stay in the know by attending the meetings and providing feedback.  Be an active part of your neighborhood!

All the best in 2015!

 

 

A quick reminder that if you haven’t sent in your absentee ballot and/or planned to attend the annual meeting, tonight, December 2, 2014 is the big night!  The annual HOA members meeting and board member election is being held this evening in our clubhouse at the park beginning at 7 p.m.  Please plan to attend and cast your vote for the candidate(s) of your choice at this important election for the board that oversees our development.  Remember the board members elected represent your voice in the neighborhood with regard to how your assessment dollars are spent, what projects are undertaken in our park and surrounding common areas and how our development/neighborhood is managed.  Make sure your voice is heard and cast your vote!  See you there!

This week, Spectrum mailed out absentee ballots for the upcoming HOA election and annual meeting.  Please take time to vote for the candidates of your choice to fill spots for the HOA board in our neighborhood.  The neighbors that fill these positions determine by and large how our assessment dollars are spent, what improvements are made to our common areas and what social activities are offered and paid for by our assessment dollars annually on behalf of all the property owners of Timberwood Park.

There were also bios of most of the candidates in the November newsletter to give you an opportunity to get to know the neighbors who are running for office a bit better.  It’s unfortunate there isn’t an opportunity prior to voting to meet and greet these candidates to give you the voter an opportunity to learn more about them and their interests in participating in the management of Timberwood Park– but at least you have the bios!

Maybe you know a neighbor who is running for office…thank him or her for stepping up and wanting to take on the challenge!  This week Spectrum also sent out copies of the same bios along with the ones that didn’t appear in the newsletter, attached to e-blasts that were sent to property owners.  Please take a look at the information provided and make an informed decision about who you want to represent you in the coming year for association business.  If you didn’t receive the e-blast from Spectrum, contact me and I will forward a copy to you!

 

RUMMAGE SALE:    Tomorrow, Saturday, November 8th, there will be a Rummage sale in the park from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.