Author: timberwoodparksa

Because of an audit recently completed for the years 2014, 2015, and 2016, on our HOA books by an interested homeowner, some potentially troubling discrepancies and facts are coming to light which every property owner should know. This will be the first installment of information for you, the property owner paying assessment fees to our HOA. There will be additional information coming shortly.

The first item of discussion is about Spectrum Property Management Fees paid by our HOA board to Spectrum:

1. 1099’s provided by Spectrum for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 summarize what Spectrum was paid each year for management fees. Spectrum has stated clearly in writing their fees come from two categories on our HOA financials 1) Management Fees and 2) Admin Fees. Additional validation of that information can be found by clicking here .   Look at the breakdown below:

2014 –   Management Fees and Admin Fees = $79,122 (according to our HOA financials)

1099 to Spectrum was $140,567.00. A discrepancy of over $61,000.

2015 – Management Fees and Admin Fees = $75,987 (according to our HOA financials)

1099 to Spectrum was $126,052. A discrepancy of over $51,000

2016 – Management Fees and Admin Fees = $71,286

1099 to Spectrum was $90,738. A discrepancy of over $19,000

Total discrepancies based on Spectrum’s statements (provided again by this link) that only the line items on our HOA financials which say Management Fees and Admin Fees cover their fees are over $141,000.00 in the last 3 years.

Spectrum’s basic contract indicates an annual fee of $40,000.00 to be paid to them for management of Timberwood Park. It also allows for additional billing for additional services. However, even considering what was provided as the 2 categories for which they receive payment, there is a huge discrepancy which has no explanation at this time. Is this good management of our HOA dollars by our HOA board?

2.   A further statement written into the Spectrum contract which both Spectrum and the HOA board signed, allows for every project which is over $75,000.00 to provide Spectrum with a 2.5% management fee. By example, and not even discussing projects we have already paid for, if the clubhouse were to be built today and costs around $1,000,000.00 according to our current management contract with Spectrum, they (Spectrum) will be paid $25,000.00 as a fee on the project in addition to the projects other costs. Is this good management of our HOA dollars by our HOA board?

HERE’S SOME OF THE LATEST IN TIMBERWOOD:

BORGFELD ROAD PHASE II

You no doubt have noticed that work has begun on Phase II of Borgfeld Road, that section from Timberline Drive all the way up to Blanco Road.  Expect delays in travel along this route for the foreseeable future!

HIGHWAY 281 EXPANSION

This project will finally begin this year. Phase I (that portion from 1604 to Stone Oak Parkway) broke ground on April 1.  Actual construction will start May 2017 and take approximately three years to complete.  Project cost is $192 million for this portion of the project.  You may also have noticed the VIA Bus Terminal/Station being constructed at Stone Oak Parkway and US 281.  Phase II of the project expansion – Stone Oak/TPC to the Comal county line is projected to start construction in 2019.  This portion of the project is estimated to cost $182 million.  As all these projects are being started we will experience longer commutes and traffic delays so plan ahead!

APRIL TPOA MEETING NOTES

Meeting opened with commentary about the success of the BBQ Event over the weekend. BBQ plates were sold for donations.  Ricky Gonzales and Clean Scapes Landscaping paid the costs of the food that was prepared for the plates to be sold for donations.  This allowed the total raised for our Volunteer Fire Department to reach $1500.00.

A presentation about the upcoming Comal ISD Bond was given.  The bond includes, among other things, funding to build a Timberwood area high school on Borgfeld Road which will be located next to the middle school currently under construction. The bond package totals $263.5 million.  Construction for the high school was estimated to complete in 2021 if the bond passes.  Early voting begins April 24.

A summary and brief discussion of the HOA aging report/financials was given which showed the outstanding balances owed in property owner assessments to the association from 2011 to present.

A new events coordinator was hired and introduced to the audience and welcomed to the community.

The Park Master Plan was presented in its semi-draft state to the audience. Some of the proposed/potential additions to the park include a dog park, expanded kids’ playground, utility sports field (soccer and other) with field (astro) turf on it, an expanded platform for the swim meet teams to line up in the pool area, extra parking spaces, a more private location for the park managers to live (it was not clear if that meant the building would be moved or if it meant the existing structure would be fenced in), an expanded main parking lot which will encroach on the new volleyball court, the volleyball court being moved over near the playground, horseshoe area, an additional loop of walking track at the back side of the park, 3 docks into the lake. Nothing has been finalized at this time according to the board report on progress made thus far.

No costs were shown for these proposed improvements but the architect that was chosen for the master plan work was in the audience and presented his vision for the park and grounds. He indicated costs would be a factor in completing any or all the plan (he indicated he has provided line item costs for each suggested/potential improvement to the board) and the clubhouse is still a vision which has not been finalized.  Whether that meant remodel or build new, he still wasn’t sure but that the team (his company and associated landscaping team) had concluded that the location should be generally where it is. A question was asked about more bathrooms on the potential dog park side of the park (back gate) and a brief discussion was held about that option.

Architect indicated that the average price for a stick build right now is estimated at $150.0o per square foot and he was contemplating something along the lines of a 6500-7500 square foot building whether new build or renovation. Cost of the master plan came in at $29,500.00. In the next couple of weeks, the digital version of the plan will be completed with specific footage and design elements completed. Architect indicated it was important to consider what the building (clubhouse) would be used for and how it is used now to determine best size, use, etc.

Some of the features for the build under consideration include: Game Room 350-400 square feet, Fitness center 1200-1500 square feet, Exterior access for outdoor seating, Small meeting room for 4 to 6 people, Large meeting room, Storage for table and chairs 150-200 square feet, Telephone and utilities closet, Kitchen facilities, Bathrooms accessible to pool and fitness room, Bathrooms for main facility.

Security cameras were discussed as a priority by the board and expanding the 9 we have to 14 and upgrading the entire system. Three bids are being considered which depending on the selection of type of service – 1) a maintained system by the provider with a monthly fee to the HOA, 2) provided equipment and install and then the HOA is responsible for failures in equipment and its replacement, or 3) a 2^nd version of the same thing with some modifications. Approximate cost if purchased is estimated at $19,000 and if maintained manner about $550.00 a month at this time.  Estimates are still being completed.

Park lighting was discussed – the board is in the final phases of getting bids for electrical and equipment. It’s going to be expensive. 2 phases proposed – 1^st phase the walking trail, 2^nd phase the parking lot.  Question was asked if it was a good idea to put in lighting if the master plan changes everything? Discussion included that the master plan will be taken into consideration before decisions are made on proceeding with the project.

Pool will open April 14^th. That’s also MIP night.

Brush and mulch becoming a problem as county has been reducing their participation in the process of mulching the brush pile from the event.  The board is now looking into alternate options which will cost the neighborhood to manage if it is determined to go that route.  Board is considering how to make the project work more effectively but it looks like it may cost 5-10k each time we do it to hire someone to take care of mulching the brush/debris brought in by property owners.

There was a crime watch report given which indicated 14 varying incidents for the month of March.

Social events were reported in summary with a notation that the  Easter Egg hunt was this weekend and volunteers are needed volunteers to guard the eggs and help with set-up. Rummage sale is April 22. MIP is starting April 14 for its season running into fall.

There was a brief discussion of a rumor started on Next Door that the board was considering fireworks in the park for the 4^th of July. Board said that was not happening this year but it might be under discussion in future years.  The board recognized that this was done in the past but had been stopped because of an incident so liability and other issues needed to be determined before further discussion would take place.

Board listened to one audience member under citizens to be heard about the bond issue who was not in favor of leveraging 263.5 million dollars in additional debt when we already have a debt service on 600+ million from previously approved bonds that property owners are obligated to. An opposing opinion supporting the bond was given by a teacher in the audience and the meeting was adjourned.

Borgfeld Road Phase II

If you’ve noticed the flashing marquees out on Borgfeld Road and in other locations near it, you know that Phase II of the Borgfeld Road expansion will begin shortly. Later this month look for the beginnings of road construction work as the project gets underway. As with Phase I work, expect travel delays and road construction which will impacts traffic on a regular basis as the project continues. If you travel that route, take note you may want to adjust the time you allow to travel it or find alternate routes while the project is underway. Once completed, Phase II will look much like Phase I with features like 4 travel lanes and turn lanes.

 

February Timberwood Park HOA Meeting

To read notes from the HOA meeting in February click here. Scroll down and on the left side of the Documents page of www.timberwoodparksa.org web page you will find the Feb 7 2017 HOA meeting notes “button” for more detail.

 

Gerfers Cemetery

An article for the neighborhood newsletter has been submitted with more detail about the cemetery. For those who would like to know a little about it, here is a summary of the article submitted to be published in the newsletter:

After more than a 5-year process to complete, The Texas Historical Commission (THC) recently approved and designated GERFERS CEMETERY as a Historic Texas Cemetery. The distinction means the cemetery has been legally recorded through the THC’s Cemetery Preservation Program, an important step in ensuring its preservation.

Gerfers Cemetery is thought to originally be part of what was once known as the Old Panther Springs Ranch, a vast area of undeveloped Northern Bexar County, prior to eventually becoming part of the Timberwood Park Development when Timberwood Development Company purchased a portion of the ranch land which included the cemetery to develop it into home sites. There are 21 visible gravesites within the cemetery, the oldest being from 1877 and the most recent dating to 1922. Many of the gravesites are of the Gerfer family, thus the name of the cemetery. The property on which it sits is currently owned by Timberwood Park Owners Association as a part of the common areas of the development.

The designation is reserved for cemeteries that are at least 50 years old and documented through the Historic Texas Cemetery designation process to record their historic association and significance. The very nature of a cemetery as a landmark of a family’s or community’s presence is considered to validate the criteria of historical associations. “Cemeteries are important keys in the history of Texas. Designation as a Historic Texas Cemetery helps increase public awareness of these important cultural resources,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the THC. “Knowledge and education are among the best ways to guarantee the preservation of a historic cemetery.” By accomplishing this designation, Gerfers Cemetery becomes a recorded part of history in this area and this helps preserve the cemetery by alerting present and future landowners of the presence of this important historical resource within their community.

Reminder for all property owners to attend the TPOA annual meeting, tomorrow night, Tuesday, December 6, at 7 pm in the clubhouse.  Come early to register to vote and cast your vote for the candidates you feel might best represent you, the property owners of Timberwood Park!  Let your voice be heard!

 

 

There have been several comments made recently on different social platforms as well as through current board member e-mail blitzes to limited specific groups within Timberwood Park, which tout the standing Timberwood has in “best places to live in the San Antonio area”. Our current HOA board, as a platform to achieve re-election for incumbents running, has indicated this is due to their leadership and the community events and activities provided property owners through our assessment dollars. While community events and activities are certainly part of the fabric of a great neighborhood, and we have many good ones, one of the top reasons Timberwood is a great place to live is the non-annexation agreement which was negotiated and put in place PRIOR to the current HOA board by previous boards who stewarded Timberwood at a time when far less funding was available to accomplish anything of substance. The non-annexation agreement ensures property owners from having to pay city property taxes until 2033. This benefit alone, is causing many to look at Timberwood along with our spacious treed lots, our custom homes and our abundant wildlife as reasons to move to our neighborhood.

It’s also been said that property values have gone up because our park/amenity center area was recently improved by our current HOA board. Improvements would have been something any board would have attempted on some scale given the number of years the park sat idle without many dollars being spent to improve it. Let’s give credit to working toward improving our park/amenity center area, that’s certainly been undertaken, but it’s not what drives property values.

Ultimately, tax assessed property values are determined by the tax assessor who weighs various factors to calculate those values. These include size of home, type of construction, age of home, size and type of lot, features of home and any additional property features/upgrades, the county/municipality in which the property resides, etc., not common area features in the development. Tax assessed values drive property values and are one of the main determining factors realtors use to set market value on the property when they list it to sell.

Five years after turnover where are we? Five years after turnover, the current HOA board has not saved a dime toward capital improvements. Looking at the HOA annual tax reports for 2014, the HOA board overspent approximately $300,000 more than we took in for revenue.  In 2015 we had a bottom line on our tax return of about $70,000 after all expenses and income were tallied.  Is this good stewardship and management of our assessment dollars?

In most well-run businesses, and this is a business, saving would be part of a managed, strategic, well thought-out master plan. And yet, master plans exist, two of them in fact!  But neither have been followed! It seems like with 5 years and $600,000+ a year to work with, it would be possible to save some money toward long-range goals, while incrementally working on upgrades and improvements. Instead we seem to be looking at borrowing money to facilitate non-essential capital improvements of a very large scale.

Better planning, fiscal management and following a master plan would greatly enhance how our assessment dollars are spent in the future. The larger job for the HOA is to manage our assessment dollars and the development effectively on behalf of ALL property owners. Sending e-blasts to specific groups, like the swim team, seeking votes for incumbents while not referencing the entire electoral process and not sending a message to ALL property owners about voting in general without bias, seems a bit less than representative of the entire population of Timberwood Park.

Electing new thinkers to the table means that not only do you get a new perspective, but you allow a transition of those who have served their community as volunteers for an extended period-of-time to take a break, with the thanks of their community, and allow others an opportunity to step up to work on making Timberwood a great place to live! Cycling out keeps elected volunteers fresh to the expectations of the community it serves. It also allows others to serve and expands involvement by the population at large.

Give some of the new individuals who have stepped up to run for office a chance. Ask why is it essential to keep the same players at the table forever and why the board targets specific groups within our entire property owner population with individual e-mail messages from incumbent board members to continue to vote the same people in when not sending a general unbiased get out and vote message to all property owners of Timberwood Park? After all, doesn’t the incumbent board serve all property owners?