Published monthly by the Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association

Communications Committee - May 1, 2023 Edition!

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The annual meeting to elect two of our Board members was held on Thursday, April 20, 2023. The meeting was in-person as well as on Zoom. The meeting was interrupted by a heavy thunderstorm accompanied by strong winds and power outages. However, the meeting was successfully concluded, and the new Board convened to determine the officer assignments. Here are the assignments:

• President: Elaine Maurer
• Vice President: Brandon Schuler
• Treasurer: Heather Mallia
• Secretary: Brian Bush
• Assistant Secretary: Lynette Bradley

Please click the link below for further details:

https://villagesofwestcreek.com/bod/

Submitted by: Francis Lomax - Chair, VWOA Communications Committee

NOTE: BOARD MEETINGS DATES CHANGED FOR THIS MONTH

The May 2023 Board Meetings have been moved from the 3^rd week of the month to the 2^nd week of the month due to the Community Manager being out of the office. The new May 2023 Board Meeting dates will be as follows: Executive Session-Wednesday, May 10, 2023, and Open Session-Thursday, May 11, 2023. 

Submitted by: Maria Robinson - VWOA Community Manager

HOW DID THE VWOA SAVE OVER A HALF MILLION DOLLARS?

At the Annual Members Meeting in April, it was announced that the loan for the Community Center and the pool was paid off. The Community Manager then researched and discovered that in 2011 the Board re-financed the loan, resulting in an interest rate reduction from 8% to 6.25%. In addition, that Board and the following Boards decided to keep paying more than the minimum amount required. The result was that when the loan was paid off, the Association paid at least $550,000 less in interest charges than initially estimated for the original loan. Many thanks to the VWOA Board members for carefully monitoring our financial matters!

Submitted by: Francis Lomax - Chair, VWOA Communications Committee

LYNETTE BRADLEY STEPS DOWN FROM THE ARC

Due to the passing of Senate Bill 1588, starting September 1, 2021, Board members, their spouses, or members of their households cannot also serve on the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). 

Since Lynette Bradley was elected by the members to serve on the Board of Directors, she stepped down from the ARC on April 20, 2023. The Board of Directors would like to thank Lynette for her service as the Chair of the ARC.

Submitted by: Bill Fenstermacher - Vice Chair, VWOA Communications Committee

The Board of Directors, on behalf of the Villages of Westcreek community, would like to acknowledge and thank one of our most dedicated volunteers.

Kevin Drummonds has been a resident of Westcreek since moving here with his family in April 1997.  Kevin has devoted many years to improving our community through active involvement and service.

Kevin has not only held nearly every position on the Board at one point or another, he has also served on nearly every committee!  His committee experience includes: 

• Standards Review Committee (3 different times!)
• Bylaws Revision Committee
• Strategic Planning Committee
• Sports Park Committee
• Finance Committee
• Election/Nominations Committee
• Several Ad-Hoc Committees including Major Fences, Landscaping, Lighting, Lifeguards, Pavilion, and Community Center.

In addition to his committee and Board experience, Kevin has also dedicated many hours to further the betterment of our community by encouraging and participating in community cleanup events.  He has actively participated in the VWOA Fall Festival, Annual Picnic, Westcreek Jubilee, Easter, and many more events.  Kevin also enthusiastically assisted with the Ball Field Restoration Project and Sports Park bathroom remodeling several years ago.

When asked what he would like to share with the community, Kevin said, “The Association and the community can not continue to maintain high standards without the homeowners getting involved and having the appropriate attitude, that is, what is best for all the residents. It truly takes a village.”  Finding dedicated volunteers is always a challenge, but Kevin has answered the call repeatedly over the years and demonstrated his commitment to the Association, the Community, and to all residents through his actions and involvement.  We are blessed to have him as a part of our village.

Kevin’s hobbies include golfing, fishing, and woodworking which he thoroughly plans to enjoy even more as he retires from the Board.  We know even though Kevin is leaving the Board, he will still remain a dedicated member of our community and an invaluable resource for our Association.  Thank you Kevin for all your hard work over the years!

Submitted by: Heather Mallia - VWOA Treasurer

VWOA BOARD ACCOMMODATES BEXAR COUNTY ESD-2 TO IMPROVE RESPONSE TIME DURING CONSTRUCTION

Have you heard & seen more emergency vehicles in the neighborhood than usual? Well, that’s because the Bexar County District 2 Fire Department has been running their emergency calls from our community center parking lot. The Fire Department Chief reached out to the VWOA Board and asked if they could stage from here in Westcreek for the next 17 months until the new station on Talley is completed. Due to the local street construction in our area and the construction of the new fire station on Talley Rd. they wanted to ensure their response times for emergencies out in this area were not delayed. 

We would like to thank the Bexar County Fire Department for their dedication & commitment to our community! 

Submitted by: Elaine Maurer - President, VWOA Board of Directors

As of Thursday, April 20, 2023, the following update regarding the Military Dr. project was received by Bexar County Public Works. The storm drain installation will be starting soon and they are estimating that approximately 200' per day can be installed and the gas line is more than 50% completed. The project is currently on track at this time and as more updates become available, they will continue to be sent out via Constant Contact and included in the monthly newsletters.  

Submitted by: Maria Robinson - VWOA Community Manager

The JOINT GENERAL, SPECIAL, CHARTER AND BOND ELECTION will be held on May 6, 2023. 

• Click here to visit the Bexar County Election Department for additional information!
• Click here to look up your voter registration number/status, sample ballot, and early vote polling locations!

Signs expressing support for an individual political candidate or party or local bond issue or referendum may be placed in a private front yard no earlier than ninety (90) days prior to a primary or general election and must be removed no later than ten (10) days after the election unless the candidate is involved in a runoff election. 

Such political signs shall not exceed five (5') square feet and must be professionally produced. Homemade signs are not permitted. 

The limit for political signs is one (1) per candidate or ballot item per lot.

Note: The ARC may approve banners on a case-by-case basis.

References:



Standards for Architectural Design and Maintenance, Section 9.1 and 9.6 

Submitted by: Bill Fenstermacher - Vice Chair, VWOA Communications Committee

SOLICITATION FOR VOLUNTEER ARC REGULAR MEMBER

The Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association is currently recruiting to fill a Regular Member vacancy on the Architectural Review Committee (ARC).  You must be a homeowner to be appointed by the Board of Directors to serve on this committee.

The primary objective of the ARC is to enhance and preserve property values throughout the community while being as consistent and fair as possible with their decisions and recommendations. The ARC has the authority to:

•  Adopt and administer the review process on behalf of the VWOA;  
• Review and approve or disapprove plans and specifications for each Property Improvement Application (PIA) regarding changes to the premises;  
• Make changes to the "Standards for Architectural Design and Property Maintenance" as deemed necessary in accordance with the CC&Rs and applicable Federal, State, and local laws; and, 
• Make reasonable efforts to assist the applicants with their requests and any other concerns regarding the "Standards."

ARC members will be trained and expected to conduct business using an automated system. This system allows ARC members to digitally view, comment, approve or deny PIAs.

Ideal candidates will need to

• have access to a computer and the internet.
• be available consistently to meet in person should homeowners request a meeting to discuss their PIA. 
• have knowledge of the CC&Rs and the VWOA's standards.

Additional duties and responsibilities are outlined in the "Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (Article IX - Architectural Review Committee)" and "Standards for Architectural Design and Property Maintenance."

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: Lynette Bradley - Assistant Secretary, VWOA Board of Directors

COMMUNITY UPDATES



1. Monuments at Daisy Field and Potranco-OPEN- The Community Manager reached out to her contact at TXDOT after the last Board meeting to confirm and get clarification on the right-of-way location. She is currently still awaiting a response.    
2. Garden Lily and Tally Rd.-TABLED- The Board has decided to table this project until the construction on Talley Road has been completed.     
3. Pointe Monument-CLOSED- This project has been completed and is now closed. It will be removed for the June 2023 Board Meeting.
4. Maintenance Shop Replacement-OPEN- The contract for this has been signed and the deposit invoice paid. This project is currently scheduled to begin after the completion of the concrete pad and electrical installation.   
5. Maintenance Shop Concrete Pad-OPEN- The vendor has updated us to let the Board and staff know that we have completed the first steps of the permitting process and he is now working with Bexar County Public Works and the Fire Marshall to continue the permitting process.
6. Standards Revision-OPEN- The Board and the ARC members had a workshop in late February 2023 and will need to have an additional workshop to complete the review of the changes being recommended.

Submitted by: Maria Robinson - VWOA Community Manager

Submitted by: Bill Fenstermacher - Alternate Member, Architectural Review Committee

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:  https://villagesofwestcreek.com/recreation/healthandfitness/

Submitted by: Melissa Garcia - VWOA Office Manager

Our Neighborhood has partnered, once again, with Training By Carol swim lessons to offer lessons to our members this summer.

She is starting to accept registrations from the neighborhood on April 1st. Go to the Facebook page Training By Carol for details and the registration link.

Weekday Sessions are 2 weeks long meeting M-TH with F as a makeup ONLY if the instructor has to cancel a class. Classes are 30 minutes running back-to-back from 8:00-10:00 am depending on age/ability. This summer there will also be a Weekend Session offered as well, meeting Saturday and Sunday for the month of June for the 8 thirty-minute classes. The ages of children in these group classes are 3 1/2 yrs. and up. The fee is $125 per swimmer per session with a $5 discount if paying cash. The $25 nonrefundable deposit is due upon registration and the remainder is due on day one. Participants must be a member of Villages of Westcreek or be a quest of and be with a member of Villages of Westcreek and have access to the pool. 

WE S2 June Sat./Sun. (Instructor: Karli)

S3 June 5-16 M-TH (Instructor: Cassie)

S4 June 19-30 M-TH (Instructor: Cassie) 

S5 July 10-21 M-TH (Instructor: Cassie)

S6 July 24-August 4 M-TH (Instructor: Cassie)

S7 August 7-18 M-TH (Instructor: Cassie) 

ENJOY BINGO on Tuesday, May 9th at 1:00 PM

*** FINALLY! IT IS HERE THIS MONTH! ***

VWOA BULK TRASH DAY - June 17th, 2023

Upcoming Events Submitted by: Melissa Garcia - VWOA Office Manager

Plan Ahead

Have a plan for your plants before you shop. Nursery transplants are not meant to sit in their original containers for days or weeks on end while you get around to digging your garden. Especially during periods of extended heat and drought, the soil in these containers can dry out very quickly, drying the plant along with it.

At Rainbow Gardens and other nurseries, employees watch carefully to gauge if transplants need watering daily, twice daily, or more. Most of us outside of the nursery do not pay that much mind to the watering needs of our plants. So…don’t do it. Wait until you have dug your garden, are ready to plant, and can take the time to focus on daily watering needs to establish your tender and new transplants. 

Trees and Shrubs

Please don’t carry your trees by their trunk. Trunks are not handles. Hold the bottom of the pot to transport your trees.

When you are bringing home larger trees and shrubs, first see tip number one. Next, make sure you cover their tops (leaves) during transport. Uncovered trees and shrubs, and actually any plant with exposed leaves can get windburned on the way home. This will set your plants back quite a bit. They can also lose their leaves during the drive. Don’t stress out your plants. Wind causes excessive and immediate water loss from the leaves (transpiration). Don’t think that you can just drive slowly. Cover your plants with protective material.

Going Home

Make your visit to the nursery the only stop of the day or the last stop during your errands. Don't leave your plants in your hot car while you run into HEB for the groceries.

Once you are home, plant your plants! If you need an extra day because you ran out of time or something unexpected came up, put your plants in a shaded area and check the nursery containers to feel if the soil is moist. If not, water them thoroughly and make plans to plant them the next day. 

An exception to taking plants out of their nursery pots may be houseplants. It is a good idea to leave them in those for a little bit without disturbing their roots as they adjust to the elements of your home. They can experience a little bit of shock adjusting to new light, temperature, humidity, water schedule, etc.; waiting to transplant them to a new pot can reduce some of that shock. (Don’t be alarmed right away if a few leaves fall off, it might just be the adjustment period.) You can always slide the pot into a larger decorative pot or container for the time being. Just make sure the larger pot has drainage holes or take out the nursery pot to let it drain when watering. 

Tender Loving Care (TLC)

Remember that newly planted plants need extra care and attention to watering for them to get established. It’s best to water gardens and planting sites the day or two before planting, and then again immediately after planting. Check on newly planted plants every day. Feel the soil with your fingers so you learn how often to water. Don’t judge by looks only. You need to know how far down the soil is moist or dry. 

Information courtesy of Rainbow Gardens www.rainbowgardens.biz.

Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh - Communications Committee Secretary