Open letter for the Homeowner member of the Spanish Oaks HOA
After least year’s somewhat contentious annual meeting, the members of the SPHOA heard your concerns and appointed me as the homeowner representative to the Board. Shortly thereafter, I asked Bob Wood to be the Chair of the Communication Committee and we set out to knock on each front door of every occupied house or leave a calling card. It was a pleasure to meet as many of you as we did. Bob and I will repeat the process this spring, after daylight savings, as I want to get to know all of you. We heard your issues and have tried to respond as best as we could.
The SPHOA held a Memorial Day picnic and I was thrilled with the attendance. That event was chaired by Jennifer Horne who did yeoman’s work. Jennifer has moved out of our hood and we are still looking for someone to take over that job.
As noted, Bob has taken responsibility to communicate with all of in every method possible. Bob started the blog, the web site and the blast e-mail system. Pam Chandler inserts letters in that little gem we get quarterly and has the security guards hand out flyers as well.
I want to thank Lori Bailes for turning us onto the wonderful program of helping out those less fortunate then us.
We are still looking for a Chair of the Safety Committee and volunteers to work on a number of those issues that affect all of our personal safety. To this end, we had a community meeting with Commissioner Dougherty to discuss road and other issues. Overall the Highway 71 problem (stop light) is not very encouraging but there are things being discussed.
Pam Chandler and I are putting together a calendar for 2007. We will start with the Annual meeting in January. This will take place at Rosie’s Tamale House and this should be a cordial social event. The bar will be open. The agenda will be completed and the members of the Board available. I would like to make the Halloween Hay Ride an annual event and based on the glee from the kiddos that I saw, this should be a no brainer. I would like to add to that with an ice cream social around Labor Day and one or two events in our Las Niño Park. Finally, let’s build on the holiday lighting contest. This is the first year Shirley and I tried outdoor lighting here in Spanish Oaks. Our last house had a number of outdoor outlets and we discovered a slight oversight when we finished our house. I found it particularly difficult to light up the trees with no electricity. Next year we will compete with a vengeance!
The developer has brought on line two parks for the members, with two more in the works. There is water in the tank and we will be fishing soon. Can someone teach a city kid? My fishing experience is asking Mr. Debilliti at the fish market what is fresh today. It is so much easier pointing to one already on ice! With the tank stocked it should be a treat for kids of all ages.
Add to that the fish camp and other features planned and 2007 will be spectacular! These services and facilities will be ready for all the members of the SPHOA community. In the coming years there will be a number of recreational areas for us to enjoy. It remains my fervent hope that this will become the community that we all bought into.
However, there are still issues that we all have to deal with. Adherence to deed restrictions is a challenge, and some of the rules are changing. As these occur they will be posted on the web page. The completion of the boulevard to the west entrance will not be finished in January. It is getting close, but we all know how it was building our houses, when are they ever finished on time?
Also, I have to tell you that the support that the developer provides to our HOA continues to be extensive. Unfortunately, some of that responsibility will have to be transferred to the members (more than 200 at this time). The Board will be deciding upon a new budget. This new budget takes into consideration the lots sold, the houses built, the greater amount of landscaped ground that will be to be attended and a number of other issues. I must tell you that the budget does call for a modest $20.00 per month increase in dues. When I speak with SOHOA members they all share the same concern that they want this to be the most exclusive and desirous gated community in the greater Austin area. Security and water are expensive and with more members more of both are required.
You should have received a copy of the minutes from last year’s annual meeting. This month you will receive a copy of the budget. Next month (prior to the annual meting) you will get a copy of the agenda for the annual meting. I would ask that if there are any concerns, please share them with the Board or me as soon as possible so that we can present you with all the information that you desire to resolve any issue.
In summary, this has been a year of transition. There is a new developer; there are new rules, many new faces and new amenities to our community. Add to that I want to increase all that is good about Spanish Oaks and with the assistance of all the members I know that we can make this happen.
We need help with the social committee and safety committees and we need your feedback on any issue that you find pressing.
Let me close with thanking all of you for your support of the Spanish Oaks Homeowners Association. I would like to wish you the best this holiday season and hope that before long I get the opportunity to meet all of you both at the annual meeting and at your front door next spring.
Warmest Regards,
Donald A. Abrams
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