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Property Owners Association Newsletter Spring 2002
Board Notes
Jeff Aurit
Howdy Neighbors The Ranch Hands have made major strides
The RMRPOA Board of Directors meets the toward erosion control at Spring Creek Park. A
second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. to dozen or so strong-backed ranch hands recently
conduct the business of the Property Owners volunteered two days of their time to move tons
Association. Each of our Committees (ACC, and tons of rocks and boulders to the ravine at
Finance, Improvements, Ranch Hands, and Spring Creek Park. We owe a debt of gratitude to
Pavilion) is represented to report on its projects all the volunteers and especially to Jim Glass for
and activities. Meetings are open to all members. his project organization and to Mo Morine for
Contact the POA Secretary for meeting location. his supervision and engineering.
The Pavilion at Spring Creek is now more than a At our request, Kendall County Engineer Mark
figment of our imagination. The board has spent Sorenson recently dispatched the county‘s
considerable time reviewing the suggestions and mowers to cut the grasses along our roadsides. It
ideas gathered and submitted by Dale Flashberg was a welcome sight when they showed up
and her committee. The board reviewed the within weeks of our request, especially after
Finance Committee‘s funding recommendations. hearing from Mark that KC does not budget
Based on these inputs, the board set guidelines specific dollars or resources for routine roadside
and specifications for the pavilion‘s design and mowing. Mark agreed with our safety and
construction. Jim Glass has agreed to lead the aesthetics reasoning, but added that he will need
Pavilion Project as we move from the Commissioner‘s Court approval to make this
―definition‖ phase to the ―design and happen on a routine basis. Call Mark to extend
construction‖ phase. A target date of April 9 is your appreciation, and call our newly elected
set to have an artist‘s rendition for board review. County Commissioner to request budget for
A full presentation will be made to the POA routine upkeep of our roadsides.
general membership at the April 20 meeting.
RMR Facts. Larry McVay, Finance Committee
The Improvements Committee continues to Chair, assembled the attached list of RMR Facts.
gather input for the Spring Creek Master Plan. Thank you, Larry, for providing this interesting
With the community pavilion as the mainstay of reading.
Spring Creek Park, other ideas for future
development include a combination nature Speaking of facts, we have a challenge—and
trail/challenge course, a horseshoe & washers assignment — waiting for our first ―RMR
pit, a softball field, a gazebo/garden, and even a Historian.‖ The challenge: to research county,
tennis court. Continue to convey your creative state, library and other records and gather the
ideas for the future of Spring Creek Park to the facts related to the history of early settlers, land
Improvements Committee. grants, and land ownership of what we now call
home, River Mountain Ranch. Any takers?
RMR POA Newsletter Spring 2002 Page 1 of 6
Mark your calendars and make plans to attend from those helping build our pavilion to the
our semi-annual general membership meeting to many others helping in various ways to build our
be held April 20, 2002 at 6:00 PM at Spring community.
Creek Park. Prior to the meeting at 5:00, we will
gather for a neighborhood picnic. Please bring a Read on for more news from the RMR
side dish to share, drinks, and lawn chairs. The Committees… And, remember to visit our web
POA will provide BBQ meat. site at www.rivermountainranchpoa.org
Watchful Reminders
Watch those burn piles. As of this writing,
controlled burns are allowed. However, we have
had an exceptionally dry winter so please use River Currents
extra care with your controlled burns and keep This is a new feature we plan to include in each
an eye on the ‗controlled burn‘ sign at the main newsletter, bringing you tidbits of local history,
entrance. gathered by Tom Rickert from county sources
and prepared by Janice Shoemaker.
Watch those covenants and restrictions. The
Board and ACC remind you to review your The Kreutzberg Cross
Covenants and Restrictions and to call the ACC If you look closely while driving down
if you have questions or need a copy. Fences, Kreutzberg Road, just past the old town of
outbuildings, and RVs represent some of our Kreutzberg (meaning ―cross mountain‖ in
more recent issues. And don‘t forget – you need German), you may get a glimpse of a white cross
to contact the county on driveway permits, on the hill, the one that accounts for the now
inspection on culverts, and 911 emergency familiar name. While the proper pronunciation of
address registration. the name is ―Kroyts-berg,‖ as in ―Freud,‖ the
more common local pronunciation is ―Krites-
Watch that oak tree pruning. Repeating from berg.‖
our last newsletter…To minimize the risk of oak
wilt, we must heed the experts‘ advice—cut only Vincent Phillip, an Austrian cabinetmaker, who
in the dead of winter and cease cutting in settled here in 1847, placed the original cross on
February (that‘s when the sap starts flowing on the hill. Along with his wife Barbara and their
your red oaks). And, seal open cuts immediately, children, Vincent carried a cypress log cross to
sealing with either pruning spray or even plain the hill on the first Good Friday they spent at
old spray paint. As Kendall County Extension their new home. They erected the cross as a
Agent Lee Knox puts it, ―You need to carry your gesture of thanksgiving for their safe journey
saw in one hand and sealing paint in the other.‖ from their old country and the many blessings
You may contact Lee at (830) 249-9343 for more they had received. The cross was later replaced
facts on the control of oak wilt. by one made of 2x8 planks with a flagpole
added, but it was destroyed by lightning. The
Watch your speed. Neighbors report cars present structure, made of concrete, was erected
traveling down Kreutzberg at excessive speeds. in 1932.
Control your speed for the safety of two-legged
and four-legged creatures alike. Before moving to Kreutzberg, Vincent and
Barbara had first lived in San Antonio, where he
In closing contracted to build a bridge across the San
On behalf of the Board, I want to extend our Antonio River at Commerce Street. He finished
sincere thanks to all of you who are giving of the bridge in 48 days, two short of the 50 days he
your time and talents to River Mountain Ranch,
RMR POA Newsletter Spring 2002 Page 2 of 6
had promised. The bridge, built around 1842 Mountain Ranch properties. Specifically,
from cypress and cedar logs Vincent himself had assessments are used to maintain River Mountain
cut from the banks of the Medina River, featured Ranch POA parks and facilities, prepare a
signs in English, Spanish, and German. quarterly newsletter keeping all property owners
Travelers—on horseback and burros as well as in informed of things impacting River Mountain
carriages and covered wagons—were warned of Ranch, and maintain cash reserves needed for
a heavy fine for crossing faster than at a walking major repairs and upgrade projects without
speed. having to impose a ―special assessment.‖
Source: an article by Betty Birdsong, from the In order to minimize costs to all property
files of the Boerne Public Library owners, RMR residents voluntarily do much of
the needed maintenance. The ―Ranch Hands‖ do
repair and upgrade work, resulting in the
association paying cost of materials only. The
Finance Committee Update ―WARM‖ ladies conduct community clean-up
projects and organize the holiday decorating
CY 2002 Assessments activity, which help keep River Mountain Ranch
CY 2002 Assessments were due on or before looking good at minimal cost. The Finance
January 1, 2002, and became delinquent on Committee maintains the database for the 536
January 31st. This year, we switched from an property owners, representing 603 lots, and
―indirect‖ to a ―direct‖ assessment billing conducts the annual assessment notification and
process by mailing assessment notices directly to collection process, saving the expense of using a
each property owner. The notices were mailed on property management service.
December 1, 2001. As a result, a far greater
number of property owners paid their assessment This year, using our accumulated reserve finds,
before January 1st than in previous years. we plan to construct a pavilion at Spring Creek
Park for the use of Association members, their
As of this writing, there are 48 owners who are families and guests. We selected Spring Creek
delinquent in the payment of their assessment. Park because it has the space to adequately
Reminder notices were sent out to delinquent support such a facility. Spring Creek Park has
property owners on February 4th, and a final over 13 acres as compared to three acres at South
notice was sent to those who were still Park and five acres at North Park. Members will
delinquent on March 1st. be able to reserve the pavilion if they are hosting
large gatherings (family reunions, weddings,
The March 1st notice informs those who are etc.). The pavilion is the first major project that
delinquent that, in accordance with our came to fruition through a process organized by
Covenants and Bylaws, we will place a lien on the RMR Improvement Committee.
their property for the assessments due, delete
their park pass card number from each park Hopefully, we have assured you, to your
entry gate, suspend their association voting satisfaction, that we are doing everything
privileges, and carry the delinquent amount at possible to use your assessments wisely, which
an 18% interest rate retroactive to January 1, in conjunction with the work done by the RMR
2002. Architectural Control Committee, help keep
River Mountain Ranch a desirable place to live.
Use of Assessments
The assessment property owners pay annually Review of CY 2001 Financial Statements
helps us enhance and protect the value, Article VII, Section 8.07 of the Declaration of
desirability, and attractiveness of River Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for River
RMR POA Newsletter Spring 2002 Page 3 of 6
Mountain Ranch require the association to outbuildings. The job of the ACC is to make sure
―…provide for an annual unaudited independent that the covenants are followed. We are not
review of the accounts of the association…‖ The always popular in doing our job, but you must
review of the association‘s financial records and remember that you elected us to enforce the
accounts for CY 2001 was conducted by the firm covenants under which we all bought our
of Rouse and Associates, P.C., Certified Public property. We protect your investment and ensure
Accountants, and was completed on February 1, the land value and attractiveness of our
2002. community.
They expressed approval of our financial Your ACC approves plans for houses,
operations and did not make any major guesthouses, fences, barns, storage sheds,
recommendations. They related that they were detached garages, workshops, and outbuildings.
pleased that we are now using Intuit QuickBooks We make sure that you stay within the
as our financial database. Previously we used boundaries of your lot and respect the setback
Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to record financial restrictions as well as the utility and street
data. They also expressed their satisfaction with easements. When plans are not presented to us,
the separation of duties and responsibilities we have a problem - we cannot protect your
within our financial process. interest. Contact Maggie Worley at (830) 537-
9993 to submit plans for ACC approval.
RMRPOA Financial Status
As of December 31, 2001 River Mountain Ranch is beautiful beyond
words. Let‘s keep it beautiful by respecting
Income $66,671.03 everyone‘s property—yours and your
Expenses 44,356.61 neighbor‘s. Remember that what you do to your
land affects the surrounding properties as well,
Net Income to Reserves $22,314.42
and that affects all of us here at River Mountain
Prior Year Reserves 73,747.14
Ranch. A little consideration goes a long way.
Total Reserves $96,061.56
A little reminder: Cover those pressure tanks that
Reserve Assignment: are exposed to the elements, they do freeze.
Capital Asset Replacement $65,280.00 Build a protective building over them, but
Improvement Reserves 27,781.56 remember to submit the plans for the building.
Contingency -0-
January Operations 3,000.00
Total Reserves $96,061.56 Improvements Committee
Dale Flashberg
You will be seeing more and more blue
ACC Committee Notes reflectors appearing on our roads. These
Maggie Worley reflectors are indication that the property
adjacent to the reflector has a concrete water
Your Architectural Control Committee (ACC) storage tank with an approved fire department
has been very busy. Construction has been hose connector (NST connector).
completed on 116 homes in River Mountain
Ranch. 11 homes are currently under The Improvements Committee is in the process
construction in addition to numerous fences and of installing eleven NST connectors and affixing
25 blue reflectors. If you have not called Dale
RMR POA Newsletter Spring 2002 Page 4 of 6
Flashberg at 830-537-5704 to put your name on Do You Plan To Sell Your Lot?
the list to receive an NST connector, please do so
immediately. There are 603 lots within River Mountain Ranch
that are owned by individuals. Many bought their
lot with the plan to eventually build a home and
move to River Mountain. Unfortunately, plans
Ranch Hand Round Up sometimes change resulting in a need to sell the
Jim Glass lot.
The Ranch Hands continue to make progress on
Lots are selling. Over the past 13 months, 20 lots
the erosion control project at Spring Creek Park.
have sold and five more sales are pending. That
During a two-day period under Mo Morine‘s
represents an average of about two lots per
direction, 39 trailer loads of rock were loaded,
month being sold. Following is some
unloaded, and in some cases hand stacked into
information regarding RMR lot sales:
check dams or placed along the roadway at the
park. This project will require approximately 2- There are currently 95 lots on the market,
4 more days of moving and placing rocks to which represents approximately 16
secure the banks and trees along the ravine at percent of the total lots.
Spring Creek Park. The lots that sold last year averaged 463
days on the market before selling.
There is still selective need for some rocks – call The final sales price was 92.5% of the
Mo Morine for details. Tons and tons of asking price.
gratitude to the following Ranch Hands for
contributing to this project: Gilbert Alvarez, Jeff Also, of the lots that sold last year, only one, to
Aurit, Roger Gardner, Melvin Hoskins, Don our knowledge, was sold via a ―For Sale By
Jones, Patrick Jones, Mo Morine, Marvin Owner‖ process. The remainder were sold using
Newby, Martin Shaw, and Mike Scott. a local realtor.
New 18-watt fluorescent floodlights are being Prior to finalizing a sale, title companies contact
installed at the main entrance to provide more us to determine if there is a lien on the lot. River
appropriate, longer-lasting, and more efficient Mountain Ranch Property Owners Association
lighting. does, in accordance with the provisions of the
Covenants, place a lien on the lot for which the
Street numbers are now on each of the park owner is delinquent in the payment of the annual
entrance gates. Please take note of these assessment. Having a lien on the lot will prevent
addresses to report any emergencies that arise at it from selling until payment of all amounts
the parks. owed the association is made, and the lien is
North Park 103 Timber View released. That takes time, which may make a
Spring Creek Park 108 Brookview potential buyer look elsewhere. Therefore, we
South Park 204 Hoskins Trail encourage you to be current in the payment of
your annual assessment.
If you would like to join the Ranch Hands in any
of the various projects to improve our We have placed additional information on the
community call Jim Glass at 537-3247. River Mountain Ranch web site
(www.rivermountainranchpoa.org) regarding lot
sales. If you are thinking of selling, we suggest
that you refer to that information.
RMR POA Newsletter Spring 2002 Page 5 of 6
Park Passes River Mountain Ranch Facts
If you are current with your present and all past Total RMR Lots
assessments and do not presently have a park Number Acres Value
pass, one will be mailed to you upon request. 609 3,619.26 $45,943,830
Call Maggie Worley, at 830-537-9993 or 830-
230-5197, or e-mail mdw51@netzero.net. Please RMR Parks
leave your name, address and lot number. Location Acres Value
North Park 5.01 $109,410
If you would like to purchase an extra pass, there South Park 3.86 $100,000
is a $50 fee. If you have lost your park pass, one Spring Creek 13.26 $63,390
will be issued to you for a $10 replacement fee.
The number of the lost park pass is then deleted Roads
from the scan pad at all the park entrances. Section Acres
1 34.10
1A 25.66
1B 15.63
High-Speed Internet Access at RMR? 2 51.86
3 39.36
According to an RMR resident our local phone
Total Acres 166.61
service provider (GVTC) has not scheduled
RMR to receive DSS service. Evidently, GVTC
RMR Road Mileage
intends to make DSS service available to all of
Brookview Drive 0.3
its customers at some point. GVTC customer
Cave Circle 0.5
service recommended that we write as many
Clear Creek Circle 0.1
letters as possible to the president and VP of
Clear Spring Drive 0.4
GVTC to help prioritize our scheduling. So…if
Hoskins Trail 1.2
you‘d like to see our Internet service options
Kreutzberg Road 4.8
improved…here are the folks to contact:
Mallard Drive 1.1
Ken Brannies, President; Robert Hunt, VP North Star Court 0.4
GVTC Red Oak Drive 1.4
36101 FM 3159 Ridge Place 0.8
New Braunfels, TX 78132-5900 Ridges End Drive 0.3
River Mountain Dr. 2.2
River Ridge 1.3
RMRPOA Contact Information Rolling View Drive 1.1
Saddle View Drive 0.6
Business # 830-537-9993
Shady Ridge Drive 0.2
Mailing 103 Timber View Spring Valley Cove 0.5
Address Boerne, TX 78006 Sunrise Drive 0.6
Timber Mountain Drive 0.4
Board Held the 2nd Tuesday of each Timber View Drive 0.5
Meetings month. Contact the POA secretary White Oak Trail 1.6
(All POA (Sarah Anderson, 537-3270, Wind Ridge Drive 0.5
members sarahk@boernenet.com) for Windview Drive 0.6
welcome) meeting time and location. Total Miles 21.4
RMR POA Newsletter Spring 2002 Page 6 of 6
