Second 2007 Civic Association General Meeting Will be April 24

The regular general meeting of the Westador Civic Association will be at 7:30 PM at Cali, April 24, 2007.

At 7 PM (before the regular meeting) the Building for Spring’s Future Political Action Committee will make a presentation with respect to the $280 million bond proposition to be voted on in May.

There will be a drawing for door prizes furnished by Westwind advertisers at the conclusion of the general meeting.

Financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 will be discussed at the meeting.  Receipts, principally maintenance fee collections, were better than budgeted by $5,695.  Expenditures were better than budgeted by $12,627, including trash collection costs being better than budgeted by $8,975.  As of April 10, 2007, 583 homeowners have fully paid their maintenance fees for 2007.  Summary results follow:

A Joint Election is Set for May 12 by Casey Westell, Precinct 0550 Judge

          A county-wide election is scheduled for Saturday, May 12, 2007.  Voting will take place at the Ponderosa Elementary School, 17202 Butte Creek Drive in the Ponderosa subdivision.

E. Bunny Summarizes the Egg-Citing Hunt

Dear Friends,

                Well annual egg hunts are never easy to plan; however, this year’s Annual Westador Egg Hunt was EGG-CITING thanks to a few friends!  The event was filled with so much fun and children went home with candies and prizes!  This event was made possible thanks to the kindheartedness of Joanne Poetz and family.  Joanne coordinated the event at the last minute with help from various neighbors: Ms. Alisha Abril, Papa John’s Pizza, and the Westador Civic Association Community Activities Director, Gail Westcott.  Special thanks are due to Steven Ritchie and Lori Borman (who cleaned up the cul-de-sac) for providing their help and expertise.

                Everyone helped cover the Nanes Park with 700+ eggs. Both, adults and children, enjoyed free hotdogs and took a guess at a jellybean filled jar.  Can you believe it?  There were 474 jellybeans inside!  It was fun watching the children jump in the moonwalk; some even took pictures with me!

Residents are Encouraged to Contact Civic Association Board Members

As always, in order to make Westador work, the Westador Civic Association (WCA) needs your help.  Join in as volunteers and good neighbors so that we all can continue to be proud of our neighborhood.

WCERT Conducts CPR Training by John Danner (WCERT Communications)

                The Westador Community Emergency Response Team (WCERT) conducted a free CPR training and renewal session on March 24, 2007 at the Cali clubhouse.  About 30 participants attended the training, which was conducted by personnel from the Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Services (CCEMS).

                CERT training was not required to attend this session or any WCERT function.  The team depends on participation by all residents regardless of whether or not such participant is a “certified” member.

Some Homeowners Have Not Paid Their Annual Maintenance Assessments as of April 10, 2007

Homeowners who are delinquent on the annual maintenance fees incur interest, collection and legal fees, have lien notices filed on their property, and (including their renters, if any) are prohibited from using common facilities such as the tennis courts, pools, and clubhouses.  The following list of addresses reflects only those homeowners who have a Lien Notice filed on their property or are delinquent for more than one year as of April 10, 2007 (and are not making regular payments).              

Also, the Board has authorized stopping the trash and garbage collection service for homeowners who are delinquent for more than one year.  If delinquent homeowners are making monthly payments in accordance with an arranged payment plan, these homeowners’ addresses will not be listed and trash and garbage collection service will not be suspended unless they cease to comply with the arranged payment plan.

Westador Welcomes New Residents

          On a monthly basis, Hays Utilities (contractor for the Westador Municipal Utility District) provides Bill Streidl with a listing of residences that have had their water turned on or off.  The purpose of this list is to assist the Civic Association in the maintenance of the Residents’ directory, the electronic version of which is distributed quarterly.   The process is not totally accurate for a variety of reasons.

                The most recent list follows, and Westador welcomes these newcomers to the subdivision.  These new residents have been reported by Hays covering the month of March 2007.  Telephone numbers often are subject to change since many new residents have the water turned on before move in and their new telephone numbers have not yet been obtained. Therefore, new residents are urged to contact Bill to update their information for the directory.  In any event, Westador welcomes -

Pool Passes are to be Updated in April and May by BethAnne Lechmann

NANES POOL OPENS SATURDAY MAY 20th. Again this summer, Westador residents will be required to show their NEW Blue Pool Pass to be admitted to either the Cali or Nanes Pool.

Your last year's pass will need a 2007 renewal stamp on it.  New residents will have two weekends to have their photos taken for their 2007 Pool Pass.  Children must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian who can show proof of residency (driver’s license) and prove they paid their 2007 fees.

Residents with a 2006 Blue Pool Pass will also need to come and obtain a renewal stamp for 2007.  If your 2006 pass is lost or worn out, you may have your photo taken for a new 2007 pass.  After this one, it will cost $1 for a new pass.

The 2007 Pool Rules Agreement will be read and signed by each resident as well.  The Westador Pool Pass will be valid for both pools, so come to the session that best fits your family’s schedule.  We have made the process quicker this year.

  Sunday  April 29     Cali  Club House          2 PM-6 PM

  Saturday  May 5      Cali Club House         10 AM-12 Noon

  Sunday  May 6        Nanes Club House        3 PM-5 PM

Westador homeowner's fees must be paid in full to obtain a pass and to use the pools.  Guest passes will be available for visiting grandchildren and other relatives.  We will no longer be taking pool pass photos on demand throughout the summer, so plan ahead.

Westador Waves are Still Accepting Swimmers by Blanca Baldwin

Bring us your swimmers, young and old; we need them all.  There is a good time to be had by everyone, both swimmers and spectators.

You can get a registration form from Blanca Baldwin (281-580-8726), Gail Wescott (281-580-2629), or Michelle Davila (281-537-1088). You can also register your swimmers at every practice, starting Monday, April 23.

Bring your kids and all their friends; all swimmers are welcome.

Remember, if you have never swam for the Waves before you must bring a birth certificate at the time that you register your child.

Following is the training schedule through June 1.

April 23 – June 1 Practice Times

Waves Summer Schedule

 

Residents are Encouraged to Clean-up and Fix-up by Carl Mayes, WCA Deed Restrictions Director

Well, spring time is officially here, it’s a time of rejuvenation, coupled with spring cleaning and home projects. As we go about taking stock of our homes, here are a few things to keep in mind.  The first is lawn maintenance; with the rain and extra sunlight the grass is growing quickly, so remember to keep it cut and properly edged.  Remove those pesky weeds from the flower beds and those fall and winter leaves from your roof tops.  Trim those tree branches and remove the stumps of severed trees from the yard.

Is it time to paint the house, window trim, or the garage, fix broken fence boards or garage doors?  Maybe it’s time to pressure wash the chimney that’s choked with soot after a winter of burning wood, or that mold and mildew that finds its way on the front, sides, and backs of our homes.

Maybe its time to start that long planned home improvement project.  But before you start building that addition, carport, deck or patio, expanding that driveway, or installing that playground, make sure you've filled out the necessary forms and gained the approval of architectural control.  Major projects, especially those requiring a contractor must have a planned start date and expected completion date, along with a submitted plan and the scope of the work to be performed.

Society For the Advancement of Floral Design (SAFD) Plans Programs for March and April by Pam Dube

March We will be back at the Cypress Creek Christian Center, 6823 Cypresswood Drive for our March meeting on the 20^th.  Beth O’Riley a former Texas Cup Winner from Austin will present a program using fresh flowers. 

April On the 17^th, Marya Davidson has graciously agreed to present her program that was cancelled in January due to inclement weather.  She will be demonstrating the use of armatures in fresh floral design.  This meeting will also be held at the Cypress Creek Christian Center

                May It is not too late to drop in on our last meeting of the 2006-2007 season on May 15^th.  If you have been curious about our club, come and see just what SAFD is all about.  The designer is a secret, as of now, but I’m sure we will be wowed and impressed.  The meeting will be held at the Cypress Creek Christian Center on Cypresswood Drive next to the courthouse and library beginning at 6:30 PM.

As always, guests are welcome to attend.  Refreshments will be served beginning at 6:30 PM. and the meeting will start at 7 PM.

The Information Sheet is Printed Quarterly

    The Westador information sheet is printed quarterly or more often in the event of some major changes.  Of special interest are the teen helpers anxious to baby-sit, to cook, and to do yard work while earning a buck, or two, in the process. 

Harris County is First Place to Check for “Lost Pets” by Billie Danner

                Harris County Animal Control (on Canino Road) is the destination for pets that are captured by Animal Control Officers.  If any information is available from tags or chip implants, the owner will be contacted.

                A new service is now being performed by the County.  A picture of pets picked up is posted on their Website WWW.CountyPets.Com.

Cypress Creek Flood Control Coalition Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the CCFCC was held on March 21, 2007 at the PVFD Station No. 1.  President Dick Smith said that CCFCC’s continuing mission and objectives are to work in collaboration with government and the private sector in actively pursuing the development of a regional Cypress Creek Watershed flood reduction and environmental preservation plans to achieve the following 

Flooding:  Research and advocate flood damage reduction measures implemented in advance of urban development on a cost-effective basis.

Preservation:  Promote park, recreational, forest, and wildlife habitat development consistent with the preservation of the Watershed’s natural environment.

                Education:  Enhance communications between the government and the private sector on matters concerning the Coalition’s mission and objectives.

Smith then touched on the emphasis placed by CCFCC on the need for land acquisition and construction of regional detention basins, especially in the critical Upper Watershed area where Commissioner Steve Radack’s leadership has been requested and received in connection with the upcoming North West Corridor/U. S. 290 expansion.  He encouraged everyone to take and read the CCFCC Annual Report or view it on WWW.CCFCC.Org.  He stated that CCFCC’s ongoing challenge is to

Ø continue participating in HCFCD Planning Department completing the master watershed stormwater management plans:

Ø encourage government officials to approve tighter drainage regulations in the Cypress Creek watershed;

Ø help implement government funding and construction of major regional detention basins in the Upper Watershed; and

Ø seek answers to deforestation and preservation of the riparian corridors throughout the major and tributary channels.

Steve Fitzgerald, Harris County Flood Control District's Chief Engineer and Project Manager for the Urban Stormwater Management Study (now being called FloodWise) provided a power point presentation and discussed this study as the principal guest speaker for the evening.  He said that the study focus is on the region's system of underground storm sewers, roadside drainage ditches, detention basins, bayous and other channels, and how they interact to get run-off water to Galveston Bay.  Fitzgerald said there are several goals for this study, which kicked off last fall. Those include:

• Achieving a better understanding of flood and drainage issues.
• Creating consistency among various regulatory agencies' policies and drainage system criteria, such as the city of Houston, Harris County, and the Texas Department of Transportation.
• Promoting better public projects.
• Educating residents about flood issues and increasing public confidence.
• Updating policies and regulations when necessary.   

(His comment that stormwater flood mitigation regulations will be addressed on an individual watershed basis - rather than being applied on an across-the-board basis to all Harris County watersheds - received a note of approval from several CCFCC directors.  This reconfirmed an understanding reached between CCFCC and Mr. Fitzgerald in 2004 during final approval of the current HCFCD regulations.)  "We want to come up with recommendations and integrate them into a consistent set of policies, regulations and design criteria," Fitzgerald said.  He continued that the Upper Cypress Creek watershed area is a prime example of a natural area now being developed into an urban area.  This was once an undeveloped, rural area that held a lot of water during heavy rains with little effect on residents.  However, several large subdivisions and master-planned developments off U.S. 290 are changing the rate at which run-off water gets to the creek and beyond.  Fitzgerald said the addition of underground utilities, storm-water systems, and streets could cause water to flow off the land four to five times faster than if the land was untouched.