Message from I-Pei Hsiu Hodge, SRE-WSC President
Fri. June 30, 2009; 12:36:09 PM CDT

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Construction activities at your water well site have quieted, as we have completed all of the planned well rehabilitation work: well cleaning, installing the inflatable well packer, installing and testing a propane-powered emergency generator, and replacing the fencing. Activities needed to keep our water supply safe, reliable, and sustainable never completely cease, however, and your volunteer Board works diligently to ensure what is often taken for granted: economical, fresh water from our taps.

Thank you for your part in making the upgrades to our water system possible. Your support and cooperation during the planning and construction phases were essential to the success of our well rehabilitation project. Both the quality of water and reliability of our system during power outages have been markedly improved. If you haven’t yet already, I urge you to take advantage of the cost savings in the amount of salt needed for softener regeneration by adjusting your water softener settings to reflect a total dissolved solids concentration of 25 grains per gallon (down from approximately 90 grains per gallon).

It is no secret that we are in a state of drought. As the temperatures continue to soar to record levels and the prospects for significant rainfall this season dwindles, the Board has determined that the current situation warrants a drought response level of Stage 2 for our water supply. The Stage 2 level requires that we achieve a 15 percent reduction in total water usage, and doubles the usage charge per thousand gallons for consumption in excess of 10,000 gallons per month. Thus, charges for users of 1 through 10,000 gallons per month remain the same, but will increase from $2.00 to $4.00 and from $4.00 to $8.00 per thousand gallons for consumption in excess of 10,000 gallons and 20,000 gallons, respectively.

The Stage 2 drought response level enacts the following water use restrictions for all customers:

1. Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address or post office box number ending in an even number, and Saturdays and Wednesdays for water customers with an address ending in an odd number. All irrigation of landscaped areas is limited to the hours between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on designated watering days. However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at anytime if it is by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet-filled bucket or watering can of 5 gallons or less, or drip irrigation system.
2. Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer or other vehicle is prohibited except on designated water days between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff.
3. Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or Jacuzzi-type pools is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
4. Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
5. Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting, or other related activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare.
6. The following uses of water are defined as non-essential and are prohibited:
   1. Wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas
   2. Wash down of buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection
   3. Water for dust control
   4. Permitting water to run or accumulate in any ditch or street
   5. Failing to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leaks(s)

These mandatory conservation measures and the Stage 2 tariff are in effect for the July billing cycle.

Enforcing our drought conservation measures is one of several activities required of our WSC by various regulatory entities. Another requirement of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is issuing the 2008 Consumer Confidence Report, enclosed in your June bill statements.

If you have any questions about our conservation efforts or the 2008 Consumer Confidence Report, wish to learn more about your water supply or volunteer your services to our WSC (mechanically-minded and book-keeping brained folks always welcome), please feel free to contact me at (512) 847-9045 or ipeihodge@gmail.com.

Best regards,

I-Pei Hsiu Hodge
President, Skyline Ranch Estates Water Supply Corporation

SRE-WSC has posted a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for Skyline Ranch Estates, issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This is a report of your drinking water quality for the year 2008.

http://skylineranch.org/content/filemgr/files/wsc_2008_water_quality.pdf [pdf, 2.7 MB]

Downloadable version of 2009 Annual Meeting Report [pdf, 80K]:
http://skylineranch.org/content/filemgr/files/annmeeting_2009-04-25.pdf

Introduction
The 2009 Annual Meeting of the Skyline Ranch Estates Property Owners Association was held at the Wimberley Community Center, at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday April 25, 2009.

A quorum requiring two-thirds of eligible membership votes was not met for this meeting.

The meeting was called to order by POA president Carl Galante, who welcomed property owners and introduced POA Board members:

• Carl Galante, President
• Gerald Tempton, Vice-President
• Gary Yowell, Treasurer
• Petesie Lee, Secretary
• Judy Nicholls [not present]
• Carol Wilson, Hospitality

It was noted that, next year, three new board members will be needed, as three terms will have been completed.

Minutes
The minutes of the 2008 Annual Meeting were presented, and a motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes.

Treasurer’s Report
The treasurer’s report was presented by Gary Yowell. The annual report was prepared, reflecting the time period of 4/25/08 through 4/24/09:

• Starting balance: $13,794.20
• Total inflow: $2,986.57
• Total outflow: $1,736.89
• Ending balance: $15,417.91

Recognition and Thanks
President Galante recognized and thanked

• Susan Ross for the Christmas party
• Eric Eubank for the website/mail list (and encouraged members to join)
• Pat Koeppe for the Neighborhood Watch program
• Bob Balslev and the Water Supply Corporation (WSC) Board

Recognition of New Neighbors
Several new neighbors were introduced: Jay Newman, Toni and James Nelson, Bob and Lisa Shine, and Carla and Curtis Phythian.

Updating By-Laws
The discussion of changing the by-laws was revisited. 2/3 of members are needed for a quorum and 3/4 for a change in the by-laws. A committee was to have been formed after the 2008 Annual Meeting, and President Galante noted that no action had been taken. It was agreed that by-laws revision is a priority, that a committee will be formed to draft a letter to POA members, and that another attempt be made to update the by-laws. It is especially important that members understand that the by-laws revision does not in any way affect the covenants. A 100% vote of the membership is needed to change the covenants.

Volunteers for the by-laws revision committee:

• Joan Balslev
• Julie Ray
• Henry Lykken
• Jan Harrison

Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood Watch chair Pat Koeppe gave a report of the committee’s activity during the recent well rehabilitation project, and it was noted that the committee was a big help in this regard, in notifying property owners by telephone, who could not be reached by email.

Architectural Committee
The committee reported that there are two new homes under construction, as well as a barn and rainwater collection systems. Members of the committee are Bernie Ross, Joe Harrison, Beverly Galante, and Carl Galante.

Water Board
President Galante explained the possible use of POA funds to help fund water system upgrades. There will be a meeting of the POA Board with the Water Board.

Storage Shed
Harlan Mettenbrink reported that the well-site storage shed is in need of repair. Bob Fulton and Joe Harrison volunteered to make repairs.

Website/Mail List
There was a discussion of the possibility of including recommendations for contractors, plumbers, electricians, workmen, etc on SRE website and mail list. After discussion, it was agreed that the mail list works fine now by asking for recommendations on an individual basis.

Tax Assessments
It was agreed that, with new property assessments coming soon, the neighborhood mail list/website would be a good way to cooperate in lowering assessments, as needed.

Land on Skyline Drive
Someone raised the question of the land on the corner of Ranch Road 12 and Skyline Dr., as piles of cedar are a fire hazard and an eyesore. The Board agreed to look into this problem.

Speed Limits
There was a discussion of observing speed limits in the neighborhood and also calling the county about the missing stop sign on the corner of Skyline Ridge Lookout and Valley Vista.

Adjournment
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 11:40 A.M.

Petesie Lee
SRE-POA Secretary