Dear BVS HOA neighbors;

As your HOA Board of Directors prepared to set up for our annual Christmas tree sale, we received some very unfortunate news. Bethany United Methodist Church is unable to provided trees this year and possibly longer. For 35 years, Bethany has provided trees to us and 12 other HOAs in the area. In turn, the proceeds have helped support the community service projects of Bethany UMC. It was a win-win situation for all involved.

We were notified last month that there has been a shortage of trees for several years. This shortage stems from the 2008 economic crash. Growers went out of business or didn’t plant. For several years growers sold existing inventory without planting new trees. Replanting started 4 – 5 years ago. Market size trees take 6-8 years. Bethany’s supplier struggled to get our 646 trees last year.

Our board secretary, Nancy, tried to secure trees from local growers and out-of-state wholesalers but they did not have any trees left to sell in 2019. In early 2020 your new Board of Directors will consider how to proceed for next year.

Your HOA Board sincerely regrets that our tradition of selling trees must pause for an unknown time. You may wish to consider purchasing trees through other community service organizations this year.
Importantly, the Holiday Lights Contest will continue, with judging on December 14 and 15. This is the year for creativity!
We appreciate your support. Thank you.
Jim Aberle, President
Neighbors,

It's that time of the year again! Time for our annual Balcones Village and Spicewoods HOA annual meeting and board elections on November 7th at Balcones Country Club at 7pm.

This year we had two unfilled board openings and at the end of this year we will have two more. In order to fill our nine-member board, we need to elect four new volunteers. Please note the OPEN positions listed below. You can contact me to set up your interview at mail.bvshoa@gmail.com
2020 SERVING MEMBERS

1. President – Jim
2. Vice President – Cathy
3. Treasurer - Charlie
4. Secretary - Nancy
5. ACC Chair – Jacque
OPEN BOARD POSITIONS
6. OPEN –
7. OPEN –
8. OPEN-
9. OPEN-

Jim Aberle


BV/S HOA Board President
mail.bvshoa@gmail.com

Words in light blue are links.

Around the Yard - September & October! click here

It's Really Hot! Hot enough to prune oak trees!

Your HOA /would also like to remind you that this is a good time to review our civic responsibility for tree trimming and shrub maintenance. According to Austin’s Pubic Works page,
“Street and Bridge crews are responsible for repairs and maintenance in the city’s right-of-way (ROW), including public roads, alleys, sidewalks…. But did you know property owners are responsible for maintaining their trees and all other vegetation to the edge of the street or alley…. It further threatens public safety when vegetation blocks the view of traffic signs, signals, vehicles, or cyclists. Trimming vegetation and caring for your trees are effective ways residents can enhance neighborhood safety.”
Here is how the city would like you to do your trimming and prying.
“Prune your trees and trim or remove any vegetation that obstructs or grows into sidewalks, streets or alleys. Use the following quick guidelines to help keep the right-of-way clear: 
  • Sidewalks: Limbs and vegetation must be trimmed back from the edge of and at least 8 feet above sidewalk.
  • Streets/Alleys: Limbs and vegetation must be trimmed back from the curb line (edge of street or alley) and at least 14 feet above street or alley.
  • Multi-use Trails: Limbs and vegetation must be trimmed back from the edge of and at least 10 feet above multi-use trails.
  • Grass and Weeds: Maintain grass and weeds at a maximum height of 12 inches throughout property to the edge of the street or alley.
  • Corners: Maintain vegetation at a maximum of 2 feet above ground within a 10 foot setback from the curb line (edge of street) and 40 feet along the curb line from the street intersection.
  • Fire Hydrants: Remove trees or plants within 5 feet of fire hydrants.”
https://austintexas.gov/cleartherow
Please note the guidelines for corners. If you live on a corner, please check the site lines from the street. Be sure oncoming traffic - cars, bikes, golf carts, children, deer, etc. can be seen.

Yes! Now is the time to prune your oak trees! Still a good idea to 'paint' the open cuts. Still a good idea to work with a certified arborist as our trees are valuable. (Picture the neighborhood with no trees - not pretty.) Link to previous Around the Yard Oak Wilt article. 
The Fourth

The Balcones Village/Spicewood HOA's 9th Annual Fourth of July Parade was a huge success!
Beads! Bikes! Strollers! Wagons! Feet! Costumes! Prizes!
City of Austin Fire Engine #38 from our own Swan Drive Station!
H-E-B Buddy!
More than 25 Golf Carts!
Red, White and Blue Popsicles!
And estimated more than 200 PEOPLE!
Check the Gallery for the photos
and Facebook for a quick video!
The People to Thank
* Homeowners on Spicewood Club, Marseilles Drive and Plumewood Drive
* Balcones Country Club for use of the Spicewood Clubhouse
* City of Austin Fire Department
* H-E-B for sending Buddy
* Craig Cheetham, * Carol Forsberg, * Alex Kastelic, * Leah Lindsay, * Devlin Ready, and * a slew of Schupbachs
* Ray and Mary Price and the Plumewood fire truck.
Special Thanks to * Sam and Pat Zigrossi, who have been part of the parade since the beginning.
* HOA Board Members working the parade were Jim Alberle, Jacque Forrest, Suzie LaPlant and Sue Schupbach.

Officers for 2019
click here

Our by-laws allow 5-9 Board members, elected for three-year terms. The empty table represents the 2020 Balcones Village/Spicewood Homeowners Association Board. In 2018 we had 5 "elected" members. Two of the five volunteered to stay on the Board through 2019 as there were no candidates at the November 2018 Annual Meeting. In 2019 one Board member resigned due to moving. A member was added by appointment. So currently we have 6 Board members including the Past President and the ACC Chair. Of the 4 'elected' Board members only one is scheduled to remain on the Board through 2020.  
Have you ever thought about what and who it takes to make this neighborhood your neighborhood. It's more than great schools, mature trees, location, and well built homes. It's people. People willing to participate.

Please think about how you can participate in your neighborhood. One time with the 4th of July parade. The December tree delivery. Neighborhood liaison. Event sign placement. Board member. Communications. Come to the Board meetings at 2:30PM on the third Wednesday of each month at the Balcones Country Club.
Sue Schupbach, Past President
Have you paid your 2019 dues?
click here to see if your name is on the paid list
click here to join now.
Did you know it's illegal to feed the deer? Read on ...
http://www.austintexas.gov/department/deer-feeding-ordinance
Did You Know that YOUR
Balcones Village/Spicewood Homeowners Association
funds important services to the entire neighborhood
  • Constable Patrols to Curb Speeding
  • 4th of July Parade
  • Neighborhood Spring & Fall Garage Sale Advertising
  • Contributions to Local National Night Out Events
  • Low Cost Christmas Trees (front yard delivery!)
  • Coordination with Architectural Control Committee
  • www.BVSHOA.com website
  • Welcome packets to new homeowners
  • Representation on Balcones Country Club Board of Governors
 
HOA Members Only Services
  • Neighborhood Yahoo Group
  • Christmas Lighting Contest Prizes
  • Oak Wilt Infestation Contributions
  • Voting Privileges HOA Board Elections
 
Join YOUR HOA Today!
$25 annual dues

City of Austin brochure on Coyotes

A Reminder From Your ACC on Parking/Storage of RV's, Boats, Etc.

Constable Patrols

In response to the 2016 Neighborhood Traffic Study, the HOA is funding a program with the Travis County Constables to include:
  • Random patrols in the Balcones Village/Spicewood area
  • Focus on speeding and stopping for school buses
 
The HOA Board receives monthly reports regarding:
  • Number of tickets written
  • Reason for tickets (speeding or other traffic violations)
  • Streets where tickets written
  • BV/S residents or from outside neighborhood (no names)
 
Remember the speed limit on Balcones Club, Spicewood Parkway and Pickfair Drive is 30 mph.
Other residential streets have a 25 mph speed limit.
Remind the drivers in your family.

Past bi-monthly Around the Yard Garden Tips now available.