I would like to wish you all a safe and joyous Holiday season. I hope you have all enjoyed the new version of our newsletter the “Cat Mountain View”. Just a reminder, that our publisher Peel, Inc. does offer an online option for those of you who wish to “go green” and take advantage of it. To download a copy go to their website www.peelinc.com. They also have a FREE iPhone application available under Peel Inc.
Our Holiday party is set for Sunday, December 7, 2014 from 5:00-8:00 PM. More details can be found in the social committee news & events page. Come out and meet some of the new residents of the community, bring a dessert to share and help with our food bank collection. Also, we are always looking for volunteers to help plan, decorate, serve or clean up afterwards. If you are interested in helping please email our Social Committee Chair, Charlene Casillas at [email protected]
We completed patching the pavement on Fern Hollow and are investigating possible repairs to Westlope Cove.
We are reviewing bids for a 20 year infrastructure study to review the condition of physical assets in the community such as the clubhouse, pool, walls and roads. We will publish that as soon as we have it, which should be by mid-2015.
In last month’s issue, Jesse’s manager column mentioned the potential for homeowner’s dues to increase for 2015. After careful review, the board elected to increase dues $2.00 to $47.00 per month. This is our first increase in 4 or 5 years and we needed to do it to plan for infrastructure expenses in the next few years. Your new coupon books will arrive around December 1st and if you have direct bank payments, you should make adjustments accordingly.
The clubhouse will most likely be a polling place on December 16th for the upcoming Austin Mayoral and District 10 Council runoff election. For a list of the early voting locations and election day polling places go to www.votetravis.com. I would like to encourage
residents to remove any political signs as soon as possible after the election.
I would like to thank everyone who has participation in our book and wine club throughout the year. We are fortunate to have had such wonderful neighbors who have hosted wine club events, including most recently the fabulous “Eye-talian” gathering at the home of Jeff Howdeshell and Courtney Barry. If you would like to join either social club in 2015 or would like to start one of your own, please email Charlene at the email address above. We are always looking for new ideas!
In this month’s newsletter, Marc Dully has contributed some valuable information on the “potential for wildfires” in the area and what we can do to prevent them as we deal with drought stricken trees. We will continue to monitor and clear the dead trees in the common areas to keep the trails safe and maintain the firebreaks.
Don’t forget you can stay updated on happenings in the neighborhood via our “Cat Mountain Community” Face Book Page or by joining our neighborhood on NEXTDOOR.com. There is good local information as well as police related information available to you on the site.
Once again it is very important that each homeowner updates Jesse with their current email and phone contact info. We feel it is important to be able to reach out to all our residents quickly and efficiently in case of emergency. Our policy is not to sell or share your information with anyone and it will only be used for HOA business.
Again, I would also like to thank Jesse for all his hard work throughout the year! He makes my job easy. If you need anything, just let him know.
SPECIALIZING IN RESIDENTIALAND COMMERCIAL STRUCTURAL
INSPECTIONS
Serving Central Texas Since 1979 Jeffrey L. Tucker, P.E., a registered professional engineer in Texas, has been involved in structural design, inspection and repair of houses and apartments since 1965. He is uniquely qualified to perform structural analyses of wood frame structures and slab
foundations; to inspect and offer assurance of structural integrity and/or repair recommendations and details.
CAT MOUNTAIN HOA COMMITTEESENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL COMMITTEE CHAIR
The Cat Mountain Homeowners Association (HOA) was established in 1987. Currently, it consists of 358 owners. The CMHOA includes 365 lots and 26 wooded acres in the hills of Northwest Austin near RM 2222 and Mesa Drive. The CMHOA includes several member-only facilities including a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts and hiking trails.
If you are new to the neighborhood and have any questions about the member-only facilities or need to obtain a key to the swimming pool or tennis courts and for more information about the Cat Mountain Homeowners Association pleaese contact Jesse Chargualaf, Manager, 6007 Mount Bonnell Rd. Austin, Texas 78731 via phone 512.451.3884 or email at [email protected].
Also, don’t forget you can be updated on neighborhood
events and news on facebook just search “Cat Mountain
Come celebrate the Holidays with your neighbors and enjoy an evening of fun, friendship and music by Cat Mountain Resident Elise Bright and her trio “The Hill Country Harmonizers”!
Sunday, December 7th from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Cat Mountain Club House. Heavy Hors d’oeuvres will be served along with holiday refreshments, beer and wine. Everyone is also invited to bring their favorite
festive dessert to share.For Planning Purposes please RSVP to Jesse Chargualaf no later
than Monday, December 1st.We look forward to seeing you and wish your family a Happy
Holiday Season!
We are also proud to announce that the Cat Mountain HOA will once again be collecting canned donations during the Holiday Party, for the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, whose mission is “to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger”.
WHAT FOODS WILL WE BE COLLECTING?
• healthy non-perishable food• items with intact, un-opened, consumer or commercial packaging• items with non-breakable packaging (no glass please)• food within the expiration date on the packaging
WHAT ARE THE MOST-REQUESTED ITEMS?
• canned meats like tuna, stew and chili (pop-tops preferred)• canned vegetables• pasta & pasta sauce• beans• healthy cereals• peanut butter
If you are interested in volunteering to help with the holiday party please contact Jesse Chargualaf or Charlene Casillas at [email protected].
ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY
HILL COUNTRY HARMONIZERSThe Cat Mountain Social Committee would like to thank
homeowner Elise Bright for her gracious offer to perform along with the Hill Country Harmonizers at this year’s HOA holiday Party.
GENRE: Acoustic Country Bluegrass Old-Timey
MEMBERS: Sharon Sandomirsky vocals and guitar
Georgia Canfield vocals, mandolin and guitarElise Bright Fiddle, Viola
AFFILIATION: Austin Friends of Traditional Music Central Texas Bluegrass AssociationIn late 2013 three friends started playing their favorite acoustic
country, bluegrass and old-timey songs, and soon the Hill Country Harmonizers trio was born.
Sharon Sandomirsky (vocals and guitar) is well known in the bluegrass community both locally and nationwide; she founded a national country record label, has been very active in the Austin Friends of Traditional Music, and hosts the Strictly Bluegrass show every Sunday morning on KO-OP radio. When she is not belting out songs, Georgia Canfield (vocals, mandolin and guitar) leads the life of a true country girl on her spread an hour from the big city, where she raises chickens, feeds goats and grows vegetables. Elise Bright (fiddle, viola) arrived in Austin a couple of years ago and jumped into the bluegrass, Irish, and old time music scenes; she is enjoying the chance to learn a whole new batch of songs with the Harmonizers.
The Hill Country Harmonizers are not only three women who have backgrounds in traditional and popular music, and sing traditional country duets but Sharon and Georgia have been playing together for years at restaurants and many other popular local venues including Flipnotics, the Austin Friends of Traditional Music Fall String Band Festival, Downtown Farmer’s Market and are looking forward to playing all types of music at the Cat Mountain Holiday Party!
For more information or to book the trio please contact Sharon Sandomirsky at [email protected], 512.328.4487 or Elise Bright at [email protected].
• Low Teacher/Student ratios• Compassionate, Professional Teachers Committed to Your Child’s Success!• An Educational, Theme-Based Curriculum• New Developmental-Based Infant Curriculum• Special Events & Field Trips• Art Studio, Computer Lab, Library & Gymnasium
• Spanish • Little Wing • Martial Arts• Gym Station • Dance Adventures
Leave No Pile Behind – Poop Pollutes!Are you guilty of leaving your dog’s waste on your neighbor’s lawn because you thought
you were providing free fertilizer? Perhaps you don’t scoop the poop because you think it’s downright disgusting! Imagine if all dog owners in Austin didn’t scoop the poop. Our dogs create an average of half pound of excrement per day. With 12,000 dogs in Austin, that adds up to 60,000 pounds of dog waste – equivalent to nearly five dump truck loads – produced throughout the city every day!
Pet waste is a subject everyone likes to avoid, but it is more than smelly and unsightly – it is a health risk to pets and people, especially children. When it rains, pet waste left on trails, sidewalks and grassy areas can wash into the nearest waterway. Even if you can’t see signs of water near you the feces wash into storm drains and then travel to your neighborhood creek or lake untreated. Like human waste, animal waste may contain harmful bacteria and viruses, rendering the water unfit for recreational, or other uses.
It only takes one teaspoon of dog feces in a water body the size of an Olympic pool to make the water unsafe for swimming. Pet waster also contains nutrients that will accelerate the growth of nuisance algae in creeks and lakes. So please, Scoop the Poop – it’s the healthy and neighborly thing to do! Also, since our HOA manager has been the one picking up dog waste left around the neighborhood, club house, common & surrounding areas he will start implementing the following City of Austin Ordinance.
§ 3-4-6 DEFECATION BY A DOG OR CAT."An owner or handler shall promptly remove and sanitarily dispose of feces left on
public or private property by a dog or cat being handled by the person, other than property owned by the owner or handler of the dog or cat." Potential fine: Up to $500.
Dear Cat Mountain Homeowners:It’s that time of the year again when we reach out to our
Association members to fill the CMHOA Board of Directors positions. We will elect two Directors for two-year terms in February. If you have the time, energy and commitment, please step forward with your nomination. If elected as a Director, you will be helping maintain our property values, keeping our dues low, maintaining our Association’s fiscal health, deepening the community relations we’ve worked hard to create, and meeting the challenges that arise yearly for our Association.
With two of the five Director terms expiring, it’s important to all of us that the Association leadership ensures continuity and uses the momentum it has established over the years to keep things running smoothly. You can help by completing the nomination form on the back of this letter and dropping it off at the clubhouse.
Nominees must own a lot in CMHOA (i.e., Travis County Assessor District owner of record). In addition, nominees should be aware that the position of Director is a working one.
The Board appoints, guides, and serves the following standing Committees:
Environmental Control Committee: reviews and approves all new building, landscaping, and exterior repair and maintenance of structures to maintain the aesthetic harmony and monetary value of the community.
Social/Activities Committee: plans and stages a number of community events, including the very popular Summer BBQ and Holiday Party, and the Spring Egg Hunt.
Welcome Committee: contacts new homeowners, arranges an in-home meet and greet, and presents them with a welcome basket. Solicits local businesses and others to contribute discounts and items to the welcome basket.
Communications Committee: develops, writes, and produces the CMHOA Web site (www.catmountainhoa.com), the newsletter, and other communications.
Reserve Committee: reviews and forecasts future financial demands of the Association for the repair and maintenance of all capital assets, including roads and retaining walls and many other capital items.
As you can see, our community needs the best efforts of all those willing to serve. We encourage you to get involved and serve on the Board as a Director or as a Committee member. Your service will ensure that CMHOA continues to be one of the best and most active communities in Austin.
Sincerely,Bryan Harter, President, CMHOA
Nominations Deadline: January 5, 2015 at 5:00 PM
First Name: ___________________________________________
Last Name: ____________________________________________
2015 MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT:At the October 13th HOA Board Meeting the directors
approved increasing the monthly homeowner dues to $47.00 per month -- a $2.00 per month increase from the 2014 monthly rate. MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT COUPON BOOK I will be mailing out the 2015 Coupon Book so that
homeowners will have it by December 15, 2014. a. Online Payment (Homeowners that authorized Branch
Banking &Trust (BB&T) to debit their bank account for their dues payment). Homeowners will only received a letter stating that BB&T will continue to make your homeowner dues payment from your bank account. Please inform your Bank that BB&T deduct your account the new rate of $47.00 per month.
b. Homeowner dues paid by other providers (i.e. your bank or agent) that the homeowner authorized to make their payment from their bank account; the bank sending your payment to BB&T. Homeowners will get a coupon. Please inform your payment provider that the monthly payment for 2015 is $47.00.
POTENTIAL WILDFIRE CLEAN UPOver the years Cat Mountain Homeowners Association has consistently
removed dead trees and material from the Common Area and budgeted accordingly. As a result of the destructive Bastrop and Steiner Ranch fires several years ago, CMHOA created a monthly Potential Wildfire clean-up agenda item and Board Member assignments. Various sources also suggest areas for Common Area review as well as Board Members and Jesse physically walking our areas. The initial extensive Potential Wildfire clean-up, removed dead trees, branches & debris. Our contractor, with Board Member oversight, removed over 73 – high cube, rolling dumpster containers. This included removal of “ladder fuels” within the 30 feet of homeowner’s homes, less the owner’s property, including trimming lower branches to 10 feet in that specified area. With the continuing drought marginal trees have been left in the hope for their survival. Those that are not making it are monitored for possible future removal. Austin Firefighters were requested to review all Common Areas and as they stated, the streets act as fire break barriers. They recommended that Homeowners provide themselves with a defensible space to protect their homes. That Buffer Zone you create by removing weeds, brush and other vegetation helps to keep the fire away from your home and reduces the risk from flying embers. Due to fire safety concerns, landscape debris cannot be dumped in the Common Area, for it creates an unacceptable situation. This basic fundamental should not require Board involvement. Intermittent monitoring continues for the well-being of all residents. Our natural Green Belt and Common Areas make Cat Mountain a special place to live.
Deadline for HOA Board NominationsMonday, January 12 @ 6:30 PM
HOA Monthly Board Meeting Monday, February 9 @ 6:30 PM
HOA Monthly Board MeetingWednesday, February 11 @ 6:30 PM
HOA ANNUAL MEETINGMonday, March 9 @ 6:30 PMHOA Monthly Board Meeting
Saturday, March 28 @ 12:00-2:00 PMAnnual HOA Egg Hunt
Monday, April 13 @ 6:30 PMHOA Monthly Board MeetingMonday, May 11 @ 6:30 PMHOA Monthly Board MeetingMonday, June 8 @ 6:30 PM
HOA Monthly Board MeetingMonday, July 13 @ 6:30 PMHOA Monthly Board Meeting
Monday, August 10 @ 6:30 PMHOA Monthly Board Meeting
Sunday, August 16 @ 5:00-8:00 PMAnnual HOA End of Summer BashMonday, September 14 @ 6:30 PM
HOA Monthly Board MeetingMonday, October 12 @ 6:30 PM
HOA Monthly Board MeetingMonday, November 9 @ 6:30 PM
HOA Monthly Board MeetingSunday, December 6 @ 5:00-8:00 PM
Annual Holiday PartyMonday, December 14 @ 6:30 PM
HOA Monthly Board Meeting
Community Character in a Box Cat Mountain Resident Elise Bright hosted a CodeNEXT
“Community Character in a Box” neighborhood meeting in October. The open discussion was on choosing an approach for Austin›s future and the reorganization and rewriting of Austin›s Land Development Code (LDC). The meeting helped gain input from our community to help CodeNEXT understand the characteristics the best represent what our neighborhood looks like and the places that are distinctive or unique. It also helped CodeNEXT understand what areas are viewed as strengths, as well as those that could be improved.
What is CodeNEXT? CodeNEXT is the new City of Austin initiative to revise the Land Development Code, which determines how land can be used throughout the city-including what can be built, where it can be built, and how much can (and cannot) be built. The process is a collaboration between Austin’s residents, business community, and civic institutions to align our land use standards and regulations with what is important to the community.
For the first time in 30 years, Austin is updating its land development code; the rules that determine how land can be used throughout the city - including what, where, and how much can be built.
This process, called CodeNEXT, is an opportunity for Austinites to realize our Imagine Austin vision of the future. But to be effective, the Code must consider the character of communities throughout the city. By mapping and documenting our community, we were able to help the CodeNEXT Team understand its specific characteristics, along with the things that are strengths and areas to improve. This will allow the Code to be more finely turned and appropriate for the different kinds of places throughout Austin.
The Community Character process doesn›t replace neighborhood plans it is not neighborhood planning. It will help inform the creation of the Code and be the basis for a new planning tool - the Citywide Community Character Manual that will visually tell a story of each area of the city and bring new information to future planning efforts.
Why CodeNEXT? Our city is growing. We need tools to make Austin work better for everyone. It is too complicated for businesses, residents and staff, wasting time and money. CodeNEXT is working to turn that around!
The Land Development Code revision project will only be successful if everyone in Austin has an opportunity to weigh in on the changes that will impact Austin›s quality of life. Their input will be used to create a Listening to the Community Report. The Listening to the Community Report, along with a Community Character Analysis, a Land Development Code Diagnosis, and the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, will serve as the foundation for the Land Development Code revision.
To learn more about the future steps for CodeNext as we work together throughout 2014 and 2015 to improve Austin’s land development code and build a great city go to www.austintexas.gov/department/what-codenext
If you have any other questions or would like an update on CodeNEXT please contact Elise Bright at [email protected].
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Hello Book Club Members!A whi le back Cat
Mountain Villas Resident Lois Selman came up with the great idea that we consider incorporating a book swap in the neighborhood to recycle great reads! The HOA Board not only approved the idea but purchased a credenza for this use and suggested we also incorporate all types of books, for all ages, from all genres including magazines, dvd›s, music etc...
With all that said, I am happy to announce the new console is in the clubhouse and ready should any of you have items you would like to donate to get the swap started!
We are hoping to incorporate the “take an item, return an item” policy where all residents can celebrate the love of reading, share / recycle unused items and continue to build our sense of community!
If you would like to donate any items please drop them off to Jesse at the Cat Mountain Clubhouse anytime during regular business hours or leave for him at the front door with a note to include in swap.
Thanks again for the great idea Ms. Selman!The Cat Mountain Book Club, established in 2012, invites new
people to join us at any time and new members are always welcome and encouraged. The next two book club discussions scheduled at the clubhouse are:
Tuesday, December 9th, 6:30 PM to review the book “The Children’s Act” by Ian McEwan
Tuesday, January 20th, 6:30 PM to review the book “Touchstone” by Laurie R. King
Cat Mountain Residents do not need permission to join our group and new members are always welcome and encouraged!
For more information contact Book Club Leader Adrienne Boer at [email protected] or look for updates on the “Cat Mountain Community” Face Book Page and on Nextdoor.com.
