CA Communicator - Weekly Bulletin - August 27, 2010
Sondra Carlton
August 27, 2010
Index:
- Quarterly Update to Residents
- CA Now Offering E-Bills
- Legacy Hills Greens Update - Opening Delayed
- Legacy Hills Tour - Drive on Over
- Reminder: No Watering on Mondays
- Deer Census Preliminary Results
- 2010 Reserves Study
-
July Financials
- Venue Seating - Yea!
- Tree Trimming Contractor Advice
- Golf Update
- Think About It!
- Fitness News
- 80s & Up
- Calling All Santas!
- Cafe on the Green
- Williams Drive Update
Quarterly Update to Residents
Friday, September 3, SCB, 9:00am - 10:15am – Live on 79
Submitted by Caroline Rosenbaum, Dawn Machu and Ann Dodson
Fall is almost here which makes us think about FOOTBALL! Don’t we all need a break
from the heat? Of course we do, so please join us on
Friday, September 3, for light stadium type snacks while we . . .
“KICKOFF TO A FUN FALL”
- Volunteering Fun - Nominating Committee Chair
- Outdoor Fun - Eagle Boosters
- Fitness Fun - Former Football Coach Al Dennis
- AnimalFun - Williamson CountyRegional Animal Shelter
First 100 people to show up will receive a special football door prize. Additionally, we
will have drawings throughout the meeting for other
FUN giveaways, including a set of
University of Texas football tickets, and
Georgetown High School football tickets.
Guess What? The CA is now offering E-Bills.
Submitted by Learhea Grant, Accounts Receivables, 864-1229 or
learhea.grant@sctexas.org
You can e-mail us to sign up for E-Bills and save yourself the $2 statement fee.
Please send the e-mail at which you want to receive your statement to
learhea.grant@sctexas.org. Include your name,
member # and address or several addresses if you own more than one home.
If you change your e-mail, you will have to contact us to keep receiving E-Bills. Once you
have signed up, you will no longer receive a paper bill.
Join us in going green and sign up for E-Bills!
Legacy Hills Greens & Bunker Project Update – Opening Delayed
On June 28
th and 29
th the greens at Legacy Hills were sprigged with Mini-Verde Bermuda grass, fifteen of
these greens (including the practice putting green) were sprigged using the no-till method and four
of the greens were tilled and reshaped to lessen the severity of the slopes and provide more pin
placements. The fifteen no-till greens have done well and have grown in nicely over the past 58
days. However, the four greens that were tilled have been slower to fill in and are approximately
10-14 days behind the other fifteen greens. The tilled greens, being much like new straight sand
based greens leach nutrients faster that those with an organic based profile. This has had us
doubling our efforts in regards to water, fertilizer and agronomic practices.
This being said, it is in the best interest for the golf course and ultimately Sun City
residents to move the opening date from the original September 4
th date to September 18
th to insure the health, playability and consistency of the greens.
Any events or tournaments scheduled for Legacy Hills between September 4
th and September 18
th will be moved to White Wing or Cowan Creek. Your patience is appreciated.
Legacy Hill Golf Course Tour, Open to All
On Sunday August 29, 2010 from 11:00am to 1:00pm we will be hosting a driving tour of the
work completed on the Legacy Hills greens and bunkers. Each tour will be guided by a Sun City
staff member. The tours will start at the Legacy Hills clubhouse. You do not have to be a
golfer to take this tour. Just come on over in your own golf cart or use one of
ours.
Reminder: No Irrigation on Mondays
Submitted by Keith Hutchinson, Georgetown Communications Director
With summer watering rules still in place through September 30, the City wants to remind water
customers that outdoor irrigation is not allowed on Mondays.
“Mondays are a no-watering day to allow our water treatment system to recover from the high
demand on the weekends,” says Glenn Dishong, utility director for Georgetown Utility Systems. “
Mondays should be very similar to a typical day in the winter months when we see 10 to 11 million
gallons of use. We’re seeing demand as high as 16 million gallons on Mondays for the last three
weeks, which tells us that people are doing outdoor watering.”
Dishong says that while there is no current danger of running out of water in Lake
Georgetown, customers should follow the summer watering schedule to ensure wise use of our water
supply.
Hand-watering with a hose or bucket can be done at any time, but using an irrigation system
or sprinkler should follow the schedule below, which includes no watering on Mondays. The summer
watering schedule is based on the last digit of your address number:
Odd addresses
Tuesday and/or Thursday and/or Saturday
Even addresses
Wednesday and/or Friday and/or Sunday
Watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler is not permitted during the day from 10 a.m.
to 7 p.m. Violations of these restrictions may result in fines.
For assistance in programming your irrigation controller, call Georgetown Utility Systems at
(512) 930-3555 or email
gus@georgetown.org .
Note from Editor: Please read below re: Common Area watering in Sun
City Texas from last weeks Communicator.
Irrigation issues in the common areas:
Common areas are being irrigated during day time hours to keep turf alive. We are
experiencing longer run times on all irrigation stations and some loss of pressure at night and had
to extend our water window.
All common area water is reclaimed water so we are not in violation with City of Georgetown
ordinance.
Please report any irrigation issues that you may notice to:
Sun City Water Manager for Common Areas
Office phone number: 512-704-6731
2010 Deer Census Preliminary Results
Submitted by Bruce Epstein, Wildlife Committee Member
The annual deer census was conducted on the evenings of August 17-19, 2010. The census was
conducted on 12 street routes, five walking trail routes, and six golf course routes
(front and back 9 of each course).
The table below has each night’s count plus 3-night average for 2010 and 2009. The last
column has the four new routes in 2010 subtracted to make comparable analysis available for
previous years.
|
date
|
2010
count
|
|
2009
count
|
2010
adjusted
|
|
8-17-09
|
313
|
|
213
|
279
|
|
8-18-09
|
429
|
|
298
|
364
|
|
8-19-09
|
358
|
|
363
|
327
|
|
average
|
367
|
|
291
|
319
|
The Wildlife Management Committee would like to thank the 55 Sun City resident volunteers for
their assistance with the census. As has become an annual tradition, the census is
professionally conducted and everyone had some fun.
2010 Reserves Study
Submitted by Jim Romine, Executive Director
The 2010 HOA and Golf Reserve Study has been approved by the Reserves Sub Committee and the
Finance Committee who are recommending to the CA Board that they too approve. This will be on the
Board’s agenda for the September 9
th workshop. A copy of the study will be available at the CA office for
resident review. The copies must be reviewed and remain in the CA office. For those
wishing copies, the CA's standard copy charge will apply.
I would like to thank Dennis Walter and the Reserves Sub Committee for their time and dedication
to this project and for probably the most comprehensive reserve study to date.
July Financials
Submitted by Ann Dodson, Director of Finance
The Finance Committee approved the July unaudited financial statement on Tuesday of this
week. For more detailed financial information, please see the CA web portal at
http://www.sctxca.org , then
click on CA Departments and Governance, Financial Information, Monthly Financials.
Financial results reported were as follows:
|
Month of July
|
| |
HOA Actuals
|
HOA Budget
|
Difference
|
Key Variance Drivers
|
|
Revenue
|
$ 599,497
|
$ 599,286
|
$ 211
|
|
|
Expense
|
584,253
|
647,397
|
63,144
|
Salaries & Wages, Trees & Plants, Repairs & Maintenance, Lease expense, and
Utilities
|
|
Surplus/Deficit
|
$ 15,244
|
($ 48,111)
|
$ 63,355
|
|
| |
Golf Actuals
|
Golf Budget
|
Difference
|
Key Variance Drivers
|
|
Revenue
|
$ 272,319
|
$ 342,657
|
($ 70,338)
|
Non Resident Green Fees, Annual Pass, Punch Card, and Resident Pay as you go
|
|
Expense
|
371,918
|
412,039
|
40,121
|
Salaries & Wages, Advertising, Chemicals & Fertilizer, and Range ball Operating
expense
|
|
Surplus/Deficit
|
($ 99,599)
|
($ 69,382)
|
($ 30,217)
|
|
|
Year-To-Date Through July - HOA
|
| |
HOA Actuals
|
HOA Budget
|
Difference
|
Key Variance Drivers
|
|
Revenue
|
$ 4,608,047
|
$ 4,498,659
|
$ 109,388
|
Activities, Sun Rays, Interest Income, and Directory revenue
|
|
Expense
|
4,294,839
|
4,509,727
|
214,888
|
Salaries & Wages, Trees & Plants, Repairs & Maintenance, Lease expense, Landscape
Maintenance, and Utilities
|
|
Surplus/Deficit
|
$ 313,208
|
($ 11,068)
|
$ 324,276
|
|
| |
Golf Actuals
|
Golf Budget
|
Difference
|
Key Variance Drivers
|
|
Revenue
|
$ 2,004,178
|
$ 2,399,789
|
($ 395,611)
|
Non Resident Green Fees, Annual and Combo Pass, Electric Cart, Punch Card, and Resident Pay as
you go
|
|
Expense
|
2,423,132
|
2,675,552
|
252,420
|
Salaries & Wages, Advertising, Chemicals & Fertilizer, Utilities, Trap Sand, and Eagle
Management Fee
|
|
Surplus/Deficit
|
($ 418,954)
|
($ 275,763)
|
($ 143,191)
|
|
|
Full Year Projections for 2010 - HOA
|
| |
HOA Actuals
|
HOA Budget
|
Difference
|
Key Variance Drivers
|
|
Revenue
|
$ 7,769,551
|
$ 7,614,853
|
$ 154,698
|
Activities, Sun Rays, Interest Income, F&B Facility Rental, and Directory revenue
|
|
Expense
|
7,630,889
|
7,714,853
|
83,964
|
Salaries & Wages, Trees & Plants, Repairs & Maintenance, Lease expense, Landscape
Maintenance, Bad Debt, and Utilities
|
|
Surplus/Deficit
|
$ 138,662
|
($ 100,000)
|
$ 238,662
|
|
| |
Golf Actuals
|
Golf Budget
|
Difference
|
Key Variance Drivers
|
|
Revenue
|
$ 3,650,981
|
$ 4,070,385
|
($ 419,403)
|
Non Resident Green Fees, Annual and Combo Pass, Electric Cart, Punch Card, Resident Guest, and
Resident Pay as you go
|
|
Expense
|
4,170,619
|
4,504,228
|
333,609
|
Salaries & Wages, Advertising, Chemicals & Fertilizer, Utilities, Trap Sand, Eagle
Management Fee, and Reserve expense
|
|
Surplus/Deficit
|
($ 519,638)
|
($ 433,843)
|
($ 85,795)
|
|
Venue Seating
Submitted by Kristin Brown, Lifestyle Coordinator, 864-1207 or
kristin.brown@sctexas.org
On Wednesday, September
1, we will debut a new application of our ticketing system called ‘ reserved seating.’ This new
application will allow you to choose where you would like to be seated at performances. The Actors
& Theatre Arts Guild’s performance ‘On Golden Pond’ October 19-23
rd is the first event that will allow reserved seating. Whether purchasing tickets for
this performance online, or at the CA Office, a seating chart will be presented for you to choose
your seat. (Check out the diagram closely to understand the seats in relationship to the stage.)
Online:
- Login to the ticketing system
- click on the Reserved Seating tab at the top of the screen
- choose a date on the left side of the screen
- click "view" - which will allow you to view the seating chart and pick a seat
Your tickets will have your seat location printed on them and you will present these to the
ticket takers at the event.
We ask for feedback on using the online ticketing system and purchasing tickets at the front
desk. We also ask your patience as we work through issues with the new application.
Tree Trimming Contractor Advice
Submitted By Jim Romine, Executive Director
I want all to remind everyone to do your due diligence when hiring contractors to trim your
trees. As with everything, we have good contractors and some who are not so good and recently
some who are soliciting homeowners to trim their trees, especially focusing on Bradford Pear
trees. When contracting this type of work, get several bids and check references and do not
let anyone off the street trim your trees without doing your homework. Your trees and wallet
will thank you in the long run.
Editor's note: Be sure to check out our Sun Rays and Directory advertisers -
but always do your due diligence. This does not constitute an endorsement or approval of
goods or services and we assume no responsibility or liability for statements made by any
advertiser. Also, check out the referral book at the monitor's desk in the Social Center or
on the Resident Forum at
www.sctxca.org - then click Resident Forum and look for the service
providers topic.
Golf Update
Legacy Hills Golf Club Tours-
On Sunday August 29, 2010 from 11:00am to 1:00pm we will be hosting a driving tour of the work
completed on the Legacy Hills greens and bunkers. Each tour will be guided by a Sun City staff
member. The tours will start at the Legacy Hills clubhouse.
Cart Path Only Policy-
During the heat of summer, after 12:00pm each day the cart path only policy will be lifted on
all holes (including White Wing #8) with the exception of par 3’s. All players are expected to
follow the standard 90* cart rule and keep at least 30 feet from all tees and greens. We will
return to our normal cart path only policy when the heat subsides.
Discounted Golf-
During the summer heat tee off after 1:00pm and play 18 holes or more for the price of
9. Residents with punch cards, use a 9 hole punch and play an unlimited number of holes.
Residents that pay as you go pay just $20.00 and play as many holes as you would
like.
Think About It!
Submitted by Don Gudinas, Vice Chair, Finance Committee
Volunteers are important to every community but here at Sun City volunteers play a major role
in the overall planning and management of the community.
Almost every function of the CA is enhanced by a group of Sun City volunteers who were
nominated for their special qualifications and experience and were appointed to their committee
posts by the CA Board of Directors. There are fourteen such Committees with just about one
hundred residents appointed to serve as members of the various CA Advisory Committees.
Each Advisory Committee is staffed with residents who possess selected special skills which
they bring to the various committees by virtue of their education, career experience or similar
positions previously held elsewhere. They are appointed for a two year term which is renewable
for another two years by the CA Board. The individuals appointed to each committee are
selected to provide an area of expertise needed to support a particular staff element on the CA
Staff. For example the Property and Grounds Committee supports the CA Facilities Maintenance
and Housekeeping Department while the Finance Committee supports the Director of Finance’s
Department. The staffing appointees of each committee provide professional level of support
which may be not readily available on CA Staff and most importantly, at no cost to the
CA. This professional level of support, if procured from contractors and/or consultants, would
conservatively cost the CA an additional $1,050,000.00 to $1,200,000 annually. That amounts to
savings for each residence of approximately $400.00 to $440.00 per year!
Each year approximately 50 replacement appointments must be filled by the Nominating Committee
in order to recommend sufficient candidates to the Board to fill the vacancies created by committee
members who are completing their two year term.
Residents who now serve on, or who have served in the past, report high levels of satisfaction
for their time and work on the various committees. They feel as though they have made
meaningful and tangible contributions to their community. They also feel a special pride
as they view the fruits of their labors. Many elect to extend their two year commitment and
request reconsideration for a second two year “tour of duty” on the same committee or sometimes on
another committee in which they also have an interest.
Sun City Life Style is largely a product of the hard work of its residents. The
Developer has provided the physical plant but the collective efforts of the resident volunteers
working side by side with the staff provide the heart, soul, and spirit of Sun
City!
If you have an interest in the management of the Community Association, have skills in any of
the areas covered by an Advisory Committee membership please get in touch with the Nominating
Committee or simply fill out an application which can be obtained at the front office or on the CA
Website. Residents with skill sets in Engineering, Finance, Sports Management, Law,
Contracting, Facility Management, Utility Management, Human Resources, Small Business Ownership,
Information Technology, Accounting, Budgeting, Office Management, Health Care and Fitness, Art,
Theater, Food Service, Politics, City Management, Public Relations, Marketing, Real Estate,
Golf Management, Landscape and Grounds Keeping, Code Compliance, Security Management, Insurance,
Investments, and others too numerous to list may be needed. Applications are now being
accepted! Join us. You will enjoy the experience!
Fitness News
Submitted by Caroline Rosenbaum, 864-1215, caroline.rosenbaum@sctexas.org
It’s Easy, It’s Fun
Better Yet, It’s Good for YOU!
Sit and be Fit- Texas Drive Fitness Center
Mondays- 12;45-1:45
Wednesdays and Fridays-10:30-11:30
Instructor: Peggy Reddick
If you want to get moving and are hesitant because you have been too sedentary, your physical
condition has deteriorated, you have never exercised or have a condition such as arthritis,
osteoporosis, Parkinson’s, are overweight, etc….
Sit To Be Fit is a great class to get started!
Attention Yoga Fans!
Introducing a new class: Hatha Flow, with Martha McCarroll
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - 6:45 to 7:45 a.m.
Rise and Shine Yoga has a new name and a new instructor.
Hatha Flow is a style of yoga that offers a strong cardiovascular workout. Students move
from one posture to another with very little rest in between.
Hatha Flow focuses on strength and endurance, while maintaining a steady breath.
It’s a great way to get your energy flowing and awaken your mind, body, and
spirit.
This class is ideal for students who:
- Are familiar with basic yoga postures
- Want to explore a more challenging Hatha Yoga practice
- Want to work up a sweat first thing in the morning
- Are able to move from the floor to standing with ease
-
80s & Up
Submitted by Sondra Carlton, Communications & Lifestyle Director, 864-1202 or
sondra.carlton@sctexas.org
After the largest stock market crash in America's history, much of the decade was in an economic
downfall, called The Great Depression that had a traumatic effect worldwide. In response
authoritarian regimes emerged in several countries in Europe, in particular the Third Reich in
Germany. Weaker states including Ethiopia, China and Poland were subjugated by their stronger
expansionist neighbours, and this ultimately led to the Second World War by the decade's end. The
decade also saw a proliferation in new technologies, including intercontinental aviation and radio.
- Wikipedia
Is all of the above way too familiar to you? Many of you were children and becoming young
adults during these difficult times, and have seen the world change in so many ways, good and
bad. And, most of you are what is today known as the Greatest Generation and the parents of
the Baby Boomers.
Wondering what this is all about? A few of the "Greatest Generation" who live in Sun City
would like to meet others who are in their 80s & Up to talk about the good ol' days. They
have reserved a table or two at Cafe on the Green for next Thursday, September 2, at 3
p.m. Come have a cup of coffee and dessert (dutch of course) and say hello. We will get
more tables if needed.
This could be the start of something good!
Calling All Santas!
Submitted by Emily Wallace, Managing Editor, SunRays
I am looking for Sun City residents who dress as and hire themselves out as Santa Claus for
the holidays. Mrs. Clauses, are you out there too? OR, do you dress as Santa for charitable
organizations on a yearly basis? Please respond via email:
Emily.wallace@sctexas.org.
Cafe on the Green News
Pizza Party this Saturday (August 28th) "All you can Eat" Pizza and
unlimited Salad Bar for only $7.49. 4 PM till close(Saturday only)
Live Jazz this Tuesday by the Jazz Fix Band (August 31st) 6 till 8 Pm
(Indoors)
This weeks specials are all $ 6.99 week of August 30th:
- Monday: Liver & Onions
- Tuesday: Chicken Fajita Taco Salad
- Wednesdays: French Dip (prime rib roast beef) Sandwich with fries
- Thursday: Blue Cheese Burger w haystack onion rings and side salad
- Friday: Shrimp, Fries and Slaw
-
Williams Drive Update 8-27-10
Notes
:
-
Expected completion- Fall 2010
-
Please use caution when driving through work zones- 45 mph Thank you
-
Upon completion, Williams Drive will have 4 lanes, a center turn lane and 10’ shoulders on
both sides of the roadway.
-
Please feel free to contact Commissioner Valerie Covey’s office with questions or concerns you
may have at 943-3370 or comm3@wilco.org
-
While we are very thankful for the rain, it has slowed progress on some work items. Crews
are working to reach the expected completion date of Fall 2010
Progress on last week’s schedule
:
-
Removed concrete valley gutter and paved intersection at Woodlake, right turn lane paved and
opened
-
Removed concrete traffic barrier from project
-
Worked to finish flex base from Woodland Park to North Lakewood along north right of way, this
area prepared for hot mix overlay
-
Worked to place flex base from Wildwood to DBWood along north and south sides
-
Placed guard rail at Olde Oak
-
Excavated for bore pit for 24” waterline across from Del Webb
-
Clearing for 24” waterline installation Casa Loma east to Casa Loma west entrance
-
Graded and placed topsoil. Seeded and watered various locations to establish grass
Work scheduled for this week
:
-
Begin trenching for 24” waterline installation
-
Bore for 24” waterline across from Del Webb
-
Place flex base through the intersections of Penny Lane and Sedro (access will be maintained
at all time)
-
Place erosion control devices for waterline installation from Casa Loma east to west
entrance
-
Work to finish flex base from Wildwood to DBWood, north and south sides
-
Work to complete flex base from Sedro to Penny Lane
-
Form up and pour concrete rip rap at guard rail at Olde Oak
-
Graded and placed topsoil. Seed and water various locations to establish
grass
General Notes
:
-
24” Waterline installation has begun. Work is located between Casa Loma east entrance and
Casa Loma west entrance and should continue through September. We will meet with each property
owner along the line and provide limits of construction and a schedule
-
Asphalt paving is scheduled to continue from Wildwood to DBWood on August 31. The goal is
to open up 2 lanes of traffic eastbound from Olde Oak to DBWood by the middle of September,
2010
