Circle C Neighbors

Has anyone ever seen the Circle C Ranch ''Master Plan'' ?

I think we all have some sort of high level idea, but isn't that vision writen down some where ? Shouldn't it be out there for all of us to review and even enhance ? Are the Developers and our HOA board members following the Master Plan ?? How would we know?

Surely it's not that outdated neighborhood map on the Circle C Ranch web site ? . . . 65 words that basically say we have nice landscaping !?

I think it's ironic that CCR is touted as a ''Master Planned Community'', but the Master Plan is nowhere to be found !?

It seems like something that vital should be promentiently displayed on the CCHOA web site.

I ask this, in light of the new commercial developments that have been proposed along Slaughter Lane. The details of the Stratus Properties deed restrcitions aren't readily available, as they should be. Are we going to have to call a Special Meeting everytime a new commercial project is proposed ?


I think the Master Plan is more than some legal descriptions and deed restircitions. It's about the quality of life, the committment to community values, and the protection of the environment we treasure. I think it's about open government, a democratic process, and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of the MEMBERS.


(Yes, Ken Rigsby, I said OPEN and DEMOCRATIC ! *We* are the HOA, not just your council of 3 grumpy old men. It ain't the Good Ole' Boys Club it use to be any longer !)

THE MASTER PLAN REVEALED

Here's the master plan, it's simple: Money in $teve Bartlett's pockets.

Specifically, CCHOA dollars going into his pockets through leases he gives to himself and contracts given to Hoover. He also sways public opinion through CCHOA communications. By pretending to be our representative he cuts deals with the City to get you and me (through tax dollars) to pay for a 2 million dollar road (Escarpment/45) that will connect Circle C to his financial interests from here to Buda.

And Ken Rigsbee (Lifetime Lobbyist) is there to help him out.

Lobbyist: A person, acting for a special interest group, who tries to influence decisions for pay.

I don't get it!!

After choosing Circle C as the perfect neighborhood for relocating my family, I have discovered an amazing amount of vitriol directed towards the very people who developed and created this amazing community. Admittedly, I am unaware of the many problems that surround the CCHOA and their decisions or lack thereof; their conflicts of interest as the many posts to this message board indicate. The ''Master Plan'' is extremely evident. From the pool(which seems available to residents the majority of the time), the child care center, the soccer fields, playground, jogging and hiking paths, veloway, wild flower center, designated greenbelts to the cafe and the dramatic entrances to the community from any direction it is clear how well thought out this neighborhood is. We all chose to purchase a home in this community for one reason or another and it was, I am certain, these amenities that had sway in that choice...I know this is true for my family.

While I have spent the majority of the past 5 months getting settled and meeting my immediate neighbors, the animosity towards the board has gotten stronger and more pronounced. I have paid little attention to the few people that post on this site as the views as indicated here are not as prevalent in my smaller slice of Circle C. I'm not sure I understand the hatred of developers...I, too would like Austin to be like it was 20-30 years ago. It's not going to happen. We live in one of the fastest growing regions of the city and the development of this area is coming one way or another. As far as Bartlett and his connection to Stratus and the development of Track 103 or the extension of Escarpment is concerened, he is only doing what he believes will be a positive attribute to the neighborhood AND line his pockets. A developer has no interest in devloping projects that are losers, both economically and philosophically. That's why Wal-Mart and Endeavor split!

Please feed me some information or school me on the politics of Circle C. Is the money we pay in dues being mismanaged or misused? I aim to be at the HOA board meetings and try to understand the frustration that is being harbored by the people on this site.

11 months: In a Nutshell

I don't have hatred toward any of the BOD. Myself and many of my neighbors are simply frustrated. To begin with, were frustrated that the BOD refuses to give us full disclosure, or follow the CCHOA governing documents.

It all began with residents not getting answers from the Info Center. Many of us realized (through this website about 11 months ago) that we were all given the same ''brush off'' line: ''no one else has any problems'' by the Info Center.

With a $1.3 million dollar budget this year (and growing), the BOD gives contracts and leases to their associates and themselves. Our 1.3 million dollars is not a piggy bank for anyone. Dues have steadily increased while contracts are given to BOD pals without any competitive bidding.

The BOD has not provided an independent audit for 14 out of the past 16 years (as promised in our CCHOA governing documents). A couple years ago, one of the two audits showed ''Related Party Transactions'' with two of the board members and the companies that were paid with our CCHOA dollars. One of the past Board members (Susan Hoover - business associate of Steve Bartlett's) now has the majority of our 1.3 million dollar budget going to her through the Landscaping, Management and Review & Inspection Services contracts, even though she's not a professional and has no training in any of these areas.

As per the minutes of the January BOD minutes, the 2002 audit was given to a CPA to begin work. The BOD keeps saying it's almost done. We were supposed to be given this audit in March at the annual meeting. The same Annual meeting that the BOD refuses to continue.

When residents donate time long hours to a committee, the BOD ignores the suggestions of the committees.

When a resident wanted to run for the board, the BOD used it's muscle to keep that resident off the ballot.

In latest election (that did not take place), the BOD did not follow Texas state law and provide a voter list and it wanted to change the way the residents votes would count, so the builders/developer votes would count more and favor Bartlett. This ''new'' model of counting votes was different from what our governing documents laid out. There was a lawsuit from a resident lawyer that stopped the election in March, to clarify this issue. The Judge ruled the BOD must provide a voter list, and have counting consistent with the CCHOA governing documents.

When residents began speaking their mind about Escarpment/45 (that will connect $teve Bartlett's interests all the way to Buda), the BOD labeled the residents activists and accused them of harassing people in the CCHOA newsletters. If they were harassing people, would they have gotten over 300 signatures within just days? 85% of the people who were asked to sign the petition said NO to Escarpment/Hwy 45. They did not want the increased traffic and they had safety concerns for their families and the kids that walk to and from school. This is a perfect example of how Bartlett's Conflicts of Interests CAN HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.

After 16 years, it's time for Steve Bartlett and Susan Hoover to let go. A community of this size usually has 7 to 9 BOD. We only have 3 (Steve Bartlett, Rigsbee (lifelong lobbyist) and O'Reilly (Our 1.3 million dollar account is at Merrill Lynch/that's where he works). That's a big problem. These guys won't let go and they will not let the residents of Circle C run Circle C.

If you read the governing documents and go to enough meetings I believe you and your neighbors will become as frustrated as many others are. The sad part is, not all our neighbors don't know about the problems, or simply don't have the time or interest to learn. Others are silent, but ready to vote them out. The BOD refuses to set a date to allow the past due March 2003 vote.