Northcliffe

Articles from the August Newsletter

Jul 20, 2007

Words from the President:

Ms. Shanna Bates, a representative from the Schertz Health and Inspections Department spoke at our July Community Meeting. She discussed enforcement of City ordinances as they relate to grass, trash, and other health, welfare and safety hazards. Shanna handed out a list of common violations. She reminded the residents in attendance that the city does not address boats and trailers as those issues are up to the HOA to enforce. Shanna proceeded with describing the procedure for sending out citation notices. Within 24 hours of receiving a complaint a letter goes out the resident. The resident has 10 days to correct the situation. On the 11th day another inspection takes place. If the problem has not been corrected the inspections department takes a citation to the resident?’s house. The City is also looking at a possible summons to court. Shanna did let us know that if the situation is a health threat, diminishes the property value of others or the problem is in the backyard, they can now go on the property to check it out. She also informed us that the City is rewriting city codes to give them more ?“teeth?”.

Shanna was asked a question concerning repeat offenders. According to her, a first letter will go out and the resident will have 10 days to correct the problem. If this neighbor receives another complaint they become a ?“repeat offender?” and get a reprimand letter. They will no longer have a 10 day leeway to correct the problem.

When asked what constitutes a grass violation she said that if the yard is mostly tall wispy weeds, has other vegetation over 8 inches and/or the edges are left unmowed, that constitutes a violation.

On the subject of ?“Junk vehicles?”, Shanna stated that the City is currently taking action against inoperable eyesores in the neighborhood.

Ms. Bates states that she believes that a message needs to be sent to neighbors that the City is in our neighborhood and that residents need to clean up their property.

Debbie Bell

PARK UPDATE:

It is FINALLY happening!!! Three years of hard work is finally paying off. The Friends of Northern Schertz Parks raised $60,000.00 and then asked the City to match those funds to help us improve the park on Cherry Tree. The City Council voted unanimously to support our request. Those little flags you may have seen mark the outline of the walking path and basketball court donated by JMLG Holdings, LTD., the developer for Fairway Ridge, the new development along FM 1103 and Chelsea. That is a donation worth $30,000.00! The picture above shows Mr. Robert Gutierrez, CEO of Armadillo Homes, presenting a check for $25,000.00 to Duane McCune, the president of ?“Friends of Northern Schertz Parks?”. That money will be used to build a picnic pavilion. Additionally ?“Friends?” received a $10,000.00 cash donation from Pulte Homes, $1,000.00 from Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union, about several hundred dollars worth of rebar for the basketball court from CMC Steel-Texas and about $900.00 worth of plants from Lowe?’s. The City is purchasing a new innovative playscape for 5-12 year olds and we will have a community build to construct it. The ?“Build?” will be sometime in August. Parents and friends wishing to help in this build please write us at Northcliffepark@aol.com to sign up.



Schertz Police Department
Citizens Police Academy

The Schertz Police Department, Citizens Police Academy is a ten-week course, available to interested residents and/or business members in the Schertz community. The program is designed to give awareness and information about the role of Law Enforcement, and to increase the rapport between citizens and Police Officers. The Citizens Police Academy does not give the students any Police Officer Certifications or Qualifications. The Citizens Police Academy is for educational purposes only.

The Citizens Police Academy consists of classroom instruction and hands-on learning. Some of the topics in the academy include: department command structure, operations, simulated firearms training, use of force, laws, city ordinances, traffic stops, criminal investigations, and communications. The student will also have the opportunity to participate in role-playing scenarios during class.

Persons interested in the Schertz Citizens Police Academy must be at least 21 years of age, and complete the application process. A background check is done on all applicants, at no charge. There is no fee for the class, and it will be limited to 30 students.

The classes will be held every Thursday starting August 23rd and continue until November 8th. Classes will be from 7pm to 10pm. The deadline for applications will be Thursday August 16th at 5pm.

Fill out an application on-line at Schertz.com, or go to the police station and pick up an application. Return completed applications to:
Schertz Police Department
Special Projects Division
1404 Schertz Parkway
Schertz, Texas 78154
(Phone) 210-658-5321
(FAX) 210-658-0268


KIDS,
WE CARE!

Individuals from Northcliffe have donated a volleyball net and two small soccer goals for the land behind the ?“Schertz Community Center, North?” on Morning Drive (the old fire station). Several young people from our community and a few adults worked one weekend to build a volleyball court and soccer field. You will need to bring your own soccer or volleyball equipment. Enjoy it, have fun and know that Northcliffe cares about our Youth!


Ask Cliffy

Dear Cliffy:

Both my husband and I live in Northcliffe and will not be able to attend the July meeting. However, we are wondering why we are only allotted 1 trash day per week when Schertz is allowed 2. We are a very large family and besides dirty baby diapers and cat and dog poop, we have now had chicken sitting in our trash can for over a week. This is not giving off a pleasant smell in the neighborhood, especially with the added heat and humidity we've been having. Since we have to follow all of Schertz' 'rules', we should be allowed some of their perks as well. With the 4th of July holiday, we have to go a full 10 days without trash pick-up. This should not be acceptable. Please help!

A Concerned Family

Dear Concerned Family:

We had concerns about this a year or so ago also. However, after looking into the situation we found out that the trash bin we get is twice as large as the one that residents get that live closer to the center of town. That is why we get once weekly pick up and they get twice a week pick up. We were also told that it would not be cost effective for the trash company to come into our neighborhood twice a week. If they had to it would cost us more for trash pick up. I?’m Sorry we can't be more helpful. If you would rather contract for garbage collection independently, and not pay through the City, you may do so with Waste Management. I would first contact the City Water Department to find out the cost difference, and perhaps ask them your quesrion.

Dear Cliffy:

There is a man who has been jogging through our neighborhood in what appears to be boxer shorts. It's quite a revealing outfit bordering on obscene, and I really don't want to have to explain to my children why a man is running down the street in his underwear. Is there anything that can be done about this?

Embarrassed

Dear Embarrassed:

Inappropriate public exposure is a crime! We strongly encourage you to call the police the next time you see him. By the time they get here, he may be gone, but you will be able to give the police a description and general location. We have received a couple of calls concerning this individual. Everyone in the subdivision gets a copy of this newsletter, however, so, how about a plea to his sense of decency?

?“Hey, Mr. Jogger: Please check your appearance before you go out to make sure you won't be offending any of your neighbors or negatively impacting children.?”

Wouldn't that be a good rule of thumb in all cases? Ask ourselves, "How will my actions affect the people around me"?


In Sympathy

NCHOA condolences go out to the families of Al Cohen (former HOA Treasurer), Jim Wells, and Daniel Montoya.


NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

National Night Out is August 7, 2007, and plans are progressing for a multi-community picnic and celebration. The Schertz Fire Department will have one of their ladder trucks available, and there will be games for the children. Popcorn, cotton candy, soda and other food will be available for purchase.


Having trouble with barking dogs, noisy neighbors, radios blaring, cars racing on your street? To report these kinds of problems please use the non-emergency police number for the City of Schertz, (210) 619-1200. You do not have to give your name.
2007 NORTHCLIFFE HOA BOARD MEMBERS

Debbie Bell, President (830) 609-1008
Melissa Hudson, Secretary (830) 629-0207
Duane McCune, Treasurer (830) 609-0906
Maria Scagliola, Director (830) 606-1130
Gayle Johnson, Director (830) 606-0522
Dan Schwendeman, Director (210) 878-5726
Bud Dieter, Director (830) 624-1404
George Waterman, Director (830) 237-1162



City of Schertz Elected Officials

Mayor:Hal Baldwin (210) 658-6466
Mayor Pro Tem: David Scagliola (830) 606-1130
Council members: John Trayhan (210).566-3522
Tony Wilenchik (210) 945-8438
Michael Carpenter (210) 566-4217
Jim Fowler (210) 658-1442
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New City Phone Numbers
Please Note!!


Helpful Telephone Numbers

Non-Emergency Police Dept. (210) 619-1200
Non-Emergency Fire Dept. (210) 619-1300
Non-Emergency-EMS (210) 619-1400
G.V.E.C. (M-F 7:30-6:00) (210) 658-7033
New Braunfels Utilities(NBU) (M-F 8-5)
(830) 629-8400
Animal Control (M-F 9-5, S&S 10-3) (210) 658-6607
Comal Co. Animal Control (M-F 8-5) (830) 608-2016
Cibolo Post Office (M-F 8-4, Sat. 8-11)
(210) 658-2631
Schertz Post Office (210) 658-3072
Library (M-Thur. 10-8, F 10-6, S&S 12-6)
(210) 658-6011
Dept of Public Safety Office (M-F 8-5)
(830) 620-3439
Public Works (Shelly Krause) (210) 619-1800
Schertz Municipal Offices (Hrs. M-F 8-5)
(210) 658-7477
Toll Free: (800) 307-4178
Utility Billing (210) 619-1100
Inspection & Code Enforcement
Shanna Bates (210) 619-1771
Tom Eaton (210) 619-1772
Planning & Zoning (210) 619-1750
Municipal Court (Court Clerk) (210) 619-1500
Communications & Media Relations
Brad Bailey (210) 619-1060
Community Services (Gail Douglas) (210) 619-1600

ADVERTISING RATES-

Newsletter advertising rates are:
One liner- $3.00 per line
Business card size $15.00
Quarter page (3?½?” X 4?½?”) $20.00
Half page (7?” X 4?½?” or 3?½ ?“X 9?”) $35.00
Full page (7?” X 9?”) $65.00; Flyer insert $30.00
All prices are for each newsletter published every month. If you would like to advertise in our next newsletter please mail your check and a copy of your Ad to the HOA before the 10th of each month. You may also just mail in your check but email your ad to puttslow@aol.com. All ads must be print ready in exact size.
The Northcliffe HOA reserves the right to accept or reject advertisements. Deadline is August10th for the September newsletter. For questions call Debbie at: (830) 609-1008.