The Ridgerunner

WPOA general meeting hears from Sheriff,
Jacobs Well Natural Area representatives

The most recent general meeting of the WPOA was a well attended and very lively session that featured visits from representatives from Hays County law enforce-ment and from our subdivision’s neighbor across Cypress Creek, the Jacobs Well Natural Area.

Both Sheriff Alan Bridges and Constable Daryl Ayres spoke to the gathering with information about law enforcement’s ongoing efforts in Woodcreek North. Both emphasized that all of us can help them by being their “eyes and ears” and being ready and willing to report any suspicious activity we witness. Constable Ayres also noted that his division has investigated the dumping problem that has plagued the area and has arrested and filed charges in one case and has another pending. He also noted that traffic tickets have been issued to speeders on several of our streets. He also suggested that when a speeder is sighted, a report with a description of the car and the license number called into the department would help them catch violators. The number to call to report non-emergency situations is 393-7896 and to report violations to the traffic division, call 393-7800. For emergencies and to report suspicious activity, 911 is always the right number to call.

David Baker spoke to the group on behalf of the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association and its plans to develop the area around Jacobs Well as a community center for aquifer and watershed research, education and conservation. The area will be managed and restored as a natural preserve to provide permanent protection to our extremely sensitive area. The Watershed Association welcomes new members. More information about the spring and how we can advance the efforts to preserve it, contact the Association 512-847-1582 or see the website online at www.jacobswellspring.org. Baker also announced that there will be a public meeting from 10 a.m. to noon on August 2 at the center. For more information on the meeting, call the number listed above.

Winton Porterfield announced the plans for the improvement of Valley Spring Road from the entrance at RM 2325. He noted that the improvement of 3,100 feet from the entrance will begin in the third week in August and that the road and utility work will make necessary the closing of Valley Spring from Flaming Cliff. Detour signs will be posted and all outbound traffic will be directed to use Creekside, Long Bow, Sprucewood or Crazy Cross to Pleasant Valley and from there to Woodacre or straight through on Pleasant Valley to Jacobs Well Road. Work from the low water crossings to Flaming Cliff is under consideration, but no work on the low water crossings is planned.

It was noted in the meeting that Linda Germaine and Jim Westbrook have joined the board since the last general meeting. Committee reports were presented by roads chairman Bill Bradfield and treasurer DuAnne Redus. There were questions from members regarding non-compliance by builders in managing trash around building sites. The Architectural Control Committee is looking at areas where builders are not observing restrictions. Information regarding these matters should be called into the office 847-9889.

PAGE TWO

FROM THE DRAWING BOARD
By Anita Fournier

Here we go again! No rain affects growth of any kind, and now both “fauna and flora” are suffering.

Deer and other wildlife are searching for water and food, and your yard is as good as any place for drinks and dinner. My yard is greener than the others on the street and has turned into a Bed and Breakfast where deer can eat, drink, sleep and spend the night!

After doing everything possible to discourage the deer from foraging on our lawns and flowerbeds, I have found an interesting product and have tested it for one week in a client’s garden.

The product is an electronic pest repeller called Yard Guard. That’s right! The manufacturer advertises that it “deters critters and chases destructive pests from your property.” After testing this for a week, we found that it seems to deter deer but has not stopped turkeys, armadillos or other pests.

According to the company, Yard Gard deters critters with powerful ultra sound waves and protects up to 4,000 square feet, is weather proof, motion activated and harmless to humans, pets, birds, and turkeys. Yard Gard is battery operated but can also be used with house current. For our test, we plugged the unit into an outdoor electrical outlet and mounted it on a porch post.

Motion Sensor Activation: Up to 35’ x 70’ and is adjustable. The Ultra Sonic Frequency is 15
khz-25 kHz (adjustable). Power supply: 4 x 1.5 volt C Battery or the A/C adapter. The output of Ultra Sound Pressure is 90 DB at one meter.

The average price for Yard Gard is $54.00 plus tax. If you give me a call at 847-1814 I can tell you where the product is available. Regardless of deterring only deer “so far,” it is worth the price! If we find it discourages more critters, we will give you updates in this monthly article. Please keep in mind that we are still in the testing stage, but I FELT COMPELLED TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS NEW PRODUCT ON THE MARKET.

PAGE THREE

First incorporation information
gathering draws large attendance

More than 100 area residents attended the first meeting scheduled to present information regarding the possible incorporation of Woodcreek North.

Attendees at the meeting were given a chance to sign a petition to Hays County for an election on the question of incorporation. There were enough signers of the petition to meet the number required to ask that the proposition be put on the ballot for the election in November. The Hays County Elections Administrator Joyce Cowan will review the petition, and when petition signers are certified as qualified residents and registered voters in the proposed incorporation, the petition will be presented to County Judge Liz Sumter for authorization of an election.

Bill Bradfield, spokesman for the Incorporation Com-mittee, presented information regarding the steps necessary to ask for an incorporation election. In addition to the petition, these include having a map of the area to be included in the corporate limits of a new municipality, and determining a name for a new community. A map was on display at the meeting, but it was noted that it was as yet incomplete pending discussions and negotiations with the cities of Wimberley and Woodcreek. In previous incorporation attempts, the proposed name for the community was Jacobs Well. However, it was noted at this meeting that the question of a name for the community should it come into being is still open, and suggestions are welcomed.

Although it was pointed out that the purpose of this first meeting was to explain the process involved and to allow those who wanted to sign the petition for an election to do so, those with questions regarding the “pros and cons” of incorporation indicated a desire for more information before making a decision. Bradfield reiterated that signing the petition was not a vote to incorporate, but only a request for an election to decide whether or not to create a city government.

A second meeting has been scheduled for August 3rd at 1 p.m. in the VFW Hall on Jacobs Well Road. Officials from Wimberley and Woodcreek and Hays County have been invited to attend this second meeting that is designed to concentrate on questions regarding the possible benefits or detriments of incorporation.

Requirements for participation in an election are that a voter must live in within the proposed boundaries of the area to be incorporated and be a registered voter in Hays County. Woodcreek North residents are encouraged to attend and to bring to the meeting their questions, suggestions and ideas on how to proceed.

Hays County creating habitat conservation plan

The Hays County Habitat Conservation Plan is being created to initiate solutions to protect endangered species under the mandate of the Federal Endangered Species Act. The golden cheek warbler and the black capped vireo are the primary focus of the plan.

Hays County Commissioners also intend for the plan to provide open spaces as identified by in the County Parks and Open Space Master Plan, and to protect species determined to be at risk. A major initiative of the plan will be to protect water quality and aquifer recharge.

A population increase of 49 percent between 1990 and 2000 has resulted in a projection that the population of our county will triple by 2040 to 280,076. Population increases have already resulted in changes in land use and development that has destroyed wildlife habitat and has had an impact on water quality. When complete, the con-servation plan will provide regional solutions by considering how to protect open spaces and natural resources that support endangered species. Learn more about the plan and how to participate at: www.hayscountyhcp.com

WATER, WATER ANYWHERE?

TSU’s River Systems Institute coordinating study of Cypress Creek

The River Systems Institute is coordinating a study on the Cypress Creek watershed in and around Wimberley. A three-year grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and other partners will fund the project which is designed to sustain the health of the creek as it undergoes changes resulting from rapid development for commercial and residential usage.

River Systems Institute director Andy Sansom says the organization will provide a sensible approach to research through sound science and unbiased information. Faculty from the departments of Geo-graphy and Biology-Aquatic Resources will manage the project. Personnel from the River Systems Institute will assist in compiling research with students and personnel from the university. The multi-phase project seeks to define the current state of the watershed, gather input from community stakeholders and develop a set of scientific tools for local decision makers.