Spur Ranch Road Update 07_12_2013

Dear Neighbor,

            As I'm sure you've noticed, the rains this week (more then two inches), although welcome, have taken a serious toll on our road. The rain is forcast to end this weekend and, weather permitting we will be regrading the road between Rt 285 and Calle Junipero on Monday afternoon and possibly Tuesday. This is a stopgap measure, until the road is completed by Bionic Soil Solutions (formerly RoadPacker SW). We have been in frequent contact with Mr. Bob Sherwin, most recently two days ago. In response to our query, he responded:

            " I have been waiting on another community who wants to do 20 miles, so I would have the money and equipment available to do SRR.  They all met for the HOA meeting and loved what they saw and seem very optimistic about getting it done, but didn't have a quorum to complete their vote.  My understanding is that they have to do it through the mail now.  The board members came and watched the installation in Carlsbad for the Bass Brothers and one of them is a road builder who was very impressed and is pushing it for us.  I am at their mercy right now as I want to come and finish off SRR as soon as I am able.  It will cost me about $75,000 so I have to do it in conjunction with another paying job and when equipment is deployed.  I will keep you posted."

                In addition to grading the road, we are also improving the gambion we installed a few weeks ago to improve runoff at the west end of the road.  In case your civil engineering knowledge is a bit rusty, a gambion is a box-like cage filled with riprap (aka rocks), commonly used in road building to stabilize water runoff. It comes from Italian gabbia and Latin cavea, meaning "cage. If you haven't seen our gambion, take a drive toward the west end of the road. You can't miss it.

 

Regards,

Jim Garland, president

Spur Ranch Road Association

102 Spur Ranch Road

466-8833 

Spur Ranch Road conditions

09 September, 2013

 

 

Spur Ranch Road Association Members:

 

Owing to the recent rains Spur Ranch Road has softened along much of its length.  Owing to increased traffic, including both large horse trailers and loaded and unloaded dump trucks weighing in at some 13+ tons each (depending on the size of the dump body and the amount/type of the load) traveling SRR at speeds in excess of the posted limit, the road has deteriorated, again, along much of its entire length.  The Spur Ranch Road directors, while being aware of the road’s condition, and like you, using it as our primary residential access, have no control over the weight of vehicles using the road and only the S.F. Sheriff’s deputies on vehicular patrol have any significant control of the speed of any vehicles using the road.

 

For you members living on the west end of Spur Ranch Road and using Ave. de Compadres you’ll have noted that Ave. d. Compadres has also deteriorated significantly and may become impassable given the additional rains currently forecast. If Ave. d. Compadres becomes impassable that will leave Spur Ranch Road as your primary ingress/egress. 

 

Please encourage any visitors, construction drivers, etc. using Spur Ranch Road to drive the posted speeds – especially those individuals pulling trailers and/or those hauling heavy loads.

 

The SRRA board will do everything we can given our current financial resources to ensure Spur Ranch Road remains passable and safe; we also live here.

 

Thanks,

 

Al Webster

Spur Ranch Road Association Board member

Spur Ranch Road Association 2013 Dues Notice

Dear Neighbor,

At its meeting of August 22, the SRRA directors (Jim Garland, Al Webster, Ron Billingsley, Susie Schoenberg and Bob Holzer) unanimaously approved a 2013 dues schedule, which is unchanged from the previous year. (Note that the 2013 operating budget of $11,800 had previously been approved by the membership at the annual meeting of March 31, 2012). Payment of dues is voluntary, but the directors hope all residents will pay their fair share to maintain and improve the road.

 

The dues schedule is as follows:

 

1: Base Dues

            Residences west of railroad tracks, except Tierra Colinas: $275

            All other residences, including Tierra Colinas: $200

            Lots without residences: $100 per lot

 

2. Tierra Colinas Residents: part of your dues is automatically paid through your homeowners association assessment. The remainder is your responsibility and should be paid separately to the SRRA. The additional yearly amount to be paid is:

 

            Tierra Colinas Residents: $70

            Tierra Colinas Lot Owners: $35

 

3. Rancho San Lucas residents: Your HOA assessment includes the full (100%) dues for homeowners. Lot owners, and builder-owned homes are not covered for their lot assessment.

 

Please make checks payable to: Spur Ranch Road Association

                                                            Mail to:  Bob Holzer, Treasurer

                                                            4 Camino San Lucas

            Lamy, NM  87540

 

                                                            Or, PayPal to: bob@bobholzer.com

 

The SRRA annual membership meeting and potluck get-together for all residents will be Sunday, November 17, at 3:00pm at Jim and Carole Garland's home at 102 Spur Ranch Road. We'll send out another announcement as the time approaches, but please mark this on your calendar. The annual meeting is the time when residents can vote on the proposed budget, bring up other issues pertaining to the road and the community, and vote to elect directors (there will be two openings for directors this year). Note that under the SRRA bylaws only members who have paid their dues in full are eligible to vote.

            Thanks very much!
            Regards,

            Jim Garland, President

            102 Spur Ranch Road

            466-8833

 

Spraying RT

Ben got the Northside of SRR yesterday morning, and the Southside this morning....except for about 100 feet....ran out of liquid refreshment for the RT.

 

Susie

 

 

Re: SRRA Minutes

All,

 

I came home from town today about 11:30 am and a Sheriff's deputy was parked on Silver Saddle and SRR. Yea, Yea, Yea,  Thanks Al.

 

Ron 

On Fri, Aug 23, 2013 at 9:22 PM, Jim Garland <4cx250b@miamioh.edu> wrote:

SRRA DIRECTORS MEETING

MINUTES

August 22, 2013

 

Present:  Jim Garland, Al Webster, Ron Billingsley, Susie Schoenberg, Bob Holzer, and Carole Garland (not a Board member but took minutes).

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm. 

 

The first order of new business was a review of the 2013 finances.  Taking into account expenditures as of 8/22/13, SRRA has $4,947.67 left in the treasury. The reserve account is significantly smaller than the $8000 targeted (for two years accumulation).

 

Next was a discussion of road conditions east of the RR tracks and a review of Bob Sherwin's commitment to complete his work on the road later this autumn. An email from a concerned resident expressing impatience and concern was shared with the Board. 

 

Motion: Al Webster moved that SRRA obtain from Red Line Excavating a 3-part bid for work to include:  1) grading the road from the RR tracks to the western end 3 times during 2014; 2) grading the road between the RR tracks and Calle Junipero; and, 3) putting basecourse on the road between the RR tracks and Calle Junipero.  Susie Schoenfeld seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

General Road Issues:  The Russian thistle was sprayed but another application of Roundup should be applied because recent rains have produced many new plants.  A gabion is being installed at the culvert near Rosa Linda; the directors still have much concern about possible damage from run-off in that area. 

 

The next order of business was a general discussion of the proposed 2014 budget (including revenue needs and proposed expenditures) and suggested timing for dues collection.  Al Webster moved that the proposed budget be approved by the Board and Bob Holzer seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

Proposed 2014 Budget Categories

 

            Snow removal                                       300

            Grading (RR tracks to West end)       4000

            Liability Insurance                              1500

            Contingency grading (RoadPacker)   2000

            Legal, signage, repairs, misc.                500

            Reserve fund   ($40K ten year goal)   4000

 

                                                Total                12,300

 

 

After discussion, Susie Schoenfeld moved that SRRA maintain the 2012 membership dues amounts ($200 for homeowners east of the RRtracks, $275 for homeowners west of the RR tracks, and $100 for lot owners).  Ron Billingsley seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 

 

The Board set the date for the SRRA Annual Meeting and potluck: Sunday, November 17 at 3:00 pm at the home of Jim and Carole Garland.

 

The Board then discussed election of officers.  Three officers (Jim Garland, Al Webster, and Bob Holzer) have 3 year terms (1 year remaining).  The two officers with 2 year terms (Ron Billingsley and Susie Schoenfeld) officially end their terms in September of 2013 but will be temporarily appointed to the Board until the annual meeting in November 2013.  The Board discussed possible new members and recommending soliciting nominations and volunteers from the membership.

 

Other Action Items:

 

1. Ron Billingsley will forward the names of the Tierra Colinas HOA president and treasurer to Jim Garland and will ask the TC treasurer to send a check for 2013 dues to Bob Holzer.

 

2. Jim Garland will send an email to all SRRA members requesting payment of 2013 dues.

 

3. Al Webster will ask the SF County Sherrif's office if officers can patrol Spur Ranch Road to help control speeding.

 

4. Susie Schoenfeld will contact the Chavez family to see if either of them would be willing to serve on the Board, to represent residents on the West end of the road.

 

5. All members work to compile up-do-date list of residences and lot owners.

 

There being no further business, Al Webster moved and Bob Holzer seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 7:45 pm.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

 

--

Ron Billingsley

466-8909

SRRA Minutes

SRRA DIRECTORS MEETING

MINUTES

August 22, 2013

 

Present:  Jim Garland, Al Webster, Ron Billingsley, Susie Schoenberg, Bob Holzer, and Carole Garland (not a Board member but took minutes).

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm. 

 

The first order of new business was a review of the 2013 finances.  Taking into account expenditures as of 8/22/13, SRRA has $4,947.67 left in the treasury. The reserve account is significantly smaller than the $8000 targeted (for two years accumulation).

 

Next was a discussion of road conditions east of the RR tracks and a review of Bob Sherwin’s commitment to complete his work on the road later this autumn. An email from a concerned resident expressing impatience and concern was shared with the Board. 

 

Motion: Al Webster moved that SRRA obtain from Red Line Excavating a 3-part bid for work to include:  1) grading the road from the RR tracks to the western end 3 times during 2014; 2) grading the road between the RR tracks and Calle Junipero; and, 3) putting basecourse on the road between the RR tracks and Calle Junipero.  Susie Schoenfeld seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

General Road Issues:  The Russian thistle was sprayed but another application of Roundup should be applied because recent rains have produced many new plants.  A gabion is being installed at the culvert near Rosa Linda; the directors still have much concern about possible damage from run-off in that area. 

 

The next order of business was a general discussion of the proposed 2014 budget (including revenue needs and proposed expenditures) and suggested timing for dues collection.  Al Webster moved that the proposed budget be approved by the Board and Bob Holzer seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

Proposed 2014 Budget Categories

 

            Snow removal                                       300

            Grading (RR tracks to West end)       4000

            Liability Insurance                              1500

            Contingency grading (RoadPacker)   2000

            Legal, signage, repairs, misc.                500

            Reserve fund   ($40K ten year goal)   4000

 

                                                Total                12,300

 

 

After discussion, Susie Schoenfeld moved that SRRA maintain the 2012 membership dues amounts ($200 for homeowners east of the RRtracks, $275 for homeowners west of the RR tracks, and $100 for lot owners).  Ron Billingsley seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 

 

The Board set the date for the SRRA Annual Meeting and potluck: Sunday, November 17 at 3:00 pm at the home of Jim and Carole Garland.

 

The Board then discussed election of officers.  Three officers (Jim Garland, Al Webster, and Bob Holzer) have 3 year terms (1 year remaining).  The two officers with 2 year terms (Ron Billingsley and Susie Schoenfeld) officially end their terms in September of 2013 but will be temporarily appointed to the Board until the annual meeting in November 2013.  The Board discussed possible new members and recommending soliciting nominations and volunteers from the membership.

 

Other Action Items:

 

1. Ron Billingsley will forward the names of the Tierra Colinas HOA president and treasurer to Jim Garland and will ask the TC treasurer to send a check for 2013 dues to Bob Holzer.

 

2. Jim Garland will send an email to all SRRA members requesting payment of 2013 dues.

 

3. Al Webster will ask the SF County Sherrif’s office if officers can patrol Spur Ranch Road to help control speeding.

 

4. Susie Schoenfeld will contact the Chavez family to see if either of them would be willing to serve on the Board, to represent residents on the West end of the road.

 

5. All members work to compile up-do-date list of residences and lot owners.

 

There being no further business, Al Webster moved and Bob Holzer seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 7:45 pm.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

 

Spur Ranch Road Update 08_18_2013

Dear Neighbor,

            As you've no doubt noticed, the Eastern segment of our road between the railroad tracks and Rte 285 has been regraded, with additional gravel added. This is a temporary measure to improve the road while we wait for Mr. Bob Sherwin of Bionic Soil Solutions (formery RoadPacker Southwest) to complete his work. A letter explaining the delays we have experienced on this project was sent to the community last month.

            Additionally, we have regraded the road west of Calle Junpero to Spur Ranch, in order to repair the damage done during the recent rains. We have also unclogged a culvert that became blocked with silt from the runoff, and are installing a filter system to inhibit future blocking. Although most residents at the West end of the road currently prefer to use Avenida Compadres, most of Compadres has no baseourse and becomes impassible with any significant rain. The directors therefore felt repairing this part of the road was a necessary step for the safety of the residents.

            At this time, the only part of the road which is in bad shape is the short segment between the railroad tracks and Calle Junipero, which has bad washboarding. Unfortunately, the lack of a basecourse on the segment means that grading offers no lasting improvement. We will have to wait until we have the budget to make improvements to that segment.

            Lastly, we have sprayed Russian Thistle along the length of the road. RT is a tenacious, highly invasive weed, but we hope we caught it early enough this year to have some impact on it.

            As a heads up, we will be requesting the 2013 dues from all residents and homeowner associations in the coming months. We've put off our dues request until now, because we didn't know what expenses we would incur with the Roadpacker-treated road. The financial situation is now clearer, and the SRRA board will be meeting soon to formalize our dues request.

            One last request: I would appreciate your sending to me the email address of any new members of the community, so that they can be added to future updates. With people moving in and out of the neighborhood, it's hard to keep track of everybody.

 

Regards,

 

Jim Garland

President, Spur Ranch Road Association