January 2012 BNA NEWSLETTER
 Bohls Neighborhood Association

Issued January 11, 2012

P.O. Box 2484, Pflugerville, TX 78691
Website: http://pfnow.webs.com
Email: bohls2003@yahoo.com

A Note from the President
Carl Wasmuth, BNA President


The News Page that has been added to the BNA website allows space for news items, but the BNA Newsletter may still be useful for offering periodic summaries of what has been happening. The Bohls Neighborhood Talk website was created in October 2011 as a depository for information and discussions about topics such as land use, green industries and climate change, subsidies, taxes, gardening, etc., etc. Participation in the discussions is invited as is explained in the Instructions Page of the BNT website.

As the years go by, it will be interesting to follow the effects of our city growth on the quality of life in Pflugerville.

Events

January Fundraising Events for HHS Class of 2012 Senior Celebration

Please click here for details.

Holiday Lights

Holiday Lights judging in the Bohls neighborhood was held in the evening of December 22, 2011. Judging was done by a committee of volunteers, who thereby enabled a neighborhood tradition to continue. Special thanks to Syndie Ramirez and Deeana Tilly.

WINNERS OF THE 2011 HOLIDAY TRAIL OF LIGHTS

Neighborhood addresses given recognition in past years can usually be found in past January issues of the BNA Newsletter.

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Pictures taken of some of the holiday decorations in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 have been posted in the Holiday Lights page of the BNA website. Those wishing to add pictures of their Bohls neighborhood decorations to this holiday album are invited to email jpg images to bohls2003@yahoo.com

Solar Farm

Ground was broken for the Pflugerville Solar Farm on December 15, 2010, according to the Austin American-Statesman. In the same newspaper more than a year later on December 21, 2011, it was reported that the solar farm was still an empty field. A major customer had apparently not yet been found for the power that the solar farm would supply.

Green Businesses Coming to Pflugerville

Businesses coming to Pflugerville include Complete Energy Systems and WindData (a subsidiary of Baryonyx). Wind turbines will provide power for the Pflugerville WindData facility according to this article in The Pflugerville Pflag. Also, Baryonyx is proposing to install wind turbines off of the coast of Texas. More information is available in "Feds Order Full Environmental Study of Wind Farm Proposal" by Steve Clark, The Brownsville Herald, November 25, 2011.

Shade for Heritage Park Playground





History


Efforts to raise funds to build shade structures in the city parks were begun by the local chapter of the Moms Offering Moms Support Club. In addition, some help was provided by the city and matching funds were obtained from PCDC. See "Made in the Shade" by James Rincon, The Pflugerville Pflag, March 24, 2011.


       Ribbon Cutting, August 23, 2011

Charging Station


The electric car charging station just southwest of the Pecan Street bridge over SH 130 is one of twelve that have been planned for Pflugerville. The time needed to charge a car is two to four hours according to "Pflugerville's Renewable Energy Park to Get Solar 'Sail' Car Charger" by Marques G. Harper, Austin American-Statesman, December 17, 2011.

Also see:

"PCDC Weighs Anchor on Solar Sail Charge Station" by James Rincon, The Pflugerville Pflag, December 30, 2011.

"Pflugerville Opens Renewable Energy Park with Solar Sail Car Changing Station" by Blake Rasmussen, Community Impact, December 30, 2012.

"Closed: National Scooter Co. Inc." in the Community Impact, January 4, 2012.

"Williamson County Opens Propane Fueling Station in Round Rock" by Christine Bolaños, Community Impact, January 5, 2012.


From the Information Archives

Our Neighborhood Association and Deed Restrictions

The Bohls neighborhood does not have a homeowners association (HOA) with mandatory membership. If it did, then the HOA would be expected to enforce deed restrictions. Instead, Bohls has a neighborhood association with voluntary membership and no authority derived from the deed restrictions to enforce restrictions. After the construction of homes in the neighborhood was complete, Architectural Committees were left to enforce restrictions but with no provisions for funds to support enforcement. In 2003-2004, the Bohls Neighborhood Association was founded with a provision to give financial support to the Architectural Committees.

Maintaining the quality of living in the Bohls neighborhood with a neighborhood association rather than an HOA thus presents special challenges.


Deed Restrictions

Sample copies of the deed restrictions are on the BNA website at http://pfnow.webs.com/nowfiles/AC.htm. Official copies of the deed restrictions for your section of the neighborhood are available at the Travis County Clerk’s office. The Travis County Clerk’s website is http://www.co.travis.tx.us/.



Helping Neighbors in Need


We have had inquiries concerning where Bohls residents can donate food and other items to help people in Pflugerville. With the downturn in the economy and layoffs, more and more people are asking for help. The following list contains the names and information on a number of local churches, agencies and organizations that distribute food to those in need. While contacting these organizations, I found that many churches use The Storehouse non-profit agency rather than distribute items directly to those in need. If you know of any other Pflugerville organizations that also have a food “pantry” or distribute household items, please let us know at bohls2003@yahoo.com and we will update our list.

The following list includes the organization, location, phone and website if available. Contact the organization directly to determine what they need, when you can make your donation and where the donation should be taken.

First United Methodist Church 500 East Pecan Street 251-2575 www.pflame.org
First Baptist Church 306 South 10th Street 251-3052 www.fbc-pflugerville.org
Pflugerville North Rural Community
Center - Travis County 		15822 Foothill Farm Loop 251-4168
Immanuel Lutheran Church 500 Immanuel Road 251-4494 www.ilcpville.org
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church 1520 North Railroad Avenue 251-9838 www.stelizabethpf.org
Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day
Saints 		Bishop Gary Bronson
700 N. Heatherwilde Blvd. 		252-4775
The Storehouse POP Center, 1202 FM
685 Suite C4&5 		989-9989 www.thestorehouseofaustin.org



Other Helpful Information


About The Storehouse: "Pflugerville's Storehouse Thrift Store closes, Food Pantry remains open" by Rebecca LaFlure, Community Impact, May 12, 2011.

The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints has opened a Bishop’s Storehouse in Round Rock on Gattis School Road where food, sanitary items and cleaning supplies are distributed to people in need. Contact Bishop Gary Bronson, 700 N. Heatherwilde Blvd. or 252-4775 for information.

The First Baptist Church Food Pantry located across from Timmerman Elementary on Pecan welcomes food donations. The Food Pantry is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM to 2 PM.. The Director is Van Kirby.


City of Pflugerville Code Enforcement


Many of the problems in the neighborhood are covered by city ordinances. The Code Enforcement Department has two officers: Kenneth Jirasek and Mike Wilson. Kenneth and Mike have been very helpful with addressing problems in our neighborhood.

The city has recently passed updated ordinances that impact homeowners and may be of interest to you. Both are available on the City of Pflugerville website at http://www.cityofpflugerville.com/.

Code of Ordinances Chapter 99: Maintenance of Fences
Code of Ordinances Chapter 95.43.B: Care of Public Trees

Code Enforcement can be reached at 670-5720 or the Police Department non-emergency number: 251-4004.

You can email Kenneth Jirasek at kennethj@cityofpflugerville.com. Mike Wilson can be emailed at mwilson@cityofpflugerville.com.


Stray or Lost Pets


To report stray or lost pets, call the police non-emergency number 251-4004.

The Pflugerville Animal Control Division web page may be viewed here.


Trash and Recycling Collections


Information about trash and recycling collections can be found on this City of Pflugerville web page.

There is a city recycling center at 2609 East Pecan Street. The center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.




Bohls Neighborhood Association Officers

Carl Wasmuth President
Dawn Janacek Vice President
Position Open Secretary
MaryAnne Wilson Treasurer