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Latest September - October 2011 Brightwater Reflections Newsletter   Thank you Nancy Hudson!

National Night Out Photos 2011

Curb Numbering Policy

Missouri City Police Concerned

Surveillance cameras installed by the homeowners association thwarts crooks.

Neighborhood Watch Program For Brightwater

Rules of the Road for Bicyclists

New HOA Collection Policy

Parking Problems on your street?

Pets - Missouri City Ordinances

Tips on preventing vehicle burglaries

Solid Waste Service Provider

Solicitors

Want to register a complaint concerning the new city code enforcement program?

Ducks on the Dock

Did you know that the fine for a junk car is only $200 but the fine for leaving your trash can out is $500?

Speed Bumps in Brightwater.
One issue that keeps coming up at board meetings is the case for speed bumps. Many Brightwater residence are concerned about the speeding cars on Brightwater Blvd. and throughout the subdivision. Speed bumps seem to be the answer to many. The Board says that they have asked Missouri City about the possibility of the city installing speed bumps but they are told that city ordinance prevents the use of this type of traffic control. 

If you think speed bumps may be the answer, then contact our city Representative Robin Elackatt to work towards changing the ordinance to allow speed bumps. You can call him at 281-403-8500 or email him at relackatt@missouricitytx.gov. You can also email Mayor Allen Owen at Mayor Allen Owen.

June Board Meeting
Manish Patel and Dave Lemons elected to new terms as Directors on Brightwater HOA Board at the Annual meeting June 8, 2010. 

For a neighborhood schedule of Code Enforcement sweeps, visit www.missouricitytx.gov/PDFs/News/sweeps-II. To report a code violation, call the Code Enforcement Hotline at 281-403-8560. For questions about the code sweeps, call 281-403-8500 and ask for Code Enforcement.

Message from the Board of Directors

The Annual Meeting was held on June 16, 2009. Diane Giltner, Diane Mauricio and Rita McMahon were elected to fill the three open Board positions. We would like to welcome Rita as a new member to the Board and extend our appreciation to Elise Harmon for her past service to Brightwater.

As part of the meeting, Idalia Gutierrez with Missouri City Code Enforcement gave a short presentation on the inspection sweeps that they are conducting throughout the City. Please be advised that there are six particular housing code violations which will result directly in a Court citation being sent to the resident (no warning letter). Brightwater residents should make sure that none of these apply to their properties, but please pay close attention to the one regarding trash and trash containers. Idalia noted that violation was a more common one in Brightwater. Trash cans cannot be stored behind the column between double garage doors -- they must be stored completely out-of-sight from the street.

To report a code violation, residents may call the Code Enforcement Hotline at 281-403-8560. For questions about the enforcement sweeps, residents may call 281-403-8600 and ask for Idalia Gutierrez in Code Enforcement.

See Below for more information:

Six Code Violations, Repeat Offenses to be Cited Directly to Court in Missouri City

Starting May 18, Missouri City property owners who violate any of six certain housing codes may find themselves cited directly to court.

“To keep all our neighborhoods looking their best and to protect property values around the City, we are stepping up efforts to carry out the City’s Code Enforcement program,” said Mike Fogarty, Coordinator in the Code Enforcement Division. “More than seven months have passed since Hurricane Ike hit the region, so we are eager to have all subdivisions restored to their condition before the storm. By intensifying our Code Enforcement efforts, we are fulfilling our mission to keep Missouri City clean and safe.”

Following the direction of City Council, inspectors with the City’s Code Enforcement Division will issue citations beginning May 18 when they observe homes with:

For major storm-damaged structures that are still in disrepair, such as damaged roofs, homeowners will be cited directly to court unless they can provide documentation outlining sufficient reasons why repairs have not been completed. The City’s Code Enforcement Division should receive this documentation prior to May 18.

In addition, property owners who are found to have repeated a code violation of any kind within a 12-month period can also receive a direct citation to court for those violations.

Since the City began code sweeps of neighborhoods in August 2008, more than 4,200 first notice letters have been issued for code violations. Of those infractions, 83 percent were corrected after the first letter was sent.

Of the more than 700 remaining violations, over 600 were corrected after a second, final notice letter was issued. The remaining 100-plus property owners were cited to court for non-compliance with City codes.

“While we appreciate the majority of citizens are complying with our code enforcement initiatives, there are still outstanding violations that must be addressed,” Fogarty said. “Missouri City was honored as one of America’s ‘Best Places to Live’ and we want to continue to maintain the highest housing standards."

The maximum fine for a code violation is $500 per occurrence of each violation. A code violation that has not been corrected can be issued a citation to court daily.

Code sweeps are continuing throughout the City. Notice is provided to residents when Code Enforcement inspectors will be in their neighborhoods. In addition to this stepped up program, the Code Enforcement Division continually responds to any code issues reported throughout the City.

For a neighborhood schedule of Code Enforcement sweeps, visit www.missouricitytx.gov/PDFs/News/sweeps-II. To report a code violation, call the Code Enforcement Hotline at 281-403-8560. For questions about the code sweeps, call 281-403-8500 and ask for Code Enforcement

For more information contact: Jenny Faber — 281/403-8530
jlimfaber@missouricitytx.gov

Residents

Please be aware that there is a Leash Law for dogs in Missouri City. Dogs running loose on the streets pose a threat to people, as well as to themselves. Recently there have been a few reports of residents' dogs escaping the confines of homes and yards and roaming our streets. Although some of the animals are quite friendly and non-threatening, a couple of them have been known to shred garbage bags left on the curbside spilling trash onto the streets. Homeowners affected have to collect and re-bag their garbage. Not a pleasant task. The incidents have recurred even after the owners were notified by neighbors. It is very important that dog owners whose animals are repeatedly loose take steps to secure their pets within their property.

Also, a gentle reminder that dog owners must clean up after their pets in public. This is a city ordinance and signs to that effect have been posted along the lake path. Unfortunately, not all residents are taking note. Dogs have defecated on the sidewalk along the lake, as well as in the playground next to the tennis courts, and their owners have neglected to clean up after them. The association would like to stress the importance of being a responsible pet owner and a considerate neighbor.
Offended? You should be! Call Animal Control at 281-403-8707.
24 Hours a day 7 days a week. 

Click here for more information about Missouri City Ordinances related to pets. Chapter 10 of Missouri City’s Municipal Codes and Ordinances spells out citizen responsibilities for their animals. Sec 10-4 and 10-5 describe the city’s policy on “animals running at large.” Sec 10-69 defines “nuisance animals.” Please note that dogs running loose, even friendly ones, are considered nuisance animals.

Be proactive in contacting the police

All residents need to be proactive in contacting the police with any illegal or questionable activity in their area. Often, people do not want to "get involved," or they feel an incident does not warrant a call to the police department. Know that our MCPD officers are ready and willing to investigate all calls from Brightwater residents. Call them! If it is an emergency, dial 9-1-1. For a non-emergency reportable incident, call 281-403-8700. If you'd rather not leave your name, just tell the dispatcher "no contact."

Safety

Those of you who leave for work, go to exercise or take your kids to school before daylight every morning may have noticed at the last moment that walkers or runners are on the street in front of you. This is a potential accident waiting to happen. Take care in driving at that time. If you are one of those walkers or runners who use the street, adding reflective makers to your clothing or shoes will warn approaching drivers you are on the street in front of them.

Rules of the Road for Bicyclists

CHAPTER 551. OPERATION OF BICYCLES, MOPEDS, AND PLAY VEHICLES.

City Of Missouri City General Information

Crest Management

281-579-0761  Account representative for Brightwater is Rachel Schmutz: karen@crest-management.com

Architectural Control Committee Needs Volunteers

HOA needs several volunteers for the Architectural Control Committee. This committee is charged with the responsibility of determining if the proposed plans for improvements or alterations to the outside of their home comply with the legal requirements of the association. i.e. Brightwater Deed Restrictions.

To volunteer or get more information on this important committee contact Dave Lemons, 281-499-0146

Solid Waste Service Provider

WCA Waste Corporation. Garbage will be collected on Wednesday and Saturday and heavy trash will be picked up both days. Recycling will be collected on Wednesday. Billing is monthly and appears in the sewer portion of residents' water bills.
New Solid Waste Service Provider (PDF)
WCA's services in detail. (PDF)

Safety Concerns

If you observe an obstructed traffic sign or anything that you consider a safety issue, a violation of a city ordnance, etc., please contact one of the Board members or Idalia Gutierrez with the Missouri City Enforcement Division - igutierrez@missouricitytx.gov

Pets

Over the years there have been a number of complaints regarding pet owners who walk their dogs on private and public property and do not pick up after them.  Residents walking along the lake have had to be especially careful when stepping off the sidewalk to allow others to pass because of dog waste left by inconsiderate pet owners.

Recently, the HOA installed signs informing our residents that two Missouri City ordinances require that (a) dogs be on leash and (b) pet owners must clean up after their dog.  The ordinances are as follows:

Chapter 10 ANIMALS:

Sec. 10-4. Running at large prohibited; exceptions.
It shall be unlawful for any dog or other animal possessed, kept or harbored, except a cat of a small domesticated species or of a mix of small domesticated species, to run at large.  (Code 1981, § 4-3(a))

Sec. 10-5. Impoundment of animals running at large.
The supervisor of animal control, and animal control officers acting under his direction, are authorized to impound any animals running at large, other than a cat, and may impound a cat under conditions specified in article IV of this chapter.
(Code 1981, § 4-3(e))

Sec. 10-6. Limitation on number of dogs and cats.
No owner shall possess, harbor or keep more than a total of four dogs and/or cats over the age of four months and/or ten puppies or kittens under the age of four months except for a kennel, cattery or veterinary facility. The limitation of this section as to the number of dogs and cats shall not apply when the premises on which such animals are possessed, harbored or kept is located within the SD suburban district pursuant to the zoning ordinance (appendix A of this Code).
(Code 1981, § 4-3(b))

Sec. 10-12. Penalty.
Any person who causes, allows or permits another to violate any provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punishable as provided in section 1-13. Each day such violation shall be permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense. The owner, keeper or person in possession of the animal for which a violation of this chapter exists, or any employee, agent or corporation employed in connection therewith who may have assisted in the commission of such violation, shall be guilty of a separate offense and, upon conviction, shall be subject to the penalty provided in section 1-13. The owner, keeper or person in charge of the premises or part thereof, or of the subject animal where anything in violation of this chapter shall be placed or shall exist, or any lessee, tenant, employee, agent or corporation employed in connection therewith who may have assisted in the commission of such violation shall be guilty of a separate offense and, upon conviction, shall be subject to the penalties stated in section 1-13.
(Ord. No. O-98-29, § 7, 7-20-1998)

Sec. 10-68. Animal defecation on property of another.
(a)   It is unlawful for the owner or person in control of an animal to allow or permit such animal to defecate on any public property or improved private property, other than that of the owner of the animal. That the animal was at large at the time it defecated on any property shall constitute prima facie evidence that the owner or person in control of the animal allowed or permitted the animal to so act.
(b)   It shall be a defense to prosecution under this section that the owner or person in control of the animal immediately removed and cleaned up such animal's feces from the public or private property.  (Code 1981, § 4-14) 

Sec. 10-69. Nuisance animals.
The following shall be considered a public nuisance and shall be unlawful:
(1) Any animal that molests or chases pedestrians, passersby or passing vehicles, including bicycles;
(2) Any animal that makes unprovoked attacks on other animals of any kind;
(3) Any dog that is repeatedly at large, specifically three or more times per 12-month period;
(4) Any animal that damages private or public property;
(5) Any animal that barks, whines, howls, crows, cackles or makes any noise excessively and continuously, and such noise disturbs a person of ordinary sensibilities;
(6) The keeping of an animal in such a manner as to endanger the public health, by the accumulation of animal waste which causes foul and offensive odors considered to be a hazard to other animals or human beings; or
(7) Any person who keeps bees or allows bees to colonize on his property in such a manner as to interfere with the peaceful enjoyment of adjacent property or otherwise endangers the health and safety of others.
(Code 1981, § 4-15; Ord. No. O-98-29, § 5(4-18), 7-20-1998)

The fine for violation of these City ordinances can be up to $500.  Pet owners, be a good neighbor!  Keep your dogs on leash and clean up after them whether it’s on public or private property.

To report a violation: Call Police/Non-Emergency Animal Control at 281-403-8700 or Animal Control at 281-403-8707. 24 Hours a day 7 days a week. .

Missouri City Ordinance, Chapter 10, Sections 10-4 & 10-68, Code 1981.

Home Maintenance Reminder

(These items are frequently cited as violations of the Architectural Control Guidelines.)

• Make sure that your trees do not obstruct street traffic or sidewalks. This is good time of year to trim your trees.
• Clean mildew from house surfaces, driveways, and sidewalks.
• Keep bulkheads clear of vegetation.

Brightwater Blue

We are testing a new approach and a new schedule for coloring the lakes. Hurricane Lake and Fountain is developing our very own “Brightwater Blue” to be used for the first time in January.

Though it may require some “tweaking”, we hope the new process provides a more consistent and pleasing appearance. Thanks to Manish Patel, David Hopgood, and Jim Mercer for working on this project! For comments call Kent Hudson, Operations Chairman at 281-403-9269 or email at kenthudson@comcast.net

Solicitors

Solicitors to our neighborhood should obtain and wear a Missouri City Permit and Photo ID badge. If you encounter a solicitor without a visible permit, you can call City Hall at (281) 403-8500 and and ask the City Secretary to verify the solicitor and/or call the Police Department's non-emergency number to report the violation. (281) 403-8700