Welcome to River Mountain Ranch, a wonderful countryside community nestled in the Texas Hill Country just east of Wimberley, Texas. River Mountain Ranch is a beautiful location where Lone Man Creek flows into the Blanco River. The River Mountain Ranch Property Owners Association is an enthusiastic group providing positive support for a continued superior neighborhood. We hope the information furnished is helpful and we welcome your suggestions and comments.

For additional information about Wimberley, please click on this link to the Chamber of Commerce.

The picture below is of the lower River Mountain Ranch (RMR) entrance (joint entrance with the White Wings Subdivision) along FM 3237.

To ner gate shown at the top of the page.

River Mountain Ranch Policies (NEW)

The intention of these policies is to supplement and clarify the Governing Documents (see above). Policies # 1, 2, 4, 5, & 6 were approved by the POA Board at the regular Board Meeting held on 10 May 2012. Policy # 3, Election Process, is pending the incorporation of eVoting and final approval by the Board. The policies are now in the process of being filed with the County Clerk of Hays County and will be posted upon completion of that action.

Click on the buttons to view the documents (when they become available). Please note that you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents. You can download the appropriate version from the Adobe link to the right.

Final Draft of Restated/Consolidated Covenants & Restrictions To Be Available in June (NEW)

The POA Board is currently working on a final draft of the RESTATED, CONSOLIDATED DECLARATION OF EASEMENTS, COVENANTS, CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS FOR RIVER MOUNTAIN RANCH. This document will merely be a restructuring (NO Substantive Changes) of the current Covenants & Restrictions to incorporate/consolidate the amendments into the basic document, remove redundancy, group the restrictions into their proper topical sections, and to make it much easier overall to read and understand. It is anticipated that the document should be available for the Summer POA Meeting on 9 June 2012. It will be posted, when available, for the members to review and provide comments to the Board.

Date Set for POA Summer Meeting (UPDATE-2)

The POA Summer Meeting will be held on 9 June 2012 from 10 AM to Noon in the Blanco Room, Wimberley Community Center.

Planned topics of interest will include a discussion of the Architectural Control process (due to several issues of non-compliance with Covenants & Restrictions), Water Park gate and keys, eVoting, and Firewise/Neighborhood Watch. Additionally, the ACC is planning to return architectural drawings for homes built in 2008 or earlier. If you want your plans returned, please attend the meeting or contact the ACC Chair (see Board page for contact information).

Members should be on the lookout in the US Mail for a postcard invitation to attend.

Thank You

Dear River Mountain Ranch neighbors,

I want to say thank you from the entire Nichols family to every single one of you for the beautiful arrangement for Steve's service.  He loved Wimberley and the Texas Hill Country as a whole, but he especially loved River Mountain Ranch; he was so happy when he could share the land with others, driving the Mule down and hiking the trails he blazed from River Mountain Road to Loneman Creek.  He knew when he found this property that the POA would uphold the same values he had, of excellence, safety and friendliness.  You all have been so supportive and encouraging to Steve and me.  Thank you, thank you.

Judy Nichols

POA Board to Name Firefighting Water Tank

The POA Board will take action to name our firefighting water tank in honor of Steve Nichols. Steve was one of the key individuals that worked on the 2008 project to install the water tank. Additional information will be provided in the near future.

Hays County Precinct Map (New)

The new Hays County Prcinct map can be viewed at this link. Apparently, most of us fall into precinct 333, however, some lots appear ro be in precinct 421.

This is the Process to be Used by Those Owners That Have Received a Notice from Hays County that Their Ag-Valuation Has Been Removed and/or You Need a New Grazing Lease for Submittal to Hays County (2012 UPDATE)

The Hays County Appraisal District will typically require a property owner that has been granted an Ag-Valuation to resubmit the required paperwork to obtain a renewal of their Ag-Valuation every 5 years. This process allows the County to evaluate if any changes have been made to the property's usage.

RMRCC recently found out from the HCAD, that yes, the "Additional Lessee Information" form was included in everyone's packet from the county, but, only RMRCC, as Lessee needs to fill out the form and not each individual property owner.   The "Grazing Lease Agreement" (see below) is all that is needed from River Mountain Ranch Cattle Co.  

This is the RMRCC Grazing Lease.  Please click the link below and download either the Word or PDF version. Please fill in the highlighted areas, NOTE:  Complete description of the property is needed under Roman Numeral "I" HCAD ID # - Location - Section - Lot - Acres Leased - Homestead (HS), and fax to RMRCC at 512-847-0097. The document will then be signed by the RMRCC Representative (Mike Hicks), make a copy for RMRCC records, and fax it back to the property owner (please provide your return fax number when you fax the documents to RMRCC). If an individual owner does not have access to a fax, then please call RMRCC to make arrangements to provide the property owner with the documents for them to turn-in to the County.

The grazing lease agreement is the document that you turn-in to Hays County along with the apllication for the Ag Valuation that they sent to you in the mail.

RMRPOA_Wimberley Yahoo Users' Group (UPDATE)

The POA Board has launched the Yahoo Users' Group for all members and associate members of the RMRPOA. Through 31 January 2012, we have had only 18 members join the group. Please consider joining the group.

It is now a convenient way of communicating with your neighbors about carpooling, getting a recommendation for a good local business service (e.g., electrician, plumber, HVAC, etc), getting answers to questions about living in RMR, recommendations for babysitters, announce garage sales, etc. We are hoping that this Users' Group will replace the Forum that we used to have a few years ago.

To find out how to join the group, please see the links below:

Identification of Hazardous/Dead Trees in or near the PEC Utility Easement

A short but true story from one of our residents:

In my Feb PEC bill there was a flyer that basically said "Don't Touch That Tree!!" my neighbor and I had planned to cut down a dead tree on the PEC easement near the road. So, I called PEC and explained that there was a dead tree on their easement that I had planned to cut down but, since their flyer said not to, I was calling to see if they thought it a hazard enough for PEC to cut it down. The very polite lady I spoke to said they would send someone out to see if it was a potential danger to their pole or line. If it was, PEC would take it out at their expense. A man came out and I pointed out the tree. He said he suspected that was the one I called about but wanted to make sure. A few days later a two (2) man Asplundh crew came out and spent the day cutting down the tree, feeding the branches to a large shredder to haul away, and leaving me with the firewood.

There are several trees in RMR that could be a threat to electrical service during high winds in the spring and summer or during an ice storm in the winter. The same trees could spark a fire at the wrong time of the year. They seem to fall into three categories:
1.      Trees like mine that are on my property but within the PEC easement.
2.      Trees that are on someone's property and within the PEC easement but the lot is currently not occupied. In this case, probably the owner is not  going to call PEC.
3.      Trees that are on RMR property (e.g., along a road) but are too close to the PEC lines or poles.

The POA Board has already had several trees taken down that weren't in the PEC utility easement but were a hazard to falling on our roads. We are continuing to identify other trees that present a hazard and we will take action to identify those that are in the utility easement along our roads. We ask that all of our residents and property owners take a look around their property and identify those trees that present a hazard to the PEC power lines and/or lie within their easement. Once identified, please contact the local PEC office to arrange for them to come out and inspect the tree(s) to determine if they will remove them.http://www.pec.coop/Home/LocalInvolvement/PowerandSafety/TreeCare.aspx

Thank you,

RMRPOA Board

Hays County Lifts Burn Ban on 15 November 2011 until Further Notice

Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – Hays County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D., and Fire Marshal Mark Chambers have announced a temporary lift of the burn ban due to rain and some greening of grass due to recent showers.

The burn ban is lifted immediately and is expected to last until authorities determine that conditions warrant reinstating it. The rain is expected to be a temporary relief, and that dry conditions will return quickly.

Chambers cautioned those who decide to burn to be extremely cautious, as there is still potential for fires to easily get out of control. “Never leave a fire unattended, even for a few minutes,” he said. “Always keep a source of water close at hand.”

NOTE: Please be extremely careful if you decide to burn debris within RMR and follow the guidelines if you do decide to burn, i.e., DO NOT leave a fire unattended and have sufficient water nearby to put the fire out!!!

Emergency Access to/from RMR

The Hays County Sheriff's Department and the Wimberley Fire Department will keep us informed as to what the residents of River Mountain Ranch should do In the event of an emergency, such as a bad accident on River Mountain Road (that keeps the road blocked for several hours) or in the event of a wildfire. Our main entry road is the desired egress route from the subdivision, however, there are two emergency exits that could be used: a. Through White Wings, and b. The Morales' property - through the gate on the right side of lower end of Water Park Road past Hidden Creek, go across the low water crossing (Lone Man Creek) to Red Hawk. Road

RMR is a "NO SOLICITING" Neighborhood (REMINDER)

This fact is clearly stated on two separate signs posted along River Mountain Road. The first sign is at the lower entrance off FM3237 and the second one just before our inner gate. These "No Soliciting" signs were installed in late 2008 in response to several incidents where strangers/non-residents were walking up 1/4 mile driveways and/or going around closed/locked gates to approach the homes while claiming they were selling magazines. Our signage clearly warns that Soliciting is NOT ALLOWED.

The "No Soliciting" policy also applies to residents and their families for purposes of business and/or commercial solicitation.  However, residents and their families may visit the homes of friends in RMR in support of their schools if they call and/or coordinate permission in advance. 

The exact wording of the signs was, in fact, coordinated by the POA Board with the Hays County District Attorney's Office since RMR does not have an entry control gate. The POA may, in fact, seek to prosecute flagrant violations of our policy.

On 13 September 2011, we again had an individual in our neighborhood that claimed to be a resident (unverified) that claimed that he was selling magazines for his child in school sometime between 6-7PM on Winding Trail. Whether or not he is a resident, he was in clear violation of our "No Soliciting" policy.

Please contact any Board member if you have any questions regarding this policy.

A Few Web Sites of Interest

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center site provides an interactive overview of national weather, watches and warnings, severe weather predictions, and weather discussions about various areas.

The Stormpulse site is dedicated to providing information about tropical storms and hurricanes. It provides a variety of information about current and predicted tropical development.

The Texas DPS Division of Emergency Management Situation Reports site posts information daily that detail what is going on in the state.

The Wimberley Fire Department website has up to date fire and other emergency information listed that is tweeted from the WFD Twitter account. You can also sign up to follow their tweets on their website's Home page at http://www.wimberleyfire.com/ .

Hays County Government - visit their website for up to date information on the progress of the fires, evacuations, contact info, and to sign up for emergency notifications on your cell phone.  

http://www.co.hays.tx.us/index.php/living-and-visiting/recent-news/hays-county-fire-evacuation-information/

You can also follow them on twitter for instant updates at @hayscounty.

Building and/or Installation of Water Storage Tanks & Wind Turbines (IMPORTANT)

The Architectural Control Committee has received several queries concerning the process for the building and/or installation of water storage tanks and wind turbines. Property owners should first contact the Hays County Development Services to obtain a FEMA Permit (required by the FEMA to determine if the structure is or is not in a flood plain) and to determine if their project will require a regular building permit from the County. Property owners should also contact RMRPOA Architectural Control (contact information is on the Board page of this website) to coordinate and verify that the project site location meets all setback requirements (i.e, sidelines, frontline, and backline) and to determine if a construction deposit will be required prior to the beginning of any construction.

Hays County Development Services Department is located at 2171 Yarrington Rd., San Marcos, TX 78666, mailing address P.O. Box 1006, San Marcos, TX 78667, phone 512-393-2150, fax 512-493-1915.  

NOTE: Wind Turbines have been discovered to have two issues for a neighborhood where they are installed. The first issue is that the spinning of the turbine blades in conjunction with the on-board or associated generator causes disruption of RF signals across a very wide spectrum. This disruption has the potential to substantially affect the operation of remote telephones (non-wired), cell phones, satellite TV signals, certain internet RF type systems (such as TXWINET and ANVIL), and other electronic items. The second issue is that some homeowners insurance companies may opt to raise the home insurance on surrounding properties as well as on the property where the turbine is installed. The reasoning for the increase is the potential danger to property and humans should a wind turbine come apart while turning at speed. There is an example of the insurance issue in the Dallas area. Any RMR property owner considering the installation of a wind turbine must contact the Architectural Control Committee before beginning any installation.

Have a Safe & FIREWISE 2012

Remember, River Mountain Ranch is located in a grassland and forested area that is extremely dry and where a potential wildfire could start very easily.  It was just a couple of years ago when a wildfire burned over 500 acres in a subdivision on the west side of Wimberley due to a child playing with matches.  

USE OF THE WATER PARK:

Please remember that OPEN FIRES of any kind are banned in the RMR Blanco River Water Park.  The POA Board has lifted the ban on the use of the barbecue pits in the Water Park..  If you are planning a picnic, and plan to use the barbecue pits, please be extremely careful and ensure that the fire is out prior to leaving the park.

Remember, use of the Blanco River Water Park is for POA Members and their guests only and at your own risk.  There are no lifeguards.  Should an emergency occur, you will need to move to a higher point on Water Park Road since cell phone coverage is very limited or not at all in the park.

Also, please be extremely careful if cooking on a barbecue at your home.  Do not set up the barbecue in an area where a wildfire may start (e.g. tall grass, etc); Do not leave the barbecue unattended; Have a hose available and ensure that the fire is out when you are done cooking.

Thank you,

River Mountain Ranch POA Board of Directors

Animal Control is the Animal Owner's Responsibility!! (REMINDER)

The RMRPOA Board is routinely called regarding pets roaming the neighborhood and this item was a significant area of discussion at many of the last few Annual and Summer POA meetings.

Please note that our covenants state "Any and all animals, including household pets, require appropriate fencing to confine them to their lot." Furthermore, Hay County law stipulates "Dogs are to be restrained by a leash or fence, unless the owner is on the property and is able to verbally command the animal to stay on his/her property. If the animal is found unrestrained, Hays County Animal Control can either issue a citation to the owner (if the owner is known) or impound the animal at PAWS Animal Shelter in Kyle, Texas."

All RMR residents are reminded to follow the requirements defined in Hays County Animal Control Ordinance # 20893. A copy of the Ordnance may be viewed or downloaded at this link: Animal Control Ordinance.

If you walk your dog, please keep it on a leash. If you find a dog running loose, or being a nuisance, please do not call the Board. The Hays County Sheriff's Office contains the County Animal Control Office and may be contacted at 512-393-7896.

If you have a serious incident (if you are attacked by a dog for instance) and you call the Sheriff's office, requesting that a citation be issued to the owner (if known) will expedite the process of getting restitution from the owner.

Further information regarding Hays County animal control laws can be found at this link: http://www.sheriff.co.hays.tx.us/.

Hays County Sheriff's Department - Information for Citizens (UPDATE)

The Hays County Sheriff's Department has launched a new feature on their website and it is called "Spot Crime." Either of the two links below will take you to the crimes that have occurred in Hays County with location information. The Spot Crime - crime mapping system is a tool for citizens to see daily updates of crime occurring in Hays County and receive email alerts if a crime occurs near their home or office.

http://www.co.hays.tx.us/index.php/law-enforcement/sheriff/

http://spotcrime.com/tx/hays+county

Hays County Sheriff's Department Alert Network Information (NEW)

Hays County "Alive at 25" Program (NEW)

Hays County Crime Statistical Information can be viewed at the following links:

Hays County Sheriff's Crime Statistics Press Release (NEW)

Hays County Crime Statistics 2010 (NEW)

Hays County Crime Statistics 2011 (NEW)

Hays County Sheriff's Department Gate Code Update Request can be viewed at this link:

Gate Codes (NEW)