Resources

Homeowners’ associations do not exist just to tell residents what to do or not do. The association helps to provide three types of services to all residents and property owners.

• Community Services – publishing newsletters, orienting new owners, holding community-wide information meetings, and scheduling recreational and social functions.

• Governance Services – ensuring that residents are complying with the association’s governing documents, that the association is adhering to local, state, and federal statutes (like fair housing laws), enforcing community rules and policies, administering design review policies, and recruiting new volunteer leaders.

• Business Services – operating the common property efficiently, bidding maintenance work competitively, investing reserve funds wisely, developing long-range plans, and equitably and efficiently collecting membership fees.

Providing these services requires good management, strong planning and organization, and carefully monitoring the association’s affairs. It isn’t easy, but by fairly and effectively delivering these services, community associations protect and enhance the value of individual homes and lenders’ interests in those homes.

As a recognized Homeowners’ Association, our community has a board to help our HOA run smoothly. The board consists of volunteer residents who execute a wide variety of tasks you may not be aware of; however, their work affects every single resident. 

One of the most important responsibilities of the board is to create and enforce the association’s bylaws. While some residents may not like being told what they can and can’t do, ultimately the board is looking out for the greater good of the neighborhood. By enforcing the bylaws, the board is doing its best to keep property values up and conflicts down, while keeping in accordance with Texas laws. Of course, the board aims to implement bylaws that are beneficial for all residents. You are welcome to raise concerns about the rules at open board meetings, or contact the board directly by email, phone or in person.

Another major responsibility of the board is to collect HOA member dues, or assessments, from homeowners. Collecting this money is important for the stability of the association, because they help pay for the common elements used by residents such as HOA portal software, gate maintenance, security, road maintenance, community safety, and upkeep of common areas and easements. The assessments also help to replenish the reserve funds, which pay for any major repairs the association may need. Since the board is responsible for the association’s finances, collecting assessments is how it ensures that the association remains solvent. The Audit Committee reviews the association’s financials periodically to make sure any necessary spending is accounted for. The association’s financial records are available for all members to review upon request and at the annual member meetings.

Finally, the board acts on behalf of the association by hiring managers, attorneys, contractors, and other professionals who help better the association. Board members also help conceive and lead many of the projects that will improve the HOA.

While it’s a big job, board members are happy to serve the residents and make the community a great place to call home. So why not learn more about what these volunteers do by talking to your board members, attending an open board meeting or even running for a seat on the board during our next election? The more people we have looking out for our association, the stronger it will be.

Board Meetings

Residents are encouraged to attend and observe the association’s open board meetings, which are held every other month. Keep an eye out for announcements in the member portal for the date, time, and location. If you’d like to bring an issue to the board’s attention, you’re invited to speak at the end of the board meeting. To be respectful of attendees, please observe the following guidelines: 

• Although we’re all neighbors, this is a corporate business meeting. Please behave accordingly. 
• If you’d like to address the board, please fill out your information on the sign-in sheet. You will be called in order and as time permits. Be sure to fill in your contact information as well so the board can contact you if they are not able to get to you during the meeting, need further information, and to report back to you with an answer.
• This time should be looked at as an exchange of ideas, not a gripe session. If you’re bringing a problem to the board’s attention, please be prepared to share your ideas for a solution, too.
• To keep the meeting professional, please refrain from speaking if you’re particularly upset about an issue. Consider speaking later, talking privately with a board member, or emailing your concerns to the board.
• Only one person may speak at a time. Please respect others’ opinions by remaining silent and still when someone else has the floor.
• Each person will be allowed to speak no more than five minutes. Please respect the volunteers’ and attendees’ time by limiting your remarks. 
• If you need more than five minutes, please put your comments in writing. Include background information, causes, circumstances, desired solutions and other considerations you believe are important. The board will review and address your concerns directly with you, or make your written summary an agenda item at the next meeting if they see fit.

The board may not be able to resolve your concerns on the spot, and will not argue or debate an issue with you during the meeting. They usually need to discuss and vote on the issue first. But they will aim to answer you before or at the next board meeting. 

Annual Meetings

The Legends at Rancho del Lago has at least 1 open member meeting yearly to discuss a variety of topics regarding the association, such as upcoming events, committee position openings, elections, bylaw changes, previous year’s financial information, etc. Members will be notified through the online portal, email, and mail in advance with the date/time, place, agenda, and option to join online if unable to attend in person. There will be a chance at the end of the meeting for Q&A, but please respect all of your neighbors by following the same guidelines as the Board Meetings.

If you’re a resident and interested in volunteering for one of the committees below, or starting a new committee, contact a board member.

Attorney General Consumer Protection    800-621-0508

Drug & Alcohol Abuse Hotline     800-784-6776

National Domestic Violence Hotline    800-799-7233

Texas Runaway Hotline     888-580-4357

Texas Child Protective Services    800-252-5400

Poison Control   800-222-1222

Because of the hot, dry weather conditions we experience in Central Texas, our area may be under a Burn Ban. Please check on the Comal County Fire Marshal’s webpage for more information.

The Legends at Rancho del Lago HOA has 4 fire hydrants throughout the neighborhood to ensure fire fighters were able to access water should they need it.

Here are some documents with tips on how to minimize wildfire damage:

Firewise – Firewise tips checklist for homeowners
Firewise – How to prepare your home for wildfires
FEMA – Be prepared for a wildfire
Wildfire Evacuation Consideration for Homeowners

Crime has not really been an issue amongst the neighbors in The Legends, but there have been a few times supplies have been stolen from contractors in the neighborhood. Please be selective when giving gate codes out to those who visit you.

Remotes are available to residents to open the front gate, but check the Resident Portal for current gate codes for guests and contractors.

Security cameras are located at the front gate and pointing in varying directions to be able to record different angles. There is even a camera that will recognize license plates. The cameras are monitored periodically and the video is also stored for a few days. If you notice a crime or suspicious person in the neighborhood, contact local law enforcement immediately, but please also reach out to the Security Committee as soon as possible so they can make other residents aware and review any camera footage if necessary.

Please note that the speed limit in The Legends is 25 MPH. There are many sharp curves and steep inclines in the roads, so it may be difficult to fully stop last minute if you come across a person on a bike or deer. Be sure to ALWAYS FOLLOW THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT and encourage everyone who comes to visit you to do the same.

Part of the reason why families choose private communities like The Legends at Rancho del Lago is to allow their children to have a safe space for them to play outside. While we encourage kids to do so, we also want everyone to stay safe. Here are a few guidelines to consider:

• Make sure your children are proactive about their safety. Whether they’re playing on your property or riding their bikes around the neighborhood, it’s important that kids understand what types of injuries could occur during these activities and how they can best avoid them. If an injury does occur, your kids need to know what actions to take – such as alerting a trusted adult or, in the case of a true emergency, calling 911. 
  
• Slow down while driving through the neighborhood. All residents should take note of this rule. With children out and about in full-force during nice weather, you’re likely to see a distracted kid chasing after a run-away ball or scootering around on the streets. So slow down to the posted 25 miles per hour, be extra aware of what’s going on around you, and be prepared to stop suddenly if a child runs out into the road. Parents should remind kids that they have a responsibility to be aware of oncoming cars as well, and to be extra careful when they are on the street.
  
• Remind older kids to check in with you when they’re playing without adult supervision. When kids are out on their own, it’s easy for them to forget to let their parents know they’re okay. So establish a set of rules, such as checking in every few hours or whenever they change locations, and be firm about enforcing them. If your child has a hard time remembering to give you a call every so often, it might be helpful to have them set an alarm on their cell phone or watch so they don’t forget, or install a family tracking app so you can see where they are in real-time. It’s a great way for kids to build a sense of independence and for you to know they’re safe even when they’re not within sight.
  
• Educate your kids about area wildlife and vegetation. Obviously there are goods and bads about living in our area. Make sure your whole family is aware of how to identify and what to do incase of contact with venomous or harmful animals such as snakes, scorpions, spiders, wild hogs, porcupines, skunks, foxes, deer, coyotes, and bobcats. Poisonous plants in the area include poison oak, poison ivy, poison hemlock, snow-on-the-mountain, nightshade, Texas bull or stinging nettle, and holly. For more information, see the Pets & Wildlife section below.

While there are many hazards, there’s no reason your kids can’t come out unscathed (notwithstanding a few minor scrapes, bruises and bug bites, of course). To learn more about how you can keep your kids from getting hurt, visit www.cdc.gov/features/KidsSafety/ for a list of great articles. Stay safe.

General Contact     830-221-1100

County Court    210-698-0983

Criminal District Attorney’s Office  830-221-1300

District Clerk’s Office  830-221-1250

County Clerk’s Office  830-221-1230

Community Supervision and Corrections Department  830-620-5596

Office of Juvenile Probation   830-620-5541

Code Compliance

Fischer Post Office     830-935-2351
Canyon Lake Post Office 830-964-4100

Wimberly Post Office   512-847-2623

Comal County     830-625-8597

Comal Independence School District 830-221-2000

Please remember that out in the country, there are many animals we will encounter daily. Some of these animals are harmful to people and pets, and could even be deadly. Some animals to look out for are:

• Snakes – Venomous snakes in Central Texas are Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, Cottonmouths (water moccasins), and Coral Snakes. Click here for more info on venomous snake bites.
• Spiders, Centipedes and Scorpions – Venomous arachnids in Central Texas include scorpions, centipedes, Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders. Click here for more information on venomous spider bites.
• Wild Pigs – Wild pigs/feral hogs can be damaging to gardens and even aggressive towards humans. They usually travel in big packs.
• Porcupines – While porcupines are generally mild-mannered, they can injure people and pets when they feel threatened.
• Skunks – Skunks are also mild-mannered unless provoked, and their stink can last for weeks. They also may carry rabies.
• Foxes – Foxes also tend to not be aggressive unless provoked, but may carry rabies.
• Deer – Deer can be aggressive to humans, especially during rutting season. And because of their large size, can be dangerous if they run in front of you while you’re driving.
• Coyotes – Coyotes rarely attack humans but definitely can hurt or kill cats and small dogs.
• Bobcats – Bobcats are another animal that don’t attack humans unless provoked, but may go after small pets.

Poisonous plants that grow in our area include the following:

• Poison oak
• Poison ivy
• Poison hemlock
• Snow-on-the-mountain
• Texas bull or stinging nettle
• Holly