SBHA Meeting April 6, 2009

SBHA Meeting April 6, 2009

The SBHA met at First Baptist Church in Benbrook April 6, 2009. Jess Jordan called the meeting to order 7:00 pm. Minutes accepted and seconded, motion was passed.
April 20, 2009 Jess has accepted the offer from Timbercreek Homeowners Association “Meet the Candidate” night. North Benbrook is having theirs April 21 at Waverly Park Elementary School.

The sidewalks are not any further than the 1000 block, none on Park Center, nothing we can do with the sidewalks that are being paid for by grant money. If anyone gets hurt the City is responsible. If sidewalk gets cracked or damaged the City is responsible. If more people want to sign the petition against future sidewalks Martha Arthurs and Kate Moore are at the back to sign the petition and sign up for new members.

Question – Block captains need to get to their people (the elderly ones who can’t get out).
Answer – Jess sent out an email last week to see if people want to step down if they don’t want to participate.

Question – I am a block captain and I cannot get ahold of people – if they want to get ahold of me they can call me.
Answer – Jess gives out his phone number at every meeting.
Answer – I am one of the directors – we do not know who needs to be contacted. I am retired but have 300 homes – I put a sign in my front yard, it is in the newspaper, let us know if we need help.
Answer – I am director of District 6 – I am sitting at the back and if anyone wants to be block captain please see me in the back.

Question – I live on Cozby Street South – I have not seen any signs – 1302 Cozby S – I have neighbors that did not know there was a meeting. I joined this Association for one issue – oil/gas. I have not heard one word about the oil/gas issue since I joined. We need better communication.
Answer – call me and I’ll see what I can do to help you. 817-249-7509.

I have Jennifer Poe and Jerome Garza from the census bureau and they will tell you what they plan to do here in Benbrook.
“Our duty is to come to different organizations to let you know what we are planning to do for the census in 2010. They will knock on your door and ask/verify your address is recorded. In March 2010 you will receive a survey – 10- questions about 10 minutes to fill out. The number of people counted means the number of money coming back to the community. The last census was 80% in 2000 which was good.
Any information you give to the Census cannot be released for 72 years.
The Census will always have a badge – they have had FBI background checks. They will not ask for your social security number”.

Jess wanted to acknowledge there are city councilmen present that may be able to answer questions.

Debbie Watkins from Benbrook Chamber of Commerce was introduced. Some of the benefits of the Chamber and what we do. We get individuals coming in everyday asking where to take visitors, etc. They have a website GoBenbrook.com. Links to the city, anything going on in town we try to promote that for you. We have Lynette Spence to answer questions also. Being a member of the Chamber is a link to all the businesses we have here. They have maps which will be printed in a few weeks. There will be an interactive map on the web. We try to promote Benbrook as much as possible. Price for an individual is $75 a year.

Sarah Gray from Benbrook YMCA was introduced. We are having a renovation this year. We are expanding the fitness and child care area. She brought pamphlets and guest passes. As a Benbrook resident you get 10% off.

A lady from Chesapeake was introduced, Mercedes Bolen. I am here to answer. We have 2 wells on 2871, and 2 on Vickery. Questions: How do you think the city works for you to get pad sites? Answer: yes the city works with us. Question: Is there a possibility in South Benbrook? Answer: gas dipped below $4.00 so at the present time the answer is no. Question: Price per acre for bonus? $2500 an acre. Within 330 feet around a well bore. How many unit size? 200 and 250 acres. How much outside of well bore? Nothing now. It’s because of the price of gas. Chesapeake has let go of half of their rigs. What about pipelines? A different company has built the pipelines on 2871 and we are working together with them to get the gas to market. How far horizontally can you drill? Up to 2000 foot kickout. We have gone as far as 6000 foot, average lateral is 3500 ft. How thick is the formation in this area? If you take our tallest building downtown Fort Worth and shove it down about a mile down into the ground that would be our thickest part. Lets wait until the market turns. Mercedes brought some materials for people to pick up. Also go to Askchesapeake.com. My phone number is: 817-502-5000.

Meeting adjourned.

Minutes submitted by Linda Conner, Secretary.

SBHA Board Meeting March 19, 2009

SBHA Board Meeting March 19, 2009

The SBHA Board met March 19, 2009 at the Benbrook Senior Center. Eight people met. District 5 and 6 were missing. Kate emailed me and said she couldn’t make it – I did not hear from Daniel. Also did not hear back from Vince Brown.

Jess called the meeting to order at 7:11 pm. Martha made a motion to accept the minutes, Harold Reasoner seconded. All in favor.

Angela gave the treasurer’s report. $5091.13 was the beginning balance. Ending balance is $4816.74. Martha made a motion, Samantha seconded motion to accept Treasurer’s report. Motion passed.

Jess had new signs made. He has dates to put on the signs for the next meeting which will be April 6th (Monday night) at the Benbrook Baptist Church. We will have a Chesapeake, EOG Resources, The Benbrook Chamber of Commerce, and YMCA representatives there.

Jess will give an update April 6th for our Homeowners Association general meeting. Eighty four people signed against sidewalks. He suggested that the block captains can see if anyone else wants to sign against sidewalks. Low income housing goes from Warden to Childers, to Bryant, to Hwy 377, to Mercedes, to San Saba, Bandera. West side of Usher and both sides of Bryant 2009. E. Usher and West side of Wade Hampton in 2010. Jess will go over this at the meeting.

April 20th Timbercreek Homeowners Assn. is having a “Meet the Candidate” night. We are going to join them as a joint effort on this at the Benbrook Senior Center.

Samantha is going to check to see if Benjamin Pennington still lives in this area. She will call Jess. Ben was supposed to move. His email got returned. If he has moved, we will need a replacement for Vice President.

Motion made and passed to dismiss. Meeting dismissed at 7:45 pm.

Minutes submitted by Linda Conner.

Recent Q & A about sidewalks...

1. Do homeowners pay for sidewalks? - No, the projects are funded with Federal money and there is no expense to the homeowners. The City has no plans to assess homeowners for construction of sidewalks.

2. Do homeowners maintain the sidewalks? - No, the City is responsible for maintaining the sidewalks.

3. Do homeowners assume any liability for the sidewalks? - No, the sidewalks are a public asset and the City assumes all liability.

4. Homeowners can’t park two vehicles “back to back” and keep from blocking the sidewalk. - City Staff will work with homeowners to the extent practical and permissible under law to determine whether specific design considerations can mitigate this issue. It is a violation of City Ordinance to block a public sidewalk. The Benbrook Police Department generally responds on a complaint basis only.

These next questions come from the homeowners, in some cases this has already happened.

1. Can a homeowner have his sidewalk against the curb?

Standard sidewalk design is along the street Right-Of-Way/Property Line. Sidewalks are for pedestrians and the standard design allows pedestrians to have a safer separation from vehicles in the roadway. It is not anticipated that any obstructions will cause any sidewalks to be located adjacent to street curbs.

2. Is the sidewalk the same width no matter where?

Standard sidewalks, along Right-Of-Way/Property lines, are four feet wide. In the unlikely event that a section of sidewalk must be adjacent to the curb the sidewalks are typically about five feet wide to provide pedestrians a safer area if closer to the roadway.

3. Past practice every homeowner has parked in their driveway across the city easement (10 ft from curb) and not ask to move, why would the homeowner be ask to move or ticketed if and when the sidewalks are in place?

The Ordinance has been in place for many years and driveway parking that extends beyond the Property Line and encroaches into the street Right-Of-Way has been a violation for years. The installation of sidewalks does not change the long existing Ordinance, sidewalks make the location of the Right-Of-Way/Property line more obvious.

4. What about brick mailboxes, will the homeowner have to move it if is in the path of the new sidewalk?

All efforts will be made to avoid mailboxes. If the relocation of a mailbox is unavoidable the City will relocate the mailbox.

SBHA Meeting February 2, 2009 Meeting Minutes

SBHA Meeting February 2, 2009
First United Baptist Church Benbrook

Jess Jordan called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Minutes from last meeting was voted. All in favor. Motion passed.

Benbrook Chamber of Commerce notified Jess to join. They will give us an opportunity to get info on individuals, businesses that have a stake in our city. We have more of a handhold on things. It costs $75.00 to join. Motion made by Martha seconded by Luigi. Is this an annual fee? Yes it is. When we have meetings we will have Debbie Watkins give a talk at our next meeting.

Jess is trying to keep everyone informed. Broadway Minerals offered us $3,000 an acre. We should just wait it out and wait for gas prices go up.

Question: $75.00 a year for Chamber of Commerce. Is anyone going to attend? Jess will try to get to the meetings. Is there a fee for the lunch? Jess will pay his own lunch.

Question: Will this be to an advantage to homeowners? Homeowners should come first in our area. We are a non-profit organization. It will probably help the whole of all of us – give us political power.

Vote on joining Chamber of Commerce. Motion passed.

Jess had calls to join the Homeowners Association. We have petitions against the sidewalks to sign. The petitions Jess will take to the City Manager to see where we go with it.

What they are fixing to do is put sidewalks in and maybe the homeowners pay for it. If they do go there the homeowner will probably have to pay for it.

Question: Why would we want to be against it? We are rehashing 20 years ago. We fought it before and need to fight it again. We had to get a lawyer before so we don’t cut up our yards. Most people area on fixed incomes and cannot afford it.

Question: Each individual paying for sidewalks. Government grants – he has issues against. When they built Lakeside Addition, they did not allow for sidewalks. They had to put in sharp corners and bends. One guy they took out 6 to 8 feet of his yard. If you walk up or jog on Winscott or Mercedes, when a sidewalk ends and a driveway starts you may fall and break something. If you measure your vehicles, you cannot park without encroaching the sidewalk. If you have family and friends come over you will have to park on the street. He has had vehicles vandalized because it was parked on the street. If you block the sidewalk you can get sued if someone skateboards and runs into your vehicle. They are encroaching on his property to park 2 vehicles.

Question: Older people would have to maintain the sidewalk and keep ice off.

Question: She lives on Bryant Street. She has had 4 vandalized and almost a home invasion. Sidewalks are a detriment to the homeowner. They can visualize what kind of dogs you have, security system, if you live alone. She had to move her mailbox – because of vandalism. She doesn’t want crime. It brings the crime element closer to you. People can walk slowly on the sidewalk – where if you have just your grass people walk on the street – not on your yard.

Question: This was a dead organization 6 months ago. We paid our dues to deal with oil issues. Why are we talking about sidewalks?

Jess: A significant number of people asked about the sidewalks.

Jess: There is one offer $xxyy an acre. Do we want to take that? Answer: No.
Any changes: Association needs to handle what comes along.

Question: Where she lived they formed a Homeowners Association to become aware of the criminal aspect of it. Tell about what they are suspicious about.

Bill Smith: Homeowners Association was developed to handle issues. When we re-activated it was for gas but does not leave out other issues. When the City gets ready to install sidewalks they will do it. Sidewalks are rearing its ugly head again. Whenever there are issues that’s what the Homeowners Association is for.

Lelia Smith: If they put in sidewalks they might put a lien on your home. When you get ready to sell it or get a homeowners loan it will have to be paid off. She had this happen to her.

Question: If people don’t really want the sidewalks, you go to city hall. The place to go is to city hall and vent our feelings.

Jess will visit the city manager himself tomorrow on this.

Mr. Tully, our councilman, is present tonight. He has been here 20 years. The liens should not be on your property. Let the city know if you have a lien. Federal grant money is paying for some blocks of sidewalks. As a council member he lived in Timber creek and now Westpark because he wanted sidewalks. He said taking local tax money and building sidewalks and assessing the homeowner he doesn’t see that happening. He has been a Council Member for 2 years. The council members cannot talk when there is a forum present they cannot talk about anything unless it’s on the agenda.

This Thursday night city council will review the royalties under the cemetery at $2500 an acre. 2 weeks ago they signed a lease on the backside of Vista Way they signed 47 acres of land of potential drilling $18,000 an acre. It is not a bad idea to wait. Mr. Tully said this is public information.

Harold Reasoner: Sidewalk issues: When sidewalks break up, get uneven, Who is responsible? Probably the homeowner?

Jess told Mr. Tully we have a blog site to post things on and maybe he can let us know on the blog.

Vince Brown: North of Usher. Not part of city property. It’s plotted as an alley. Why doesn’t grant money pay for it?

A 6 minute video was shown on fracturing a well.

Treasurer’s report balance is $5,091.31.

Meeting adjourned.

Submitted by Linda Conner, Secretary.

SBHA Negotiating Committee meeting minutes

SBHA Negotiating Committee

The SBHA Negotiating Committee met December 29, 2008 at the home of Donald Jennings and Linda Conner.

10 people were present. We ate goodies and viewed a 6 minute video on how they fracture a well to see if we wanted it presented at a SBHA Neighborhood Association Meeting. Charlton Peppers made a copy of it to convert it to a cd for us.

Our next meeting will be February 2, 2009 at the First Baptist Church in Benbrook at 7:00 pm. Our agenda will include the 6 minute video on fracturing a well, bringing up the business of sidewalk issues and SBHA joining the Benbrook Chamber of Commerce.

We enjoyed the fellowship of everyone that was there.

Submitted by Linda Conner, Secretary

SBHA Nov. 17th Meeting minutes

SBHA Meeting November 17, 2008

First United Baptist Church Benbrook

Jess Jordan called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. He asked if anyone needed a Memorandum of Intent to join. Minutes from last meeting was voted on. All in favor. Motion passed.

Treasurer was not here to read the treasurer’s report.

The Timbercreek Neighborhood Association has some nice signs. Motion made and passed to get SBHA professional signs made.

This is an information meeting only. Jess has had information sent to him. Bob West, an oil and gas well lawyer, has an article on what to do for a neighborhood association:

1. Negotiate as a group. 2. Try to get competing offers. 3. Get a knowledgeable gas and oil lawyer – Janet is in house lawyer. 4. Communicate with your group often. 5. Be patient!

The dues are $5.00 a person; extend to January 1, 2010. Need a vote for the $5.00 paid this year extend to next year. Motion made and passed. All in favor.

Jess gave information on how they drill and frac, and they cannot go in and drill under your property without permission.

Vince Brown is the chairman of the Negotiating Committee. Vince sent out 5 letters. Chesapeake, XTO, Vantage Energy, Broadway Minerals and Titan Resource of Fort Worth. He read the letter that was sent out. The only response was from Broadway Minerals. This offer was for 375 acres (all of Benbrook Lakeside Addition) for $X per net mineral acre. Y % royalty. # yr primary term with ## yr option. An additional $Z per acre for the ## years. This is if they can find any minerals in this subdivision. Vince’s opinion the $X per acre is very low. The problem is the economy and low natural gas price.

One question was about Devon. XTO and Chesapeake has done all this area. Titan did Wedgewood area. Vince will send a letter to Devon.

Another comment from the audience: Devon is here to stay. They are near Godley.

Jess gave his phone number 817-249-7509 if anyone has a company to send a letter to. Jess attended a town hall meeting. Chesapeake gave $500,000 to Benbrook. They are still spending big $$$ so we need to wait until the economy turns around, the gas price goes up, etc.

Question: Is there a time limit on the offer: No time limit.

They can buy it for $3,000 an acre then sell it later for $25,000 an acre. We can do those ourselves.

Vince checked into other companies. They don’t actually do the drilling. Dale Resources Chesapeake retains them to get leases for them.

Question: How binding is the lease agreements. Westcliffe signed and they are now getting letters that they are not following through because of the economy, etc. Vince said that both sides did not sign the offer. Until both parties sign it – it is not binding. It’s like any contract – both parties have to sign.

Jess talked to Chesapeake - there is still activity going on.

Need a motion for Vince to spread out a little more. Kate made a motion to send a letter to Devon Energy. Seconded. Motion passed.

Question: A lady associated with the President – center of road or edge of road. Is the center of the road our measurement? We need to make sure it is the center of the road measurement. Vince said we got a letter from City of Benbrook that center of road is the true measurement.

Vince said Negotiating Committee has no authority to sign leases. It is everyone’s individual responsibility to sign. We are not going off to sign a lease without you knowing about it.

Question: At one of the other meetings – you talked about writing a check at signing or draft. Vince said each lease is negotiable. Some companies want to do a draft or wire transfer. Jess said our negotiating committee is asking for a check. No voucher, no draft.

Question: What about when we don’t own all the mineral rights. If we get a lease offer, if we sign the lease we get 50% of that. They (the gas lease company) have to deal with The Amon Carter Foundation also. We are keeping the Foundation informed and they will keep us informed.

Question: It sounds like there are more entities than we know of. Instead of making a motion every time lets send a form letter to as many companies as we can. If we get an offer you will know about it. Prior motion amended authorized Negotiating committee to send out standard letters without permission from SBHA every time. Motion made and passed.

Question: Since the Amon Carter foundation has 50% of the mineral rights. Jess said they will inform us. We assume they can do anything they want to. We have no guarantee but the guy at the Amon Carter Foundation. The foundation has split. 25% to Carter/Monnig Foundation 25% the family still has.

Question: Where can we drill a well to be far away from the house, school. Vince said : It needs 4 acres. There are regulations for distances. At this point – where a well site can go in would have to be on Hwy 377 or possibly the land adjacent to the cemetery. The Corps of Engineers is out of the question.

Question: One guy was told by an oilman at work, the signed bonuses they can’t get – they can’t get the signing bonuses (Foundation). Vince heard the same thing. If you have 50% of the mineral rights – they are entitled half of everything including bonuses. The royalty is split and he believes the bonuses are the same.

Any more questions? No more questions. After Christmas we will have another meeting. Meeting adjourned 7:50 pm.

Submitted by Linda Conner, Secretary.

SBHA meeting November 17th 2008

We will have a general SBHA meeting for everyone November 17, 2008 at 7:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in Benbrook. Jess Jordan, President SBHA, will hold an informative meeting to keep members posted as to what is going on.