By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Next month, three Steiner Ranch Master Association seats will be up for election and four candidates are running for those positions: Deborah Arizmendi-Kopack, At Large; Jeremy Jungbauer, District 1; Rachel McGilvray, District 2; Scott Scarborough, District 2. 

No incumbents are running for those seats. Longtime SRMA board members Naren Chilukuri and Lawrence Spinetta are not seeking re-election nor is Raj Singh.

A SRMA board recall effort began late September 2022 and Kopack, McGilvray and Jungbauer were all part of that initiative to recall five of seven members of the board. Although collecting more than 1,100 signatures to host a recall election, they were a few hundreds short to make that happen. These residents have been vocal in the public forum parts of SRMA monthly meetings since summer of 2022. They have challenged several ways the board is conducting business including large projects that the SRMA recently completed including the new dog park and the Steiner Ranch Lake Club parking lot. 

The SRMA will hold its annual meeting and election on April 11. The SRMA Board consists entirely of Steiner Ranch homeowners elected by residents and consists of seven board members. The elected members will serve a three-year term. There are four directors representing specific Districts and three directors for At-Large positions.

District 1 includes Bellagio Estates, Headlands, Estates of Westridge, Majestic Oaks, Longhorn Canyon, Hills of Westridge, Lakeview, The View, Beverly Ridge, and Canyon Glen.

District 2 includes the UT Golf Community, Casitas, Parkside, River Heights Overlook, Towne Hollow, Shire Ridge, and River Heights Grove.

The bios candidates running for the 2023 election are as follows:

DEBORAH ARIZMENDI-KOPACK – At Large
My family moved into Steiner in 2019 and we were drawn to this neighborhood because of the beauty of area, the amenities in Steiner Ranch and the schools. Shortly after moving to Steiner,
there was an opening on the Architectural Control Committee and I applied as it was a perfect fit with my background and it was a way to give back to the community. I have a career in the building
industry and manage large commercial projects on the Owner side of the equation. Through the involvement of the ACC I began to get familiar with the office staff and the way the Board functioned as it related to homeowner applications.

We take advantage of the amenities of Steiner Ranch like many other residents. We live in Bella Mar so we visited the pool and park at least once a week nearly year-round. We have seen the gradual decline of maintenance and the overall condition of Bella Mar park, pool and furniture. We also used the Lake Club often, especially during the pandemic when taking our boat out was our main source of entertainment.
After the work at the Lake Club, we quickly realized that launching at the Lake Club would be troublesome.

It was at that point I started to inquire of the construction documents used to build the Lake Club as I wanted to understand what model was used to establish the turning radii in and out of the parking lots. The road down to the launch was made even more narrow with the boulders that were placed right on the edge of the road. After many, many requests I was finally provided schematic drawings (general design
concept). These drawings would never be permitted as they were not signed/sealed by an architect or engineer. The drawings did not even reflect what was built. It was at that point I learned the same approach was used for the Dog Park, and I knew I had to get involved. I started asking questions and the answers were sporadic and incomplete at best. July 2022 was my first Board Meeting to formally ask these questions, and that is when I knew something had to be done. The amount of money spent on those two
projects alone was fiscally irresponsible.

Since then I have attended Board Meetings, have expressed concern to the current Board on many subjects and continue to ask questions on how, why and who is making decisions on behalf of the community. Based upon my interactions with the HOA Board to date I know we must do better. This community deserves more transparency on the Board operations and deserves to understand where and how our money is being spent. The residents deserve a cohesive board that is working TOGETHER for
them and for the community as a whole.

With all that being said, I feel I can be an asset for the community. It will take time but we must make some changes and improve the operations of the HOA. I believe I can help make these changes!

Have you ever been involved with a Homeowner Association, Condominium or other community organization? Please Explain: Yes, I have served on the ACC for SRMA for the last 18+ months. I am aware and knowledgeable in the Design Guidelines, By Laws and many Amendments to said By Laws. I have also been actively working with the the ACC on the amended version of the Design Guidelines to align them with current building standards and to further define and clarify the guidelines.

What background or experience do you have which may qualify you for a position as a Board Member? In addition to being a member of the ACC, I am small business owner and also work for the largest nonprofit healthcare organization in Texas in their Design & Construction / Real Estate Services department. I have spent my career in the building industry and understand how buildings should be maintained and how new construction/enhancements should be managed. I am also well versed in building system evaluations as I have conducted many Facility Assessment reports for financial institutions.

What are your reasons for seeking election for the Board of Directors?
The main reason I am seeking a Board Position is to enhance our community on all fronts. I want to the HOA to gain the trust and respect of the community by increasing transparency, publishing upcoming repair/maintenance/landscaping efforts to increase awareness by the community and giving the residents a voice. The HOA must start listening and acting upon the concerns of the residents.

What are your Goals for Steiner Ranch?
My goals for Steiner Ranch is to be bring the community back together again through engaging our neighbors to revitalize our amenities as well as community events. We need all the residents to feel like they are a part of a COMMUNITY . . . the Steiner Ranch Community!

Other Comments or Suggestions:
All board members should be physically present at the meetings and install an A/V system if meetings are going to accommodate virtual participation.

Jeremy Jungbauer – District 1
Have you ever been involved with a Homeowner Association, Condominium or other community organization? Please Explain:
I am the President of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), Austin Chapter

What background or experience do you have which may qualify you for a position as a Board Member?
I have spent the past 20 years in Financial Services, advising clients, managing capital, and problem solving to ensure investor’s finances are in order.

What are your reasons for seeking election for the Board of Directors?
I wish to provide a voice of reason, common sense decision making, and oversight of the board’s activities to ensure they are in the best interest of the residents.

What are your Goals for Steiner Ranch?
I wish to see Steiner Ranch flourish financially as well as aesthetically. We already live in an amazing neighborhood so we need to make sure it stays that way without committing to unnecessary projects or taking on unwanted debt.

Rachel McGilvray – District 2
I have owned houses in several Austin neighborhoods, and we were drawn to Steiner Ranch after our son was born because of the family atmosphere, community amenities and activities, and general friendliness of the entire area. We have been very happy residents of Towne Hollow since 2018.

I have been an active member in the HOA community since 2020 when I became a member of the Architectural Controls Committee, volunteering my expertise in architecture & design to help guide homeowner additions and changes. My role in the community has expanded, and I am currently helping plan the Bella Mar Pool renovations, the Towne Square playscape replacement, and updating fire defense zones which is a joint effort between the Architectural Controls and the Firewise Committee.

My expertise would be very beneficial to the SRMA Board. With a background in architecture, business ownership, bookkeeping, and legal research, I can help our community in so many ways! I would like to:

• Be a true representative of the residents. In the past 6 months, I have become a community advocate, raising awareness through social media and making presentations at board meetings. Through my direct involvement, the HOA spending spree of 2021/2022 was stopped, and funds have been rerouted to maintain and beautify our neighborhood. I focus on the needs and desires of the community, and I attend all of the board meetings in person.

• Increase Board communication & transparency. Homeowners should have easier access to view HOA documents, and board member availability is vital to everyone.

• Re-Build Committees that have been disbanded. I believe that the Board of Directors should be informed by all of the experts that live within our community. Likewise, members should be able to participate and share their passion which will provide direction to the HOA.

• Prioritize health & safety of families and children through proper maintenance of the amenities in Steiner Ranch. Increase awareness and provide effective security measures.

• Set timely budgets, create accurate projections, & manage funds in the best interest of the community.

• Act as Architectural Liaison to help manage all of the extensive repairs & projects in the neighborhood. I can effectively communicate with contractors, and I can relay information back to other board members, staff and homeowners. I want to make sure that all of the HOA improvements are on schedule & on budget from start to finish.

• Help residents, staff and employees understand “the rules” by applying my knowledge of legal proceedings and the terminology governing the HOA.

• Drastically reduce time frames between problems and resolutions. I will advocate for the safety and happiness of our community & neighborhood. I am happily married to
my high school sweetheart, and I have 1 son and 1 parrot. I love gardening, hiking, knitting, reading, swimming & ballet, and I have a deep love of nature, animals & children. I am a friendly, born-and-raised Texan, so I will be available to residents, staff and Board. Always.

Have you ever been involved with a Homeowner Association, Condominium or other community organization? Please Explain:
I am very involved in SRMA. I am the chairperson for the Architectural Controls Committee 2020-Present. Also a member of the unchartered committees: Pool Committee, Aesthetics Committee, and Playground Committee. Currently I am also helping the Firewise Committee update defense zones to correspond with
community documents.

What background or experience do you have which may qualify you for a position as a Board Member?
Being active in the committees has really helped me understand how the board works, and I have extensive knowledge regarding SRMA HOA documents. I have an interior architecture degree, & I have worked as an in-house land manager for several oil companies so I have working knowledge of legal terminology. I also pay close attention to employee/staff well-being. I have been a bookkeeper since 2008 so I handle payroll, all financial accounts, and taxes. I am an excellent Corporate Secretary & well versed
in taking the minutes for the AC. Organization and preparedness are my strong suits.

What are your reasons for seeking election for the Board of Directors?
My expertise is greatly needed! I can help our community with communication, transparency, & timely explanations / presentations. This community needs an architectural liaison to help with all of the extensive ongoing repairs throughout the neighborhood. I understand the lingo and can talk to the subs, can understand the contracts, and can relay information back to other board members, staff and
homeowners. My understanding of financials will also be beneficial in setting budgets & projections. And I understand all of the legal and technical terms governing the HOA so I can help explain these to others.

What are your Goals for Steiner Ranch?
I will be an advocate and homeowner representative. I want to improve transparency, rebuild committees, increase community involvement, and get financial docs viewable to the SRMA. I will prioritize safety and maintenance for our community. I plan to help with the workload, be knowledgeable, and let management manage the community. Lastly, I want to bring residents together for fun social events and meet more of my neighbors. I want Steiner Ranch to be the shining star of northwest Austin.

Scott Scarborough – District 2
Have you ever been involved with a Homeowner Association, Condominium or other community organization? Please Explain:
Yes, I have served a municipal utility district board of directors

What background or experience do you have which may qualify you for a position as a Board Member?
I am a CPA who has audited a number of community associations,
so I am very familiar with how they work and their responsibilities.

What are your reasons for seeking election for the Board of
Directors?
I would like to make sure Steiner Ranch continues to be a desirable community in which to live.

What are your Goals for Steiner Ranch?
To be a beautiful, financially strong and kind community