Dictionary of Terms
DICTIONARY OF RIVERWOOD TERMINOLOGY
By-Laws: The rules and regulations enacted by a homeowners association (HOA) or condominium owners association (COA) to provide a framework for its operation.
Condominium Owners Association (COA): An entity responsible for the operation of common elements owned in undivided shares by unit owners, any entity which operates or maintains other real property in which unit owners have use rights, where membership in the entity is composed exclusively of unit owners or their elected or appointed representatives and is a required condition of unit ownership. All the condominium owners in the COA community will own their individual unit; however, they will have joint ownership in the building and grounds with other unit owners. The COA's in the community are: Willow Glen, Tarpon Harbor I, Tarpon Harbor II. They are managed to oversee external maintenance, landscaping and to set aside reserves for future expenses.
Declaration of Covenants - A declaration of covenants are use restrictions relating to what residents can and cannot do on their property. They are set forth in a recorded instrument and "run with the land". The Riverwood covenants are contained in the Amended and Restated Declaration.
Deed Restricted Community– All of the property in Riverwood shall be held subject to the Declaration of Covenants as recorded in the Public Records of Charlotte County, FL.
Governing Documents – The Amended and Restated Declaration of Covenants, the Articles of Incorporation, the By-Laws, and Rules and Regulations.
Homeowners' Association (HOA) - A homeowners' association is a Florida not-for-profit corporation responsible for the operation of a community in which the voting membership is made up of parcel owners. Membership is a mandatory condition of parcel ownership. The HOA is authorized to impose assessments that, if unpaid, may become a lien on the parcel. In addition to lot owners, the owners of any recreational property in Riverwood are members of the homeowners association and are entitled to vote. The term “homeowners' association” does not include a community development district or other similar special taxing district created pursuant to statute.
Modification Committee: Exceptions or changes to the Riverwood covenants can be granted, based on exceptional or hardship circumstances. The Modification Committee is the body created by the Amended and Restated Declaration, to grant or deny exceptions to the covenants.
Riverwood Community Association (RCA) – The Riverwood Community Association is the HOA whose purpose is to administer the properties in Riverwood in accordance with all laws passed by any government entity, specifically the Florida Statutes 718 & 720 (as amended); and with the Riverwood Articles of Incorporation, By-laws and Amended and Restated Declaration of Covenants.
RCA Board of Directors – The governance and administration of the affairs of the Riverwood Community Association shall be vested in a volunteer Board of Directors. The number of directors shall be not less than 3 nor more than 5. Any member in good standing shall be eligible to serve on the Board of Directors. The Board is required to enforce the Declaration of Covenants and By-laws, and to comply with all Federal, State, and County laws.
Riverwood Community Development District (RCDD) – The Riverwood Community Development District is a special purpose governmental agency established in 1992 under Chapter 190 of the Florida State Statutes. The RCDD is responsible for funding, construction, operation and maintenance of the water/sewer treatment plant and other infrastructure owned by the RCDD. The RCDD secures bonds to defray the cost of development projects.
RCDD Board of Supervisors – The RCDD Board of Supervisors is a five-member elected body responsible for governing the Riverwood Community Development District. Board Supervisors are residents of Riverwood and are elected via the Florida State Election process. They receive a monthly stipend for their service.
Riverwood Neighborhood Committee (RNC) – The Riverwood Neighborhood Committee is a standing committee of the RCA. The RNC consists of the neighborhood chairperson (in unincorporated neighborhoods) or president (in incorporated neighborhoods) of each of the 29 neighborhoods within Riverwood. The main function of the RNC is to provide bilateral communication between Riverwood neighborhoods and the RCA on topics of interest or concern to residents. Each neighborhood chairperson/president is responsible for disseminating information from the RNC meetings to the residents of his/her neighborhood. The neighborhood chairperson/president may delegate his/her seat to a representative as necessary from time to time.
Riverwood Committees – Riverwood Committees are bodies of members appointed by the RCA Board of Directors to consider and/or investigate matters assigned to them. Riverwood Committees report their findings and/or recommendations to the RCA Board of Directors, which makes decisions based on them. The Riverwood Committees are established by the Amended and Restated Declaration of Covenants and consisting of the following: Activities, Communication, Compliance, Election, Finance, Fitness Development, Grounds, Legal, RNC, Sports; and Ad Hoc Committees: Flag, and Joint Community Safety.
Recreational Vehicle Park – An area in the community where residents may, with the approval of the RCDD and space permitting, park RV’s, boats, trailers, cars and other items for a fee. The RCDD manages the RV Park.
Riverwood Neighborhoods:
Incorporated/Managed Neighborhood – A neighborhood managed by an offsite management company. The management company oversees external maintenance, landscaping and sets aside reserves for future expenses. There are ten (10) managed neighborhoods in Riverwood.
Maintained Neighborhood – A maintained neighborhood is an unincorporated neighborhood in which the residents pay the RCA to provide landscaping services. There are fourteen (14) maintained neighborhoods.
Self-Maintained Neighborhood – A self-maintained neighborhood is an unincorporated neighborhood in which the homeowner hires his/her own contractor to maintain the landscaping of the property. There are five (5) self-maintained neighborhoods.