Dictionary of Terms
DICTIONARY OF RIVERWOOD TERMINOLOGY
By-Laws - The rules and regulations enacted by an association to provide a framework for its operation.
Declaration of Covenants - means a recorded written instrument or instruments in the nature of covenants running with the land which subject the land comprising the community to the jurisdiction and control of an association or associations in which the owners of the parcels, or their association representatives, must be members.
Deed Restricted Association – all of the property in Riverwood shall be held, sold, conveyed, encumbered, leased, occupied and improved subject to the Declaration of Covenants, conditions and restrictions of Riverwood recorded in the Public Records of Charlotte County, FL.
GateHouse System– The GateHouse System is a computer application used by residents to register GUESTS, vendors or contractors for entry into Riverwood. Residents log onto the Riverwood website to access the GateHouse system to register their guests. Riverwood Security monitors the GateHouse system enabling fast, easy access of your guests into the community. Use of this system eliminates phone calls to and from the Guardhouse.
Governing Documents – the recorded Declaration of Covenants for a community, the articles of incorporation and By-laws of the homeowners’ association, and rules and regulations.
Home Owner Association - means a Florida corporation responsible for the operation of a community or a mobile home subdivision in which the voting membership is made up of parcel owners or their agents, or a combination thereof, and in which membership is a mandatory condition of parcel ownership, and which 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 or commercial property in Riverwood are members of the Homeowners’ Association entitled to vote. The term “homeowners’ association” does not include a community development district or other similar special taxing district created pursuant to statute.
RCA – the Riverwood Community Association is a Florida not-for-profit corporation (HOA) whose purpose is to administer the properties in Riverwood in accordance with all laws passed by any government entity, specifically the Florida Statutes, Articles of Incorporation, the By-laws and the Covenants.
RCA Board of Directors – the governance and administration of the affairs of the Association shall be vested in a Board of Directors. The number of directors shall be not less than 3 nor more than 6. 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 comply with all Federal, State, and County laws.
RCDD – the Riverwood Community Development District (or “CDD”) is a special purpose government established in 1992 under Chapter 190 of the Florida State Statutes and is responsible for funding, construction, operation and maintenance of Riverwood infrastructure. RCDD secures bonds to defray the cost of development projects. 2 DICTIONARY OF RIVERWOOD TERMINOLOGY AUGUST 2017.
RCDD Board of Supervisors – the five-member elected body is responsible for governing the Riverwood Community Development District including infrastructure of Riverwood and the water/sewer treatment plant. Board Supervisors are residents of Riverwood and are elected via the Florida State Election process.
RNC – the Riverwood Neighborhood Committee is a standing committee of the RCA. The RNC consists of a neighborhood Chairperson (non-incorporated neighborhood) or President (incorporated neighborhood) 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 concern or interest to the 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 Committee – a body of members appointed by the Board of Directors to make an investigation and consider on matters assigned to it. With one exception, committees in Riverwood report its findings or recommendations to the Board of Directors who make the ultimate decision. There are several Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees. By Florida law there is a Committee that must consider any fine or suspension imposed by the Board on any member. The Committee must hold a hearing and if the Committee does not approve the proposed fine or suspension, it may not be imposed. NOTE: the Board of Directors has titled this the “Compliance Committee” for Riverwood.
ROMP – Riverwood Owners of Mannerly Pets – Located at the Activity Center Campus, this gated area for dogs enables pet owners who are ROMP members to exercise their dogs off-leash.
RV Park – An area in the community where residents can obtain permission to park their RV’s, boats, etc. for a fee, space permitting. RV Parking spaces are managed by the RCDD.
Riverwood Neighborhoods (Types of):
Incorporated Neighborhood – a neighborhood consisting of Villas or Condominiums/Carriage Houses with its’ own set of governing documents. Incorporated neighborhoods are governed by its’ own Board of Directors elected by the owners in the neighborhood. In addition, Incorporated Neighborhoods continue to fall under the umbrella of the RCA master association and employ a Management Company to oversee external maintenance and landscaping within the neighborhood. There are ten (10) Incorporated Neighborhoods in Riverwood.
Unincorporated Neighborhood - a neighborhood consisting of single family homes and the homeowner is responsible for external maintenance and landscaping. There are nineteen (19) unincorporated neighborhoods in Riverwood.
Maintained Neighborhood – of the Unincorporated Neighborhoods, there are fourteen (14) Maintained neighborhoods where the residents pay the RCA to provide landscaping services.
Self-Maintained Neighborhood – of the Unincorporated Neighborhoods, there are five (5) Self-Maintained neighborhoods where the homeowner hires his/her own contractor to maintain the landscaping of the property.