WELCOME TO RIVER CHASE Property Owners Association The River Chase POA is a non-profit organization that maintains the common properties and facilities. These include the clubhouse, fitness room, pool complex, pond area, public right-of-ways and easements not owned by Comal County, landscaped areas at the entrances and associated sprinkler systems, plus a gated, private 58-acre park and pavilion on the Guadalupe River. Responsibilities of the POA also include conducting annual or special meetings and elections, managing contractors, providing services, collecting assessments, making disbursements, establishing the annual budget, keeping financial records, and maintaining all administrative records. Several committees, whose responsibilities are outlined below, operate as part of the POA. River Chase Website Your property owners web site is www.riverchasepoa.org. At this site you can access River Chase covenants, management company contact information, and event information, email addresses for all River Chase committees under the Contact Us link, community news, classified ads and other information. Board of Directors The POA is governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of five Directors elected for staggered, threeyear terms at the POA annual meeting in November. Directors select among themselves the office each will hold for the next year. Currently the BOD meets monthly and also holds periodic Town Hall meetings. BOD officer e-mail addresses are listed on the web site. The River Chase Town Hall Meetings The purpose of Town Hall Meetings is to provide the River Chase community with a forum for exchanging information. During Town Hall meetings, the BOD and committees provide updates, residents discuss community issues, action items are assigned, and open action items are reviewed. Notes from Town Hall meeting are posted on the River Chase website. See the River Chase web site events calendar for dates and times. Property owners submitting items for discussion are encouraged to do so via the River Chase website Town Hall link. Management Company The River Chase management company is Association Management Services (AMS). It is important to inform AMS of your status, either as a new property owner or a new resident. Contact AMS by telephone, email or postal mail using the contact information listed below. The management company address is also the mailing address for the POA. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Telephones are answered 24-hours for emergencies. Association Management Services 1600 N.E. Loop 410, Suite 202 San Antonio, Texas 78209 Office (210) 829-7202 * Fax (210) 829-5207 * Toll Free 1-866-232-4386 Email: kem@ams-sa.com (Kem Morales, River Chase property manager) AMS is your source for gate access cards for the River Park and Clubhouse/Pool area. For information on how to receive your cards, go to the River Chase POA web site and click on Park-Access Card Information on the left side of the home page. The fee to have cards mailed is $10.
2 Annual Property Owners Assessment Every property owner is a member of the POA and shares a portion of the responsibility for its support. The current POA assessment is $150 per year per lot. Owners of two or more lots pay no more than twice the annual amount for one lot, or currently $300. AMS will send assessment billings in December. Your annual assessment is due January 1st and will be considered delinquent by January 31st. Please make payments to the POA at the AMS address noted above, indicating River Chase and your lot number. Delinquent accounts will incur a late fee. Late notices are sent in early February; if payment is not received by February 28, a final warning letter is sent. If payment is not received after another 30 days, the account will be turned over to our attorneys for collection, and late fees, attorney fees, and all other expenses related to collecting the account will be charged to the property owner. Covenants To ensure that River Chase develops in a way that enhances long-term property values, every property owner must comply with the River Chase Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions. These Covenants consist of a base document for Units 1 through 3 and, for Units 4 through 10, an Amendment that replaces specific paragraphs in the original document. Proper understanding of the Covenants as they pertain to any specific Unit, requires reading both documents. Covenants for River Chase Units are posted on the association s website. RIVER CHASE COMMITTEES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS Architectural Control Committee The Architectural Control Committee (ACC), established under Article IV of the River Chase Covenants, is a three-member committee whose approval is required prior to the construction or removal of any exterior improvement on any property. Members of the ACC are elected at the annual POA meeting for staggered, three-year terms. For the specific duties and responsibilities of this committee, refer to the Covenants and Restrictions document. Covenants and Restrictions that apply to a primary residence also apply to any, and all, additional improvements. For example, ACC approval is required for workshops, storage structures, fences, driveways, retaining walls, swimming pools, etc. The ACC encourages every property owner to make a complete and appropriate application before any property construction or improvements. Please observe the submission requirements as posted on the POA website, www.riverchasepoa.org. If there is any question about the requirements for ACC approval, please request a review of your situation. The ACC e-mail address is acc@riverchasepoa.org. Covenants Compliance Committee Through the River Chase Covenants, the Developer established a set of restrictions for enhancing and protecting the value, desirability and attractiveness of said property. The Covenants Compliance Committee (CCC) was established to assist the Board of Directors in facilitating adherence to these
3 restrictions. Many people choose to purchase property and live in River Chase because of the careful consideration put into enforcement of covenants. Placement or construction on property of structures that have not been approved by the ACC constitutes noncompliance, as does storing lawn maintenance equipment, boats, RVs, campers and such in view from streets or surrounding neighbors yards. Please familiarize yourself with the covenants to reduce the possibility of noncompliance. They can be read or downloaded from www.riverchasepoa.org. For questions or comments regarding covenant compliance contact AMS. Safety Committee / Neighborhood Watch The function of the Safety Committee is to increase community awareness of medical, fire and lawenforcement issues within River Chase. We are committed to assisting the local fire departments so that they may provide as rapid response as possible to fire and ESM emergencies. Since there is vegetation throughout River Chase that would enhance wildfires, we are working with the Texas Forest Service to become a Firewise community. Canyon Lake Fire Department in Sattler serves River Chase Units 1 through 8, which are in Emergency Service Districts (ESD) #2 & #3. New Braunfels Fire Department serves Units 9 and 10 and a portion at the end of River Chase Way, which are in the newly formed ESD #7, The Safety Committee is also in the process of attempting to develop River Chase into a Neighborhood Watch community. Through this system, we will be able to help each other when emergencies arise. Safety Committee meetings are held at 7 pm the first Thursday of the month at the River Chase clubhouse. The meetings are open to the community. The email address is safety@riverchasepoa.org. Amenities Committee The Amenities Committee has the ongoing responsibility of keeping community facilities in good working order, researching and acting on improvements or upgrading our amenities. All property owners can assist this committee by treating our facilities with respect and reporting any items in need of repair to the appropriate committee or the management company. Any observed vandalism or suspicious activities should be reported to the Comal County Sheriff's Department or 911. The common recreational facilities are for the use of all River Chase property owners and their accompanied guests. These include the swimming pool, fitness center, club house, tennis courts, walking trails, baseball field, soccer field, pond, Guadalupe River Park, pavilion, small sports court, playscape, picnic areas and bathrooms. To access bathrooms at the pond and river park: Hold in buttons 1 and 2 simultaneously, release, then press button 4 while turning handle and pushing the door open. Your River Chase gate access card is required at the clubhouse/pool, fitness center and river park. The pool is open from March 1 to November 1. Hours for the pool, fitness center and tennis courts are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pool rules are posted at the gate to the pool and clubhouse complex. The Guadalupe River Park is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. There is no lifeguard at either location. Amenities Committee meetings are held at 7 p.m., the second Thursday of the month at the River Chase Clubhouse. The Amenities Committee email address is amenities@riverchasepoa.org.
4 Events Committee The Events Committee sponsors a variety of social events each year. These have included July 4 th celebrations, fall festivals, Easter egg hunts, Christmas holiday gatherings, pot luck dinners and garage sales. Events Committee meetings are held at 7 p.m., the second Wednesday of each month at the River Chase clubhouse. Volunteers are always welcome. The Events Committee email address is events@riverchasepoa.org. Welcome Committee The Welcome Committee functions to help property owners make a smooth transition into the River Chase community. The committee produced this informational packet to address questions and concerns frequently raised by new property owners. Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee is charged with the responsibility of presenting candidates for the Board of Directors and the Architectural Control Committee prior to the annual meeting in November. RESERVING THE CLUBHOUSE AND PAVILION River Chase property owners can reserve the Clubhouse at 436 River Chase Way or the Pavilion at the Guadalupe River Park for private events under the conditions outlined below. To reserve either facility, go to the Pavilion Clubhouse Reservation Request link on the River Chase website. The property owner must be current on all dues and fees. The request to reserve the facility must include the property owner s Lot Number, plus the date, time and length of use of the facility. Checks for payment of deposit and fee must be from the property owner/renter. The property owner/renter must be present at all times. The Clubhouse or Pavilion must be left clean and damage free, otherwise some or all of your deposit will be retained. The amount to be retained will be determined by the condition of the facility and costs to clean/repair it. There is no cost to reserve the Pavilion. The cost to rent the Clubhouse is $50 for 4 hours or $100 for all day. A $250 deposit is also required. Payment for the deposit and use fee must be in two separate checks made out to River Chase POA. Checks must be mailed two weeks prior to party date. Mail checks to the Clubhouse address: River Chase POA, 436 River Chase Way New Braunfels, TX 78132
5 FOR ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES, DIAL 911 Fire/EMS Protection Canyon Lake Fire Department 830-907-2922 New Braunfels Fire Department 830-608-2179 Burn ban status sign is displayed on Hwy. 306 as you leave the New Braunfels city limits. For controlled burn information, call Comal County Dispatch 830-620-3408 Law Enforcement Comal County Sheriff 830-620-3400 Crime Prevention/Neighborhood Watch Cpl. Tim Kolbe 830-620-3400 Department of Public Safety (DPS) 830-625-8331 Hospital / Medical Christus Santa Rosa Hospital of New Braunfels, 600 N. Union Ave., New Braunfels, 830-606-9111 Central Texas Medical Center, 1301 Wonder World Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, 512-353-8979 TX AirLIFE air ambulance, non-emergency contact, 210-233-5800 Pediatric Preplanning: Contact Greg Winter at the above number. Poison Control Center 800-222-1222 OTHER RIVER CHASE INFORMATION There is no hunting in River Chase Subdivision A fresh-water fishing license is required at the river and pond. Dogs must be on a lease. River Chase Subdivision Exits Units 1 through 3: River Chase Drive to Hwy 306 Ash Juniper through River Oaks Development Units 4 through 10: River Chase Way to Hwy 306 Western Oaks to Hwy 306 Knights Way to Purgatory Road Glen Wood Drive through Gruene Haven to Hwy 306
6 COMMUNITY SERVICES Comal County Services Comal County Animal Control 830-608-2016 Comal County Appraisal District (property values) 830-625-8597 Precinct 4 County Commissioner Jan Kennady 830-620-5508 County Road Department (potholes, road repairs) 830-608-2090 Environmental Health (septic issues) 830-608-2094 Tax Assessor-Collector (county and school taxes) 830-620-5521 Motor Vehicle License Plates and Registration 830-620-5526 DPS (driver s license bureau) 830-625-8331 Visitor Center (I-35 and Seguin Ave.) Pick up a free new resident packet with maps of New Braunfels and Canyon Lake area, plus information on restaurants, entertainment, etc. Comal Independent School District Office (www.comalisd.org) 830-221-2000 Hoffman Lane Elementary, 4600 FM 306, (Grades K - 5) 830-221-2500 Church Hill Middle School, 1275 N. Bus IH35, (Grades 6-8) 830-221-2800 Canyon High School, 1510 IH 35N, (Grades 9-12) 830-221-2400 Transportation Department 830-221-2055 Special Programs 830-221-2088 Garbage Services Waste Management 800-800-5804 Pickup on Thursday IESI 800-581-5825 Pickup on Thursday Tiger Sanitation 210-333-4287 Pickup on Friday Libraries New Braunfels Public Library, 700 Common St., 830-627-7824 Tye Preston Memorial Library, 1321 FM 2673, Canyon Lake, 830-964-3744 Mail Delivery Monday through Saturday; zip code is 78132. To establish delivery and receive mailbox keys, bring proof of residence, i.e. utility bill or turn-on statement, to the NB post office, 175 S. Seguin Ave. Newspapers Austin American Statesman 512-445-3500 Herald-Zeitung (New Braunfels/Comal County) 830-625-9144 San Antonio Express News 800-456-7411 Utilities GVTC (Guadalupe Valley Telecommunications Cooperative) 830-885-4411 NBU (New Braunfels Utilities) Water Supply 830-629-8400 PEC (Pedernales Electric Cooperative) 830-964-3346, or 888-554-4732 Time Warner Cable 210-244-0500 Voter Registration River Chase is in Precinct 402. Vote at the Church in the Valley, 14181 FM 306 in Canyon City.