Dear Homeowners of Rocky Bayou,
I hope this letter finds you in good spirits following the holiday season. Thank you for being a valued member of the Rocky Bayou Homeowner’s Association. I will try to go over some of the things that we have been doing and clarify some things that have been questions from the community.
Over the last year we have been working through some legal issues that have to do with both combining each unit in the RBOA into one unit, as well as renewing some units that had expired. The RBOA had planned on having the combination of all the units be the primary goal, but that has been slower than we had anticipated. And while we would like to get that done as soon as possible, we want to get it done correctly and with most everybody in the homeowner’s association in agreement. The combination effort updates the legal language of all the covenants to come into compliance with newer Florida law, as well as updating some restrictions (for instance, Unit 1 members in the past could have their own aircraft hangar in their yard). Later in the year we will have some round table discussions about what restrictions that the new combined covenants have compared to the previous covenants in your unit.
The situation with the covenants of Units 1-3 is that they were due to expire at various times in the previous year, and it was previously thought that the combined covenants would rectify this situation. Because the combined covenants took longer than anticipated, Unit 3 had already expired and Unit 2 followed shortly. Unit 1 was due to expire but was renewed with the others. In all these cases, over 50% of each of Unit 1-3 signed back on to be part of the RBOA, and they will be members for 10 more years in their current state. The combined covenants will supersede these, but that means that all three units will not cease to be part of the RBOA for the near future. A special thank you to a few members of Units 1 and 2 for going above and beyond and going door to door to keep Units 1 and 2 in the RBOA.
This is good for both the neighborhood and Rocky Bayou Country Club. Units 1-3 are the ones that line most of the golf course, and if they had lapsed and not been reinstated, both the neighborhood and RBCC would have had some interesting new decorations for sure. Playing balls off of RVs and transportainers in the back yard could have advantages, but I’m guessing people don’t want that.
Also, about Units 1 and 2, about half of the houses in Units 1 and 2 are not RBOA members that pay dues. This means that they cannot be part of the board of RBOA, and do not have voting powers at RBOA meetings. This is a result of how the RBOA started, and is a legacy issue. It should be noted that even if they are not members of the RBOA, they still are bound by the covenants of the neighborhood, and legal action can be taken against them if they break the covenants (this has come up multiple times this year). Even though our dues are currently at $150 dollars a year, which is insanely low by homeowner’s association standards, it is hard to get people to sign on when they already get the benefits for free effectively.
Speaking of that $150, what do we even do with your money anyways? Well, besides sifting through legal issues like the ones above, it is primarily maintenance. There are the entrances, which we are looking to upgrade in both look and quality of maintenance. If a tree in a common area is downed, we pay for tree companies to come out and clear them. And speaking of the lakes surrounding the area, the RBOA effectively owns them. Well, we own the bottom of the lakes specifically. Legally, this means that if that dam is damaged, we must fix that when it happens. This has happened in the past, and there are funds that we have saved that goes towards being able to cover that. One of the times that we fixed the drainage between lakes in the past it was covered by three entities: RBCC, RBOA, and Ruckel Properties. When I was about 5 years old, they then played hot potato to see who got stuck with the lakes and the RBOA was the lucky winner. Besides these things, we honestly want to step it up and do more this next year by: repairing/renovating Wava Park(ing Lot); clearing out some of the golf course entrances that were previously done by gracious owners that are no longer with us; and potentially upgrading some common areas.
It also comes to our attention quite a lot that some people think that the board of RBOA are hired managers of a HOA company. We are just volunteers that want to try to keep our neighborhood looking good, home values up, and also being reasonable people when it comes to requests by other homeowners. None of us get paid (although Nicki Patten should), and anybody that is a member of the RBOA can volunteer to be a member of the board to steer the HOA the way they would see fit. The time taken is relatively small, and honestly it keeps the price of the HOA very low. If we paid a company to do this for our community, as opposed to having an active board, our HOA fees would probably more than quadruple. That and the enforcement of a hired property management company can be draconian. Speaking of the current board, four of us have spent the two-year commitment in service, so there will be vacancies to be filled. Please consider volunteering, as it adds to the diversity of opinion on the board and you can help steer the community. While two years is the “term,” do not let that dissuade you as members have come and gone as necessary to their own situations. It is effectively a meeting every month, as well as a small amount of e-mail time and some due diligence for each role.
I would be remiss if I didn’t also include a gracious thank you to many members of our community that take their own time, and sometimes money, to beautify the dividers on the roadway. The landscaping on a few of these dividers are done by individuals that just wanted to keep them looking good. Please note that the RBOA can always reimburse any efforts like this so long as they are first brought to our attention and are within budget. For those wanting to help with beautification efforts, we are now attempting to hold a monthly or quarterly day on a weekend where we tackle a section of the neighborhood that needs some extra TLC. We will post those days on the websites for those interested. Before the holidays it was the Ruckel Drive entrance, and coming soon will be Wava Park. All effort is appreciated, but not required of course.
Hopefully this letter has clarified some of the issues that the RBOA is working on and any questions that the homeowners of our community might have. I also hope that this letter brings more questions, as a well-informed community is a much better one to have. We welcome any and all ideas, projects, concerns, and requests. Please join us at any monthly board meeting. We also hope to see you at the Association annual meeting at the RBCC at 6:30pm on March 5, 2024. Here’s to a great new year with all our best to you and yours.
Sincerely,
Joseph Bradley, RBOA President
Update 12/14/2023:
The renewal process for Units 1, 2 and 3 Restrictive Covenants is complete and the consents were recorded with Okaloosa County.
The existing covenants are now renewed for another 10 years for all three Units.
Published 8/25/2023:
The renewal process for the Restrictive Covenants that govern Units 1, 2, and 3 is underway.
Please see the Covenants page on the website for more information.
Happy New Year but, for the Rocky Bayou Owners Association, our year actually begins with our Annual Meeting, this year on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Our By-Laws direct that the Annual Meeting will take place on the first Tuesday in March. It begins at 6:30PM and is held at the Rocky Bayou Country Club, 600 Golf Course Drive. Some Association news for you, the top two are most important:
1. DUES: Our dues, $140/year, will not change for the year 2023. Come to the meeting and our Treasurer will explain why we think we will need to increase the dues in 2024.
2. BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED: We have a volunteer seven member board. The By-Laws say that a person can serve on the board for two years. This year we’ll need to replace 3 board members. The rotation gives the board fresh perspectives each year and asks the members of our communities to share the load and privilege of serving their neighbors. Please let us know if you could give about six hours a month on average to do your part. If we have more than three volunteers, we’ll have a vote at the meeting to elect the three needed board members. Any unit owner desiring to be a candidate for the board must give written notice of his or her intent by Friday, January 27, 2023. [Email me at president@rboa.net or Secretary/ Treasurer Nicki Patten at finance@rboa.net].
3. EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS: We’re implementing some uses of the internet to lower our mailing costs. For instance, if you’ve given us an email address, that is how we are delivering this letter. That saves us time and money. Thanks for helping us serve you. Please consider giving us an email address if you haven’t done so as yet.
4. RECORDS AND PAYMENTS: We’re keeping records now using QuickBooks Online. It’s worth what it costs as it will allow us to keep better track of who’s paid and who hasn’t. We’ll make fewer errors, which you will appreciate, and it comes with the added benefit of allowing you to pay your dues electronically online.
5. BIG NEWS AND OUR WEBSITE: We’ve made some updates to our website and will continue to improve it. We are open to your suggestions on how to make the information you’re looking for easy to find. We have, for the last 18 months, communicated with you by way of posting BIG NEWS when we need to get the word out on something. Whenever a new BIG NEWS is posted, we put up the BIG NEWS signs at each neighborhood entrance. Just take a look at the RBOA website and the latest BIG NEWS will be prominently displayed. You can also access all the editions if you need to catch up with previous postings.
6. COVENANT RE-WRITE AND CONSOLIDATION: We have 13 Units developed over a period of 40 years in the RBOA. Each Unit has a separate and unique set of Covenants. Florida law requires each to be renewed and modernized with the changes made in state laws over time. We’ve consulted with our retained law firm and have drafted one new and consolidated set of Covenants. We appointed a three person committee to review and revise the draft. When they’re ready, you’ll need to review the new Covenants and each Unit will have a vote on whether to accept them. Please come to the Annual Meeting to hear an update on the progress of the new Covenants from both the lawyer and the committee.
7. QUORUM REQUIREMENTS AND VOTING BY PROXY: We have 407 members in our Association and 26% (approximately 105) members must attend in person or by proxy (form attached) to establish a quorum for the Annual Meeting. If you aren’t able to attend the Annual Meeting on March 7th, please send us a signed proxy to this email address: president@rboa.net or to the following USPS mailing address:
Rocky Bayou Owners Association
P.O. Box 848
Niceville, FL 32588-0848
Proxies must be received before the 6:30PM start of the meeting on March 7, 2023.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Richard L. Comer
President, RBOA
Published 01/2023
With increased interest and installation of satellite dish type antennas for television reception, the Board of Directors has developed a policy to be followed in all 13 units of the association.
Background first: As directed by Congress in Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, The Federal Communications Commission adopted the Over-the-Air Reception Devices (“OTARD”) RULE CONCERNING GOVERNMENTAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL restrictions on viewers ability to receive video programming signals from direct broadcast satellites (“DBS”), broadband radio service providers (formerly multichannel multipoint distribution service or MMDS), and television broadcast stations (“TVBS”).
This rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996, and it prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. This rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37”) in diameter, TV antennas and wireless cable antennas. This rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonable delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use: (2) unreasonable increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.
Unit covenants address placement restrictions on satellite antennas but are outdated (not in line with the OTARD rule). Accordingly, and effective immediately, installation of satellite dish antennas still require formal application through the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) showing placement location on the property and brief explanation for the location. See Architectural Control on the RBOA.net web site home page for application procedure. In general, preferred locations are in the back yard, on the rear roof or rear side of the house.The ACC will act quickly within the OTARD rule outlined above to approve placement of the device. Your understanding and full cooperation is appreciated in advance.
Thank you,
Board of Directors.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office will provide additional patrol and check the security of your home while you are away.
You can provide all info on line as follows:
A. One week ahead of your departure or ASAP thereafter Go to http://www.sheriff-okaloosa.org/
B. Click Resources
C. Proceed to OCSO Programs.
You will find Vacation Security Check.
Please have the following available:
Your Name, address, email, phone; Next of Kin name, address, phone; dates of trip (depart to return);
Other helpful info (cars in driveway, lawn service, pet sitter, neighbor with key, contact info while on vacation, etc.)
The Rocky Bayou Owners Association (RBOA) has a strict NO SWIMMING policy for these lakes. If you become aware of anyone swimming in these lakes, please contact a member of the RBOA Board.
Violations of this no swimming policy will be referred to the appropriate authorities for legal action.
Boating and fishing in Lakes Amick, Henderson and Werk are permitted by RBOA members in accordance with the restrictive covenants.
Usage of these lakes is not permitted by non-members.
Usage of Lakes Kenny and Phelps is regulated by the Rocky Bayou Country Club.
The Rocky Bayou Country Club is private property and use of the grounds is for club members and their guests only. Your appreciation and observation are requested.
Also, please do not allow pets, principally dogs to roam (run freely) on the course. Dogs are messy and have been seen disturbing sand traps.
Club management thanks you for your understanding and cooperation.
Covenants, by-laws, and other RBOA documents are available for viewing/downloading from the RBOA website.
All of the documents are in Adobe PDF format.
Links to the pages with documents are located in the site top navigation.
Rocky Bayou Owners Association
P.O. Box 848, Niceville, FL 32588-0848
Copyright © 2023 Rocky Bayou Owners Association, Inc.
All Rights Reserved