GOVERNANCE
All Ironwood homeowners belong to two homeowner associations: ICA and your local HOA. In fact, there are four separate and distinct organizational entities in Ironwood that you should be aware of and understand.
- ICA – Representing all 1066 homeowners, ICA is responsible for central operations such as security, gates, street maintenance, common area landscaping, the Time Warner cable contract, etc. In addition, ICA facilitates communications and solutions to common issues. The ICA Board is elected by all property owners.
- Your local HOA – there are sixteen (16) local homeowner associations in Ironwood, ranging in size from 14 to 150 homes whose board members are also elected by individual property owners. Each HOA is responsible for local architectural control, landscape maintenance, and blanket association insurance and other services. Your local HOA has provided information elsewhere in this welcome package. Please read carefully. The dues you pay to your local HOA each month include the ICA assessment for your convenience.
ICA and your local HOA have independent CC&Rs and Bylaws and we encourage you to read and understand these important documents since they explain well how our community is organized and defines the roles and responsibilities of each.
ICA and your local HOA welcome and need homeowners to serve as board and committee members. Typically, more than 1 out of 5 Ironwood homeowners are involved in such community service action. Please let us know if you are interested in serving. It is a good way to become acquainted as well as to contribute to the strength and health of the community.
- The Ironwood Country Club – the Ironwood community is fortunate to have the successful and newly remodeled Ironwood Country Club inside our gates. Approximately 600 Ironwood homeowners are members of the Club, while another 200 members reside outside our gates.
- Management Companies – Desert Resort Management (DRM) is a fee paid community management firm that supports ICA and 13 of the 16 local HOAs. DRM maintains a service desk for service and maintenance requests and a 24/7 answering service for emergencies. It also assists ICA and most HOA boards by maintaining records, board and annual meeting support, collections and payments and general accounting. They can be reached at 760.346.1161. You may reach our ICA manager Sharron Badham at the same number, extension 142, or via email at sbadham@drminternet.com. Three of the 16 HOAs are self-managed.
A community map noting all streets and HOA locations is a part of this package for your convenience.
SECURITY
Security is the largest single expenditure in the ICA budget because of its importance to the community. We are fortunate that our location and security program have resulted in a very low incidence of crime compared to the other areas in the Coachella Valley. However, too often we take for granted the comfort of gated community living. There are hundreds of people entering Ironwood each day who are not residents and, occasionally, there are those who enter who are of questionable character. Our transponder and gate cameras help deter crime, but are not guarantees of individual safety. Any security incident will be posted on Channel 98 for a two-week period as a service to homeowners. Diligent, informed homeowners are a key element in any security program.
TRANSPONDERS
The Ironwood Security Questionnaire and Transponder application form is enclosed so you may apply for transponders and register your vehicles. Each entry and exit of Ironwood is identified and recorded electronically so security knows the number of transponder used, in addition to having visual and license plate records provided by our gate cameras. These measures are necessary to maintain a proper level of security.
Please note that homeowners must not loan their personally registered transponder to vendors, contractors or other service people.
GETTING AROUND SAFELY
Living in a planned community is somewhat different from living on an individual home site. We share certain facilities in common with our neighbors and so have a mutual responsibility to respect the community rights of others. Governing documents - CC&Rs and Bylaws - and the community Rules and Regulations were put in place to benefit the largest number of people even though, at times, they may be contrary to individual desires. Owners are responsible for the compliance of family members, guests, invitees, contractors and other persons associated with their home. Please read these documents carefully.
IRONWOOD COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Members of this Council are the sixteen local HOA presidents, an Ironwood Country Club liaison, and the ICA Board. It meets three times annually to address common community issues. Minutes of previous meetings and other information area available from DRM.
CONTRACTOR AND VENDOR POLICY
Unlike some communities, Ironwood does not limit the number of contractors or vendors that do business in our community. However, we do have a written policy that requires contractors and vendors to be licensed, bonded and insured. This document is given to all outside contractors and vendors who request transponders. Here are highlights of the policy that has been in place since June 2001 and is managed through DRM and our Security Department:
- " Any firm doing business in Ironwood more than five times in a calendar month is required to have a transponder for each vehicle that enters our community. We expect firms to keep their account current and initiate changes in their status in the event of no Ironwood activity. Overdue accounts will have their transponders cancelled if not paid after a courtesy phone call and written notice.
- Approved construction hours:
- October 1 – April 30: Monday through Friday: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturdays: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Sunday: No work.
- May 1 – September 30: Monday through Friday: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturdays: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Sunday: No work
- General contractors must furnish proof of insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per person for bodily injury, and also $1,000,000 for each incident of accident and property damage.
- All drivers must be licensed and insured and are asked to show proof of identification if stopped. Spot checks are routinely made by Ironwood Security.
- Since this policy has been in place for more than six (6) years, most contractors and vendors in the area are very familiar with it. If a homeowner has questions on a specific contractor or vendor or would like a copy of this policy, please contact DRM at 760.346.1161.
NEWSLETTERS
The ICA Community Newsletter is published three times annually. A recent copy is enclosed. Occasionally, HOAs will publish local information as well.
WEBSITE
Ironwood Community Association's website has been developed for use by residents and HOA boards. The site is work-in-process and will be expanded as time and funds permit. The web address is www.ironwoodcommunity.com and it provides a variety of information including: ICA board minutes and strategic plan; ICA governing documents; Ironwood Policies, Rules and Regulations; Security information and resident transponder application; new homeowner information; Emergency Preparedness information; copies of ICA newsletters; a form to send in a service request; and, the latest Community Enhancement information.
We especially urge you to visit the Emergency Preparedness link. It presently contains several important publications, including Los Angeles Fire Department and FEMA brochures both of which offer excellent advice on how to deal with an emergency such as an earthquake. These articles can be downloaded from the website and printed for your convenience.
ICA FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN
The ICA Five year Strategic Plan is available to all homeowners on the ICA website or as a hard copy through DRM. In addition to identifying objectives and addressing other planning needs, the document includes a history of Ironwood and other interesting information.
Enjoy Ironwood!
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