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Ponderosa Utilities, Inc.
386 Center Point Dr – Lake Ponderosa
Montezuma , IA 50171   

Phone: 641-623-3009
Fax: 641-623-3007     
Email: ponderosautil@zumatel.net

ATTENTION LOT OWNERS!!!

You can now access Ponderosa Utilities via the internet!  Please feel free to email us with any questions, meter readings, etc. at ponderosautil@zumatel.net or bjahrens@zumatel.net.  Include your name and lake address, and we will respond in a timely manner.

Thank you!

Ponderosa Utilities, Inc.

386 Center Point Dr – Lake Ponderosa   Montezuma, IA 50171  

Phone: 641-623-3009      Fax: 641-623-3007     Email: ponderosautil@zumatel.net

October 1, 2007

 

SECTION I - BILLING PROCEDURE   Our billing period begins with November 1st and ends with October 31st of the following year.  New fall billings are mailed out October 1st of every year.

Basic Fee Billing:  Every lot owner has a Basic Fee billing associated with his or her property, which may or may not contain all of the five parts listed below.

1.                  Water Services - This portion of the bill includes the connection made from your water line to our main water line.  This charge is incurred from the date the connection is made.  Once a connection is made, the charge remains on the property permanently regardless if the water is ever disconnected or not.

2.                  Road Services – This portion of the bill includes maintenance of the roads, including grading, gravel, dust treatment and snowplowing.

3.         Aquatic Control – This portion of the bill includes restocking of fish to Lake Ponderosa that is separate from the restocking affiliated with the Lake Association. 

4.                  Dredging – This portion of the bill includes the annual dredging done on Lake Ponderosa each summer in the areas determined by John G. Ahrens.

5.                   Water Usage – This portion of your bill is separate from Water Services.  Water rates are subject to change without notice.  In the event rates to us change in mid-year, we reserve the right to make necessary changes on future billings.  Please refer to SECTION II for more information regarding water usage.

 

SECTION II – WATER METERS   If your property is connected to our water main and using water, a water meter must be installed.  As a lot owner, you are responsible for the upkeep and costs associated with your meter, and you are responsible for providing a current and correct reading.  Meters are to be purchased at Ponderosa Supply, located at 291 W. Woodland Rd.  If you cannot install the meter yourself, we will install it for a minimum charge.  Please call 641-623-3047 or 641-623-3013 to make an appointment. 

Meter readings are required to ensure that you are being billed correctly for water usage.  For your convenience, reminder postcards* are mailed out approximately one month before the reading is due.  If you are unable to read your meter, you may make arrangements with our office to have someone read it for you.  Please Note: In the event you do not send a reading and we are unable to read it ourselves, we will prorate your water usage based on the last available meter reading, and we will adjust the amount accordingly as soon as a reading is turned in.  *If you do not receive a postcard, please inform our office immediately.

Summer Residents:  Postcards mailed 9/1.

  1. Meters must be installed no later than May 15th.
  2. Readings must be called or mailed in by October 15th.

Permanent Residents:  Postcards mailed 9/1, 12/1, 3/1, and 6/1.

  1. Readings must be called or mailed in quarterly.
  2. Our office reads remote readers.

Please Note:  If you are a permanent resident, water usage will be billed on a quarterly basis and will either be added to your quarterly/monthly statement, or billed separately if you paid annually.

 

SECTION III – SALE OF PROPERTY   When your property is sold through a realtor, the utilities are prorated at the time of sale (seller pays through date of closing).  If you are selling your own property and have paid annually, you need to prorate this so the new owner pays you at the closing.  We need the following information at the time of closing:

1.      Name of buyers (as it appears on the deed), address, telephone number and date of sale

2.      Meter reading at time of closing.  This will prevent you being billed for costs in the event of a water leak.  It is the seller’s responsibility to see that a working meter is installed at the property.

3.       Your new address to mail a final bill if necessary

 

 

SECTION IV – MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

 

Accesses – If you have a 10-foot access with your lot, you are responsible for keeping your dock/lift/watercraft within your designated space.  If you need to know the location of your access please call our office @ 641-623-3009.

Aquatic Control Funds – Approximately 4000 6” catfish and 550 8”-11” grass carp were purchased and released to restock the lake in June.

Boat Cards – These are to be purchased from the Lake Ponderosa Association.  Currently Laura Allen is the board secretary, and she may be reached at 641-623-4983.

Building Permits – According to the Poweshiek County ordinance etc., permits are required for building, adding, altering or moving a structure.  For questions call Poweshiek County Zoning @ 641-623-3738. 

Change of Address – Please notify our office if there is a change in your billing address or telephone number. 

Digging – You must call one of these numbers before digging on your property: John G. Ahrens @ 641-623-3047; Bill W. Ahrens @ 641-623-3013; Montezuma Mutual Telephone Co. @ 641-623-5654  or Mid-American Energy @ 888-427-5632 or 800-799-4443.

Dogs – You cannot guarantee your dog’s safety if it is not constrained to your property.  You are responsible for your dog.  Please control barking dogs.

Emergency – In the event of an emergency, give your entrance number and E911 address.

Lake Patrol – Lake Patrol is in effect from Memorial Day through Labor Day, on weekends only.  Monies from sticker registrations/renewals fund the expenses involved with this.

Lot Contracts – Make lot payments to Lake Ponderosa Development, Inc. according to the terms on your contract - we do not mail monthly statements.  Property taxes on lot contracts are also payable to Lake Ponderosa Development, Inc. unless you are billed directly from the courthouse.

Lot Lines – Before building on your property, you must check with either our office or the Poweshiek County Zoning at 641-623-3738 for footage requirements.  You must be within the required lot lines and required restrictions.

Lot Sales -- To inquire about purchasing available lots, please call 641-623-3047 or 641-623-3013.

Maps – Lake maps are available at the office.  You may also view the map on www.lakeponderosa.org., as well as in the Montezuma telephone book.

Renting - If you are renting your property, according to your contract and abstract you are responsible for the billing and payment of Basic Fees and water usage, not your renters.  There are no exceptions to this policy. 

Septic Systems – According to the Poweshiek County ordinance etc., permits are required before installing or altering a septic system or before selling the property.  For questions call the Poweshiek County Sanitarian @ 641-623-3762.

Speed Limit – A 20-mph speed limit is in effect and posted on Lake Ponderosa roads.

Stickers – All watercraft and land craft used at Lake Ponderosa must be registered in our office.  Registration/renewal forms are mailed annually mid to late March.

Trash Removal – Please call Audas Sanitation & Recycling @ 641-623-5691 or R&L Sanitation @ 641-623-3895 for garbage collection.  No dumping is allowed at Lake Ponderosa!

Trees – Christmas trees are NOT to be placed in the lake by individual lot owners.

Water Leaks – In the event of a water leak, we will try to contact you if it is on your property.  If we are unable to reach you, we reserve the right to make necessary repairs.  Billing will follow when it is your responsibility.  We notify residents of the area of repairs by sounding the horn.  If you need to shut down our line or dig to repair your line, you must notify us.

Weight Limit on Bridge – A 6-Ton weight limit is placed on the bridge.  Use another entrance when having rock, cement, and etc. delivered to your property.

Please log on to www.lakeponderosa.org and click on Ponderosa Utilities to find more information on lake rules, sticker registration and other general information.

Office Hours

Monday - Friday

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

To better assist you, please call our office to make an appointment.

 We hope that you have enjoyed your property this past summer, and welcome to all of the new lot owners.  We wish you all a good winter.

 

Sincerely,

The John L. Ahrens Family

                                                             

General Lake Rules

Ponderosa Utilities, Inc.    (641) 623-3009                                                                            Spring 2008

386 Center Point Dr, Montezuma, IA  50171                                                        

Ponderosa Utilities, Inc. for the safety of all property owners and their guests has established these rules.  Common Courtesy on the water makes it more enjoyable for all.  Lake Ponderosa Lot owners are liable for themselves, their family members, and their guests.

 

  1. Only property owners, their children and/or their grandchildren are allowed to have watercraft, motorcycles, ATV’s (four wheelers) of any type on Lake Ponderosa.   
                                                     
  1. All watercraft, motorcycles, golf carts, ATV’s (four wheelers), etc. must have current Lake Ponderosa stickers.

        a.      Stickers will be issued at the office.  A copy of the State of Iowa registration, title, or bill of sale of
             owner’s watercraft, motorcycle, ATV, golf cart must be registered at the office.
        b.      A fee will be charged for the current stickers.

  1. According to your abstract, which contains covenants and restrictions on use of Lake Ponderosa property, only one water skiing boat per lot is allowed on the lake at any one time.  This restriction includes jet skis, wave runners, or other types of water vehicles.
     

  1. Please Note Hours:
     

bullet Water Ski hours and Jet Ski/Wave Runner hours will be from sunrise to sunset Monday through Thursday.
bullet Water Ski hours will be from 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday through Sunday and holidays.
bullet Jet Skis, Wave Runners, and Tubers hours will be from 11:00 A.M. through 7:00 P.M. Friday through Sunday and holidays.
bullet These hours will be in effect from the Friday preceding Memorial Day through the Labor Day holiday.  Wave runners may be on the lake during skiing hours, only when they are pulling a skier.  These hours will allow time for water skiers to ski before personal water craft are on the water and will allow those who enjoy fishing and riding on pontoons time to enjoy the water also. 

 ·         The definition of Jet Ski is a one person motor propelled stand up water vessel.  A Wave Runner is a motor powered water vessel in which one or more people sit upon.  Tubes are defined as any inflatable object that is towed.  The definition of skier is a person being towed by a hand held rope, not being on anything that is inflated.

  1. All Watercraft operators and passengers must obey boating laws of the State of Iowa as well as the restrictions as to hours set forth in this agreement.
     

  2. Reckless driving and operating motorized water vessels while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances are criminal offenses that can be enforced in court.  The Lake Patrol Officer who observes an operator who he has reasonable grounds to believe to be intoxicated shall request the operator to leave the lake, and if they do not, he will contact the Sheriff.  In cases of reckless driving, which is where a person’s conduct is such that a reasonable person would believe it endangers life or property (mere speed is not enough) will receive an oral warning.  Second offense, they will receive a written warning, and on the third occurrence the Ahrens family shall be requested to file preliminary information to the County Attorney.
     
  1. No one under 12 years of age is allowed to operate a water craft propelled by a motor of more than six horsepower unless accompanied by an adult (someone who is at least 18 years of age).
     
  1. Operators must pursue a course with the shore on their right.  They are not to cut behind or in front of other watercraft, or jump the wake of another watercraft within 100 ft. of that watercraft, or whatever that watercraft may be towing.
     
  1. Operator plus observer is needed when pulling a skier/tuber, etc. 
     
  1. Flotation devices, lights and fire extinguishers, horns or whistles are required for all watercraft.
     

  1. Non-powered craft has the right of way at all times.
     

  1. No wake policy will be in effect in inlet areas.   
     

  1. No watercraft shall be operated after dark without lights.
     

  2. Dredging will be done in the summer of 2007 and billing for such has been included in
    the water, road, and     aquatic control billings for the year 2006/2007.  Dredging will
    continue as required.  
                             

  3. No stripped, partially wrecked or junked motor vehicles, trailer, boat, refrigerator, stove, other appliance, or any other salvage item of any kind, or parts thereof, shall be permitted to be parked or kept on any road, and/or residential area or lot, or access area.  The Poweshiek County nuisance vehicle ordinance is in effect for Lake Ponderosa.
     
  1. The Aquatic Control portion of your fall billing will be used yearly for stocking fish.
     
  1. Lake Ponderosa is a private lake, but most laws of the State of Iowa apply to the lake.  The Poweshiek County sheriff’s department does patrol the lake area and will respond to all calls within its jurisdiction.
     
  1. A noise ordinance will be in effect in the Lake Ponderosa Development area.  This includes the Lake Area and roads.  Every internal combustion engine used on any motorboat must be effectively muffled to a noise level maximum of 86 decibels as measured at a distance of 50 feet or more. ATV’s (four wheelers) and motorcycles shall meet legal requirements as to noise and, no modified ATV’s (four wheelers) or motorcycles shall be on the lake area. 

 Members of the John L. Ahrens Family

Office Hours

Mon-Fri  8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.

Sat 8:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. (April 5th through July 26th)

We will be closed on the following holidays:

Memorial Day – Monday, May 26th

4th of July – Friday, July 4th

Labor Day – Monday, Sept. 1st