REPEATING SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR BAY COLONY CLUB BOD

This article was published April 14, 3-1/2 months ago.  It is being re-published because the BOD has not yet acted on any of these suggestions  Changes to the original article are noted with highlighted, red, bold, italic fonts.  It is disappointing that the agenda for the July 22 meeting includes none of the following.  It is hoped that the BOD will consider and act on these suggestions in the near future.

Our present BOD faces an election in less than a year.  While they are in office, they have the opportunity to take actions which will help future BOD’s and prevent the abuses which, under some past BODs, were common.  This is my wish list:

1. Develop and install election policies to prevent rigged elections in the future.
2. Install closed circuit video cameras with guard shack monitoring to prevent vandalism and theft.
3. Develop and distribute written rules and regulations to govern the actions of the BOD. Fine Board members who violate the rules. (i.e. Solicitation for bids and bidding process, abuse of powers, violation of privacy policies, etc.)
4. Write and distribute a condemnation of the prior BOD for illegal, self-serving and/or ignorant actions. A detailed written and published expose will discourage proven undesirables from future attempts to (again) get on the BOD.
5. Get rid of the worthless, antiquated speaker phone and install video conferencing so call-ins can hear what's going on and the audience can hear the call-ins at BOD meetings!
6. Publish and distribute updated BCC Rules & Regulations for unit owners and residents.  (see #3 above.)
7. Have a serious, detailed cost/benefit analysis prepared on the establishment of reserves.  (For an interesting article, see: http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/condoblog/2010/07/how-much-should-your-association-save-for-a-rainy-day.html) 
8. Act on Gordon Houston's Capital Improvements Report.

Please add your comments & suggestions.

BAY COLONY CLUB JUNE 24 BOARD MEETING - SYNOPSIS

Editors Note: Detailed coverage of the BOD meetings has been boring to write and probably pretty boring to read. This report and all future reports will be condensed to cover just the more important or amusing actions. There will be more editorial comment added in red.

Owners seeking more detailed information on BOD meetings can go to BCC official website, read the BCC Newsletter or attend the meetings 

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Open Forum: Questions/comments from owners:

The most amusing question was Sam Slota’s asking: “Why the need to suddenly redact personal information from BCC owners’ files at great expense?” Duh…. It should be obvious Sam; to keep future BOD presidents from (again) running off with confidential owner data.

Board Members Attending: Wilbur Bullock, Bill Brady Betty Francis (by phone), Bev Houston

Board Members Absent: Bill Delaney, Lisa Farinacci, Sean Holland (due to failed Skype connection)

Miscellaneous Other Attendees: Joanne, BCC Manager

BCC Owners Attendees: 22 (est.)

Board Meeting Minutes: Waived reading of and approved May 20 minutes

Treasurer, Screening & Manager Reports: Available on BCC website

Long Term Plans & Capital Improvements: Gordon Houston's interesting report regarding balcony, seawall and roof repairs. Hopefully this will be made available verbatim on the BCC website.

Old Business:

• Bill Brady appointed to organize Rec 2 upgrade of audio/video system.
• Robert Kuznietz named to chair Violations committee
• Walker case still smoldering along, Unanimous vote to add former UCM manager to those defended by B/P due to old contractual obligation.

New Business

• New company to provide employees health insurance as of August 1 (dental new addition) at about the same cost as last year’s.
• Association to foreclose, take limited title and lease apartments at market rate that are in arrears in maintenance payments.
• Association to adopt and enforce all July 1 2010 amendments to F.S. 718. (See link in left column for details of changes.)
• Seawall between buildings 15-17 to be repaired and rebuilt by B.K. Marine & McFarland. $90,120
• A request for a “service” (companion) animal in 6201-1 approved. (*?)
• Swimming pools at Rec’s 2, 3 & 4 to be re-surfaced. $3,500 each.

President’s Overview

The BOD is working harmoniously to solve problems and maintain our property despite conjecture to the contrary.  (Paraphrased)

Meeting adjourned at: unknown time, but very late

*Your blogger is not about to put an oar in this (doggy) water but there are apparently strong opinions pro and con.  Here's your chance to be heard.  COMMENT.

Corrections and comments would be appreciated.

BAY COLONY CLUB REALTY REPORT AS OF 5/31/10

Total # 2 BR for sale:  14

High         $299,900

Low          $169,900

Median     $227,495

Sold 2 BR YTD:  7      LP/SP*         Days on Market

High        $195,000          96%              370

Low         $130,000          82%                30

Median     $157,500          90%              203

Total # 1 BR for sale:  8

High       $129,000

Low        $  88,888

Median    $102,445

Sold 1 BR YTD:  6       LP/SP*         Days on Market

High:      $117,000         94%                   42

Low:       $ 85,000          82%                 375

Median:  $ 88,450          88%                 126

*LP/SP = Sales Price divided by Listing Price, or what % of the listing price was actually paid.


Information provided by Marge Matinale, Lic. Associate Broker, Better Homes &  Gardens Real Estate, 954-298-2527, fax: 954-771-7367, email: margesells4u@yahoo.com

AN UNREPORTED FELONY?

FLORIDA STATUTES: TITLE XLVI (CRIMES), CHAPTER 817 (FRAUDULENT PRACTICES)

"(4)  Any person who willfully and without authorization possesses, uses, or attempts to use personal identification information concerning an individual without first obtaining that individual's consent, and who does so for the purpose of harassing that individual, commits the offense of harassment by use of personal identification information, which is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

 

(5)  If an offense prohibited under this section was facilitated or furthered by the use of a public record, as defined in s. 119.011, the offense is reclassified to the next higher degree as follows:

(a)  A misdemeanor of the first degree is reclassified as a felony of the third degree."

DOES SAUNDRA ZUBKO HAVE YOUR NUMBER? (Re-printed from an earlier blog article.)

Social Security? Drivers License? Credit card? Bank account? Unlisted phone? Date of birth and mother’s maiden name?

In a February 19 letter*, Bill Delaney, Bay Colony Club Board of Directors V.P., alleges: “Photocopies of your personal information were illegally taken from the office by Saundra Zubko.” Delaney advised: “You need to take immediate action to protect your identity and consider placing a fraud alert and or security block with all of the credit reporting agencies.”   *(To see a copy of this letter, click on “BCC 2010 Delaney Letter” under “Links” in the left column.)

1. Is this allegation true? If so;

2. What other BCC owners had information stolen?

3. Who else knew about this theft and when did they know it?

4. Who, besides Zubko, has this stolen information?

5. What action will be taken (immediately and longer term) to prevent future acts like this?

6. Is it really safe to leave keys to my apartment with the office?

Hopefully answers will be given at Monday’s Board meeting. Stay tuned for further info.

6/5/10 Since individuals' personal data was allegedly removed from BCC files without the consent of the individuals, this is a criminal as well as a civil matter.  The BOD investigated and apparently confirmed the allegations as true.  Since the data was under the safe-keeping of the BCC Association, why hasn't the BOD filed criminal complaints against all those involved?

BAY COLONY CLUB MAY 20 BOARD MEETING - SYNOPSIS

Open Forum : Questions from owners on replacing U.S. flag, BCC office charges for notarizing documents, changing BOD meetings day to Mondays.

Board Members Attending: Wilbur Bullock, Lisa Farinacci, Betty Francis, Bev Houston

Board Members Absent: Bill Brady, Bill Delaney, Sean Holland

Miscellaneous Other Attendees: Joanne, BCC Manager

BCC Owners Attendees: 25 (est.)

Board Meeting Minutes: Waived reading of April 15 minutes, waiver and minutes themselves approved unanimously

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Reports: President’s, Treasurer’s, Screening, Community Relations, Manager’s are, or should be available on BCC website.

Capital Improvements Report: (Not on agenda, but voted unanimously to include.) Gordon Houston gave an interesting report on capital needed improvements which touched on roof edge connection improvements (initial estimates $40,000 per building) , seawall repair, balcony and balcony railing repair. Further details and progress reports expected at the next BOD meeting.

Old Business: Collection Attorney: A new collection attorney was selected to replace John Stevens. Ticket Fine Requests: Outstanding tickets for two residents were negated due to “selective enforcement.”

New Business: Security Gate Equipment Ratification: A lightning strike required immediate replacement of most electrical and electronic equipment in the Gatehouse. Ratification of replacement costs net of insurance approved unanimously. Swimming Pool Drain Cover Ratification: Purchased due to code requirement. Approved unanimously. Swimming Pool Heater Fence: New code requires fences around pool heaters @ $4,300. Approved unanimously. Insurance Package Policy Renewal Ratification: Details in prior minutes. Ratification unanimous. Rec Center 2 Sound System: Upgrades to Rec 2 sound and recording equipment (up to $3,000) approved unanimously. Smoking Urns: Purchase of two smoking urns ($288 each) for Rec 2 approved unanimously. Request for Bid: Development of a formal written request for bids, including a provision for Whistle-Blower rewards, approved unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 P.M.

Editorial Comment:: Members of the disgraced and repudiated former Board of Directors turned up in full force for this meeting. Their obvious intent was to carp and nit-pick any and all actions of the present BOD. It is amusing to hear the folks who gave away $100,000 of BCC’s money to a “cable TV consultant”, question $5 notary fees being charged at the office.

It would be in all our interests to attend Board meetings and challenge the lies and obfuscations trotted out by this bunch before they confuse the owners who didn’t pay much attention while their assessments were being mis-spent.

Corrections and comments would be appreciated.

BAY COLONY CLUB REALTY REPORT AS OF 4/30/10

Total # 2 BR for sale:  15

High        $299,900

Low         $179,990

Median    $229,990

Sold 2 BR YTD:  6      LP/SP         Days on Market

High        $195,000          96%              49

Low         $140,000          83%               8

Median    $161,250          90%              215

Total # 1 BR for sale:  7

High       $129,000

Low        $ 87,500

Median   $104,990

Sold 1 BR YTD:  5        LP/SP         Days on Market

High:      $117,000                87%                    10

Low:       $  85,000                86%                  270

Median: $101,000                86%                  140

Information provided by Marge Matinale, Lic. Associate Broker, Prudential Florida 1^st Realty, 954-298-2527, fax: 954-771-7367, email: margesells4u@yahoo.com

BAY COLONY CLUB'S NEXT HURRICANE

This report was written by BCC resident Gordon P. Houston, P.E., a Professional Civil Engineer registered in Florida and Illinois. He worked in construction and design since 1965 and served 2 years on the BCC Board.

Roofs

The roofs of our buildings are constructed by stretching a membrane over plywood sheeting supported by wood roof trusses. The membrane is anchored at the roof edge by steel screws spaced at intervals along the edge ledger board. This produced a strong roof with a low wind drag which is important during a strong wind storm. We found during hurricane Wilma that the edge anchorage must be maintained. During this storm we had a failure on the south side of buildings 1 through 8. The roofing expert hired to repair these roofs said the steel connectors had deteriorated. He made repairs using stainless steel connectors. When asked how we could prevent this from happening again, he suggested we install additional stainless steel connectors between the existing steel connectors.

Entrance Doors

Building entrance doors are a concern. The door panels are mostly in good condition but the hardware has been used for over 36 years without replacement. Most latches and worn-out hinges are noisy, and many closures are inoperable or nearly so. The conditions of the entrance doors are important during wind storms because if they fail to hold back the wind we will lose the roof.

Shutters, Windows, Balcony Enclosures

BCC should have a policy on window replacement, balcony enclosures and practical shutter design. If we make all windows meet the new code we would be eligible for a substantial discount on wind insurance. The policy should require all present and future glass balcony enclosures (where sliding door is removed) to meet the same present code requirements.

The preceding is from an August 2009 Blog article.  Here we are on the brink of a new and predicted to be more severe hurricane season and nothing has yet been done to protect lives and property.  HOW ABOUT IT BOD?

BAY COLONY CLUB WHISTLE-BLOWER REWARD

The Bay Colony Club Board of Directors (BOD) should authorize a whistle-blower reward at their next meeting. 

1) The reward should be substantial, $5,000 to $10,000

2) The reward should be given to any individual providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of person or persons:

i) Soliciting or offering kickbacks on goods or services purchased by BCC, and/or;

ii) Vandalizing Association common property or the property of owners, renters or guests located in BCC, and/or;

iii) Embezzling or any use of Association funds for private use or profit, and/or

iv) Theft of Association common property or the property of owners, renters or guests located in BCC.

3) The reward would be prominently featured in BCC’s Vendor Agreements and solicitation for bids.

4) Notification of the reward would be sent to all present and past BCC vendors as well as past non-winning bidders for BCC business going back for 5 years.

A whistle-blower award would:

1) Provide a possible income source for the Association. (Civil action to claw back illicit payments, etc.)

2) Discourage undesirables from seeking BCC BOD seats or applying for BCC employment.

3) Encourage BCC “Security” to keep a sharper eye peeled for illegal activity.

4) Lower BCC expenses and/or improve quality of goods and services bought by BCC.

5) Improve quality of life for most BCC residents.

I am sure we will all be interested in who offers counter-arguments for a reward and what those arguments might be.

Let’s get this on the next BOD agenda!

CONDO CRIME & PUNISHMENT

We've set up a new link (thanks to Jan Bergemann of CCFJ)  to articles about condo shenanigans and the (sometimes) resulting criminal prosecutions.  Look in the left column on this page under "Links" and click on "Condo - Crime & Punishment".  Bay Colony Club Association owners might find the articles interesting and possibly helpful.  Highly recommended are the articles on Hallandale's Parker Plaza Estates.  And, for the latest, there's this:

4/29/10 Breaking News Update!

From today's Miami Herald:

Condo president charged with stealing from her association... "At this point, we've hired a forensic accountant and they'll be looking at (this)..." said attorney Thomas J. Tighe, who represents the (Hollywood) Hillcrest Codominium residents."


Let's hear some comments on this one!  Ah go ahead, prove you're out there and paying attention. 

BAY COLONY CLUB APRIL 15 BOARD MEETING - SYNOPSIS

Open Forum (7:16-7:35): Questions from owners on:

1. Accounting for cash intake at BCC social events. (Prompted no doubt by mystery disposition of all those years of BCC’s Sunday brunch income.)
2. Ticket for scooter questioned.
3. No prior “Move Cars” notice to owners on tree trimming.
4. Incorrect reporting of cost for Rec 4 ice machine. Ignoring prior BOD’s illegal purchase of Rec 1’s ice machine with delivery just in time for a super bowl party.

Board Members Attending: Bill Brady (by phone), Betty Francis, Sean Holland (by phone), Bev Houston

Board Members Absent: Wilbur Bullock, Bill Delaney, Lisa Farinacci

Miscellaneous Other Attendees: Joanne, BCC Manager

BCC Owners Attendees: 40 (est.)

Board Meeting Minutes: Waived reading of March 18 minutes.( Except for those regarding Rec 1 ice machine, which were corrected for Rec 4 machine cost.) Corrected minutes approved unanimously.

Reports: President’s: None given.
Treasurer: Available on BCC website.
Screening: 4leases, 5-sales, 2- 2^nd occupant
Community Relations: No more alcohol to be served at BCC functions, BYOB only. Better (stage) lighting needed for Rec 2. Upcoming May Disco, June BCC idol.
Manager: Presently 136 dock leases, 2 slips A dock and 2 finger slips available. 128 leases. 13 units in bank foreclosure, 14 in collection with attorney. 3 bike thefts in past month. (See BCC website for additional details.)

Old Business: Legal Matters:
1. Three law firms interviewed for collections attorney. Selection of attorney tabled (pending production of performance spread sheet) until next BOD meeting.
2. Becker & Poliakoff authorized to represent all named BOD defendants in amended Walker law suit. Approved unanimously.
3. Pay off of additional $62,500 plus arbitration fees for CCG cable contract. No explanation of how prior BOD’s approval of $60,000 was increased to $62,500. Payment based on legal advice. Approved unanimously, with great reluctance.
Temporary Workers: Temporary workers to be hired to paint curb stops, laundry room sidewalks and mailbox pads. Cost of labor and materials $9,100. Approved unanimously.

New Business:
Violations Committee and Ticket Fines: Waiver of fines tabled pending resolution of “selective enforcement and other issues."
Meeting adjourned at 9:47 (Lost Brady phone connection and quorum.)

Corrections and comments would be appreciated.