08/19/20 BOD MEETING: SYNOPSIS AND COMMENTARY BY VICKI ROBERTS WITH ASSISTANCE FROM ARTHUR ANDELSON
Posted August 20, 2020. Your Editor provides the following synopsis of the August 19, 2020 Board meeting, with assistance from your Roving Reporter, and with commentary indicated in bold blue.
This edition is entitled: "Echoes and Egos."
Editor’s Opening Monologue:
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Welcome to the Synopsis and Commentary of the August 19, 2020 Board meeting. Thank you for coming. Please enjoy the refreshment of your choice as we start the monologue. There is a no host bar in your kitchen or dining area (serving staff not included).
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We now have two current Board members who opted out of receiving our emails about the synopses and commentaries, both of whom are up for re-election in March. Another Board member in addition to President Marion Weil has demanded to be removed from our email database after we posted our factual August 5, 2020 “Go Ask Alex” synopsis and commentary: Harvey Ginsberg.
The Brodsky husband and wife duo also demanded removal from our database and cc’ed the entire Board their angry email to your Editor, in perfect childlike tattletale fashion. We acknowledged receipt of that email, and also cc’ed the entire Board said acknowledgement. The Brodskys wrote:
“Remove us from your mailing list. I find your commentary and your divisiveness offensive and serving no purpose other than disrupt, cause chaos and an obvious failing effort to make yourself useful to the community. Nancy and Bruce Brodsky.”
Errors in sentence structure aside, kindergarten-style tattling on a News Site which presents and reports undisputed facts is pretty comical, so we thank the Brodskys for the chuckle of that moment. We can just picture the Brodskys bristling about the fact that your Editor and your Roving Reporter just won’t leave, and then planning and plotting how to potentially hasten our departure.
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It is noteworthy that there has never been any challenge made to the contents of our reporting. What part of what we wrote is not true? What part did you take issue with? What part offended you? Why did you take so long to respond inasmuch as we have been posting our synopses and commentaries since December 2019 and up until now you have willingly been receiving the reports and have remained silent? Did you not like Alex the former maintenance man? That’s odd, because we could only find evidence of one person having an issue with him: the property manager, Deborah Balka, and that issue may have been more about her than about him. Bruce and Nancy Brodsky: you’ve been getting these synopses for 9 months and just now you’re piping up? Did you perhaps have a collective bad day?
And what about the rest of the loud super-minority of naysayers with their miscreant ego-driven ringleaders: not one individual has ever taken issue with the reporting on this News Site. It’s one thing to spew hate; it’s quite another to be able to actually substantiate it with actual facts when called to do so. And yet what do we hear day after day, week after week, month after month?
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Yes, that’s right, crickets.
We also added a couple of lovely new residents to our database, so our net loss was one. The fact that it is a Board member which resulted in our net loss of one to our database should concern the rest of the HOA. This knee-jerk reaction to our honest, transparent, and truthful report about the outrageous banning of the former maintenance man from the community and the exposure of the HOA to a lawsuit tells you everything you need to know about this Board member, but we also suspect he was angered that we called him out on his attempt to play lawyer. Here is what we wrote in our synopsis of August 5, 2020, quoting Harvey and then commenting thereon:
“Harvey: if you put out preliminary Minutes that are unapproved, they’re unofficial; it’s a de facto vote that we approved it.
[Editor’s note: Harvey, you’re doing great lately, but please don’t play lawyer; you are not correct.]”
Harvey Ginsberg apparently got offended. That’s unfortunate, because up until the “defriending,” we thought he had such great potential, that is, until his ego got in the way once again. Oh, well, you decide in March.
Let’s not be naïve here: every community has an underbelly; just not every community has a dedicated news site. In fact, we may be the only one. This News Site operates as a “checks and balances” of the Board’s actions, yet there are Board members that are so arrogant and indifferent that they would ignore this News Site, the majority of residents who read it, and the residents who contribute to it via Letters to the Editor as found on our Residents’ Input Page, because of their callous indifference to those whom they represent.
We have president Marion Weil sending out email blasts on behalf of the entire Board reminding residents that the HOA website is the only sanctioned website of the community, yet we have Board member Harvey Ginsberg regularly posting on the unofficial Cascade Lakes Facebook Page, where residents regularly bash the Board and plot the overthrow of Board members coming up for re-election in March, including Marion and Harvey. The Cascade Lakes Facebook page boasts comments such as “March cannot come soon enough.”
So, Harvey: you don’t like this News Site for telling the truth, for its transparency, and for holding the Board to account, but you’re thoroughly ok with those who bash you all the time and who actively seek your removal at election time as they regularly remind you on the Cascade Lakes Facebook page. Is that why you tried so hard to get the pool Sign-Up Genius to pass? Those Facebook bashers were literally the only ones pushing for it. It appears you did it to try and secure your re-election with that group, which you fail to understand is a very small minority who perchance couldn’t flip a burger let alone an election.
And some of them actually got caught rigging the pickleball club elections, and the entire roster of purported pickleball club officers resigned over it. This is the group that you’re trying so hard to appease that you finagled an emergency vote behind the scenes to revisit the issue of the pool Sign-Up Genius with president Marion Weil’s wholehearted endorsement. That was no emergency; that was a pure abuse of power to satisfy a very small political base. There are so many pressing issues and tens of thousands of dollars that you control, and yet you saw fit to spend hours of time over the course of two Board meetings to discuss this failed venture.
By the way, anyone who “opted out” of our e-mail blasts (but secretly reads our synopses and commentaries, and you know who you are and so do we) is welcome to re-apply to be re-added to our email database. We promise we will keep your identity secret, so you’re covered, don’t worry.
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(Reference: Mark Felt, aka Watergate’s Deep Throat)
I have just been informed that the Board of Directors has cordially asked me to leave the stage and start the show.
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Board Meeting: Audio and Video Up and Running; Zoom meeting online starts at 9:30am.
Board Members Present: Marion Weil (President), Mark Goodman (VP), Richard Greene (Treasurer), Linda Arbeit (Secretary), Harvey Ginsberg, Eileen Olitsky, and Sue Schmer.
Call to Order: Marion Weil. Marion: Linda is gonna lead us. Please stand if you can.
[Editor’s note: There is now continued adherence to 4 U.S. Code Section 4 after we repeatedly raised the issue of standing for the flag out of respect for our flag, our country, and also because the rule says so. Bravo, as it appears that this is now the new protocol.]
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Pledge of Allegiance led by Linda Arbeit.
[Editor’s note: Linda had a flag with her; all Board members stood during the recitation of the Pledge.]
Marion Weil’s Opening Remarks:
[Editor’s note: Marion does not provide her prepared written remarks to this News Site despite repeated requests so that the HOA members can read what she has to say. This is repeatedly disrespectful to the majority of the HOA membership.
Dissatisfaction with this reality is best dealt with at the ballot box, and of course, is also dependent upon who else is running (note bowl of amenities in picture below).
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For example, Marion might very well be earnestly praying for a less formidable, less palatable opponent, such as a failed pickleball club officer who resigned in disgrace for example, to help with her re-election campaign.
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All we’re saying is to beware of other forces at work in the community.
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And speaking of pickleball, certain members of the pickleball contingency are no longer speaking to your Editor or to your Roving Reporter. Analysis: So, you guys are corrupt, we called you out, you got caught and resigned in disgrace, you spinned it wildly to your small retinue of ovine supporters, you put this community at risk for lawsuits, litigation, and liability, and that makes us the bad guys. Yes, I think we fully understand.]
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First Residents’ Input Session:
1. Chuck Cramer: Glenville Drive. I’m the President of the Pickleball Club. I am requesting that you table the discussion on incorporated clubs. We have not received a letter from your attorney. You should not make a decision before all the information is before you.
[Editor’s note: why is Chuck so desperately clinging to a corporation which exposes the members of this HOA to liability? There is no upside to it and only a downside, as we discussed at length in our July 15, 2020 synopsis and as discussed below under New Business item 3, and about which the HOA’s attorney completely agrees with us. Chuck, there is nothing to discuss with you. You are putting your fellow HOA members at financial risk, pure and simple. We said it multiple times before, and now, as shall be shown below, the HOA lawyer is saying the same thing.
It appears to this News Site that the only reason you want the corporate club is to consolidate power in yourself and a few others; you have already stated that you want to change the club’s corporate documents from a membership vote to a “Corporate Board” vote, thus disenfranchising the mere peons in the club who do not hold positions of power. Why?
Also, by clinging to the corporate entity, you are costing the corporate club members a small fortune in insurance premiums, state of Florida filing fees, potential legal fees when things turn sour, and they invariable do and will, and other costs which are completely and totally unnecessary. It is time for all members to jump ship or go down with it.
This is all about power and ego. Some of the other people who were close to the power base of this club when it was improperly run by the prior group of disgraced former “officers” are also upset because their egos took a hit, too. For example, Debbie Berenholtz no longer greets your Roving Reporter ever since disgraced former faux pickleball president Diane Green’s car was seen in her driveway one Friday night shortly after the mass resignation of that rogue group, where Diane was undoubtedly spewing to an all-too-willing ear additional character assassination of your Editor and Roving Reporter, because in Diane Green’s world, this is the fuel which drives her engine. This group reminds us of the 2004 movie, Mean Girls, which was partially based on Rosalind Wiseman’s 2002 non-fiction self-help book, Queen Bees and Wannabes, which describes female high school social cliques and the damaging effects they can have on girls. This behavior of this group is no different.
When the rogue group was running the club, Debbie Berenholtz was improperly “appointed” as “Membership” Committee Chairperson, a bogus position to be sure, but one which had a fancy title for which she had business cards made (with a spelling error thereon – doesn’t anybody proofread anymore?). She was thrilled about those business cards. Her enthusiasm was palpable.
Those cards were worthless. They still are. We understand that there was a “feel good” element to them, and Debbie’s enthusiasm was joyous in that moment. However, they are not worthless because of this News Site. They are worthless because they never had any proper and legal value to begin with. The HOA website still lists this position (and others) with a disclaimer by using the word “temporary” – including Elaine Cramer as “Entertainment” Committee Chairperson. The club’s page still calls the officers a “Board” which it most certainly is not, and even the neutral who monitored the recent special election, attorney Paul Friedlander, acknowledged in writing to the entire group that it was not, in fact, a board (email available upon request). Words matter.
Here is a screenshot of part of the club’s page on the official HOA website which improperly refers to a Board, which by definition is a governing group which the officers most certainly are not, and also lists the bogus committee chairs, none of whom were ever voted on by the membership.
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What is this nonsense? The members never voted for any of this. This is all puffery to make these individuals feel important. News flash: importance and self-worth come from within. Importance and self-worth don’t emanate from a business card or a title or false praise from perceived friends and acquaintances. You either like yourself or you don’t.
Espousing the preservation of the corporate club which does not serve its members or this community, which exposes the community to liability, and which only serves those who have a desperate need to control others, is selfish and arrogant and purely ego driven. The fact that we call it out makes these individuals very angry. Put the monkey on the back of whom it belongs, at the failed faux “leadership team” and those who anchored that team to its precarious tether to power, and those who still cling to its every-fraying liana - (any of various usually woody vines especially of tropical rain forests that root in the ground – Merriam-Webster). To be sure, this only leads to false and ignominious glory.]
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2. Joyce Winston: Why can’t we have a preliminary discussion of the incorporated clubs? Marion: We will. We will leave on the Agenda for today.
[Editor’s note: when the Agenda item was called, Marion specifically stated, “This is not a discussion; this is a statement.” Giving lip service to residents is never a good idea, but this Board president seems to do it with impunity.]
3. Phyllis Martin-Hirsch: I go to the pool every day; the system seems to be working fine.
Approval of Minutes: Linda: I make a motion to approve the August 5th Minutes. Second: Mark, Sue, Harvey. Marion: all in favor? Unanimous.
Treasurer’s Report: Richard Greene.
[Editor’s note: the report was emailed to all residents and is self-explanatory and will not be repeated herein. Richard simply went over the written report.]
Richard: Regarding the special assessment, we expect another $96,000 in August.
[Editor's note: Put another way, the Board of Directors is gleefully awaiting the additional assessment moneys from homeowners.]
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Richard: News & Views – since May, none of the advertisers have renewed their contracts. I have to speak to Elliot [Graff, News & Views]. We could lose about $3,000 in revenue. We don’t know what the printing costs will be with less advertisers, less events.
Eileen: A lot of work being done in the community because of the virus. Has anyone approached them? Who generally goes out for any kind of advertising? Marion: Elliot Graff, Les Bennis. Eileen: get creative. Homecare. Look for revenue in other places.
[Editor’s note: you mean like our News Site’s Marketplace categories?]
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Harvey: motion to accept…the treasurer’s report. Female: Second. Someone: unanimous. Marion: I’m not sure we have to approve.
Property Manager’s Report: Deborah Balka: Palm Beach Broward [landscaping company] – mow Thursday and Friday of this week, the 27-28…RCI is repairing the wall by the pool due to cracking today. The utility shed is being erected…match the roof tile…Proposed budget for 2021…welcome “Brad” as the new maintenance staff member, he started on Tuesday. He’s organizing tools and familiarizing himself with the community.
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Deborah: …light fixture hit by lightning, being replaced…ADT decals with the correct number, which is 800-878-7806.
[Editor’s note: Deborah spoke too fast even for this scribe.]
Old Business:
[0. What? No Sign-Up Genius on the Agenda again? We guess the third time’s not a charm.]
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1. Advanced Fire- Proposal for door release modules $4,320 +permit - Eileen Olitsky:
Eileen: We had Contractors Alarm – vendor – accepted a proposal to replace wiring for the fire doors at the front of the clubhouse and the fitness center. They never responded. So, we want to have Advanced Fire and Security – proposal for the same amount of work. When there’s a fire, the doors are supposed to open automatically. This one is a little more - $4,320. I make a proposal to pass this.
Marion: We didn’t have a fire. It was through testing that the doors didn’t…Mark: we just have to be up to code. Eileen: this $4,320 does not include permit fees. Deborah: required by the fire department. Richard: what triggers the door to open? Heat or pressing a button? Deborah: the heat will sensor the door to open; they have to unlock automatically. We have a permit for the windows. Sue: technically there was no second [of the motion]; should we be discussing? I’ll second. Marion: we didn’t have the motion. Eileen: I make the motion we accept. Marion: second? Everyone. Harvey: We never got the permit. The doors don’t physically open; they just unlock. Deborah: correct. Eileen: yes, they unlock; they don’t open automatically. Marion: all approving? Unanimous.
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2. Hotwire Contract Update-Marion Weil:
Marion: this is not a discussion. It’s just a statement. FYI [for your information], for transparency in the community, three board members met with Converge Services, Inc. and Hotwire executives. Reviewed the contracts, and specifically asked about the voice remotes. Will be provided for each box in the home. We do not have a definite date yet; we are continuing our talks.
[Editor’s note: It’s nice to see Marion is now interested in transparency in the community after all the secret and illegal board meetings she convened in the past.]
Sue: since I will not be in on the negotiation, in the contract, page 7 I believe, any technological improvements will be available within 12 months. It has been three years; I suggest we ask for a credit and any other technical improvement we are due; should be given and maybe prorated.
Eileen: Sue, I think their argument might be they provided us with Echoes. Sue: that may not necessarily be all that is available, and it clearly stipulates that in the contract. Harvey: we should have a yearly review of the technological advances. Marion: we can ask our community IT Committee [Information Technology] to do those reviews.
New Business:
1. YMCA Live Zoom Classes- Linda Arbeit:
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Linda: The YMCA is offering us 3-4 Zoom classes – 3 Forever Fit and one Zumba. It is live Zoom, not recorded. I make the move that we accept this proposal, and this will begin within the next week or two. Eileen: second. Time yet? Linda: it’s up to us, as soon as we get in with Ira Bell. Richard: they’ve given us a very, very, very favorable contract prior to the pandemic. Two and a half months they didn’t bill us for. We don’t know what the bill will be. I would like to get together with the Y and try to arrange a long-term contract with them while the fitness is still closed and one when the fitness center is open…
Mark: Zoom classes – no limit – could have a lot more participants. Linda: …I felt it was a very generous offer from the Y. It’s a fabulous facility. Less than 2 miles away from Cascade Lakes…very welcoming…I would suggest we put out a blast…only nine residents out of the entire community are using it… Richard: if the residents don’t want it, we can’t force them to do it…the Zoom classes, let’s just see how successful they are…trial and error…then can contract, instead of live classes, have Zoom classes…Harvey: how many participants in the Zoom class…whatever the Y pays for…
Marion: we’re still in Phase One. Harvey: you’re not going to be able to open the fitness center for a very long time. Marion: all in favor? Unanimous.
2. Entertainment Contracts- Eileen Olitsky:
Eileen: Entertainment contracts. Yesterday I met with Mark and Richard and we are now exploring Wood & Fire and Black Box for cancellation of the New Year’s Eve events. And Mark and Rich went to a Treasurer’s meeting last Saturday; many of the communities are cancelling New Year’s Eve and the series next year. We left a message with the talent agents and Sarge. Sarge was very agreeable. Once we get the cancellations, we’ll work with refunds. Motion to cancel New Year’s Eve this year and any social functions up through the end of the year. Second: Mark. [Harvey was seen raising his hand at the same time.] Mark: most of the other treasurers have the same agents. We have to get a verbal commitment and then work with EpiStar to get the refunds out. Probably September. Marion: all in favor of cancelling New Year’s Eve? Unanimous.
[Editor’s note: the motion included any social functions up through the end of the year; Marion’s calling of the vote left that part out. Query: is it in or out?]
3. Incorporated Club- Marion Weil:
[Editor’s note: Since the issues we raised and about which we rang the alarm bells are now before the Board, we can only conclude that someone’s been secretly reading our News Site.]
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[Editor’s further note: A couple of Board meetings ago (July 15, 2020) the Board mentioned and discussed (but never voted on) the concept of incorporated clubs being required to have and maintain insurance policies with the HOA named as a covered insured. Nothing was done as there was no vote requiring it. We called that out on this News Site in our synopsis and commentary of that date, the fact that that discussion sans any vote was a complete waste of time with no teeth in it.
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Now we have the matter of an incorporated club before the Board again. This time, again there was no vote, even after a clear written admonishment which came from the HOA lawyer, and from which Marion appeared to be reading. Why waste HOA funds on a lawyer (who by the way mirrored what we said in our July 15, 2020 synopsis and commentary, so apparently he’s reading it, too), if you’re not going to vote on the matter? You’re wasting his time, our time, HOA money paying for his advice, and ultimately accomplishing nothing. Board members: either vote and prove you’re not feckless, useless, and inept, or don’t bother putting it on the Agenda and wasting the community’s time and resources.]
Marion: [Editor’s note: Marion was definitely reading from something, because the verbiage employed sounded like a lawyer wrote it and a lot of it sounded awfully like what we wrote previously. Hopefully the Board negotiated a discount for his legal services since it appears that he essentially did a “copy and paste” of what we wrote].
Marion: This is not a discussion; this is a statement. There are two incorporated clubs: Pickleball Club and Computer and Technology Club. Having incorporated clubs is a problem for the Association. Using the name intimates that Cascade Lakes is responsible and creates liability. Incorporated clubs do not have insurance under the Associations’ umbrella policy. They have to have their own insurance with Cascade Lakes listed. Disclaimer must state that they are not linked to Cascade Lakes Residents Association on any article for News & Views, flyers, any brochures, flyers, posters, tickets, etc. Recommend: dissolve the corporations and reorganize as clubs so that residents can participate without any misgivings.
[Editor’s note: as discussed above, this accomplished absolutely nothing. The HOA is still exposed when a simple vote could have resolved the matter entirely. Order that no corporate clubs are allowed, period. They either disband, dissolve, and cease to function as a corporation, or they are prohibited from operating in the community. Clubs exist at the behest of the HOA Board, period.
So, now the lawyer is agreeing with this News Site 100%, and you’re only making a “statement?” How about actually voting to protect this community; this so-called “statement” is just useless talk.
Now back to Chuck Cramer, the newly installed President of the Pickleball Club. What exactly is he so nervous about? There are no benefits to the corporate entity and only downsides as we have laboriously pointed out. Again, the only basis for his recalcitrance, (his stubborn resistance to or defiance of authority or guidance) and that of the Vice-President, Alan Silver, who is also the President of the Computer Corporation interestingly enough, the only other club that is incorporated, is the retention of power which itself is driven by ego.
Pride commeth before the fall, gentleman. (This expression comes from The Book of Proverbs in the Bible. It is sometimes quoted as pride goeth before the fall. The original quote from the King James Bible is Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. -WritingExplained.org). It’s time to get your egos out of this, gentlepeople. If you are so power hungry, run for the actual Board.
We provided sample Rules & Regs from another community that has an extensive provision on clubs to the Rules & Regs Chairwoman, Joyce Winston, as a guide to what should be added to the HOA’s Rules & Regs concerning clubs. Joyce is a very smart, educated, and capable Chairperson, and she can make excellent recommendations based on the template we gave her, but ultimately it is the Board’s responsibility to protect this HOA and its members. The “statement” Marion read accomplished nothing and was, essentially, worthless. Put some teeth in it and vote or just tear it up.
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It is time for the HOA Board to outlaw corporate clubs for the financial good of the entire HOA membership. Either insulate this community from liability exposure or go home – oops, they’re already at home, well you know what we mean.]
4. Realtor Survey – Sue & Eileen:
Eileen: Last year we did a survey – and getting residents’ feedback…we decided to ask real estate agents…positive feedback and negative feedback from buyers…The positives: friends and family are here already, recommended, enjoy the geographical location – the beach, restaurants, shops, tennis and pickleball programs, social activities, good buy for the size of the home, two car garage, active, vibrant community, indoor/outdoor pool, clubhouse, fitness center (and Y), friendly community, good mix of age groups. Needs improvement:
Sue: We want to thank all the real estate agents and brokers; don’t ask me who said what; I promised I would not reveal and will not go back on my promise. Instead of negative, needs improvement: roads [see our dedicated page under HOA Issues entitled Road Resealing], mailboxes [see our dedicated page under HOA Issues entitled Mailboxes], better marketing, financials, roof repair is coming up – this is a major biggie…one to two mentioned no café, but sometimes people don’t tell them and then get a little annoyed. More aggressive and positive promotion of the community, and the 80/20 rule. According to…law, to maintain a 55 and older community, at least 80% of the homes have to have one resident living there who is 55 or over…nobody really cares what you do with the other 20%.
Some realtors felt, page 25-26 need to be changed in our documents – nobody under 55 except young people who lived with a resident who has died. We really need to align better our wants and our needs, while maintaining our fiduciary responsibility, which is maintaining the assets. Eileen: one of the other general opinions was that the community is appearing to be dated. [Both then started talking at the same time; ergo, neither was heard.] Marion: one at a time. Eileen: I want to thank Long-Term Planning, Facilities, and Landscaping, Budget, Engineering for giving their feedback to us.
Richard: the roof is very important. We’ve been repairing instead of replacing. Because we weren’t sure – when we do a refresh – there may be some structural changes. Sue: we did do that analysis. We need curb appeal. There wasn’t one realtor who didn’t say this. The roads, mailboxes, some beautification, some replacement of the original signage…have a game plan…we actually have one, it’s the Long-Range Planning process…one to five year plan…coordinate all items that require an expenditure of money and put them in a time frame…The other issues, you have to resolve any issues that are getting in the way…we know what needs to be done…informational reasons…what the committees are planning and we’ll have an overview of how we can improve and be financially responsible…Roads, including resealing…mailbox- there are many, many options – Mark mentions some and so did the brokers.
[Editor's note: If you really want to enhance the value of the community, here’s a novel idea: forget the uniform cookie-cutter style mailboxes. Unique mailboxes are the hallmark of more sophisticated communities and actually enhance the value of said communities. Since when are we striving to be the Levittown of Palm Beach County?
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(Levittown, NY, 1947)]
Individual, unique, creative mailboxes are in fact already allowed by our governing documents. Starting to see some of those would definitely increase the curb appeal and value of the community.]
Sue: …clubhouse – we can repair any roof unless there are going to be changes to the configuration, so the roof will have to be last but the roof has to be within a particular time frame, perhaps three to five year range…share with community, not only for transparency but for conformation…previous Boards have tasked the committees into looking into certain things and there’s not any congruency between what they planned and what the Board does or doesn’t decide. It is time to move on.
Eileen: With this plan, it’s not just a plan, we need expertise. Starting in year three have a plan in place by an expert, an architectural plan, and then a project coordinator. Include the roof. An independent architect comes in – this is what we have; what can we do with it?
[Editor’s note: upon information and belief, Eileen’s husband, Steve No-Hello Olitsky, is an architect; perhaps he can make non-binding suggestions.]
Marion: thank you both. In 2013 I introduced Long-Term planning; I was scoffed at.
[Editor’s note: We know exactly how that feels! Now you and your minions are doing it to us, so obviously you’ve learned nothing.]
Marion: Thank you for putting us into a framework…Eileen: thank you, Sue. [air kisses] Mark: you have to remember that the community more than likely will have to vote on this. It will have to be voted on. So, we have to present the most economical and crowd-pleasing presentation we can come up with. Sue: Mark, I agree. Some of the proposals- the idea of bundling, may be more palatable. We need some continuity between Boards…
Eileen: it would behoove us to have ad hoc committees – so if this Board is not the same Board, the ad hoc committee will continue [with successive Boards]. Mark: the roof is a constant problem. My opinion – it should not wait. Costs go up dramatically, insurance goes up dramatically. We should put it toward the beginning. The roof – one of our priorities. Eileen: Sue and I talked about that – refresh, repurpose rooms, take down walls internally, or things close to the property that can be added – that would be the only one that would require a roof plan - …can we go three years? …we don’t with mold, expenses…continue to observe and if we see that the roof is getting worse then we will have to put in plans sooner.
Second Residents’ Input Session:
1. Murray Gellen: it’s taken me almost an hour to get recognized. I have no blazing comments to make…[Editor could not understand the next sentence(s)]…I appreciate the opportunity of being recognized; I have nothing earth-shattering to say…I wish I had more of a handle on the communication…Once I learn how to handle these things, I think I will have more cogent thoughts to say.
[Editor’s note: Murray, on a personal note, we absolutely adore you.]
2. Barbara Gordon: I agree with Mark about the roof; it can’t be part of a three to five year plan. We’ve already had mold. You’re teetering on a disaster…repairing it is just putting money down the drain. It should be the number one priority.
3. Joyce Winston: I would appreciate when you do the Minutes, you would say the clubhouse roof. And Marion, I was in that room when you were the first person to talk to Long-Range Planning; now I’m on the committee and happy to help.
4. Barbara Bolotin: Nice job, guys.
5. Elliot Graff: Sue and Richard. Sue, thanks for interviewing the realtors. The 80/20 rule, page 25-26: covenants can be changed. We can change that. Why can’t you change that? Rich: News & Views – we are reducing the costs of printing because we eliminated one issue. And we gave every advertiser an extra issue next year. Jack Golden is also doing an excellent job in selling. I’ve already told Les [Bennis] to start calling for the money due us for the next issue. Sue: it’s not that you can’t do it; a change in the covenant would require a community vote. Mailboxes would require a change in the documents as well.
[Editor’s note: Excuse us, but the documents already allow for unique mailboxes and don’t require them to be uniform or white. See our dedicated Mailbox page under our HOA Issues page. The documents (page 1-18, Section O., Mailboxes, and Rules and Regulations, page 4-8, under B. General Rules, Number 8) refer to the ARB (Architectural Review Board) approving the box and the color; the word “uniform” does not appear anywhere in the document and the word “white” does not appear anywhere in the document either. Mailboxes specifically do not require a change in the documents for them to be unique and possessing a color or colors other than white; it’s already allowed in our present governing documents.]
Sue: There’s an expense in that. If there is more than one item that needs to go into a community vote, should bundle.
[Editor’s note: That’s not a good idea to mix and match issues aka bundle: if you bundle items you run the risk of greater failure because while residents may want one item but not the other, you are essentially forcing them to vote no on the bundle to prevent the implementation of the one they don’t want, so you lose the other one in that scenario.]
Sue: It does cost money to change it. We just finished changing it.
[Editor’s note: So what if you just finished changing it? That’s irrelevant to the matter at hand. If it’s necessary or in the best interests of the community, those ought to be the criteria, not whether or not you just finished changing it.]
Marion: 80/20 comes from the Fair Housing – unless we give up our 80/20.
[Editor’s note: Marion, you’re confused. No one is talking about giving up the 80/20. Pay attention. The 80 remains. What you do with the 20 percent is entirely up to the individual HOA.]
Elliot: you’re not allowing people to sell to people under 55. When I was on the Board, the attorney said, saving it for the heirs. Twenty percent is 120 homes. And at this point, the heirs are over 55 so there’s no problem.
Richard: Elliot, News & Views will be deferred revenue carried into the next year; an additional $2,000 into 2021. Hopefully we can get nine issues. Elliot: there will not be nine issues in 2021. Marion: Richard and Elliot, please take this off line and have a private conversation about it.
Eileen: 80/20, we have to have a maximum of 80 of over 55. [Editor’s note: no, we have to have a minimum of 80 percent over 55.] Eileen: We can add 10% under 55 and keep the rest for heirs. [Editor’s note: you can basically do whatever you want with the other 20%.]
Sue: not exactly. A minimum of 80% of the homes have to have one resident 55 or older. Our documents say no one under 55. Page 24-25. 55 or older. In order for this to change, no one really cares what you do with the other 20 percent, it’s stipulated in your documents. Other communities have lifted that so they could sell. Change on covenants costs money, as would mailboxes.
[Editor’s note: Nope. Mailboxes are for the homeowner and the Architectural Review Board to decide. Read our governing documents.]
Sue: Whatever a community puts in its documents, it’s page 24-25, I misspoke before, about age restrictions. It is doable but an expense…
6. Linda Bennis: Forever Fit Classes – 3 classes, I’m hoping a mass email will go out and the same teacher for Forever Fit for Zoom. Linda Arbeit: it is going to be the same teacher.
[Editor’s note: Rosalind Murray, the instructor, is truly a gem.]
Linda Bennis: the class has always been overfilled. Deborah: Rosalind will teach Forever Fit two classes on Monday and one on Friday. Kelly will do Zumba on Thursday.
Sue: Many times, the Board is accused of not listening to residents. We are listening. We are asked for information we can’t give because of legal considerations…we are really here for you…reach out to us at any time; we serve you. There are seven of us – we have many different opinions.
[Editor’s note: yes and no. The feedback is sometimes minimal at best. For example, whenever we write to the Board, we get a generic “This will acknowledge your email to the Board of Directors” from Marion Weil. And then it ends up in a black hole somewhere and we are never contacted again. This is consistently our experience.
So not all Board members are as responsive as you are, Sue. In fact, the Board never follows up, asks questions, seeks clarification, or anything from us, and as you know, we have sent numerous emails to the Board on numerous topics which we have reported on to the community at large on this News Site. We have two Board members who have demanded removal from our email database.]
Eileen: I’d like to thank all the volunteers behind the scenes helping us to work on plans, and to the residents who have been very patient.
Round Table Discussion:
Marion: I will call you in the order that I see you.
Eileen: I’m good.
[Editor’s note: And we agree again; yes, you are good, just like last time. Keep this up, Eileen, and you just might get this News Site’s endorsement come election time.]
Linda: [regarding monitoring entry to the pool] I need one more volunteer to navigate 9:45 to 10:15 Saturday. No one. I spoke to Sidney and Cicily, after the 10:15 session, they really don’t need any of us. It’s just Saturday. I’m doing 8:15 to 8:45 Saturday morning, 8:15 to 8:45 Sunday morning, and 9:45 to 10:15 Sunday morning. We need a volunteer.
[Editor’s note: It is indeed very nice for Linda and whomever else to volunteer to take these shifts so that those who wish to use the pool can do so in an orderly and fair fashion.]
Harvey: It’s going to be a very long time before the clubhouse will be reopened. We have a lot of arts and crafts projects left, artwork hanging. Arrange a time for people to pick up their artwork…Deborah: it’s already being done; they’re contacting me, Nina, Leon about the artwork. Arts and crafts, I don’t know. I could get in touch with Penny. Mark: what about the kiln? Linda Bennis: people have been asking about getting their clay so they can work at home. Barbara Gordon: there definitely are pieces; I have some there.
[Editor’s note: are some residents’ microphones unmuted so that they can chime in at will? Your Editor’s microphone is muted by the Zoom host, and most others appear that way, too. So how is it that non-Board members are participating at will during the Board of Directors’ Round Table discussion?]
Deborah: I will unlock the rear door and we can arrange… Harvey: on your weekly next email blast…Deborah: I will work with Barbara and Linda.
Sue: I’m done.
Richard: I pass.
Mark: phonebook – are we gonna entertain? Deborah: normally every two years, it was done in 2019, gave out at the end. I’m waiting for direction from the Board.
Marion: I don’t have anything. Thank you to Mike and Arnie…Deborah, I’ll be over to sign things this afternoon. Bye.
[Editor’s note: this time Marion correctly passed over Deborah, who is not a Board member and should not be participating in Round Table discussions. We called this out in our last synopsis. It appears we have a secret reader…
Editor’s concluding comments: No one adjourned the meeting; it just disappeared at 10:48am.]
[After the meeting, with the Zoom still live, the following exchange took place:]
Deborah: I have a question for the Board.
Eileen: Can we do this? We have a quorum.
[Editor’s note: thank you, Eileen. No, you cannot, and your Editor typed a message to “Everyone” who was still in the Zoom meeting: “no. NOT ALLOWED” but Eileen had already caught the issue as your Editor was typing and hitting send, so kudos to Eileen once again.]
Marion: is it a legal question? Deborah: No. Someone, possibly Marion: ok, we’ll do it by email.
[Editor's note: Once again, a big shout-out to Zoom operator Mike Blackman and his faithful assistant, Arnie Green. These gentlemen do a stupendous job in handling the technology to make these Zoom meetings possible and we thank them for their service and volunteerism.
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And so concludes the board meeting of August 19, 2020; next Board meeting: September 2, 2020 at 9:30am. Cheerio until next time.]
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