2008 NEWSLETTERS

 

Porch Project

 

To date, the cost of completing the porch renovations is as follows:

3/12 unit buildings:

7330 ($23,671.00)

7310 ($18,921.00)

7410 ($18,835.00)

Total of (3)12 unit buildings - $61,427.00

 

and the last three 8 unit buildings,

7360 ($15,887)

7320 ($16,192.00)

7220 ($13,590.00)

Total of (3) 8 unit buildings -  $45,669.00

 

The estimated “worse case” total needed to finish the project - $107,096. These figures also include screen replacement on every porch and balcony. No money has been taken from reserves; the special assessment and surplus funds from the current budget are being used to cover the entire project.

 

In order to complete the screen installation, it is important that we have a local contact with a key to your unit, especially any second floor unit. If you are not a year-round resident, please ensure that Sunrise Landing office, a trusted neighbor or friend has a key so we can get that door opened with 24 hours to replace the screens and allow the installer to exit your unit. Please let us know who to contact! E-mail any updates to RecDif@earthlink.net  Upstairs residents - the wood on your back porches will need to be treated with a water resistant application to avoid future wood rotting, etc.

 

Insurance Information:

The association flood insurance policy this year was based upon an appraised value of $19,985,600 (option 1) while our current property insurance policy was based upon an appraised value of $16,139,048 (The previous inflated appraised value of $22,006,600 dropped with the leveling of property values).

 

The property insurance policy does not cover any damage to the inside of a unit, (i.e. cabinets, floor coverings, interior walls, etc.) while Federal policy currently mandates that these items be included in any written flood policy.  Therefore, the increased appraised value is due to the fact that the flood insurance policy does cover the individual unit’s interior walls, cabinets, flooring, etc. 

 

The flood policy does not cover your personal items (clothes, TVs, furniture, etc.). You should have your own insurance policy for your personal property.  

 

SLA will also receive a 12 % rebate on the premium (around $4000), which will reduce the flood insurance renewal cost of $47,652.00 to approx. $43,652.00, well below the budgeted amount of $45,000.00. With rising insurance costs, this is good news.

 

Florida Statute has changed and REQUIRES all unit owners to procure insurance on their unit, an H06 policy. The statutes also changed to require all insurance companies to insure you for up to $2,000 in payment towards any Special Assessment that may be required due to catastrophic property damage beginning 1/1/09.

 

Make sure to update your policy with this coverage and make sure the agent sends a “Certificate of Insurance” to the Association, in care of RDI. Florida Statute allows the Association to obtain a policy for you if you do not have one, and bill you for it if we do not receive proof of your coverage.

 

 

Budgeting Process and How You can Help

The word budget comes from the French word bougette meaning purse. A budget is a financial tool used to forecast the expenses for the coming year. The expenses and income can then be measured against the new budget to help assure balanced spending throughout the year.

 

Some have the idea that a budget is a pot of money to be spent. It is merely a forecasting tool. The budget does not even control spending. In the case of Sunrise Landings, prior year’s spending was considerably less than what was budgeted, creating a surplus of funds. These excess funds are being used now to complete the porch renovations. As you know the cost of that project has surpassed the initial forecast, as additional damage exists over what was initially assumed. 

 

Although much has been done in the last few years, much will always continue to be required because of the age of the buildings and the large property area that encompasses Sunrise Landings. It is obvious that our buildings, now between 23 to 27 years old, need continuous repairs/ replacement to keep them and the grounds in a livable and pleasant looking condition. Preventative maintenance plays a substantial role in keeping the cost of maintenance down.

 

When necessary maintenance and repairs are being performed, cooperation by owners is helpful to keep costs down. Additionally, owners can lower  Association and individual owner repair costs down by turning off the water when no one is residing in the unit, replacing /repairing items in the unit that can cause water damage to other units like dish washers, washing machines, water heaters, air conditioners, garbage disposals, etc.

 

It is impossible for the President to perform the duties required to run the Association in a successful manner without the support and cooperation of Unit Owners. Please support the Board and President and do not burden them with your personal preferences even if you don’t agree with everything they do. Try to remember that the Board’s responsibility is to maintain the Association property, not to please individual owners.

 

It may be worthwhile to explain the 2 types of condo meetings:

(1)The Members’ Meeting is held once a year, to elect Board Members, provide information to owners and receive owner input.

 

(2) Board of Directors Meetings are held periodically during the year for the Board to make decisions in regard to maintaining the Association property; that is, to do the business required to run the Association.

 

The purpose of these meetings is not to be a complaint session for owners. However, Sunrise Landings has in the past supplied a vehicle for owner input, with discussion, by allowing owners to put items on the agenda if they request to do so in writing and if they come to the meeting to discuss the item. In addition, any item can be brought up under “New Business” during the meeting but no decision can be made by the Board, at that meeting, because the item was not on the agenda. Perhaps this clarification will help guide the Board and owner involvement in the meetings planned for 2009.

 

Note: If you would like to serve on the Budget Committee, please contact Gerri through RDI at RecDif@earthlink.net.

 

Landscape Tips

The pest control company did an insect inspection recently and found some chinch bug in the turf and mealy bug on the hibiscus. These are being treated, but they are warning us that when trimming, chances are that you could be spreading the bugs even more. If you do trim, please put the piles on a sidewalk or other hard surface, not the turf or in the beds, as this also can spread bugs.

 

FYI:

We frequently post notices in the hallways.  These notices are for your information and relate to issues that are currently being attended to, Sometimes they are to advise of hazards that exist.

 

Large trash items require a phone call to RDI so they can arrange pick up by Waste Management.  Do not lean any items against the dumpsters as the trash people will not pick up that trash.  Thank you!

 

Community Projects

The north pool resurfacing expense was greatly reduced by handyman, Rick, completing some of the work. Rick has also painted stairways and some of the entrances to the buildings, replaced shrubs and installed grass in bare areas. He keeps sprinklers running and has painted all the stairways, installed a new office sign, and shored up the retention wall that was leaning into the parking lot. He will also be filling in the wash out holes from Tropical Storm Fay. The guy’s worth his weight in gold.

 

The tree trimming project is nearly completed. There are still some palms along US 1 and around the pool areas. Brown’s Tree Trimming will also be cleaning out the gutters on all the buildings in the next few weeks.

 

Towing Vehicles

Vehicles need to be in good operating condition (no leaking fluids, etc.), properly tagged and have either Sunrise Landing decals or guest parking tags to be parked in the community, or they will be towed.  As a courtesy, we are putting a notice on the windshield of the culprit vehicle to inform the vehicle owner that the car will be towed in five days if not remedied. Once your car is towed, it will cost $150 for you to retrieve it.  Covering a car with no/expired tags is not considered a remedy. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

 

Pet Walking

Unfortunately this is always an issue. Designated walk areas are clearly marked, and the owners must always promptly pick up after their pets. This is not only a rule of the community but also of the county and state. Please think of your neighbors who might step in your pet’s excrement when it is not picked up. This is unsanitary and unfair to those who are diligent in taking care of their animals and non-pet owners!

 

 Grilling Reminder

Please remember that there is NO grilling allowed on balconies, porches, or in the parking area. No exceptions. You may grill anywhere from 10 feet or more BEHIND the building. We ask that you bring in your grill as soon as it cools down, and clean up your debris and grease as soon as possible after grilling. There are no grills at the pool areas.

 

A/C Unit Maintenance

Problems with A/C lines getting clogged continue. Pouring bleach in the lines periodically eliminates that problem. Also, remember to set the temperature to 78-80 degrees to avoid mold problems.  Do you have a local contact who can periodically check on your unit when you will be away for more than a couple of days? This could save a lot of unnecessary expense for you, if a leak could be detected early.

 

If you replace your lines, make sure that you use a wide enough hose. Mold can collect in lines that are too narrow, clog and cause leaks.

 

Updated Rules and Regulations

At a special meeting on August 9, 2008, the board drafted new rules and regulations for the community, designed to clarify items that may have seemed vague in the past. A remedy for those violations that are not corrected is to seek arbitration and the rules need to be clear to proceed to that point. The attorney has approved those changes for mailing to owners. These are included in this mailing. The Board will formally approve them at the October 7^th meeting. We welcome your input in writing. Any valid suggestions will be discussed before the Board approves these for future use. 

 

Obtain the Best Renters!

You all have a financial interest in Sunrise Landings. Please try to obtain the very best renters that you can for not only the association but also for your own personal investment! We make sure that the renter knows and will abide by all of our rules when they come in for the interview, which should occur BEFORE they move in! All the forms you need can be found on the RDI website.

 

If you have a realtor handling your unit rental, make sure he/she gets the renter profiles to RDI at least 5 days BEFORE move-in, and allow enough time for an interview! The office is only open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10 to 1.

 

Following the rental procedure will help us help the association, you and your renter with a much easier transition. Many people do not know the parking procedure and that has caused a lot of problems. We are happy to help you if we know about your new tenants!

 

The SL office keeps a list of all units that are either for sale or for rent as a help to our owners. Let us know your plans so that we can help you! We appreciate our owners who follow the required rules for renting or selling. Please Remember: If you are selling your Condo, please get an “Intent to Sell” form from the office or on the RDI website. There is also a form and procedure for renting. That form is also available on line or in the office. 

 

Planned Community Events

 

Please contact the office if you would like to have your planned community event posted in the next newsletter.