September 23, 2015 – Meeting Minutes
SUNSET COVE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
c/o Blue Crest Management
4756-58 W. Commercial Blvd., Tamarac, FL, 33319
September 23, 2015 RE: Community Update
Dear Sunset Cove Homeowner:
We hope that you have seen the improvements that have taken place since our last update letter. The Board of Directors has been working diligently to continue to improve our community and serve the needs of our homeowners. Please review the items below which addresses the many projects we have worked on this year, and the associated costs. A reminder about our monthly meetings, every third Tuesday at Central Park Community Center, or the Pool (postings are out 48 hours in advance for locations)
Note – next month’s meeting will be held at the Pool at 6:30pm on Tuesday October 20th – weather permitting.
Guardhouse Renovation
- This permit has been applied for and with the City’s approval of the final plans, we should commence this work in the next few weeks. It has been long overdue and the renovation will include the following: impact glass windows and doors, new tile flooring, complete bathroom overhaul with new toilet, sink, granite countertops and fresh paint, the main area will have new granite counters and cabinets, fresh paint, rewiring for current electrical needs, and a new computer and software system to operate the entrance gate process more effectively. A dual unit for A/C and heating will be installed as well. With fresh paint and new furnishings, it will be a brand new home for our security team. This project will cost approximately $40,000.
- After the completion of the Guardhouse renovation we will replace the pavers with something very similar to across the street at Plantation Palms. A renewed 10 year agreement with Comcast has provided for a $21,900 improvement contribution to cover the pavers. Landscaping adjustments will then follow and we will use the existing plants around the community. Please note that there may be slight security service interruptions, so please be patient with our team as they do their best during this process.
Community Pool
- The pool has turned out to be a lovely asset to the community and we have seen many families enjoying it over these summer months. This was a much needed $40,000 overhaul providing for a new pump system, new electrical to lighting, a resurfacing of diamond brite and tile in the pool, a new shower, and new pavers on the exterior deck. Most recently, (and as soon as we could be assured consistent watering) the landscaping was finally completed with a three tiered hedge which will form a beautiful privacy wall around the perimeter.
- It is likely that 2016 will provide for a new fence (replacing the existing damaged white fence) on the 101st street side along with a new gate and FOB access method to replace keys. You will be kept posted as this progresses. The approximate cost will be $15,000.
SUNSET COVE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
Community Update –Page 2
Poolhouse Bathrooms
- In conjunction with the guardhouse renovation, the pool bathrooms will also be renovated starting in the next few weeks. (We aim to keep the pool operational for most days, but may have to close it at certain times as the work is being completed – signs will be posted). This will include new tile flooring, new granite countertops and sinks, new toilets/urinal, new doors, and new stalls. The cost for this project will be approximately $35,000.
Sod/Tree Root Pruning/Sidewalk Grinding
- All original phases of this project were completed that involved community association sidewalk or road repairs with the exception of replacing sod in some areas. The sod replacement was to have started last week Thursday but due to rain, has been delayed. We will have 18 pallets and then another 18 pallets the week after once the project starts. This will only cover 2nd St, 101st, 100th and a part of 3rd The remainder will follow soon after. Please note that if sod will not grow in some areas due to oak trees, too much shade, or excessive roots, sod will not be laid. We encourage home owners that have these spaces to landscape with alternative items (a very good example is the 3rd house on the right on NW 3rd court west of 101 –looks lovely and no longer a “grass won’t grow issue”).
- We still have some homeowners that have not paid their invoices for the driveway repairs from the earlier Phases. This is very disappointing. If not paid by October 15th, we will have to take further action to collect these funds, and fines will be imposed. Please send payments in to All County as soon as possible.
- Roots will be pruned where needed as new sod is laid. Soil will also be treated for cinch bugs and other issues where needed.
- With the water issues (or lack thereof) we have incurred substantially higher expenses this year (over budget by $15,000) and will need to recover these funds.
Irrigation
- We are pleased to report that our new pump system is working wonderfully ($40,000) and we are at about 98% of irrigation to all areas. There are still a few outstanding work orders which Blue Crest has, and Grounds Group will be completing. If for some reason you have a broken head or irrigation issue, please contact Blue Crest to have it reported and worked on as soon as possible.
Landscaping
- We think it is important to remind everyone what the community association is responsible for and what the homeowners are responsible for regarding lawns/trees/hedges/plants etc:
- Trees are owned by residents but trimmed (hardwoods 1/yr and palms 2/yr) and pruned by Assoc. If a resident wants a tree removed, they must seek permission from the City of Plantation. Dead trees are removed by the Association.
- Grass – Association cuts every 7 – 10 days in summer and every 10 – 14 days in winter – a schedule will be posted at the beginning of each month on the new website at sunsetcovefl.com but note that weather may alter these dates slightly.
SUNSET COVE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
Community Update –Page 3
- Hedges and low palms are trimmed by the Association and it is a separate crew, so not always done on cutting days.
- If you do not want something done on your property, please advise Blue Crest and a white dot will be placed at the bottom of your driveway which means no landscaping except grass cutting.
- Flowering Plants (i.e. bougainvillea) are the responsibility of the homeowner and will not be trimmed by the Association. Excessive growth of plants through Arbors, or fences will be noted by Blue Crest and letters will be sent out to homeowners requesting that they perform the required landscape maintenance. You can ask for a quote on this work from Groundsgroup, but you will be billed separately.
- Weeding is the responsibility of the homeowner
- Lawn weeds are treated by Groundsgroup as well as lawn fertilization
Other Items
- We continue to tackle foreclosure situations, illegal tenancy, and delinquent monthly dues payments with the assistance of our attorney where required.
- We have replace several association/homeowner shared fencing and will continue to do so throughout the community. Please note that fences are homeowners responsibility and you will receive a letter if your fence needs to be replaced, repaired, painted etc. There are guidelines regarding fencing and ARB approval is required, just as it is for any outer construction work, house color painting and driveway repairs. Driveway letters will also be sent out if yours is in disrepair.
- Nancy Becton has joined the board taking the vacancy of Debbie Adams who left our community in June. We thank her for volunteering to assist.
- A reserve study was completed this year giving us the useful life of our existing facilities and guiding us accordingly with regards to what maintenance we will have to do in order to keep our community looking it’s best.
- Examples of these items include re-doing the striping and reflector lights on our roadways, eventual roadway replacement (yes, we are a private community and own our own roads), roof replacement on the guardhouse and pool house, resurfacing of parking lot. Over the next 5 years we are looking at over $100,000 in reserve spending against these items.
New Admin Fees
- A new by-law for the community has been implemented regarding late payments. If you go beyond 30 days past due, an administrative fee of $50.00 will be charged in addition to the late fees you incur each month you are late. Also, if you are beyond 30 days past due in monthly dues, you will be denied automatic access to the community and will have to stop at the guardhouse to show ID as your gate access sticker will be turned off until you are paid in full. Once the pool gate changes to an FOB access entry, this will also be turned off until you are current. It is not fair for the homeowners who are current to carry the expenses of those who do not pay their dues in a timely fashion (some are over 2 years overdue and costing us several thousand dollars in legal fees to try to collect). Letters go out this week and if you are not current in 30 days, all automatic entry access will be turned off immediately.
SUNSET COVE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
Community Update –Page 4
2016 Budget Proposed
In the following pages you will see a proposed budget for 2016. It includes a raise in our monthly dues of $50/month/household. We have worked diligently to manage our budgets accordingly, and dues have not increased enough, or with the rate of inflation, over the years (they went down $5.00 in fact a few years back). With rising maintenance costs and the aging process of our infrastructure, we are mindful of maintaining healthy reserves and planning for upcoming projects as described above in this letter. The board voted unanimously on this increase as we support the efforts to enhance the community, and we do not want the lack of funds to be holding us back from maintaining the premier status we have as one of Plantation’s more desired developments in which to reside.
In our last letter we requested updated resident forms of which we only received one third. It is attached again and needs to be submitted to Blue Crest or the guardhouse staff no later than October 15th. Effective October 19th, anyone on your previous access list, that is not on the updated list, will not be able to get into the community without a phone call to the resident. In order to maintain the security of Sunset Cove, this data needs to be updated regularly. If you already submitted the form in June, no action is required. Resident gate stickers will also be turned off if we do not receive this updated form with vehicle info.
This form also requests your email information. If it is provided, you will start to receive more community info via email. A mailing costs Sunset Cove over $600 each time, and we would like to be more efficient about keeping residents informed. If you do not have an email address, we will still mail you the quarterly updates. If you did not put your email address on the resident update form and you wish to receive further updates and other info via email….PLEASE EMAIL Mara Carter at [email protected] with your Name, Address and Email info.
VERY IMPORTANT – OUR WEBSITE AND BOARD EMAIL HAS CHANGED
NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
NEW WEBSITE: www.sunsetcovefl.com
TWO ADDITIONAL RESIDENT CONCERNS
- Speeding – the posted speed limit in Sunset Cove is 15 mph. There are many residents and guests that are not heeding this limit. We have already had someone’s pet run over by a speeding car. We do not want the next incident to involve a child…Please keep in mind that we do not have sidewalks everywhere in the community and residents are forced to be on the roads – sometimes at night when visibility is less. PLEASE SLOW DOWN, ASK YOUR GUESTS TO DO SO, AND YOUR CHILDREN TO DO SO AS WELL.
Reminder – there is no overnight parking on the streets in Sunset Cove…cars will be tagged if found on the streets.
Reminder – there are no commercial vehicles allowed to be parked in the parking lot or on driveways and these will also be tagged.
SUNSET COVE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
Community Update –Page 5
- Picking up after your pets – residents and guests are complaining about the excessive amounts of pet waste that are now commonplace on our boulevards and sidewalks. IT IS A CITY OF PLANTATION Ordinance violation to not clean up after your pet. We, as a community are not going to tolerate this repeated activity by several residents and are starting to fine those found responsible for not managing their pet waste appropriately. Please think of your neighbors and the children in the community, not to mention the hygiene of pet waste everywhere…this has got to stop and we will be monitoring this closely, and with cameras where needed. The walk along the pool is a common area and we will be monitoring this and fining offenders.
Next month you will be receiving the annual notice of our budget meeting and annual meeting in which we elect approve the proposed budget and elect new board members. We are encouraging you to come out, complete proxies if you can not attend, and also think about making your contribution to Sunset Cove by running for the board as well. If this is something that you are considering, and have any questions, please do not hesitate to talk to current board members, or contact Blue Crest.
The best way to communicate is to email us at [email protected] or attend a monthly meeting, the third Tuesday of every month, at the Central Park Recreation Center. You may also call Blue Crest Management at (954) 745-0899. Our property Manager is Mara Carter and her email is [email protected]
We strive to do the best we can at all times, and your understanding and support is appreciated.
Respectfully,
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SUNSET COVE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.