Board of Directors Meeting

These minutes are unofficial until approved by the board at the next meeting.

The meeting was called to order at 10:07 a.m. on July 24, 2010

Board Members in Attendance:

• Gigi Aldemir
• Jonathan Glassman
• Michael Palmer
• Dennis DeDomenico

New Business

Board to Appoint a Fifth Member:
Andrew (unit 2) sold his condo and had to resign from the board. Per condo docs, the replacement is to be appointed for the remainder of this term. Two owners voiced interest in the position, Alida Sims and Linda Walton. The board voted 3-1 to appoint Linda Walton for the position.

Discussion of New Condo Laws:
Linda showed the board a guide to the new condo laws from Florida Senate Bill 1196. There was some discussion of what this means to us.

Linda had to leave the meeting early.

Old Business

Passed: Motion to Waive$15 Late Fee to Bryan Mitchel from Pool Project Assessment:
Though Bryan made his first payment late, he paid the entire assessment three months early. The board voted to waive the late fee from the initial amount due (Passed: 4-0).

Passed: Motion to Waive GiGi Aldemir's $25 Fine for Dog At Pool:
This fine was charged last year before the creation of a fining committee. The board voted to waive this fee. GiGi did not vote. (Passed: 3-0).

New Business (resumed)

Rules Document on Cobble East Web Site:
According to the Cobble East By-Laws, owners may not display any signs in their windows. This does not agree with the Rules that we have been having all buyers/renters sign for the last 10 years. The By-Laws are correct and the on-line rules document is to be corrected to reflect them.

Painting Project:
Cobble East is to be painted every seven years as a part of regular, on-going maintenance. We have been collecting reserves for the painting fund and are due to begin this project shortly. Before the new paint is applied, it will be necessary to replace/repair decorative wood trim on many of the units. In some cased this repair will require the removal of hurricane shutters. According to our attorney, the costs to remove and reinstall the hurricane shutters (when necessary) are the responsibility of the individual unit owners, not the association. It was suggested that we wait to begin the project until after hurricane season as many units will have their shutters temporarily removed. The board discussed this project in depth and voted an a collection of related topics:

• Passed: Motion to proceed with the painting project:
  The board to proceed with the painting project, to paint the exterior of all units of Cobble East (Passed: 4-0).
• Passed: Motion to replace bottom section of decorative wood on all units:
  The bottom section of decorative wood on the facade of approximately half the units is rotted and will need to be replaced. The board discussed this repair and voted in favor or replacing this section of wood on all units, not just those with serious rot problems. This is in the interest of maintaining a consistent appearance from one building to the next. (Passed: 4-0).
• Passed: Motion to replace top section of decorative wood on the side of all buildings:
  Very similar to the situation noted above, on many units it is necessary to remove rotted wood and replace it with horizonatl wood along the top of the decorative wood. The board voted to replace this section of wood on all the buildings as an order of preventive maintenance and to maintain a uniform appearance. (Passed: 4-0).
• Passed: Motion to paint lamp posts the same color as the building trim:
  Currently, the lamp posts in Cobble East are painted black. The board voted to change the color of the lamp posts to be the same color as the building trim. (Passed: 4-0).
• Passed: Motion to include power-wash and wood stain of gazebo ceiling as part of painting project:
  The board voted to include power-washing and staining of the wood ceiling of the gazebo as part of the Painting project. (Passed: 4-0).
• Passed: Motion to seek estimates to remove fence columns on the East side of Cobble East:
  When the fence was put up between Cobble East and LA Fitness Center, the supporting columns from the old fence were left up in the yards of most units on the east side. These columns occupy space inside of the new fence but do not actually serve any functional or decorative purpose. The board discussed whether these fence columns should be painted along with the building or whether they should be removed. The board voted to seek estimates on the cost to remove these support columns. Based on those estimates, the board may later vote to remove the columns or may vote to allow owners to remove them at their expense. (Passed: 4-0).
• Passed: Motion to send a letter to home owners who's hurricane shutters will need to be removed and reinstalled to facilitate replacement of rotten wood prior to painting Cobble East:
  Prior to this meeting we confirmed our attorney's opinion that the cost to remove and re-install hurricane shutters is the responsibility of individual unit owners and not the association. Several units that have been identified that have rotten wood that will need to be replaced before they can be painted. The board discussed this issue and voted that these unit owners should receive a letter providing them sufficient time to hire their own contractors to remove the shutters if that is their choice. The association will get estimates for removal and reinstallation of the hurricane shutters and the owners may optionally choose to use the company that the association selects. The costs for this will be paid by the owners that are impacted by it, and not by the association. (Passed: 4-0).
• Passed: Motion to hire an inspector to determine where wood rot repairs will necessitate the removal of hurricane shutters:
  The board members are not experts at determining when wood is and is not rotted. The board voted to have an inspector determine what is and is not rotted with regard to wood where hurricane shutters are attached. (Passed: 4-0).
• Passed: Motion to begin painting project after hurricane season:
  The board voted to have the actual project begin the first week of January, after the hurricane and holiday seasons. (Passed: 4-0).

Passed: Motion to Include Flat Roof Repairs and Maintenance as budget lines in next year's budget:
The board discussed flat roof maintenance. Each year, we spend several thousand dollars repairing the flat roofs on a case-by-case basis. The board voted to include this as a line-item in the next budget, rather than drawing from general funds each time this is needed. We will continue to handle these situations on a case-by-case basis if necessary this year. (Passed: 4-0).

Passed: Motion to Approve Bulldog's Proposal for Tree Trimming:
The board discussed price quotes from several companies and voted to approve the proposal by Bulldog for tree trimming and removals. The board wishes to include one additional dead palm tree and also a sea-grape that is growing at unit 42. (Passed: 4-0).

Passed: Motion to send letter to units with unapproved residents that said residents must apply for residency:
Several units were identified that have unapproved residents. The board voted that each unit be sent notification that these occupants must apply and interview with the board. (Passed: 4-0).

Passed: Motion to send letter to all units regarding the proper disposal of trash:
A few units have lately been guilty of leaving trash bags or other garbage on their front steps for several days or more. The board voted to send a letter to all unit owners/residents reminding them that garbage is to be disposed of immediately in the dumpster. It may not be left on the sidewalk or steps for any amount of time. (Passed: 4-0).

Passed: Motion to put forth a community vote to amend the Cobble East By-Laws to remove the weight limit for pets:
The Cobble East By-Laws limit the size of pets allowed at Cobble East to 30 pounds each. There are a number of violation to this rule. The board voted to let the community decide if they desire to keep this limitation by having a vote to amend the by-laws to remove the weight limits on pets. If the amendment fails, the board will uniformly enforce the weight limit. (Passed: 4-0).

Passed: Motion to Create a Compliance Committee:
The board voted to create a Compliance Committee consisting of non-board members. The purpose of this committee will be to insure that any board approved fines are fair and that they are administered correctly. (Passed: 4-0).

Passed: Motion to verify owner on record for units 1 and 5 and turn them over to the attorney for collection:
Units 1 and 5 have not yet paid the pool assessment in full. The unit owners have received late notices have still failed to make their accounts current. The board voted to turn these over to to the attorney for collection for amounts due plus late fees at the owner's expenses. (Passed: 4-0).

Passed: Motion to include reminder about parking front-forward with letter reminding them of proper trash disposal:
According to the Cobble East by-laws, cars are to be parked font-forward. The board voted to include a reminder of this rule along with the letter passed above regarding proper disposal or trash. (Passed: 4-0).

Passed: Motion to Adjourn:
The board voted to adjourn at 1:17 p.m. (Passed: 4-0).

NEXT BOARD MEETING TBD