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February, 2010
NEWSLETTER OF THE LAKE EMERALD OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Treasurer’s Report
Collections Our efforts on collections are continuing and it appears we are having some positive results, however we have a long way to go. We are working on developing a report which will document the results which can be shared with the community.
We still have a need to find sources which will increase income and have asked Management to look for ways to reduce expenses. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Laundry change out will take us from a $40,000 deficit to an income of potentially $20,000, which represents a net positive status of $60,000 per year.
Water A serious problem has come to light with our current water and sewer bill. Board member Michelle Gordon has spent the last year working on raising community awareness of the importance of water consumption and costs. Michelle has visited and revisited many units to determine and fix leaks. Some owners refused to allow us entry to their units which might be necessary in light of the following information:
Our current water bill was $42,494.14. (The first month of the new budget period: 12/16/09 – 01/15/10).
The monthly budgeted amount: $32,736.75
Amount over budget: $9,757.39.
The amounts to an increase of 29%. Forecasting annually, if conditions remain the same, we will be spending $117,088.68 more for water and sewer then anticipated.
Total Water Consumption: 1 month: 2,674,000 gallons Avg. Gallons / Day: 89,133 Avg. Gallons / Day / Unit: 166
166 gallons of water consumption per unit per day is an abnormally high figure which must be studied. Our average cost per 1,000 of water is $15.80 – this is also a figure which must be evaluated.
Between the efforts of Michelle Gordon, a commitment from Lake Emerald Management to work with Unit Owners on leaks and to have our water usage evaluated and the cooperation of Unit Owners, we must find a way to reduce consumption or be faced with a substantial (29%) budget overrun.
We have requested reports from the City which will enable us to determine that we are not being unfairly billed and a report on our findings will be forthcoming. The Director of Utility Billing for the City has acknowledged to us that for the last two months they have been billing Condos And Multi Unit Buildings incorrectly and they would be issuing us Credits during the month of February..
We still have serious water problems that need further action. In the meantime… think Water and think Savings.
Bob Young Treasurer
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Secretary’s Report
Commercial Laundries has completed the delivery of our new clothes washers and dryers. Thank you for your cooperation during this process.
Please follow these simple instructions to avoid any problems with their use:
If at all possible use only “he” (high efficiency) LIQUID laundry detergent. This detergent is readily available in grocery stores and there are pictures “he” labeled brands posted on your bulletin boards. Please follow the label directions as to the amount to use.
If you are using conventional detergents, please observe the advisory label on the front of the washers which recommends using only ONE HALF of the usual amount of these detergents.
When using the washers: First OPEN THE DOOR, insert your value card after you open the washer door and the display will show your current balance. Please LEAVE THE VALUE CARD INSERTED IN THE SLOT until you close the door and hit the START button on the control panel below the display. The display will then tell you what your remaining balance is on the card and then prompt you to remove the card at that time. The wash cycle will then promptly begin.
If we follow these simple steps there should be no trouble operating the new machines. Please report any problems to the office so we can call in a service order and maintenance can track the resolution of the problem. We have been told to expect 24 hour turn around time on most issues. Feel free to contact me ([email protected]) with any suggestions or questions.
Finally, I am monitoring the issue of the number and location of machines closely. Frequent visits of the buildings to date, including week ends, has revealed that at no time during my surveys has there been a time when at least one washer in a building was not available and the vast majority of the time nearly all of the washers are available. You will also be pleased to know that during our first 9 days of revenue collection we took in $1065.00. That’s $43,191.00 a year.
Please keep in mind that LEOA is now the only recipient of the money spent on doing laundry in the public machines on campus. How much of that money we keep depends on what our expenses are. The more machines we have, the higher our expenses. We have an ambitious program for tracking the revenue taken in on a CONDO SPECIFIC basis. The new laundry program, as designed, should put about $0.35 of every $1.00 spent BACK IN YOUR POCKET as a credit toward your condo’s operating expenses. PLEASE, give the plan a chance to prove itself. Adding additional washers has been provided for but the laundry company will not take unneeded machines back. If we prematurely add more machines, we will pay for the unneeded capacity for years.
Building captains would be helpful here in determining the consensus in their condos as to what is the preferred number of machines and their location (more people on a floor, any special needs, etc.).
Condos that are willing to do with a little less will retain more of their revenue for their operating expenses. This is not a trivial matter. The December 16 – January 15 LEOA water bill came in at $42,494.14 (and NO, thats not a misprint, but we have been working with the city and should be getting an adjustment credit during the month of February. How much of an adjustment is yet to be determined. However, I understand Oakland Park is going to increase our water rates). Also, if there is an operating expense surplus at the end of the year, the money can be used as the condo chooses, .e.g. assessments.
Just because someone puts a piece of paper in front of you does not mean you have to sign it. THINK first. Ultimately, it's YOUR MONEY you are spending for increased capacity, NOT the Association’s. Remember, if you have to go to another floor to do a load of wash, you are getting paid to make the trip.
Thank you for your kind attention.
James Basta Secretary
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In Remembrance
Betty L. Sheaffer Sep 18, 1924 Jan 27, 2010
Sadly, on January 27, 2010 Betty passed away. Betty is now flying with her beloved Jack in the serene skies of heaven aboard their airplane of love, together always. Our thoughts and condolences are with John and his family.
Betty was born in Fort Worth Texas and lived there until 1960 when she relocated with her husband Jack to the San Francisco Bay area and continued on to Reno Nevada then eventually retiring here in Fort Lauderdale in 1979.
Betty is survived by her (3) sons Jack, Chuck and John. John her youngest son was her long term caregiver for the past 9 years.
Betty was one of the first owners at Lake Emerald. She served on the Board of Director’s and was also instrumental in coordinating the clubhouse activities when it first opened. She lived life with great passion.
Betty will be missed but will be in our thoughts always.
Submitted by Denise Bednarek
Lake Emerald Library
Lake Emerald is recognized as a community with excellent amenities. Our lake, our clubhouse, our tennis courts and our gym have been improved recently and during February our Library will improve dramatically. Christine Kinzer, a long time owner, has generously donated over 500 hard back best sellers to our Association Library.
This gift will make our Library become recognized as an excellent representation of our continued efforts to make Lake Emerald an ideal community to live in.
Christine Kinzer’s love of good books has become our good fortune. I know many of you will join in thanking her for this generous gift. Please take advantage and visit your library soon.
Bob Young Treasurer
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Community Contacts
Board Of Directors [email protected]
Derek Murphy, President [email protected]
Betty Twyman, VicePresident [email protected]
Bob Young, Treasurer [email protected] (954) 4864612
Jim Basta, Secretary [email protected] (954) 7356408
Denise Bednarek (954) 7310703
Francis Bruno
Frieda Chervin (954) 7398935
Michelle Gordon (954) 4856046
Christine Kinzer (954) 5663833
Fred Langevin (954) 4841786
David Mehall (954) 7334067
Michael Palmadessa
Carolyn Starin (954) 7307636
Michael Wolmetz (954) 7339039
Management Office
Main Number (954) 7351718
Fax (954) 4971541
Front Gate (954) 4971549
Michael Shegota, property mgr. [email protected] (954) 7351718 ext. 201
Rosa Santiago, admin. asst. [email protected] (954) 7351718 ext. 200
Stella Marsh, bookkeeper [email protected] (954) 7351718 ext. 202
Juan Lopez, maint. supervisor [email protected] (954) 7351718 ext. 204
Office Hours Monday 8:30 AM – 5:00PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM – 5:00PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM – 7:00PM
Thursday 8:30 AM – 5:00PM
Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00PM
Office is closed Saturday & Sunday.
Committees Chairperson Email
Architectural & Landscape Design David Venticinque, [email protected]
Compliance Committee Derek Murphy
Emergency Preparedness Pamela Golden, [email protected]
Gym Jim Basta, [email protected]
Lake Shore Restoration Hal Anderson, [email protected]
Media/Communications Jim Basta and Denise Bednarek
Orientation/Screening Betty Twyman, [email protected]
Oversight Committee James Basta and Carol Collier Security Michael Wolmetz, [email protected]
Vacant Land Sale Hal Anderson, [email protected]
Building Reps
Condo # Building Phone Barbara Greenberg 4 105 312 Kim Whaley 4 105 614 (954) 4857988 Volunteer needed 2 106 Volunteer needed 1 109 Marianne Gioia 1 110 207 (954) 7148407 John Ross 1 110 202 (954) 5405111 Volunteer needed 3 111 Ilona & Bob Kirkpatrick 3 112 206 Carolyn Starin 5 113 206 (954) 7307636 Dottie Chestnut 5 114 402 (954) 4855264 Helen Searing 5 114 106 (954) 7313573 Paula Tindall 5 114 302 (954) 4843977 Gary Luker 6 115 401 (954) 2953926 Robin Gill 6 116 306 (954) 4848284 Anne Yablow 7 117 108 (954) 7334047 Michael O’Leary 7 118 406 (954) 4866579 Derek Murphy 7 118 210 (954) 5359930
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Contact:
Email: [email protected]
Web Site www.leoacondos.com Contact:
Email: [email protected]
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