NEWCASTLE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC. MINUTES OF MARCH 20, 2014 BOARD MEETING 1. Call to order: The Meeting of the Board of Newcastle Condominium Association was called to order by Pam Nadeau on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Berkshire Clubhouse, 495 Belville Blvd., Naples, Florida. 2. Determination of Quorum: Directors Present: Pam Nadeau Kevin Oliver Laura Terzano Ted Chingris Bonnie Matlack Veronica Maresca Also Present: Philippe Gabart from Sterling Property Services Mark Szittai from Century Link Director absent: Caren Perry 3. Proof of notice of meeting: Property Manager gave proof that the meeting notice had been posted in accordance with Florida State Statutes and Association By-Laws. 4. Disposal of the Previous Meeting Minutes: A motion by Laura Terzano, which was seconded by Kevin Oliver, to approve the minutes of February 20, 2014, passed unanimously. 5. President Report: Pam Nadeau reported: Newcastle Condominium now has a web page available at the BLMA Master website. http://berkshirelakes.org/associations/newcastle. Several documents such as minutes and governing documents are available on the site. The FDOT provided the association on the latest news for the construction of a sound barrier between I75 and Berkshire Lakes Communities. 1
6. Vice President Report: None 7. Directors Reports: None 8. Committees Report: a. Landscaping: Delores reported: Manager reported: Irrigation upgrade proposal is ready for implementation: Greenside Up is proposing to upgrade one area in Squire and one in Landover An area is defined by the coverage and zones of each irrigation timer. The proposal will be reviewed and approved at the April meeting. 2
b. Social: Laura Terzano reported: The last Monday of the month is Bingo night. Every Tuesday at 1 p.m. is game day. 9. Treasurer s Report: a. February 2014 financials and delinquents report: Kevin Oliver stated that the association should be bad debt free within the next two years, and the 2015 budget should reflect a reduced bad debt to $20,000.00 A motion by Ted Chingris, which was seconded by Pamela Nadeau, to approve the treasurer s report as presented, passed unanimously. b. 637 lawsuit update: Kevin Oliver reported The association is presently represented by Falks, Wass, Hernandez, Cortina, Solomon and Bonner, P.A. Mr. Timothy M. Whaley, Esq., has been assigned as defense counsel to represent the interests of Newcastle Condominium Association, Inc. The association representatives met with the counsel to review the plaintiff s allegations, discovery requests and condominium s maintenance procedures. 3
10. Manager s Report: Manager reported: Pest control update: As of March 1, 2014 the association is now using the services of Massey Pest Control. 725 #204 leak: Unit 104 located directly below 204 suffered water damage caused by a water leak from unit 204. Owner of 204 refused additional access to the unit for further investigation by the association plumber. The association did not receive a response from owner on request to access unit and scheduled an inspection with plumber and witnesses. Upon inspection, it was determined that the dishwasher was leaking and causing damage to the celling and drywall of unit 104. The association is requesting via legal counsel that all expenses incurred be paid within 30 days. The association is requesting via counsel that the violation of repairing the dishwasher be completed within 10 days of notification. 11. Old Business: a. Legal proposals - final recommendation: The Board of Directors requested proposals from legal firms for providing all types of legal services, including litigation and advice which are required by Newcastle Condominium Association. Several law firms were interviewed by a committee, and after careful review selected: GOEDE, ADAMCZYK & DEBOEST. Kevin Oliver made a final recommendation to the Board of directors to hire GOEDE, ADAMCZYK & DEBOEST, on a trial basis, to be the association s new attorney. A motion by Kevin Oliver, which was seconded by Ted Chingris, to hire GOEDE, ADAMCZYK & DEBOEST on a trial basis, passed unanimously. b. Reserves study proposals: Three bids have now been provided by the Board of directors for review: GIB Robins Anderson Reserve analysis Consultants, Inc. Dreux Isaac & Associates, Inc. Veronica Maresca will be leading a selection committee; which will present final recommendations to the Board at the April meeting. 4
c. Pool furniture defects update: The newly purchased pool furniture has defects in the powder coating finishing of the frame. A meeting with the manufacturer to review the problem did not provide satisfactory results. The vendor does not consider the issue a warranty item, but rather as abuse from the residents. After further negotiations, the vendor agreed to provide some touch-up to the powder coated frames, and the association will implement a 60 observation to the proposed solution. d. Leases approval process: Last year the Board of Directors delegated the authority to the president to approve all sales and leases. The declaration provides the language for three committee members to approve the leases and sales applications. A motion by Kevin Oliver, which was seconded by Pam Nadeau, to rescind the first motion to allow the President to approve leases and sales, passed unanimously. A motion by Kevin Oliver, which was seconded by Ted Chingris, to allow three officers of The Board to approve leases and sales, passed unanimously. e. ARC request Hurricane impact windows: One of the unit owners made a request to install hurricane impact glass in the lanai, and by doing so removing the existing screen and frame. Kevin stated that the Florida Statutes language provides support for owners to install hurricane glass, overriding the association governing documents. Discussion ensued. The lanai screen and frame are considered limited common elements, and should be removed without members approval. Discussion ensued. A motion by Pam Nadeau, which was seconded by Kevin Oliver, to approve the request for installing hurricane impact glass, which requires the removal of screen and frame, did not pass. Pam Nadeau Kevin Oliver Ted Chingris Laura Terzano Veronica Maresca Bonnie Matlack Yes Yes Abstain Abstain No Abstain Recommendation was made to have a written opinion from the new attorney, GOEDE, ADAMCZYK & DEBOEST, on the issue. 5
f. Painting project: i. Proposals review and selection: George Vouros reported: The Painting committee composed of three members; George Vouros Joe Bellafori Steve Palmacci reviewed six painting bids and selected two final vendors: Spectrum Elias Brothers The estimated cost for the project is estimated at $170,000.00. October and November are the recommended time of the year for painting. The lanais will be optional on the proposal. The painting Committee recommended Elias Brothers for the painting project. Kevin Oliver stated that the funding for painting will be fully available at the end of the year. 12. New Business: a. Cable Television contract renewal. Guest: Mark Szittai. Mr. Szittai provided the audience a complete review of the new services from Prism, and answered questions from the Board and the audience. 6
Ted Chingris reported on the latest updates from Comcast regarding contract renewal. 13. Adjournment: With no further business to conduct, a motion to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. was made by Pam Nadeau, seconded by Ted Chingris, and unanimously approved by the Board. Respectfully submitted by Philippe Gabart CAM 7