FLORIDA STATUTES CHAPTER 720 "2008 Changes"

The letter from the Law Offices of Charles W. McKinnon, is related to 2008 changes that affect Homeowners Associations.

Reference - Florida Statutes 720 is posted at http://www.ccfj.net/FS720.htm

Keeping an Eye Out

I know the NEWS is talking about Hurricane IKE and I know most of you know, as I see the Hurricane Panels, Shutters and other window treatments up and down our street.

Please also note that the areas on both sides of the community entrance at the mailbox area were recently weeded and cleaned up.

Also note that its seems someone took a liking to our recently planted "Snow on the Mountain" and removed these plantings from our corner at 10th and 6 Ave. So...please keep and eye out for your property as well as that of others.

Utilities, City Of Vero Beach

The link to the right for the Vero Beach 32963 will take you to a new publication. It contains a good explanation about the UTILITIES ISSUE IN VERO.
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The enclosed (data bellow) relates to utilities in Vero Beach, also. It was forwarded to me so I am passing it along as it pertains to our community.
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From: Dr. Stephen J. Faherty, Sr. [mailto:fahertydoc@earthlink.net]
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 10:16 AM
To: Various
Subject: Requested Attorney General Opinion, Website, and bill calculator regarding Applicability to City Of Vero Beach Utilities
Importance: High

Rep. Stan Mayfield’s Request for Attorney General Opinion

Attached is copy of August 27, 2008, letter from Rep. Stan Mayfield who has been THE Legislative supporter for the Referendum as a means to correct the lack of representation for 61 % of the Vero Beach electric customers. He has written to the Attorney General as a Legislative official asking for an Attorney General’s Legal Opinion on the actions, or lack thereof, by the Vero Beach City Council in relation to the Referendum.

Please, please, send e-mails, call, write or otherwise communicate with the AG’s office asking them to provide a prompt legal opinion to Rep. Mayfield regarding the Referendum and the applicability of the Referendum Law to Vero Beach. The number of contacts may influence the promptness of the response from the AG.

State Attorney General

William McCollum

Office of Attorney General

The Capitol PL-01

Tallahassee, Fl 32399-1050

ag.mccollum@myfloridalegal.com

Fax = 1-850-410-1630

Toll Free = 1-866-966-7226
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Website

Thanks to the great effort of Jim Taggert, we now have a website address at http://sites.google.com/site/utilityvote/ Jim is just starting with it so it will initially be used to get you the latest information. Please make sure your friends are aware of the website so they can access it, particularly if they are snowbirds or you have a community website. You may want to add it to you “Favorites” on your web browser.
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Bill Calculator

Thanks to Glenn Heran who is preparing a bill calculator for four of the six types of jurisdictional/service provider calculations that are needed to compare electric bills in the County, City, and Shores where electric service is provided by either the City or FPL. You will be able to enter the Kilowatt Hours (KWH) used from your current bill into the format appropriate for the jurisdiction and/or service provider and get the cost including taxes, etc. This will give you the ability to compare your costs as though you had a different service provider and/or lived in a different jurisdiction. It will show true comparability, not the biased comparisons from the City.

When Glenn completes this, it will be put on the website. What is needed for to complete the final calculations are a couple of volunteers from the Shores with City electric and with FPL electric to provide a couple of recent electric bills to Glenn so he can complete the calculation schedules. Please contact him at 772-473-7629 if you would be willing to provide such copies.

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News Media

We are getting wonderful support from the printed media. Be sure to keep up to date on utility issues in the Press Journal and at www.tcpalm.com and for the Beachside Newspaper, 32963, at www.verobeach32963.com

Thanks again for your continuing support. We are still moving forward!

Steve Faherty
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Catalina Oaks Reference Documents

The data was downloaded and posted. It took up a lot of room on this page so I generated another blog spot with just this data. The link is posted to the right above "The Community". It should take you to the document titled..........Catalina Oaks Reference Documents, which contain - 1. Bylaws, 2. Deed Restrictions, 3. Ammendment letter and 4. Ammended and Restated........

Document Retention (Record Storage)

The records compiled over the years by Gaylord have been transfered to Dick. This data is kept in a few small plastic file boxes and is extremely well organized. Thanks Gaylord.

This data will be kept at Dicks for the time being.

EMAIL and this BLOGSPOT

Email - If you are reading this then you have an email address that I know about and thus you are getting this note. We have 52 homeowners and I have 20 email addresses. I would like all 52 so I can just post them to this blog and when it gets updated you get a system note automatically,to come see whats been posted.

The auto system notification is not turned on yet. My understanding is that when I add the email list I have to the blog and check a box then it will happen. So send me your email and talk to your neighbor and see if they know about the blog. If they don't clue them in and see if the would like to participate.

BLOGSPOT - There is a feature inside the software that allows for this to be a private place, public place or a semiprivate place. In other words only available for viewing by the residents. At the moment it is available to the general public for viewing, as I checked that button, when I generated this blogspot, because its easier for me. It can be changed if the majority of the homeowners prefer it PRIVATE. Let us know.

Meeting Minutes July 26, 2008 (draft)

Meeting Minutes July 26, 2008(draft) Catalina Oaks Board of Directors

The Board - Board President, Ms. Elaine Florence, called the meeting, held at the Rock Ridge Community Center, to order at 10:30 today, July 26, 2008. Board members present Mr. Dick Byram, Mr. Bob Scully and Mrs. Jean Kay.

General - The minutes summarize items addressed and actions taken by the board at the meeting. If you would like more detail please contact any member of the board, consider attending the next meeting, talk to the homeowners present or visit something new we just started http://catalinaoaks.blogspot.com.

Homeowners in Attendance – Pat Byram, Wanza Murray, Irene Nassar, Helen Todd, Barbara Scully, Patricia Cramer, Jutta M. RosenBerg and Mary Lou Johnston.

Topics Addressed

1 - Association Finances presented by Jean Kay
a. CDs valued at $86,766. One matured in July. The other will mature August.
b. Checkbook value $ 13480.90 as of 7/26/08
c. Total assets 100, 246.

2 - Monthly association dues delinquencies.
Three letters were sent out to those who owe, just as a reminder. Some homeowners have paid for the year in advance. Thank You.

3 - Association Liability Insurance
It was noted that we carry $2,000,000 coverage at a cost of $600.

4 - Landscaping
A team was established at the meeting to work this issue. A plan, with some detail needs to be outlined to spruce up the Entrance Garden next to the mail box and on the corner at 6th and 10th .
The team is Jutta, Dick, Elaine, Barbara and Tish

5 - Neighborhood Watch
There was a home burglary over the past week. Please be aware that these are difficult times and we encourage you to lock doors and windows and close garages. Get to know your neighbor and watch out for people who may be acting suspicious in the neighborhood.

6 - Property line encroachment
There is still an issue about physical property lines and encroachments related to patios and fences in relationship to home sales.

7 - Special Thank you
Thank You Gaylord Hansen for all your hard work over the past several years as an active member on the Catalina Oak Homeowners Association.

8 - New Board Member
Dick spoke with John Cone who has accepted the open post of the board.

9 - Record Retention
Gaylord is looking to pass on the association records. Dick and Bob will get with him to understand what exactly he has. After we have an understanding of what needs to be saved and how far back we must go we will come up with a plan.

10 - http://catalinaoaks.blogspot.com
The above noted blogspot is something started a few months ago. It is intended to provide a record of the minutes and other data related to Catalina Oaks for those who are interested and are not able to attend the quarterly meetings. It can be changed and will continue to evolve.

11 - Not discussed but important
Although these were not discussed at our 7/26/08 meeting they were addressed at the 4/26/08 meeting and are considered significant so they are listed for your information.

· Association Governing Documents – Improvements and modifications - All members must abide by the association governing documents when it comes to improvements and modifications to homes in the community. If you decide to make a change to the paint color of your house, add a new roof, etc., the information must be presented to the Architectural Review Board (Dick Byram) for approval prior to any work starting.

· Home Sales - It was noted that some NEW homeowners in the community had not received any information about the Catalina Oaks Deed Restrictions at the time of sale. Individuals who are selling or plan to sell their house must provide a package (Deed Restrictions) to the real estate agent and new potential buyers prior to the home sale. This package is available from the board. If this package is not provided prior to the home selling the buyer may be able to cancel the contract without penalty at anytime.

· HOA Officers 2008 – It was noted that the board must file the 2008 Catalina Oaks Board members with the Secretary of State of Florida. Elaine will get with Jean to see if that has been done.

· As the board continues to use unlicensed and uninsured workers what is the homeowner’s liability in the event of a suit (ref. item 3). Gaylord will respond.