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| • April 27, 2010 |
| • January 25, 2010 |
| • April 22, 2009 |
| • February 16, 2009 |
| • November 12, 2008 |
| • January 28, 2008 |
| • May 24, 2007 |
| • February 7, 2007 |
| • January 17, 2007 |
| • October 18, 2006 |
| • August 10, 2006 |
| • June 8, 2006 |
| • April 24, 2006 |
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Our life continues with dirt, grime, dust, noise, parking problems, etc. However, we feel we are making good progress in our concrete restoration project. You will note that the new railings are now being installed on stacks numbers 1 & 2 and waterproofing of the balcony decks has begun. The contactor has also started the stripping of the parking garage floor in the West Building while cars are vacant. Now that our contractor is higher on the learning curve starting with stacks 1 and 2, we are hopeful to establish a new projected schedule for the work to begin on all the remaining stacks. We have a project meeting scheduled tomorrow with the contractor and our engineers. One purpose for this meeting is to establish a more accurate project schedule for the future that may be posted on the web-site.
We have reached an agreement with Advanced Roofing for a hurricane preparedness project prior to the commencement of the permanent roofing installation. This contract will be signed next Monday and work should commence next week.
Again, we wish to say we are sorry for the inconvenceies you continue to suffer as a result of this project. Please know that your staff, officers and board are doing the best we can under trying circumstances with this project.
Some owners have expressed an interest in the beach restoration project being planned by the city. I received a call from our mayor requesting we have a representative attend their meetings and Jack Mahoney has been attending the commissioners meetings on our behalf. Jack tells me the city wants the input of the condos on the beach. He advises me the project is one to two years away from starting.
Jack also told me that at the commission meeting earlier this week, a letter written to the city by our Sandy Mahoney was read commending the city on their action in an emergency situation with our resident Pam Nolan. Jack said Sandy's letter received an ovation.
I am pleased to report that we have hired an outside CPA to reconcile our QuickBooks accounting package. I met with Lee Marcus, CPA yesterday and he reported to me that all accounts have been reconciled with not only our bank statements but with our audited statement. Lee Marcus was very complimentary of Tara Moreno for the computer input work she has performed in QuickBooks.
Now to the important business at hand. Tonight the building committee will present to the board of directors the specification selected for the entry and egress door replacement project. The building committee will also present bid prices that have been submitted for furnishing and installed the new doors thought-out our two building. I intend to ask the board to accept the door specifications presented as a standard for the building. I will also ask the board to review the installation bids received and award a contract for installation. If this action is approved, you will recall from the April board meeting discussion, an additional assessment will be required to update our building doors. To maintain uniformity at the Le Baron all entry and egress doors will be of the same material and design. To meet current code and hurricane standards the doors frame must also be changed. Therefore the project is more detailed than just installing new doors.
The building committee continues to study the installation of high impact and high wind resistant windows in all of our units. We have received some quotations and continue to attempt to obtain additional competitive bids. Most companies of good reputation in all construction fields in South Florida are booked up with projects. It has not been easy to obtain bidders for the many projects we have before us. We continue to plug along in an effort to find the best price for the work we must accomplish.
The building committee continues to develop a plan to apportion the cost of the window replacement project. It appears the cost of the window upgrade will be apportioned to each unit in accordance with the amount of work required in each unit to meet insurance and code requirements.
Again tonight I will ask our board of directors to continue the discussion of perimeter mounted shutters installed on our balcony decks. As I reported to you in April, it is evident from inspection that we have major concrete balcony edge damage. The damage appears to be in the area where screen railings and perimeter shutter rails where installed allowing ponding water and salts to penetrate our concrete slabs. I have heard at least a dozen owners express their desire to maintain perimeter-mounted shutters. I have discussed this matter with our board members and many of you who desire perimeter mounted shutters. I report to you there are many and varied ideas on this subject. It is anticipated you will hear the various plans tonight in the board discussion of this matter.
Now for a report on our insurance claim. As I have reported in the past, our public adjuster has received little cooperation from our insurance company's adjuster. The insurance company's adjuster informed us in May that they were requesting a complete audit of our books, minutes and records per their rights outlined in the insurance policy. They began their review in our office this morning with two lawyers, a paralegal and twp copy machines. Our attorney represented us at this review. We have nothing to hide and plan on being as cooperative as directed by our attorney. We hope this review will facilitate a settlement to our claim.
We have however, instructed our attorney to file with the state a request for mediation in this matter. We are hopeful the request for mediation and our plead to the insurance commissions for assistance will facilitate a settlement of our insurance claim. Our attorney informed me late today that he spoke to the insurance company's attorneys today and informed them that we were seeking settlement of our damage claim not a lawsuit. He informed them he was not attempting to run up hours and would be happy if the claim was settled next week. He suggested the insurance company submit to us their statement of our damages and we would compare it to our claim and try to reach a mutually agreeable settlement of our damage claim. Our attorney intends to follow up this line of reasoning next week with the insurance company.
The board fully understands the hardship this places on many of our owners since our hurricane damage repair project must be funded with assessments instead of an insurance settlement. We are doing the best we know how to speed a settlement with the insurance company.
An article dated June 5, 2006, in the Palm Beach Post points out that we are not alone in our quandary with QBE, our insurance company. There is a reprint of the article being passed around the room for your review. It is no solace to find there are many other condominiums experiencing the same problem as we are with QBE.
Also on the agenda is to accept the resignation of Jean Sheffield from our board of directors. Jean and her husband Bill have served the Le Baron in great measure. Bill is personally responsible for the new landscaping curbs and landscaping installed in the front of our building. We have had many compliments from our neighbors on our new landscaping.
With Jean's resignation from the board, many owners have expressed to me the need for new blood on the board of directors. In that regard, two persons have volunteered to serve her unexpired term, until the next annual meeting. There are Roman Bartkiw and Bob Pluese. Both gentlemen have agreed to serve if selected. Roman is a lawyer and real estate developer by profession and intends to retire to Florida this fall. Bob is an attorney practicing in New Jersey. The board needs to discuss tonight if Jean is to be replaced now or at the next annual meeting.
I report to you that your board and your office staff continue to serve you with their time and talents in spite of the daily commotion and crises they are presented with each new day. I am pleased to work with them through these very difficult times.
Respectfully submitted,
Le Baron Condominium
Sam Bowling, President
June 8, 2006
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