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SEMI ANNUAL Minutes, APRIL 27, 2011

SEMI ANNUAL

MINUTES

APRIL 27, 2011

THE SEMI ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF GABLES ESTATES CLUB, INC., TOOK PLACE AT FAIRCHILD TROPICAL GARDEN, “BALLROOM”, 10901 OLD CUTLER ROAD, MIAMI, FLORIDA AT 7:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2011.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

MR. RENE GUERRA, PRESIDENT, CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND WELCOMED THOSE PRESENT.   MR. GUERRA  INTRODUCED THOSE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: MR. BILL BOX, SECRETARY; DIRECTORS; MRS. TRISH BELL, MRS. BUNNY BASTIAN, MR. DANIEL CANEL, MRS. SISSY RUFFE.

PROXY REPORT

MRS. TRISH BELL, CHAIR OF THE PROXY COMMITTEE GAVE THE FOLLOWING REPORT:

THERE ARE 193 VOTING INTERESTS IN GABLES ESTATES, EVERYONE OWNING A LOT IN GABLES ESTATES IS ENTITLED TO VOTE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH FLORIDA STATUE 617.305 (a).  FLORIDA STATUTES 617.305 (1) PROVIDES THAT 30% OF THE VOTING INTEREST SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM.  30% x 192 = 57.90 VOTING INTERESTS SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM.  THE NUMBER OF INTERESTS VOTING BY PROXY IS 52.  THE NUMBER OF INTERESTS VOTING IN PERSON IS 17. THE TOTAL NUMBER VOTING IS 69.  THEREFORE, WE HAVE A LEGAL QUORUM.  SIGNED: MRS. TRISH BELL, CHAIR.

MINUTES – ANNUAL MINUTES, NOVEMBER 12, 2010 (AS CIRCULATED TO THE MEMBERSHIP) & BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2011.

MR. GUERRA ASKED FOR A MOTION TO BE MADE THAT THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING AND BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING MINUTES BE WAIVED AND BE ADOPTED.  A MOTION WAS SO MOVED BY MR. CANEL AND SECONDED BY MRS. BELL.   ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

ADMISSION COMMITTEE

MRS. BELL, CHAIR READ AND WELCOMED THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS APPROVED SINCE THE CLUB’S LAST ANNUAL MEETING, SIX MONTHS AGO:

            MR. AND MRS. ELIGIO CEDENO 340 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE    

            MR. AND MRS. ROGER ABBOUD – 60 CASUARINA CONCOURSE

 

SECURITY COMMITTEE

            AWARD PRESENTATION

THE PRESIDENT WELCOMED MR. ORLANDO AGUILERA, GENERAL MANAGER OF G4S SOLUTIONS, USA INC TO THE PODIUM.  MR. AGUILERA STATED THE SECURITY GABLES ESTATES RECEIVES IS EXCELLENT PARTLY DUE TO EXCELLENT COOPERATION BETWEEN THE MEMBERSHIP, THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES AND THE CLUB’S G4S SECURITY STAFF.   MR. AGUILERA STATED HE AND MR. ROBERT COOPER, MANAGER OF OPERATIONS FOR G4S WERE HONORED TO PRESENT AWARDS OF DISTINCTION TO THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS:  CPO LIEUTENANT CASTILLO, CPO SERGEANT HAMMETT, CPO OFFICER KOSACK.   MR. AGUILERA READ THE FOLLOWING REPORT (SEE ATTACHED).     EACH OFFICER WAS PINNED AND RECEIVED A CERTIFICATE OF DISTINCTION.  THE MEMBERS RESPONDED WITH BY APPLAUSE.  MR. AGUILERA THANKED THE MEMBERSHIP FOR ALLOWING G4S TO PROVIDE SECURITY TO THE COMMUNITY.  HE STATED HE WAS VERY PROUD OF OUR OFFICERS.         

            CAPTAIN ROBERTO URRA – SITE SUPERVISOR OVERVIEW

CAPTAIN URRA SPOKE TO THE MEMBERSHIP; HE THANKED THEM FOR AFFORDING HIM THE OPPORTUNITY OF WORKING AT GABLES ESTATES FOR THE PAST SIXTEEN YEARS.  HE EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF MEMBERS REPORTING SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR TO SECURITY IMMEDIATELY.  INFORMED THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ADDITIONAL WATERWAY SECURITY CAMERA INSTALLED AT 110 ARVIDA PARKWAY.  STATED ALL CAMERAS ARE VIEWED FROM BOTH GATEHOUSES WHICH ALLOWS OPTIMAL SURVEILLANCE OPPORTUNITIES.  NOTED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ENHANCED VISIBILITY PROGRAM OF HAVING OFFICERS CLOSE THE MEMBERSHIP ENTRANCE LANE ON ARVIDA FROM 11:00 PM TO 07:00 AM WHILE OFFICERS STEP OUT TO GREET ALL INCOMING VEHICLES AND DOCUMENT ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION.  CAPTAIN URRA ALSO MENTIONED THE HIGHER VISIBILITY OF OFFICERS DURING THE DAY AS OFFICERS ARE STEPPING OUT AND INTERACTING WITH NON MEMBERS ROUTINELY.   CAPTAIN URRA RECEIVED APPLAUSE FROM THE MEMBERSHIP.    

            OFFICER MIKE HEARNS, CITY OF CORAL GABLES OFF DUTY POLICE COORDINATOR FOR GABLES ESTATES       

OFFICER HEARNS ADDRESSED THE MEMBERSHIP AND STATED THE CITY HAS A NEW, HIGHLY EXPERIENCED CHIEF OF POLICE, CHIEF DENNIS WEINER.  OFFICER HEARNS STATED CHIEF WEINER IS VERY PROGRESSIVE WITH HIS IDEAS AND WILL PROVE TO BE RECEPTIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE GABLES ESTATES COMMUNITY.  OFFICER HEARNS STATED HE HAS WORKED WITH GABLES ESTATES FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS AND INVITED THE MEMBERSHIP TO CALL HIM DIRECTLY FOR ANY CONCERNS OR ISSUES THEY MAY HAVE.  OFFICER HEARNS STRESSED THE ISSUE OF MEMBERS GETTING THEIR MAIL LATE AT NIGHT AS BEING A GREAT SECURITY RISK.  HE STATED ALL A PERSON WOULD NEED IS A “POST IT “ LEFT ON THE MAILBOX TO ROB OR TAKE YOUR LIFE.  HE EXPLAINED THAT HE HAD WITNESSED THIS UNSAFE BEHAVIOR MANY TIMES. HE FELT IT WAS IMPERATIVE TO BRING HIS CONCERN UP TONIGHT.  HE STATED MANY MEMBERS PULL UP TO THEIR DRIVEWAY, LEAVE THEIR CAR RUNNING AND UNLOCKED AND GET OUT TO GET THEIR MAIL.  THIS ALLOWS THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT TO JUST GET INTO THE CAR AND DRIVE AWAY.  HE STRESSED THAT WOULD BE THE BEST CASE SCENARIO.  OFFICER HEARNS CAUTIONED MEMBERS TO WAIT UNTIL THE DAYLIGHT HOURS TO GET THEIR MAIL.

            DANIEL CANEL, CHAIR OF SECURITY

MR. CANEL STATED HE WAS PLEASED THE REDUCTION OF THE SECURITY BUDGET LAST YEAR DID NOT RESULT IN THE DETERIORATION OF THE QUALITY OF SECURITY BEING PROVIDED TO THE CLUB.  HE ASSURED THE MEMBERS THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE,  HE STATED THE CLUB HAS EXCELLENT SECURITY DUE TO ORLANDO AGUILERA AND OUR SECURITY STAFF FROM G4S, COOPERATION WITH THE CORAL GABLES POLICE AND OFFICER HEARNS AS WELL AS THE MEMBERSHIP’S INVOLVEMENT AND THE CLUB’S CAMERAS.

THE PRESIDENT STATED SECURITY IS A TEAM EFFORT. HE THANKED MR. CANEL AND MR. JUNCADELLO, CO CHAIR OF SECURITY, FOR THEIR SERVICE AND SAID THEY WERE DOING AN IMPRESSIVE JOB FOR ALL THE MEMBERS IN GABLES ESTATES.

YACHT CLUB REPORT:

MR. CANEL, COMMODORE STATED THE 4TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10TH .  MORE DETAILS WILL BE SENT TO THE MEMBERSHIP VIA MAIL SHORTLY; HE STATED THE CLUB NEEDS BETTER PARTICIPATION.  MR. CANEL WILL BE SEEKING OUT PARTICIPANTS BY HAVING HIS BOAT CAPTAIN CALL ALL MEMBERS WITH BOATS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS FOR SUGGESTIONS AND COMMITMENTS TO PARTICIPATE. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MRS. AUDREY ROSS ANNOUNCED TO THE MEMBERSHIP THE PASSING OF A LONG TIME MEMBER, MR. GERALD BEAN OF 641 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE.  MR. GUERRA THANKED HER FOR INFORMING THE MEMBERSHIP AND STATED A BASKET HAD BEEN DELIVERED TO MRS. BEAN AND FAMILY TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD AND CLUB MEMBERS.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS

THE PRESIDENT THANKED MRS. RAVA FRIDMAN FOR HER DEDICATION, ENTHUSIASM AND PERSISTENCE IN ENHANCING CASUARINA CONCOURSE.  HE THANKED THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE CHAIR, MRS. RUFFE, WHOM HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS ON CASUARINA AT AN ADDED EXPENSE OF OVER $15,000, TO DATE.  HE STRESSED THE NEED FOR PATIENCE AS THE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WILL COMMENCE ON MAY 1ST AND NO PLANTING OR IMPROVEMENTS CAN TAKE PLACE UNTIL THIS WORK IN COMPLETED.  

THE PRESIDENT’S OVERVIEW OF THE PAST SIX MONTH’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS & FUTURE PROJECTIONS; THE PRESIDENT STATED THE BOARD COMPILED WITH THE RESPONSE/RESULTS OF THE MEMBERSHIP  SURVEY WHICH WERE ANIMAL CONTROL, PODOCARPUS HEDGES, ENTRANCE SIGNS AND SCANNING ALL DOCUMENTS.  MR. GUERRA READ THE FOLLOWING:

  1. PHASE III OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ON ARVIDAS, LEUCADENDRA AND CASUARINA ARE COMPLETED WITH PODOCARPUS HEDGES REPAIRED , CREATE NEW HEDGE PILES WHERE REQUESTED AND REPLACE OLD PODOCARPUS HEDGE PLANTS THAT DIED DUE TO LACK OF WATERING HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
  2. SECURITY ENHANCEMENT BY ADDING HIGH SPEED INTERNET COMCAST LINE FOR WATERWAY CAMERAS, CONTINUE WITH STEPPING OUT POLICY, MONITORING TAG SHEETS AND IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS.
  3. NEW WATERWAY CAMERA INSTALLED AT 110 ARVIDA PARKWAY, AND ONE ADDITIONAL OLD CUTLER CAMERA LOCATION PENDING.
  4. BOARD OF GOVERNORS REFUNDED $100,000. BACK TO THE MEMBERSHIP IN GOOD STANDING 2010/11 YEAR.
  5. BOARD INCREASED TRANSFER FEE TO $10,000. PER TRANSFER.
  6. CLUB IS SCANNING ALL DOCUMENTS.  OLD DOCUMENTATION WILL BE SCANNED AND PRESERVED BY OUR CPA OFFICE.
  7. MEMBERSHIP  DIRECTORIES INCLUDING THE CHARTER, BY LAWS AND DECLARATION OF PROTECTIVE COVENANTS WERE DELIVERED TO MEMBERSHIP
  8. CAT COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED THIS YEAR WITH $6,500. FROM THE CLUB AND AN ADDITIONAL $7,000 IN DONATIONS FROM THE MEMBERSHIP.  
  9. NEW ENTRANCE MARQUEES WHICH WERE DESIGNED BY OUR BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE CHAIR, MRS. SISSY RUFFE, WERE APPROVED AND WILL BE INSTALLED AT BOTH ENTRANCES THIS FISCAL YEAR.  THE WONDERFUL DESIGN IS MADE OUT OF KEYSTONE TO MATCH OUR CURRENT GATEHOUSES AND THE PRESIDENT THANKED MRS. RUFFE AGAIN FOR HER OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE CLUB.
  10. THE 1,800 FT MAIN FORCE SEWER LINE WAS CORRECTED ON LEUCADENDRA BY THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES
  11. THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES INSTALLED TEMPORARY CHANNEL MARKERS WHICH WILL BE REPLACED ONCE THE NEW CHANNEL MARKERS ORDERED BY THE CITY ARRIVE.
  12. CASUARINA’S APPEARANCE WAS GREATLY ENHANCED THANKS TO MRS. SISSY RUFFE AND MRS. RAVA FRIDMAN.  ALSO A THANK YOU GOES OUT TO MR. MILTON WALLACE FOR DONATING 55 SEA GRAPE PLANTS WHICH WILL BE PLANTED ON CASUARINA IN TWO WEEKS, AS WE MUST WAIT FOR THE RAINY SEASON TO ASSURE WATER.

 

THE FOLLOWING ARE IMPROVEMENT TO DATE (SIX MONTHS) FOR CASUARINA CONCOURSE:

  1. TREE TRIMMING OF BLACK OLIVES LOCATED ON THE THREE ISLANDS BEHIND THE GATEHOUSE
  2. PAINT THE THREE ISLAND LIGHT POLES BLACK LOCATED AT THE POTAMKIN CUL DE SAC ISLAND
  3. INSTALL NEW FERN BED ON RIGHT OF WAY @ 501
  4. PLANT CROWN OF THORNS AT SEVERAL ISLANDS AND ADD CROWN OF THORNS TO THE ENTRANCE SIGN LOCATIONS
  5. PRESSURE CLEAN GATEHOUSE WALLS
  6. PLANT QUEEN EMMAS AT THE ENTRANCE SIGN LOCATIONS, NORTH AND SOUTH
  7. CLEAN OUT MANGROVE AREAS LOCATED AT 200 & 500 BLOCK
  8. RAISE THE LANDSCAPING LIGHTS ON HIGHER FIXTURES ON THE TRAFFIC CALMING ISLANDS
  9. CLEAN AWAY SAPLINGS ON THE RIGHT OF WAY OAKS UP TO SIX FEET HIGH
  10. PLANT NEW PODOCARPUS HEDGES WHERE REQUESTED
  11. ADD ADDITIONAL PODOCARPUS PLANTS TO EXISTING HEDGES WHERE NEEDED
  12. PLANT FLOWERS AT THE ENTRANCE GATEHOUSE BASKET
  13. SCHEDULE HANDYMAN TO HAND WATER NEW 650 CAS. FERN BEDS, GRASS AREA IN FRONT OF MANGROVE TO ENCOURAGE GROWTH & NEW FERN BEDS ON BI WEEKLY BASIS
  14. MULCH THE POTAMKIN ISLAND CENTER PLANTING AREA
  15. FILL IN DEAD AND/OR MISSING FERNS ON THE RIGHT OF WAYS
  16. CLEAN AND/OR TRIM SEA GRASS AT MANGROVE LOCATION
  17. INSTALL MULCH AT SEA GRAPE RIGHT OF WAY FROM 221 TO 55
  18. PLANT NEW SWORD FERNS AT THE 650 CAS. RIGHT OF WAY GATEHOUSE ENTRANCE

 

A: PENDING ITEMS WHICH THE BOARD WILL BE ADDRESSING IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS: (NOTE: THE PRESIDENT STATED TIMING AND BUDGETING WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE FOLLOWING ITEMS AND MEMBERS MAY NOT RECEIVE A REFUND NEXT FISCAL YEAR)

a)       REQUESTED SEVEN (7) ADDITIONAL LIGHTS TO BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING CAS. CON. STREET LIGHTS / AWAITING RESPONSE FROM FP&L

b)      REQUESTED OF FP& L  AND THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES COST / BID FOR PLACING THE OVERHEAD UTILITIES ON CAS. CON. TO UNDERGROUND CABLES., AWAITING THEIR RESPONSE.(THIS MUST BE APPROVED BY AT LEAST 51% OF THE MEMBERSHIP ON CAS. CON.  EMPOWERING THE  CITY TO ASSESS THE CAS. CON. MEMBERS THEIR PORTION PER LOT OF THE EXPENSE, IN 2001 THIS AMOUNTED TO NEARLY $30,000. PER LOT AND WAS VOTED DOWN.)   NOTE:  THE ENHANCED LIGHTING FOR ARVIDAS AND LEUCADENDRA WERE APPROVED BY THE MEMBERSHIP BY MORE THAN 51% AND EACH LOT OWNER ON ARVIDAS AND LEUCADENDRA WERE ASSESSED BY THE CITY. 

c)       COMPLETE THE ROAD ENHANCEMENT WHICH INCLUDES THE RE-PAVEMENT OF CASUARINA  & LEUCADENDRA WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON MAY 1ST, AS WELL AS INSTALLING THE PAVERS AT THE ISLANDS, BRIDGES AND CIRCLE .  THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES IS ASSUMING FULL OWNERSHIP, LIABILITY AND MAINTENANCE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS.  (UNLIKE THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ENTRANCE PROJECT COMPLETED SEVEN YEARS AGO)

d)      I WILL COMPLETE THE NEW, DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER AND SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND PRESENT IT TO THE BOARD FOR THEIR APPROVAL.

e)      I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE CITY PAVE THE PUMP-STATION AREA AND IMPROVE THE OVERALL LOOK OF THIS AREA AS IT IS AN EYE SORE TO OUR MEMBERS

f)         AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT SURVEY WHICH WENT OUT TO THE FULL MEMBERSHIP; THE BOARD WILL BE DEVELOPING WAYS TO ENHANCE THE LANDSCAPING OF ALL THE STREETS WITHIN GABLES ESTATES.  KATHLEEN HAS BEGUN TO CREATE A LIST OF AREAS WHICH NEED IMPROVEMENT, INCLUDING ENHANCED LANDSCAPING, LIGHTING AND IRRIGATION.  ONCE THE LIST IS ITEMIZED, PRIORITIZED AND BIDED OUT, A BUDGET CAN BE CREATED AND APPROVED.  IN THE MEANTIME, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BOARD MEMBER REPRESENTING EACH STREET,  LEUCADENDRA, ARVIDAS & CASUARINA.  MY SUGGESTIONS  ARE:  FOR CASUARINA -  MR. ANTONIO ARGIZ, FOR THE ARVIDAS  – MRS. SISSY RUFFE, LEUCADENDRA DRIVE – MRS. TRISH BELL.  I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO BE ASSISTED BY A MEMBER OF EACH STREET, WHICH IS A NON BOARD MEMBER, FOR CASUARINA I SUGGEST MRS. RAVA FRIDMAN, AND FOR LEUCADENDRA I SUGGEST MRS. JOYCE DICKERSON.  THE PURPOSE OF THIS WOULD BE TO ASSIST SISSY, KATHLEEN AND MYSELF IN REVIEWING AND COMPLETING THE “WISH LIST”. FOR EACH ONE OF THOSE STREETS.  IT IS MY INTENTION TO DISTRIBUTE IMPROVEMENTS EQUALLY TO EACH STREET.  THE BOARD WILL DECIDE THE PRIORITIES BASED ON SAFETY AND ADDING VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY.  AS WE COLLECTIVELY INCREASE OUR LANDSCAPING, IRRIGATION AND LIGHTING THE MAINTENANCE AND COST INVOLVED WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE INCREASED.  CONTROLLING THOSE COST CAN TAKE PLACE BY HIRING TWO ADDITIONAL PART TIME EMPLOYEES TO CONCENTRATE ON MAINTENANCE OF LANDSCAPING SUCH AS WEEDING, CLEANING OUT BEDS, PICKING UP TRASH, ETC….  ONE EMPLOYEE WOULD BE DEDICATED TO CAS. AND ANOTHER TO LEU./ ARVIDA .  OUR CURRENT HANDYMAN, JOSE, WILL SUPERVISE THE NEW EMPLOYEES AND COMPLETE REPAIRS TO THE LIGHTING, IRRIGATION AND MASONRY STRUCTURES AS WELL AS OTHER DETAILED WORK.   THE COST INCLUDING TAXES FOR 25 HOUR WORK WEEKS EACH WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $35,000.  SISSY, KATHLEEN AND MYSELF WILL LOOK INTO REVISING AND RENEGOTIATING OUR CURRENT CONTRACT WITH GOLDEN SUN TREE AS MUCH OF THE CURRENT CONDITIONS COULD BE REMOVED SINCE ALL THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED OF OUR CONTRACTOR WOULD BE WEEKLY CUTTINGS AND REPLACEMENT OF PLANTS ON AS NEEDED BASIS. THIS CONCEPT WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD FOR FURTHER REVIEW PRIOR TO THE NEXT FISCAL BUDGET.  I HOPE THIS IDEA IS EMBRACED BY THE BOARD THUS PROVIDING GABLES ESTATES WITH NEARLY DAILY SERVICES.

g)      OUR BUDGET IS ON TARGET EXCEPT AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR WE HAD FOUR SALES AND THIS YEAR WE ONLY HAVE TWO SALES TO DATE.  I AM SURE WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS WE WILL HAVE AT LEAST TWO MORE SALES LEAVING THE CLUB WITH A SURPLUS OF AROUND $200,000. IN MY ESTIMATION.

h)       THE LEUCADENDRA TENNIS CLUB IS CURRENTLY ENHANCING THEIR LANDSCAPING AND THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THIS PRACTICE TO CONTINUE.  I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MR. JERONIMO ESTEVE FOR HIS DONATION OF SEVEN ROYAL PALMS WHICH WILL BE PLANTED AT THE TENNIS CLUB.

i)         CASUARINA CONCOURSE FLAG POLE

MR. GUERRA ANNOUNCED THAT MRS. FEINSTEIN HAD PICTURES AVAILABLE TONIGHT  FOR THE MEMBERSHIP TO VIEW REGARDING CATS RESCUED AND GIVEN TREATMENT AND CARE BY THE CAT COMMITTEE.  HE THANKED MRS. FEINSTEIN FOR THE OUTSTANDING JOB SHE HAS DONE.  MR. GUERRA THANKED THE FOLLOWING DONORS  WHO GAVE TO THE CAT COMMITTEE: FOUNDER OF PROJECT AND MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO THIS ENDEAVOR PRIOR TO THE BOARD’S INVOLVEMENT; MS. SILVANIA SILDACUNA

DONATIONS:

DANIEL CANEL

JACK UGENT

EVA & BRUCE ZWIGARD

DARIA AND RICHARD FEINSTEIN

ALAN POTAMKIN

TRISH BELL

EUGENE CONESE

VICTOR CLARKE

PATRICIA CRUZ

BONNIE ZIEGLER

RAFAEL MARTINEZ

LAURA & MICHAEL JONES

BETH MORGENTHAU

MILTON WALLACE

MRS. FRIDMAN WAS INTRODUCED TO THE MEMBERSHIP AND TOOK THE PODIUM.  SHE STATED LANDSCAPING WAS HER PASSION AND SHE WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE CONDITION OF LANDSCAPING ON CASUARINA CONCOURSE.  MRS. FRIDMAN SAID SHE HAD WORKED WITH KATHLEEN AND MR. ARGIZ AS WELL AS MR. GUERRA.  SHE MENTIONED SHE HAD WORKED WITH THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES TRIMMING CREW WHILE THEY WERE CUTTING THE OAK TREES EACH DAY BY BRINGING THEM COFFEE AND DESSERTS AT 7:30 A.M.   MRS. FRIDMAN DISCUSSED THE MAINTENANCE OF THE FERNS AT THE SEAWALLS ON CASUARINA, THE CLEANING OF THE SEA LETTUCE WHICH WERE INVADING THE SEA GRAPES.  SHE STATED CASUARINA NEEDS SOMEONE DEDICATED AND PASSIONATE ABOUT LANDSCAPING TO MAINTAIN OUR BLOCK AND KNOW WHAT OUR STREET NEEDS, LIKE IRRIGATION.  SHE SAID OUR HANDYMAN WORKS WITH HOSES AND THIS IS TOO TIME CONSUMING.  SHE THANKED MR. WALLACE FOR THE DONATION OF 55 SEAGRAPES AND THANKED MR. POTAMKIN FOR THE USE OF HIS CREW TO CLEAN OF HIS ISLAND WHICH TOOK THREE FULL HOURS.  SHE SAID SHE WAS VERY GRATEFUL TO BOTH GENTLEMEN.  MRS. FRIDMAN SAID IT WAS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE FOR THE HANDYMAN TO GET RID OF THE SEA LETTUCE AND THAT WHAT WAS NEEDED WAS A GARDENING CREW TO TAKE THEM OUT BY THE ROOTS.  MRS. FRIDMAN SAID THE HANDYMAN IS VERY PLEASANT AND WORKS VERY HARD AND IS VERY RELIABLE.  MRS. FRIDMAN STATED BORIS FROM THE CITY IS CHANGING OUT THE GREEN LIGHTS TO WHITE LIGHTS WHICH ARE ELEGANT FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. MRS. FRIDMAN SAID SHE JUST WANTS HER STREET TO BE MORE LIVABLE AND BEAUTIFUL AND ALL IT WILL TAKE IS KINDNESS AND COMPASSION WHICH WE NEED TO SHOW EACH OTHER.  

MR. GUERRA THANKED MRS. FRIDMAN.  HE NOTED THE LACK OF IRRIGATION ON THE BRIDGES ON LEUCANDEDRA  AS WELL AS SEVERAL ISLANDS ON THE ARVIDAS AND LEUCADENDRA THAT DO NOT HAVE LIGHTING.  HE STRESSED MANY IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS MAINTENANCE OF THE OAKS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CITY AND THE CLUB HAS LOBBIED TO IM PROVE THE CONDITIONS.  THE PRESIDENT STATED A LOT OF WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS AND MUCH MORE IS REQUIRED.  HE INVITED EVERYONE TO SEE THE CONDITIONS ON LEUCADENDRA AND NOTED THAT ENHANCEMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED AS A COMMUNITY.  HE STRESSED THE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS START ON MAY 1ST AND IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED AFTER THEIR COMPLETION.  THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER IMPROVEMENTS EQUALLY FOR EACH STREET.  HE ASKED FOR THE MEMBERSHIPS’ COOPERATION AND INVITED ANYONE WHO FELT DIFFERENTLY TO SPEAK WITH HIM DIRECTLY.  MR. MUSSO CAUTIONED REPAVING THE ROADS AND THAN ADDING IRRIGATION AND LIGHTING WHICH WOULD DAMAGE THE ROADS.  MR. GUERRA STATED HE WOULD LOOK INTO THAT WITH THE CITY.  MRS. FERNANDES DISCUSSED THE WASTING OF GOOD PLANTS, QUESTIONED RELOCATING PLANTS WHICH DID NOT FAIR WELL AND STATED SHE WANTED THE THEME OF GABLES ESTATES TO BE THE SAME FOR ARVIDA, LEUCADENDRA DRIVE AND CASUARINA.  MRS. MUSSO ASKED WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE LANDSCAPING CREW AND MR. GUERRA STATED OUR ADMINISTRATOR.  THE PRESIDENT STATED STRONGLY THAT ONLY BOARD MEMBERS OR EMPLOYEES OF GABLES ESTATES CAN WORK WITH THE CLUB’S CONTRACTOR’S DUE TO LIABILITY EXPOSURE AND OUR AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES.  THE PRESIDENT STRESSED THIS ISSUE MUST BE TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY AND NO ONE WHOM IS NOT AUTHORIZED SHALL BE ALLOWED TO DIRECT OR PERFORM DUTIES ON THE PUBLIC AREAS OF THE STREETS OF GABLES ESTATES.  MR. GUERRA SAID ANYONE WITH SUGGESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING LANDSCAPING CONDITIONS MUST PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION TO KATHLEEN IN WRITING AND THE BOARD WILL TAKE THE MATTER INTO CONSIDERATION.

MRS. BOHN STATED SHE WOULD PREFER THE FUNDS FOR THE PAVERS TO GO TO PLACING THE CABLES UNDERGROUND. MR. MUSSO ASKED IF IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP THE PAVER PROJECT FOR CASUARINA.   MR. GUERRA SAID YES THAT THE AGREEMENT WAS ALREADY SIGNED.  HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE SURVEY FROM THE MEMBERSHIP WAS IN FAVOR OF THE PAVER AND THE CONCERN FOR THOSE WHO VOTED AGAINST IT WAS THE LIABILITY AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PAVERS.  AFTER TWO YEARS OF MEETINGS AND THREE PUBLIC WORK DIRECTORS, THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LIABILITY AND MAINTENANCE AS PER THE SIGNED AGREEMENT.  THE PRESIDENT STATED THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING ALL THE STREETS UNIFORM WITHIN GABLES ESTATES AND ARVIDA AND LEUCADENDRA ARE GOING TO HAVE PAVERS INSTALLED, SO CASUARINA NEEDS PAVERS AS WELL.  THE PRESIDENT ALSO STRESSED THE ORIGINAL CONSULTANT’S DESIGN; FOR THE TRAFFIC CALMING STREET IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH TOOK PLACE OVER SEVEN YEARS AGO, INCLUDED THE FIVE TRAFFIC CALMING CIRCLES ENHANCED WITH PAVERS.  THIS WAS DONE FOR SAFETY REASONS AND THE MEMBERSHIP VOTED FOR THAT PRESENTATION. 

MR. POTAMKIN STATED THE REEF ACROSS FROM HIS PROPERTY ARE NOT PROPERLY MARKED.  MR. GUERRA STATED HE WILL ADDRESS THIS WITH THE CITY AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THAT MATTER. 

ADJOURNMENT

THE PRESIDENT STATED ONCE AGAIN, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND AS ALWAYS WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND IDEAS ON ALL MATTERS CLUB RELATED.  THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING WAS MADE AND SECONDED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR.   THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 9:15 P.M.

                                                            _____________________________________________

MR. RENE GUERRA, PRESIDENT

                                                            _____________________________________________

                                                            MR. BILL BOX, SECRETARY

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