letterfromthe president

Dear Members,

This May issue - "The People Issue" - provides us with an opportune moment to celebrate the spirit of community and acknowledge the extraordinary individuals who make CAI an unparalleled force in the realm of community associations. It is no exaggeration to say that the strength of our organization lies in the people who actively participate, lead, and champion our cause. I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the unwavering dedication and incredible contributions that each and every one of you bring to our organization.

Our members embody the core values that underpin the success of our mission. They are the driving force behind CAI's invaluable resources, innovative programs, and unrivaled expertise that empower community associations across the nation. It is through their unwavering commitment and passion that we continue to build and nurture thriving communities

From dedicated community managers who tirelessly serve as the backbone of associations to talented professionals providing exceptional guidance and support, the commitment displayed by our members is truly commendable The collaborative efforts of attorneys, landscape professional, bankers, insurance agents and countless other professionals within our network are instrumental in fostering sustainable and harmonious communities.

Let us not forget the countless volunteers who selflessly contribute their time, energy, and expertise to make a meaningful difference in their communities. Whether serving on boards, committees, or engaging in grassroots initiatives, these exceptional individuals embody the very essence of community spirit and exemplify the power of collective action.

Furthermore, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated staff and the countless individuals who work tirelessly as board members and committee chairs behind the scenes to ensure that CAI continues to be a beacon of excellence. Their commitment to providing valuable resources, fostering meaningful connections, and advocating for the interests of community associations is immeasurable.

Together, we have cultivated a vibrant community within CAI that embraces diversity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Our members, with their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, contribute to a rich tapestry of ideas, innovation, and forward-thinking strategies that drive our industry forward.

Many thanks to all of you. I'm grateful.

-Leslie

PS. That's me on the cover at the Jumbo Shrimp game with Scampi, the mascot.

As an additional sponsor benefit, click on each sponsor's ad to be taken to their website and learn more about their company.

Articles in this publication are courtesy of individual and company contributors and are independent views of that company.

Kenneth Baker, Beau Rivage of Jacksonville, Volunteer Leader

Walter Cox, Amelia Island Plantation Community Association, Volunteer Leader

Allison F Creveling, Swel Janitorial Group, Business Partners

Clella Davis, Beau Rivage of Jacksonville, Volunteer Leader

Marc Ferretti, Krystal Klean, Business Partners

Wanda Gartman, CCMC - AZ, Manager

Michael Heintzmann, Amelia Island Plantation Community Association, Volunteer Leader

Chris Kirwan, Amelia Island Plantation Community Association, Volunteer Leader

Debe Koch, ManageCasa Property Management Software, Chapter BP

Gayle McClary, Beau Rivage of Jacksonville, Volunteer Leader

Emily Mckoy, Leland Management, Inc., Manager

Tracy McQuaid, Amelia Island Plantation Community Association, Volunteer Leader

Judy Moore, Amelia Island Plantation Community Association, Volunteer Leader

Beverly D Phillips, Ocean 21-22 Condominium, Manager

Beth Rio, Beau Rivage of Jacksonville, Volunteer Leader

Mary Rushing, Beau Rivage of Jacksonville, Volunteer Leader

Owen Williams, Amelia Island Plantation Community Association, Volunteer Leader

Leslie Pragasam Angius & Terry President - 2022-2023

Zenzi Rogers Lennar President -Elect/ Interim Treasurer - 20222023

Liaison to the Programs Committee

Kate McAdams Performance Painting

Secretary- 2022-2023

Liaison to the EXPO Committee

2022-2023 Committee Chairs

Robyn Severs, Esq., Legislative Action Committee Chairperson

Becker Alanda Williams

Membership Committee Chairperson

Manin Construction

Frank Prescuitti

EXPO Committee Co-Chair

Koehn Outdoor

Patty Truax Stewart

EXPO Committee Co-Chair Associa of Jacksonville

Jesse Martinez-Skinner CMCA, AMS Associa CMC

Jackonsville

Board Member at Large2022-2023

Chair of the Nominating Committee

Brown & Brown Insurance

Board Member at Large/Immediate Past President - 2022-2023

Liaison to the Membership Committee

Catie Marks May Management

Board Member at Large2022-2023

Liaison to the Social and Gala Committees

Meet the 2022-2023

NEFLCAI Board of Directors

Ashleigh Northrop Programming Committee Chairperson

Sentry Management

Tara Tallasken Communications Committee

Co-Chair

Vesta Property Services

Brooke Hassan Communications Committee Co-Chair

Vesta Property Services

Austin Rice

Gala Committee Co-Chair

Martex Landscape

Joshua Donlon

Gala Committee Co-Chair

Ball Janik

WRITTEN BY: VESTA PROPERTY SERVICES

Thanking Volunteers

While we can all recognize that doing good is its own reward, most board members would agree that volunteering for an HOA can be a thankless job. It’s always good to remind the volunteers in your community that their time, effort and commitment doesn’t go unrecognized.

How one management company recommends you do it . . .

Help volunteer in your Association

While board members do a lot of heavy lifting for the community, it is always nice to give them an opportunity to take a break by volunteering your own time. You can do this by planning social events like a barbecue or a holiday party, creating a cleanup crew to walk the neighborhood and pick up trash, or serve on a committee you are personally passionate about such as safety, gardening or even pickle ball.

If you don’t have the time to organize an event yourself, then just take note of large projects that are underway in your community. Big projects can require volunteers; contact your HOA manager or board to offer even just a few hours of your time.

Show appreciation

Whenever you receive a communication or a newsletter, keep an eye out for the people in your community being featured and make an effort to introduce yourself or just say thank you for what they have done for your neighborhood. You can also send an email or personalized card to a volunteer, telling them you appreciate their hard work!

Host a thank you party

Board members and community volunteers give their time and talent to your community freely, and it is only because of their willingness to volunteer that your community can run smoothly.

Hosting a lunch, dinner or even a cocktail party to acknowledge their efforts is a kind gesture that will be remembered and appreciated.

Write a thank you letter for your community newsletter

Writing out the things volunteers did that you and your fellow residents recognized is a good way to let them know that you see the good they are doing for your community, despite possible disputes or disagreements. Writing a short letter or asking people to contribute small quotes of thanks to be posted on a bulletin or in a newsletter is a nice way to get the word out to everyone in the community that hard work is always appreciated.

We here at Vesta would like to thank the volunteers in all of our communities, the work you do is critical to the day to day operations of your neighborhoods and it doesn’t go unnoticed

Several laws have been passed during Florida’s recent legislative session, and one in particular will have a significant impact for community associations. On April 13, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 360 (“SB 360”) into law. This new law shortens the time period for bringing lawsuits based on design and construction defect claims and creates new legal hurdles for multi-building communities.

Shortened Time Periods for Bringing Construction Defect Claims

The time periods for initiating lawsuits based on design and construction defect claims are established by §95.11(3)(c), Florida Statutes. Prior to the passage of SB 360, the time periods laid out in §95.11(3)(c) began to run upon the later of various triggering events.

further restricts community association's ability to bring design and construction defect lawsuits

As amended by SB 360, §95.11(3)(c)’s repose and limitation periods are triggered by the earliest of the following events: 1) issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy, 2) issuance of a certificate of occupancy, 3) issuance of a certificate of completion, or 4) the date of abandonment of construction if not completed. SB 360 does not alter §95.11(3)(c)’s fouryear statute of limitations for design and construction defect claims but it does shorten the statute of repose for latent (hidden) construction defects from ten years to seven years.

Unique Issues for Multi-Building Communities

Before the enactment of SB 360, Florida courts tended to apply §95.11(3)(c)’s repose and limitation periods to each community or project as a whole. In other words, the same repose and limitation periods would be applied to every building within a community. Under SB 360, repose and limitation periods must be applied in multi-building communities on a building-by-building basis. This means that the repose and limitation periods for one building in a community can be triggered years prior to those applied to other buildings in the same community.

What SB 360 Means for Community Associations

SB 360 has significantly shortened the time when an owner, including a community association, must take legal action against contractors for latent construction defects. These changes compromise the protections afforded to homeowners, because typically, latent defects, including foundation issues or leaks behind siding and under roofs, are ones that cannot be seen. SB 360 has created challenging obstacles for community association claimants that will, in some cases, eliminate the opportunity to address legitimate defect issues. This is why, more so now than ever, it is important to explore your legal options and consult an attorney as soon as you begin to suspect your community may have construction defect issues.

WRITTEN BY: SOLITUDE LAKE MANAGEMENT

One of a community association’s biggest priorities is aesthetic appeal. Aesthetically pleasing elements around a community can help retain homeowners and make it more desirable to potential residents, boost property values, strengthen its reputation, and inspire confidence in property managers. But it can be challenging to sustain superior aesthetics without nonstop maintenance.

Floating fountains are an excellent, costeffective tool that can provide long lasting aesthetic benefits without the burden of constant maintenance. Better yet, fountains have many functional advantages to steadily support the health and beauty of aquatic ecosystems.

Like a star on a Christmas tree or a vase of flowers on a table, fountains are often used as a finishing touch on lakes and ponds. Property managers can choose from dozens of options to fit the unique aesthetic needs of their communities – from large, magnificent systems that propel intricate water patterns into the air, to delicate fountains with graceful silhouettes. They can stand alone as a spectacular focal point or be grouped together for eye-catching shape and movement. Fountains can also be outfitted with captivating lighting elements to reflect brand colors, holidays, and themed events, or simply for continued enjoyment after the sun has set.

Lake Fountains are pretty, but did you know they also help promote clean water?

But many property managers don’t know that their benefits are twofold. Floating fountains are not only capable of transforming the beauty of a waterbody, they also help reinforce healthy, balanced water quality conditions.

This is accomplished in two ways. First, fountains increase dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the waterbody. The turbulence of water falling across the lake or pond increases the transfer of oxygen at the surface. Second, fountains help circulate the water, spreading vital DO throughout the water column. DO is an important indicator of a healthy waterbody, and one of the first components aquatic experts measure during lake and pond evaluations. Fish, native plants, and beneficial bacteria and organisms that serve as the base of the food chain all require DO to survive.

Balanced DO levels help support healthy, flourishing ecosystems that, in turn, enhance the surrounding community. DO is also essential for the natural “digestion” of bottom muck, animal waste, and other organic matter containing high concentrations of nutrients. When nutrient levels pass a desirable threshold, aquatic weeds, algae, and toxic cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) are more likely to develop – leading to frustrated residents and ongoing complaints to property managers. Once weeds and algae become established in a waterbody, they may trigger other problems like dangerous shoreline erosion, fish kills, stormwater damage, and flooding.

Fountains are incredible tools, but sometimes communities are more interested in the functional benefits than aesthetics. In these cases, professionals may recommend a surface aerator. Like a traditional fountain, surface aerators float on the waterbody, but are designed to churn water at a higher flow, injecting up to 3 lbs of oxygen per horsepower per hour into the water.

It’s important to note that fountains and surface aerators are most effective in waterbodies less than 6 feet deep. That’s why professionals recommend pairing lake fountains with a submersed aerator, which pumps surface air through a diffuser placed on the bottom of the waterbody. As the bubbles rise, they further oxygenate and circulate the water column.

Though fountains and aerators are considered low-maintenance, annual upkeep will help prolong equipment performance for as long as possible. As part of an annual management program, aquatic experts make the process easy. Approximately once a month, your professional will check the system, removing any debris that may have accumulated and closely examining for any signs of wear. 1-2 times per year, your professional may remove the fountain to perform a more comprehensive inspection of the motor and wiring. If freezing is particularly severe in the region, they may also prepare it for winterization. This involves draining the equipment, removing accessories like lights and nozzles, disconnecting wiring, and wrapping it in a protective cover for winter storage. Every 3-4 years, your professional will also perform an oils and seals change, which involves replacing components that help the system run smoothly and prevent water from leaking into the power unit.

Fountains provide unparalleled benefits, both aesthetic and functional, but they are just one piece of a comprehensive annual management program. Aquatic experts tailor these programs to the unique environmental demands of your waterbody, incorporating many tools and solutions as needed. These include water quality testing, nutrient mitigation, shoreline restoration, buffer management, weeds and algae treatments, mechanical hydro-raking, and other impactful services.

Maintaining an aesthetically pleasing community is more challenging than it looks. Property managers know that premium aesthetics often require significant upkeep, time, and expenses. Floating fountains can make a big splash in any community while working overtime to support the health of the aquatic ecosystem and the well-being of residents.

Quick Notes

We are waiting on 154 to be presented to the Governor.

360 has already become law. 437 will become effective July 1, 2023.

799 and 7052 were presented to the Governor on 5.16.23. He has 15 days from 5.16 to sign.

919 we are waiting to be presented to the Governor.