NEFLCAI August 2021 - The Community Connnection

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No r t h e a s t F l o r i d a C h a p t e r C o mmu n i t y A s s o c i a t i o n s I n s t i t u t e

THE COMMUNITY CONNECTION

In This Issue: Dog Ate Your Documents?

Stop That Barking Summer's Still Cooking School Bus Safety Pool Hygiene Pet Rules Because . . .Pets!

Legislative Update

s y s a y a D D g o g o D D e h e T h T ! r ! e r e m m m u m S u f S o f o

events

contact information

Safeguarding Your Building: A Presentation on Structural Failure Prevention August 26 12:00p-1:00p Virtual Via Zoom

10950-60 San Jose Blvd., #182 Jacksonville, FL 32223 ced@neflcai.com

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

2021 board of directors

click on the video below for a message from Agent M

President - Pilar Willis Dixon, CIC, CIRMS Brown & Brown Insurance President-Elect - Jesse Skinner, LCAM, CMCA Leland Management Secretary - Leslie Pragasam, LCAM Vesta Property Services Treasurer - Cindy Dunlop Cogent Bank, SVP, Commercial Relationship Manager Director - Carmen Mazzeo, LCAM Homeowner Leader Director - Robin Braddock ServPro Mandarin Immediate Past President - David Robinson First Coast Mulch Chapter Executive Director - Robin Miller NEFLCAI

NEFLCAI provides education, networking, resources, and advocacy for Community Associations in Northeast Florida and the professionals who serve them.

2021 committees Membership Carmen Mazzeo - Board Liaison Mary Price- Chair Social Leslie Pragasam - Board Liaison Kyle Stoudenmire - Chair Program Pilar Willis Dixon - Board Liaison Ed Ronsman - Chair EXPO Cindy Dunlop - Board Liaison Elle Walch - Chair

If you're interested in being on a committee for 2021, we'd love to have you.

Please reach out to our Executive Director Robin Miller to get connected. ced@neflcai.com

letter from the president WRITTEN BY PILAR WILLIS-DIXON, CIC, CIRMS BROWN & BROWN INSURANCE

As we wrap up summer and send our children/grandchildren back to school, we wanted to share some of our NEFL Chapter’s successes and also our upcoming events.

Please keep referring to our new website and our Facebook page to keep abreast of upcoming things. And if you have an interesting article to share or a fun photo, please put those there.

Our CAMS and Boards are busy preparing their budgets for 2022. We hope the "Tackling Budget Preparations Head On" presentation in July was helpful. Our speaker panel of Amanda Sizemore, Charlie Sheppard, and Ashleigh Northrop gave a wonderful presentation with helpful hints and information. Budgets are a critical element for every association.

Thank you to all of our generous Chapter sponsors as well as our Presenting sponsors and exhibitors at the trade show. Please support the sponsors that support and make events possible for our CAI Chapter. You will find articles and ads throughout the magazine.

Our Virtual Happy Hour Drawing Party was last week and it was so much fun. We used the whiteboard technology on Zoom. (Check out my flower drawing - lol - not easy to do with a mouse.)

The August 26th luncheon program will feature a panel of experts to discuss safeguarding your buildings. Our hearts are broken with the loss of life at Champlain Towers. CLICK HERE to register.

On September 9th, we will host our Chapter Expo and Education day from 8am-5:30pm with nearly 60 Exhibitors, 12 classes, Happy Hour, networking, prizes and Spy Games to go along with our spyrelated theme. At this time our plan includes a larger floorplan for the tradeshow floor with wider aisles and more distancing between the booths. Our classroom arrangements also take into consideration necessary spacing and limitation of seating.

Best, Pilar

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

NEFLCAI - 2021 Platinum Sponsors Click their logo to go to their website.

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"THE DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK" IS NOT A GOOD EXCUSE FOR WHY YOU MAY NOT HAVE A PARTICULAR DOCUMENT BY:PATTY TRUAX-STEWART, ASSOCIA

WHY SHOULD YOU RETAIN ASSOCIATION DOCUMENTS? SHOULD YOU KEEP OR TOSS YOUR DOCUMENTS? WHICH ONES TO KEEP AND WHICH ONES TO PURGE?

ion for both homeowner associations and condominium associations are which documents to keep or purge. The 2nd question always is shall we retain the documents in storage or “In the Cloud”.

From a Manager's Perspective . . .

Reason and Resources for Document Retention

We always ask ourselves “There is a place for everything and everything is in its place. In a world where technology rules, there is always the quest-

1. Determine how long and where to store the documents, whether on paper or electronically.

2. Determine the time to retain documents versus

purging them. Remember in Florida, the statute 7. Create a checklist of which documents to requires 7 years for certain documents. retain.

3. Permanent Documents regardless of the time 8. Involve volunteer members to review the policy include governing documents, minutes, financial each year to determine which documents to retain records, maps, plats and all policies and rules & and which to keep. regulations.

4. Create Records Retention Policy – always review every two (2) years and identify the records to be kept permanently versus temporary for the 7year period.

5. Record Retention allows the Board and community know the history of policies and documents even as Board Members change. It creates a history of the community.

6. It is a safe-keeping record of all-important documents which include governing documents, plats, maps, policies, historical information.

Stop That Barking!

Training.

Always the first recommendation for any behavioral problem! Help is as close as the Yellow Pages. Training not only helps your dog, you’ll be surprised how much it helps you, too. You may get some insight into why your dog barks so much, or what it is trying to communicate.

Citronella collars. A humane alternative to the electric-shock, antibarking collar and costs about the same.

Available on the web and in pet stores.

COURTESY OF: CAI NATIONAL

Confinement. Sometimes simply bringing an outspoken dog indoors or confining it to a crate can cut down on the disturbance to neighbors.

Dogs left alone all day get bored and restless, and many find relief in barking.

Some respond noisily to any and all activity. But, nothing is as annoying as incessant barking—even for dog lovers.

Reduce stimulus. Close drapes to help muffle street noise, or leave a radio on to mask it. Disconnect telephones and doorbells before leaving your home if they upset your dog or make it bark.

If your dog is a yapper or a yowler, please consider some of these barkabatement ideas to keep the noise down in your area.

Companionship. Dogs are pack animals; they need companionship—a cat, bird, or another dog. Consider a midday visit from a pet-sitting service, or drop your pooch off at a friend’s place or a day-care facility once or twice a week.

Your neighbors will thank you!

2021 NEFLCAI Bronze Sponsors

till s is r e .. m m ng . u S ki coo

COURTESY OF: CAI NATIONAL

We may be rounding home to September and the official start of Fall, but summer is definitely still here. In these dog days of summer, being mindful of energy conservation can help reduce your electricity bills - and your carbon footprint.

Take a look at the following suggestions to increase your energy conservation efforts and beat the heat without breaking the bank. ·Cook dinner outside. Save electricity by using a charcoal or gas grill to cook your favorite summertime meals. ·Open the windows. Instead of cranking the air conditioning on summer evenings, opt for fresh air instead. Invest in an inexpensive electric fan to circulate the air. ·Light candles. Since longer summer days afford more daylight, reconsider turning on the lights and use candles instead or as a supplement. Be sure not to leave burning candles unattended, especially around pets and children.

·Modify the AC when you’re not home. Adjusting the thermostat—even by a few degrees—when you’re not home can conserve a significant amount of electricity. ·Turn off the electronics. Power down the television and computer to spend time with friends and family outdoors. Splash around in your community pool or have a potluck barbeque in your backyard. ·Take a walk. If possible, choose to walk to nearby stores and restaurants instead of driving.

Early mornings and evenings are prime times for a stroll, especially in areas with hot climates. ·Take a cool shower or bath. For a refreshing alternative to a hot shower, reduce your hot water heater usage by bathing in cooler water a few times a week. ·Limit water consumption. Water the lawn every other day at off-peak times, use environmentallyfriendly, disposable plate ware and utensils instead of running the dishwasher and spend a little less time in the shower.

NEFLCAI - 2021 Gold Sponsors Click on their logo to go to their website.

NEFLCAI - 2021 Silver Sponsor

NEFLCAI - 2020 Bronze Sponsors

School Bus Safety WRITTEN BY LESLIE PRAGASAM, LCAM & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, VESTA PROPERTY SERVICES

School has started for most counties in our area during these past couple of weeks, so it’s important to remind ourselves of the importance of school bus safety rules. In fact, the third week of October is National School Bus Safety Week. According to their website, “more than 25 million children are transported to and from school” with “about 500,000 school buses travel(ing) the roads each day.” With so many children and school buses on the road each day, let’s review some of the laws. Effective October 1, 2019, the use of a wireless communications device in a handheld manner while driving in a designated school crossing, school zone, or active work zone area is prohibited. As of January 1, 2021, the penalties for failure to stop for a school bus doubled. The penalties for passing a school bus while the school bus displays the stop signal also doubled.

The following are school bus safety tips for motorists from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle website.

Be alert and watch for children especially near schools, bus stops, school buses and in school parking lots.

Children on bicycles can be unpredictable and can make sudden changes in direction. Be especially careful when children are present in school zones and residential areas.

Pay extra attention to lower speed limits in school zones.

Watch for and obey signals from school crossing guards.

Only drive or park in authorized areas to drop off or pick up children at school.

Motorists are required to stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and STOP arms extended. (See the different situations in the diagram below) All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (See diagram, TWO-LANE) On a highway divided by a paved median, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (See diagram, MULTI-LANE) The only time traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop, is if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic.

(See diagram, DIVIDED HIGHWAY) On a highway divided by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least 5 feet wide, drivers moving in the opposite direction do not have to stop for the bus (painted lines or pavement markings are not considered barriers). However, these motorists should slow down and watch for students loading or unloading from the bus. (See diagram, DIVIDED HIGHWAY)

NEFLCAI The Community Connection Advertising Upcoming Issues October Issue - to drop September 24 (ads due 9/1) November Issue - to drop November 3 (ads due 10/1)

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Keeping Pool Water Safe

Your backyard swimming pool may look refreshing, particularly on a sweltering hot day. But if it’s not properly monitored, the water can harbor bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause what the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) call recreational water illnesses. Instances of these ailments, which include ear and eye infections and respiratory, intestinal and skin diseases, are dramatically on the rise according to the CDC; reported cases have more than tripled in the past 20 years.

If your home includes a backyard swimming pool, hot tub or wading pool, take the following steps to minimize outbreaks of infections: · Be diligent about hygiene.

COURTESY OF: CAI NATIONAL

· Change diapered children well away from the pool and its surrounding deck, and make sure all swimmers take frequent bathroom breaks.

·Remind swimmers not swallow pool water and to shower with soap each time they enter or leave the pool. ·Don’t allow pets in the water. ·Don’t allow anyone who has an infection or illness to enter the pool area. And have a plan—and implement it immediately—if anything occurs that contaminates the water.

Be Aware. Check the water pH and chlorine levels regularly—or have it monitored regularly by a professional pool service—particularly during times of heavy use. The CDC website says the following signs can indicate whether or not pool water is safe: ·Water should be clear enough that you can see any painted stripes and the bottom of the pool. ·The sides of the pool should be smooth and not sticky or slippery. ·A well-chlorinated pool has little odor, while a strong chemical smell indicates a maintenance problem. ·Make sure the pool pumps and filtration systems are in good repair and operating as they should.

Be Informed. The chemicals used to sanitize pool water are themselves toxic if used, stored or applied improperly, so make sure you know how to handle them or have a professional pool service do it for you on a prescribed schedule.

Swimming pools are a great source of recreation, exercise and relaxation, and a little vigilance on your part can help ensure that you and your guests don’t get sick.

Visit www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/protection/pool-user-tips-factsheet.html for more information about pool water safety.

Questions every condo resident should be asking.

Download CONDO SAFETY today.

Condominium association residents and volunteer board members around the world understandably have questions about the safety of their own communities and are wondering how to protect their buildings after the tragic collapse of Champlain Tower South in Surfside, Fla. Community Associations Institute (CAI), the leading international authority in community association education, governance, and management, is providing information and resources to help concerned residents and board members understand structural integrity, maintenance, and reserves. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

Pet Rules for HOA Harmony COURTESY OF: CAI NATIONAL

Your four-legged family members are part of the community.

Of course, like any good neighbor, it’s important that these pets don’t create an unpleasant environment for everyone else. To avoid unnecessary disputes and potential rule violations, here are some guidelines owners should follow to ensure their furry friends continue to be a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Read the Rules: While we welcome pets in our association, we have a few rules and requirements. Please check our website or the association’s governing documents for more information.

Service animals are exempt from the association’s pet requirements. However, please contact the board or manager to ask for an accommodation to keep a service animal. Proof of the service animal’s training or a doctor’s certification may be required.

Keep it Clean: No one wants to see, smell or accidently step in the “gift” your dog left on the grassy common area. So when your dog needs to go, be sure to properly dispose of it, preferably in a pet waste disposal can. Not only will this keep our community looking better, but it will help keep ground water clean and help prevent the spread of fecal-borne diseases.

Quiet Down: Pets will be noisy from time to time. However, when loud barking or meowing becomes annoying to neighbors, it’s time to help your pet become less talkative. First, try to find out what causes your pets to get vocal: Do they get noisy when they’ve been alone and bored all day and need some playtime? Have they gone through a stressful change in environment recently? Are they suffering from health issues? Do they simply like saying “hello” to every squirrel, person or car that passes by? When you’ve identified the cause, take remedial actions such as confining them to an area where they feel calm while you’re away, removing or blocking as many stimuli as possible, exercising them more and spending more time with them. You can also take them to a professional or search online for tips on how to train your pets not to get too noisy.

No Wandering: For the safety of your pets as well as all residents, please do not allow your pets to roam unattended outside. Along with helping protect your pets, leashing your dog is the law.

Because the World Needs to See Cute Pets Right About Now These adorable pets belong to the humans on our board of directors or our sponsors.

Kali, Bailey, Ryleigh Human: Lynda Maschue, Solitude Lake Management Platinum Sponsor

Leonard Human: Kevin Johnston, Marketing Director, Vesta Property Services Gold Sponsor

Chloe Human: Barry Ansbacher, Ansbacher Law Silver Sponsor

Alice Human: Charles Dehlinger, Dehlinger Construction Silver Sponsor

Bo Human: Leslie Pragasam, Vesta Property Services Gold Sponsor

Scooby Human: Cindy Dunlop, Cogent Bank Platinum Sponsor

Dovi Human: Mia Hefflin, I&E Construction Gold Sponsor

Cruise Human: Mia Hefflin, I&E Construction Gold Sponsor

Beau Human: Cindy Dunlop, Cogent Bank Platinum Sponsor

Max Human: Charlie Sheppard, Community Advisors Bronze Sponsor

Ziggy Stardust Human: Robin Braddock, ServPro Mandarin Board Member

Simba Human: Robyn Severs, Becker Silver Sponsor Miss Annie Human: Robyn Severs, Becker Silver Sponsor

Nala Human: Pilar Willis Dixon Platinum Sponsor Luna Human: Pilar Willis Dixon Platinum Sponsor

Summary of Legislative Changes for Community Associations 2021 WRITTEN BY: SHAYLA J. MOUNT, ESQ., BECKER

As if the social, medical, and technological changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic were not enough for community association board and members to adjust to over the past year, as of July 1, 2021, there are also a host of new changes to the Condominium (Chapter 718, F.S.), Cooperative (Chapter 719, F.S.), and Homeowner Association Acts (Chapter 720, F.S.), (collectively referred to as “The Acts”) which have practical and immediate effects on how associations operate and how they enforce and amend their governing documents.Below is a high-level summary of some of the main legislative changes affecting community associations this year. Note that associations should consult with their attorney to review the

current language of their governing documents to determine what amendments may be required in order to remain consistent with the current language of the relevant Acts applicable to the association.

I. Legislative Changes Affecting Condominium Associations: Official Records Request (s.718.111(12)(a), (b), (c), F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – These recent amendments expand a tenant’s right to inspect the declaration of condominium, bylaws and rules; requires bids for work to be maintained for at least one (1) year after receipt and prohibits the association from requiring a purpose or reason for a records request.

Additionally, s. 718.501(1), F.S., (effective July 1, 2021) was also amended to expand the jurisdiction of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes (“Division”) to investigate complaints related to the maintenance of and unit owner access to association official records.

2.Assessment Notices (s. 718.111(12) (a) and (c), F.S.; s. 718.116(6)(b), F.S.; 718.121(4) and (5), F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – These amendments require an association to maintain as part of the association’s official records all affirmative acknowledgments made by owners if the association changes its method of delivery of assessment notices; increases the time frame for the required presuit Intent to Lien and Intent to Foreclose notices from 30 days to 45 days; and requires an additional Statement of Account and Notice of Late Assessment prior to the association turning over the owner’s account to the attorney.

3.Notice of Meetings (s. 718.112(2)(d)3. & 4., F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – This change expands the ability of the association to post official notices to the membership on association property and requires notices of meetings to include an agenda; be mailed, hand-delivered, or electronically transmitted to each unit owner (consenting to receive electronic notice); and be posted in a conspicuous place on the condominium property or association property within the timeframe specified in the association’s bylaws, or at least fourteen (14) days, if there is no timeframe specified.

4.Insurance Subrogation (s. 627.714(4), F.S.; effective July 1, 2021) – This recent amendment provides that if a condominium association’s insurance policy does not provide rights for subrogation against the unit owners in the association, an insurance policy issued to an individual unit owner in

the association may not provide the right of subrogation against the condominium association.

5.Board Term Limits (s. 718.112(2)(d)2., F.S.) and Board Recall (s. 718.112(2)(j), F. S.), (effective July 1, 2021) – These amendments clarify that when determining applicability of the 8-year board term limit added to the Condominium Act in July 1, 2018 the director’s service start date will be on or after July 1, 2018 and now director recall disputes may be filed in state court or as a petition for arbitration with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes (“Division”).

6.Transfer Fees (s.718.112(2)(i) F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – The amendment increases the statutory amount the association can charge for transfer fees from $100 to $150. Note that an association may be required to amend their documents in order to remain consistent with the new statutory increase.

7.Technology – Condominium Websites and Apps (s.718.111(12)(g) F.S., effective July 1, 2021) - For condominiums with 150 or more units, an association may make certain required documents available through an application (“app”) that can be downloaded on a mobile device instead of posting copies of those documents on the association website.

8.Alternative Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation of Disputes, (s. 718.112(2)(k), F.S effective July 1, 2021) – Instead of requiring associations and unit owners to arbitrate certain disputes with the Division, association and unit owners can now choose to attempt mediation of disputes if the association’s bylaws require alternative dispute resolution prior to filing a lawsuit.

9.Electric Vehicle and Natural Gas Charging Stations – (s. 718.113(8) & (9), F.S.; effective July 1, 2021) – These new provisions expand an owner’s right to install an electric vehicle or natural gas charging station within an owner’s limited common element or association designated parking space subject to certain conditions.

10.Conflicts of Interest – (s. 718.112(2)(p), F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – This amendment removes the prohibition against association contracts with a service provider that is owned or operated by a board member (or certain relatives with a financial relationship); however, note that other conflict of interests provisions may still apply.

11.Board Emergency Powers - (s. 718.1265(1), F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this amendment expands the association board’s powers when there is an “emergency” now defined to include “any occurrence, or threat thereof, whether natural, technological, or manmade, in war or in peace, which results in or may result in substantial injury or harm to the population or substantial damage to or loss of property.”

12.Payment of Fines (s. 718.303, F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – This amendment provides that a properly imposed fine for violations of the governing documents is due 5 days after notice of the approved fine is provided to the unit owner and, if applicable, to any tenant, licensee, or invitee of the unit owner.

13.Removal of Discriminatory Covenants (s.718.111(1)(c) F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – Pursuant to s.

712.065, F.S., this amendment allows condominium association boards, without a vote of the owners, to remove discriminatory restrictions contained within an association’s governing documents, upon the request of a parcel owner.

14.Multicondominiums (s. 718.405(5), F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – Multicondominium associations may adopt consolidated or combined declaration of condominium but cannot merge the condominiums or change the legal descriptions of the condominium parcels, unless accomplished in accordance with relevant law.

II. Legislative Changes Affecting Homeowners Associations: 1.Rental Agreements (s. 720.306(1)(h)1.F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – Similar to the already existing language in the Condominium related to amendments restricting or prohibiting rental agreement, the HOA Act now provides that, except as otherwise provided in s. 720.306(1)(h), F.S., any governing document or amendment to a governing document that is enacted after July 1, 2021, which prohibits or regulates rental agreements, applies only to a parcel owner who acquires title to the parcel after the effective date of the governing document or amendment, or to a parcel owner who consents, individually or through a representative, to the governing document or amendment. However, an association may amend its governing documents to prohibit or regulate rental agreements for a term of less than 6 months and may prohibit the rental of a parcel for more than three times in a calendar year, and such amendments shall apply to all parcel owners regardless of whether they vote or how they vote.

2.Removal of “Rules and Regulations” from definition of “Governing Documents – (s. 720.301(8), F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – Board adopted rules and regulations are no longer statutorily defined as part of the association’s governing documents, meaning they no longer have to be recorded in the public records of the county.

3.Official Records (s. 720.303(4), (5), F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – This change requires an association to maintain for at least 1 year after the date of the election, vote or meeting, the ballots, sign-in sheets, voting proxies, and all other papers and electronic records relating to the parcel owners’ voting. Additionally, any documentation obtained in a gated community in connection with guests’ visits to parcel owners or community residents are records not accessible to members or parcel owners upon request.

4.Reserves (s. 720.303(6), F.S., effective July 1, 2021) - Reserves are now considered “mandatory” only if the declaration, articles or bylaws obligate the developer to create reserves or upon the affirmative approval of a majority of the total voting interests of the association.There were several other changes related to developer reserve funding which should be reviewed and discussed with the association’s attorney.

5.Association Notice to Owners (s. 720.306(1)(g), F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – All official notices required by s. 720.306, F.S., must now only be sent to the mailing address in the official records of the association and no longer have to be sent to the address on the property appraiser’s website.

6.Election Disputes (s. 720.306(9), F.S. effective July 1, 2021) – As of July 1, 2021, board of director election dispute must be submitted to binding arbitration with the Division or filed in state court.

7.Association Turnover and Transition (s. 720.307(1)(a), F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – The HOA Act now provides that parcel owners other than the developer are entitled to elect at least a majority of the board of directors three months after 90 percent of the parcels in all phases of the community that will ultimately be operated by the homeowners’ association have been conveyed to members other than the developer.

The changes to the Condominium Act referenced above related to Posting of association documents on an association application (s. 720.303(2)(c)1., F.S.), Recall of board members ((s. 720.303(10), F.S.), Payment of Fines (s. 720.305(2), F.S.), Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures (s. 720.311, F.S), Discriminatory Covenants (s. 720.3075, F.S.), and Emergency Powers (s. 720.316(1), F.S.) have also been amended in the above-referenced sections of the HOA Act. III. Legislative Changes Affecting Cooperative Associations: 1.Definition of Cooperative “Unit” (s. 719.103(25),F.S., effective July 1, 2021) - The definition of “Unit” is amended to state that “an interest in a unit is an interest in real property.”

2.Board and Committee Meetings (s. 719.106(1)(b)5., F.S., effective July 1, 2021) - A board or committee member participating in a meeting via telephone, real-time video conferencing, or similar real-time electronic or video communication now counts towards a quorum and such member may vote as if physically present.

3.Official Records (s. 719.104(2)(c), F.S., effective July 1, 2021) – As is the case for condominium association unit owner records requests, an association may not require a member to demonstrate any purpose or state any reason in order to inspect the official records.

The same legislative changes to Chapter 718, Florida Statutes (The Condominium Act) referenced above were also amended in Chapter 719, Florida Statutes, with regard to: Director Recalls (s. 719.106(1)(f), F.S.), Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures(s. 719.106(1)(l), F.S.), Discriminatory Covenants (s.719.106(3), F.S.), and Emergency Powers (s. 719.128(1), F.S.) Assessment Notices (s. 719.108(3)(b), F.S.).

The above summary is a non-exhaustive list of some of the legislative changes now applicable to community associations so be sure to consult further with your association’s counsel for a full review of the latest legislative changes, including an assessment of what may be required with regard to updating your association’s governing documents.

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