NEFLCAI - The Community Connection March

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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: An Act of Redemption Ants!

Getting Ready for Spring Annual Lake Management Maintenance Vs. Reserves Legislation

EMERGING

FROM THE SHADOWS

events

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

2021 board of directors

Top Cyber-Crime Trends Impacting Community Associations & How to Avoid Them!

March 18 11:30a-1:00p Virtual Via Zoom CLICK HERE TO RSVP

click on the video below for a message from our chapter executive director

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 James Klempin - 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

Hello Community Association members and friends, Wow, can you believe we're already in March? As a Chapter, we have accomplished so much in the last 60 days. Our Strategic Plan has been updated and communicated to the membership. All committees have met and are establishing plans for the year. Our annual meeting was held and new officers were elected!

We just wrapped up our Community Connection Week, which was chock full of informative sessions for each our of membership categories. For all that participated, we enjoyed “seeing” you.

As we enter the end of the first quarter, we are hopeful to begin scheduling in-person events. Be sure to check out our next program on March 18.

Also, please remember to check our refreshed website to stay abreast of the upcoming meetings and events. Our Facebook page is full of resources for you to engage with other members of the Chapter.

We’ve provided informative content, highlighting our generous sponsors, Business Partners and up-todate information on the legislative activities that will impact all of our Community Associations. Don’t forget to like our page and also to connect with the State Legislative Alliance page as well.

Our commitment is to provide you, our members, a calendar full of opportunities in 2021. In the midst of the uncertainty of being fully open once again, many of the events, programs and activities for the coming months will be offered with dual options of in-person or virtual.

I’m honored to serve as your Chapter President this year. Please reach out to me with your ideas or concerns. I hope you enjoy the content of your quarterly NE FL CAI magazine.

All the best, Pilar

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AN ACT OF REDEMPTION BY: LESLIE PRAGASAM, VESTA PROPERTY SERVICES

Many of us have seen the 1993 Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day, and the hilarious repetitiveness of Phil’s endless time loop. Have you really explored the theme of the movie? It is one of redemption, and something I think many of us should deeply examine after 2020. The year brought out the worst in many of us. The pandemic forced a physical separation from family, friends, workmates, and society. However, we allowed politics to further divide those relationships.

In the movie, Phil Connors is a weatherman who has been sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the Groundhog Day events. Initially, he is arrogant, self-absorbed, and an overall nasty person. Last year, in general, left many of us in the same sad situation. If the separation from much of

society, due to the pandemic, was not enough to do a number on our psyche, the added stress of the political divide and Presidential election certainly did not help matters.

Many of us found even our most intimate relationships completely strained. I was guilty of unfollowing old schoolmates and newer friends on social media. I think many of us did the same because it seems easier to unfriend or unfollow someone on social media, so you do not have to see their constant political posts because they do not align with your own. It provides a euphoric feeling, does it not, to not see posts that send you into a daily tizzy? Despite this freeing feeling, is it worth losing a friend or not ever speaking to a loved one?

In the movie as the day repeats itself over and over, Phil dips into a deep depression until he becomes honest about his behavior. Once he is shown that his struggles may be a gift, he sees life in a different light. He begins to help others around him, and his once selfish behavior is replaced by kindness and an initiative to make the best of his situation.

Maybe we, as human beings, can do the same.

Why should we live the same as we did in 2020?

After all, the pandemic has taken so many people way too soon. Life is too short to let anything come between relationships. We have a new President, a vaccine, new ideas and plans. 2021 should be the year of redemption. Maybe it is time to redeem ourselves.

Groundhogs aren't the only pests!

There are also ants . . .

ants 101: common questions about ants answered BY: DAN ECKMAN, PEST DEFENSE Ants are the No. 1 pest “bugging” Americans. To help

you

control

this

bothersome

insect,

Will ants hurt my yard or garden?

we’ve

compiled answers to your most common questions.

Mostly, an ant infestation in your yard is just a nuisance.

Why are ants in my house?

under

Many

the

outdoor

grass,

ants

resulting

in

build an

their

nests

uneven

lawn.

Anthills kill the grass under the mounds and make Ants

enter

shelter,

homes

and

in

more

search than

of

food,

80%

of

water,

and

homeowners

mowing

lawns

difficult

due

to

lumps

of

soil

getting caught in the mower blades. The most

experience ant problems. There are approximately

common

outdoor

ants

are

fire

ants,

12,000 species of ants in the world, but only about

ants, pyramid ants, and crazy ants.

argentine

25 commonly infest homes. Identifying which type of ant is in your home is one of the first steps in

Can ants bite or sting?

determining how to treat them. The most common ants

found

ants,

All ants can bite, but not all can bite humans.

These

Some ants are so tiny that their mouthparts are

household pests are difficult to control and even

too small to bite us! Some stings can be very

more

painful. When ants feel threatened or disturbed,

odorous

inside

house

challenging

the

ants,

to

home and

treat

are

carpenter

ghost

once

ants.

they

establish

a

base.

they can swarm by the hundreds to sting any person or animal they perceive to be a danger.

Can ants fly?

Fire ants can actually bite and sting. Worker fire Not all ants can fly, but most can. Flying ants are

ants will attach to the skin using their mandibles

often mistaken for termites. Homeowners are most

and will subsequently lower the tip of the gaster

likely to encounter flying ants, or “alates,” during

to inject the stinger into the victim. Alkaloid in

spring

the venom is responsible for both the pain and

and

summer

months.

While

most

ants

are

wingless, mating ants grow wings in order to swarm

white

pustule

that

appears

approximately

one

and spread their colonies during breeding season.

day after the sting occurs. For some people an

Winged ants normally swarm after heavy rain.

allergic reaction may occur.

If you find fire ants in your yard, you should start implementing a program for fire ant control at the first sign of an infestation.

The best way to prevent bug bites from occurring is to take preventive measures in and around your home.

What can I do to help control ants?

Prevention prevent

is

ants

the

best

and

other

pest

defense.

common

You

home

can

insects

from entering by following these tips:

Rinse

jars

and

containers

before

throwing

them away.

Clean up food and drink spills as quickly as possible.

Frequently wipe down counters.

Remove garbage bags from the kitchen often and keep trash cans clean.

Pick up pet food and store in tight containers.

Trim

bushes

and

hedges

that

are

touching your house.

Caulk or close potential entry points.

near

or

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Getting Your Landscape Ready for Spring WRITTEN BY KYLE STOUDENMIRE, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER YELLOWSTONE LANDSCAPE

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on February 2nd, meaning six more weeks of Spring. As we get that much closer, there are a few things you can do now to prepare your landscape for Spring; this includes transplanting shrubs and trees, pruning your plants, applying pre-emergent herbicides, and preparing your turf for growing season.

Transplant Shrubs & Trees Now is a good time to transplant shrubs and trees that have outgrown the current location or will serve a better purpose elsewhere within the landscape. Transplanting now will help ensure viability as temperatures rise and the plants begin to consume more water.

Here are the steps to transplant a shrub or tree.

Step 1: Prepare the new location for the plant.

Pick where you want the plant to be moved and dig the hole, which should be at least three times as wide but about the same depth as the root ball.

Step 2: Dig up the shrub ortree. Try to keep as much of the root ball as possible, but you will have to cut some roots. Make sure to use a sharp shovel. If you are cutting roots that are larger than the diameter of your thumb, then make the root ball bigger by digging a larger hole.

Step 3: Move the shrub or tree carefully to the new location. Make sure to carry the plant material by the root ball, not by the trunk or stems. An easy way to help move large shrubs or trees is to put it on plastic and slide it to the new location or use a wheelbarrow.

Step 4: Plant the shrub or tree in the new location. Make sure to water regularly to ensure the plant’s success in its new location.

Plant Pruning The winter negatively impacts many plants by causing frost and freeze damage. To help the plants recover, prune all dead portions of the plant back to healthy wood (where you can see green). For some plants, this might be to the ground. This will help promote new growth. Make a 45-degree cut just above where the leaf attaches to the stem, which is where the new bud will emerge.

Apply Pre-emergent Herbicides Now, before the weather warms up and the weeds start growing, is the best time to apply pre-emergent herbicide. It limits weed germination by creating a barrier and seal around the seed. The use of pre-emergent herbicide promotes less post-emergent herbicide use in the growing season. If applied after weeds are present, then it will not have an effect.

Turf Preparation Once green growth begins to emerge from the turf, rake up the dead grass throughout your lawn. This will allow the new growth to surface while also providing for better nutrient penetration and water infiltration. Also, wake up your turf by mowing once again, but it is important to do so at the correct height and frequency. It is best to mow St. Augustine grass at a height of four inches to prevent scalping, improve root depth and lessen environmental stress such as drought and insect pressure. In addition, fertilization is necessary to green up and strengthen your turf. Fertilize your lawn using a 4-1-2 ratio fertilizer. This will keep the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium balanced for both soil storage and plant uptake requirements.

By following these simple steps this month, your landscape will produce beautiful results in the growing season.

2021 NEFLCAI Bronze Sponsors

NEFLCAI The Community Connection Advertising Upcoming Issues 2nd Quarter May 2021 (due 4/1) 3rd Quarter August 2021 (due 7/1) 4th Quarter November 2021 (due 10/1)

Embrace the "Groundhog Day" Feeling of Annual Lake Management WRITTEN BY: MARC BELLAUD, AQUATIC BIOLOGIST AT SOLITUDE LAKE MANAGEMENT

Full Page - $300/issue Half Page - $200/issue Quarter Page - $100/issue Logo - $50/issue Click HERE to purchase an ad

We have all heard the adages about making continuous progress: “Never do tomorrow what you can do today” or “Excellence is not an act, but a habit.” These principles apply to nearly every facet of life, whether it’s our job performance, healthcare, financial planning, or in this case, lake and pond management. It’s no secret that taking care of our environment is important, but it goes beyond that.

Science suggests that the year-round preservation of our water resources is a key factor in our health and happiness; memorable experiences and time spent around the water lead to a greater sense of peace and connection to the world around us.

Much like the human body, when a lake or pond is ‘young,’ it typically requires less effort and funds to keep it healthy and functional. But a lifetime of neglect can lead to premature aging and serious imbalances. Without a continuous habit of proactive management, waterbodies become innundated

with organic matter, sediment, debris, and other pollutants that cause aesthetic, ecological, and functional problems. These can arise in a multitude of ways, including recurring water quality issues, nuisance weeds and algae, and foul odors—and even scarier issues may lurk unnoticed beneath the water for many years before they manifest. When they do finally appear, it is generally a sign that the waterbody requires significant intervention.

Disregarded plant matter and debris can clog and damage stormwater equipment and increase the risk of dangerous flooding Harmful Algal Blooms can create toxins that may harm aquatic animals, pets, and humans Invasive plants like Phragmites can take years of dedicated treatments to successfully eradicate Invasive animal species like armored catfish, bufo toads, and quagga mussels can outcompete beneficial native species and pose significant challenges and costs to remove Shoreline instability can cause expedite lake and pond “aging” and endanger others The accumulation of muck and sediment over time can reduce depth and volume with costly and invasive dredging oftentimes being the only solution The number of tools necessary to restore an imbalanced lake or pond depends on many factors, and the benefits can be fleeting if not done consistently. That’s why year-round maintenance is key. To begin developing an annual management program, aquatic specialists conduct preliminary assessments that examine the biological, physical, and chemical properties of the water. Detailed visual inspections and baseline water quality tests provide valuable insights into the overall health of the waterbody and establish an important foundation of data to inform future management decisions.

Once preliminary assessments are completed, a customized management program can be designed. The most effective programs lean on cutting-edge technologies, comprehensive data collection, routine laboratory analysis, and premium services like nutrient remediation, algae ID, biological augmentation, oxygenation, and erosion control solutions that help stakeholders achieve the trifecta of health, functionality, and beauty. And these solutions are underscored by the guidance and expertise of scientists who specialize in freshwater management.

Lakes and ponds exhibiting more mild issues or those with budgetary limitations can still be supported by the basics like periodic visual monitoring, nuisance vegetation control, buffer management, and decorative pond dye. These ongoing efforts help lay the groundwork until more advanced solutions come into the picture.

Consulting with your lake and pond management professional can help you make the most appropriate decision for your property and your wallet.

Lakes and ponds are an investment, but the upfront costs to kickstart your management program will help to reduce expenses that are often much larger and more concerning down the road. While every aquatic ecosystem has different needs, they all benefit most from comprehensive maintenance strategies supported by year-round efforts. The closer your lake or pond management plan resembles the repetitive nature of Groundhog Day, the better.

Maintenance Versus Reserves for your burrows (er. . . we mean property) WRITTEN BY CHARLIE SHEPPARD, RS, PRA, COMMUNITY ADVISORS

pay me now or pay me later . . .

When we talk about maintaining our property, condominium or HOA clubhouse we really are talking about maintaining value and keeping cost of ownership as low as possible. Boards and Managers can get fixed on building up reserves, which is a good thing but may lose sight of the real cost of deferred maintenance and how that impacts both value and future reserve funding. I think this is where the phrase “Pay me now or pay me later” comes into play. We recommend a proactive and comprehensive maintenance program for common owned components from parking lots to roofs to painting and fund the operating budget accordingly. This is simple to do and amounts to using your reserve study component inventory to sort out which components you should include in your plan and then applying a reasonable schedule and cost for all work. Example below: Component Clean and repair gutters/downspouts

Interval Annually

Cost $500

Asphalt crack fill/seal

5 years

$2,500

Window/door sealants

3 years

$1,200

Clean storm pipes

5 years

$6,000

A solid maintenance plan and up-to-date reserve study provides a great roadmap for keeping your property in tip-top condition with fewer emergency repairs and owner complaints.

2021 CAI-Florida Working for You Florida Legislative Session Community Association Preview WRITTEN BY: FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE ALLIANCE

Community Associations Institute’s Florida Legislative Alliance (CAI-FLA) is working to track and monitor more than 50 bills that impact —positively or negatively—the state’s community associations and the people who live and work in them.

The state legislature convened this week for its 60-day legislative session. With COVID-19related matters (such as keeping a balanced state budget) taking priority, the legislature will have its hands full with issues other than those specific to community associations. However, some of the issues that community associations are facing are a direct result of the pandemic, which the Florida legislature is keen to address.

COVID-19 Liability – HB 7 and SB 72 As soon as the pandemic started last spring, CAI-FLA went right to work to ensure community associations had adequate limited liability protections related to COVID-19 lawsuits. HB 7 and SB 72 are the bills that address this vital issue. The bills grant liability protection from lawsuits to businesses and entities such as religious institutions and community associations if they attempted to follow all federal, state, and local public health guidelines. CAI-FLA expects the state legislature will pass this legislation very early in the session and quickly send it to Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign into law.

Community Association Package, including expansion of emergency powers – HB 867 and SB 630 CAI-FLA has reintroduced legislation that addresses expansion of emergency powers for community association boards, which we have been pursuing for the past two sessions. CAI-FLA’s bill is a collaboration between the real property section of the Florida Bar, the Florida Association of Realtors, the Florida Homebuilders Association, and the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. This legislation would: Allow condominiums to use the same non-binding arbitration process for dispute resolution contained in the current statute applicable to homeowners associations.

Clarify that board member term limits are prospective.

Increase the amount that can be charged for a transfer fee from $100 to $150.

Address insurance subrogation.

Clarify that associations’ emergency powers extend to a health emergency, not just a natural disaster.

Insurance – HB 867 and SB 630 Perhaps the biggest issue facing associations is skyrocketing insurance rates. While the Florida legislature is limited to what it can do, there are ways to curtail fraud and abuse in the system. CAIFLA is tracking several bills related to insurance including HB 867 and SB 630—legislation we introduced that addresses subrogation for community association master policies and individual owner policies. Subrogation is a right held by most insurance carriers to legally pursue a third party that caused an insurance loss to the insured. This is done to recover the amount of the claim paid by the insurance carrier to the insured for the loss.

Vacation Rentals – HB 219 and SB 522 HB 219 and SB 522 make their annual appearance this session after being introduced over the past two years. The major difference now is both bills completely eliminate the ability to impact associations’ restrictions on short-term, vacation rentals. These bills remain controversial for local government because their ability to specifically regulate vacation rentals would be preempted to the state. Currently, the state does not regulate short-term rentals, so local governments have the ability to pass ordinances to impose restrictions.

This legislation sets up a structure whereby Florida’s Department of Busines & Professional Regulations would be charged with regulating short-term rentals but keeps an association’s ability to regulate them as their governing documents provide. CAI-FLA will monitor these bills to make sure community associations are not impacted by the restrictions.

Click here for current legislation being tracked and addressed by CAI’s Florida Legislative Alliance.

CAI-FLA ADVOCACY WEEK – Register Today!

CAI-FLA is hosting a virtual advocacy event where you can connect with your state representatives during the week of March 22–26.

In addition, please be on the lookout for legislative alerts and calls to action, where we ask you to contact your representative to share your perspective on community association public policy issues. When you engage, your legislators listen, and it strengthens our work in Tallahassee.

Please visit us on Facebook to stay informed.

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