DECEMBER 2010
SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of The Regency Tower Board was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2010 in the Rendezvous Room of The Regency Tower by the President.
Roll Call -
The roll call showed the following board members present: Iris Anastasi, Eric Berkowitz, Dee Lanzillo, Dott Nicholson-Brown, Fern McBride and Bill Tennenbaum. Stephen Collins was absent.History of the Sprinkler Opt-Out Retrofitting -
Eric Berkowitz gave a brief history of the sprinkler retrofitting.Report of Secretary – Vote to Opt-Out of Retrofitting Any Portion of Condominium Property -
The Secretary reported Limited Proxy results are as follows:| Limited Proxy forms returned: | 138 |
| Valid proxy forms: | 137 |
| Invalid proxy forms: | 1 |
| Number voting “FOR” opting out of retrofitting: | 132 |
| Number noting “AGAINST” opting out of retrofitting: | 5 |
Motion to Accept Secretary’s Report -
Iris Anastasi made a motion to accept the secretary’s report on the vote to opt-out of retrofitting any portion of the Regency Tower condominium property. The motion was seconded by Eric Berkowitz and unanimously approved.A motion was made by Bill Tennenbaum and seconded by Dott Nicholson-Brown to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m. Unanimously approved.
REGULAR MEETING
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| Treasurer Bill Tannenbaum |
Roll Call -
The roll call showed the following Board Members present: Iris Anastasi, Eric Berkowitz, Dee Lanzillo, Fern McBride, Dott Nicholson-Brown and Bill Tennenbaum. Stephen Collins was absent.Approval of Minutes -
Dott Nicholson-Brown made a motion to approve the minutes of The Regency Tower CY 2011 Budget Presentation Meeting held on November 15, 2010. The motion was seconded by Bill Tennenbaum and unanimously approved.Financial Report -
Dott Nicholson-Brown gave a report on foreclosures. (Reported financial details are available to Regency Tower owners in our newsletter, the “Regency Tower Times”. - editor)There are currently 3 delinquent accounts in foreclosure and 1 being placed with our attorney for collection/lien.
Eric Berkowitz made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report; Dott Nicholson-Brown seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Report on Reserves Vote -
The Secretary reported the Limited Proxy results as follows:| Limited Proxy forms returned: | 140 |
| Valid proxy forms: | 137 |
| Invalid proxy forms: | 3 |
| Number voting to Fully Fund Statutory Reserves: | 8 |
| Number voting to Partially Fund Statutory Reserves: | 129 |
Sixty-three (63) owners did not return proxy forms.
A motion was made by Iris Anastasi to accept the report on the Reserves vote, seconded by Bill Tennenbaum, unanimously approved.
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| Secretary Fern McBride |
Committee Reports -
President Lanzillo then called for Committee Reports. Click Here to read the Committee Reports.New Business -
President Lanzillo declared that there was no New Business.Adjournment -
A motion was made by Dott Nicholson-Brown and seconded by Eric Berkowitz to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m.; unanimously approved.Fern McBride
A letter was sent out to all unit owners on September 1, 2010 to keep you informed as to all the improvements that were made to our building over the summer. This work was done by our maintenance crew which consists of Tommy, Mark, Rocky and Nesly. We saved a substantial amount of money by our guys who were able to do the work and not hire outside help.
The Regency Tower is in the best condition that it has been in years. We continue to inspect all areas and repair what is needed.
We repaired and fixed all cracked and loose concrete on garage pillars and ceilings. Installed timers in the unisex bathrooms and cabana room to conserve electricity.
Repaired service elevator light.
Repaired A/C condensation drain in the building on 15th floor. Installed strikers on Exit and Fire doors where needed.
This is the work done to our building by our maintenance staff who still completed their cleaning of all floors, lobby, exercise room and all common areas. They also did a great job installing all of the Christmas decorations to make our building look outstanding. Again, Guys, Many Thanks.
Thanks to Candace Brown for decorating our Lobby, Mailroom, Office and Rendezvous Room.
I wish a very Happy Holiday to All.
Dee Lanzillo
Manager Dott Nicholson-Brown's
“Tomorrow is Always Fresh, with no mistakes in it.”
Lucy Maud Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)
.: ♥ Aloha ♥ :.,
♥ ♥ ♥ Speak about mistakes. Boy, did we make a doozie! After 3 years without a Social Committee, we finally got one and I completely forgot to include her report in the Board Agenda. So here are the facts: As most of you know, Nancy Seltzer, Unit # 311 held an organizational meeting in the lobby on 8/12/10. The first event took place on Friday 9/3 from 6-9 PM. The second took place in the lobby on 12/4/10. The Social Committee provided food, beer, cocktail, drink mixers, etc. Nancy and her husband Barry, provided the alcoholic beverages. 35 people attended. Photos were taken by Barry and given to Eric to place on the Web Site. The next event will be on Sunday 2/13 to celebrate Valentine Day with a Brunch from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Kudos to Nancy & Barry.
Click Here to see pictures of what happened at the September "Happy Hour in the Tower."
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| Partygoers surround Nancy during Happy Hour in the Tower |
Foreclosures
When the deadline for 4th Quarter Maintenance Payment arrived on 10/15 we had 24 delinquent owners. The Treasurer immediately sent a letter to all owners reminding them of the Payment Policy. 23 payments were received in time to avoid being sent to collection by our attorney. This left the 4 foreclosures which we have aggressively pursued with our attorney resulting in:
Two (2) have been foreclosed and evicted. One by the Association and one by a third party. We are in the process of renting the first one and the person who purchased the second one has to pay all Quarterly Assessments due to the Association. The third one has worked out a payment arrangement with the Board while still dealing with his bank.
That leaves # 4 which is allegedly awaiting a short sale according to their bank. We will be revisiting that one. That makes 2 down and 2 to go. One of my favorite aphorisms state “You can run with the big dogs or sit on the porch and bark.” We believe in doing both.
Unit 1401
This brings us to Association-owned # 1401 – After a Realtor had the listing for 6 months in 2008, the Board voted unanimously not to renew the listing and instead try to sell it ourselves and save the 6%. We did not sell it but we rented it – 6 months during season for a substantial sum and 6 month after season until 11/14/10 for slightly less. This paid the expenses (unlike the 3 foreclosures in which we have received no payments at all. We have given it to an in-house Realtor since 11/15. It is now back on the MLS.
Employee Holiday Party
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| Fern Doled the Dough |
In closing I must tell you how excited I am that the Regency is still setting precedents along the Galt Mile. During the 2010 Budget Year, we were the only condo to freeze payroll. We set an example and have now been joined by others in freezing the 2011 salaries. 
We also reduced our personnel. Yet, our employees work as efficiently, if not more so, than ever. The Regency Tower is reducing costs while maintaining excellence. We are very proud of our employees, our Board and our Association.
A Merry Merry and a Happy Happy to all
Aloha
Dott
COMMITTEE REPORTS DECEMBER 2010 Architectural Review & Construction Committee
Eric Peter Berkowitz
Some of our association’s newer members have asked why Regency Tower implemented an Architectural Review program. Since completion of the Paint project, the primary focus for the Architectural Review and Construction Committee has shifted from construction oversight to protecting members from predatory contractors and overly ambitious Code Compliance Officers. For years, municipal compliance enforcement was traditionally limited to single family homes, associations and commercial enterprises. Two and a half years ago, when a lack of new construction prompted Building Department officials to temporarily reassign idle building inspectors to Code Compliance, they were also authorized to break with past practices by enforcing compliance for an association’s individual unit owners. In one visit, City Inspector Bobby Masula closed 3 of the 6 unit owner construction projects underway in Regency Tower and issued stiff fines to the violators. 
ERIC - ARC HISTORY
Since then, compliance officers have further refined penetration techniques for targeted buildings. After staking out an association parking deck for contractor vehicles, they simply follow a contractor into the building, flash their ID to Security and continue to the unit under construction. In a subsequent visit, a City inspector informed us that scores of Galt Mile unit owners had received violation notices resulting from these hastily organized “sting” operations.
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| Fort Lauderdale Building Department |
During the past year, scores of in-unit construction projects were reviewed and authorized within 48 hours. When a plan entails electrical, plumbing and/or structural elements, a permit must be obtained prior to construction and the work must be performed by licensed professionals.
The municipal building ordinance provides for one exception. When addressing an emergency situation that would have ordinarily required a permit, the homeowner must contact the building department as soon as possible after the fact and report the incident. Until the building department is notified, the homeowner remains at risk for a future compliance penalty.
While no permit is necessary for painting or the installation of wall or floor coverings, the review is still required to insure compliance with the association’s regulation that governs the installation of approved sound underlayment materials.
Several unit owners recently questioned why a $500 refundable deposit was required to use the freight elevator for construction purposes. For years, every Regency Tower member was forced to repeatedly finance contractor damages to the elevator car, its statutory smoke & fire sensors, the security camera and cab lighting fixtures. To protect the membership from this unfair expense, a Round Table recommendation to require a refundable deposit was approved. To safeguard their security deposits, unit owners should never pay the contractor before verifying with the office that the elevator sustained no related damage.
Incidentally, the refundable deposit prerequisite is not limited to contractors. It also protects the members from elevator vandalism by irresponsible movers and delivery personnel who toss around beds, televisions and other personal possessions like volleyballs. Thank you for your kind attention.
Maintenance & Housekeeping Committee
Dee Lanzillo
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| DEE - SUPER PREZ! |
We were successfully able to foreclose on Mr. Gabb’s apartment #1508. However, our maintenance personnel had to make extensive repairs in order for us to correct the damages.
All of the work was completed with materials we had on hand in our maintenance shop. Listed are the repairs made to #1508:
Repaired vinyl tiles by kitchen door;
Repaired chipped tile at front entrance;
Removed, repaired and replaced three tiles by balcony door;
Wall in hallway had to be removed in order to repair live electric wires, then replaced, repaired and painted;
Framed discolored edges of guest bathroom mirror;
Replaced medicine cabinet in master bath;
The entire apartment was painted;
All loose electric connections were repaired or replaced.
My report certainly indicates how much money we saved by Tommy, Marc, Rocky and Nesly working together as a team. Thanks again for a job well done. I am very proud of all of you.
Also, I want to give a special compliment to Marc for the outstanding job he is doing on landscaping.
In closing, I want to thank Mr. & Mrs. Rollo, Apartment #1902, for their generous contribution toward a new gas grill at the BBQ Area.
Security Report
Carlos Pereira, Chief of Security
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| SECURITY CHIEF CARLOS PEREIRA |
Where has the time gone? Sometime I catch myself worrying if the year still has 365 days!! It seems less and less every year. Time is flying.
WELL!!! Thanks to the Lord we are still here to talk about it.
We had a very productive year. Most of our security officers were working here last season. They are glad to see your returning faces again; so am I, of course!
We are engaged in working for the association, helping to maintain a good grip on enforcement of our rules and regulations.
We had a rough beginning of 2010, a long and cold winter, but all things settled down and we went back to our regular business as usual.
For 2011, we are planning to update our camera system operation by improving our night vision of the property. This helps us to better monitor and improve security and safety and keep our aim of making this building the most secure and safe building on the Galt.
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| Regency Tower Driving Deck |
From the Safety and Security Department, we wish you and your family a nice holiday and the Mighty Lord sends His blessing with a lot of Health, Peace and Prosperity all year long.
Safety Tip: When you drive into the building, always use the south side ramp and to exit always use the north side ramp. This will avoid accidents.
We Care Committee
Dott Nicholson-Brown
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| DOTT NICHOLSON-BROWN RT ♥ ANGEL SQUAD ♥ |
John Murray (205) 
Helen Roberts (1209) - Wendy Cohen (510)
- Mike Malagiero (1911)
- Mike Brent (2006)
Notices were posted and cards sent. There was one death –
Monika Stamm-Jacob (1709)
Trees were planted in her memory.
Web Site Committee
Eric Peter Berkowitz
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| Eric Peter Berkowitz See Around Town |
Several articles were uploaded to the Regency Tower web site since the last Committee Report in March. The March election results were documented in on April 12th. On July 15th an article entitled “Where’s the Sand” described how a series of bureaucratic oversights temporarily stalled the Beach Renourishment Project. On August 23rd, the Omnibus Association Bill that housed long awaited provisions for Sprinkler Retrofit Relief and sanctions against delinquent unit owners was reviewed in detail. A September 20th article explained how Broward’s budget axe threatened to close the popular Galt Mile Reading Center. A November 2nd report described how a four year drain on the finances of every Regency Tower unit owner ended when the Board finally foreclosed on a maintenance scofflaw. On November 12th, an item was posted to help clarify the confusing statutory ballot language required for the Sprinkler Opt-out vote.
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| Happy Hour in the Tower |
When the Maintenance Department’s Nesly Bora revived the weekend car wash and the Social Committee organized “Happy Hour in the Tower” Lobby parties, these and other association events were announced on the web site. Also, several unit owners have taken advantage of the free Real Estate page marketing outlet. In addition to association units available for sale or lease, parking spaces were added to this year’s listings. To be posted, listings must be requested by interested unit owners.
The “Around Town” section on the Home Page is updated every month. The items are linked to more expansive articles on the Notices and Reminders page. In turn, those articles provide direct links to the event’s source outlets. The described items run the gamut of local Art Fairs, holiday happenings, Music Festivals, boat and car shows, political meetings - roughly a dozen popular and entertaining events are posted every month.
Thank you for your kind attention.
NOTICES & REMINDERS DECEMBER 2010 Chaise Lounges Laundry Garbage Barbecue Going to & from Pool/Beach Pool Guru 
18 new chaise lounges costing were purchased at a substantial cost to provide new seating around the pool. It is very important that you bring a long Beach Towel or 2 long Bath Towels to cover the entire lounge from top to bottom. Towels should be tucked in at top to prevent slipping down. The lotion, oils and chlorine weakens and ruins the straps. 
Room
Due to the July 1st. Law which states anyone delinquent 90 days cannot use the common area facilities, you will need a key to enter the room. You may obtain one from the office 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. or Security at other times. 
Chutes
Do not force large cartons or boxes into the chutes. This blocks up the chutes preventing garbage from passing through. Please break them down and leave by the recycle barrel for pick-up each morning. 
Grill
Due to missing and broken grill and utensils necessitating purchase of new ones, there is now a $25.00 deposit required. After the grill is checked and all is OK, your deposit will be returned within 5 days.
Please cover yourself, wear shoes/sandals and use the service elevator. Bare feet are not allowed for safety reasons.
Nesly Bora
Revives Regency Tower Car Wash 
September 10, 2010 - WOW! Regency Tower has its own CAR WASH! Not the leaky hose dripping into the planter by the pedestrian entrance to the garage - a real car wash! Our own Nesly Bora - balancing an entreprenurial spirit with the needs of our residents, has organized a crew that - for a few dollars - will professionally wash your car. For extra services, speak to Nesly! Many of you know Nesly as "the Pool Guy". Drawing on his intimate familiarity with the qualitative intracacies of H2O, Nesly has been brightening Regency Tower vehicles since August - with sparkling results. You can't beat the price... just hop on the elevator and check it out!
Nesly is following in the footsteps of former employees Carl Richardson and Ernest Avery, who organized similar ventures during their tenures at Regency Tower. When the car wash last closed, dozens of regular customers asked to be notified when the extremely popular service was expected to reopen. Like MacArthur storming the Phillipines, Nesly has returned! It is located (you guessed it) at the car wash space by the pedestrian entrance to the garage. Nesly’s car wash is offered every Saturday and Sunday between 9 AM and 4 PM... except when it rains. Interested? Just speak to (you guessed it again) NESLY. To avoid waiting your turn during busy weekends, call Nesly at (954) 213-5038 to reserve any preferred appointment time. Otherwise, simply come out front on Saturday or Sunday and speak to Nesly. Always accommodating, he will find a way to squeeze you in! 
Nesly’s Car Wash
EVENTS DECEMBER 2010 Annual Holiday Fund for Employees Our committee wishes you and your family a joyous Holiday Season, as well as happiness and good health throughout the coming year. Employee Holiday Fund Committee Fern McBride A The event will take place on Saturday, December 4 from 6 pm – 9 pm. Looking forward to seeing you there!" In Short, our Lobby will become The Social Committee Nancy Lynn Seltzer, (954) 290-3398 The Social Committee Announces
The Holiday Season is upon us and, as is our custom, we are asking everyone to contribute to the Regency Tower Employees’ Holiday Fund for 2010. This fund shows our appreciation to all members of our staff for everything they have done during the past year to make living at the Regency Tower comfortable and pleasant.
The total amount received will be divided among all members of our staff. Although many residents give more, a minimum of $50.00 is suggested. We thank you for your generous response to this request.
Please make your check payable to “R. T. Employees’ Holiday Fund” and deposit it into the HOLIDAY FUND box on the Security Desk. If you are not in residence, please mail your contribution addressed to: Regency Tower Employees’ Holiday Fund by December 1, 2010 TODAY so that distribution may be made at the Employees’ Holiday Party on Friday, December 17th at 12 Noon. If you've overlooked contributing due to the many distractions that accompany the seasonal Holiday hubbub, FEAR NOT - YOU CAN STILL SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION! A second distribution will follow shortly after the New Year! 
Please keep in mind that many of our employees extended themselves far beyond their respective “job descriptions” before, during and after every emergency. Their actions contributed heavily to moderating the inconvenience and damage costs faced by our Association during and after each hurricane and tropical storm, when the garage door or an elevator was on the fritz, during every flood, when daylight savings time makes our doors neurotic, and during dozens of other instances that pass unnoticed because THEY DO THEIR JOB SO WELL. This is an opportunity for each of us to show our gratitude and reward their dedication. Please DON’T ALLOW IT TO PASS without having been heard from 
- editor
Carole Rigney
Jim Rigney
from
the Social Committee
"Due to the few overall responses received for the Holiday Season Party we will instead be holding a holiday themed Happy Hour at the Tower in the lobby. 
Nancy Lynn Seltzer 
The Regency Tower Social Committee will supply, beer, wine, soft drinks, finger foods, paper goods, cups, music, and cocktail mixers for those who wish to bring their own bottle. There will be no charge to attend but donations to the Social Committee are always welcomed. 
central! 
By the way, Click Here to check out pictures of the September 3rd "Happy Hour in the Tower". 
Committee Chair
Happy Hour
in the Tower 
On Friday, September 3rd at 6 PM, the Regency Tower Social Committee will kick off "Happy Hour in the Tower" in the Lobby. The event will take place on the first Friday of each month from 6 to 9 PM. If possible, BYOB (bring your own bottle) and any simple appetizer or snack (chips and dip, etc.). See you there!
ALL ARE WELCOME so...
The Social Committee
Nancy Bartholomew, (954) 290-3398
Committee Chair
Fast forward 4 years and 6 months later Thalia and I were married on February 28th, 1950, in the middle of a Chicago winter!!
I spent the next 28 years with Henric’s hotel and restaurant chain, based in Chicago, with units coast to coast. I managed the most famous Henric’s restaurant in downtown Chicago for ten years before being promoted to Vice President of the Company.
The company was sold to Green Giant. I turned down their offer to join the company. I did not relish living in a place that was even colder than Chicago, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Instead, I opened my own restaurant chain called “Ted Parker Scotch & Sirloin,” which were successful for the next six years. I sold my interest in this company in 1979 and became a snowbird living winters in the Regency Tower and summers in Candler, NC.
P.S. I even survived two three year terms on the Regency Tower Board of Directors.
Ted Parker
