Earlier this year, Nova scientists hired by the City to monitor compliance with Fort Lauderdale’s Turtle-safe Lighting Ordinance notified Code Compliance officer Ingrid Gottlieb about a prospective Regency Tower violation. In a subsequent evening meeting on the beach with association officials, Gottlieb noted that although the shields affixed to the high intensity deck lamps block the light that would otherwise illuminate the Regency Tower beach, the fixture’s bulb is visible from the beach area behind Galt Ocean Club.

Since replacing a fixture could mandate a redrafted lighting plan costing $thousands, we opted to redesign a shield that would partially wrap around the lamp, thereby blocking the bulb’s visibility from anywhere past the seawall. While blocking light visible from the beach, the extended shield must not interfere with the lamp’s illumination of the parking deck. To address both factors, the angle that the shield drops from the lamp must be determined by someone authoritatively conversant with the lighting plan.

We contacted Fischer Electric, the vendor that installed the lamp, to mock up a prototype fashioned from hardened cardboard or plywood. On September 26^th, a Fischer employee arrived with a bucket truck to measure the fixture. When Fischer installs the prototype, we will contact Officer Gottlieb, who agreed to make an on-site evaluation of its effectiveness. If she approves, a permanent metal version will be created and affixed to the lamp. Since bulbs in the second and third lamps on the north parking deck are also visible from the beach, if they become infraction targets in the future, we can use the prototype to replicate additional shields at little cost.

In the past few months, seven architectural reviews were conducted for unit owners planning interior construction. In several instances, vendors convinced unit owners to purchase discounted flooring underlayment products that weren’t approved by the association. To be eligible for installation in Regency Tower, products must survive a rigorous association review process created to insure that these products perform as expected.

If you anticipate using a non-approved sound underlayment, you must notify the Architectural Review Committee at least a month prior to scheduling an installation. After reviewing the product data sheets and safety ratings, the committee will determine whether product testing was performed in an environment similar to Regency Tower. For instance, testing variables such as a reinforced concrete floor; pre-existing insulation; a cement ceiling; the material composition and thickness of adjacent walls all impact whether the testing results are relevant. If the product demonstrates an acceptable Sound Transmission Coefficient (STC) and Impact Insulation characteristics when tested under conditions comparable to those of our home, it’s sent to the Board for review and final action. Once added to the next meeting agenda and voted favorably, the product becomes eligible for installation.

Nobleseal Underlayment

The committee’s estimated review period of one month also provides an opportunity to explore a product’s use in neighboring associations and, if necessary, consult with our engineer.

Margaret

Since the last web site report in May, minutes of the June 6 and July 28, 2011 Board Meetings were uploaded, respectively detailing the Board’s choice of Dwight Lyons as Building Manager and the selection of Margaret Thompson and Bernard Larkin to fill the Regency Tower Board seats vacated by Bill Tennenbaum and Dee Lanzillo. A Fannie Mae employee, Margaret’s experience should lend itself to navigating the unstable economic environment. Bernard Larkin is a contractor who contributed to several key association projects in the past decade. For instance, throughout the deck rehabilitation, I repeatedly consulted with Bernie about drainage alternatives recommended by our Engineer. His hands-on construction experience and familiarity with the various building trades helped us avoid costly errors.

RT Residents Meet & Greet New Manager Dwight Lyons

Bernard Larkin

On June 15^th, an article announcing the Social Committee’s June 24^th “Meet and Greet” Lobby party for Manager Dwight Lyons was noticed along with a summary of Dwight’s education, accreditation and experience.

On July 9^th, an article was posted that outlined events following a mid-June multi-floor flood that might have incapacitated the building for weeks and devastated the association budget. In his first acid test, Manager Dwight Lyons worked with our new President and staff to beat back threats to our water tower, electrical system, HVAC, and dozens of structural elements. Other than surviving without air conditioning for about six hours, the net inconvenience for most of our residents was negligible. Equally important, a creative fiscal strategy spearheaded by Dwight obliterated the event’s budgetary impact. It cost us nothing.

Dwight Lyons

Kande Lewandowski

On the Board of Directors page, with the exception of Bernard Larkin’s cartoon avatar (since replaced by his picture), the office staff and Board member info was updated and a new schedule for Board meetings was posted. When 10 of the association’s 12 committee chairs finally sorted out and brought current their membership rolls, they were made available on the Committees page. Long-neglected Employee Profiles are being updated. During the past few months, mini-bios for Manager Dwight Lyons and Staff accountant Kande Lewandowski were fleshed out and uploaded. After Receptionist Christine Rome’s info is received – the office will hopefully begin sending data for Maintenance and Security staff. On the General Information page, dozens of links to appliance servicing vendors, flooring underlayment products and data sheets have all been updated.