Committee Reports
E-mail Address: regencytower1@netzero.net
March 2008
Architectural Review 
Construction Committee
Eric Peter Berkowitz
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| Eric - Fixed Fence, Lamp 11 ARC Reviews |
Several unit owners overlooking the South Deck security fence reported that the fence was singing again. When the wind whips through the vortex between Regency Tower and the Galt Ocean Club, certain fence pickets vibrate noisily. The fence pickets are supported by a horizontal stabilization bar and then pass through two horizontal spacers. When contacted two years ago, the installer caulked the pickets to the lower spacer, inhibiting the vibration. However, with time, the caulk dried out and cracked, allowing the problem to resurface.
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| South Deck Security Fence Singing Stopped |
During the past three months, 11 Regency Tower residents submitted pre-construction plans for Architectural Review. While every one was returned within 48 hours, several that were submitted on an emergency basis were reviewed immediately. When one unit owner neglected to submit plans for review, Security stopped the delivery of materials to the site. Unable to pursue the renovation, the contractor brought the plan to the office where it was immediately reviewed and found compliant; allowing the job to proceed on schedule. Two unit owners were precluded from attaching washing machines to drains dedicated to bathroom sinks, avoiding the likely prospect of future floods – not only for them – but those that live in the units below.
Over the past eight years, we’ve witnessed many fights between otherwise peaceful neighbors over ineffective, non-compliant sound insulation. The Association also suffered more than a dozen expensive floods from washing machines attached to low-flow sink drains. The damage was often exponential, spreading eight to ten floors below the failed connection. While the Board is not empowered to undo mistakes allowed in the past, we are committed to preventing future sources of unnecessary conflict and expense. Thank you for your kind attention.
Insurance 
Committee
Bob Nagle
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| Bob Nagle |
Our principal carrier (property coverage including hurricane) is QBE Insurance Group whose head office is in Sydney, Australia. QBE derives over half of their business in the western hemisphere and has their main office in New York City. They have an A+ rating and assets in excess of $25 billion. We started doing business with them in the fall of 2004 and for this purpose utilize the insurance brokerage firm Smith Watson Parker.
We are one of the few South Florida condominiums still covered by QBE and this is primarily due to our 100% mitigated status, i.e.; hurricane impact windows, etc. Our annual premium is down 25% from 2007. From an insurance point of view, premiums are determined by complicated future actuarial projections (risks) and what actually happens!
Landscaping 
Iris Anastasi
New Landscaper
Committee
Iris Anastasi
Tri-R, our landscaping contractor, has sold his business and our contract to Vila Landscaping Company. We will be contacting them in the near future to discuss our landscaping needs for the upcoming season.
Maintenance 
Housekeeping 
Committee
Dee Lanzillo
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| Dee - Wonder Woman! |
Turtle season has begun. It runs from March through October. We have made all of the necessary preparations to comply with the proper lighting on beach and pool areas.
The stand pipe at South side of front drive thru was replaced by a contractor. It was necessary for Johnny and his new assistant, Eric Verdecia, to core through the concrete down to the garage to make room for the pipe. After the contractor finished, Maintenance poured concrete and sealed/waterproofed the area in accordance with the city fire code. We also must replace the tiles which were removed. Also, maintenance has installed signs above the standpipe according to fire department.
We have replaced the missing molding in elevator #1. It has been gone for sometime. Thanks to Johnny, he was able to match the wood as well as the paint stain. Many thanks Johnny!!
Fence on Southside of our building has been reinforced and painted. Maintenance was able to correct this problem at a minimal cost to our Association. All cameras on our premises are cleaned. The outside cameras are cleaned weekly by Eric.
The garage and all of the outdoor parking areas have been power washed and cleaned. The south wall has been repainted due to some damage to paint. Thanks guys for a job well done.
The pool areas as you all know is in excellent condition. We have received many compliments from our owners. Many thanks to John Coleman.
Housekeeping:
Marc and Rocky are doing a great job with the cleaning of all floors from the basement to the 20th floor. Thanks to you both.
Eric Verdecia has been touching up the painting where needed. There were some problems on the 19th floor with the contractors. We addressed the damage with them and I am happy to report that all of the problems have been solved. We also addressed all of the complaints from the 19th floor residents and I am sure that all has been done to their satisfaction.
At this time I am asking the person that removed the painting from the 10th floor to please return it. We have spent thousands of dollars on renovation of and beautification of our hallways, so please do the right thing and return the painting.
Recycling 
Committee
Ginia Wexler
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| Ginia Wexler |
Floors:
- floor 2 – Pillow in newspaper box. Cork in bottle, plastic cake lid, garbage in barrel.
- floor 3 – Sealed plastic bag of recyclables in barrel.
- floor 4 – Lids on container, cork in bottle, cap on bottles.
- floor 5 – Sealed plastic bag of recyclables in barrel. Lids on containers.
- floor 6 – Gym bag in newspaper bin. Cake plate with cover in barrel – covered with food. Garbage on floor; newspaper in barrel.
- floor 7 – Sealed plastic bag of recyclables in barrel. Lids on containers and bottle.
- floor 8 – Lids on bottles and plastic container.
floor 9 – Sealed plastic bag of recyclables in barrel. Plastic container on floor.
- floor 10 – Cardboard box in newspaper box. Sealed plastic bags of recyclables in barrel. Lids on bottles.
- floor 11 – Big tied bag on barrel, paper plates with food, box food in barrel.
- floor 12 – Bottle tops everywhere. Empty box covered in plastic; box empty with plastic; 2 containers with liquid inside.
- floor 14 – Bottle tops; Container half full of milk.
- floor 15 – Top on large tin container.
- floor 16 – Okay.
- floor 17 – Telephone books wrapped in plastic; top on glass container.
- floor 18 – A box put inside a bag; Bottles wrapped on top of box. Box and bottles put inside plastic bag in barrel.
- floor 19 – Top on bottles; trash bag full of food scraps, should be disposed of down the chute.
- floor 20 – Concrete wrapped in a bag. Large calendar wrapped up.
Jim Rigney 
Rules & Regulations 
Committee
Jim Rigney
(Report read by the Secretary)
The Regency Tower Rules and Regulations will be reviewed and updated at such time as deemed appropriate, possibly during summer 2008.
Security 
Report
Carlos Pereira, Chief of Security
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| Carlos’ Motto: Be Prepared Our Staff is Always Being Trained |
As always, I would like to express my gratitude for being able to work here under this Board of Directors with their guidance and trust. We are already in March, time flies when we have fun!
Last January, our surveillance company updated our system. They corrected some camera angles and relocated others. Also, they rearranged our digital recording time which facilitated us to maneuver the system making it easier to review any past incidents.
We would like to remind you that spring break is here again and some of you will come down and/or will send some guests to enjoy this beautiful weather. Please do not forget to register them ahead of time, this will help us to expedite their registration upon arrival. Also, remind them of some basic rules, such as:
Bare feet are not allowed at anytime or any place inside building areas;Use service elevator when you go to and from pool or beach;
No children are allowed to play in hallways or use the elevators without adult supervision, etc.
Again, without your assistance, our work won’t count. Therefore, if you have any ideas, suggestions and/or comments, please give them to the Board of Directors and if approved, we will implement it into our daily operation. Our aim is to make Regency Tower the safest building on the Galt.
Safety tip: When you leave your unit for more then 3 days, please remember to turn off your water valves (hot & cold). Prevention is a must!
Social/Bingo 
Committee
Mark Fetcher
(Report read by the Secretary)
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| Candace - Ms. BINGO |
A new resident, Mark Fetcher, has been calling the numbers. Candace D. Brown handles the “business” side by collecting the money, figuring the proper amount for each game, distributing the prize money and assisting with set-up and closing. Each week, a hard core group of loyal bingo enthusiasts have been joined by other residents in our building. Plus many of our neighbors from surrounding buildings, too.
Candace assures that there’s always plenty of candy and Eric Berkowitz will pop in from time to time and drop off ice cold refreshments.
PLEASE JOIN US!!! Bring your friends!!!
The more that play … the more you can win and you can always be guaranteed to have a fun, social evening.
P.S. If anyone is interested in volunteering to help, we can resume other social activities such as Dinners, Barbeques, Theater, etc.
♥ We Care Committee ♥
♥ Ofelia Alleguez ♥
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| Ofelia Alleguez ♥ We Care ♥ Regency Tower "Angel Squad" |
Ofelia Alleguez’s report read by the Secretary: December January February March
Mrs. Jose Greco (905) – A basket of fruit was delivered upon her return home from the hospital.
Kitty Vernoy (109) – passed away on December 16th; interment took place in Virginia; card sent.
Eleanor Kooby (2010) – passed away December 20th; note on bulletin board; card sent; trees planted in her memory.
Ethel Gianoulis (802) – fell at home on January 25th and broke her hip; taken to Holy Cross Hospital where she had surgery; note on bulletin board; card sent; chocolates sent upon her return home from rehab. Steven Lichtman (605) – taken to Holy Cross Hospital on January 29th; note on bulletin board; card sent; plant delivered to him when he returned home.
Pam Cavka (611) – had heart surgery back home in Illinois; note on bulletin board; card sent.
Lulzime Rusi (1903) – had surgery at Holy Cross Hospital; note on bulletin board; card sent; chocolates sent when she returned home.
Web Site 
Committee
Eric Peter Berkowitz
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| Eric Peter Berkowitz Check “Around Town” |
The posted December 11, 2007 Budget Meeting minutes included the Report on Reserves Vote and the vote approving the 2008 Association budget. Committee Reports from Construction & Architectural Review, Maintenance & Housekeeping, Screening, Security, We Care and Web Site encapsulated the achievements of our Association volunteers. Board President Dott Nicholson-Brown’s President’s Report updated residents about the Employee’s Holiday Party, Lockouts, relevant Galt Mile Community Association activities and a review of the November Round Table meeting.
Negotiations conducted by the Cable Committee were described in a report entitled “Comcast Fixes Cable Flaws”, which detailed the reasons for an annoying interruption in the HBO signal last December. Ironically, we experienced another recent HBO glitch in which the sound feed was lost. Another article called “Cable Static Blows Over” focuses on Comcast’s responsibility to deliver unadulterated service without any requirement for Regency Tower customers to purchase additional equipment. As explained in the article, if you don’t want digital services, you don’t need a digital box.
The “Around Town” section on the Home Page receives hundreds of daily hits. Current local happenings, including Art Festivals, Craft Fairs, Music Festivals and relevant political events are described and laced with links to contact data.
Negotiations are proceeding to provide low cost broadband internet service to interested Regency Tower residents. Since Netwerx Systems agreed to lower their participation threshold, we now qualify for voluntary connection to the service. The initial cost to users for the 3 megabyte access will be $20 per month and will decrease as participation increases. Similar to Comcast and Bellsouth, a special modem is required for connection to the signal. Regency Tower residents will be offered three options to acquire this modem. The modem can be purchased outright for $59 or leased for $4 per month. Although no contract is required to participate, residents signing a one-year agreement will receive the modem at no cost.
Bob Nagle recommended that we elicit input from several additional local references before continuing. Appointments to that end will be made next week. If the results are positive, we’ll disseminate detailed information about the service and invite participation. As you are probably aware, comparable service from Comcast is $42.50 per month and Bellsouth charges about $30 monthly. As such, the $20 monthly cost is less than half that of Comcast and 50% less than Bellsouth. Since utilization is voluntary, non-participants will pay nothing. Thank you for your kind attention.