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Board President John Laprade |
2020 is flying by (THANK GOD!) …. as it has been a challenging year on many fronts for so many of our owners and residents. For many of you who are unable to travel because of COVID-19, we miss seeing you and hope that you are able to visit soon.
I am focused on the concrete and balcony restoration project. Now that the painting of the building exterior has begun on the southeast side of the building, our primary focus is to ensure that full use of the pool, pool deck and beach access are returned to owners as soon as possible so as not to interfere with the upcoming season. We are also tracking expenses of this project and continue to run below budget in several categories. Work is approximately ¾ of the way done with some work remaining on the 11 stack balconies and work being done on the 9 and 10 stack balconies. We are also working hard to address any owner issues regarding work that has been completed and have relatively few issues from stacks 1-8 which the contractor is working to address to our satisfaction.
The message below outlines some easing of the Temporary COVID-19 restrictions which reflects the overall changes by the Governor and the County. As you know, Governor DeSantis has moved the State of Florida into Phase 3 of the COVID-19 recovery. However, we are still subject to local and county guidelines. Keep in mind that these restrictions are temporary and may change at any time based on rules from the state and county.
Board Votes to Ease Temporary COVID-19 Restrictions
The Board of Directors voted at the October 7, 2020 board meeting to ease some of the Temporary COVID-19 restrictions in place for Regency Tower. This is consistent with Broward County emergency order 20-25 issued on September 25, 2020. Highlights of the revised temporary COVID-19 restrictions are:
Owners immediate family members who reside in their primary residence with them can now visit Regency Tower when the owner is not in residence. Other overnight guests may visit when the owner is in residence.
Owners, family members and guests may now access and use the pool deck and pool.
Lounges are now available for use by owners, family members and guests at the pool and on the beach. The association will sanitize these items daily and anyone using the lounges on the pool deck and beach are asked to wipe them down before and after each use. Wipes are provided for this purpose.
The Rendezvous Room and Game Room are now available for use at ½ capacity. Reservations are required and must be made via CONCIERGE+ at least 48 hours prior to use so that we can sanitize the area for use. Residents who are unable to access CONCIERGE+ can call the office during normal business hours to reserve these amenities. Social distancing and facial masks are required when using these amenities.
Complete Revisions published on October 7, 2020:
GUESTS/VISITORS
Amenities
All Owners, Guests and Visitors Required to Wear Masks
Per Broward County Emergency Order 20-20 all persons using common areas of a multifamily housing development must practice social distancing and wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks when in common areas. This includes employees, owners and visitors/guests.
Any visitors entering the building must wear a mask.
Realtors are allowed to access the building to show units for sale and rent. Access is limited to the realtor and no more than 2 prospective buyers/renters at a time.
Contractors are also expected to comply with the PPE rules
Pool Rules
No more than 10 persons or 50% capacity at the pool deck or in the pool at a time.
The pool and pool deck may be used only by current residents, their families, and their guests.
Chairs are provided and should be wiped down before and after each use.
No one should use the pool if they exhibit flu like symptoms, are sneezing or have a cough, have a fever or a respiratory ailment.
Social distancing must be observed while standing on the pool deck, in the pool, or in a chair on the pool deck.
Existing pool rules remain in effect.
To monitor the amount of people at the pool, residents wishing to use the pool will need to pick up their own pass at the security desk (only one pass per person). Security may ask anyone at the pool without a pass to leave the pool deck immediately. Each pool pass will have a 2-hour time limit to allow others the opportunity to use the pool. Residents can return if there is capacity.
Gym Rules
Access is limited to no more than 3 residents at one time for no more than 1 hour each.
Anyone using the gym is required to wipe down all machines, weights, handles and cardio machines before and after each use.
Masks are not required when working out, only when entering and leaving the gym.
Residents must bring their own towel for personal use.
Use of the gym is at your own risk.
To monitor the number of people in the gym and to enforce the time limit, residents are required to sign in with security prior to using the gym.
The Rendezvous Room and Game Room are available for use. Capacity is limited to 20 people in the Rendezvous Room and 6 people in the game room. Reservations for these amenities can be made on Concierge + and must be made at least 48 hours in advance of their use to give staff enough time to sanitize the facility.
Considering Renting Your Unit??
2020 is a very unusual and challenging year for everyone. Travel restrictions, unavailability or astronomical costs of health insurance for travelers, dealing with health and financial effects of COVID-19…and on and on.
Recently the board has seen an upswing in unit rentals at Regency Tower. We normally average below 10% of units being rented in Regency Tower. Many owners who normally do not rent their units are now considering this option as we have a total of 29 units either being rented or available for rent.
As a reminder, our governing documents state the following regarding the leasing of a unit:
Only one (1) lease is permitted in any one twelve (12) month period.
All lessees must meet with and be approved by the Board of Directors, after due notice, before moving in.
Lessees are not permitted to sub-let any apartment which said lessee has contracted to lease.
Guests of lessees may be permitted to temporarily reside in a leased apartment for a period not to exceed fifteen (15) days in a calendar year.
In order to comply with State of Florida standards, no apartment may be leased for a period of less than one hundred eighty-five (185) days in any calendar year.
Keep in mind that you must adhere to these rules when leasing your unit. If your lease terminates early you may owe a tax to the State of Florida. The Tourist Development Tax (also referred to as tourist tax, bed tax or resort tax) is a 5% charge on the revenue from rentals of six months or less. This tax is in addition to the state sales tax 6% (7% in Broward County because of the 1% county sales tax for transportation). Our understanding is that because of the revenue shortages driven by COVID-19, the county is now beginning to enforce these rules and looking for possible abuses. We want you to be fully informed prior to leasing your unit as you are responsible for collecting and submitting these payments to the county. If you follow the above rules as required in our governing documents and lease for 185 days, you can avoid this tax. We expect inquiries from the county in our office for any rentals so that the county can ensure compliance with the collection of taxes.
These temporary rules are required by either the state of Florida or Broward County emergency orders and will be in place until lifted by the controlling authority
Thank you for your cooperation.
Please be safe!