Become our Member : JOIN SFPMA TODAY   LogIn / Register: LOGIN/REGISTER

SFPMA Industry Articles | news, legal updates, events & education! 

Find Blog Articles for Florida’s Condo, HOA and the Management Industry. 

Keep Your FL Lake Clean and Problem-Free by SOLITUDE

Keep Your FL Lake Clean and Problem-Free by SOLITUDE

Addressing Major Lake Issues Before the Growing Season

The growing season refers to the time of year – typically the spring months – when aquatic weedsalgae, and toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) begin to appear in the water. The timeframe can differ depending on the region of the country in which a waterbody is located and natural weather variations. But no matter where you live, nuisance growth may indicate imbalances in the aquatic ecosystem that were not addressed in the weeks and months leading up to this defining season.

Many property owners do not realize that the management of lakes and ponds shouldn’t end when winter weather arrives. In fact, it is a great time to reevaluate waterbody goals for the coming year and implement management solutions that are more difficult to apply when the water is being actively used for recreation, stormwater collection, or aesthetic purposes.

Prepare Your Lake for Spring: Here’s Where to Start

Typically, the off-season months provide a valuable window to complete long-awaited projects like shoreline restoration, mechanical hydro-raking, or dredging, and nutrient remediation. Each of these solutions can help support healthier water quality conditions and reduce the risk of major lake issues when the growing season arrives.

Prevent algae and weeds next growing season with these management tips:

Repair Shoreline Damage & Enhance Your Buffer Zone

Jagged, crumbling, exposed shorelines can endanger people working or spending time in and around the water. Degraded shorelines can also contribute to the accumulation of muck at the bottom of lakes and ponds, and even cause waterfront properties to “shrink” as earth collapses into the water. These conditions don’t occur overnight; rather, they are a result of prolonged wear and tear from recreation, wind and rainfall, nuisance wildlife activity, urban development, and poor landscaping practices.

If ignored, erosion can aggravate water quality imbalances that increase the risk of weeds, toxic algae, and other problems during the growing season. Restoring degraded shorelines well before this time will help ensure your waterbody starts off on the right foot come spring.

littoral-shelf-beneficial-buffer

Repair Erosion Damage with Bioengineered Shorelines

Cutting-edge bioengineering techniques using a durable mesh material have made it possible to safely restore the aesthetics and functionality of degraded shorelines while repurposing eroded earth. Depending on the size and scope of a project, this process may require significant downtime, so the fall and winter months are an opportune time to take advantage of this service.

Once installed, these bioengineered shorelines will provide many years of stabilization and erosion control, particularly when beneficial vegetative buffers are also maintained around the waterbody to filter pollutants from stormwater runoff known to provoke water quality imbalances.

  • Shoreline Erosion Repair Results

Remove Muck & Debris with Hydro-raking

Lakes and ponds are consistently inundated with eroded sediment and debris such as branches, leaves, lawn clippings, trash, and other detritus that create bottom muck containing highly concentrated nutrients as they decompose. Over time, muck levels can increase, reducing the overall depth and volume of the waterbody. Excessive build-up may lead to a host of problems during the growing season, including flooding, depleted dissolved oxygen levels, water murkiness, bad odors, fish kills, and increased weed and algae infestations.

It is possible to physically remove build-up using mechanical solutions like hydro-raking and dredging. Hydro-raking is often used for “spot treatments” in areas with disproportionate materials, such as stormwater pipes and dock areas. A hydro-rake is essentially a floating barge with a rake attachment that can remove up to 500 pounds of decomposing material in each scoop and deposit it on the shore for physical removal or repurposing during shoreline restoration projects.

Hydro-Raking Services

Restore Depth with Dredging

If build-up has reached more concerning levels, dredging may be required. Professionals choose from two primary types of dredging equipment based on the goals for the property – each can restore the waterbody to its original depth and volume, but may reset the ecosystem entirely. Conducting dredging far ahead of the upcoming growing season provides a window to begin implementing proactive solutions to ensure water quality is healthy and stable come spring.

The off-season is an excellent time to complete mechanical projects as they can both interfere dramatically with the use of the waterbody. Removing muck and debris that accumulated during the warmer months will also help reduce overall nutrient concentrations, providing less fuel for algae and weeds when the growing season arrives.

Balance Water Quality with Nutrient Management

Phosphorus and nitrogen are the primary nutrients responsible for the growth of excess weeds and algae and are found in both the water column and the bottom sediments. Naturally-occurring nutrient remediation products like Phoslock and Aluminum Sulfate (Alum) can be professionally applied to bind with nutrients, making them unavailable for uptake by weeds and algae. Other solutions like EutroSORB may be used to filter and physically remove undesirable nutrients from the water.

Nutrient remediation can be effective in the warmer months and, when implemented by licensed professionals, is low-risk for use around people and animals. However, conducting nutrient remediation services during the off-season can help prevent nuisance growth before it becomes a problem, allowing people to start enjoying their waterbodies sooner. It’s important to note that regions that experience more severe winters and freezing waters may not be candidates for off-season nutrient remediation services. A professional can help stakeholders determine the most effective time of year to apply nutrient remediation products.

Avoid Water Quality Issues This Growing Season

It can be confusing for stakeholders to know what their waterbodies need – and when – but it’s never too early or late to begin implementing these or other lake and pond management solutions. Ultimately, we share your goal of maximizing the use of your water resources throughout the year. By taking advantage of the cooler months to complete these impactful projects, stakeholders can avoid major water quality issues that the growing season is known for. Instead, they can focus on enjoying the water without looming threats of nuisance growth – and the complaints, safety concerns, and unexpected costs that come with it.

Tags:
Community Association Software Solutions for Condo, Co-Op, and HOA Management

Community Association Software Solutions for Condo, Co-Op, and HOA Management

Trusted by over 6,500 communities throughout the U.S. and worldwide

BuildingLink is the premier provider of  community management software solutions. BuildingLink leverages over two decades of innovation and experience,  offering 60+ intuitive modules to manage documents, maintenance, vehicle, keys, packages, amenity reservations, community communications and more! Managers love the functionality and service while residents love the convenience of our mobile app!

FULLY EQUIPPED WITH DOZENS OF TIMESAVING, AND INNOVATIVE FEATURES.
Solutions-Icon

Maintenance

BuildingLink’s suite of maintenance solutions ensures your property is running efficiently.

People-Cheering-Icon

Resident Experience

Elevate your resident experience with BuildingLink’s mobile, portal, and smart home features.

Integration-Icon

Record-Keeping & Administration

Streamlined record-keeping, administrative tasks, and building details at your fingertips.

Person-Laptop-Icon

Concierge & Front Office

From hyper-efficient package tracking to formatted incident reports and key management, all seamlessly managed with BuildingLink.

Customer-Support-Icon

Communications

Strong communication tools mean more informed, cohesive, engaged, and organized communities.

Pay-Icon

BuildingLink Payments

Our payments solution seamlessly integrates with many accounting platforms, ensuring a smooth resident payment experience. Residents can pay monthly account balances securely online with single sign-on.

 

Start Running a Better Community Today!

BuildingLink is the market’s undisputed leader in property management solutions, empowering customers through industry-leading technologies, extraordinary support and training programs, and the ability to tailor our solutions to fit their unique needs.

Tags: , ,
FIDUCIARY DUTY: What it Means to Your Community Association. by REMBAUM’S ASSOCIATION ROUNDUP

FIDUCIARY DUTY: What it Means to Your Community Association. by REMBAUM’S ASSOCIATION ROUNDUP

  • Posted: May 11, 2025
  • By:
  • Comments: Comments Off on FIDUCIARY DUTY: What it Means to Your Community Association. by REMBAUM’S ASSOCIATION ROUNDUP

What duty does a community association board member owe to their association? What happens if that duty is breached? During the legislative session, legislation was proposed that would have made directors criminally liable for failure to timely respond to official record requests, among other provisions.

The legislation in House Bill 919 was proposed by Representative Porras in response to the alleged $3.4 million dollar embezzlement scheme that took place at the Hammocks Community Association, located in Miami-Dade County. Parts of this proposed bill were well-intentioned; however, several provisions were commonly viewed as too broad and expansive.

On November 15, 2022, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office announced charges related to the Hammocks’ criminal case, including racketeering, organized scheme to defraud, money laundering, grand theft, and fabricating physical evidence against five board members. These board members have been accused of the following:

i) running a scheme in which they used HOA checks and HOA credit cards from 55 bank accounts to pay for “no-show” work by shell companies or vendors, who would funnel money back to the directors for their personal use;

ii) withholding official records from members; and,

iii) failure to hold valid elections, among other bad acts.

If found guilty these board members overtly breached their fiduciary duty to their association.

During the 2023 legislative session, House Bill 919 initially contained significant criminal penalties to punish board members who failed to provide official records when they otherwise should have, criminal penalties for kickbacks, and criminal penalties for improper election interference, among other provisions. Such laws, while well intended, went overboard as evidenced by the creation of criminal penalties for failure to provide official records, as such severe criminal penalties for operational matters would likely only deter good people from running for the board. Recognizing this potential issue, parts of HB 919 were tempered a bit prior to it becoming law. That said, in the opinion of this author, new laws with new criminal penalties are not the answer. Bad people do bad things, and no amount of laws will likely significantly change that. So, what is the answer?

One answer is to shore up the educational and certification requirements for board members. At present, there are two ways to be certified as a board member. One method is to take a State-approved class, which provides an overview of the voluminous information board members need to know in order to perform their duties. The other method is to sign a piece of paper that the board member has read the governing documents, will abide by them, and will faithfully discharge their duties. This second method should be eliminated as there is no method to confirm compliance, and this method does not have any educational component. In addition, continuing education requirements should be required for any board member serving consecutive years.

During a board certification class, time should be spent discussing the term “fiduciary duty.” While the term is repeatedly used in Chapters 718 and 720 of the Florida Statutes, it is not expressly defined in these statutes. Section 718.111, Florida Statutes, makes reference to Section 617.0830, Florida Statutes, which provides for general standards for directors of not-for-profit corporations, such as community associations.

Section 617.0830, Florida Statutes, provides the following:

      1. A director shall discharge his or her duties as a director, including his or her duties as a member of a committee i) in good faith; ii) with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances; and iii) in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation.
      2. In discharging his or her duties, a director may rely on information, opinions, reports, or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, if prepared or presented by: i) One or more officers or employees of the corporation whom the director reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented; ii) legal counsel, public accountants, or other persons as to matters the director reasonably believes are within the persons’ professional or expert competence; or iii) a committee of the board of directors of which he or she is not a member if the director reasonably believes the committee merits confidence.
      3. A director is not acting in good faith if he or she has knowledge concerning the matter in question that makes reliance otherwise permitted by subsection (2) unwarranted.
      4. A director is not liable for any action taken as a director, or any failure to take any action, if he or she performed the duties of his or her office in compliance with this section.

Still, though, there is no express definition of the term “fiduciary duty.” The purpose of studying fiduciary relationships is to identify the areas where it exists and gain an insight into the duties of a fiduciary. After all, every board member is a fiduciary for their community association. Common definitions of the term “fiduciary” include:

      • A fiduciary relationship is a relation between two parties wherein one party (fiduciary) has the duty to act in the best interest of the other party (beneficiary or principal).
      • A fiduciary is a person who holds a legal or ethical relationship of trust with one or more other parties. Typically, a fiduciary prudently takes care of money or other assets for another person.
      • A fiduciary duty is a relationship in which one party places special trust, confidence, and reliance in and is influenced by another who has a fiduciary duty to act for the benefit of the party.
      • Most importantly, and germane to this discussion, a fiduciary is a person or organization that acts on behalf of another person or persons, putting their clients’ interests ahead of their own, with a duty to preserve good faith and trust.

In other words, a good community association board member puts the interest of their association above their own personal interests. Thus, while we may not be able to stop bad people from doing bad things, through continuing education we can help good people do better.

To recap, there are three things that can be readily accomplished that would make a positive difference for Florida’s community associations.

      1. Remove the ability of a board member to be “certified” by signature alone.
      2. Require continuing education for board members serving continuous years.
      3. Amend Florida Statutes, Chapters 718 and 720, to include express definitions of fiduciary duty so that it is made patently clear that every board member must put their community association above and ahead of their own personal interests.

 

 

Tags: , ,
How to Know When Your Fire Alarm System Needs Repair? by PREMIER FIRE ALARMS AND INTEGRATION SYSTEMS

How to Know When Your Fire Alarm System Needs Repair? by PREMIER FIRE ALARMS AND INTEGRATION SYSTEMS

How to Know When Your Fire Alarm System Needs Repair?

 If your fire alarm system starts sounding like a horror movie sequel, it’s time for you to take action.

Sure, being reminded of danger with sporadic false alarms might make for some good Sunday afternoon entertainment – but do you want your guests running out scared all the time? We don’t think so, which is why we’ve put together this guide on how to know when your fire alarm system needs repair!

Whether you need a new battery or just some help troubleshooting the cause of those pesky alerts, we have your back. Read on and prepare for peace of mind (and less screaming)

Premier Fire Alarms and Integration Systems Installation Division offers Miami’s best fire alarm systems repair. Our top-notch services help protect your family and business in a fire. Forget about unheard or unattended alarms, and let our experts monitor your system 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

When protecting your family and your property from fire, you must always keep your fire alarm system in good working order. Regular maintenance and system checks are essential to ensure your fire alarm functions correctly.

Here are a few signs that indicate your fire alarm system needs repair:

 

False Alarms

Various issues with the system components, such as a broken smoke detector, faulty wiring, or damaged sensors, can cause false alarms. If false alarms occur regularly, it’s likely time for your fire alarm system annual inspection.

 

Flashing Lights

Flashing lights on your fire alarm panel are an indication that there is something wrong with the system. Suppose these lights persist after performing the recommended reset procedure from the manufacturer. In that case, it’s time to call for professional assistance from a fire alarm service and inspection company in Miami Dade.

 

System Malfunction

If your fire alarm isn’t responding appropriately when tested or during an emergency, this could be evidence of a malfunction in one or more components within the system. It is also time to contact a commercial fire alarm company to diagnose and repair any malfunctioning parts or replace them if necessary.

 

Age of the System

Even if everything seems to be functioning normally, it’s important to remember that all electrical systems have an expiry date which varies depending on how often they are used and their quality.

If all other tests reveal no significant problems, but you know you installed your current system many years ago, consider replacing it with newer technology. Due to age, outdated systems may not provide adequate protection against fires.

A fire alarm installation in Miami-Dade County can help with this.

 

Contact Us Today!

By being aware of these signs indicating potential repairs needed for your fire alarm system, you can avoid any issues before they become severe emergencies.

Finding the best fire alarm systems repair company is the first step. They will come to inspect and diagnose all possible problems promptly and efficiently, so you don’t have to worry about exposing yourself to potential danger caused by faulty equipment!

Premier Fire Alarms & Intergration Systems is the best fire alarm systems repair company. We have modern and reliable methods and serve the entire Florida area. Please reach out to us to discuss our given services:

You can also consult us to get assistance for the following domains:

 

Fire Alarm Systems & Installation

WHEN IT COMES TO FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS & INSTALLATION, YOU CAN COUNT ON OUR EXPERTS TO METICULOUSLY DESIGN, INSTALL, MONITOR, AND MAINTAIN ALL THE CRITICAL SYSTEMS THAT KEEP YOU AND YOUR ASSETS SAFE.

Matt Haiman
President
Premier Fire Alarms and Integration Systems, INC.
430 Ansin Blvd suite M
Hallandale Beach Florida
(O) 954-797-7692
(F) 954-797-7289
(C) 954-638-5581
matt@premierfirefl.com
Members of SFPMA.com find them on our members directory of vendors for condo and hos’s for Florida’s Properties, Boards and Managers Resource.

Tags: , ,
Need a few reasons to digitize your paper-based engineering and architectural drawings? How about these?

Need a few reasons to digitize your paper-based engineering and architectural drawings? How about these?

1- Accessibility and Sharing. Digital files are easy to search, copy and share, saving valuable time and improving collaboration.
2- Storage and Document Integrity. Digital drawings are much less expensive to store than paper copies and are not subject to degradation over time.
3- Flexibility. Digital drawings are easy to rework or update, streamlining change processes and speeding renovations.
4- Details. Digital designs allow for the addition of audio or video to individual elements, providing an extra level of detail (e.g., materials, site layout, construction processes).
At the end of the day, digitization is a huge time and cost saver.
Call Us—561.372.1290
Tags: , ,
Introducing The Auto-Submit Platform for Servicing Delinquent Accounts! by Axela

Introducing The Auto-Submit Platform for Servicing Delinquent Accounts! by Axela

  • Posted: Apr 23, 2025
  • By:
  • Comments: Comments Off on Introducing The Auto-Submit Platform for Servicing Delinquent Accounts! by Axela

We’re thrilled to announce a groundbreaking advancement in community association management: the launch of Auto-Submit, the industry’s first AI platform for identifying and servicing delinquent accounts, by Axela Technologies.
 
In an industry where timely recovery of past-due assessments is paramount to financial stability, Axela’s Auto-Submit is a game-changer. This cutting-edge AI engine is designed to streamline collections processes, resulting in faster resolutions and cost-effective outcomes.

 

Here’s what you need to know about Auto-Submit:
 
Efficiency at Scale: With deep integrations with leading accounting systems, Auto-Submit allows you to automate uniform collections policies and unit submissions. This ensures consistency across your portfolio and drastically improves aging trends, all while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

Set It and Forget It: Configuring Auto-Submit is a breeze. Set your preferences, and the system executes the process from start to finish. Say goodbye to manual interventions and hello to autopilot collections.

Enhanced Responsiveness: Auto-submit doesn’t stop at collections. Our latest release also includes features for email responsiveness and call archiving. You can ensure prompt and accurate communication with homeowners with near-immediate email responses and detailed call transcriptions.

Continuous Innovation: We’re committed to advancing our AI platform to serve your needs better. As we develop new features, you can rest assured that Axela remains at the forefront of community association management technology.

We invite you to experience the future of collections with Auto-Submit. Schedule a demo today to see how Axela can transform your collections process and drive financial stability for your community.


Upcoming Event!

ONLINE AUTO-SUBMIT WEBINAR

April 18, 2024 @ 3PM EST.

Join us for an exclusive webinar unveiling Axela Technologies’ groundbreaking AI platform, Auto-Submit, revolutionizing delinquent account servicing in the CAM industry. Learn how our innovative solution ensures faster resolutions, compliance, and cost-effectiveness while putting your collections on autopilot. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover the future of collections!

Sign up Today!


Alexa Technologies is the top Collections Company SFPMA stands behind for every Condo, HOA in the State of Florida.  Every Property Management Company and their Team members should learn how Alexa can aid them with the properties they manage.  View Axela Tech’s Membership page on our members directory.

 

Tags: , , ,
2025 –THE BEGINNING OF MASSIVE CHANGES TO OUR CONDO COMMUNITIES

2025 –THE BEGINNING OF MASSIVE CHANGES TO OUR CONDO COMMUNITIES

 

There are certain years that are more defining than others. Certain years that stand out. Well, if you live in a Florida condominium, 2025 will be that year. To understand why, we have to pay respect to another year that stands out more than any other ever will, and that is 2021, the year the Champlain Towers collapsed in Surfside, Florida killing 98 innocent men, women and children.

 

As a result of 2021, and The Florida Legislature’s promise to Floridians that another Surfside will never happen again, massive legislation was passed requiring mandatory inspections, mandatory repairs, mandatory education for Board members and perhaps the most important and controversial new law, the requirement to fund reserves for your condominium that is 3 stories or taller, based upon a Structural Integrity Reserve Study that needed to be prepared by an architect, engineer or someone with CAI credentials and completed by December 31st, 2024.

 

If you didn’t do it yet —– you’re late and in violation of Florida law.

 

Think about this…….any condominium budget you will ever pass again must include mandatory reserves based upon the results of that structural integrity reserve study. Here’s the new law:

 

For a budget adopted on or after December 31, 2024, the members of a unit-owner-controlled association that must obtain a structural integrity reserve study may not determine to provide no reserves or less reserves than required by Your Structural Integrity Reserve Study.

 

Here’s what a structural integrity reserve study is and how often it must be performed:

 

(g) Structural integrity reserve study.—

1. A residential condominium association must have a structural integrity reserve study completed at least every 10 years after the condominium’s creation for each building on the condominium property that is three stories or higher in height, as determined by the Florida Building Code, which includes, at a minimum, a study of the following items as related to the structural integrity and safety of the building:

 

a. Roof.

b. Structure, including load-bearing walls and other

primary structural members and primary structural

systems as those terms are defined in s. 627.706.

c. Fireproofing and fire protection systems.

d. Plumbing.

e. Electrical systems.

f.  Waterproofing and exterior painting.

g. Windows and exterior doors.

h. Any other item that has a deferred maintenance

expense or replacement cost that exceeds $10,000

and the failure to replace or maintain such item

negatively affects the above items as determined

by the visual inspection portion of the structural

integrity reserve study.

 

Yes – for those condo associations that have ignored funding reserves for years or decades — your bill has come due. And it’s going to be expensive. For those of you who thought it was a bad idea to put away money for a rainy day because you might not be alive at that time —- I guess the bad news is —–YOU LIVED!

 

2025 Sales for Members: Advertising in our Magazine and in the News Blast and on our website.

2025 Sales for Members: Advertising in our Magazine and in the News Blast and on our website.

  • Posted: Apr 23, 2025
  • By:
  • Comments: Comments Off on 2025 Sales for Members: Advertising in our Magazine and in the News Blast and on our website.

Take advantage of our Advertising Sale Today.

We have Advertising in our magazine and in the News Blast Avail for 2025

  • News blast: Your company will show as a sponsor for the full year, we publish over 3 blasts per week, M,W,F  We also have a special Engineering every Thursday on that your logo is on that page with a link to our Directory, ( only 10 spaces @ 400.00 for the year )

 

  • Magazine Advertising Sponsorship’s, Full Pages, Half Pages and other. This sale is buy 3 months we match it with the same amount of months. (buy 3 get 3 months free)

 


 

ADVERTISING SALES

1-  We are running this sale for all members become a featured sponsor of our Email News Blast

  • We publish our Email Blast filled with News, Articles, Member Information, This is sent 3 days every week. Mon, Wed and Friday at 9am
  • Your company has a 300px by 300px logo picture linked to your website
  • Be seen as supporting sfpma 156 days for the year.  52weeks @3x every week

Special Price of 400.00 for the entire year

This is limited there are only 10 spots ( 8 remaining ) Act now. we are getting ready for 2025

Write articles we will publish.

 

2- Take out Advertising in our Publication – FLORIDA RISING MAGAZINE

  • Take out half and full pages 12 months of company advertising
  • take advantage of this special pricing
  • See our Advertising FLAT Rates: This Special ends FEB 2025

    Quarter Page: (3 months/300.00)

    Half Page*: (3 months/600.00)

    Full Page*: (3 months/750.00) Special Pricing

*You can write articles every month we will publish. Each month we have the ability to publish member companies articles, promotions used to educate readers on what you do and how you can help. (min 3 months)

Call us today and lock your Spaces or Fill out the Form We will call you!


    Main Contact Form SFPMA

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Phone: We will call you back (required)

    Your Website URL

    Subject

    Your Message

     

     

    Tags: ,
    Budget preparation time is upon us! We strongly encourage, that every year around this time, association managers and Boards review and ensure that your capital reserve study is accurate and up-to-date.

    Budget preparation time is upon us! We strongly encourage, that every year around this time, association managers and Boards review and ensure that your capital reserve study is accurate and up-to-date.

    Budget preparation time is upon us! We strongly encourage, that every year around this time, association managers and Boards review and ensure that your capital reserve study is accurate and up-to-date.

    This is one of the most important decisions a board will make for the future of their association. It is an easy and effective way to ensure your community’s capital replacement items are being properly funded with minimal impact on the individual homeowners. 

    With the recent update to the Capital Reserve Study Standards, the impact of inflation and supply chain issues over the past few years (in some cases resulting in costs as much as 50% higher for some typical components), it is even more critical to have an updated reserve study to ensure the financial health of your community.

    To stay on track for a healthy financial future, it is recommended that your Reserve Study be updated every three (3) years.

    The Falcon Group Capital Reserves team consists of 6 CAI Certified Reserve Specialists (RS) as well as a Professional Reserve Analyst (PRA) designation awarded by the Association of Professional Analysts.

    Contact our Reserve Specialists today for a new or updated reserve study!

     

    Contact Us:

    Tampa Bay

    1211 1st Avenue, N.
    Suite 106
    St. Petersburg, FL 33705

    P (813) 438-3568

    West Palm Beach

    5651 Corporate Way
    Suite 4
    West Palm Beach, FL 33407

    P (561) 290-0504

    Miami

    15405 NW 7th Avenue
    Miami, FL 33169

    P (305) 663-1970


    Capital Reserve Study ( what is involved )

    The primary purpose of a Reserve Study is to offer recommendations as to the amount of money a community, building or other organization should set aside on a yearly basis for the future replacement or major refurbishment of their commonly owned elements.

    The Falcon Group believes that a properly funded capital reserve program is the right formula for keeping a community’s physical assets in prime condition while providing some key benefits to residents. We strongly recommend updating your Capital Reserve Study Every 3 years.

    A regularly updated Reserve Study can provide the following benefits:

    • Maintaining and/or increasing property values by maintaining exterior appearances through timely repair or replacement of common elements.
    • Facilitating project efficiency and cost effectiveness, as well as, minimizing disruptions and unit owner inconvenience by allowing the association to secure contractors to complete an entire project during a finite and desired schedule.
    • Reducing the likelihood of member dissatisfaction associated with the passage of large or sudden assessments.

    All of our Capital Reserve Studies are prepared under the direction of a Reserve Specialist (RS) and/or a Professional Reserve Analyst (PRA).

    The Falcon Group has prepared over 3,500 Capital Reserve Studies. Each Capital Reserve Study we perform is a customized analysis, prepared in coordination with our Reserve Specialist (RS) and our client, and is based on a “real-world” methodology for each item in regards to:

    • Inspection

    • Evaluation for repair or replacement

    • Evaluation for anticipated “Useful Life”

    • Integrated into a repair or replacement plan and budget

     

    Tags: , , ,
    Which Sediment or Muck Removal Option Is Best for My Waterbody?

    Which Sediment or Muck Removal Option Is Best for My Waterbody?

    • Posted: Apr 07, 2025
    • By:
    • Comments: Comments Off on Which Sediment or Muck Removal Option Is Best for My Waterbody?

    Virtually all explanations of dredging include the physical scooping up of underwater sand and clay sediments to enhance a merchant ship’s access to a port or waterway. If these waterways become inaccessible, the economic consequences are far-reaching.

    Today, however, massive algal blooms, animal fatalities from toxic byproducts of algae, and the spread of invasive plants and animals are sharing the front-page news with national economic interests. For those of us living on a waterbody, it’s clear that our personal economic interests are rewarded via higher property values if the nearby water is both navigable and healthy. As a waterbody ages and becomes “silted-in,” organic nutrients fuel invasive plant and algae growth, and property owners suffer the consequences of bright green water, fish kills, and dangerous swimming conditions. Unfortunately, the solution to these rampant biological problems involves more than just scooping up the muck. Hence, we need to look at dredging options and aquatic management in a unified perspective.

    Choosing the Dredging Tool for Your Waterbody

    Fortunately, there are many proactive aquatic management solutions that can be implemented to help slow or prevent the aging of waterbodies, such as proper land use management, maintenance of beneficial vegetative buffers and sediment traps, installation of aeration systems, and utilization of nutrient absorbing products. However, when sediment buildup is too much to dock a boat or when aquatic plants and algae are perpetually out of control, you’ll need to call in a professional waterbody manager accompanied by a portfolio of dredging techniques.

    There are several methods of sediment or muck removal: hydraulic dredging, clamshell or backhoe dredging, dry dredging, and hydro-raking. The chosen method will depend on a number of factors, including sediment composition, environmental sensitivity, the volume of materials removed, budget, and disposal considerations.

    Which Dredging or Sediment Removal Option Is Best for My Waterbody?

    Mechanical Dredging

    Mechanical dredges (clamshell or backhoe dredgers) use buckets to scoop out bottom sediment and transfer it to trucks or barges for transport to disposal sites. Truck transportable mechanical dredges such as Aquamogs can remove small volumes of sediments such as shoals that prevent boater access to a lake, while large oceangoing dredgers are capable of digging to great depths to facilitate the new era of ultra–large container ships. In the case of the drawdown and excavation method (dry dredging), the whole waterbody is drained and sufficient shoreline access is needed for the trucking and hauling involved. However, most lakes cannot be emptied due to environmental concerns or high water tables.

    Hydraulic Dredge

    Hydraulic Dredging

    Hydraulic dredges are the workhorse of the dredging industry and are effective in moving large volumes of organic and inorganic sediment. They work by sucking slurry (a mixture of sediment and water) from the bottom and then pumping it to an offshore location through a pipeline. Hydraulic dredges have almost continuous operating cycles, allowing the removal of large volumes of material in a short time while minimizing the resuspension of material into the water column due to their closed-cycle system of operation. Typically, this method is better suited for sediments with little debris mixed in, as large objects and rocks can damage the cutter and clog the pipeline. A large disposal area is also required.

    Hydro-rake

    Hydro-raking

    Unlike the mechanical and hydraulic dredge, the hydro-rake cannot be used to remove sediment, however, it is an effective tool for accumulated muck removal. Hydro-raking is frequently chosen as a method to remove nuisance aquatic vegetation, root structures, debris, and organic muck on a smaller scale waterbody.  The hydro-rake can best be described as a floating barge upon which is mounted a backhoe with a digging bucket or rake capable of removing accumulated muck in water as shallow as 18 inches. Hydro-raking can effectively target organic muck accumulations and debris in coves, stormwater ponds, and other shallow areas. If a pond is periodically maintained through hydro-raking, the need to perform a large-scale dredging project may be eliminated, saving financial resources and minimizing ecological disruptions.

    Paragraph 5 - Managing vegetation in and around - fountains and aeration

    How to Maintain Balanced Water Quality

    Dredging is generally thought of as an expensive activity, but both your waterbody can benefit significantly from just a few days of budget-friendly spot dredging at pump intakes, swimming areas, or around boat docks. However, the ultimate cost-savings approach is proactive management. By taking preventative steps to reduce erosion, limit weed and algae growth, and maintain balanced water quality, it’s possible to prolong the need for both dredging and hydro-raking. The best way to accomplish this is through an annual management program that leans on sustainable strategies like aeration, nutrient remediation, shoreline maintenance, and many other custom solutions to maintain a healthy, functional waterbody.

    To learn more or navigate through a wide variety of sediment, aquatic plant, or algae removal options for your waterbody, we encourage you to speak with your lake or pond management professional.

     

    Tags: