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“Stormwater Pond Management: Aren’t Nutrients in the Water Good?” by Solitude Lake Management.

“Stormwater Pond Management: Aren’t Nutrients in the Water Good?” by Solitude Lake Management.

This Article provides valuable insights into the role of nutrients in ponds and lakes, explaining how excess nutrients contribute to water quality challenges like algae and weed growth.

We explore practical, eco-friendly solutions for addressing these issues, including nutrient remediation, beneficial bacteria, and hydro-raking, as well as preventative strategies like buffer management and shoreline restoration.

This article is designed to help communities implement sustainable practices that preserve the health and beauty of their waterbodies for years to come.

Stormwater Pond Management: Aren’t Nutrients in the Water Good?
SOLitude Lake Management 

 

Nutrients are a cornerstone of healthy freshwater ecosystems, playing a vital role in fostering fish, micro-organisms, and native plants. However, perhaps due to the word’s positive connotation, property managers are often surprised to learn that abundant nutrients aren’t always good. Just as ingesting too many vitamins can make you sick, an excess of nutrients can cause harmful water quality imbalances. Like many things in life, moderation is key. 

Over time, lakes and ponds become increasingly enriched with nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen that create fertile conditions for excessive vegetation and algae growth. When it eventually dies and decays, it releases nutrients that fuel new growth. Without intervention, the cycle will perpetually continue until the waterbody fills in with decayed material. This process is called eutrophication—or, put simply, aging. 

While nutrient enrichment is normal and may occur naturally over hundreds of years, human activities accelerate the aging process and can reduce a pond’s lifespan to just a few decades. Once a pond is filled in, it can only be restored by dredging out all accumulated materials. Dredging is one of the biggest expenses a community will ever face, but by understanding why nutrient enrichment occurs and how to help slow the process, communities can prolong the need for costly dredging for as long as possible.   

During storms, rainwater picks up nutrient-rich materials and substances as it flows over sidewalks, roadways, agricultural land, construction sites, and other developed areas. The water is diverted to stormwater ponds that are specially designed to prevent flooding and filter out pollutants before the water is released downstream. Most urban ponds, particularly in homeowners communities, are man-made for this purpose. 

 

Some of these nutrient-rich materials include:

  • Lawn and garden fertilizers
  • Grass clippings
  • Leaves and yard debris 
  • Eroded sediment
  • Pet waste 
  • Septic system runoff 
  • Trash 

 

Unsightly weeds, slimy mats of algae, and toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are common signs that your waterbody is over-enriched with nutrients. If water quality tests reveal that nutrients are above desirable thresholds, communities have several solutions at their disposal to help manage them. 

First and foremost, property managers can implement impactful changes such as installing more trash bins and pet waste stations around a community, moving designated dog parks further from the vicinity of their ponds, and instructing landscapers to reduce fertilizer use and properly bag grass clippings and lawn debris. Every individual living or working in the vicinity of a waterbody influences its health and these small changes can have a significant cumulative effect over time. 

 

Incorporating these best practices can help amplify the benefits of more impactful solutions: 

 

Nutrient Remediation

This involves applying eco-friendly products that bind with or “deactivate” excess phosphorus in the water column and in the bottom sediments so it is no longer available for uptake by weeds and algae. Subsequent water quality testing will allow experts to assess if nutrient levels have been restored to an ideal range. 

 

Biological Bacteria

Biological bacteria play a central role in decomposing plant debris and organic materials. Comparable to probiotics for your waterbody, supplementing these beneficial bacteria can help make the decomposition process more efficient and inhibit the accumulation of nutrient-rich muck. These bacteria need dissolved oxygen to thrive, so installing a fountain, surface aerator, or submersed aerator can enhance their activity.

 

Mechanical Hydro-Raking

In cases of significant muck and debris build-up, experts can use a floating barge equipped with a specialized clamshell bucket to physically remove hundreds to thousands of pounds of nutrient-rich material. This can also help restore several feet of depth back to the pond, limiting flood risks.

These strategies are highly effective at targeting excess phosphorus in the waterbody, but it’s also imperative to prevent additional nutrients from invading the ecosystem. Such efforts start outside of the water and can involve residents, landscapers, and other employees. 

 

Buffer Management

While many communities desire an unobstructed view around their ponds, it’s favorable to maintain a healthy buffer of beneficial vegetation around the perimeter. These plants act as a protective barrier, filtering rainwater and capturing nutrients and debris before they enter the pond. A well-curated buffer should incorporate native plants that densely extend 3-5 feet from the shoreline and receive regular trimming and maintenance.

 

Shoreline Restoration

Pond erosion is not just an eyesore and safety hazard, it allows sediment to build-up in shallow areas around the shoreline. Tree roots, pipes, and other buried equipment can become exposed as sediment deteriorates. Experts can employ bioengineering techniques that physically reshape and anchor the shoreline in place, preventing future collapse and erosion. Sod or vegetative buffers can be installed directly on top to blend in harmoniously with community landscaping. 

 

Nutrients play a major role in the health and appearance of community water bodies, but they are only part of the equation. Maintaining balanced levels of pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, and salinity is essential for clean, weed- and algae-free water. An ongoing management program tailored to your community’s specific goals and budget is one of the most effective ways to ensure your waterbody remains healthy, beautiful, and functional for years to come.

 

As part of our commitment to professional development, we offer Continuing Education courses, each worth 1 credit hour. If your company/organization is interested, please feel free to contact me for further details.

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Should Your Condo Association Adopt Online Voting? by Becker / BECKERBALLOT

Should Your Condo Association Adopt Online Voting? by Becker / BECKERBALLOT

  • Posted: Nov 04, 2024
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Should Your Condo Association Adopt Online Voting?

by Becker / BECKERBALLOT

Many associations are considering whether to adopt online voting (or “E-Voting”). Legislation took effect enacting Section 718.128, back in July 2015.  Florida Statutes, permitting condominiums, cooperatives and homeowners’ associations to conduct elections and other owner votes through the use of “an Internet-based online voting system.” This article will discuss how to do so and what the advantages are.

The first step is for a Board to decide if they wish to offer electronic voting to their members. Florida Statutes 718.128 requires associations to adopt a board resolution approving electronic voting before they can utilize this type of voting process. The resolution must determine the manner in which online voting will be conducted such as procedures, deadlines, opportunities to consent to and participate, or opt out. The resolution must be considered at a board of directors meeting on 14 days of notice. A copy of the resolution must be provided to owners.

 

The resolution must provide that:

All unit owners receive notice of the opportunity to vote through an online voting system prior to each election or other unit owner vote in which the association authorizes online voting;
The deadline to consent, in writing, to online voting must be no less than 14 days before the election or other unit owner vote;
A method to authenticate the unit owner’s identification to the online voting system;
A method to transmit an electronic ballot to the online voting system that ensures the secrecy and integrity of each ballot; and,
A method to confirm, at least 14 days before the voting deadline, that the unit owner’s electronic device can successfully communicate with the online voting system.

The first of these requirements will ensure continual notice under circumstances in which online voting is conducted on an ongoing basis, avoiding situations where new owners are unaware of their right to opt in, and the latter prevents issues arising from last minute consents, and protects against fraud.

 

The following are other significant requirements contained in the legislation:

The e-voting system must provide the owner with a receipt, including the specific vote cast, the date and time of submission, and the user identification.
The e-voting system must also produce an official record for the association identifying the specific votes cast on each ballot and the date and time of the receipt of each electronically submitted ballot. The association must then maintain this record.
Votes in an election of directors shall not be accessible to the association prior to the scheduled election. Failure to comply will void the election.

In associations where voting participation is an issue, online voting can greatly increase participation and generate enthusiasm for the voting process. Online voting can also lessen the risk of fraudulent elections. While the costs for use of online voting software are likely to exceed mail out costs in many associations, such costs can be mitigated over time, and associations have flexibility in determining whether particular meetings will utilize online voting (i.e. – it is not an all or nothing decision).

Associations choosing to move forward must take care to confirm that they are using a vendor that understands and complies with the technical requirements. Like all other vendor contacts, it is critical to discuss the terms with legal counsel, who can also determine whether the system to be utilized is compliant. As meetings approach where online voting will be conducted, the use of online voting will require certain additional disclosures and instructions to members in relation to the process. Contact an attorney with experience in condominium and homeowners association (HOA) law with any questions.

 

Our industry has a few that we looked into: one comes out as a leader

BECKERBALLOT  

Today is the day you’ve been waiting for –BeckerBALLOT.com is LIVE! We have partnered with SHYFT digital to offer an easy-to-use, secure, electronic-voting solution for community associations across the state of Florida and beyond. It’s the same great software – only better!
What you can look forward to upon signing up:

  • Increase membership participation and significantly reduce the labor involved in tallying paper votes.
  • Members can cast their votes from the convenience of their home, office, or anywhere they have access to an internet connection.
  • Admins can tally votes electronically, making the process faster, more accurate, and less prone to human error.
  • Eliminate typical errors and judgment calls associated with manual paper votes.
  • Easily solicit opinions using our survey tool to make informed decisions for your association membership.

We now offer flexible pricing, as well as a survey feature when you sign up for annual unlimited voting. The survey tool allows you to poll your community association without conducting an official vote.

Also, did you know that if you become a Becker annual retainer client, you will receive, among other benefits, a significant discount on BeckerBALLOT?

 

 

 

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Want to take part in the decision making, step up, and run for the board. Learn about Boards how they function and How to Run Decision Making Meetings.

Want to take part in the decision making, step up, and run for the board. Learn about Boards how they function and How to Run Decision Making Meetings.

  • Posted: Nov 04, 2024
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Everyone has something to say about the Boards Decisions, but not many want to become a board member!

When an owner approaches me to complain about the decisions of the board of directors at his or her association is;  The First Question I ask is- “did you attend the meeting that decision was made at?” The Second Question is- “have you considered running for the board so that you can be part of the decision-making process?” All too often the answer to both questions is no. If you want to understand why your board makes the decisions they make and possibly influence those decisions the best way to do this is to attend the board meetings and comment on items you have knowledge or concerns about on the agenda. Want to take part in the decision making, step up, and run for the board. – by Royale Management Services

 

The vast majority of business decisions are made in meetings. While small decisions are made in all kinds of meetings, the more important decisions often get their own dedicated meetings.

There are different types of group decision making processes, and care should be taken to choose a process that best matches the situation. A decision making process can include group activities like information gathering and sharing, brainstorming solutions, evaluating options, ranking preferences, and voting on the final options. Below are the most effective ways of running decision making meetings.

 

Primary Goals for Decision Making Meetings

Goals for a decision-oriented meeting can vary a little based on the type of decision being made, but they are always centered on coming to a consensus about a future plan. It is important to remember that the goal of these meetings also includes planning how to best execute the decision that has been made.

Make the best possible decision

If a decision making process is flawed and dysfunctional, the decisions will be bad.

By involving a group in making a decision you can rely on collective intelligence; knowledge beyond what is possible with individual decision makers. Because each participant has unique information and perspectives, combining group information leads to more informed decisions. However, it is important to use meetings designed specifically for group decisions efficiently, to not waste the group members’ time.
If all planning decisions were made by one person, not only would the choices be uninformed, there would also be little unity around team goals and direction.

Planning for execution

When individuals feel that their opinion has been considered in the group planning, they are more likely to embrace the decisions and work to carry out those goals.

Most discussions of decision making assume that only senior executives make decisions or that only senior executives’ decisions matter. This is a dangerous mistake.

Participatory decision making leads to increased team productivity and likelihood of goal execution, because team members feel ownership and responsibility for the decisions made.
Addressing both short term and long term goals at your decision making meetings is a great way to make sure team members leave with a direction and know the next steps. The short term plan can be as simple as outlining action items and assigning tasks. In the long term it could mean setting a timeline of general dates and milestones. Initial planning can be an effective way of aligning the group and cementing the decision that was made.

 

 

Key Roles in Decision Making Meetings

The participants in decision making meetings may play different roles. Understanding the distinctions between these levels of involvement is a useful way of holding members accountable for their role in implementing decisions.

Meeting leader

In order to avoid getting off topic it is recommended that one person be in charge of guiding the direction of team negotiation. In addition, it can be helpful to use some elements of status update meetings in order to have meeting attendees present and be held accountable for research into the decision being made.

Those with authority to carry out the decisions

For decision making meetings it is particularly important to include all relevant persons with authority to carry out the decision. If decisions are made without including the relevant people, it can often be very challenging to implement the resulting decision.

In some cases, it can be useful to dedicate one leader of a team to be a representative for that group. Often, this job is given to someone in a senior position, but it can be fulfilled by anyone capable of accurately reporting information on behalf of a group. If this method is used, the representative should be prepared to report back to the team the consensus that was reached. Without this information exchange, the group unity that should have been a result of the group meeting is lost.

Note taker and process observer

Decision making meetings can often get derailed or become ineffective for a variety of reasons. To counter this, it can be helpful to include a note taker and process observer. These roles should be filled by people not directly involved in the decision so they are not biased toward any particular opinion. A note taker records what was suggested and decided throughout the meeting while a process observer records how those decisions were met. Incorporating these roles can lead to a lasting group understanding as well as ability to improve decision making meetings in the future.

 

Common Challenges in Decision Making Meetings

Making group decisions can be hard. Making good group decisions is even more challenging. However, good decisions is what can make or break your project or even your company or career. Being aware of the most common challenges in decision making meetings will move you closer to facilitating successful group decision making.

Incomplete information and narrow perspectives

An important aspect of collective decision making is to incorporate a broad spectrum of opinions and ideas, and through group collaboration converge these into a best possible solution. This process is easier said than done. Getting to a solution often involves dealing with a lot of conflicting agendas and opinions which are not easily resolved.

Identifying the best possible solutions

Another classic challenge of the decision making meeting is knowing what possible options are worth further consideration and discussion, and which options to discard early. Time is often wasted discussing possibilities that are not even among the most likely or best choices.

 

 

How to Host a Successful Decision Making Meeting

Decision is the spark that ignites action. Until a decision is made, nothing happens.

A great decision making meeting effectively incorporates all participants, benefiting from the knowledge and experience they bring to the process. Giving all relevant parties the opportunity to participate in the decision making process increases the quality of the decision, adds to the collective understanding and support of the outcome, and ensures successful implementation.

Consider all relevant information

We want as much relevant information as possible to go into the group decision process. This means involving as many stakeholders as practically possible to provide input when it comes to defining the problem area, come up with possible solutions, and evaluate options.

Generate and evaluate possible solutions

Identify and agree on solution requirements before starting to brainstorm potential solutions. Then, invite to brainstorm solutions with an open mind, focusing on the issue rather than the person presenting the idea. Use the solution requirements to evaluate the various suggestions, identifying the top ideas for further consideration.

Get everyone on board

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.

One of the most important aspects of decision meetings is to create unity around the decision that is created. When each participant feels their opinion has been fully considered as part of the decision making process they are more likely to feel ownership of the decision, even in cases when it is not the outcome they hoped for.

 

 

Better Decision Making Meetings with Technology

Collaborative technologies today like Zoom and a good website where owners can read and voice their opinion on subjects that will impact them are being used to make group decision processes easier to manage, more efficient, produce better solutions, and improve execution of decisions.

 

Easily include and engage all key stakeholders for more complete information

Using smart device-based participation levels the playing field and provides an efficient way to share information and reach group consensus. The unruly nature of decision making meetings is easily structured with Zoom and a good Website for your association, because participants are presented with real-time visualizations and group opinions as the discussion moves forward.

 

Quickly tap into the group’s knowledge and expertise

Having participants use Zoom and a good Website for your association to evaluate options will help focus on the task at hand. Collecting decision preferences automatically, rather than manually, speeds up the process. Not only does that mean less time spent on interpreting where a group stands but it also allows for more people to be involved in the process at the same time.

For example, conducting a brainstorm with a large group of participants using whiteboards, flip charts, and post it notes can get messy. When people are contributing one by one it takes a considerable amount of time. The Zoom and a good Website for your association everyone can brainstorm, this activity lets group members submit ideas concurrently, via their own smart devices and computers making sure to accurately record and organize all inputs. This saves time for everyone involved, no matter how large the group is

 

Real-time visualizations of options and opinions focuses the discussion

Zoom and a good Website for your association are well suited to measure group opinions. In the case of an extended discussion it can be helpful to take multiple snapshots of opinions, as they can change over the course of the conversation. Taking a quick group poll, ranking, or evaluation after an initial conversation will clearly identify where the group feels their time is best spent. This allows the discussion to stay centered on the most important and relevant issues. The group will be able to use these baseline opinions as a jumping off point for focused conversation, establishing a common ground and sense of unity which will set the stage for successfully reaching a decision.

 

Engaged inclusion of stakeholders generates buy-in and better execution

Unfortunately, just organizing a group decision making meeting does not necessarily assure that each person in the room will leave feeling that they have been heard. Using Zoom and a good Website for your association ensures each person gets to contribute on an even scale. Because, participants can literally watch their voice be factored into the results. Playing an active part in the decision making process generates a sense of ownership and responsibility for the results, which in turn ensures active participation in carrying out the plan.

 

 

Adding to this: COVID-19: Technology and Social Distancing by Becker Lawyers.

COVID-19 has introduced new challenges to the way we meet and work together in our communities. Many of our daily community association activities include in-person interaction, from regular meetings to conduct association business to elections and other membership votes. Social distancing, the new normal, has necessitated a change to our behavior. While we continue to learn more about the COVID-19 virus and how it is spread, we do know that limiting in-person interaction can greatly reduce risk. Modern technology is a powerful tool to help reduce the transmission of the virus and allow us all to continue with our normal community association business. The following are a few options to consider as your association works to reduce risk in your community.

Voting

A standard election or membership vote often involves voting on a paper ballot. In addition, other types of voting events also include meeting in person, either to cast a ballot or participate in an annual meeting. At this time, we don’t know exactly how long the virus lasts on surfaces, but experts do believe it can be transmitted by touching surfaces. While social distancing and other guidelines now require we limit group activities and avoid public gatherings, there are a number of technologies that allow voters to participate in elections and cast membership votes safely from the comfort of their own homes.

Online voting is a Florida approved option and is a powerful tool to ensure association members can easily participate without the risk of exposure to the virus from in-person meetings or via voting materials. If you have an upcoming election or other membership vote, consider adding online voting to your process to avoid the need for physical materials and in-person participation.

Association Documentation

Community associations are required to provide access to association documents in the form of document inspection requests, a common practice that is sure to continue even during these uncertain times. We expect COVID-19 to affect the normal course of business for at least the next few months, especially as we continue to avoid in-person meetings and handling physical materials.

Instead of requiring in-person document inspections, consider posting your association documentation to your community website. Community association website software offers tools to upload association documentation and share links via email. These tools also allow you to easily post all Florida required association materials to a password protected area of your association’s website, facilitating ease of access and satisfying document inspection requests. These tools are simple to use and are cost-effective methods to continue to support your membership while helping to stem the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

Association Communication

As we have seen, communication during an uncertain time is crucial. Your community association website is an instrumental channel to quickly and effectively communicate with your association membership. By posting official notices on how your community is managing the outbreak, your website provides a quick and centralized mechanism to ensure your association is apprised of the latest information. We all rely on websites for information and entertainment, and we will likely spend more time online now that our out of home activities are limited. Take this opportunity to direct your membership to your association website for the latest community updates.

We are all facing the challenges COVID-19 has introduced. Social distancing, cancelled activities, and the overwhelming amount of information only adds to the stress of this evolving situation. Technology can be a powerful equalizer, enabling us to work together in safe conditions and keep lines of communication open to all.

 

 

 

 

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Hurricane Recovery: A rundown of lessons learned from previous storms from Becker Shareholder Joseph E. Adams

Hurricane Recovery: A rundown of lessons learned from previous storms from Becker Shareholder Joseph E. Adams

Hurricane Recovery: A rundown of lessons learned from previous storms from Becker Shareholder Joseph E. Adams

Recovery From Hurricane Ian

Unfortunately, Hurricane Ian was a historic storm and has left a wide and substantial swath of damage across Southwest Florida. As we all work to recover from the ongoing effects of Hurricane Ian, I would like to share a few pointers we have learned from past storms and some things we are experiencing with Ian:

  1. Flood Damage: A significant part of Ian’s damage resulted from rising water, which is generally and generically referred to as “flood damage”. It is very important to note that flood insurance and processing flood insurance claims is covered by federal law, not Florida law. Among the notable differences, federal law requires that a “Proof of Loss” be filed for flood claims within 60 days, and the statute of limitations under flood policies is one year.
  2. Disaster Recovery Contractors: There are a number of large national companies, as well as others, who employ large crews of “storm chasers”, and arrive at disaster sites to shore up the property, dry it in, and dry it out. This is critical work and many of these companies are reputable, but not all are. Bills for significant damage sites can quickly approach seven figures (one million dollars plus) without proper justification. Associations can understandably feel under pressure to sign these companies up quickly but there are several critical things to keep in mind:
  • Approval From Your Insurer: Most reputable companies will be known to your insurers and be able to demonstrate they have the “go ahead” from the insurer before engaging in major work.
  • “Mapping”: As Southwest Florida is a significant disaster zone, insurance adjustors are overwhelmed and one may not visit your property for weeks, or longer. It is very important that the disaster relief contractor properly document the conditions it finds and remediates, commonly known as “mapping.”
  • “Assignment of Benefits”: Historically, various participants in this field have asked for an assignment of the association’s insurance policy rights, known as an “AOB”’. AOB contracts are now strictly regulated by statute but should never be given to an outside contractor.

While getting dry-out work started quickly is critical, the association should not enter into a contract with a remediation company, or any vendor, if the association is not comfortable with the term of the agreement and confident in the company. It is always better to take a step back and make a thoughtful decision than to rush into a bad agreement.

  1. Application Of Your Community’s Governing Documents: If the association has experienced significant damage, it is critical that the association be aware of the requirements of the governing documents, especially for condominiums. For example, many documents state that if a certain percentage of the units are rendered “uninhabitable” (usually an undefined term), the condominium is automatically “terminated” (legally extinguished) if a vote to rebuild is not taken, often in a very short time frame such as 60 days after the loss. Other “gotcha” clauses in documents might include the requirement to have a bank act as “insurance trustee” for insurance proceeds.
  2. Emergency Powers: The “emergency powers” provisions of the statutes are now in effect. Among other powers conferred are the power to contract for debris removal and authorize appropriate remediation, including removal of wet drywall and cabinetry, subject to any limitations of the condominium documents. The emergency powers statute also gives associations flexibility in noticing and holding membership and board meetings. As much as is practicable, you should consult with your association’s attorney regarding use of the statutory emergency powers.

The next few months will be a trying time for everyone in Southwest Florida and practically every community association will have to deal with some consequence from Hurricane Ian. The decisions that board members and owners make at this time will, to a great degree, determine outcome for many communities.

Joseph E. Adams is a Board Certified Specialist in Condominium and Planned Development Law, and an Office Managing Shareholder with Becker & Poliakoff. Please send your community association legal questions to jadams@beckerlawyers.com. Past editions of the Q&A may be viewed at floridacondohoalawblog.com.

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Premier Fire Alarms & Integration Systems Installation Division Inc. a leader of innovative systems for over 27 years.

Premier Fire Alarms & Integration Systems Installation Division Inc. a leader of innovative systems for over 27 years.

  • Posted: Oct 30, 2024
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Premier Fire Alarms & Integration Systems Installation Division Inc. has been a leader of innovative systems for over 27 years. Our Fire Alarm Company serve and install most major brands of fire alarm systems and security products. Our licensed and certified staff is available 24 hours for emergency system repairs. We are factory authorized dealers for various manufacturers of low voltage systems. Below are the systems and services we provide:

 

  • Annual certifications for fire alarm systems
  • Service contract fire alarm systems.
  • Fire alarm and burglar alarm monitoring contracts.
  • BDA frequency testing (bidirectional amplification systems installed).
  • BDA installations of existing buildings.
  • 24 hour emergency service.
  • Engineered fire alarm system installations, engineering department.
  • ELSS engineered reporting for compliance.
  • Fire alarm systems installations all types.
  • U.L- ETL certifications.
  • Runner service contracts.

 

How often should fire alarm systems be tested

by 

 

Fire Alarm systems have become unavoidable and can be found in many spots. Be it your home, office, condo, shopping center, or practically any other place, the necessity of the presence of a fire alarm system has made their presence more widespread. Hence, we at Premier Fire Alarms And Integration Systems Installation Division Inc. have taken it upon ourselves to ensure that our customers have fire alarm systems that are up and running.

Regardless of the nature of your business, having a fire alarm system in place is a necessity. It is equally vital to make sure that your fire system is working efficiently, and for this reason, specific inspection tests have to be carried out. We will discuss the details of these inspections below and how frequently they should be carried out to enhance your knowledge on the subject.

 

The frequency of your Fire Alarm System Inspections

Living in Dade County, you need to ensure that frequent tests are carried out on your fire alarm system. The regularity of these inspections is discussed in detail below. When we talk about fire alarm inspection, one thing to remember is that the frequency of these routine checkups depends on the type of fire alarm system you have installed and its usage. The system’s location also plays a role in determining how often you should carry out these tests.

The purpose behind a fire alarm is to detect any smoke or possible fire hazards and alert everyone to evacuate the building safely, and tackle the problem accordingly. The inability of a fire alarm system to not work efficiently could compromise the safety of the people present in the vicinity of the system. Therefore, you must take this seriously and ensure that your fire alarm system is not prone to making any errors.

 

Carrying out the Fire Alarm Inspection 

Depending on your satisfaction and your system’s needs, fire alarm inspections can be carried out annually, semi-annually, or even on a quarter-year basis. In addition to this, you can also keep a check on your fire systems by doing some in-house tests. The more frequently you test your system, the more likely you are to detect a problem and resolve it on a timely basis.

When you carry out tests on your fire alarm system, there are many problems that you can detect. If you are inspecting by yourself without involving a professional, here are some areas you can focus on. Your in-home tests can help you see damaged or melted fuses, equipment that has been interfaced, problems in lamps or LEDs in your system, primary power supply, and trouble signals emitted by the control unit. On a broader scale, you can even detect problems with the battery, DACR, and CO2 detectors in your system.

Depending on how intensive and detailed your inspection is, you can detect a multitude of problems that can impact the overall operational efficiency of your system.

 

Contact Us

If you are looking for a company to conduct fire alarm inspections in Dade County, we are the ideal choice! With a highly professional team equipped with a high skill set, we have been able to carry out fire system maintenance and inspection with utmost care and proficiency over the past. Not only will the tests allow us to detect flaws in your system time, but we will also help in keeping your system maintained and resolve any detected issues. Your safety is our number one priority, and we understand how important fire safety is.

 

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Top 10 Reasons Why Your Marketing Isn’t Working By: Jessica Vail, Vail Marketing Solutions

Top 10 Reasons Why Your Marketing Isn’t Working By: Jessica Vail, Vail Marketing Solutions

  • Posted: Oct 30, 2024
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Top 10 Reasons Why Your Marketing Isn’t Working

By: Jessica Vail, Vail Marketing Solutions

Helping SFPMA Members with marketing. Call Vail today. Tell em, Frank Mari sent you. :)

It is always a great time to work on promoting your business and creating content that sets you apart as an industry leader.  Here is some helpful insight as to why your marketing initiatives may be falling short.

 

10- It is Swiss cheese.
Your marketing has holes and inconsistencies.  You start off strong and then you get so busy working “in your business” that you no longer have the time to “work on your business.” Marketing is not a one and done activity.  It is a long term investment of time and focus.  Marketing is only effective when you and your team are consistently executing it.

9- Lack of meaningful content
That’s great you want to celebrate “National Margarita Day” but when you are trying to build a business and connect with potential clients you want to always be providing value.  Otherwise, it is just white noise and another post clogging up the newsfeed or another email flooding their inbox.  You want to stand out, be informative and be memorable.  Now, if you are a bar or restaurant owner, having a marketing campaign focused on “National Margarita Day” providing margarita recipes and drink specials, that would be an excellent idea.

8- Not connecting with your target audience
This goes hand in hand with your content.  If you are producing meaningful, educational content that speaks to your industry; you will have a better chance at connecting and securing a relationship with your audience.  Think about what issues your client base is faced with and how you can provide information and solutions to these issues.  This will set you apart from your competitors as an expert in your field.

7- Not following up
Sales are often made on the 12th attempt to contact.  That means a whole lot of follow up is needed after your initial contact.  You have provided a service of preparing a cost estimate and service offering (proposal); your prospect at the very least owes you a response on whether or not they will be purchasing your product or service.  Wouldn’t you want to receive some feedback on your pricing and proposal even if you did not win the job?  An easy way to keep on top of your open items is to track in CRM system or simply setting follow up reminders on your calendar.
In addition, making contact with a prospect should be about building a relationship.  People work with people they like and trust.

6- Poor communication
Say what you mean and mean what you say.  Your messaging should be clear and consistent.  Every social media post or blog you create is another opportunity to connect and engage with your clients and potential clients.  Make it count!

And even if your content is good, if you are not interacting and responding to comments it makes you appear unresponsive and not engaged.  Especially if someone has a complaint it is vital to address and resolve as quickly as possible.

5-Too focused on selling rather than educating
Every piece of content you publish sounds like a paid advertisement for your company.  Yes, it is important for your target audience to know what you do but it is even more important to provide value and not just rattle off a list of services.  This means everything you publish should be informative and educational in nature.  Focus on the solutions you provide.

4-Your website stinks!
How can your clients find you if your website has poor SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?  SEO refers to how well your company shows up in a Google (or similar search engine) search.  If your website is optimized with the appropriate key words, your website will rank very well on a web search.

In addition, there is nothing more frustrating than trying to find information or a way to contact a company via outdated and overly crowded website.  Your website should be easy to navigate and constantly updated with news and fresh content.  It should also be interactive and provide opportunities to contact directly to request more information or a proposal.

3-Lack of social media strategy
“Social media doesn’t work.”  Social media only works if you do.  Another item that takes a little time and dedication.  Take the time to set up weekly or even daily posts that tie into the content you are creating.  Post or even share articles that are informative and relevant to your business and industry.  It doesn’t have to be complicated or elaborate, the idea here is to put yourself and your business out there as a reliable, credible source.

You should be engaging with your connections as much as you want them to engage with you.  A helpful tip:  not everyone sees a ‘like’ but everyone sees a ‘comment.’  Just by posting a simple comment on a connections post, you will get seen and boost engagement not to mention make your friends feel great for encouraging them!

2- You don’t have a plan.
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”  It is imperative to have a plan and roadmap to help you reach where you are going.  Marketing should be a collection of well thought out initiatives attached to a timeline.

1-You don’t have measurable goals.
“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.”  This applies to marketing as well.  How do you know if your marketing is working if you have no means to measure and track it?  There are a myriad of programs and Client Relationship Managers (CRM) available to help with this need.  Everything from your client information, open proposals to marketing endeavors and dollars can be tracked in an easy to use, cloud based database.

 

Vail Marketing Solutions

Providing everything from a full branding overhaul and business development program to a specific marketing project or campaign.

Vail Marketing Solutions is a woman-owned, multi-service consulting firm providing marketing, communications and business development solutions for any business looking to increase their visibility and bottom line. Our approach delivers a cost-effective, customized marketing plan to fit the needs of your business and reach your goals. We will work hand in hand with you to develop your brand, tell your story and help you stand out from your competition ultimately leading to more growth opportunities.

https://www.vailmarketingsolutions.com/

 

 

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Condo HOA Loans: We can assist you in obtaining the necessary funds for Projects, Reserves, or Cash Flow.

Condo HOA Loans: We can assist you in obtaining the necessary funds for Projects, Reserves, or Cash Flow.

  • Posted: Oct 23, 2024
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Condo HOA Loans

We can assist you in obtaining the necessary funds for Projects Reserves or Cash Flow.

Your Trusted Community Association Financial Resource

 

Don’t go it alone. Whether your Community requires Conventional or Private Lending, CondoHOALoans can assist you in obtaining the necessary funds for Projects, Reserves, or Cash Flow.

When your Community Association works with our Law Firm to facilitate and secure financing, your Community will also have the optional benefit of receiving 100% FREE Delinquent Account Collection Services.

Not sure if financing is right for your Association? Download the Association Funding Options Infographic and take our Free Financial Health Survey to find out.

 

Take the Free Financial Health Survey

Completing this Survey will provide you with a written report you will be able to immediately download upon completion.

Take Our FREE Financial Health Survey

 

Association Funding Options

Getting started with CondoHOALoans is easy.

We’ll help your community identify funding resources and lending options for all of its financial needs. Our Legal Services to your community do not end at the successful closing of your loan with the Lender of YOUR choice. As a valued client of Katzman Chandler, you will have the option, but not the obligation, to have ALL future delinquent accounts collected for FREE.

 

The Condo Building Maintenance Crisis in Florida

As a consequence of hurricanes, business cycles, and fluctuations in the real estate market over the last 20 years, financial distress has been caused to those who live in Community Associations as well as the Communities Association entities themselves.  There presently exist hundreds (if not thousands) of communities whose stories can be illustrated by the timeline below.

Many of these communities presently have underfunded budgets, inadequate cash flow, and lack adequate reserves to accomplish necessary preventative maintenance and actual present maintenance needs. Overall, Boards are starting to realize that there is a lot to do, with little or no money to do it.

 

CondoHOALoans is the best solution for customized, competitive lending options.
Download the Infographic to learn more.

(833) 427-3863

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Preparing Stormwater Ponds for Hurricanes

Preparing Stormwater Ponds for Hurricanes

4 Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Your Stormwater Pond

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 40% of the American population lives within coastal areas, despite the fact that they only make up 10% of the country’s total landmass. As anyone who lives on the coast can tell you, populations have continued to increase in recent years. It is unsurprising then that a large concern of many homeowners in these areas is the threat of hurricanes and the associated damage.

Most people in coastal areas typically live on or near man-made stormwater systems, which use inlet and outlet structures, forebays, safety benches, and other specialized components to collect runoff during storms. However, these sites can become a concern any time a hurricane approaches due to the increased risk of equipment damage and catastrophic flooding. The water in stormwater ponds is likely to rise much higher than normal during these events, so it’s important that community associations, municipalities, and private property owners take steps to ensure their waterbodies are in proper working condition during hurricane season.

 

pond maintenance stormwater pond management regulatory compliance

1. Remove Debris

Yard debris should be removed from around the site and streets should be cleaned of trash, since this will be flushed into the ponds via storm drains. Even a single plastic bag or soda bottle could effectively block a control structure and keep water from flowing off-site. Installing debris guards on control structures can be an effective preventative method, as well as the periodic flushing of trash from street drains.

 

Midwest-scaled-lake-and-pond-management-maintenance-and-installation-meet-the-midwest-team

2. Secure Equipment

Many lakes and ponds have fish feeders, fountains, submersed aeration systems, and other electrically run equipment. Unless it is absolutely necessary (like a pump), it is important to shut off and even remove this equipment from the premises. This minimizes the chance of damage to the equipment during a storm, especially if there are any electrical fluctuations. Another option is to install an anemometer to your fountain control box, which will shut off fountain power if wind speeds rise to dangerous levels.

 

Submersed aerators

3. Introduce Aeration

A common phenomenon, both during and after a hurricane, is a fish kill. These events are often caused by the introduction of brackish (high salinity) water or an increase in turbidity (when large amounts of sediment are washed into a waterway). Many freshwater fish species near the coast can tolerate slight changes in water quality if they become acclimated to it, but rapid changes can lead to suffocation.

Fish kills can also be caused by stratification. This means the water is separated by distinct layers of temperatures and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. The merging of these layers during hazardous storms can cause a fish kill – sometimes within a few hours or days. If it does occur during the storm, once it’s safe to do so it is important to remove as much of the dead fish as possible to prevent poor odors, decay, and the subsequent nutrient pollution that fuels nuisance plant and algae growth. But, if a fish kill has not yet occurred, it may be possible to reverse some of the negative impacts of the storm. Introducing a fountain or a submersed aeration system can help rebalance the water column by gradually circulating and increasing DO. Better yet, Oxygen Saturation Technology can be utilized to rapidly restore DO in the specific water layers that need it without creating thermal stratification.

 

stormwater inspection lake and pond management - john phelps DE - community hoa - 7

4. Meet with a Professional

One of the best proactive strategies is a professional stormwater inspection. During these inspections, aquatic management professionals can identify shoreline erosion, clogging or damage to concrete inlets and outlets, problematic invasive species infestations, and any other problems within the infrastructure that may lead to complications during high-water events. Sometimes this inspection can lead to recommendations such as flushing storm drains, repairing cracking hardscape, or clearing vegetation within the wetlands behind outflow structures to facilitate the flow of water from a pond.

 

Prep Your Stormwater Pond Ahead of the Next Hurricane

Hurricanes are stressful events, even without having to worry about stormwater ponds in your coastal community. Understanding the potential areas of concern and creating an action plan ahead of time can help alleviate this stress. A few precautionary measures will help prepare your freshwater systems and will help minimize the chance of flooding, infrastructure damage, and fish kills during this dangerous yet inevitable weather event.

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Gov. DeSantis declares state of emergency as coming heavy rains might cause ‘major disaster’

Gov. DeSantis declares state of emergency as coming heavy rains might cause ‘major disaster’

Gov. DeSantis declares state of emergency as coming heavy rains might cause ‘major disaster’

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for much of the state, excluding South Florida, ahead of a disturbance that might strengthen into a tropical depression. Forecasters are warning to expect heavy rains and floods even if the storm fails to form into a depression.

DeSantis signed an executive order that focuses on preparing resources for a possible “major disaster” in 54 of the state’s 67 counties in North, Central and Southwest Florida. All South Florida counties, with the exception of Monroe County, are not under the emergency order.

“As Governor of Florida, I am responsible to meet the dangers presented to the State of Florida and its people by this emergency,” the order reads.

The state of emergency was triggered because of a tropical wave, identified as Invest 97L, being tracked by the National Hurricane Center.

Insurance Claim Dispute Attorney’s Property Damage Lawyer’s

Florida Insurance Claim Dispute Attorney we aggressively represent your rights with every legal resource available by law.

Due to the state of the economy, insurance claim disputes have become increasingly more common than even just a few years ago. The bottom line is that insurance carriers must make a profit to continue to exist. The reality is that the law does not allow insurance carriers to make their profit by disputing or denying valid insurance claims by their policy holders.

While some insurance companies blatantly dispute or deny valid insurance claims for profit, others have employed the tactic of trying to get you to settle an insurance claim for far less than what your claim may actually be worth. Cohen Law Group stands up to these insurance carriers in valid disputes involving: Homeowner  Insurance Claim Disputes,  Contractor Insurance Claim Disputes,  Business Owner Insurance Claim Disputes…

As your Florida Insurance Claim Dispute Attorney, we will listen to your story, inform you of your legal rights, thoroughly investigate and analyze the facts, and aggressively represent your rights with every legal resource available by law. At Cohen Law Group, we are extremely detailed in our investigation of the facts of your case, which ensures we always maintain due diligence in our effort to provide each of our  insurance claim dispute clients the highest standard of legal representation.

If your valid insurance claim has been denied, is being disputed, or the insurance carrier is offering far less that when the claim is actually worth, you should know your legal rights lightly. Your rights are a privilege, and our firm considers it an honor to protect those rights by providing professional legal services you can trust and depend upon.

Cohen Law Group

If you have any questions regarding your insurance claims.

Feel free to contact us: 1-877-440-4878

 

Fort Lauderdale Property Damage Lawyer for Your Home, Condo & Business

A home or office building is the most important purchase most of us will make during our lifetime. Most of us buy insurance coverage – windstorm, liability, flood, homeowners, and business interruption – to protect our homes and businesses. Yet, today’s insurance policies are lengthy, complex contracts full of exceptions, exclusions, deductibles, and conditions that make the policy difficult to read, and sometimes even more difficult to recover from for your damage. When you call the Maus Law Firm, a top Fort Lauderdale property damage lawyer will handle property damage claims.

Most insurance companies create entire TV marketing campaigns designed to say that you’re part of the insurance company’s “family”. However, the reality of the insurance business is that insurance companies exist to make money. That means that insurance company needs to minimize the amount of claims it pays out; meanwhile, maximizing the premiums that it collects.

When an insurance company doesn’t offer to pay you the full (or fair) amount of your property damage, you need to be prepared to fight. While many homeowners are hesitant to go to court – fearful of a lengthy or expensive legal battle against a big-name insurer – settling for less than your claim was worth can end up costing you more in the long-term. The repairs your home needed can continue to pile up, lowering the value of your property. Hiring the best Fort Lauderdale property damage lawyer you can find will save you the headache later.

The Maus Law Firm

call 954.784.6310 to schedule a consultation.

 

 

 

Find out more about making a claim for Storms Damage

The Florida hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOOA), this year is predicted to be another above-normal season.

The Hurricane season starts on June 1 but it’s never too early to prepare. Damage from a hurricane can be costly for all businesses and can pose hazards for you and your employees. Fortunately, there are ways that you can fortify your business against a hurricane to minimize losses and reduce risks for workers.

As part of “Planning Ahead” for a Disaster, the SBA encourages you to consider taking these simple steps to prepare: Assess your risk; Create a plan, Execute your plan. Statistics show that 25% of small businesses don’t re-open after a disaster. Visit the SBA’s Prepare for Emergencies website to learn more about how to prepare and recover if a disaster strikes.

NOOA officials also encourage consumers to take the following steps:

  • Visit Ready.gov and Listo.gov for useful and valuable disaster preparation resources including checklists and templates for your business and your home.
  • Download the FEMA app to sign-up for a variety of alerts and to access preparedness information.
  • Consider purchasing flood insurance.

Visit the National Hurricane Center’s website at hurricanes.gov throughout the season to stay current on watches and warnings.

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Professional Mailbox Installation and Repair Company Servicing all Florida Counties

Professional Mailbox Installation and Repair Company Servicing all Florida Counties

  • Posted: Aug 01, 2024
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ASAP Mailbox And More, Inc.

239-262-1165

Professional mailbox installation and repair company servicing all Florida counties

 

ASAP Mailbox and More, Inc. supplies and installs all types of residential curbside mailboxes and all styles of cluster box units ( CBU’s) We are a one-stop source for everything related to installing a new mailbox. From removal of the existing mailbox, to the installation of the new one in concrete, to the address numbering, we handle everything and provide our services in all Florida counties.

ASAP Mailbox And More, Inc.’s main facility is located in Cape Coral, Florida. From this main warehouse and fabrication location, we are able to sell and ship our mailboxes WITH INSTALLATION INCLUDED Nationwide in conjunction with our network of local dealers located in each county.

We take pride in living up to our name “ASAP” when it comes to handling mailbox installs and repairs for HOA’s, property managers and individual homeowners.

From providing complete Community mailbox and signage replacement to repairing a broken bracket for a homeowner, we always handle the project professionally and in a timely manner.

If you need a Mailbox installed please fill out the form below, when filling out the form, make sure to select “I Need A Mailbox Installed” in the select box.

If your need is urgent (mailbox installation, repairs or other needs), please call us at 877-272-7624.

     

View and contact our Members Directory Page on SFPMA.COM

 

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