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Trending: Natural Lake MGMT Solutions

Trending: Natural Lake MGMT Solutions

Trending: Natural Lake MGMT Solutions

Enhance the health of your freshwater waterbodies with natural solutions like nutrient remediation, aeration, and more…

Maintaining a healthy lake or pond can be accomplished with natural, holistic management strategies. These tools can help improve water quality and enhance the aesthetics of your aquatic resource. Discover the benefits of natural management solutions…

ALGAE BLOOMS: DID YOU KNOW? by Allstate Resource Management

ALGAE BLOOMS: DID YOU KNOW? by Allstate Resource Management

  • Posted: Apr 29, 2022
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ALGAE BLOOMS: DID YOU KNOW?

by Allstate Resource Management

The climate in Florida is wonderful in many ways, but the year round warm weather and heat in the summer can increase algae blooms.
1. Lawn fertilizers are a big contributor to algae blooms. Leave at least a 10 foot buffer when dispensing fertilizer near a waterway. Fertilizer in the street will wash into the storm drains and all storm drains lead to the waterways.
2. Never blow or dispose of trash and lawn clippings into streets, storm drains, or waterways. They are loaded with nutrients and as they decay, they feed the algae blooms. All storm drains lead to the waterways.
3. Algae blooms may affect oxygen levels and block light which will harm the aquatic environment.
Allstate Resource Management has 25 + years helping South Florida homeowners associations with waterway management.
Contact us today at 954-382-9766 or info@allstatemanagment.com
for a FREE, no-obligation consultation
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How To Prepare Your Trees For Hurricane Season by Arborology Inc

How To Prepare Your Trees For Hurricane Season by Arborology Inc

  • Posted: Apr 28, 2022
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Hurricanes can cause massive damage to trees and landscape. Trees often end up hitting homes, power lines and other important property. If you live in Florida or any other location that is prone to Hurricanes you need to take steps to prepare your trees.

The most important step is even before you have planted the first tree. You should select the right tree for the right location. You should always select trees that are wind tolerant and have good branch structure. Trees with good branch structure will have less overextended limbs, included bark and tree defects. Some trees handle decay from pruning better than others making species an important factor in the right tree. If your trees don’t have all the desired characteristics don’t worry you can still have the tree pruned by a Certified Arborist to remove or reduce the defects in the tree. So many people overreact and remove their trees out of fear of the unknown. This isn’t always necessary and is a waste of money.

You should always have a Certified Arborist inspect your trees on an annual basis. A Certified Arborist will be able to identify tree defects and make recommendations on corrective actions. Be sure the Certified Arborist you are working with has the TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) credential. Ask your Certified Arborist to provide you proof of his qualifications so you are sure your getting sound advice. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion before you commit to having work done. We recommend you first work with a consulting Certified Arborist that doesn’t perform tree service work so they have no financial interest in the recommendations made to you.

So now were ready to prune. I know you have tons of questions and I’m here to help you answer them.

Should you thin your trees so the wind can flow through them? No this can lead to overextended limbs which can fail during wind events.

Should you top your trees? Absolutely not, this is one of the biggest mistakes tree owners make. Topping trees will lead to weak attachment points, heavier upper canopy growth and reduced tree vigor.

Should you have the dead, broken, cracked or overextended limbs pruned or removed? Yes you should. Overextended limbs are long and have most of the weight at the end. Cracked or broken limbs have a high likelihood of failing during wind events, Dead limbs can break off and impact important property.

Should I prune my palms so they will survive the hurricane apocalypse? No palms are adapt to wind storms and have zero benefits from hurricane pruning. You will want to have them inspected by a Certified Arborist so any defects can be pointed out to you.

What can you do to help your trees survive a windstorm event? Plant the correct tree for the location, Have a Certified Arborist inspect them annually, prune only when you have a valid reason to prune them, provide fertilization when necessary and most of all don’t fall victim to fear or bad information.

If you are in need of a Certified Arborist to inspect your trees or help you determine what the best course of action is for your trees please contact our Certified Arborist at http://www.arborologyinc.com. We will be glad to meet you and empower you on managing your trees.


Ronnie Simpson
Board Certified Master Arborist
Arboriology Inc
http://www.arborologyinc.com

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Get a fully responsive public website for your community association with your own domain name included! by Conceirge Plus

Get a fully responsive public website for your community association with your own domain name included! by Conceirge Plus

  • Posted: Apr 28, 2022
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Get a fully responsive public website for your community association with your own domain name included! Strengthen your community’s brand with our curated and customizable templates and fully featured mobile app option.

  • Your community website on your own domain name for the most customized resident and staff experience – included in Concierge Plus!
  • Incredibly easy-to-use content management system built right in to your community site.
  • Include data from your site that can be viewed without needing to log in (you pick the content, and there’s no need to maintain two sources of information like with a traditional, separate website).
  • Upload high-resolution images and/or videos of your community, and showcase them in various ways using our curated templates.
  • Want more branding functionality? Our native, fully featured mobile app option gives your community an app searchable and downloadable with your name, logo, and information.
BOOK A MEETING
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AMAZING PODCAST THAT DISCUSSES THE COLLAPSE IN SURFSIDE IN DETAIL AND FROM SO MANY DIFFERENT ANGLES.

AMAZING PODCAST THAT DISCUSSES THE COLLAPSE IN SURFSIDE IN DETAIL AND FROM SO MANY DIFFERENT ANGLES.

  • Posted: Apr 28, 2022
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THE MIAMI HERALD HAS PREPARED AN AMAZING PODCAST THAT DISCUSSES THE COLLAPSE IN SURFSIDE IN DETAIL AND FROM SO MANY DIFFERENT ANGLES.

IN TODAY’S MIAMI HERALD, ERIC GLAZER IS INTERVIEWED REGARDING THE LAWS THAT LED TO THE DISASTER AND HOW THE LEGISLATURE IGNORED PRIOR WARNINGS.

TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST CLICK HERE


EPISODE 8: THE RULES ARE DIFFERENT HERE Almost a year after the tragic fall of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, the Florida Legislature has done nothing to prevent another disaster. It’s an approach often taken in Tallahassee: Miami-Dade County’s problems are its own to fix. But the flaws at Champlain South aren’t necessarily limited to Miami-Dade, or even Florida. They could be present in older waterfront buildings around the world.

Episode 8: The Rules Are Different Here of Collapse: Disaster in Surfside, a new podcast from Miami Herald/Treefort Media, shows listeners how the long-term consequences of the deadly accident are still up in the air — and explores how previous decades of inaction by lawmakers and the Champlain South condo board contributed to the collapse.

Listen to the Podcast and hear the interview with Eric Glazer.

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Control Nutrient Levels and Improve Lake & Pond Health with All-Natural Alum

Control Nutrient Levels and Improve Lake & Pond Health with All-Natural Alum

  • Posted: Apr 28, 2022
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Control Nutrient Levels and Improve Lake & Pond Health with All-Natural Alum

When lakes and ponds exhibit problems like algae, aquatic weeds, bad odors, cloudiness, or muck development, it can prevent us from benefiting from the connection with nature that our waterbodies provide. Aquatic experts use a variety of techniques to diagnose the underlying issue. One of the most important tools is water quality testing. By analyzing water samples in a professional laboratory, scientists can identify the chemical imbalances that are preventing you from enjoying your waterbody to the fullest. Once data is collected, experts will implement tailored management solutions to restore the balance and beauty of the ecosystem. One natural and highly effective solution is Alum.

Utilizing Alum to Restore Water Quality

Alum has been a long-standing tool in our toolbox of lake and pond management solutions—and is a particular favorite of professionals who strive to use only sustainable maintenance practices. Alum (also known as Aluminum Sulfate) is used in a wide array of industries and applications such as drinking water management and wastewater treatments. In the lake and pond management industry, Alum is used to reset the chemical balance of aquatic environments to improve water quality. When water quality is enhanced, it creates an environment that is less hospitable to algae, nuisance weeds, and toxic cyanobacteria.

 

Conduct water quality test - alum barge nutrient remediation Stay Ahead of Water Quality Issues with Annual ManagementPerform Water Quality Tests

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to lake and pond management. This means that Alum may not be the right solution for each and every waterbody. Water quality tests help us understand the problems occurring under the surface and make this decision. Most often, Alum is deployed when water quality tests reveal unusually high levels of nutrients like Phosphorus, which is typically the root cause of undesirable organic growth.

 

alum application

How Alum Reduces Nutrients in the Water

Alum is applied to lakes and ponds as a white, powdery substance. As the Alum mixes into the water column, it binds with free-reactive nutrients, creating a cloudy trail behind the boat or a specially-designed application barge. After a short period of time, the particles sink to the bottom where they will remain inactive. Alum is considered very safe when applied by a professional and provides fast-acting results that can last for years. Almost immediately after an application is complete, the water column will become more clear. Over the course of days and weeks, the water quality improves.

Prevent Phosphorus Loading with Proactive Solutions

Once the waterbody is restored to more balanced conditions, it’s important to prevent future nutrient loading by addressing the external sources of Phosphorus. Trash, pet waste, fertilizers, motor oil, sewage, and yard waste are often to blame. They can flow into lakes and ponds during rainstorms. Rainfall and weather events can also damage the shoreline, causing nutrient-rich soil and plant matter to crumble into the water. Stakeholders can slow this problem by establishing a robust vegetative buffer around the shoreline. Professionals recommend using native plants that grow approximately 18 inches high and develop complex root systems to naturally hold soil in place. If shorelines have sustained significant damage over the years, it may be necessary to completely rebuild them using bioengineered mesh technology that can be seeded with the grass and buffer plants following installation.

Alternative Nutrient Remediation Solutions

Alum is not the only natural substance that removes nutrients in the water column. Solutions like Phoslock and EuroSORB work similarly to target Phosphorus.

Phoslock is a lanthanum-modified clay that binds with excess phosphorus, chemically changing its composition so that they can no longer support weeds and algae. EutroSORB, on the other hand, is a filtration technology that captures nutrients in the water column. It is particularly effective in waterbodies with significant movement and mixing, such as stormwater ponds, streams, and canals. Once the filter is fully saturated with phosphorus, it is pulled from the water for disposal. In some cases, experts may also choose to use an aqueous form of EutroSORB that can be poured or sprayed on the surface, or applied via subsurface injection.

alum chronic nutrient loading nutrient remediation drone shot 2Determining The Best Solution for Your Lake or Pond

Your lake and pond management professional may consider a number of factors when choosing which of these three nutrient remediation products to implement. These may include your waterbody’s size, location, use, pH, dissolved oxygen concentration, muck level, and degree of water movement.

The well-being of our aquatic environments reflects our own. Science shows that humans are happier, healthier, and more relaxed when spending time around beautiful water. Nutrients are the building blocks that help create these amazing ecosystems that delight us, but it’s necessary to maintain them at balanced levels as nature intended. Alum is one of many eco-friendly tools employed through an annual maintenance program. Like most solutions, it is most effective when used proactively. Click to learn more about the benefits of Alum and the important role it plays in a year-round management plan.

Discover the Power of Nutrient Remediation

 

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SHOULD I USE A PUBLIC ADJUSTER? While it would be wonderful if no one ever suffered damage to their property, it would be unrealistic to expect such good fortune.

SHOULD I USE A PUBLIC ADJUSTER? While it would be wonderful if no one ever suffered damage to their property, it would be unrealistic to expect such good fortune.

  • Posted: Apr 26, 2022
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SHOULD I USE A PUBLIC ADJUSTER?

by Steven Sarasohon of Sarasohn & Company Public Adjusters

 

Most states license all insurance adjusters, whether they work for an insurance company or for the public. Adjusters working for the insurance companies are obligated to treat all claimants fairly and impartially. However, they are paid by the insurance companies for their efforts. The state recognizes that you, the policyholder, are entitled to representation and you may retain the services of a licensed public adjuster to assist in the claim process. Sarasohn & Company, founded in 1924, is a fourth-generation public adjusting company based in Boca Raton, FL.  As such, we can provide unparalleled expertise to get you the best possible settlement.

Our president, Stephen Sarasohn SPPA, is the third generation in his family’s business. His son, Bernard, joined the firm several years ago and is following in his footsteps. Stephen has been a public adjuster for 51 years and has held the professional designation Senior Professional Public Adjuster since it was first created in 1987. Stephen’s father, Ira Sarasohn SPPA, was one of the founding members of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. Both Stephen and Ira were founding members of the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters.

Property owners can certainly try to prepare and adjust their insurance claims themselves. However, as with most things in life, a great deal of benefit can be realized by hiring an expert to assist with a difficult and complex task. No public adjuster in Florida has as much experience as Stephen Sarasohn. Stephen has been certified as an instructor by the Florida Department of Financial Services and has taught insurance courses to the other public adjusters for their continuing education requirements. Sarasohn & Company has adjusted claims ranging from burglaries to plumbing leaks, to fires, to hurricanes, to airplanes crashing into buildings. The valuable experience we’ve gained, in our 98 years, benefits every client. We’ve adjusted a great many claims in excess of a million dollars, some of them in the tens of millions.

Not every professional is the same. When you need the assistance of an expert, you should hire the best expert. Contrary to another article on this site, damage caused by your negligence is not excluded.

While it would be wonderful if no one ever suffered damage to their property, it would be unrealistic to expect such good fortune. That’s why we all buy insurance. If you make a claim, the insurance company will have experts to represent their interests and you’d be well advised to do the same. For a free consultation regarding your damage or for a free review of your policy coverages, please contact us at any time at 561-368-5000

 

To Make it easy: You can contact us through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sarasohn-Company-Inc-1571655336409086

On our Website or by Phone:   http://www.sarasohn.net/           (561) 368-5000

And on our Membership Page on SFPMA

 

 

 


 

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Association Managers and Board of Directors, review and ensure that your capital reserve study is accurate and up-to-date. by The Falcon Group

Association Managers and Board of Directors, review and ensure that your capital reserve study is accurate and up-to-date. by The Falcon Group

Association Managers and Board of Directors review and ensure that your capital reserve study is accurate and up-to-date.

by The Falcon Group

Are You Ready ?

We strongly encourage, that every year around this time association managers and Board of Directors review and ensure that your capital reserve study is accurate and up-to-date. This is one of the smartest decisions a board will make for the future of the 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.

 

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

Please contact our Reserve Specialists today for an new or updated reserve study.

 

 

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At Aruba Permit Services – We Specialize in Resolving Open or Expired Permits, Code Violations, and Lien Negotiations!

At Aruba Permit Services – We Specialize in Resolving Open or Expired Permits, Code Violations, and Lien Negotiations!

  • Posted: Apr 26, 2022
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We Specialize in Resolving Open or Expired Permits, Code Violations, and
Lien Negotiations!

Your one stop shop provider for closing all your open building permit needs, providing all the disciplines necessary to close out open permits. We are the leading professionals in the South Florida area including Broward County, Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County.

A building permit is an official approval issued by the local government agency that allows you or your contractor to proceed with a construction or remodeling project on your property. It is intended to ensure that the project plans to comply with local standards for land use, zoning, and construction. These standards are intended to ensure the safety of current and future owners and occupants and to provide enforcement of zoning and land-use

policies.

https://www.facebook.com/ArubaServices/videos/344428460106436

 

Aruba Permit Services
1413 South Powerline Road
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Email: info@aruba-services.com
Phone: (954) 786-7292

 

Becker’s Take it to the Board with Donna DiMaggio Berger podcast features a variety of guests including our very own attorneys from across the firm’s practice areas and offices.

Becker’s Take it to the Board with Donna DiMaggio Berger podcast features a variety of guests including our very own attorneys from across the firm’s practice areas and offices.

  • Posted: Apr 24, 2022
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Becker’s Take it to the Board with Donna DiMaggio Berger podcast features a variety of guests including our very own attorneys from across the firm’s practice areas and offices.

Think you know what community association life is all about? Think again. Residents must obey the rules, directors must follow the law, and managers must keep it all running smoothly. Take It to the Board explores the reality of life in a condominium, cooperative or homeowners’ association, what’s really involved in serving on its board, and how to maintain that ever-so-delicate balance of being legally compliant and community spirited. Leading community association attorney Donna DiMaggio Berger acknowledges the balancing act without losing her sense of humor as she talks with a variety of association leaders, experts, and vendors about the challenges and benefits of the community association lifestyle.

If you’ve got a question, Take It To The Board with Donna DiMaggio Berger – We Speak Condo & HOA!

Episodes are available for subscription on iTunesAmazon Music, Spotifyor listen through any podcast streaming app.

Rental Restrictions in Homeowners’ Associations by Robert L. Kaye – KBRLegal.com

Rental Restrictions in Homeowners’ Associations by Robert L. Kaye – KBRLegal.com

  • Posted: Apr 24, 2022
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A large percentage of Florida residential property owners are subject to restrictive covenants on their property, be it by a declaration of condominium or declaration of covenants. In addition to these restrictions, Florida Statutes contain additional restrictions that apply to these properties, some of which involve use restrictions. For condominiums, the provisions of the statutes are of a heightened significance because but for the statutes, condominium ownership of property does not exist. However, for homeowners’ associations, restrictive covenants have been in use for centuries, well in advance of the existence of such statutes. As a result, certain statutory provisions may not apply to every homeowners’ association in Florida.
There is a restriction within both the U.S. and Florida Constitutions that limit the ability of the state to enact a law that will impair an existing contract or vested contractual right. Use restrictions contained in declarations of covenants have been identified by Florida courts as existing contracts between the property owner and the entity that operates the community under the governing documents (the association). There is also case law in Florida that addresses whether a change in the statute applies to the community based upon if a particular phrase is included in the governing documents (commonly referred to as Kaufman language).
If the governing documents include Kaufman language, any changes made by the legislature in a given year will automatically be incorporated into the governing documents and apply to that community. Conversely, if there is no Kaufman language, only what is referred to as “procedural” changes made by the legislature will apply to that community. An example of a procedural change would be a change in a notice requirement for elections. Statutory changes that are “substantive” would not apply in that instance to that community. An example of a substantive change would be requiring the association to take on all exterior maintenance of the residential dwellings (presuming the documents do not already provide for that obligation). Without the Kaufman language in the governing documents, this latter statutory change would not apply to that community, as such change would likely be considered unconstitutional.
During the legislative session in 2021, Section 720.306 of the Florida Statutes was amended to add subsection (h), which provides, in pertinent part, that any amendment to a governing document after July 1, 2021 that prohibits or regulates rental agreements applies only to a parcel owner who acquires title to the parcel after the effective date of the amendment or to a parcel owner who consents to the amendment (with specific exceptions relative to short term rentals and limiting rentals to up to 3 times a year). However, under the analysis discussed above, rental restrictions and the ability to amend governing documents are generally considered substantive vested rights. As such, this new statute appears to impair the existing contractual rights of many property owners in homeowner association communities.
The first step in considering whether this new rental restriction change applies to a particular homeowner association community is to check the governing documents for Kaufman language (this also assumes that the documents were not initially created on or after July 1, 2021). Typically, Kaufman language is not included in original documents by developers of communities, but many associations have added it by amendment after the developer was no longer involved. If the Kaufman language is in the documents, the new statutory rental restriction provisions apply. If, however, there is no Kaufman language, the new rental restriction statute would not be applicable to the community. In this instance, the membership could still amend the governing documents to prohibit or regulate rentals within the community, which should be enforceable against all current owners, regardless of whether or not they voted in favor of the amendment.
The issue of whether or not this new statutory change regarding rental restrictions violates the Federal and State Constitutions has not been tested in the Florida or Federal courts as of this writing. Before considering amending the governing document in a homeowner association community to create rental restrictions, it is recommended to consult with the association attorney as to the limitations that may apply.

Robert L. Kaye, Esq. is a Board Certified Specialist in Condominium and Planned Development Law. Mr. Kaye serves on the Florida Bar’s Grievance Committee, the Committee on the Unlicensed Practice of Law and is a member of the Condominium Committee of the Real Property Section of The Florida Bar. He also lectures on Community Association law and is regularly published on the subject. Mr. Kaye hosts KBR’s appearances on the radio show, ‘Ask the Experts’, from 6pm to 7pm, the first Thursday of each month. See his full bio HERE.