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Eradicating Pond Weed at Golf Course

Eradicating Pond Weed at Golf Course

SOLitude Lake Management has been servicing this property for over ten years. Due to southeast Florida’s tropical climate and year-round growing season, many plants, both native and non-native, become invasive on land and water, requiring constant control methods. Aquatic vegetation (algae, Vallisneria, and hydrilla) was managed by repeated herbicide treatments in order to maintain proper water flow and lake/pond health.

 

water flow and lake/pond health.

before-and-after-fl-gc-case study before and after procellacor invasive weeds floating hearts

Location: Palm Beach, FL

This property is a collection of suburban residential homes surrounding a golf course located at the northern tip of the Everglades. Due to seasonal flooding in this region, land development requires stormwater collection and flood control systems mandated by several drainage district government entities. This property has a series of interconnected lakes and ponds to collect and move floodwaters into discharge canals that eventually lead out to the Atlantic Ocean. Water flows into the site from other areas, including agricultural lands to the west. The lakes and ponds at the property provide important habitats to migratory and wading bird populations.

nutrient remediation products - on the job - lake and pond treatment - algae and aquatic weed control - alum - calcis - phoslock

Scope Of Work:

ProcellaCOR was used to eradicate invasive floating heart in two ponds. ProcellaCOR is a new herbicide technology that can be used for the selective control of some of our nation’s most invasive and recurring aquatic weeds. Leveraging new mechanisms to specifically target the unique growth processes of these undesirable species, ProcellaCOR helps property owners achieve long-term control of the following aquatic plants without the need for costly re-application. The product’s premium low dosing features allow for a 100-1000x reduction (compared to other aquatic herbicides) in the active ingredient necessary to eradicate the invasive and noxious aquatic weeds responsible for degrading the health and use of waterbodies. These superior results are paired with a Reduced Risk classification by the EPA, meaning it can be applied to lakes and ponds without impacting the native plants you enjoy or interfering with recreation.

Nymphoides_cristata-floating hearts invasive aquatic weeds

Project Description:

 In 2017, project managers observed a new species of aquatic invasive – Nymphoides cristata, commonly called floating hearts – a CATEGORY I on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s (FLEPPC) 2017 List of Invasive Plant Species. Nymphoides have become established in South Florida surface waters after escaping from the ornamental plant trade. It has small heart-shaped leaves that float on the water’s surface while the roots grow into the hydrosoil. It is presumed that Nymphoides were introduced into the property by inflowing surface water from adjacent drainage canals.

Repeated attempts were made to control Nymphoides by carefully applying systemic herbicides that were already being used to treat other aquatics found on the property. The results of these treatments were unsuccessful. Next, a foliar contact herbicide was used to treat the plant on the water surface; however, it did nothing to the submersed portion, which continued growing.

procellacor nutrient remediation algae and aquatic weed before 3

In 2018, a new solution called ProcellaCOR became available. SOLitude began a test study in two ponds on the property with Nymphoides where previous control had not been successful. This alternative solution has several useful features (environmental and cost-effective) that made it a good choice for this problematic aquatic plant: 1) Its unique formulation targets a hormone in certain plants, Nymphoides being one of those, without affecting other native aquatic plants. 2) Application only needs to be done in the areas where the plant is physically growing, not the entire pond.

The ponds selected on the property for this test study were chosen for their similar size, the amount of Nymphoides present in the water (60 – 70% coverage), and location. Pond A is located farthest away from any surface water canal inflow. Pond B is located closest (40 feet) to the inflow surface water canal from the west. Water from Pond A is used to irrigate residential lawns. Pond B is not used for irrigation.

procellacor nutrient remediation algae and aquatic weed after 3

Efficacy was visible on plants within days of application, and complete control was established about three weeks later in both ponds. Regrowth of Nymphoides was not observed for approximately 8 months in Pond A and 10 months in Pond B. There were no incidents of issues using irrigation water from Pond A. Current treatment methods include the use of ProcellaCOR as needed to treat all waterbodies on the property with 100% control of Nymphoides.

 

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Vaccination ID’s To Require Or Not To Require, That Is The Question by KBR Legal

Vaccination ID’s To Require Or Not To Require, That Is The Question by KBR Legal

  • Posted: Apr 07, 2021
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Vaccination ID’s

To Require Or Not To Require, That Is The Question

 

Florida’s community association board members are wrestling with many amenity re-opening decisions these days. One such decision is whether or not to open the community clubhouse including the card rooms, bingo, and even off-Broadway like shows. As a part of that decision making process, board members may be considering requiring proof of vaccination as a pre-requisite to such use.

 

While ultimately a decision within the business judgment of the board, requiring proof of vaccination prior to allowing use of an association amenity is not recommended. Do you remember the ol’ adage, “no good deed goes unpunished?” Well, requiring proof of vaccination from the members prior to allowing use of the clubhouse, no matter how well intended, could likely lead to significant and costly problems for the association who fails to heed the warnings set out in this article.

 

When acquiring medical information of members, the board’s duty, pursuant to relevant law, is to keep such acquired medical information confidential. Requiring proof of vaccination to use amenities will no doubt lead to a significant breach of that duty.

 

Another reason not to require proof of vaccination is that doing so will lead to creating two classes of members. The vaccinated members who are allowed to use the amenities and the unvaccinated members who are not allowed to use the amenities. Yet, all members pay for access to use the amenities in proportion to their assessment obligation. Therefore, this practice could expose the association to adverse litigation from the upset unvaccinated members.

 

If the aforementioned two reasons are not sufficient to dissuade you, then consider this: A member may choose not to be vaccinated for religious reasons. In this situation, by requiring proof of vaccination the association will be exposing itself to a claim of religious discrimination.

 

If the association opens an amenity, then the amenity should be available to all members for use without consideration of vaccination. If that is a concern, then perhaps waiting a short while longer to open the clubhouse or other amenity makes the most sense. Remember, too, that when you do re-open to adhere to CDC protocols as may be appropriate for your community such as mask wearing, social distancing, and sanitizing. As a part of the re-opening procedure, please consult with your association’s attorney regarding the do’s and don’ts.

 

 

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Join Us Online For A FREE Educational Webinar: 10 Natural Management Solutions for Your Waterbody Wednesday, March 24 @ 2:00 pm (EDT)

Join Us Online For A FREE Educational Webinar: 10 Natural Management Solutions for Your Waterbody Wednesday, March 24 @ 2:00 pm (EDT)

  • Posted: Mar 22, 2021
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10 Natural Management Solutions for Your Waterbody

Wednesday, March 24 @ 2:00 pm (EDT)

We’re only 2 days away! During this much-anticipated webinar, our experts will explore our top 10 natural management techniques and discuss how the right combination of natural solutions can help transform your waterbody.

 

Don’t wait! Register today and start nurturing your waterbody with all-natural solutions that will enhance your lake and pond for years to come.


Registration Is Free. Spots Are Limited. Register Today!

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“Why Are These Plants Behind My House?” by Allstate Resource Management

“Why Are These Plants Behind My House?” by Allstate Resource Management

  • Posted: Mar 01, 2021
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“Why Are These Plants Behind My House?”

by Allstate Resource Management

Many homeowners in South Florida have properties that are adjacent to mitigation areas but very few have an understanding as to what they are or why they are there.  This article will answer some of these questions and give you a better understanding about the role mitigation sites play in your community.

Homeowners have all sorts of names for the planted areas by their homes.  Some call them preserves, some call them swamps, some call them natural areas but they all share a common origin and purpose.  Whether they are full of trees or stretches of plants along a lake shoreline, they are all what are known as mitigation.  Mitigation is an attempt to lessen or alleviate the environmental impact of development and construction in our area.  When a developer plans to build a community the location must first be surveyed to determine if important natural resources and sensitive areas will be disturbed due to the project.  Before any construction can begin, the developer must submit a plan to create and maintain areas that will replace what is lost when the development is built.  Once the plan is approved, a permit is issued for the mitigation and the project can begin.  Without the mitigation, your neighborhood could not even exist.  When the builder turns the property over to a homeowners association, the association then assumes the responsibility for the mitigation and its care.

There are three basic kinds of mitigation areas: wetland preserves, upland preserves and littoral zones.  Wetland preserves are lower lying areas that are partly to completely flooded most of the year and are largely comprised of aquatic plants and grasses, and may have tree islands or deep water pools.  Upland preserves are wooded areas that sit at higher elevations and tend to have drier soils and are usually comprised of more trees and shrubs.  Littoral zones are submersed shelves that run around the perimeter of lakes and are planted with a variety of plants that can grow in flooded conditions.

Quarterly inspections and status reports are required by the agency that issued the mitigation permit for your community.  These are to ensure that the site lives up to its required environmental obligation and that it complies with agency standards.  Regular maintenance visits, by trained and licensed personnel, are necessary to keep mitigation areas in compliance.  In order to be in compliance the areas must be covered by the proper percentage of beneficial, native plants and be within the acceptable limit of invasive, exotic plants.

Mitigation sites are designed to replace a natural ecosystem and are not meant to be perfectly manicured landscapes.  Homeowners should never take it upon themselves to remove plants, trim or cut plants or add plants to mitigation areas.  Remember, these areas are permitted and unapproved alterations could result in complications or fines, just like any other permit you have when you do work on your house.  Homeowners should also be sure that their landscapers do not dump debris such as palm fronds, hedge trimmings and grass clippings into the mitigation by their homes.  All mitigation is monitored for compliance.  When the standards set by the oversight agency are not met, the entity responsible for the upkeep of the site may be financially liable to bring the site back into compliance.

Many homeowners don’t realize the benefits of these re-created natural areas.  They see them as a burden with no redeeming qualities but there are several that are commonly overlooked.  These areas provide habitat to several native species, some of which are threatened or even endangered.  In addition to habitat for animals mitigation provides a pathway to replenish the aquifers that supply the drinking water here in South Florida.  As more and more development occurs, we are essentially “capping” our water supply’s recharge mechanism with concrete and asphalt.  Increased population creates increased demand for water.  At the same time our system’s ability to provide the needed water is being reduced.  Wetlands and preserves act like a sponge to capture water that would normally be lost to storm drains and funnels it into our depleted aquifers.  This sponge affect also aids in flood prevention.  Wetlands can hold a considerable amount of storm flow and alleviate your community’s storm water drainage system.  Littoral plantings around your lake also help absorb nutrient runoff.  Florida lawns don’t get green by themselves.  We use a lot of fertilizer and when the rains come and the grounds get soaked, some of that fertilizer ends up in our lakes.  This then feeds algae in the lakes and creates those unpleasant mats of floating, green algae around the water body.  The bands of wetland plants around the shoreline act as a buffer and absorb some of the nutrient runoff as it enters the water.

Our staff at Allstate realizes that your mitigation maintenance is an important responsibility.  We hope that this has shed some light on the questions you may have.  One of our goals in our pledge to service to you is educating the homeowners and helping everyone understand the value of the aquatic resources within your community.  If we can provide any further guidance or assistance please feel free to call our office.

 

By: Stephen Montgomery

Allstate Resource Management

6900 SW 21st Court, Building #9

Davie, Florida 33317

Phone: (954) 382-9766

Fax: (954) 382-9770

 

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BEFORE YOU INSTALL THAT NEW RING DOORBELL By Eric Glazer, Esq.

BEFORE YOU INSTALL THAT NEW RING DOORBELL By Eric Glazer, Esq.

BEFORE YOU INSTALL THAT NEW RING DOORBELL

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

It’s becoming impossible to keep up with technology.  Just when you think you bought the latest, greatest computer or cell phone the world may ever see, a month later there’s new technology that makes you device already seem outdated.  It’s a never ending cycle.  Well, one new technological advance is the RING doorbell, which is a doorbell that let’s you see who is at your front door, by simply glancing at your cell phone.  I have one for my home and another for my office.  It even let’s you speak to and hear the person who is at your door, even when you are not home.  In fact, you can be anywhere in the world.  It really is fantastic technology that everyone is taking advantage of.  BUT IF YOU LIVE IN A CONDOMINIUM…..YOU CAN’T.

Let’s again review Florida Statute 718.113(2)(a):

Except as otherwise provided in this section, there shall be no material alteration or substantial additions to the common elements or to real property which is association property, except in a manner provided in the declaration as originally recorded or as amended under the procedures provided therein. If the declaration as originally recorded or as amended under the procedures provided therein does not specify the procedure for approval of material alterations or substantial additions, 75 percent of the total voting interests of the association must approve the alterations or additions before the material alterations or substantial additions are commenced. This paragraph is intended to clarify existing law and applies to associations existing on July 1, 2018.

So the question is…..is the installation of a RING doorbell on your condominium front door, a material alteration to the common elements that requires a vote of the owners? In Persi v. Playa Del Mar Association, Case No. 19-02-7292, March 16, 2020, Arbitrator Keith Hope held that it was and upheld the association’s right to remove it.  The arbitrator first again indicated the definition of a material alteration:

“[A]s applied to buildings, the term material alteration or addition ‘means to palpably or perceptively vary or change the form, shape, elements or specifications of a building from its original design or plan, or existing conditions, in such a manner as to appreciably affect or influence its function, use or appearance

Applying this test, the Arbitrator held that Petitioners’ installation of the ring video doorbell was a material change to the appearance of the common property door, and required installation of electrical wiring within the common property walls. Moreover, it is undisputed that Petitioners’ ring video doorbell contains a security camera that captures both audio and video of persons and activities within its field of view. Installation of a security camera on or in a condominium’s common property is deemed a material alteration. Dellagrotta v. West Coast Vista Association, Inc., Arb. Case No. 2013-02-7351, Summary Final Order (October 4, 2013).

While it’s hard to say the arbitrator’s reasoning was not correct, arbitration cases have long held that when the Board wants to use the benefits of new technology, it’s suddenly not a material alteration but a wise business judgment decision.

For example:

In the arbitration case of A. N. Inc. v. Seaplace Association, Inc., Arb. Case No. 98-4251, Summary Final Order (Oct. 29, 1998), replacement of all of the windows in the condominium with an upgraded version, with a tilt-out cleaning feature, tinting and heavier glass, was held not to require a unit owner vote. The arbitrator noted that the choice of the type of window used is a decision within the board’s business judgment and that “a board in the exercise of its well-reasoned and documented judgment could and should take advantage of changes in technology, building materials, and improved designs …” See also, Kreitman v. The Decoplage Condominium Association, Inc., Arb. Case No. 98-4711, Final Order (July 30, 1999) (board’s decision to replace worn hallway carpets with longer lasting solution-dyed, woven carpet was not subject to unit owner approval).

 

In light of these cases, why are upgraded windows and carpets not considered a material alteration, but upgraded doorbells that take advantage of the latest technology are?  Just like the Board, I don’t see the harm in owners having the right to take advantage of “changes in technology” and having the ability to install a doorbell that provides better safety, security and ease of use.

 

 

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Reopening a Fitness Center – How a Miami Luxury Hi-Rise Handled It.  by BuildingLink

Reopening a Fitness Center – How a Miami Luxury Hi-Rise Handled It.  by BuildingLink

  • Posted: Jun 29, 2020
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Reopening a Fitness Center – How a Miami Luxury Hi-Rise Handled It.  by BuildingLink

 

New York may be a long way from Miami, but Miami is deep into its Phase Two reopening and it can provide some lessons for building managers in the New York area who are eager to open up their amenities to residents.

On June 8, Miami-Dade County allowed fitness centers/gyms to reopen. A look at how one building reopened can provide valuable lessons. The Continuum is a 523-unit luxury condominium in South Beach managed by Marquis Association Management, and it is using a suite of products from BuildingLink to keep residents safe and reduce liability.

A fitness center or gym is by far the most difficult common-area amenity to reopen. No other amenity involves so much physical contact – and so much respiratory risk. The Continuum board wanted to ensure that the property reopened in a way that prioritized the comfort and safety of residents while keeping them informed of new policies.

“It’s a big moment for us, but we prepared properly and are ready for the residents to utilize the fitness center again” says Alex Varona, resort manager at the Continuum. It took a lot of work and planning.”

According to local regulations, fitness centers can operate at 75% of normal capacity with a minimum social distancing of 10 feet. It must also be cleaned and disinfected regularly. The Continuum’s fitness center spans three floors. Eighty is the normal occupancy level, but that has been reduced to 20 people. Many new programs and policies were put into place for safety. Equipment and soft goods, such as yoga mats, have been removed. Spacing between machines has been increased. Barriers were added. Drinking fountains were turned off and replaced by free bottled water.

In addition, as an advanced user of BuildingLink , The Continuum utilized existing BuildingLink features as well as new sensors from the Aware by BuildingLink team. The challenge: the gym ad to operate at less than full capacity while contending with pent-up demand for use. The solution was to configure the BuildingLink Amenity Reservations module to allow residents to make reservations for one-and-a-half hour workout slots. The 30 minutes at the end of each workout was reserved for the fitness center staff to clean the equipment and common areas.

 

The Amenities Reservation module provided the Continuum team with the ability to limit the number of reservations per resident and even to restrict new reservations from being made more than a day in advance.

“The system allows us the flexibility to change as needed in order to accommodate the rules and regulations being enacted by our local officials” says Ena Rivera, general manager of the Sporting Club and Spa at the Continuum.

It doesn’t stop there. As members enter the facility at their reserved times, they must first pass an automated health-check kiosk to take their temperature and verify that they are wearing a face mask. After that, they are welcomed by a message from the BuildingLink NetVoice Annunciator product. NetVoice is a network-connected speaker that is connected to a public address system to send scheduled and on-demand vocal notifications to residents. NetVoice also reminds the resident when it is almost time to leave, saying: “Dear residents, thank you very much for visiting us today. We hope you enjoyed your time in the Sporting Club. We kindly ask that you finish your workout in the next 10 minutes so that our team can clean and sanitize for the next group. We look forward to seeing you again soon.”

“The residents prefer to have the automated system reinforcing the rules and informing them of the gym schedule. It is less intrusive than having a person walk around and remind them,” explains Varona.

After residents depart, the cleaning crew begins its work. As the crew moves from one location to another, it uses the Aware button logging system to indicate which areas have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. BuildingLink tracks this data for both residents and managers. Residents can see the data on their BuildingLink app or upon entering the gym, giving them additional peace of mind that the equipment is clean. Managers now have a log that the cleaning policy was enforced, thereby reducing potential liability if someone gets infected.

“The residents have been very supportive,” observes Rivera. “They all understand the situation. And they are excited to be able to get back into the gym. But they still want to protect themselves. BuildingLink’s tools and our policies have allowed them to feel comfortable and confident.”

 

Aware by BuildingLink

Aware is a division of BuildingLink that provides technologies that unlock building data and grant property managers the actionable insights needed to help reduce costs and improve the quality of life for residents and staff. Aware’s smart sensor solutions identify problems in buildings such as water leaks, mechanical system failures, elevators in need of repair, monitor noise situations, and manage parking systems.

For questions and inquiries contact: aware@buildinglink.com

Thank You for a great article – for SFPMA and its Members. 

Richard Worth
Regional Sales Director – Florida
407-529-6063
Richard@BuildingLink.com

 

 

More information:

Aware COVID Related Solutions: https://www.aware.buildinglink.com/covid

Aware Button Logging Solution: https://www.aware.buildinglink.com/button-logging

Aware NetVoice Annunciator: https://www.aware.buildinglink.com/netvoice

Aware Fitness Center Monitoring App: https://www.aware.buildinglink.com/fitness-center

 

 

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The Internet of things

The Internet of things

The telecommunications industry says the upgrades are needed by 2020 to meet the demand for faster internet speeds, smart cities, driverless vehicles, instantaneous 3D downloads, the “Internet of things” where machines talk to machines, and more.

The battle between infrastructure needed for fast digital service and property rights may soon come to communities across Palm Beach County. Right now, it’s playing out in Tallahassee courtesy of legislation before lawmakers.

“It’s a ticket for multi-billion dollar wireless communication companies to come into a city and do as they please in city right of ways,” said Riviera Beach Councilwoman Dawn Pardo.

The brewing fight is over technological advances. First there was 1G wireless technology, for “first generation,” and as telecommunications technology evolved, 2G, 3G, 4G and 4G LTE came to be. Now 5G, a fifth generation network technology allowing greater connectivity at higher speeds for many more devices, is on its way.

To place the infrastructure needed for 5G service, a proposal pending in the Florida Legislature would limit state and local control of public rights-of-way where the 5G equipment is being installed.

 

SFPMA feels that with the proposal in the Florida Legislature with some changes is what we need to advance this to all of our Florida communities, this upgrade is for reliability “If you are stranded in an heavy traffic area or one that has many customers using services at one time it slows down and this brings problems” Can you get through in an emergency? We have members right now that offer Building Owners the ability to place towers, on rooftops and other locations with need to advance the networks. Many of our building members can make money each month by the placement of these on the properties and in the communities they own and manage. 

Senate Bill 596 sponsored by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Palm Coast, and House Bill 687, sponsored by Rep. Mike La Rosa, R-St. Cloud, would create the Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act and prohibit the Florida Department of Transportation and local governmental entities from prohibiting, regulating or charging for collocation of small wireless facilities in public rights-of-way.

Municipalities say the bill is one-sided, would take away their ability to control where 5G equipment is installed and totally favors telecommunications giants such as AT &T, Verizon and Sprint. The companies want the right to install their equipment on utility poles, light posts, signs and traffic arms in rights-of-way.

Pardo was one of about a dozen officials from cities and counties across Florida, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale and St. Petersburg, who spoke against the bill before the Senate Committee on Communications, Energy and Public Utilities in Tallahassee on March 7.

Pardo told the committee the bill would eliminate residents having a say in the location of 5G facilities.

Currently, Riviera Beach requires “stealth designs” that are unobtrusive, and has other rules as well. The city doesn’t allow the equipment within residential communities.

“We have a couple of these wireless companies proposing to put towers in residential communities without any input from the public. This is unacceptable. This bill allows companies to put as many towers as they want,” Pardo said.

The proliferation of poles and equipment on rights-of-way would jeopardize public safety, entice kids to climb up the poles and create more debris when a hurricane hits, Pardo said.

Riviera Beach has spent a “couple million dollars” to bury utility lines, Pardo said, adding, “Then the next thing you know, we have these 100-foot poles in the middle of the sidewalk.”

Both bills have passed their first round in the Senate Committee on Communications, Energy and Public Utilities and the House Subcommittee on Energy & Utilities.

While the bills deal only with “small cells,” the suitcase-size to small refrigerator-size building blocks of the 5G system, some companies are also submitting applications for poles as high as 120 feet.

The telecommunications industry says the upgrades are needed by 2020 to meet the demand for faster internet speeds, smart cities, driverless vehicles, instantaneous 3D downloads, the “Internet of things” where machines talk to machines, and more.

Houston-based Crown Castle, the nation’s largest provider of wireless infrastructure, sought to install 50 to 60 poles all over Riviera Beach, but in September 2016 the city passed an ordinance regulating them. The equipment boxes must be grouped together in a single location and spaced a minimum of 2,000 feet from each other unless technical documentation is provided by the applicant and approved by the city management. If more than six poles are to be located within one linear mile of a city block, the manager must notify the council.

Crown Castle installed four poles prior to the regulations. Mobility had planned to install numerous 120-foot poles, but Riviera Beach’s ordinance does not allow the poles to be over 35 feet. That’s got municipal leaders worried.

Eric Poole, deputy director of public policy at the Florida Counties Association, spoke about SB 596 before the committee. The committee passed the bill on preliminary reading.

“This bill is a one-way street. It says the telecommunications industry can come into any county and city and require us to give them a permit to co-locate one of their small cell packages on any of our utility poles, light posts, signs or traffic arm signals. We can’t tell them no,” Poole said.

Poole said he first became aware of the 5G issue about 10 months ago when a wireless infrastructure provider submitted an application in a Florida county he did not mention by name, and said it had the right to use the right-of-way. In the past, such installations were typically done on private property, not on public rights-of-way.

The proposal states that if the local government doesn’t approve or deny the telecommunication company’s application within 60 days, approval is automatic. The maximum fee the companies can be charged for use of each right-of-way is $15.

Some local governments have declared moratoriums while they work with the industry, Poole said. He said his organization doesn’t want to stop smart schools, economic development and other advancements, but that the industry needs to respect home rule authority.

Advocates for the bill included representatives of AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and other companies, as well as their trade groups.

Bethanne Cooley, legislative affairs director of CTIA, the trade association for the wireless communications industry, said networks need to be updated today to be ready for the next generation of wireless networks.

The fifth generation, 5G, will connect 100 times as many devices and be up to 100 times faster. It could create up to 3 million jobs nationwide over the next seven years, Cooley said.

A January report by the Florida Association of County Attorneys Cell Tower Right-of-Way Task Force states that numerous counties and cities in Florida have been confronted with applications from private companies wanting to place cellular telecommunications towers and small cells in the public right-of-way.

The companies are seeking to classify these cellular towers as tall as 120 feet as “utility” poles, but they are not, the report states.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the Florida Statutes do not support a right of telecommunication firms to force local government to allow placement of cellular communication facilities in the local government’s own right-of-way, the report concludes.

Reposted by: SFPMA for the advancement of our communities. original published by; The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Fla.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

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The Algae Triangle: Managing Nuisance Aquatic Plants Without Pesticides

The Algae Triangle: Managing Nuisance Aquatic Plants Without Pesticides

The Algae Triangle: Managing Nuisance Aquatic Plants Without Pesticides

I frequently use herbicides and algaecides in my line of work. Having attended college and graduate school to be an Ecologist, it isn’t something I thought I would do very often, but with the frequency of environmental problems that involve invasive flora, nuisance aquatic weeds and potentially-toxic algae, EPA-approved pesticides are an invaluable tool. There are, however, times when pesticide use is impractical, imprudent, illegal or impossible. Maybe the HOA or property manager prefers that pesticides not be applied to nearby waters. Perhaps the regulatory bodies in a given area aren’t permitting the use of certain products. Whatever the reason, sometimes this option just isn’t on the table. But how do we effectively manage algae and weeds without pesticides?

I employ a simple concept that I call the algae triangle, though it works for all forms of vegetation. If you had the same fire safety lessons in elementary school, you may remember the Fire Triangle, which is based on the idea that three elements are necessary for fire: fuel, oxygen and heat. If you have enough of all three, you’ll ignite a fire. Eliminate any corner of the triangle, and the fire goes out. Similarly, if you have water, sunlight and nutrients, you’ll likely develop some form of algae or vegetation. If the triangle becomes too imbalanced, the resulting plant species can become a nuisance.

Obviously, in the lake management field, we aren’t removing water from the equation, so establishing balance between each factor is the focus. Putting this concept into practice means understanding how sunlight and nutrients affect the ecology of the waterbody in question. Communities have several natural options to help mitigate against algae and aquatic weed growth, including limiting sunlight, improving water circulation and reducing excess nutrients.

If a stormwater pond receives full sunlight during the growing season, this directly impacts plants and algae by increasing water temperatures and providing the light necessary for photosynthesis. To prevent sunlight from penetrating the water column and stimulating the growth of deep submersed plants and benthic algae, water levels can be increased. Dredging is an effective strategy to increase the depth of a lake or pond, however, it is often the costliest project a community will ever face. Instead, proactive hydro-raking can help maintain existing water depths and prolong the need for dredging by removing unconsolidated muck and organic debris from the bottom of a lake or stormwater pond. Likewise, blue or black pond dye can be applied to reflect sunlight. Pond dye can enhance the aesthetics of a waterbody while simultaneously absorbing sunlight before it can penetrate the waterbody and fuel excessive plant growth.

In addition to thriving in water that receives lots of sunlight, algae and nuisance weeds also flourish in stratified waterbodies. A stagnant, sun-warmed layer floating on top of colder, deeper water can serve as a perfect habitat for undesirable species. Circulation with a diffused aeration system breaks this stratification and allows the water to mix more evenly, resulting in more consistent temperatures and less warming in the sunlit portions of the water. Aeration is also effective at improving the health of an aquatic ecosystem in a number of other ways, such as preventing oxygen depletion and fish kills, improving beneficial bacteria levels, and preventing the release of excess nutrients from the sediment. This brings us to the real meat and potatoes of preventative maintenance: nutrient management.

Phosphorous is the most important nutrient contributing to excess vegetation in lakes and stormwater ponds, and it can enter the water column in runoff containing lawn fertilizers, grass clippings, pet droppings, and waste from faulty septic systems. A number of nutrient reduction strategies should be considered if water quality tests reveal nutrient levels are too high. A professional lake manager can apply beneficial bacteria to the waterbody to utilize nutrients that would otherwise be available for plant and algae growth. Water quality can also be amended by using products that bind with phosphorous to keep it from becoming fuel for nuisance plants. Additionally, strategically planting desirable buffer vegetation around the shore of the waterbody can help to intercept phosphorus before it enters the water and is absorbed by unwanted vegetation. Your lake manager can help identify buffer plants that are native to your region.

When it comes to quickly and effectively managing nuisance aquatic weeds and algae, EPA-approved pesticides can be very useful, and in many instances, they are the safest and most practical option available. Nonetheless, natural and proactive management techniques can be tremendously effective at improving the health and appearance of almost any community waterbody before a problem occurs, which is why it’s important for homeowners associations and property managers to consider sustainable and holistic plant management methods whenever possible.

 

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Thank you for NOT feeding our wildlife!

Thank you for NOT feeding our wildlife!

  • Posted: Mar 20, 2018
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Thank you for NOT feeding our wildlife!

Families of Muscovy Ducks are a frequent and familiar sight throughout Florida’s Condos and HOA’s, waddling along main roads and byways and paddling in the canals. During recent North American Migration counts, their population consistently ranks in the top dozen of the 149 species of birds found in Florida. Muscovies are year-round breeders, and local populations, if well-fed, can increase dramatically in a short time. A hen can lay as many as 24 eggs in a single clutch, which will hatch in 35 days.

Although Muscovies are not native to the United States, they have been here for over 100 years since being imported from South America where they have long been known as “good eating.” (If you Google “Muscovy Duck,” you would come back with over 80,000 responses—and a good portion of those would be recipes!)

Fortunately, some ducks enjoy protected status, and are not a staple of our dinner tables. Florida’s lakes and waterways have been a bird sanctuary since 1967 (Sec. 90-15). Muscovies are also protected by Florida Statute 828.12 from animal cruelty. However, because local ducks originated in Florida from domestic stock, they are not considered “wildlife” and are not protected by state wildlife laws or the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  State law does prohibit the relocation of Muscovies into wild areas as they may be carriers of diseases which can adversely affect native water-fowl.

So, please do not feed your neighborhood  birds and ducks!  Although we appreciate that feeding Muscovy ducks is enjoyable, it is often not in their best interest. 

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Homeowner fined thousands by HOA

Homeowner fined thousands by HOA

Homeowner fined thousands by HOA

By  and Catherine Chestnutt
The power of Homeowners Associations. They can tell you what color you can paint your house, where to park, even what you can have in your yard. They can also put a lien on your home or even more severe, foreclose on it.
Debra Blue learned the power of her HOA the hard way, but she didn’t just take what the HOA demanded, she fought back. It started when Debra got a letter from her HOA letting her know she did not follow her HOA covenants when it came to the plum color she just painted her shutters.
According to her HOA covenants, she was supposed to get prior approval of the color choice. “It was a complete shock to me, but I immediately apologized, and they asked me to go through the ARC approval process, and I did that within two days,” Debra said.
However, things didn’t go so well for Debra. Her HOA’s Architectural Committee denied the color change and asked her to pick another color.

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