Reserves Study: Fact or Fiction?

Posted on May 20, 2022 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

Reserves Study: Fact or Fiction?

 

It is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future.  Karl Kristian Steincke in “Farvel Og Tak” (1948)

The quote attributed to Steincke may seem like a joke. It is not. But there is no reason for us to stop preparing for the future.

After many many years the Aquarius Condominium Association got its RESERVE STUDY. This is a document that a prudent administration keeps very close and make a complete review of it every couple of years.  The initial document was produced in 2019 with a  detailed in loco, inventory and assessment of our property. In 2021 the “Association Reserves” specialized firm conducted a review of this study. This new study was a “no site visit” one. It is based in the natural deterioration and decay of the buildings’ components according the experience with similar properties.

The initial pages of the RESERVE STUDY report bring interesting remarks:

“”Welcome to your Reserve Study!
Reserve Study is a valuable tool to help you budget responsibly
for your property. This report contains all the information you
need to avoid surprise expenses, make informed decisions, save
money, and protect property values.

Regardless of the property type, it’s a fact of life that the very
moment construction is completed, every major building
component begins a predictable process of physical
deterioration. The operative word is ” predictable” because planning
for the inevitable is what a Reserve Study by Association Reserves is all
about!””

Avoiding fund reserves is dangerous and results in large special assessments with increased costs associated with long neglected issues, no periodic maintenance and longer periods of disruption of the normal enjoyment of the property amenities. To fund or not to fund is a serious decision. To be informed of what is very likely to happen in the future is important for those wise ones.

Here the complete reports of Aquarius RESERVE STUDY.

Reserve Study 2021 (valid up to December 31, 2022)

Reserve Study 2019 (valid up to December 31. 2020)

Other stuff related to the matter:

The Ticking Clock        On problems due to lack of reserves

Survey 1/3                     The 2021 SA  2021

Results Survey 2/3      Opinions in percentages     2021

Results Survey 3/3      Comments on issues     2021

 

.o0o.

Laughing time:

 

.o0o.

 

 

 

 

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Aquarius Mothers Day Celebration – May 9 6:30pm

Posted on April 21, 2022 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

Videos and Pictures – Aquarius  Mothers  Day  Celebration – Monday May 9        6:30pm     Green Room

Aquarius Condo Mother’s Day Celebration

 

Dancing for all

Bring your own food and drinks

Tickets $ 15.00 on sale in the Lobby April 25 and May 2 4-5 pm

Aquarius Social Committee

.o0o.

Who sold our motherland? A poem about the war

-“The war will end.
-The leaders will shake hands.
-The old woman will keep waiting for her martyred son.
-That girl will wait for her beloved husband.
-And those children will wait for their heroic father.


-I don’t know who sold our homeland.
But I saw who paid the price.”


Mar 5, 2022      Mahamoud Darwish

.o0o.

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The Towers and the Ticking Clock

Posted on February 5, 2022 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

The Towers and the Ticking Clock

 

 

An important article on the history and the future of buildings along the Florida coast. A must read for those that want to be well informed and well prepared. Just the pictures are worth to browse this well prepared piece. Click to open it.

 

The Towers and the Ticking Clock
By Matthew Shaer, New York Time
January  28, 2022

 

HOW IN THE WORLD DID WE GET HERE?

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published January 31, 2022

 

So, I get a call a few weeks ago from a reporter at The New York Times.  He was doing a story about the incredible number of condominiums in Miami and how fast they were all built.  How the entire skyline on the coast changed dramatically in the past 40 years or so and if it’s possible that The Champlain Towers in Miami was just a freak occurrence, or something that we need to start thinking about regarding all condominiums that were rushed through and given the green light.  Is it possible for other similarly situated buildings to start falling down?

 

The story is somewhat startling but not surprising.  It’s a story about greed, out of control construction, tampering with Mother Nature, little to no inspections, rushed through permits,  law firms and politicians helping developers  and The Florida Legislature turning a blind eye towards all of it.

 

If you’re living in a building in Miami, this is a must read.  If you don’t live in Miami, but are concerned about whether or not your building was built properly, it’s a must read as well.  Besides myself, there are politicians, builders, developers and other experts that tell their side of the story in detail.  Some of it is shocking.

 

Because so many turned their backs years ago, no wonder the story is called THE TICKING CLOCK OF MIAMI’S CONDO EMPIRE.  You should also know that coincidentally, Robert Lisman, who is the resident from Champlain Towers East, is the producer of our Condo Craze You Tube channel.  It’s a long article but again, it’s a must read.  

Here is the link to the New York Times article again

 

This material was recommend to the blog  aquariusuno.com by Arkady Chase

Eric Glazer’s office supported the Aquarius Condominium Association legal affairs for many years in the past.

.o0o.

Laughing time:

Put all books away and get a sheet of paper and pencil

Those that never lived this moment have no idea what serious panic is.

.o0o.

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Aquarius Board of Directors 2022: Officers Positions

Posted on January 25, 2022 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

Aquarius Board of Directors 2022: Officers Positions

The newly elected Board of Director of the Aquarius Condominium Association appointed the Directors for the following positions in the Organizational Board Meeting of January 25, 2022.

  • President:               Kiet Ngo, 1801N
  • Vice President:    Leon Behar, 1404S   
  • Secretary and Treasurer:   Elzbieta (Ella) Jankowska Fishman,  1104S
  • Director at Large:             Zinaida (Zina) Bluband. 902N   
  • Director at Large:              Linda Satz, 1108N

Biographical information and pictures of the new Directors may be seem here

Fair Winds, Following Seas and Clear Skies are the wishes of many in the Aquarius community to the new Board.

It also must be on record the hard work and dedication of some directors of the Board that completed their mandate in 2021. The Aquarius Condominium got to an elevated level thanks the their service and zeal.

Lets all work to let our home be the pleasant, safe and harmonious place we all deserve.

.o0o.

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Aquarius New Board Organization: Meeting January 25, 2022

Posted on January 24, 2022 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

 Aquarius New Board Organization: Meeting January 25, 2022, 6:30 pm

 

 

The new Aquarius Board of Directors has a meeting to determine the positions on the Board. The meeting is at the Cascade Room and remotely via ZOOM software.

In order to join via ZOOM follow the instructions bellow. To have the ZOOM app in your computer, phone or tablet makes it easier although it is not mandatory.

You can also call in – audio only – using the numbers listed below along with the meeting ID.

 Meeting link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84660631905?pwd=QTdJSFd3ZnlibnUxRXVaUXFJbzN5QT09

 Meeting ID:846 6063 1905

Passcode: check Management Office email (2022/01/21) or call them before 4:00 pm

 Dial by your location audio only:

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdwzuviFdU

 

See you there Aquarians!

.o0o.

 

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In Hollywood there is no need for a car. Use CIRCUIT

Posted on January 24, 2022 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

In Hollywood there is no need for a car. Use CIRCUIT SUN SHUTTLE

 

Do you need to go to Margaritaville? Hollywood Library? Publix? Just call using the app (Apple or Android)     https://www.ridecircuit.com/  or you could flag the SUN Shuttle by Circuit.

Rides called from the app cost $1.00. Rides flagged in the street are free. Of course, tips are welcome.

Check the details, hours, map of this ride service sponsored by the City of Hollywood.  https://www.ridecircuit.com/hollywood

.o0o.

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One Aquarius Owner appeals for neighbors to help

Posted on January 23, 2022 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

One Aquarius Owner asks  neighbors to help

 

Dear Aquarius South Unit Owner,

My name is Rob Martin and this fall I purchased Apt. 302S. My unit is directly across from the gym with the huge common area out on my balcony.

I need your help. Everyday someone above me throws garbage out of their window or balcony right outside my balcony. Tea bags, cabbage, crackers are the most common (see the tea bag picture from this morning). The tea bag brand is Bigelow Orange and Spice.

Our Aquarius is beautiful. Why would someone be so rude and disrespectful?

If you know anything please text or call me at (925) 785-0873.

Thanks

Rob

.o0o.

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Aquarius Elections Results – January 18, 2022

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

Aquarius Elections Results – January 18, 2022

 

Here are the new Board Directors:

Zina Bluband

Kiet Ngo

Leon Behar

Ella Fishman

Linda Satz         Pictures of the candidates available here

Congratulations to those candidates elected and thank you to all candidates for offering they time, effort and skills to make the Aquarius Condominium a better place. The elections are over. It is time for harmony and hard work. Everyone has a constructive role to play. Everyone.

Votes Received:  (tally to be confirmed)

.o0o.

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So you would like to participate in a ZOOM meeting?

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

So you would like to participate in a ZOOM meeting?

 

Sometimes participation in a meeting in person is not possible.

The availability of software that make it possible has increased exponentially in the last few years. The pandemic is, of course, a great motivator. One of these software that support online group activities is ZOOM. The Aquarius Condominium Association purchased a ZOOM license. This has been useful for meetings. The elections for the Board to be held January 18th., 2022, 6:30 pm will have ZOOM available. It is advisable to have the ZOOM client software installed in the device you intend to use. It may be a PC, a Tablet, a Smartphone and even a regular landline phone.   So what you need besides the ZOOM installed in your device? The information on the meeting of your interest.

The Aquarius Management Office sent an invitation. All information you need is here:

 

TO ATTEND ONLINE, GO TO WWW.ZOOM.COM , CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW AND ENTER THE MEETING ID AND PASSWORD:

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86839258414?pwd=NjFYZ2ovaWNRRWVpWEl0QnkxQUxhdz09

Meeting ID: 868 3925 8414

Passcode:   if required ask for it from the Management Office

 Dial by your location

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

 

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kP2AWirZo

Now if you would like to deepen you ZOOM expertise watch these two 2 minutes video clips. Try them  you will like them.  Video One “How to Join a Meeting”   Video Two “5 Essential in Meeting Features.”

 

.o0o.

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Demand Letter Regarding Aquarius Elections

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

Demand Letter Regarding Aquarius Elections

This letter to the Board of Aquarius was previouly sent via email and other communications forms. All material not offensive, not illegal will be posted in the blog provided the author identification is available. A request for posting is also required.

January 17, 2022

BY EMAIL AND POSTING ON AQUARIUS BLOG

To: Aquarius Condominium Association Board (Buck Gupta, Victor Rocha, Judith Ort, Linda Satz, Paul Finfer) and Property Manager (Marie Goehl)

Re: Litigation Hold Notice

Dear Board Members and Property Manager:

In connection with your insistence on proceeding with the unlawful Aquarius Condominium Association Board of Directors election currently set for January 18, 2022, on behalf of certain Unit Owners, I write to make the following demands:

  • Produce a copy of the roster of owners, which units require voting certificates, and who is designated as the voting certificate holder.
  • Produce the email and mailing list that the current Board uses to communicate with unit owners about the election.
  • Clarify in writing for all unit owners the status of proxy votes for Board voting, because the Second Notice is misleadingly vague about that.
  • Grant access to the ballots and proxies that have already been received in advance of the January 18, 2022, annual meeting so that we can monitor the integrity of the voting process.
  • Produce the contact information for the Board’s chosen election monitor, Nan Green, and a copy of all written communication with her as well as a list of all phone calls and meetings, including dates.

Please comply with the above immediately, as you insist on proceeding with the unlawful election.

*                 *                 *

I remain available to speak with you. I note that Buck Gupta has not returned my invitation to speak and avert litigation. He has my number.

Very truly yours,

/s/

Gary Svirsky

cc:      Unit Owners (to the extent email addresses are available)

.o0o.

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