Balconies Ready to Collapse – Paul Wilk

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

LOGO ABalconies Ready to Collapse

Thank you to all of the current Board Members & other concerned residents of the Aquarius Condo for finally taking a positive stand & working towards actually doing what is badly needed to keep the Aquarius from the real possibility of being condemned & declared unlivable by the Broward Country Building Inspectors.

You can see by the pictures that the balcony above me is unsafe & ready to fall down. Notice the rusted rebar throughout. If we as a community do not stand together & approve the assessment & re-elect the current board there will surely be consequences that will cause the value of all of our units to continue to drastically decline.

However, if we can all find the strength & courage to move forward then we all will reap the benefits of an updated beautiful building to enjoy for many years as well as a tremendous financial increase in value & equity. How would you like to pay $50K to get back $150K? Sounds like a no-brainer to me. That is the reality of moving forward on the enhanced upgraded renovation with the new T-Shaped pool, glass balconies, BBQ area & all the other goodies that come with only a 10% additional increase. The future of the Aquarius is in your hands so please choose wisely.

That is the reality of moving forward on the enhanced upgraded renovation with the new T-Shaped pool , glass balconies, BBQ area & all the other goodies that come with only a 10% additional increase. The future of the Aquarius is in your hands so please choose wisely.
Kind regards,

Paul Wilk,  204 N

ready-to-collapse-2

.ready-to-collapse-1
.o0o.

Posted in Construction & 50 & 40 Year Recertifications, Pictures | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Video Clips That Deserve Attention – Aquarius in Danger

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

Logo blue girlVideo Clips That Deserve Attention – Aquarius in Danger

We have met the enemy and he is us

Listen what some owners said in 2015. None of their predictions became reality. The same doomsdays activity is back. Who do you want to believe in? The several engineerings studies that recommend immediate action?  Or the voice of  “save now” and pay later the triple or even more?

We have engineering evaluations of the precarious situation of the building that go back since 2009.

Click here to see owners destroying the value of your investment as an Aquarius owner.

https://aquariusuno.com/2015/06/18/tv-channel-10-visits-aquarius-condo-broadcasted-june-17-2015/ or click here

Do you want to have concrete falling on your family? On your guests? On your vehicle? Should you side with the band-aid approach? Or should we do the right thing? Check this other video of concrete falling from the balconies.

https://aquariusuno.com/2016/06/20/large-debris-falling-from-7th-floor-damages-car-june-18-2016/      or click  HERE

Is it time to do something new and right or it is time to keep the same thing over and over and expect different results? Where procrastination has taken us?

.o0o.

 

Posted in Construction & 50 & 40 Year Recertifications, News from Around and Beyond, Pictures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Should Aquarius have Glass Balconies?

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

LOGO AShould Aquarius have Glass Balconies?

 

An interesting study was conducted by our neighbor Scot Bennet. The focal point of the study is: do glass balconies add any value to the property?

The evidence seems to be very strong. It adds considerable value. It is a very wise investment even if the existing balconies railings did not need replacement. Aquarius railings need replacement. Many are out of code and require eyesore plastic

Aquarius railings need replacement. Many are out of code. There are at least four distinct types of the metal picket railings in place. Some railings require eyesore plastic trellises to avoid babies and pets to fall down. They are very unsafe.

The bottom line is that the replacement is needed. The cost to put new picket metal railings is a little less than the glass railings. The tables prepared by Scot Bennet are an eye opener.

2017-01-03-sale-price-analysis-balconies

2017-01-03-sale-price-analysis-balconies2
January 2017

.o0o.

Posted in Construction & 50 & 40 Year Recertifications, Finance | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Suggested Guidelines for the next (2017) BOD of Aquarius

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

Aquarius logo

 Suggested Guidelines for the next (2017) BOD of Aquarius

This document was prepared by a couple of concerned owners
 that do not agree with the plans proposed by the Board of Directors
 of Aquarius. 
It received an immediate response from Zina Bluband. 
It is important to read both pieces - 
Zina's and Sam's to have a balanced view. 
Zina's reponse follows the Schmuter's piece

Purpose:

This strategy is driven by the desire to unify our community for efficiently achieving the common goal to make Aquarius “good again”. It is suggested for the next BOD, whoever is elected.

 

  1.     Fire Hillman Engineering as a company having a conflict of interest with the community. Hire another engineering company with a fixed pay. Let them re-evaluate Hillman’s conclusions.
  2.     Set the upper-level ceiling as $5,000,000 for the balconies in the 40-yr Project, plus the glass railing upgrade for additional $500,000.
  3.     Appoint the Balcony Construction Committee from the Owners experienced in construction: (like Roman Kisler , Edward Khmelevsky, Ilya Sibula, Boris Eydelnant, Zina Blueband , maybe some more …)   with the task to define the Balcony Fixing Strategy that covers all the balconies, with repair and/or     replacement, whatever is efficiently applicable.
  4.        Plan fixing East Deck and the existing East Pool for the limit of  $2,500,000 (remember, the larger in size West Deck with totally ruined West Pool were done  within $2 millions)
  5.     For another $2,000,000 select  important remaining task(s) (perhaps, elevators)
    Thus, the overall 40 yr Project must be contained within the ceiling of $10 million.

 

Conclusion:

The funds and the limits suggested here, are still very substantial. Just compare with the money so far spent on our other Decks and Lobby. Or compare wth money spent by other buildings (e.g. Wave assessed $12 mils, but they have 567 apartments, and we have under 270).

We must not exceed the limits.

Just need to see if the above limits can further accommodate some other remaining jobs (like hallways).

Samson Schmuter, 1101N  via eMail and  Zoya Schmuter, via telephone.

Zina Bluband response:

 

1) How many engineering companies you have to pay for to confirm obvious?  Waste of our money again.

2) The cost to fix balconies to comply with 40-year certification requirements cannot be based on wishful thinking, only on the engineering estimate.

3) As the owner, I would like the professional opinion on the scope of work and the process to complete it. It is very presumptios to even think the committee members are qualified to make such an important decisions for all owners.

As a last remark… Pretty tired of this exercise in a creativity from the people who obviously have an inflated opinion about their capabilities and qualifications.

Zina Bluband, Vice-Chair of the Aquarius Construction Committee for many years. Zina has been an active and assiduous participant of several efforts to bring Aquarius back  to the Broward County Construction Code full complaince.

.o0o.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Where Are the Engineering Evaluations of Aquarius?

Posted on January 7, 2017 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

LOGO SILHOUETTEWhere Are the Engineering Evaluations of Aquarius?

There is a growing interest for the report from Hillman Engineering that indicates the work required to make the Aquarius property fully recertified according to the specifications of Broward County for buildings at their 40 year anniversary.

The full report is available by clicking here.

Please be patient it is a document of more than 23 MB and the download will take some time.

It is also of great interest to see the report prepared in 2014 by another Engineering firm. Click  HERE.

At this report ACG, the firm hired and paid for by the owners of Aquarius, made recommendations indicating the urgency of the repairs. Unfortunately, it was one of the several reports ordered and paid for by Aquarius that are sent to the archives with no action.

At the present time action is going to take place. It is not healthy to postpone anymore. The procrastination since 2009 can not continue. It is time to act.

Please support what should have been done several years ago for a fraction of the cost that is now necessary. To do it later will be more onerous and we may have the Broward County taking over the building and doing the work in their schedule with their cost. To follow the law represents savings, our schedule, our control, our taste for any change. Not bureaucrats from the County  just doing their job that is to keep the structure safe.

.o0o.

 

 

Posted in Committees, Construction & 50 & 40 Year Recertifications | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Buck Gupta and Cecilio-Augusto Berndsen respond to Mr. Abe Lederman

Posted on January 7, 2017 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

LOGO LOVEBuck Gupta and Cecilio-Augusto Berndsen respond to Mr. Abe Lederman

January 7, 2017

Abe !

Thanks for your support.  Most of the issues raised in your email have been addressed in Town Hall meetings; however, since you did not receive the information, I will try to address them in the same sequential manner.

The question concerning the voting by unit owners for approving enhancements at the East pool deck has not been presented for approval, pending the finalization of formal drawings being completed by our landscape architect and which are being exhibited in our lobby at this time.  Once the drawings were completed, a cost estimate for various options was generated by our engineer of record and presented to the unit owners in the Town Hall meetings.

A major breakdown by categories for $10,500,000 includes the following:
Replacement of the pool with a new design; replacement of all balconies; new glass railings;  a barbecue area; an outdoor covered patios for the restaurant;  a social gathering area; and a  sitting shaded area for patrons wishing to avoid the direct sun.  Also included in the above-referenced amount is the exterior painting of the buildings, once all the structural repairs have been completed.

The estimated amount of $1,000,000 for the elevators includes providing infra structure necessary for the safe operation of the elevators and meeting the current code requirements. It includes all six (6) elevators in both buildings and a complete replacement of one (1) elevator leading to the Gym  and West pool deck.

The estimate of $ 1,500,000 for hallways renovations includes the replacement of popcorn ceiling , new light fixtures, painting, and replacement of carpets. This scope of work covers all floors for both buildings.

An estimate for professional fees of $ 840,000 is subject to adjustments based on the final construction cost of the project.

As to your final question relative to unit owners having the options to pay principle and interest from day one needs to be worked out with our lender,  since there is no pre-payment penalty associated with our loan.

I do not know if I have answered all your questions.  Hopefully, I have provided you with all the information you requested.

Thanks again for seeking factual information!

Sent from my iPad

Buck Gupta, President of the Board of Directors of Aquarius

January 7, 2017

Dear Abe,

Thanks for asking clarifying questions that may be useful for many other owners.

I think Buck covered your questions very well.

Additional details of the plans may be found in the presentation given to owners in two recent “informational meetings.”

All the slides of the presentation can be seen if you click HERE.  They were posted elsewhere in this blog.

These presentations were prepared and given by Andrew Di Cesare, Engineer of Hillman, Thomas Linbentaun, Principal Architect of LAC and Victor Rocha our Treasurer of the Condominium.

William Coleman, Regional Manager of Atlantic-Pacific was also an active participant in the preparation of the presentation.

Wishing to you and your family a glorious 2017 I hope to see you soon!

Cecilio-Augusto Berndsen, Vice-President of the Board of Aquarius.

January 6, 2017

Hello Buck and Cecilio,
Happy New Year

I first would like to say that I thank you, back and applaud you both for the wonderful, unappreciated work that you both and the rest of the board are doing.
I do have a few questions that I hope either or both of you can answer. The only information that I received was the breakdown of the new assessment. I wasn’t informed of any voting, by the Aquarius owners, for the balcony railings or which configuration the east pool deck was agreed upon. I am assuming that the assessment will be adjusted depending upon the voting.
The next item is the Breakdown letter. There actually is no breakdown.
What does the $10,500,000.00 projected 40-year certification w/improvements involve?
What is the item breakdown to total the $10,500,000.00. Is it the pool area, barbecue area, painting the buildings with one or multiple colors. Balconies, plumbing etc.
You show elevator as $1,000,000.00. Is this for repair or replacement for one elevator or all six?
You have hallway restoration as $1,500,000.00. What will be done? Carpeting? Painting?
Popcorn removal? New light fixtures? Any additional trimming?  Will it include all floors?    Also was the professional fee of $840,000.00 paid or will there be an adjustment when the actual numbers are calculated?

The next item I would like you to consider is to add an additional column which can give everyone an option to pay down the loan which includes principle and interest from day one.
Make Aquarius great again,

Abe Lederman,
Unit 1706N

.o0o.

Posted in Board of Directors, Construction & 50 & 40 Year Recertifications, Finance | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Victor Rocha responds to a letter of Mr. Kim

Posted on January 7, 2017 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

LOGO BLUEVictor Rocha responds to a letter of Mr. Kim

Response to letter from Yulian Kin 803-N

Dear Aquarius Residents,

Yesterday a letter was e-blasted from a resident by the name of Yulian Kin of Unit 803-N. It was interesting to note that the subject matter writing style, syntax and format were almost identical to a letter previously published by the opposition to making Aquarius Beautiful Again. Once again, it’s a false narrative unsupported by facts, science, financial considerations and quite frankly, common sense.

I have a great deal of confidence that our Aquarian owners are very intelligent and as such I found said letter to be an insult to our intelligence. It is noteworthy that whoever is composing these letters, which are replete with outrageous falsehoods and lies, does not even respect the people to whom these lies and falsehoods are directed. At the very least, these folks should come up with a set of lies that have a modicum of truth in order to make them somewhat believable.

I expect to see more of these propaganda style missives in the near future as the election nears. Apparently, these tactics have worked before. Consequently, the folks who have previously used these tactics to their advantage will attempt to use them again. Their objective is not to safeguard and maintain the value of the building. Their goal is to be able to say to all their friends and acquaintances that they live on ocean front property. They fail to take into consideration that the property must be properly maintained and restored.

Please look around my dear residents. The proof is everywhere that the concrete is pulverizing before your very eyes. Aquarius must be restored in the proper fashion as recommended by sound engineering principles and BROWARD county code requirements. Rest assured that the science, the economic advantages and the common sense dictate that all balconies be replaced.

Have a Beautiful Aquarius Day!

Victor E Rocha PA, Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Aquarius
Admitted to Practice Law in Florida, New York and the District of Columbia.

Note from the webmaster: The letter from Mr. Kim is not
 being posted at this time because it was not
 submitted for publication at the site.
 Even as we do not agree with the points 
in that letter we will publish, if submitted to 
publication, and if it is not offensive, 
illegal or otherwise improper.

.o0o.

Posted in Board of Directors, Construction & 50 & 40 Year Recertifications | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Years Evening at Aquarius – Happy 2017

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

This gallery contains 13 photos.

.  New Years Evening at Aquarius – Happy 2017 everyone! The Aquarius restaurant Aqua Bistro prepared a special New Years celebration party. Many residents had the opportunity to taste delicious food and welcome the New Year with gusto. Check out … Continue reading →

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Special Assessment 2017 – Slides of the Presentation December 2016

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

AQUARIUS-3D logo Special Assessment 2017 – Slides of the Presentation of December 2016

These slides were presented at an informational meeting for the owners of the Aquarius Condominium. The presenters were: Messrs. Victor Rocha, Board of Directors Treasurer, Andrew Di Cesare, from Hillman Engineering and Thomas Laubenthal, Principal of Landscape Architect Consultants.

All figures here presented are tentative. Some items do not add to the 15 million dollars of the proposed Special Assessment of 2017 due to a variety of issues. Contracts are under negotiation, some items require Owners approval, cost variance is possible.

It is important to stress two important points:

  1. The Board of Directors is firmly committed to not let the total cost go over the 15 million dollars proposed.
  2. All the numbers are the result of serious diligence. Market surveys, estimates done by consulting experts, solicitation of proposals from vendors of excellent reputation were some of the tools used to put forward a firm, solid and comprehensive proposal. Due to the size and multiple aspects of the several projects, some adjustments are expected.

Special thanks should be given to Messrs. William Coleman, A|P Management Regional Manager and Leonard Finkelberg former Aquarius Cond. Board of Directors member. Mr. Coleman actively worked in securing credit to fund the project as well as have prepared several financial scenarios for the Board of Directors consideration. Mr. Finkelberg worked diligently revising the presentation numbers and indicated several necessary corrections.

Of course, the Board of Directors assumes complete responsibility for any mistakes or omissions of the presentation

If the show of slides does not appear in a clear way it is possible to view it by clicking  here.

.o0o.o0o.o0o.

Posted in Board of Directors, Construction & 50 & 40 Year Recertifications, Finance, Pictures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Payment plans for the 40 Year Re-Certification Project of Aquarius – Special Assessment 2017

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

AQUARIUS-3D logo Payment plans for the 40 Year Re-Certification Project of Aquarius

Special Assessment 2017 

First Payment March 2017

Intro

The purpose of this post is to give the owners a general and approximate idea of what is being studied with great care and with a strong effort to do everything in the best way, according to construction code, and in the most responsible and economic fiscal manner. The interest and safety of the owners of Aquarius is paramount!

What are the plans?  What is the estimated cost? 

This table has best estimate costs that need to be finally determined by the signature of the contracts with firms responsible for the work. Details for the improvements for the East Pool Deck have been presented in previous posts.2016-12-20-project-total-cost

Notes
* 40 Year Re-Certification project includes East Deck, Pool, Balconies with Railings, Sea Wall, Beach Access, Electrical and External Painting. Also included are the Professional Engineering Fees.

†  Mandatory items subject to Board of Directors vote. Some beautification items are subject to Aquarius Condominium Association membership approval as well.

‡ Discretionary items subject to Aquarius Condominium Association membership approval

How is this going to be paid up?

This is the next logical question. Everyone is aware that the Aquarius property needs repairs. The effort is to make this large project affordable by all. The idea is to minimize the hardship and at the same time and get the project completed in the shortest time possible with the minimum inconvenience.
The table bellow represents payment of the Special Assessment over a period of years. These numbers due to software round up are slightly (pennies) different from the official numbers. Take these a estimates only.
2016-12-20-all-nos-subject-change
The interest being charged in the credit line loan contract is of about 4.75% fixed for 17 years (2 years of interest only and 15 years for amortization).

Some owners are interested in a lump sum payment to avoid interest. Studies are being made to accommodate these payments decisions anytime during the payment of the Special Assessment.

Some owners, with excellent credit, are able to get – as individuals – lower rates than the Aquarius Condominium is being charged. It may make sense to borrow from the individual credit institution and pay the Special Assessment in a lump sum. It is a decision each owner must consider. The Association will make every effort to accommodate individual anticipated partial or full payment with the full discount of any future interest to be charged.

At the end of the 24th month, at the end of the project, there will be a “True Up.” It will be verified the total actually used in the credit line to pay for the construction and the balance will start to be paid up. This means capital plus interest.

The numbers in the tables above contains very conservative assumptions: 1) The construction will require the entire loan amount, 2) There will be some bad debt that will use up the contingency reserve, 3) The contingency will be consumed for very expensive unforeseen circumstances, 4) The interest only will be needed for considerable amount of the loan withdrawn at the beginning of the project, 5) Assumption 4) does not allow for any accumulation saved by a lower value utilized in the line of credit. All these conservative assumptions are not likely to occur but they have been considered in the planning to avoid additional charges and project interruptions. The use of careful planing prevents bad surprises down the future.

It must be repeated that these above numbers are assumptions. Final firm numbers will be more realistic after the celebration of the contracts with the General Contractor for the 40 Year Project, for the Elevators rehabilitation contract, for the contracts for the Hallways renovation and other items.

.o0o.

Posted in Board of Directors, Construction & 50 & 40 Year Recertifications, Finance | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment