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Facts and Myths on Proposed Assessment 2015 May 7th., 2015 On a Town Hall meeting at the Cascade Room Orlando Herrera, 805S, presented “Facts and Myths” on the new assessment 2015 for the Aquarius Condominium. The new assessment is … Continue reading
AQUARIUS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC.2751 South Ocean Drive, Hollywood, Florida 33019
Phone: (954) 921-7924 Fax: (954) 921-9768 www.aquariuscondo.com e-mail: aquariuscondo@comcast.net
Notice of Members Meeting to Recall Director Joel Cohen Pursuant to Rule 61B-23.0027, Florida Administrative Code
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a meeting of the members of Aquarius Condominium Association, Inc., will be held at the following date, time and place:
DATE: Thursday, May 14, 2015
TIME: 7:00 PM
PLACE: Cascade Room
AGENDA: The order of business for the Members meeting of the Association shall be as follows:
Dated: May 4, 2015
The Board of Directors
Aquarius Condominium Association, Inc.
Sunsentinel, Friday May 1st. 2015
Hallandale Beach’s tourist accommodations got a major boost Friday with the opening of the new European-style Beachwalk Resort.
The $150 million, 33-story condo-hotel has been called the city’s biggest development project since the Gulfstream Village expansion in 2007.
“It is significant and perhaps significant of times in Hallandale Beach,” said Keven Klopp, the city’s director of development. “We’re glad to see resurgence in the city.”
Beachwalk is expected to help change the perception of Hallandale Beach trailing Hollywood and Aventura as a tourism destination, and also help lift the city’s ranking in tourist tax collection, Klopp said.
“We’re on the beach yet we’re No. 12 in tourist tax collection in Broward County,” he said, citing 2013 tax data, the latest available.
That year, Hallandale accounted for 1.3 percent or $611,427 of the nearly $48 million in tourist taxes collected in Broward, according to data compiled by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. The top three collectors were Fort Lauderdale (48.9 percent); Hollywood (15 percent) and Dania Beach (7.6 percent).
Beachwalk also is stirring keen interest from other developers of traditional hotels and condo-resorts, attracted by the redevelopment underway and city improvements proposed or in the pipeline, Klopp said. “We have many positive things happening.”
Developed by The Related Group in Miami, the 216-unit Beachwalk condo-resort boasts two-bedroom suites that can be divided into separate one-bedroom suites and standard hotel rooms for tourists and locals to enjoy when owners aren’t living there.
“We manage and operate Beachwalk as a regular hotel,” said Benjamin Caban, director of sales and marketing, noting that condo owners can opt in to its rental program to earn a percentage of sales when units are rented as hotel rooms.
Beachwalk is the first South Florida property for Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, a Utah management company that specializes in upscale independent hotel properties.
All units were sold out eight months before construction started, Caban said.
The condo-hotel also houses 84 private residences whose owners have access to an exclusive lounge, bar and rooftop pool, among other amenities.
When Related Group launched sales of the condos and residences in February 2013, prices ranged from $399,900 to $699,900.
Beachwalk’s entrance and lobby showcase contrasting hues of red, blue, gray and white, while artwork curated by Related Group CEO Jorge M. Perez is dotted throughout the property.
Italian design house Pininfarina, known for its work in the automotive industry with brands such as Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and BMW, created the condo-hotel’s interior design. Rooms are decorated in soft earthy palettes of white and brown and feature contemporary Italian furnishings.
“We have close to 1,000 room nights already on the books for May and [occupancy] the first three months of opening is looking great,” Caban said. “We’re excited. This is definitely a new beginning for Hallandale Beach.”
Now through July 31, Beachwalk is offering nightly rates from $129 to $249 depending on room category, Caban said.
The resort’s restaurant — Beachwalk Bistro & Market — is set to open by mid-May serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and will also offer grab-and-go items. The hotel also offers an infinity-edged outdoor pool, fitness center, free bicycles for city touring and a complimentary shuttle service to the Hollywood Broadwalk, Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino and Aventura Mall.
A $20 per room daily resort fee covers the cost of the shuttle service and Wi-Fi access in hotel rooms and public areas, Caban said.
Beachwalk, at 2602 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd., also will shuttle guests for free in an electronic buggy cart to the beach and to its beach club — Hyde Kitchen & Cocktails, which will also open later in May.
Hyde Kitchen sits behind Beachwalk’s sister property, the Hyde Resort & Residenences, which is being built just outside city limits in Hollywood. The beach club will offer towels, beach chairs and umbrellas, and Mediterranean-inspired food and beverages.
Beachwalk, with its modern and chic offerings, should regentrify Hallandale Beach tourism, not unlike Fort Lauderdale’s transformation from spring break mecca to a more family-oriented and upscale vacation destination, said real estate analyst Jack McCabe of Deerfield Beach.
Hallandale doesn’t have the concentration of tourist lodgings as some of its neighboring beach communities. Prior to Beachwalk, it offered a handful of chain hotels and motels such as a Best Western Plus, Knights Inn and Hampton Inn, and mom and pop properties.
“Without a doubt it will be a real positive for the marketplace,” McCabe said.
As the only city in Florida with two racinos — Gulfstream Park and Mardi Gras — Hallandale Beach has the potential to attract more tourism development, Mayor Joy Cooper said in an email Thursday, while vacationing overseas.
Tourism officials welcomed Beachwalk and said it will attract a multigenerational market, a growing market.
“[Beachwalk] is the first new luxury hotel in Hallandale Beach and it is a great reflection of how Broward’s hotel industry is growing,” said Nicki E. Grossman, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale tourism bureau. “This is an exciting time. … there are more than $704 million in new hotel developments already underway and many more projects on the horizon.”
For information, go to beachwalkresortfl.com or call 844-594-7246
asatchell@sunsentinel.com, 954-356-4209 or Twitter@TheSatchreport
Sunsentinel May 1st., 2015
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Could it happen here?
Washington Post, May 1st. 2015
Updated 4:36 p.m.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a press conference Friday afternoon that all construction workers and employees of the surrounding buildings have been accounted for, but because it is a public parking garage, it is possible that people could be trapped.
One search-and-rescue dog on the scene had a possible “hit” on a cadaver, she said.
Bowser said that the operation at the Watergate has shifted from a search-and-rescue mission to a recovery.
Updated at 12:40 p.m.
All people are now accounted for after a three-story parking garage collapsed at the Watergate complex, according to DC Fire and EMS Department spokesman Oscar Mendez.
One person was transported to the an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Originally posted at 12:00 p.m.
A three-story parking garage collapsed at the Watergate complex on the 2600 block of Virginia Avenue NW just after 10 a.m. Friday morning. As of 11:30 a.m., one person was still missing, according to DC Fire and EMS Department spokesman Oscar Mendez.
The structure has been under construction and suffered what officials are calling a “pancake collapse”—a collapse in which one floor falls on top of another. Fire department personnel and officials from the District’s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs are currently at the scene.
“We are still working to rescue that one person,” says Mendez.
Some Watergate complex buildings have been evacuated, including the iconic Watergate Hotel.
The hotel is undergoing a $125 million renovation that promises to restore glamour to the once high-end hotel inside the 10-acre Watergate complex made famous by the 1972 burglary that led to the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon.
Between 200 and 250 construction workers are on site each day, according to the developer.
Washington Post, May 1st., 2015.
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Aquarius Condominium Valet Area | 1. General Requirements | 4/27 – 5/20 |
| 2. Submittals | 4/27 – 5/1 |
| 3. Permitting | 4/27 – 5/15 |
| 4. City Delay | 4/27 – 5/15 |
| 5. General Mobilization | 5/18 – 5/20 |
| 6. Demolition | 5/21 – 6/25 |
| 7. Concrete / EIFS / Masonry / Pavers / Sand | 5/21 – 6/18 |
| 8. Waterproofing Membrane | 6/5 – 6/25 |
| 9. Structural Repairs & Plumbing Upgrades | 5/29 – 9/28 |
| 10. Phase 1 | 5/29 – 6/25 |
| 11. Phase 2 | 6/26 – 7/24 |
| 12. Phase 3 | 7-27 – 8/21 |
| 13. Phase 4 | 8/24 – 9/21 |
| 14. Phase 5 | 9/22 – 9/28 |
| 15. Replacement Garage Entrance Gate | 6/19 – 6/25 |
| 16. New Concrete/Stucco Work | 9/29 – 10/19 |
| 17. Construction Fountain / Curbs | 9/29 – 10/19 |
| 18. Re-Construction South Perimeter Wall | 9/29 – 10/19 |
| 19. Re-Surfacing Exterior Perimeter Wall | 9/29 – 10/19 |
| 20. Re-Surfacing Stone Cladding | 9/29 – 10/5 |
| 21. Construction of New Valet Soffit | 9/29 – 10/19 |
| 22. Waterproofing | 10/20 – 12/16 |
| 23. Cold Applied WP Membrane at Paver Area / Planters | 10/20 – 12/9 |
| 24. Cold Applied WP Membrane at Parking Area | 12/3 – 12/16 |
| 25. Exterior Painting | 12/17 – 12/31 |
| 26. Replacement Storefront | 12/24 – 12/31 |
| 27. Installation Sand / Pavers / Bumpers | 12/10 – 12/31 |
| 28. Re-Striping Parking Area | 12/17 – 12/18 |
| 29. Install New Glass Railing | 12/21 – 12/23 |
| 30. Demobilization | 1/1/16 – 1/4/16 |
C.Berndsen 05/2015
Dept. of Business DBPR versus Aquarius Condo. Ass. – April 24, 2015State of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Florida Condominiuns, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes DBPR
versus
Aquarius Condominium Association, Inc
Background:
1. The Aquarius Condo. Ass. failed to provide access to documents to the unit owner Ira R. Bell on April 24, May 1 and May 18 of 2014.
2. DBPR conducted an investigation and found the Aquarius Condo. Ass. in violation of the law.
3. On April 13 of 2015 the President of the Board of Directors agreed with a consent order to pay a fine of $ 807.00, provide Mr. Bell with the access to the documents and post the agreement available in a link bellow.
4. With this the Aquarius Condo. Association avoids further litigation and costly fines.
The Consent Order can be examined HERE. A .pdf format file will open in a new tab.
DBPR Case Number 2014021345. Consent Order filed 4/24/2015
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The paragraphs of this Addendum to Change Order No. 20 to the Contract between Aquarius Condominium Association, Inc. (Association) and Contracting Specialists, Inc. – South East (Contractor) are intended to modify or supplement the Contract and prior change orders as and to the extent set forth herein, and the terms hereof shall control in the event of any conflict. Otherwise, the Contract and all prior change orders remain in full force and effect.
Association and Contractor agree as follows:
1. The amount of liquidated damages shall be increased from Two Hundred and 00/100 ($200) per day to One Thousand and 00/100 ($1,000) per day as related solely to the scope of work connected with the valet area of the Association property and that may have been specifically identified within change order number 20. All other contract work or change order work shall continue to be governed by a Two Hundred and 00/100 ($200) per day liquidated damage provision as set forth within the Contract. All parties acknowledge that no liquidated damages are due at this time and this change is intended to cover the circumstances where liquidated damages may become due as related to the scope of work indicated specifically above, but is not intended to imply that such are currently due related to that scope of work or otherwise.
2. There currently exists a claim that has been made by the Association against a subcontractor, Hollywood Stone Paving, related to flood or water damage from the west pool deck all the way to the lobby and meeting rooms of the Association’s property (the “Paving Flood Claim”). In connection with and consideration for the increase of potential liquidated damage amount set forth within paragraph 1 above, the Association hereby agrees that it will not sue Contractor, or assert or make any claim against Contractor, for damages, losses, or expenses in any way associated with the Paving Flood Claim.
The parties have set their hand and seal this 23rd. day of April, 2015, signifying their agreement with all of the above.
Wallace L. Frigon Sr., CEO (seal) Contracting Specialists. Inc.-South East
Joel Cohen, VP (seal) Aquarius Condominium Association, Inc.
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Aquarius Condominium Association
Meeting of the Board of Directors
April 21, 2015
Present: Joel Cohen, John Youssef, Linda Satz and Andy Surdovel, General Manager
Also Present: Owners
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 1:20 pm.
Certification of a Quorum and Proof of Notice was verified.
Aquarius Restaurant Lease: Paul Finfer discussed the lease. He and Judge Ort worked on it together. The lease was originally developed in 2003 or 2004. They are using the same lease, but added additional items. They are happy with the lease. Mr. Sholmo Benlulu, an Israeli citizen came to the U.S. 25 years ago. He has a green card and previously had a restaurant in Queens. N.J. for 18 years and had food reviews. He later opened a ladies high-end retail store in Hallandale and has decided he wants to go back into the restaurant business. He will be open 6-7 days a week: 7 am – 11 am Breakfast, 12 pm – 3 pm, Lunch, and 5 pm – 8 pm Dinner. He will have a Deli Counter for Sandwiches and Smoothies and will provide his own insurance. The lease is for 36 months, with a cancellation clause after 30 days. After one year the lease will be renegotiated. The lease will be effective June 1, 2015 to May 31, 2016 and we have a final draft. He will be allowed a two week vacation, but can take it only in the summer months. There will be no rent for the 1st. year to give him an opportunity to build the business and the lease is renegotiable after twelve months.
Joel Cohen moved to accept the lease, Linda Satz seconded and the vote was unanimous. The motion was approved to large applause.
Aquarius in-House Security: A discussion was held about combining the security and valet into one unit and hiring a staff of security personnel. Comments were made about contractors corning in illegally, current security agents not knowing the building and residents.
Joel Cohen moved to approve, John Youssef seconded and the vote was unanimous. Motion was approved.
Line of Credit: The reason for a line of credit was discussed. Some residents cannot afford to pay the special assessment as required and the Association having a line of credit would assist those residents and would be used only if needed. A construction loan would be a lien against the building and a Line of credit would not and would benefit those who cannot pay. It doesn’t affect those that can pay in full.
Joel Cohen moved to approve a line of credit for $4 Million from Executive Bank, John Youssef seconded, approve unanimously. Motion was approved.
Flood Damaged Lobby Furniture: A motion was made to donate the flood damaged lobby furniture to Faith Farm. It was decided to instead to just destroy the furniture.
CSI contract for Valet Deck: CSI would do entire job, valet deck and will be done in 5 phases. New garage doors will be put in place and should be complete by December 15, 2015. There will be a $1,000 a day penalty for not completing on time. Perimeter wall is too heavy and needs to be cut down. The new wall will be lighter.
Joel Cohen moved to approve the CSI Contract, John Youssef seconded, unanimous. The motion was approved.
Project Manager: Joel made a motion to hire a project manager for the Valet Deck Project. John Youssef seconded, unanimous. The motion was approved.
Joel Cohen made a motion to adjourn seconded by John Youssef, unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 pm.
Joel Cohen, Vice President
Board of Directors Meeting – April 21, 2015 1:00 PM Cascade Room
Location: Cascade Room
Agenda
Note: Any unit owner that wishes to speak on an agenda item will have 3 minutes.
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Contract with Sharma Accountant Firm
Estimated Cost of this Contract for Accounting Services
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Aquarius Condominium, Hollywood Florida - Not ACA site 