MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PLAZA EAST ASSOCIATION
August 27, 2008
Pursuant to notice the Board of Directors of
Plaza East Association, Inc. met in regular session on Wednesday
August 27, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. in Lobby #3, 4300 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort
Lauderdale, FL 33308. Directors in attendance were James Brady,
Donald Galczak, Rafick Henein, Richard Madey, Armando Namis, DiAnne
Shumard, Tim Smith, Alex Soufrine and John Toklucu. Also in
attendance was Property Manager David Beswick. Robert Buehler and
Jeanne Poore were not present. Mr. Smith chaired the meeting and
Mr. Beswick recorded the proceedings. The meeting was called to
order at 8:00 P.M. President Smith led the assembly in the Pledge
of Allegiance to the flag. As there is still no Secretary, Mr.
Beswick called the Roll, and a quorum was established.
Thereafter, it was announced that the Minutes of the July 30, 2008
Regular Board Meeting were not complete and were not ready for
approval. President Smith again called for volunteers to fill the
position of Board Secretary.
Treasurer’s Report
Thereafter, the Treasurer’s Report for July, 2008 was given
by Richard Madey. The report is attached to and made a part of
these minutes along with the Financial Statement provided by Ted
Perrella and Associates. Expenses for 2008 so far are slightly less
than seven twelfths of the annual budget. Assessment arrearages,
not including arrearages from the cooling tower special assessment,
are: a) with the attorney, $8,975 and b.) Non-attorney,
$2,189.
Thereafter, the matters of scheduling the window special assessment
payments and their amounts were discussed. Upon a motion by Mr.
Soufrine, seconded by Mr. Brady, it was unanimously voted to assess
the membership $550K on October 1, 2008, $150K on February 1, 2009,
$150K on April 1, 2009 and $100K on May 1, 2009.
Thereafter, upon motion by Mr. Madey, seconded by Mr. Brady, it was
voted to approve the Treasurer’s Report for May, June and
July, 2008 with Mr. Brady, Mr. Henein, Mr. Madey, Ms. Shumard,
President Smith and Mr. Soufrine voting in favor and Mr. Galczak,
Mr. Namis and Mr. Toklucu voting in opposition.
Thereafter, President Smith gave a brief President’s
Report
Manager’s Report
Thereafter, Mr. Beswick delivered the Manager’s Report, which
is attached to and made a part of these Minutes. The
Manager’s Report contained information on the garage
Engineering proposals, Concrete Restoration, The Key Fob system,
the Recreation Room Windows and proposed trash chute
cleaning.
Thereafter, Mr. Henein delivered a report of the recreation room
refurbishment. Mr. Henein recommended that the recreation room be
referred to as “The Ocean Room”. Mr. Henein reported
that the room is nearly complete and is awaiting the granite bar
top and the carpeting. The Committee is recommended that the rules
for use of the Ocean Room and video cameras be installed to monitor
the room. President Smith stated that, with luck, the next Board
Meeting could be held in the Ocean Room and that Plaza East had
received requests to attend the meeting from Fort Lauderdale City
Commissioner Christine Teel and State Representative Joe
Gibbons.
Old Business
President Smith reported that the Rules Committee has provided some
recommendations for revisions.
Thereafter, President Smith requested an opinion from Mr. Brady
regarding the matter of moving Association funds from Bankunited to
Banco Popular. Mr. Brady opined that it was a function of the
Treasurer and Manager but that it might be good to have an
affirmation. On a motion by President Smith, seconded by Mr.
Toklucu, it was voted to ratify the actions of the President,
Treasurer, Accountant and Manager in moving Association funds from
Bankunited to Banco Popular to safeguard the funds using FDIC
guarantees, and that the Secretary draft a resolution to that
effect. The motion was carried with Mr. Brady, Mr. Galczak, Mr.
Madey, Ms. Shumard, President Smith, Mr. Soufrine and Mr. Toklucu
voting in favor and Mr. Henein and Mr. Namis voting in
opposition.
New Business
Thereafter, Ms. Shumard spoke on the desirability of producing a
monthly newsletter to keep the membership better informed of news
and events concerning the Association and the building. Ms. Shumard
will ask for volunteers to assist with the project.
Thereafter, the matter of selection of an Association Attorney was
discussed. President Smith recommended that the Contract Review
Committee be employed to vet possible candidates. It was also
recommended that Randall Roger be retained until the process is
complete. The Board restated the prohibition that only the Board
President and the Property Manager may contact the Association
Attorney.
Thereafter, the pro’s and con’s regarding the matter of
leasing condo units was discussed. It was mentioned that there were
probably a number of improper rentals taking place, in violation of
the Rules and Regulations. The consensus seemed to be that it was
desirous to have the rules concerning limits on guests enforced.
The suggestion was made that, should any member of the Association
observe what is perceived to be a violation of the Rules and
Regulations, that violation should be reported to Security or
Management so that something could be done about it.
Thereafter, the matter of the letters being circulated to
Association Members by a group calling themselves “concerned
Citizens’ was discussed. Mr. Henein asked for an opinion of
the recall letter being circulated from those Board members whose
names did not appear on the letter. Opinions were stated by Mr.
Brady, Mr. Madey and Mr. Namis. Mr. Toklucu asked that this matter
be revisited at the next meeting. Mr. Madey moved that the Board go
on record as being opposed to an equity line of credit. The motion
died for lack of a second. A discussion took place between members
of the Board of Directors and Mr. John Steinbrecher of Unit 9L,
whose name appears on the bottom of the “Concerned
Citizens” letter. Mr. Steinbrecher stated for the record that
he did not author the letter bearing his name and was not consulted
before the letter was circulated.
Respectfully Submitted,