Atlantic Broadband Contract: After close to two (2) months of negation with Mr. Mark Bluestein of Atlantic Broadband, The Board of Directors has signed a contract (8-24-2016) to upgrade the service and equipment in the building and offer the Association a bulk rate contract which would include:

• Over 270 Channels including Family, Sports, Movies and HD
• Value Programming
• Digital Tier Programming – including Starz and Encore premium movies, On Demand and Pay per view access
• One (1) High –Definition Digital Receiver per Unit
• Up to TWO (2) High-Definition DTA Receivers per unit as requested by unit owner/resident
• Internet Service per unit – 40Mbps to the modem – Equipment included. Company shall increase the contracted 40 Mbps internet bandwidth to 75 Mbps in early 2017 as part of a system wide upgrade at no additional charge to the Association
• Wireless Home Networking per unit – equipment included
• Wire Maintenance
• One (1) In-House Digital Channel
• The Lobby, Pool Area and Card Room will receive the above services for the term of the agreement
• The Association Office will also receive at no charge the internet service. Currently the Association is paying AT&T for the service separately.
• COST: $54.00 per unit per month plus taxes and fees. We are currently paying $32.34 which would have been going up and it didn’t include internet, HD and equipment which is valued at over $60.00 and the cost incurred by the unit owner separately.
• The upgrade, delivery and installation of the new equipment will take approximately 90 days to complete. We will not be charged till the new upgrade is up and running and equipment issued. The Association Office will keep the owners informed once we get scheduled.

Proposed Amendments: On August 10, 2016, A Proposed Amendment package was mailed out to each unit owner with the below cover letter: Dear Unit Owners, On Thursday August 4, 2016, at a duly noticed meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority(6-0) of the Board of Directors of the Presidential Condominium Owners Association, Inc. have approved of the proposed amendments to articles 11.12 and 16.2 of the Declaration and approved of the submission of the proposed amendments to the unit owners for approval. Under our current article 11.12 which reads that “No apartment owner shall own more than one apartment at a time”, we the Board of Directors agree and have seen that this is not enough in keeping a person or persons of owning multiply units in the Presidential Condominium. What is happening is that persons interested in purchasing additional units and has already a unit, these persons are creating Limited Liability Companies (LLC) throughout the country and titling the purchase under the company’s name. As unit owners and Board members, we cannot let this happen as we would lose control of the building.  This Board of Directors recommend unit owners vote to APPROVE the Proposed Amendment. Under our current article 16.2 which states, a resolution adopting a proposed amendment must bear the approval of not less than a majority of the Board of Directors and 75 percent of members of the Association. Well, that would be fine if all the unit owners would take the time to vote. The Board of Directors agree that new and more clearly written text should be added to article 16.2 stating action taken by the Board will require not less than approval by a majority of the Board of Directors and the approval of 75% of those members of the Association in attendance in person or by proxy at a duly authorized meeting called for that purpose. This Board of Directors recommend unit owners vote to APPROVE the Proposed Amendment. Enclosed are the new Proposed Amendments, voting certificate and your voting proxy. Should you have any questions completing the enclosed, please contact Monica Sosa in the Association office. Please make sure to mail, email or fax your vote in before the deadline date. 

Board of Directors

Unit owners, as most of you are aware, our governing documents are from the 1970’s with little or no revisions to keep up with today’s issues and government changes. We ask that each and every unit owner get involved by voting and making a difference……read over the material received and ask questions if you don’t understand the proposals. If you have not received a Proposal package, please contact Monica Sosa in the Association Office.  

Arbitration Case No: 2016-02-0673, Patrick McMahon, Petitioner V. Presidential Condominium Owners Association, Inc., Respondent. (DISMISSED): Relevant Procedural History on the challenging of the Associations leasing restrictions – On April 26, 2016, Patrick McMahon and Joseph Iacono (Petitioners) filed a petition for mandatory non-binding arbitration and a motion for temporary injunction, naming the Association as respondent. By order entered on May2, 2016, petitioners were required to file separate petitions. On May 9, 2016, Patrick McMahon (Petitioner) filed a separate amended mandatory non-binding arbitration petition and an amended motion for temporary injunction. Petitioner Joseph Iacono did not file a response to the May 2, 2016 order. On May 12, 2016, an order was entered denying the amended motion for temporary injunction. An order requiring answers was entered the same date. On May 19, 2016, the Association filed its motion to dismiss. On June 6, 2016, petitioner filed a response to the motion to dismiss. A case management conference was held on July 22, 2016. After the case management conference, the Association made certain filings. (SEE FINAL ORDER OF DISMISSAL) ON AUGUST 30, 2016, ASSOCIATION ATTORNEY KEITH BACKER (BACKER ABOUD POLIAOFF & FOELSTER) ADVISED THAT ON AUGUST 30, 2016, THE ASSOCIATION’S (WON) MOTION TO DISMISS WAS GRANTED AND DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.  The 2016 Board of Directors feel this WIN is another step to moving our building forward in the direction which is to: PROTECT, MAINTAIN, AND IMPROVE BUILDING PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY AND TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE OWNERS AND RESIDENTS OF THE APARTMENTS WITHIN THE CONDOMINUM.  A copy of the “FINAL ORDER OF DISMISSAL” is available in the Association office for your review.

PRESIDENTIAL CONDO NEWS

August 8, 2016

Dear Unit Owners,

In an effort to keeping you the unit owners aware of the ongoing progress or issues in the building, below is the latest news:

New Laundry Equipment: As a reminder, On July 13, 2016, Coinmach completed the installation of the new laundry equipment. The new washers and dryers do not use currency. In order to use them, a money card is needed. Once the card is empty of funds, value can be added to the card using the VTM Value Adder Plus located on the six (6) floor. All owners are entitled to the first “FREE” money card with three (3) dollars’ credit programed onto the card. To obtain your first free card, please contact Monica Sosa in the Association office during working hours. Any additional cards need to be purchased through the VTM machine at a cost of five (5) dollars.

Security Cameras: Installation of the security cameras is almost complete. Once the installation is complete, the vendor will begin patching up the holes that were made in order to feed the security wiring.

NOTE: Owners, Tenants and Guests…. As a few have already witnessed and been confronted, the cameras are doing their job. Please refrain from dumping anything other than trash or recyclables in the trash bins. Also, do not leave trash in hallways or old appliances and furniture anywhere in the building as you will be fined for the clean-up and disposal.

Packages: Please do not have packages delivered to your door and left there while you’re not home. We have received numerous complainants that packages have been disappearing. If you’re not home, the lobby security guard will accept and hold onto your package till you arrive or give it to Monica Sosa for safe keeping.

NOTE: If you have been a victim of a package disappearing, please advise the office in order to see if the cameras on your floor were installed and on-line the date of the incident.

Special Masters Case: On Thursday, August 4, 2016, Myself on behave of The Presidential Association and its Lawyer attended the mitigation special masters hearing (Special Masters Case No. JC14000455) for alleged failure to obtain a certificate of use for the condominium in a timely manner. The amount of the fines that had accrued including interest was $61,788.64.

I am pleased to report that after presenting our case and showing them the progress that this new 2016 Board of Directors did in such a short time working with the Building and Fire Department, the Special Master waived 100% of the fines imposed on the building. I would personally like to thank Vice-President Jeff Locke for all his time and effort spent in meetings regarding this special masters case and his commitment to the building and the association.

Board of Directors Meeting: On Thursday August 4, 2016, at a legal Board of Directors meeting, the Board of Directors invited our association attorney Mr. Keith Backer to address the unit owners in attendance to any questions that they might have regarding the pending arbitration case, language within our by-laws and the Federal and State law concerning the Fair Housing Law. I would like to THANK the following unit owners: Jeff and Linda Ringler, Silvia Rodriguez, Vincent DiPentino, Rynyvanett Osorio, Alina and Diego Castro and Barry Josepher who attended and participated in the Board meeting and asked excellent questions of the attorney.

Atlantic Broadband Contract: The Board of Directors has been working with Mr. Mark Bluestein from Atlantic Broadband to upgrade the service and equipment in the building and offer the Association a bulk rate contract which would include:

• Over 270 Channels including Family, Sports, Movies and HD
• Value Programming
• Digital Tier Programming – including Starz and Encore premium movies, On Demand and Pay per view access
• One (1) High –Definition Digital Receiver per Unit
• Up to TWO (2) High-Definition DTA Receivers per unit as requested by unit owner/resident
• Internet Service per unit – 40Mbps to the modem – Equipment included. Company shall increase the contracted 40 Mbps internet bandwidth to 75 Mbps in early 2017 as part of a system wide upgrade at no additional charge to the Association
• Wireless Home Networking per unit – equipment included
• Wire Maintenance
• One (1) In-House Digital Channel
• The Lobby, Pool Area and Card Room will receive the above services for the term of the agreement
• The Association Office will also receive at no charge the internet service. Currently the Association is paying AT&T for the service separately.
• COST: $54.00 per unit per month plus taxes and fees. We are currently paying $32.34 which will be going up and it doesn’t include internet, HD and equipment which is valued at over $60.00 and the cost incurred by the unit owner separately.

Life Safety Plan: The Board of Directors voted on August 4, 2016, to contract SLS Engineering for the new Life Safety Plan required by the City of Miami Beach. SLS was one of three bidding venders, the lowest in price and the most recommended for their experience working in major buildings and construction sites.

 Building Insurance Renewal: On July 19, 2016, Myself and Jeff Locke met with Joe Knapp Senior VP for Brown & Brown Insurance Company. This year our insurance renewal dropped $29,937.00 which includes everything.

NOTE: To clarify the savings, we are in a soft insurance market right now which means that we haven’t experienced any losses due to hurricanes. The savings comes from the wind policy. All of our coverages stay the same and no policy coverage was lowered to get the savings.

Elevators: The work on our elevators has been completed and our Certificate of Operation received from the City of Miami Beach. The new certificate expires 05/04/2017.

Short-Term Rentals: Short Term Renting at the Presidential Condominium is not permitted and is illegal. We are not a Hotel, Motel or a Time Share, we are a Residential Building.

We, the Association, have identified over TWENTY (20) unit owners that are currently working with the City of Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Greico and our attorney Keith Backer to address the on-going short term rental in the building.

IF YOU ARE A SHORT TERM RENTAL OWNER…. STOP YOUR ILLEGAL AND UNSAFE ACTIONS IMMEDIATELY. Furthermore, the unit owners involved in the illegal short term rental business at the Presidential Condominium are causing a security breech to the building, un-necessary wear and tear to our common area, extra work on our maintenance and cleaning personnel, additional costs for trash pick-up, excess water usage and just a total disregard for our governing documents and rules and regulations for their personal monetary gain.

 Residential Use: Owners please be familiar with our governing documents 12.1 when it come to the residential use of your unit. Also, please be advised that other Dade County Housing rules may apply to the amount of people/guests that your unit can occupy by the square footage of your unit.

Trash too Big for your BIN: Drop it off at one of Miami Beach’s bulk drop sites during wasteful weekends, which take place the first weekend of every month from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. at 500 block of Jefferson Avenue (east side of the street) or 75^th Street and Dickens Avenue. Please see the flyer below for information, dates and requirements.

(TRASH) click on this link now!

Dear Unit Owners,

In an effort to keep you the unit owners aware of the ongoing issues or progress in the building, below is the latest news at the Presidential Condo…

:Stair Railing / Graphing: On Monday, July 11, 2016, Fire Inspector Tamayo inspected the corrections made to the graphing on the stairwells. Inspection passed.

New Laundry Equipment: Finally, On July 13, 2016, Coinmach completed the installation of the new laundry equipment. The new washers and dryers do not use currency. In order to use them, a money card is needed. Once the card is empty of funds, value can be added to the card using the VTM Value Adder Plus located on the six (6) floor. All owners are entitled to the first “FREE” money card with three (3) dollars’ credit programed onto the card. To obtain your first free card, please contact Monica Sosa in the Association office during working hours. Any additional cards need to be purchased through the VTM machine at a cost of five (5) dollars.

Security Cameras: Installation continues of the security cameras. They have completed up to the 6^th floor of the building.

Our Security Guards: Would like to thank the owners who have come down to greet and meet the security team and offer them their backing. Please do not have packages delivered to your door. If you’re not home, the security guard will accept and hold onto your package till you arrive or give it to Monica Sosa to safe keep.

Board of Directors: On June 28, 2016, Vice President Alex Pretorian resigned from the Board of Directors. On July 14, 2016, at a legal Board of Directors meeting, Athan “Buster” Castiglia was nominated and voted to fill the Association open member seat. In the same meeting, the Board of Directors nominated and voted member Jeff Locke to the position of Vice President of the Association.

Life Safety Plan: We are still working on getting two additional vendor quotes to update our 1995 Life Safety Plan. It has been very difficult to get vendor participation because; 1.) They don’t like working with the City of Miami Beach because of all the red tape 2.) Not too many vendors that specialize in Life Safety Plan and 3.) Everyone is running to complete the waiver to retrofit of sprinklers and everyone needs a Life Safety Plan in addition to the waiver. Building Insurance Renewal: On July 19, 2016, Myself and Jeff Locke met with Joe Knapp Senior VP for Brown & Brown Insurance Company. This year our insurance renewal dropped $29,937.00 which includes everything. In 2013-2014 total premium was: $344,978 In 2014-2015 total premium was: $358,547 In 2015-2016 total premium was: $228,862

*Renewal this year 2016-2017 is: $198,925 SAVINGS OF $29,937.00  

Short-Term Rentals: Short Term Renting at the Presidential Condominium is not permitted and is illegal. We are not a Hotel, Motel or a Time Share. Violations of Ordinance numbers: 142-109, 142-905 & 142-1111 carry a first time offense penalty of $20,000.00. Fines double and triple for subsequent violations. IF YOU ARE A SHORT TERM RENTAL OWNER…. STOP YOUR ILLEGAL AND UNSAFE ACTIONS IMMEDIATELY. Furthermore, the unit owners involved in the illegal short term rental business at the Presidential Condominium are causing a security breech to the building, un-necessary wear and tear to our common area, extra work on our maintenance and cleaning personnel, additional costs for trash pick-up, excess water usage and just a total disregard for our governing documents and rules and regulations for their personal monetary gain. CITY OF MIAMI BEACH 

Vacation / Short-term Rentals Vacation/short-term rentals (less than six months and one day) have become popular alternatives to traditional hotels. However, pursuant to the Miami Beach City Code (Miami Beach Land Development Regulation – Chapter 142, Article IV, Division 3) vacation/short-term rentals are prohibited in all single-family homes and in many multi-family housing buildings in certain zoning districts of Miami Beach. (See Short-term Rental Map) Approved vacation/short-term rentals have the proper licenses and/or certificates of use that permits the activity. If a building or unit is found to be operating a short-term rental illegally, tenants/visitors will be evicted and fines will apply to the owner.

Residential Use: Owners please be familiar with our governing documents 12.1 when it come to the residential use of your unit. Also, please be advise that other Dade County Housing rules may apply to the amount of people/guests that your unit can occupy by the square footage of your unit.

Special Masters Case: On Thursday, August 4, 2016, The presidential Association and its Lawyers will be attending mitigation special masters court for fines of late compliance to Special Masters Case No. JC14000455. The amount that has accrued including interest is $61,788.64.

OTHER: Once we complete the Life Safety Plan study and the Association knows what is required to be updated or installed and its cost, we will then begin to form a committee to look into the remodel of the lobby area, card room and painting the interior of the building similar to our sister (465) building’s lobby and card room/gym.

Working for a Safer, Brighter and Better Tomorrow,

George Guerra, President – Board of Directors

.

The new Washer and Dryers were delivered and are being installed on all floors. The machines do not take money but take a prepaid card. The new cards will be available in the office starting July 13, 2016. Presidential Residents will need to contact Monica who will be responsible for issuing the cards.

The first card that each unit is issued (one per unit) is free and will contain $3.00 on the card. To refill your new card you must go to the 6^th floor laundry room and refill your laundry card with only $5, $10 & $20.00 bills (no change) in the card vending machine.

If you lose your laundry card you will able to purchase a new one from the laundry card vending machine located in the 6^th floor laundry room for $5.00.

The Presidential Condominium Board of Directors

There will be a Board of Directors meeting this Thursday, July 14, at 7 p.m. in the card room.  The AGENDA includes:

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM OF MEMBERS

3. PROOF OF NOTICE OF THE MEETING

4. APPROVAL OF PAST (2) MEETING’S MINUTES 6/30/2016

5. OLD BUSINESS

6. NEW BUSINESS

7. VOTE TO “REAFFIRM” THE ACCEPTANCE OF VP ALEX PRETORIAN RESIGNATION DATED 6/28/2016.

8. ACCEPTANCE OF ATHAN CASTILGLIA RESIGNATION FROM THE APPEALS COMMITTEE

9. BOARDS APPROVAL AND VOTE TO NOMINATE ATHAN

CASTIGLIA TO FILL THE ASSOCIATION OPEN MEMBER

SEAT

10. BOARD VOTE AND ACCEPTANCE TO APPOINT A NEW

VICE PRESIDENT FOR/OF THE ASSOCIATION

11. ADJOURNMENT

THE PRESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM BOARD OF DIRECTORS

_______________________________________________

The Board of Directors would like to thank everyone who has passed by and greeted our security team and welcomed their services. We would also like to express our apology for any delays or inconvenience that the first few days may have brought.

Installation of the new washer and dryers started Monday, July 11. Floors 2 thru 6 have been completed  with floors 7 thru 11 scheduled to be completed tomorrow. The New Smart Card Vending Machine will be located on the 6^th floor laundry room and also should be installed on Tuesday. Once Coinmach provides the Association with the first batch of cards, we will let you know so you can come and pick up your FIRST free smart card.

In other news, Monica Sosa said there has been a delay in depositing maintenance checks due to all of the extra work going on in the building.

Today at 10:00 a.m., Inspector Mr. Tamayo from the City of Miami Beach came by our building to inspect the graphing on the railings in the stairwells. Everything is correct and final approval will be given. The only thing missing is a few minor details that the Association pointed out to the vendor which should be completed next week.

Owners, don’t forget that our building has a web site. The site is: Presidentialsouthbeach.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS