Hurricane Charley Updates from the Board

Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - Note from Sandy Harwood

May 24, 2005 Letter - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Friday, May 20, 2005 - Letter to Owners from Benson's

May 5, 2005 Letter - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Sunday, April 17, 2005 - Note from Sandy Harwood

April 17, 2005 Update - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - Note from Sandy Harwood

March 2, 2005 Update - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Friday, February 18, 2005 - Note from Sandy Harwood

February 18, 2005 Update - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Friday, February 11, 2005 - Note from Sandy Harwood

Good news! The insurance adjuster has agreed to the scope of work submitted by Flagship. The insurance company's engineer has reviewed the engineering and concluded that the scope is necessary and right, thus not required strictly by code.

Therefore, all that needs to be done is Flagship and the adjuster to get together to agree on the price and we get a check, probably within two weeks.

Saturday, February 5, 2005 - Note from Sandy Harwood

February 5, 2005 Update - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Thursday, February 3, 2005 - Note to all owners from Larry Sween, Vice President

February 3, 2005 Note to Owners - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Saturday, January 22, 2005 - Note from Sandy Harwood

January 22, 2005 Update - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Monday, January 10, 2005 - Article FYI

Citizen's Insurance Article - Adobe Acrobat Format - click to open

This article explains some of the problems we (and many others in Florida) are facing with our insurance company. We are still working to get roof work started as soon as possible.

Thursday, December 23, 2004 - Note from Sandy Harwood

December 23, 2004 Update - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Wednesday, December 15 - Note from Sandy Harwood

Update to All:

This morning I met with our Contractor, Flagship (Cliff) and Engineer, Joe Bigos, and our management company, Benson's.

At present it is very disappointing that we have a contractor ready, have agreed on the Scope of Roof Work, have agreed on the details of the contract, yet we can't get started.

The holdup is the insurance company NOT responding to our scope or even paying for what we have done so far. In fact our adjuster ignores our telephone calls. This is causing not only delays, our drying contractor (DSI) has filed a 350,000 lien against our building because of not getting paid.

We have now contacted our attorney to contact the insurance company and adjuster to immediately settle this matter. We are losing time and money (rentals) and can't proceed with interior repairs because we have to get the roof started first.

All I can say is I'll keep all informed as to their response. But we must have the insurance company advise us on how much of the scope of project they will cover before we sign a contract.

Sandy Harwood

In addition, board member Pete Griffith would like to extend the following message to Sandy regarding this meeting:

Sandy,
Your meeting this morning was superb. You kept it on track, clean, and crisp. Important questions were answered, technical details clarified, decisions were made, and a sense of urgency for all who rent was part of each discussion. You insisted on immediate involvement of our council followed by Bonita's written notification (sent this afternoon) to FL State insurance supervisors emphasizing the way we are being penalized, ignored, and yanked around. Well done madam, this is a major prod in the right place directed to the right people. You are in there, fighting for your owners!
Pete

Monday, November 9 - Note from Sandy Harwood/Board Members

Please note that we will be discussing a special assessment at the upcoming annual meeting on November 20th at 1:00 p.m. The roof and all repairs/work from Hurricane Charley will be approximately $3 million. We estimate the special assessment to be $7,000 per unit. This amount will cover the painting project, hurricane deductible, parking lot and some landscaping. Our current loan will be paid off with the money we have in the bank.

There will also be an association board meeting on November 20th at 9:00 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn. All owners are welcome to attend that meeting. We look forward to seeing you at one or both meetings on the 20th.

Sunday, October 24 - Note from Sandy Harwood

Clarification on flat roof project - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Friday, October 22 - Letter to Owners from Sandy Harwood/Benson's

October 22, 2004 Letter To Owners - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Thursday, October 21 - Note from Benson's

Effective immediately, all calls for Tom Boehm (our building manager) should be directed to Benson's at 239-277-0718. Tom's cell phone number is no longer valid due to the volume of calls. Benson's will forward all inquiries as required.

Friday, October 8 - Note from Sandy Harwood

October 8, 2004 Update on Roof Repair - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Friday, October 1 - Note from Beverly LoTempio regarding insurance questions

Loss Assessment coverage: This covers what you will be assessed by the Association. The deductible on our building is presently $300,000. Therefore we will all have to cover the cost of the deductible. Almost all policies in Florida have this provision, but it is not really explained by the agents, so most of us are left with only the minimum. The minimum is $1000.00 which is included in your basic policy. Additional coverage is miniscule in amount. I think up to $5000 is an extra $5/$6 per year. Under the Hartford you can get $50000.00 of coverage for a mere $22 extra per year. Well worth the price.

Loss of Use - Loss of Rental - Check your policy for this provision. If you rent your unit or if it has become inhabitable because of the Hurricane you should be able to claim what you would have received in rentals. Documentation would be helpful - returned deposits, rental agents letter validating your loss of use.

Flood Insurance - This is strictly for rising water including waves and storm surges. Depending on your unit location you may be affected. Our building is insured totally for flood damage. It covers everything fixed to the property - walls, floors, etc. It does not cover personal contents. You can obtain flood insurance for personal use only.

We advise that you check with your agent and cover these suggested provisions.

Monday, September 27 - Note from Sandy Harwood

September 27, 2004 Update on Hurricane(s) - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Thursday, September 9 - Note from Sandy Harwood

September 9, 2004 Update on Hurricane(s) - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Monday, September 6 - Note from Mark Benson

Time to Reflect Document - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Monday, September 6 - Note from Sandy Harwood

September 6, 2004 - Update on Hurricane Frances - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Saturday, September 4 - Note from Sandy Harwood

Joe Adams Column from the News Press - Microsoft Word format - click to open

Saturday, September 4 - Note from Mark Benson

Casualty Loss Information - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Saturday, September 4 - Note from Larry Sween

Mr. Sween suggests that we all use the weather link (on our homepage at the bottom) to keep up to date on advisories during bad weather.

Friday, September 3 - Note from Mark Benson

We have heard some people are getting calls asking information about hurricane damage to their property and property of their associations.

They may say they represent FEMA or an insurance adjuster, or an attorney or whatever.

We don't know if this is some kind of scam but if you have any doubts or are suspicious of the questions please refer them to us.

239-277-0718

Friday, September 3 - Note from Sandy Harwood

September 3, 2004 - Update on Hurricane - Microsoft Word format - click to open

Tuesday, August 31 - Note from Sandy Harwood

Tom's new cell phone number is 239-850-4770. All insurance adjustors must call him when they get on property. Any requests for other maintenance should be made through Benson's directly. Tom's cell phone should only be used for adjustors or emergencies at this time.

Monday, August 30 - Note from Mark Benson

TAX NOTICE

All property owners in Lee County have or will receive a form from Lee County Property Appraiser Ken Wilkinson about hurricane damage.

We discussed this with his office and were told,

"It serves a two-fold purpose.

One purpose is for the property appraiser to identify those properties that need to be inspected prior to January 1, 2005. January 1 is the next property valuation date.

The second purpose was *informational* to us as taxpayers regarding the soon to be received Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (TRIM) and Mr. Wilkinson's and others efforts regarding hurricane relief. Right now they are just collecting information. In the event that the Florida Legislature decides to provide some sort of tax relief (like lowering the tax rate), they will be able to respond more readily with the damaged properties identified via this form. As of this point, there has been no decision regarding what if anything may happen regarding taxes."

POOL CAGES/FENCES

So far this may only apply in Cape Coral. Code enforcement officers will be patrolling the city. If they find a pool cage or fence down and with no protection, they will issue a warning. That will give the homeowner or association seven days to remedy the situation. After that, there is a three day warning and then a fine.

HURRICANE FRANCIS

Please monitor this very closely. Charley wasn't nearly as deadly as this one could turn out to be.

Monday, August 30 - Note from Sandy Harwood

Tom Boehm is now an employee of Benson. All owners with questions or problems should contact Dennis Boback at Benson's at 239-277-0718. Benson's wants to keep track of all calls to make sure they get answered.

Sandy has volunteered to go into damaged units to take pictures so you can see your unit for yourself. Send an e-mail to ladyharwood@aol.com with your unit number if you would like to have pictures taken.

Thursday, August 26 - Note from Sandy Harwood

If you have not been called by me (Sandy Harwood, President) your air conditioner is not crushed or damaged, that we are aware. All owners with damaged/unrepairable units have been contacted by telephone or email.

All condo units were dried, but we have no idea of the cost yet. It should be pretty standard in the industry (your insurance should know). The screens will be repaired by the association.

Just as precaution I would file a claim, and have it open until you can inspect your unit yourself.

Wednesday, August 25 - Note from Sandy Harwood

The association has retained Flagship Construction as general contractor to make repairs to 1231 & 1232 and to the roof. Our Engineer, Mr. Joe Bigos, has been retained to oversee design, construction, and create specifications for the project.

Doors, windows, and sheet rock are covered by the association wind policy, but we do have $300,000.00 deductible. The units have already been dried. Temporary roofs are on. Our best guess is that roof reconstruction will start 3-4 weeks after the engineering is finished.

Tuesday, August 24 - Notes from Mark Benson and Sandy Harwood

Condominium Association Insurance Coverage according to Florida Condominium Act - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

August 24, 2004 Update on Hurricane - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Monday, August 23 - Notes from Sandy and Mark Benson

Remarks regarding FEMA from Mark Benson at Benson, Inc. - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Note from Sandy Harwood - Insurance adjustors are being allowed on site. Your adjustor should call Tom at 239-850-4770 when they arrive ON SITE, and he will let them into your unit..

August 23, 2004 Update on Hurricane - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Friday, August 20 - Update on Status from Sandy Harwood

August 20, 2004 Update on Hurricane - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Wednesday, August 18 - Update on Status from Sandy Harwood

The resort area is still a hard hat area and only open to owners. However, if you have a caretaker that has a letter from the you, the owner, saying they can go in, they will be allowed. The crane was at our building today clearing the roof.

The hotel hopes to be up and somewhat running by September 1. That is the best guess at this time, and it could change daily. Rentals are still on hold – PMR is telling people at least 6 weeks, and we have to let that hold until we have more information.

If an owner has anything that needs attention, Sandy or someone on the board will contact them. If you don’t hear from the board, don’t do anything. Right now, the only contractors allowed on our site are the ones the association has hired.

The association is trying to utilize the material and labor we have available. We are very lucky to have the hotel on our side because they can make things happen.

Tuesday, August 17 - Update on Status from Sandy Harwood

August 17, 2004 Update on Hurricane - Microsoft Word Format - click to open

Tuesday, August 17 - Note from Sandy Harwood

Unit 637 recently installed new hurricane shutters and had absolutely no damage.

Monday, August 16 - Note from Scott Lodde

To All:

Sandy, Randy, myself and Tom Boehm went through all the units in the South Tower (with the exception of the Resort-controlled units) yesterday to conduct a preliminary assessment of the damage "inside" each unit. The Resort conducted a review of the units they control. We hope to get a copy of both assessments to Shannon Paolocci to post on the web site today (Monday, August 16th).

Yesterday we met with a company called in by Liberty Mutual to help with the clean-up -- Disaster Services, Inc. (DSI). DSI are specialists in water and wind damage restoration and will be performing the following services on behalf of ALL Owners in the South Tower:

cleanup

water extraction (if necessary)

window glass replacement (if necessary)

sliding door replacement (if necessary)

deodorization (if necessary)

roof damage repair and restoration

Our first priority is to get the building as weather tight as possible (i.e. roof repair, window and slider repairs). DSI hopes to have a crane on-site today large enough to get the debris off the roof and to cover the areas that are exposed to the elements to prevent any further water damage to the building.

Sandy and Randy are currently assessing the insurance issue with Oswald Tripp (our agent) and will get the claims process in motion. We will then be able to provide information to the owners on how to proceed with individual renter policies.

Sunday, August 15 - Note from Scott Lodde

Heavy damage to roof system

Some windows on East side of building (Parking lot side) broken (mostly 33 riser)

New windows held up on West side of building

A few screens ripped from screen enclosures

Heavy damage to trees

Roof debris on ground around building

Hotel held up very well

North Tower had similar damage to roof system

Sandy, Randy and myself just completed an inspection of the building around 4:00 PM today. There is heavy damage to both the North and South Tower roofing system. A substantial portion of the upper medal roof had been ripped off and is now laying on the ground. There are two areas where the roof subsystem (plywood underlayment) has also been ripped off. These areas are at the very top of the elevator riser and on the south end of the building -- above the Penthouse unit.

The corridor to the property is heavily damaged. Many of those beautiful trees that form the canopy are down or severely damaged.

The storm did blow out a number of windows in the building but only on the East (parking lot) side and primarily in the 33 riser. Although we did not get into many of the units, it appears that all the new windows on the West side of the building held up. I spoke with an owner in Unit 933 who mentioned that their bedroom window did leak during the peak of the storm but it appears that most of the water was coming in through the weep holes due to the extreme force of the wind.

The bottom line - WE GOT LUCKY! When the storm touched Sanibel Island it appeared that it might go right through Punta Rassa. At the last minute it veered North and cut across North Captiva (reports are that it cut a 400 foot hole through the island), then headed northeast through Port Charlotte. Sanibel and Captiva are devastated. Many homes down and roofs blown off. NO ONE is able to get across the Causeway until they access the damage to the bridge and the stability of the homes that are still standing.

The problem that was most feared before the storm (STORM SURGE) never developed. The 15-18 foot storm surge ended up to be much less. I was told that the water NEVER even got passed the grassy area on our property.

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