Proper garbage containers and recycle bins as well as yard clippings need to be placed on right of ways

To: General Membership

From:Board of Governors

Date:April 28, 2008

Subject: Garbage Containers, Recycle Bins and Clipping Piles on Right of Ways

Please note that all garbage containers are to be kept on your property within twenty feet of the rear lot line, Section 21-47(b) City of Coral Gables Code. Trash pick up day is Monday and you may start placing your bulk trash out at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
We ask for your cooperation in making our community a more attractive place by adhering to City Code. Please be aware that the City Code Enforcement Officer will be strictly enforcing all offensives.

Please inform your employees not to place any type of garbage or trash; such as cardboard boxes, tires, plastic, appliances, furniture, or industrial wastes or recycling material on your parkway. Please instruct your employees and landscape providers not to place clippings on anyone else’s property or right of way. This practice is prohibited in Gables Estates and is a violation to City Code.

With these steps, our members will be eliminating unsightly debris from the right of ways. Together we can make a tremendous difference in upgrading our boulevards’ appearance immediately with very little effort.
Your Board thanks you in advance for your cooperation with taking the time to speak with your staff and landscape provider with this matter.

March Security Meeting

A Security Meeting took place at the home of Chairperson, Mrs. Cristina Miranda, 410 Leucadendra Drive on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Present were: Mr. Rene Guerra, President, Mrs. Cristina Miranda, Chair; Ms. Maria Ortega from MTO Investigations and Kathleen Richardson, Administrator to the Board of Governors.

Recap: Ms. Ortega was hired as a consultant to review the tags of the evening and morning of 2/26-2/27 and tapes from the post and report back to this Security Committee her findings and recommendations.

Ms. Ortega was welcomed to the meeting. Ms. Ortega stated the Wackenhut Officers need to be retrained to complete the traffic tags uniformly, concise and legibly detailing the make of vehicle, color of vehicle, licence tag and amount of occupants.

Ms. Ortega stated that the infra red camera is not working and has not been working since January 21st. That the replacement camera is not on site and this is unacceptable. She discussed her concerns with the malfunctions and lack of visibility of the camera systems. She discussed the poor lighting and flood lighting of the cameras making the visibility difficult. She questioned why Wackenhut had not addressed this issue as a security concern. She stated Security Sound Systems should be held accountable for correcting the poor visibility at night and continuos dropping of the Old Cutler Road camera system. Ms. Ortega stated that all the cameras, including the waterway cameras, should be working twenty four hours per day. She recommended using a service agreement for this purpose. She added that Wackenhut should document all discrepancies and make sure being addressed. The Wackenhut company should provide professional knowledge to assure the cameras are installed and working properly for their staff.

Ms. Ortega stated the workers and contractors going into the community are not being logged in by the security staff. Even though the security staff may know the workers and contractors, she advises that they be logged in the traffic log each time they enter the community.

Kathleen stated Wackenhut management had designed a new traffic log which was implemented on the post as of yesterday. She added that she is awaiting the new document promised by Mr. Esquivel from Wackenhut which will detail that management is viewing the traffic logs against the tapes and reporting discrepancies to this Security Committee. Ms. Ortega recommended that Wackenhut run a license check on the tags in questions from 2/26-2/27 and see what comes back from the DMV.

Mrs. Miranda recommended using a portable stop sign to stop traffic at the entrance when the power goes out and the arms no longer function until the power goes back on.

Mr. Guerra once again discussed the gap between the gate and fence on the Hector property off Old Cutler Road and Arvida Parkway. Kathleen will discuss this with the property owner to see if this can be corrected.

Ms. Ortega recommended scheduling regular meetings with Wackenhut management to review the post protocol and hold Wackenhut management accountable for assuring the quality of the service on the post.

Ms. Ortega recommended hiring a security consultant to review the entire security operation.

Kathleen stated that all officers must be trained to properly operate the security cameras and that Wackenhut management must hold true to their commitment to review the traffic tags and tape at least once a month and give a written report to Gables Estates for quality control.

Mr. Guerra requested a complete inventory of all items and a form having authorized person/s sign prior to removing items from the post: 1) Wackenhut Inventory on site, 2) Cameras, Monitors and support equipment on site and 3) Gables Estates supplies and inventory on site. Ms. Ortega stated Kathleen should check and account for the inventory every thirty days.

Kathleen was instructed to implement Ms. Ortega’s recommendations and to address the Site Supervisor seeking corrections to the post immediately.

Mrs. Miranda agreed to write a letter to Wackenhut management going over the consultant’s findings with a copy of the consultants report enclosed. Mrs. Miranda will include in her letter that the consultant will do a follow up review in 30, 60 and 90 days.



There being no other business the committee adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Mrs. Cristina Miranda, Chair

Mr. Rene Guerra, Co-Chair

ANNUAL MINUTES OF OCTOBER 25, 2007 MEETING

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF GABLES ESTATES CLUB, INC., TOOK PLACE AT FAIRCHILD TROPICAL GARDEN, BALLROOM, 10901 OLD CUTLER ROAD, MIAMI, FLORIDA AT 7:30 P.M. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2007.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

MR. BILL MIRANDA, PRESIDENT, CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND WELCOMED THOSE PRESENT. MR. MIRANDA INTRODUCED THOSE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: MR. RENE GUERRA, SECRETARY, DIRECTORS; MRS. SISSY RUFFE, WHOM HE THANKED FOR A GREAT JOB SHE HAD DONE AND IS DOING ON THE BEATIFICATION COMMITTEE, MR. JACK ROSS, MR. DANIEL CANEL, MRS. TRISH BELL, WHOM HE THANKED FOR HER WORK WITH THE ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE AND MR. BILL BOX.

MR. MIRANDA THANKED THOSE MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE AND STATED THE ANNUAL MEETINGS ARE THE BEST FORUM FOR MEMBERSHIP TO DISCUSS THEIR ISSUES WITH THE BOARD AND VERY FEW PEOPLE ATTEND THESE MEETINGS.

PROXY REPORT

MR. CANEL, CHAIR OF THE PROXY COMMITTEE GAVE THE FOLLOWING REPORT:

THERE ARE 193 VOTING INTERESTS IN GABLES ESTATES, EVERYONE OWNING A LOT IN GABLES ESTATES IS ENTITLED TO VOTE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH FLORIDA STATUE 617.305 (a). FLORIDA STATUTES 617.305(1) PROVIDES THAT 30% OF THE VOTING INTEREST SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM. 30% x 192 = 57.90 VOTING INTERESTS SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM. THE NUMBER OF INTERESTS VOTING BY PROXY IS 63. THE NUMBER OF INTERESTS VOTING IN PERSON IS 11. THE TOTAL NUMBER VOTING IS 74; THEREFORE, WE HAVE A LEGAL QUORUM. SIGNED: MR. DANIEL CANEL, CHAIR.


MINUTES
- APRIL 26, 2007


MR. MIRANDA ASKED FOR A MOTION TO BE MADE THAT THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF APRIL 26, 2007 BE WAIVED AND BE ADOPTED AS CIRCULATED TO THE MEMBERSHIP. A MOTION WAS SO MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

NOMINATIONS TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS



MR. GUERRA, CHAIR STATED THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE MET AT THE HOME OF THE CHAIR, MR. RENE GUERRA, 650 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE, ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2007, AT 7:00 P.M. THOSE SERVING ON THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE WERE: CHAIR; MR. RENE GUERRA, MRS. PAT BOHN, MR. BILL BOX, MR. SALVADOR JURADO, AND MR. GONZALO PALENZUELA,

NAMES OF PERSONS NOMINATED:

MR. ANTONIO ARGIZ OF 395 CASUARINA CONCOURSE

MRS. BUNNY BASTIAN OF 140 ARVIDA PARKWAY

MRS. TRISH BELL OF 100 CASUARINA CONCOURSE/457 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE

MR. BILL MIRANDA OF 410 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE

IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED THAT THE ABOVE FOUR (4) NAMES WOULD BE PRESENTED FOR NOMINATION TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

ALL FOUR (4) MEMBERS HAVE AGREED TO SERVE ON THE BOARD. MR. GUERRA ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY ADDITIONAL NOMINATIONS TO BE MADE FROM THE FLOOR. HEARING NONE: NOMINATIONS ARE CLOSED AND MR. GUERRA WELCOMED THE FOUR NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS TO THE BOARD.

ADMISSION COMMITTEE

MRS. BELL READ AND WELCOMED THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS APPROVED SINCE THE CLUB’S LAST SEMI ANNUAL MEETING, SIX MONTHS:

MR. AND MRS. FERNANDO CAMPOS, 431 ARVIDA PARKWAY

MR. AND MRS. AGUSTIN HERRAN, 500 ARVIDA PARKWAY

PROFESSOR AND MRS. MATTHEW HUDSON - 105 ARVIDA PARKWAY AND MR. AND MRS. RANDALL FIORENZA - 530 ARVIDA PARKWAY, MRS. SANDRA FIORENZA WAS PRESENT AND WELCOMED BY THE MEMBERSHIP.

BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE

MRS. RUFFE, CHAIR OF THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE STATED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ARVIDA AND CASUARINA GATEHOUSES ARE COMPLETE AND FINAL C.O. SHOULD BE GIVEN ONCE THE ITEMS ON THE PUNCH LIST ARE FULFILLED. THE CASUARINA ENTRANCE SIGNS ARE INSTALLED AND THATCH PALMS WILL BE PLANTED BEHIND THEM SHORTLY. MRS. RUFFE STATED SHE IS CURRENTLY LOOKING AT BIDS FOR SCROLL WORK TO BE PLACED ON THE CORNERS OF EACH SIGN. THE LANDSCAPE LIGHTING FOR ARVIDA AND CASUARINA ENTRANCE IS UNDERWAY. LANDSCAPE LIGHTING ON CASUARINA WILL START FROM OLD CUTLER AND END AT THE NEW GUARDHOUSE.

MRS. FRIDMAN ADDRESSED THE BOARD WITH SEVERAL CONCERNS REGARDING TREE TRIMMING, DRAINAGE CLEANED OF DEBRIS, LANDSCAPING AND IMPROPER CLIPPING DISPOSAL ON CASUARINA CONCOURSE. DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE.

SECURITY COMMITTEE
MR. RENE GUERRA
, CHAIR OF SECURITY, GAVE THE FOLLOWING REPORT:


THE ARVIDA CAMERAS ARE 100% UP AND RUNNING, THIS INCLUDES WATERWAY CAMERAS AT ALL LOCATIONS; RILEY, DIAZ, POTAMKIN, ORTEGA AND MIRANDA- VACANT LOT. THE ENTRANCE CAMERAS INCLUDE SIDE VIEWS, LICENSE PLATE AND IN AND OUT VIEWS WITH ONE CAMERA FACING INTO THE COMMUNITY. THE CASUARINA CAMERAS ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE ON ARVIDA. INSTALLATION OF THREE OLD CUTLER ROAD CAMERAS FROM FURST TO PARKER PROPERTY WILL TAKE PLACE IN APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS AND WILL BE MONITORED AT THE GATEHOUSES. SECOND WACKENHUT PATROL WILL BE ESTABLISHED EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST WITH AN ADDITIONAL FORTY HOURS PER WEEK COVERAGE. THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO BE UTILIZED FOR THE BIKE AND BOAT PATROL DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER.

MR. GUERRA REMINDED THE MEMBERS THAT WACKENHUT OFFICERS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ENFORCE THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES CODE WHICH PROHIBITS CONSTRUCTION AND LABORERS WORKING PRIOR TO 7:30 A.M. AND AFTER 6:00 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAYS; PRIOR TO 9:00 A.M. AND AFTER 5:00 P.M. ON SATURDAYS AND NO ACTIVITY PERMITTED ON SUNDAYS. HE ALSO ASKED FOR MEMBERS COOPERATION AFTER 11:00 P.M. THE STAFF HAS BEEN INSTRUCTED TO CLOSE THE RESIDENTS LANE AND ASK ALL INCOMING TRAFFIC “MAY I HELP YOU?”. THE PRESIDENT STRESSED THE NEED FOR MEMBERSHIP COOPERATION SINCE THE POLICY IS FOR YOUR OWN AND YOUR FAMILIES PROTECTION.

MR. GUERRA STATED OFFICER MICHAEL HEARNS , CITY OF CORAL GABLES OFF DUTY COORDINATOR FOR GABLES ESTATES HAD CONTINUED TO DO AN OUTSTANDING JOB FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND WAS PRESENTED WITH A LETTER OF COMMENDATION FROM THE SECURITY COMMITTEE. OFFICER HEARNS STATED CRIME IN CORAL GABLES IS POTENTIALLY ON THE RISE. GANG RELATED CRIME, IS ON THE RISE BY 67% STATEWIDE. OTHER CRIME IS UP DUE IN PART TO THE TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN CORAL GABLES. HE STATED CURRENTLY THERE ARE EIGHT TO SIX UNSOLVED BANK ROBBERIES IN THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES. HE RECOMMENDED MEMBERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THEM BY WACKENHUT SUCH AS; WHENEVER A MEMBER FEELS SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING THEM, USE THE ESCORT HOME SERVICE AND UTILIZE THE HOUSE CHECKS WHEN AWAY. HE STRESSED BEING AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS WHEN OUTSIDE OF GABLES ESTATES AND KNOW YOUR EMPLOYEES SUCH AS LANDSCAPERS, POOL SERVICE AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS. OFFICER HEARNS RECEIVED A WARM APPLAUSE FROM THE MEMBERSHIP.

OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS:

THE PRESIDENT STATED THE BOARD REPEATEDLY REQUESTED FROM THE CITY A SECOND TRASH PICK UP. THE CITY STATED THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE THAT SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE RECEIVED TWO INDEPENDENT BIDS WHICH WERE COST PROHIBITED. THE PRESIDENT STATED THE BOARD WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE THIS ENDEAVOR WITH THE CITY AND REPORT BACK TO THE MEMBERSHIP. MR. MIRANDA STATED THE BOARD NEEDS MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT TO MEET WITH THE CITY TO RESOLVE THE NEED FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS SEWER, UTILITIES, ROAD AND CANAL CONDITIONS.

APPLICATION FEE:

MR. MIRANDA STATED THE APPLICATION FEE WILL INCREASE TO $30,000. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2008.

HALLOWEEN HAYRIDE & PARTY:

THE 11TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN HAYRIDE AND PARTY WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31ST, BETWEEN 6:00 P.M. AND 9:00 P.M. IN FRONT OF 199 ARVIDA PARKWAY. PLEASE CALL PATRICIA CRUZ AT 305-562-6293 TO RSVP.

20TH ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY:

MRS. ROSS STATED THE 20TH ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY WILL TAKE PLACE THE SECOND SUNDAY IN FEBRUARY BETWEEN 2:00 P.M. AND 5:00 P.M. THE THEME WILL BE “THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK”. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SAVE THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR. MRS. ROSS WAS THANKED BY THE MEMBERSHIP.

NEWSLETTER:

MR. MIRANDA THANKED MRS. AMY HERNANDEZ FOR THE “NEW” NEWSLETTER WHICH THE BOARD AGREED LOOKED GREAT.


ELECTION OF OFFICERS:


PRESIDENTMRS. RUFFE MOVED TO NOMINATE MR. MIRANDA AS PRESIDENT. MRS BELL SECONDED THE MOTION. ALL WERE IN FAVOR . THE MOTION PASSED.
VICE PRESIDENT
MRS. RUFFE MOVED TO NOMINATE MR. GUERRA AS VICE PRESIDENT. MR. CANEL SECONDED THE MOTION AND ALL WERE IN FAVOR
TREASURER
MRS. RUFFE NOMINATED MR. ARGIZ AS TREASURER. MR. BOX SECONDED THE MOTION AND IT UNANIMOUSLY PASSED.

SECRETARY

MRS RUFFE MOVED TO NOMINATE MR. BOX AS SECRETARY. MR. CANEL SECONDED THE MOTION AND ALL WERE IN FAVOR.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

THE BOARD AGREED THAT THE PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY WOULD SERVE THE BOARD AS THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

COMMITTEES:

MR. MIRANDA, THE NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT, STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CONTINUITY AND APPOINTED THE FOLLOWING TO SERVE AS CHAIRS:
SECURITY

- RENE GUERRA
ARCHITECTURAL

- BILL BOX
BEAUTIFICATION

- SISSY RUFFE
FACILITIES

- JOSE BARED, BILL BOX AND BUNNY BASTIAN
ADMISSION COMMITTEE

- TRISH BELL, DANIEL CANEL AND BUNNY BASTIAN
NEWSLETTER / WEBSITE - MRS. AMY HERNANDEZ

YACHT CLUB COMMODORE -
DANIEL CANEL


THE PRESIDENT ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY OLD OR NEW BUSINESS FROM THE MEMBERSHIP. HEARING NONE, MR. MIRANDA THANKED EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING TONIGHT’S MEETING.

ADJOURNMENT

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, MRS. RUFFE MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MRS. BELL SECONDED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR. THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 9:15 P.M.

_____________________________________________

MR. BILL MIRANDA, PRESIDENT

_____________________________________________

MR. RENE GUERRA, SECRETARY

Minutes - Security Briefing

Proxy Form for Semi Annual Meeting needed to assure proper quorum at Gables Estates Club meeting

March 17, 2008
N O T I C E & P R O X Y
The Semi Annual Meeting of the Gables Estates Club, Inc., will be held on: Thursday, April 24, 2008

7:30 p.m. at Fairchild Tropical Garden

10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, Florida.

The undersigned, voting members of Gables Estates Club, Inc., having received the Notice of the Annual Meeting dated April 24, 2008 appoints:

Mrs. Christina Miranda

Dr. Richard Bohn

Mr. Daniel Canel

or any of them as proxies to the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to cast his/her vote at the Annual Meeting to be held on April 24, 2008 as set out in full above, and at any adjournment of such meeting of any business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment of such meeting.
This proxy shall be the same as if the voter were present.

DATE:__________________

_______________________________________
(SIGNATURE)
Please Print Name_________________________

Lot #_______

Please Indicate Whether or Not You Intend to Be Present at this Meeting by Circling One:
YES or NO

PLEASE IMMEDIATELY RETURN YOUR PROXY TO KATHLEEN VIA MAIL OR BY DROPPING IT OFF AT THE GATEHOUSE SO THAT WE CAN ASSURE THE NEEDED QUORUM.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

April 24, 2008 Agenda for Gables Estates Club Semi Annual Meeting

A G E N D A
Semi Annual Meeting
April 24, 2008
7:30 p.m. @ Fairchild Gardens, Classroom "A"
1) WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION: -RENE GUERRA, PRESIDENT
2) REPORT ON PROXIES FOR QUORUM: - DANIEL CANEL, CHAIR
3) MINUTES: ANNUAL MEETING, 2007 - RENE GUERRA, PRESIDENT
4) NEW MEMBERS: - TRISH BELL, CHAIR
a) Ms. Lourdes Leon. 431 Arvida Parkway
b) Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo Albarran, 85 Arvida Parkway
c) Mr. and Mrs. Carl Fiorentino, 130 Casuarina Concourse
d) 2008/09 Directories Delivered to Membership Properties
5) BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT: - SISSY RUFFE, CHAIR
a) Status of Traffic Loop @ Arvida Parkway - Final Payments Held
b) Completion of Enhanced and New Entrance Signs for Arvida Parkway & Casuarina Concourse
c) Completion of Landscaping Lighting @ Arvida Parkway & Casuarina Concourse
d) Completion of Required Disability Ramp @ Casuarina Concourse
6) SECURITY REPORT: - CRISTINA MIRANDA, CHAIR
a) Independent Consultant’s Report Re: Gables Estates Security
b) Phase III - Cameras installed at the Arvida South Old Cutler Road - (Parker to Furst)
c) Hurricane Preparedness Response Team & Wackenhut Report - Captain Roberto Urra
d) Off Duty Coral Gables Police - Coordinator Officer Mike Hearns
e) By-Law Special Permit Requirements for Construction
7) FINANCIAL REPORT: - ANTHONY ARGIZ, TREASURER
a) Receipts and Disbursements - Possible Budget Negatives for Fiscal Year
b) Proposed Increase in Application Fee as of October 1, 2008
8) FACILITIES REPORT: - BILL BOX, CHAIR
a) Addressing Gables Estates Road Conditions with Public Works
b) Proposed City of Coral Boat Length Ordinance
8) OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS: (from General Membership)
9) ANNOUNCEMENTS / CLOSING:- RENE GUERRA- PRESIDENT