ANNUAL MINUTES
OCTOBER 30, 2008
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF GABLES ESTATES CLUB, INC., TOOK PLACE AT FAIRCHILD TROPICAL GARDEN, MAIN GARDEN ROOM, 10901 OLD CUTLER ROAD, MIAMI, FLORIDA AT 7:30 P.M. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2008
MR. RENE GUERRA, PRESIDENT, CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND WELCOMED THOSE PRESENT. MR. GUERRA INTRODUCED THOSE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: MRS. SISSY RUFFE, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT; MR. JOSE BARED, SECOND VICE PRESIDENT; MR. BILL BOX, SECRETARY, MR. ANTHONY ARGIZ, TREASURER; DIRECTORS; MRS. CHRISTINA MIRANDA, MR. DANIEL CANEL AND MRS. BUNNY BASTIAN. MRS. TRISH BELL WAS OUT OF TOWN. MR. GUERRA WELCOMED NEW MEMBERS MR. AND MRS. RICARDO ALBARRAN TO THE MEETING.
THE PRESIDENT READ THE FOLLOWING PROXY REPORT ON BEHALF OF MRS. BELL, CHAIR OF THE PROXY COMMITTEE:
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 5O. THE NUMBER OF INTERESTS VOTING IN PERSON IS 8. THE TOTAL NUMBER VOTING IS 58; THEREFORE, WE HAVE A LEGAL QUORUM.
MR. GUERRA ASKED FOR A MOTION TO BE MADE THAT THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF APRIL 24, 2008 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.
Nominating Committee Report
MRS. CRISTINA MIRANDA GAVE THE FOLLOWING REPORT ON BEHALF OF MRS. MAGGIE MIRANDA, THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHIAR: THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE MET AT THE HOME OF THE CHAIR, MRS. MAGGIE MIRANDA, 601 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE, ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2008, AT 6:00 P.M. THOSE SERVING ON THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE WERE: CHAIR; MRS. MAGGIE MIRANDA, MR. SALVADOR JURADO, AND DR. SANFORD RAKOFSKY. MR. LAZARO MILTON AND DR. ALBERT TANO WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND.
NAMES OF PERSONS NOMINATED:
MR. RENE GUERRA OF 650 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE
MRS. SISSY RUFFE OF 110 ARVIDA PARKWAY
MR. JOSE BARED OF 9025 ARVIDA DRIVE
MR. BILL BOX OF 300 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE
MR. DANIEL CANEL OF 555 ARVIDA PARKWAY
IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED BY A QUORUM OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE THAT THE ABOVE FIVE (5) NAMES WOULD BE PRESENTED FOR NOMINATION TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS. ALL FIVE (5) MEMBERS HAVE AGREED TO SERVE ON THE BOARD.
MRS. MIRANDA ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY ADDITIONAL NOMINATIONS TO BE MADE AT THIS TIME. HEARING NONE THE NOMINATIONS ARE CLOSED AND THOSE NOMINATED ARE DULY ELECTED.
THE PRESIDENT GAVE THE FOLLOWING REPORT FOR THE ADMISSION COMMITTEE CHAIR, MRS. TRISH BELL:
THE BOARD INCREASED THE APPLICATION FEE FOR PURCHASING PROPERTY IN GABLES ESTATES FROM $30,000. TO $60,000. AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2008. THE BOARD APPROVED MAINTAINING THE APPLICATION FEE FOR LEASING PROPERTY UP TO A FIVE YEAR LEASE IN GABLES ESTATES TO $30,000. THE LESSEE WILL HAVE TO REAPPLY AFTER THE FIFTH YEAR WITH AN ADDITIONAL $30,000 APPLICATION FEE. EFFECTIVE FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2008.
MRS. RUFFE, CHAIR OF THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE, GAVE THE FOLLOWING REPORT:
1) BOTH GATEHOUSES ARE COMPLETE WITH FINAL C.O.
2) LANDSCAPING LIGHTING FOR BOTH ENTRANCES COMPLETED
3) ADDITIONAL GROUND LIGHTING FOR BRIDGE & ISLAND LOCATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED SHORTLY
4) STAGE ONE ON INSTALLATION OF CLIPPING PILE HEDGE WILL BEGIN SHORTLY.
5) HOLIDAY DECORATIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED RIGHT AFTER THANKSGIVING
THE PRESIDENT ONCE AGAIN THANKED SISSY FOR ALL HER HARD WORK AND TIME GIVEN TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE CLUB.
MRS. CRISTINA MIRANDA, CHAIR OF SECURITY GAVE THE FOLLOWING:
THE SECURITY COMMITTEE HAS CONTINUED TO MEET WITH WACKENHUT MANAGEMENT. WORKING TO IMPROVE CAMERAS WITH INFRARED AND NEW DVR RECORDERS. POLICY “MAY I HELP YOU?” AFTER 11:00 P.M. PROVEN EFFECTIVE . REQUEST MEMBERSHIP COOPERATION. CONTINUE ENFORCEMENT REGARDING CONSTRUCTION SITES TO COMPLY WITH CITY CODE FOR PROPER START TIME AND COMPLETION TIME ALSO HAS PROVEN EFFECTIVE.
CAPTAIN URRA, SITE SUPERVISOR, ADDRESSED THE MEMBERSHIP: HE REQUESTED MORE PARTICIPATION FROM MEMBERSHIP BY COMPLETING THE VACATION FORM, MARINE VESSEL REGISTRATION FORM, VEHICLE REGISTRATION FORM AND EMERGENCY CONTACT FORM. HE STATED THESE FORMS HELP ASSIST SECURITY IN SERVING THE MEMBERSHIP BETTER. CAPTAIN URRA STRESSED THE NEED FOR MEMBERSHIP TO NOTIFY SECURITY WHEN A CHANGE OF VEHICLE TAKES PLACE OTHERWISE THE BARCODE STAYS IN THE SYSTEM EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE NO LONGER BELONGS TO A MEMBER.
THE PRESIDENT STRESSED SECURITY AS THE CLUB’S MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENT. HE STATED THE BOARD GIVES A GREAT DEAL OF THEIR TIME AS IT RELATES TO SECURITY AND IMPROVING SECURITY WHICH IS ALSO REFLECTED IN THE YEARLY BUDGET. MR. GUERRA COMPLIMENTED MRS. MIRANDA ON WORKING DILIGENTLY WITH WACKENHUT MANAGEMENT AND STAFF TO INSURE POST PROCEDURES ARE BEING PROPERLY FOLLOWED.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES OFFICER MICHAEL HEARNS, THE CLUB’S OFF DUTY COORDINATOR SPOKE WITH THE MEMBERSHIP REGARDING THE INCREASE IN CRIME. HE ASKED RESIDENTS TO BE DILIGENT AND TAKE PRECAUTIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS WHEN OUTSIDE OF GABLES ESTATES. HE SUGGESTED REMOVING PERSONAL LICENSE PLATES WHICH SHOW STATUS AND MAY EVEN INDICATE WHAT YOU DO OR WHERE YOU LIVE. A MORE ANONYMOUS LICENSE PLATE WILL HELP MEMBERS BLEND INTO THE GENERAL POPULATION.
MR. ANTHONY ARGIZ, TREASURER, WENT OVER THE AUDITOR’S REPORT WITH THE MEMBERSHIP. HE POINTED OUT THE INCREASE IN APPLICATION FEES TO $60,000. HE WENT OVER THE DECREASE IN EXPENSES STATING THIS WAS DUE TO THE LAST TWO YEARS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT COSTS. HE POINTED TO THE SMALL LOSS OF $23,690. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR OF 2007/08. THE TREASURER WENT OVER THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2008/09. A MOTION WAS MADE AND SECOND TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED BUDGET AS PRESENTED. QUESTIONS WERE TAKEN. THE MOTION WAS CALLED AND ALL WERE IN FAVOR TO APPROVE THE BUDGET.
THE COMMODORE, MR. DANIEL CANEL IS LOOKING INTO A HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE FOR GABLES ESTATES MEMBERS.
RACHEL BEJEL, ON BEHALF OF MRS. AUDREY ROSS, BLOCK PARTY COMMITTEE CHAIR , STATED THE 21ST ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 8TH, 2009 BETWEEN 2:00 AND 5:00 P.M. THE THEME WILL BE MARDI GRAS IN ON THE GREEN. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND BRING YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS.
THE PRESIDENT STRESSED THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FOR BETTER REPRESENTATION AT THE CITY LEVEL. HE STRESSED CONCERNS FOR THE RECENT FLOODING IN SOME AREAS, POOR CONDITION OF ROADS AND MAINTENANCE OF DEBRIS AND ORGANIC FILL IN THE CANALS AS WELL AS THE NEED FOR A SECOND SEAWITCH OR BACK UP CONTRACT TO CLEAN THE DEBRIS FROM THE CANALS. HE STATED HE AND SEVERAL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PLANNING TO MEET WITH CITY DIRECTORS AND POSSIBLY THE MAYOR WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS REGARDING THE ABOVE MATTERS. MR. GUERRA INVITED MEMBERSHIP PARTICIPATION WITH THESE CAUSES.
MR. BARED QUESTIONED HAVING GABLES ESTATES FUNDS EXCEEDING THE $250,000. FEDERALLY INSURED AMOUNT IN ONE BANK. DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE. THE PRESIDENT WILL LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND MAKE SURE THE CLUB’S FUNDS ARE PROPERLY PROTECTED.
MRS. BARBARA KELLY EXPRESSED HER CONCERNS WITH LONG CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND LACK OF ENFORCEMENT. SHE SUGGESTED AN IMPACT FEE FOR THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE ROADS AND FINES FOR SLOW MOVING CONSTRUCTION. MR. GUERRA STATED THE NEW BY LAWS JUST PASSED WILL ALLOW THE BOARD TO SET STRICTER RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION, LANDSCAPERS AND REALTORS TO ADHERE TO. HE STATED THE BY LAWS WILL ALLOW THE BOARD TO LEVY FINES FOR OFFENDERS. HE SUGGESTED MRS. KELLY TO SERVE OF THE OVERSITE COMMITTEE, OF NON BOARD MEMBERS, WHICH WILL HOLD HEARINGS PRIOR TO FINES BE LEVY.
THE PRESIDENT ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY OLD OR NEW BUSINESS FROM THE MEMBERSHIP. HEARING NONE, MR. GUERRA THANKED EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING TONIGHT’S MEETING. HE INVITED ANYONE INTERESTED TO STAY AND WITNESS THE ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
MR. BILL BOX MOVED TO NOMINATE MR. RENE GUERRA AS PRESIDENT. MRS. SISSY SECONDED THE MOTION. ALL WERE IN FAVOR .
THE MOTION PASSED.
1st VICE PRESIDENT:
2nd VICE PRESIDENT:
MRS. SISSY RUFFE MOVE TO NOMINATE MR. JOSE BARED AS 2nd VICE PRESIDENT. MR. DANIEL CANEL SECONDED THE MOTION AND ALL WERE IN FAVOR.
TREASURER:
MR. BILL BOX NOMINATED AS MR. ANTHONY ARGIZ AS TREASURER. MRS. CRISTINA MIRANDA SECONDED THE MOTION AND IT UNANIMOUSLY PASSED.
SECRETARY:
MR. JOSE BARED MOVED TO NOMINATE MR. BILL BOX AS SECRETARY. MRS. SISSY RUFFE 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:
THE NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT, STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CONTINUITY AND APPOINTED THE FOLLOWING TO SERVE AS CHAIRS:
SECURITY:
CRISTINA MIRANDA
ARCHITECTURAL:
BILL BOX
BEAUTIFICATION:
SISSY RUFFE
FACILITIES:
JOSE BARED
BILL BOX
AND BUNNY BASTIAN
ADMISSION COMMITTEE:
TRISH BELL
DANIEL CANEL
AND BUNNY BASTIAN
YACHT CLUB COMMODORE:
DANIEL CANEL
JOSE BARED
THE PRESIDENT ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY ADDITIONAL BUSINESS FROM THE MEMBERSHIP. HEARING NONE, MR. GUERRA THANKED EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING TONIGHT’S MEETING.
ADJOURNMENT
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. SECONDED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR. THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT_9:15 P.M.
