Draft Version of Annual Meeting is Posted

SEMI ANNUAL MINUTES APRIL 29, 2010

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, APRIL 29, 2010.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

MR. RENE GUERRA, PRESIDENT, CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND WELCOMED THOSE PRESENT. MR. GUERRA INTRODUCED THOSE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: MR. JOSE BARED, SECOND VICE PRESIDENT; MR. BILL BOX, SECRETARY, DIRECTORS; MR. DANIEL CANEL, MRS. BUNNY BASTIAN, DR. ALBERT TANO AND MRS. TRISH BELL. THE PRESIDENT ESPECIALLY WELCOMED TO THE MEETING MISS LAMAR CURRY THE CLUB HISTORIAN AND MR. JACK ROSS, PAST BOARD MEMBER.
FP&L PRESENTATION

FP&L ENGINEERING SUPERVISOR, MR. WILLIAM MONZON GAVE A PRESENTATION TO THE MEMBERSHIP REGARDING THE PAST AND CURRENT POWER OUTAGES CONDITIONS WITHIN GABLES ESTATES. HE ACKNOWLEDGED AN ACTION PLAN WAS NECESSARY TO CORRECT PROBLEMS WITH SERVICE TO OUR AREA .98% OF THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN CORRECTED.. HE STATED BESIDES TRIMMING AND REMOVING NUISANCE TREES, THERMOVISION TECHNOLOGY WAS USED TO DETECT HOT SPOTS AND THOSE HOT SPOTS WERE ADDRESSED ALONG WITH IMPROVEMENTS TO FEEDERS. NEXT YEAR NEW TECHNOLOGY WILL BE PUT IN PLACE CALLED SMART METERS AND AUTOMATIC SWITCHERS WHICH WILL ADDRESS AND MONITOR POWER OUTAGES AND SUPPLIES. THIS WILL PRODUCE QUICKER RESPONSES TO POWER OUTAGES. TO DATE, MINOR OUTAGES HAVE BEEN REDUCED BY 50%. MR. MONZON STATED HE FELT VERY CONFIDENT THAT OUTAGES WILL CONTINUE TO BE REDUCED WITH THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY. HE ADDED FP&L HAS ADDRESSED THE AREA AS A WHOLE AND NOW WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL CONCERNS FROM HOMEOWNERS. THE SUPERVISOR STATED BURYING THE CABLES ON CASUARINA CONCOURSE WOULD NOT LIMIT OUTAGES SINCE MOST ISSUES ARE FROM THE LINES OUTSIDE OUR COMMUNITY THAT PROVIDES SERVICE TO CASUARINA CONCOURSE. THOSE OUTSIDE LINES WOULD STILL IMPACT CASUARINA CONCOURSE. THE PRESIDENT THANKED THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM FP&L IN ADDITION TO THANKING MR. JOSE SOLARES FOR BRINGING ABOUT THIS OUTREACH.

PROXY REPORT

MRS. BELL, 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 57.29. THE NUMBER OF INTERESTS VOTING IN PERSON IS 10. THE TOTAL NUMBER VOTING IS 67.29; THEREFORE, WE HAVE A LEGAL QUORUM. SIGNED: MRS. TRISH BELL, CHAIR.

MINUTES - ANNUAL MEETING OCTOBER 20, 2009 & BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING MARCH 4, 2010.
MR. GUERRA ASKED FOR A MOTION TO BE MADE THAT THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF OCTOBER 20, 2009 & BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 4, 2010 BE WAIVED AND BE ADOPTED (ANNUAL)AS CIRCULATED TO THE MEMBERSHIP. A MOTION WAS SO MOVED BY MR. BARED AND SECONDED BY TRISH BELL. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

ADMISSION COMMITTEE

MRS. BELL WELCOMED THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS APPROVED SINCE THE CLUB’S LAST ANNUAL MEETING, SIX MONTHS AGO: MR. & M RS. BENJAMIN LEON III, 9100 ARVIDA DRIVE MR. AND MRS. ENRIQUE CUSCO, 601 ARVIDA PARKWAY MR. AND MRS. VALLADARES GARCIA - 221 CASUARINA CONCOURSE MR. AND MRS. ALBERT MAURY, 401 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE
THE CHAIR STATED HER ENCOURAGEMENT THAT OUR NEW MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND OUR NEXT MEETING.
SECURITY COMMITTEE

THE PRESIDENT STATED HIS GRATITUDE TO THE SECURITY CONTRACT NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE; MR. DANIEL CANEL, CHAIR, MR. NICOLAS JUNCADELLA, MR. BILL BOX AND MR. JOSE BARED FOR AN OUTSTANDING JOB THEY DID WHICH RESULTED IN THE CLUB SAVING NEARLY $200,000. PER YEAR.

MR. CANEL, CHAIR OF SECURITY GAVE THE FOLLOWING REPORT: 1) AS STATED, A NEW TWO YEAR CONTRACT WILL GO INTO EFFECT AS OF MARCH 3RD, 2010 PROMPTING A SAVINGS OF NEARLY $400,000. 2) THIS ACTION BREAKS THE EXISTING TREND OF AN AUTOMATIC BUILT IN INCREASE EACH YEAR WITHOUT CONSIDERATIONS. 3) THE SECURITY COMMITTEE NEGOTIATED THIS REDUCTION WITHOUT REDUCING THE QUALITY OF SERVICES BEING PROVIDED. 4) NO REDUCTION OF SALARIES TOOK PLACE, ONLY A TWO YEAR FREEZE OF SALARY. 5) REDUCTION OF BOAT PATROL HOURS FROM 56 HOURS TO 40 HOURS WAS REQUIRED. (SECOND PATROL DISMISSED). 6) OFF DUTY POLICE SCHEDULE SHALL REMAIN INTACT. 7) SECURITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED REDUCTION OF BOAT PATROL HOURS DUE TO ALL CAMERAS HAVING NIGHT VISION AND TWO NEW CAMERAS BEING PROPOSED AT KEY LOCATIONS. 8) CRITICAL POTENTIAL AREAS FOR NEW CAMERAS WILL IMPROVE QUALITY OF WATERWAY SUPERVISION BY SECURITY. 9)EACH GATEHOUSE HAS SIMULTANEOUS MONITORING CAPABILITIES, DUPLICATED SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AND RECORDING. 10) QUALITY CONTROL WILL CONTINUE WITH NEWLY IMPLEMENTED FINGER SCANNER TO BE USED BY PERSONNEL.

THE PRESIDENT ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY NEW BUSINESS FROM THE MEMBERSHIP.

HEARING NONE, HE STATED HE WANTED TO ADDRESS A SERIOUS MATTER WHICH HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN THE PAST TWENTY FIVE YEARS. THE PRESIDENT PROPOSED FORMING A COMMITTEE TO CREATE JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR BOTH THE CLUB EMPLOYEES, THE EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR AND THE PART TIME HANDYMAN. HE EXPLAINED THIS WAS NO REFLECTION ON THE JOB PERFORMANCE OF EITHER EMPLOYEE BUT FELT THE BOARD NEEDED TO ADOPT A COMPREHENSIVE JOB DESCRIPTION AND COMPENSATION PACKAGE. KATHLEEN WAS TEMPORARILY EXCUSED FROM THE DISCUSSION. DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE. UPON KATHLEEN’S RETURN THE PRESIDENT STATED A COMMITTEE WAS CREATE FOR THE ABOVE MENTIONED PURPOSE WHICH WILL BE CHAIRED BY MR. ARGIZ, AND FELLOW MEMBERS SERVING WILL BE MRS. BELL, DR. TANO, AND MR. BOX. IT WAS AGREED THAT THIS COMMITTEE WILL PRESENT TO THE BOARD OR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE THE FINAL PACKAGE FOR BOTH JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND COMPENSATIONS FOR THE CLUB’S TWO EMPLOYEES FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

CASUARINA DRAINAGE CONCERNS:

DR. ZIEGLER OF 555 CASUARINA CONCOURSE EXPLAINED THE HISTORY OF THE STREET FLOODING IN FRONT OF HIS HOME, MEASURES THE CITY HAS TAKEN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE PRESIDENT STATED THAT HE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO WORK WITH DR. ZIEGLER TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. HE STATED THIS DEPARTMENT IS IN A TRANSITION PERIOD AND WOULD ADVISE WAITING UNTIL THE NEW DIRECTOR IS WELL ESTABLISHED TO BEGIN WORKING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. DR. ZIEGLER THANKED THE PRESIDENT.

ADJOURNMENT

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, MR. CANEL MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MRS. BELL SECONDED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR. THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 9:00 P.M.

_________________MR. RENE GUERRA, PRESIDENT

________________ MR. BILL BOX, SECRETARY

Drafted Minutes of October 29th Annual Meeting

ANNUAL
MINUTES
October 29, 2009

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 29, 2009.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
MR. RENE GUERRA, PRESIDENT, CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND WELCOMED THOSE PRESENT. MR. GUERRA INTRODUCED THOSE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: MR. JOSE BARED, VICE PRESIDENT; MR. ANTHONY ARGIZ, TREASURER; MR. BILL BOX, SECRETARY; DIRECTORS; MRS. TRISH BELL, MRS. BUNNY BASTIAN , MR. DANIEL CANEL AND MRS. CRISTINA MIRANDA. MRS. SISSY RUFFE WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND.

THE PRESIDENT WELCOMED & INTRODUCED MR. AND MRS. NAMIKI, CONSUL GENERAL OF JAPAN TO THE MEETING. THE MEMBERSHIP WELCOMED THEM WITH A WARM APPLAUSE.

THE PRESIDENT INTRODUCED THE HONORABLE MAYOR DON SLESNICK AND MR. SLESNICK ADDRESSED THE MEMBERSHIP. THE MAYOR STATED THERE HAD BEEN MANY CHALLENGES BOTH FOR THE MAYOR’S OFFICE AND THE CLUB. HE PLEDGE TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE BOARD AND PLEDGED THAT HIS DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN AND HIS HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE. HE STATED HE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON ISSUES WITH THE OUR BOARD SUCH AS THE TRASH COLLECTION AND REPORTED THAT THE SECOND SEAWITCH WAS ON ORDER FROM ENGLAND AT A COST OF $250,000. WHICH WILL BE USED TO HELP CLEAN THE DEBRIS FROM THE CANALS. THE MAYOR RECEIVED A HEARTY APPLAUSE FROM THE MEMBERSHIP AND DEPARTED THE MEETING.

PROXY REPORT
MR. CANAL, 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 42. THE NUMBER OF INTERESTS VOTING IN PERSON IS 31. THE TOTAL NUMBER VOTING IS 73. THEREFORE, WE HAVE A LEGAL QUORUM. SIGNED: MR. DANIEL CANEL, CHAIR.

MINUTES - SEMI ANNUAL MINUTES, APRIL 22, 2009 (AS CIRCULATED TO THE MEMBERSHIP)
MR. GUERRA ASKED FOR A MOTION TO BE MADE THAT THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE SEMI ANNUAL MEETING OF APRIL 22, 2009 BE WAIVED AND BE ADOPTED AS CIRCULATED TO THE MEMBERSHIP. A MOTION WAS SO MOVED BY MR. BOX AND SECONDED BY MRS. BELL. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE:
THE CHAIR GAVE THE FOLLOWING REPORT: THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE MET AT THE HOME OF THE BARBARA KELLY, 640 ARVIDA PARKWAY, ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 AT 7:30 P.M. THOSE SERVING ON THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE WERE: CHAIR; MRS. BARBARA KELLY, MR. SALVADOR JURADO, DR. ALBERT TANO, DR. SANFORD RAKOFSKY, AND MRS. IRKA CHOATE.

NAMES OF PERSONS NOMINATED:


1. MRS. TRISH BELL
2. MRS. CRISTINA MIRANDA
3. MRS. BUNNY BASTIAN
4. MR. ANTONY ARGIZ
5.

ALL FOUR MEMBERS HAVE AGREED TO SERVE ON THE BOARD FOR A TWO YEAR TERM. THE CHAIR ASKED FOR ANY ADDITIONAL NOMINATIONS FROM THE FLOOR? MR. EUGENE CONESE NOMINATED MR. ANTHONY MORGENTHAU, WHOM AGREED TO SERVE. UPON HEARING NO ADDITIONAL NOMINATIONS THE NOMINATIONS WERE CLOSED.

THE ADMINISTRATOR STATED MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE THEIR WRITTEN BALLOTS IN THE MAIL WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AS PER THE CLUB’S BY-LAWS SECTION 12.

ADMISSION COMMITTEE
MRS. BELL, STATED SHE WAS DELIGHTED TO SEE SO MANY MEMBERS ATTENDING TONIGHT’S MEETING. CHAIR READ AND WELCOMED THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS APPROVED SINCE THE CLUB’S LAST SEMI ANNUAL MEETING, SIX MONTHS AGO:
MR. AND MRS. RICHARD LUNEBURG PF 455 CASUARINA CONCOURSE
MR. AND MRS. SERAFIN GARCIA - 631 ARVIDA PARKWAY
MR. AND MRS. GIRALDO LEYVA - 100 CASUARINA CONCOURSE
MR. AND MRS. RENE DE JESUS VALVERDE - 460 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE
MR. AND MRS. BENJAMIN LEON III - 9100 ARVIDA DRIVE

PRESIDENT’S OVERVIEW OF CLUB AFFAIRS
THE PRESIDENT STATED THE FOLLOWING ACCOMPLISHMENTS TOOK PLACE IN 2008:

• PHASE II OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ARVIDA, LEUCADENDRA & CASUARINA CONCOURSE BRIDGE LIGHTING COMPLETE
• PHASE II OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY HEDGE INSTALLATION COMPLETE.
• PHASE II OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - 600 BRIDGE PLANTING COMPLETE
• CLUB SECURITY ENHANCED WITH ADDITIONAL WATERWAY CAMERAS AND ENTRANCE CAMERAS CONVERTED TO COMCAST DLS FAST SPEED LINES.
• CONTINUE PROGRAM WITH OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICERS AS WELL AS WACKENHUT BIKE PATROL AND THE 2ND PATROL VEHICLE.
• FILED LIENS ON DELINQUENT MEMBERSHIPS
• BOARD VOTED TO INCREASE THE APPLICATION FEE TO $60,000.
• BOARD ESTABLISHED PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE CLUB
• BOARD ESTABLISHED PIN CEREMONY FOR WACKENHUT SECURITY STAFF RECOGNITION
• BOARD MEMBERS MET WITH MAYOR SLESNICK ON BEHALF OF CLUB REGARDING THE BETTER REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLUB BY THE CITY, CLEANING OF DEBRIS FROM OUR CANALS, INADEQUATE CANAL DEPTH, MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AND THE PURCHASE FROM THE CITY OF THE 2ND SEAWITCH TO CLEAN THE CANALS.
• PRESIDENT AND BOARD MEMBERS MET WITH THE NEW CITY MANAAGER PATRICK SALERNO REGARDING CLIPPING PILE PICK UP FOR FRIDAYS AND 25 YEAR AGREEMENT TO REIMBURSE CLUB UP TO $20,000. FOR LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE
• MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORIES WITH REVISED CHARTER, BY-LAWS AND DECLARATION OF PROTECTIVE COVENENTS DELIVERED TO EVERY CLUB MEMBER.
• BY- LAWS WERE PASSED TO FORM CODE AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE WITH ABILITY TO FINE VIOLATORS.
• FIRST ANNUAL YACHT CLUB BOAT PARADE TOOK PLACE WITH FIRST PLACE AWARD AND PARTICIPATE AWARDS.

THE PRESIDENT STATED THE FOLLOWING ACCOMPLISHMENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE OR WILL TAKE PLACE IN 2009:
• BOARD VOTED TO INCREASE THE ARCHITECTURAL FEE TO $750. PER VISIT TO COVER EXPENSES
• BOARD VOTED TO INCREASE THE TRANSFER FEE TO $5,000. PER TRANSFER
• BOARD HAS RESERVE OF $200,000. WHICH WILL BE USED FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY.
• BOARD WILL REFUND $100,000. IN TOTAL TO THE CURRENT MEMBERSHIP IN GOOD STANDING FISCAL YEAR 2008/09.
• RENEGOTIATE WACKENHUT CONTRACT WITH SAVING APPROXIMATELY $80,000. PER YEAR & ACCEPT NEW LANDSCAPING CONTRACT SAVING $20,000. PER YEAR.
• CHANGE BY LAW TO HAVE ANNUAL MEETINGS IN MID NOVEMBER OF EACH YEAR.
• CHANGE BY LAW TO INCREASE ONE TIME VIOLATIONS OF CODE AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE FINES TO MAXIMUM OF $10,000.
• HOLIDAY BONUS GIVEN BY BOARD TO BE BASED ON PERFORMANCE AND LONGEVITY.
• BOARD WORKING WITH CITY OF CORAL GABLES TO CREATE SAFETY OF CIRCLE AT LEUCADENDRA DRIVE AND ARVIDA PARKWAY - AWAITING CITY’S FINDINGS.
• NO INCREASES IN MAINTENANCE FEES GOING INTO THE SEVENTH YEAR AT $6,000. PER LOT
• CREATED $500,000. RESERVE FUND
• SALES IN BUDGET PROJECTED AT THREE AND THIS GOALS HAS ALREADY BEEN MET IN FIRST MONTH OF FISCAL YEAR.
• REDUCED BUDGET FROM LAST YEAR BY 11%

DR. PINES OF 8805 ARVIDA DRIVE RAISED HIS OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENT TO INCREASE THE CODE AND COMPLIANCE FINE FROM $1,000. TO $10,000. DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE. MR. GUERRA STATED HE WILL TAKE DR. PINES OBJECTION TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION.

MRS. ROSS ASKED FOR CLARIFICATION OF THE CODE AND COMPLIANCE BY- LAW INCLUDING LICENSEES SUCH AS REALTORS BEING INCLUDED IN THE LANGUAGE SINCE THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROPERTY, MR. GUERRA EXPLAINED THAT ALL OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT ANY AGENT OR EMPLOYEE, INCLUDING REALTORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HOME IN THE OWNER’S ABSENCE COMPLIES WITH THE STANDARDS SET FORTH IN CORAL GABLES CODE AND IN THESE BY LAWS AND ANY RULES AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS. HE STRESSED IT IS THE PROPERTY OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY TO ASSURE STANDARDS ARE MET AND ONLY THE PROPERTY OWNERS CAN BE FINED. THE PRESIDENT ADDED THAT NON BOARD MEMBERS SERVE ON THE CODE AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE AND THEY ARE REQUIRED TO HOLD HEARINGS ALLOWING PROPERTY OWNERS TO APPEAL THEIR DECISIONS. MR. FINKLE COMPLIMENTED THE BOARD FOR INCREASING THE VIOLATION FINE SINCE IN THE PAST SEVERAL HOUSES ON CASUARINA CONCOURSE HAVE LOOKED DERELICT AND HE HOPES THE COMMITTEE WILL NOT HESITATE WHEN NEEDED TO IMPOSE THIS FINE AS A MEANS OF PROTECTING THE PROPERTY VALUES WITHIN GABLES ESTATES.

MR. EUGENE CONESE OF 650 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE REQUESTED TO ADDRESS THE MEMBERSHIP SINCE HIS WIFE WAS ILL AND HE WOULD NEED TO LEAVE THE MEETING. MR. CONESE STATED HIS GENERAL IMPRESSION OVER THE LAST FIFTEEN YEARS WAS THAT THE CLUB NEEDED A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE. MOST MEMBERS HAVE THEIR CHILDREN IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND TAXES FOR THE SCHOOLS WAS A GREAT BURDEN. HE SUGGESTION THE CLUB’S ACTION COMMITTEE JOIN OTHER ACTIONS COMMITTEES OF SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS AND HE OPPOSES SPENDING THE MONEY ON PAVERS AND FEELS THE OVERHEAD CABLES SHOULD BE PLACED UNDERGROUND FOR SAFETY REASONS. HE STATED THIS ITEM IS VERY ESSENTIAL AND HE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THIS MATTER GO OUT TO THE MEMBERSHIP FOR A VOTE

DR. PINES ALSO REQUESTED TO ADDRESS THE MEMBERSHIP SINCE HE TOO HAD A SICK WIFE AT HOME AND NEEDED TO LEAVE THE MEETING EARLY. DR. PINES STATED HE HAD WRITTEN MR. GUERRA REGARDING AN ACCOUNTING MISTAKE HIS ACCOUNTANT HAD FOUND WITH THE BOOKS. MR. ARGIZ STATED HE CHECKED THE BOOKS AND AGREED A CLERICAL ERROR HAD OCCURRED. MR. GUERRA HAD INVITED DR. PINES TO SERVE ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. MR. FINKLE STATED HE HAD ATTENDED THE BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT DR. PINES HOME AND THE ERROR WAS DISCUSSED AND CLARIFICATION WAS MADE AT THAT TIME THAT IT WAS AN ERROR IN BOOK KEEPING. THE ADMINISTRATOR EXPLAINED THAT SHE HAD APOLOGIZED TO DR. PINES AT THE TIME AND WILL AGAIN THAT SHE SIMPLY MADE IN INPUT ERROR WHICH WAS CORRECTED. DR. PINES STATED HE WAS NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH THE SECURITY EXPENDITURES OF $800,000. FOR GUARD SERVICE NOR THE $80,000 FOR OFF DUTY POLICE. HE STATED THE MEMBERS OF GABLES ESTATES PAY 20% OF THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES REAL ESTATE TAXES AND HE FEELS THE COMMUNITY SHOULD GET THEIR SECURITY FREE. DR. PINES ALSO OBJECTED TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO LANDSCAPING WHICH HE STATED WAS OVER $800,000. HE STATED THE BOARD MUST REDUCE IT’S EXPENSES AND MEMBERS MUST CHECK ON WHAT THE BOARD IS DOING AND STOP EXCESSIVE EXPENSES. THE PRESIDENT STATED THERE ARE 193 LOTS IN GABLES ESTATES AND COLLECTIVELY WE PAID $4.5 MILLION IN REAL ESTATES TAXES TO THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES.


FINANCIAL REPORT
MR. ARGIZ, TREASURER INVITED THE MEMBERSHIP TO REVIEW THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT FROM THE CLUB’S ACCOUNTANTS CATARINEAU AND GIVENS, P.A. HE NOTED THAT THE FIRM PREFORMED AN AUDIT (SEE ATTACHED) DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE. MR. BARED MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUDITOR’S REPORT. MRS. BELL SECONDED THE MOTION AND ALL WERE IN FAVOR. THE TREASURER ENCOURAGED THE MEMBERSHIP TO REVIEW THE PROPOSED BUDGET (SEE ATTACHED) APPROVED BY THE BOARD AT THEIR BOARD MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. HE ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY QUESTION. NONE WERE PRESENTED. MR. BARED MOVED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED BUDGET AS PRESENTED AND MRS. BELL SECONDED THE MOTION AND ALL WERE IN FAVOR.

MRS. BELL REQUESTED TO TAKE AN ITEM OUT OF ORDER SINCE THERE HAD BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE PAVING OF PORTIONS OF THE STREETS. SHE STATED THAT SINCE WE ARE ALL FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AND THE BOARD IS TRYING TO DO THE VERY BEST AND IT HAS COME TO THEIR ATTENTION THAT THERE IS A DEGREE OF UNHAPPINESS WITH THE PROPOSED PAVER PROJECT SHE BELIEVES THE MISINFORMATION OR LACK OF INFORMATION REGARDING THE PAVERS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. MRS. BELL STATED THE ITEMS REGARDING OVERHEAD CABLES BEING PLACED UNDERGROUND AND THE DREDGING OF THE CANALS WERE SEPARATE ISSUES AND WOULD NEED TO BE ADDRESS AS SUCH. MRS. BELL MOVED TO TABLE THESE MATTERS FOR ANOTHER DATE UNTIL THE MEMBERSHIP CAN BE WELL INFORMED REGARDING THE PAVERS, CABLES AND DREDGING. MRS. BELL STATED THE BOARD WILL PROVIDE A QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE MEMBERS TO FILL OUT AND ALLOW THE NEIGHBORS AND BOARD TO HAVE A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW EVERYONE FEELS AND ACT ACCORDINGLY. MR. BOX SECONDED THE MOTION AND ALL WERE IN FAVOR.

MR. JEFFREY WECHSLER OF 485 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE STATED HIS CONCERNS REGARDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE, MAINLY THE SEWAGE PROBLEMS ON LEUCADENDRA DRIVE. THE PRESIDENT STATED THIS MATTER HAD BEEN ADDRESSED WITH THE CITY AND HE AGREES THAT HE WILL MAKE THIS A PRIORITY ISSUE.


BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE
THE PRESIDENT ADVISED THE MEMBERSHIP THAT MRS. RUFFE, CHAIR OF THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND TONIGHT’S MEETING. HE STATED THE COMPLETION OF THE CLIPPING PILE HEDGES AND 600 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE BRIDGE WERE COMPLETED.

SECURITY COMMITTEE
MR. CANEL, THE NEWLY APPOINTED CHAIR STATED HE WANTED TO COMMEND MRS. MIRANDA FOR THE WONDERFUL JOB SHE HAD DONE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS CHAIRING THE SECURITY COMMITTEE. MRS. MIRANDA RECEIVED A HEARTY APPLAUSE. MR. CANEL STATED HE HAD MET WITH CAPTAIN URRA, SITE SUPERVISOR OF THE WACKENHUT SECURITY STAFF AND WILL MEET WITH THE OTHER OFFICERS. MR. CANELS WILL KEEP THE CLUB’S MONETARY CONCERNS IN MIND AS HE WORKS TO IMPROVE THE CLUB’S SECURITY. A COMMITTEE OF THREE BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE MEETING WITH WACKENHUT MANAGEMENT TO RENEGOIATE THE WACKENHUT CONTRACT IN ORDER TO REDUCE COSTS. MR. CANEL STATED ONE OF OUR CLUB MEMBERS, MR. NICOLAS JUNCADELLA, A SECURITY EXPERT, WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH HIS COMMITTEE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD TO ADDRESS SECURITY ISSUES. MR. CANEL ASKED FOR FEEDBACK FROM THE MEMBERSHIP REGARDING SECURITY AND STATED PLEASE CALL KATHLEEN FOR HIS PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS TO COMMUNICATE WITH HIM DIRECTLY.

YACHT CLUB REPORT:
MR. CANEL STATED THE 2ND ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE WILL TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 12TH. MORE DETAILS WILL BE SENT TO THE MEMBERSHIP VIA MAIL.

THE PRESIDENT STATED THAT THE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE MET WITH COMMISSIONERS HOWEVER THE CLUB NEEDS MORE REPRESENTATION FROM THE CLUB AND HE INVITED THE MEMBERSHIP TO GET MORE INVOLVED AT THE CLUB AND CITY LEVEL.

THE PRESIDENT STATED ALBERTO DELGADO’S PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PAVED ALL OF ARVIDA PARKWAY AND ARVIDA DRIVE AND HAVE COMMITTED TO PAVING ALL OF LEUCADENDRA AND CASUARINA WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS. THE PRESIDENT ADDED THE BOARD WILL ADDRESS THE CONCERNS WITH THE PAVERS AND CLARIFY THE SITUATION, LISTEN TO WHAT THE MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY AND IF NEED BE, TAKE THE MATTER TO A VOTE.

MRS. KELLY STATED HER CONCERN REGARDING WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE ONCE THE MEMBERSHIP HAS THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE BOARD. SHE SAID THE BUDGET MUST BE A GUIDING FORCE FOR THE BOARD AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS DO NOT APPEAR ON THE BUDGET ND IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROCESS. MR. KELLY STATED LONG RANGE PROJECTS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET AND THE MEMBERSHIP SHOULD BE INVOLVED AND FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH LARGE DECISIONS INVOLVING MEMBERSHIP VOTES.

MR. PEREZ OF 50 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE STATED HE WAS HAPPY TO BE BACK AND WANTED TO CONGRATULATE THE BOARD IN NOT INCREASING THE MAINTENANCE FEES IN SEVEN YEARS. HE SAID THE BOARD DID A GREAT JOB.


ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MRS. KELLY STATED THE HALLOWEEN HAYRIDE AND PARTY IS TAKING PLACE TOMORROW STARTING AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE CUL-DE-SAC IN FRONT OF 369 LEUCADENDRA AND EVERYONE IS INVITED.

ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY:
MRS. ROSS, STATED THAT THE ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY IS SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2010. FESTIVITIES WILL BEGIN AT 2:00 P.M. AT THE 369 LEUCADENDRA DRIVE ISLAND. THE THEME WILL BE “CARNAVAL RIO STYLE ”. MRS. ROSS INVITED ALL MEMBERS INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE BLOCK PARTY COMMITTEE TO PLEASE LET HER KNOW. MRS. ROSS ENCOURAGED MEMBERS TO ATTEND AND BRING THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO THIS COMMUNITY EVENT. SHE STRESSED THAT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS AND ENJOY THE GREAT WEATHER THAT TIME OF YEAR.

OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS:
MR. BARED STATED THAT IN THE NEXT CITY ELECTION, THREE COMMISSIONERS TERMS EXPIRE. HE STRESSED THE MEMBERSHIP MUST GET OUT AND VOTE. VERY IMPORTANT TO SHOW UNITY BY VOTING AS A COMMUNITY FOR WHICHEVER CANDIDATE YOU PREFER JUST AS LONG AS YOU VOTE.

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

Gables Estates announces Annual Meeting for Gables Estates Board Members

A G E N D A
ANNUAL MEETING
October 29, 2009 @ 7:30 p.m.

1) WELCOME GENERAL MEMBERSHIP & INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS :
- RENE GUERRA, PRESIDENT

2) REPORT ON PROXIES FOR QUORUM: - DANIEL CANEL, CHAIR

3) MINUTES: RENE GUERRA, PRESIDENT
SEMI ANNUAL MINUTES, APRIL 22, 2009 (as circulated to the membership)

4) NOMINATIONS TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS: - BARBARA KELLY, CHAIR

a) Nominating Committee Report

b) Nominations from the Floor

5) NEW MEMBERS: - TRISH BELL, CHAIR

New Memberships as of the Semi Annual Meeting:
a) Mr. and Mrs. Richard Luneburg- 455 Casuarina Concourse
b) Mr. and Mrs. Serafin Garcia - 631 Arvida Parkway
c) Mr. and Mrs. Giraldo Leyva - 100 Casuarina Concourse
d) Mr. and Mrs. Rene de Jesus Valverde - 460 Leucadendra Drive

6) PRESIDENT’S ACCOMPLISHED 08/09:
CHANGES & OBJECTIVE FOR 2009/10
- RENE GUERRA, PRESIDENT

7) FINANCIAL REPORT: - ANTHONY ARGIZ, TREASURER

a) Review Auditor’s Report, Receipts & Disbursements
b) Review Proposed Budget for fiscal year 2009/10 (presented for membership approval)

8) BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT: - SISSY RUFFE, CHAIR

a) Completion of all clipping pile hedges throughout Community
b) Completion of 600 Leucadendra Drive bridge planting to match existing plantings
c) Compliance and Code Committee will report findings to the Chair of the Beautification Committee

9) SECURITY REPORT: - CRISTINA MIRANDA, CHAIR

a) Briefing from Captain Roberto Urra, Wackenhut Site Supervisor
b) Briefing from Officer Michael Hearns, City of Coral Gables Police

10) YACHT CLUB REPORT: - DANIEL CANEL, COMMODORE

11) OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS: - RENE GUERRA, PRESIDENT

a) Need Community Involvement For Better Representation @ City Level
b) Road Paving Commitment from Director of Public Works Department, Alberto Delgado

12) ANNOUNCEMENTS:

a) CHILDRENS' CLUB: HALLOWEEN HAYRIDE & PARTY - PATRICIA CRUZ, CHAIR
b) BLOCK PARTY: - AUDREY ROSS, CHAIR

13) ELECT NEW OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - FULL BOARD - PROVIDED NO
NOMINATIONS ARE MADE FROM THE FLOOR - (IF NOMINATIONS FROM THE FLOOR,
ELECTION PROCESS WILL TAKE PLACE)

14) CLOSING/ADJOURNMENT :- RENE GUERRA, PRESIDENT

Gables Estates Board of Governors initiates new blog information forum designed to inform residents and readers regarding safety issues

The Gables Estates Board of Governors is instituting a new forum pertaining to crime prevention, and safety issues to the Gables Estates Blog. Following the adage that information is empowering, the Gables Estates Board of Governors will be periodically posting articles and Internet resources designed to inform and enlighten the residents and readers of the blog about personal safety, property protection, home safety, as well as roadway and marine safety issues.
Today's safety topic of interest concerns the issue of kidnapping with tips and preventative measures that can be undertaken to thwart any kidnapping threat to you or a loved one. The information is provided by The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and is printed in both English and Spanish and can be found by simply clicking the link HERE

Gables Estates 2008 Holiday Newsletter

Holiday 2008 Newsletter
December 3, 2008

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Although the Board does give a holiday gift to each Wackenhut Guard based on rank and time served, we also suggest that each member generously give a holiday gift to the Wackenhut Guards. We ask that you makeyour check out to: Gables Estates Club, Inc. ,you may drop your contribution off, in a sealed envelope, at either gatehouse or mail directly to Kathleen. The Board will be happy to make the distribution for you. This year there are fifteen (15) full time guards serving Gables Estates and one handyman . Each officer is listed on the back of this newsletter along with the time he has served at Gables Estates. Please do not give checks or money to an individual to distribute, other than Kathleen. Your contributions to the security staff will be logged in the Club’s ledger and dispersed to each employee based on his rank and time served with GablesEstates. Your contribution is greatly welcomed and appreciated. So Please remember your security staff this holiday season.

Gables Estates Club Wackenhut Security Staff

Wackenhut Officer	Time Served at Gables Estates	Starting Date
Captain Roberto Urra	12 years (9 Month) 11.5 Supervisor	03/1996
Lieutenant Juan Castillo	18 years & 2 months	10/1990
Sergeant Joseph Smith	15 years & 10 months	02/1993
Sergeant William Hammett	14 years & 4 months	08/1994
Officer Antonio Romero	15 years & 4 months	08/1993
Officer Juan Morales	5 years & 6 months	06/2003
Officer Jason Webster	5 years & 4 months	08/2003
Officer Reinier Barrios	2 years & 4 months	08/2006
Officer Juan Vera	2 years & 2 months	10/2006
Officer Bayardo Bojorge	1 year & 8 months	04/2007
Officer Robert Dorris	1 year & 5 months	07/2007
Officer Frank Montoto	1 year	12/2007
Officer Peter Linares	10 months	02/2008
Officer Charles Rosser	8 months	04/2008
Officer Dale Kosak	2 months	10/2008
Handyman Jose Orozco	2 years & 11 months	01/2006

The 1st Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

The 1st Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights was an inagural success all boats and participating members welcomed the holidays with great spirit, originality, and community goodwill.

The 21st Annual Club Block Party

The 21st Annual Club Block Party is slated to be a big success just like years past. Invitations will go out shortly for theAnnual Club Block Party which has been planned for the afternoon of Sunday, February 8, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This year’s theme will be “Mardi Gras on the Green”.Suggestions and volunteers are welcomed. Please contact Kathleen or Mrs. Audrey Ross if you’d like to help

Date to Remember

January 31, 2009 all Maintenance fees must be received in full (6,000. per lot) in order to avoid a lien being placed on your property. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the status of your bill, please call Kathleen.

Thanks Once Again

Our thanks go out to Mrs. Sissy Ruffe for decorating the gatehouses for the Holiday Season and working so diligently as the Chair of Beautification. As always, your Board of Governors and Kathleen, would like to extend to you and yours a very Safe and Happy Seasons Greetings. Best Wishes to you and yours for a healthy, prosperous New Year.

Sincerely,


Rene Guerra
President

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

Security is Number One Priority with Gables Estates

One of the top priorities, taken very seriously by the Gables Estates Club is providing continuous security for our membership and their families. The affects of the security program are evident when first approaching the Gables Estates community. Drivers are greeted by an armed officer at either of the Arvida Parkway or Casaurina Concourse entrances to Gables Estates. Motorists will notice the surveillance cameras recording the license tags on vehicles as well as the driver's face as they enter into Gables Estates. Surveillance cameras are also located in several other land side areas plus the waterway entrances from Biscayne Bay. The Gables Estates community also benefits from twenty four hour coverage of armed guard vehicles patroling the community in addition to bike and marine patrols. Gables Estates also employs some of the finest Off Duty Police Officers available from the City of Coral Gables Police Department.