The Towers Condominium Association
2366 East Mall Drive
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
239-936-1707
March 20, 2008
Dear Unit Owners / Tenants:
We would like to take this opportunity to inform you that since only the applications received were from the three expiring positions for the Board of Directors that your existing Board listed below will remain in tact for the upcoming year.
President: Terry Ondak
Vice-President: Patricia Meyer
Secretary: Karen Smith
Treasurer: Alfred Natella
Director: John Spain
During this past year the Board has completed many lofty goals in a very short time frame in an effort to return The Towers Condominium to a quality property enabling it to live up to its name as a “Luxury Condominium” which is proudly displayed at our entrance. We are pleased to say that all of the building code violations, in excess of over one hundred, which this Board inherited, have been successfully completed. The City of Fort Myers had placed a lien on our property for in excess of $58,000.00 due to noncompliance relative to these previously ignored violations. The City Officials were so impressed with the current condition of our complex that at a hearing held in February we were able to settle for under $1,100.00 covering just court costs. A huge thanks goes to Derek Miller our CAM of Alliant Property Management for the great effort he has put into this property over this past year and to all the Board members for their extreme hard work and commitments.
We would like to complete some of our new projects, such as the rehabilitation of the clubhouse and re-surfacing the parking areas but based on tight economic restraints we have decided to put these on hold. The aforementioned has been precipitated due to the fact that we have a substantial receivable outstanding which has drastically affected our operating cash flow. The problem is quite acute since it consists of twenty-four delinquent unit owners owing for past assessments and or monthly maintenance charges. Currently we have been working very diligently with our Board Attorney and Alliant Property Management for collections on these delinquent unit owners that are past due and in several instances have initiated the placement of liens and foreclosure procedures. Understand that it is a very costly expenditure, but a necessary one to protect the interests of all of the unit owners of The Towers Condominium Association who are in good standing with their financial obligations.
The Board last year passed a motion, which stipulates that, any unit owner that is $400.00 delinquent our attorney would place relative to payment of monthly maintenance fees for collections. In addition the motion stipulated that any unit owner who is renting their unit and is placed for collections might lose their privilege to rent their unit in the future.
We are extremely sensitive to the fact that we were hit with two hurricanes, a major fire all within 1-½ years, numerous costly code violations and now a declining economy and that the financial burden to the unit owners in some cases has been extreme. With all of the above catastrophes, not to mention, all of the code violations which needed to be addressed as well as repairing the building concrete work which was unnecessarily compromised by a previous Board, and painting the entire complex and painting and repairing the carports this Board only assessed the Unit Owners $1470.13. In order for the Board to complete all of the work which has surpassed close to $250,000 and not have another assessment we have worked out monthly terms to pay some of our contractors for work completed, yet not completely paid for. It is critical for all Unit Owners to pay their monthly maintenance fees in a timely fashion since The Association has made monthly agreements for the service they performed at The Towers. The Monthly maintenance fees are also necessary for us to maintain the property in the customary manner, which we all can enjoy. Your monthly fee maintains your portion of the property that includes some items mentioned like: a heated cleaned maintained pool, cleaned and violation code free property, lighting, water and sewer, house hold garbage removal, common area insurance, elevators, storage rooms, landscaping, gas grilles, gated areas, car ports, washers and dryers and a management company to maintain payables, taxes and receivables and numerous other items. In order to facilitate the Association receiving it’s monthly fees in a timely fashion and convenient for all unit owners we have provided the use of coupon books provided by Colonial Bank. Failure to adherence to making payment for monthly fees by the 10th of the month could result in our taking legal action to revoke certain privileges enjoyed by unit owners in good standing.
All owners and tenants received a copy of the Towers Condominium Rules, which govern the conduct of unit owners, tenants and their guests. We respectfully request that all abide by the rules and regulations. We have strictly enforced the towing / overnight guest policies at The Towers for the safety and well being of all residents and guests. All carport parking spaces are deeded to unit owners and must have parking permits displayed and any vehicle without will be towed at the vehicle owners’ expense. The Towers has posted the towing / parking signs in view for all to see as required. Parking in any open space not under the carports is welcomed to all owners and guests. Any overnight guest can obtain a temporary parking permit for their visiting vehicle through Mark Alonso during the day Monday through Friday 7:30am till 4pm afterwards call Terry Ondak.
Again with out a temporary permit displayed in the windshield a violation will have occurred and the vehicle in question will be subject to towing at the vehicle owners’ expense. We do require for the temporary permit the vehicle owner’s name, make, model, color with tag number, unit owner / tenant name, unit number, and length of stay. After 72 hours the guest must register with Alliant Property Management and beyond 14 days have an application / background check completed. We did enact the trespassing city regulation on the property, which means if the person or persons on the property have not registered, or are not a tenant on lease they can be removed for trespassing by the city of Fort Myers police department through any Board member or property manager’s request. Additionally, we posted one way and 5 mph speed limit signs. We ask all residents and your guests to follow the direction and speed on the signs posted on the property for the safety of all involved. Although we are on private property and the police department cannot issue citations, the Board can file complaints with the police department and issue warnings, which could result into fines or loss of other privileges from The Towers Association.
Compliance issues have been very important this past year for the numerous units that have had extensive remodeling. It is of vital importance to have written Board of Directors approval prior to the initiation of extensive remodeling. This will allow for increased, expedient sales and allow for the proper permitting through the City of Fort Myers. The Board of Directors has received numerous complaints this past year as it relates to noncompliance of our governing documents relative to remodeling, specifically window replacement and proper floor sound proofing. In light of these complaints the Board has voted to pursue legal action against any unit owner who has elected not to abide by the governing documents.
In summary, we would like to have you all know that we are committed to meeting and exceeding all of our yet to be formulated new major goals for the year, and will keep you apprised of any and all new developments. In closing we would hope that you would report any criminal acts which you may witness to the police to insure the safety and welfare of all residents of the Towers. In addition for all residents and landlords, we solicit your help in making sure you and all tenants understand and observe the rules and have respect for those of us who consider The Towers home and a place we are all proud of.
Very truly yours,
The Towers Board of Directors |