Journal Notes—February 2017

by Michael Hamline, Editor/ Published February 2017

Welcome to the board! This month provides board members with guidance in numerous areas. On page 8, in the article “Guidance for Board Members,” there is a collation of brief, informative articles that aim to educate members of the board on important aspects of their responsibilities. The following topics are addressed: elevator maintenance, establishing a rapport with your managing agent, expectations for hiring a collection agency, bringing utilities under control, boundaries on material alterations, necessary components to a reserve study, bat colony exclusions, surrounding the board with experts, understanding the community’s finances, and calling an expert for help.

Paul P. Terry, Jr., with Angius & Terry writes in “Construction Defects and the Four-Year Statute of Limitations: A Trap for the Unwary” on page 44 about the importance of acting on construction defects within four years. If a community fails to act within this time period, then the board may not be able to recover “for major and costly construction defects, such as roof leaks and cracking stu-cco.” Terry notes, “it [four-year statute of limitations] starts to run from the time the defect is discovered or should have been discovered with the exercise of due diligence.” There is additional important information for boards to know to better protect their communities.

Speaking of protecting their community, Envera Systems’ Brie Peterson shares valuable security steps in the article “Frequently Asked Questions: Security Concerns” on page 62. This article deals with the importance of video security. The important question to ask according to Peterson is, “How long does it need to record?” so that someone would notice an incident has occurred. She also speaks about the importance of monitoring closed areas, such as a pool. Peterson remarks, “The important thing to realize for this situation is that the resolution of a camera is essential for outdoor areas, particularly at night. Resolution means the amount of detail that can be captured.” There are additional important elements to consider in securing one’s community.

FLCAJ looks forward to being your most helpful resource in 2017, and we wish you the best in your service to your community this year.

Editor