Garden Patio Villas
7708 Margate Blvd, Margate, FL 33063
Board of Director Meeting Minutes
August 2, 2021 Time: 6 PM Location: Clubhouse
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Melodie Savoca, President; Lou Grunes, Vice President (via telephone); Barbara Reul, Secretary; Gelly Dossman, Treasurer; Jeff Mandell, Member at Large
Owners Present: C3U3. C3U11, C9U3, C9U4,C11U4, C11U8
Melodie called the meeting to order.
OLD BUSINESS
BACKFLOW PREVENTERS – The last two Backflow Preventers in Clusters 9 and 10 have been installed. The covers will be installed in the next couple of weeks.
MAINTENANCE FEES – Our HOA fees will be going up to $510, as of January 1, 2022.
CLUBHOUSE EVENTS: Be sure to check out our coming events on the bulletin board or on our Garden Patio Villas calendar.
PLANTING ON ASSOCIATION PROPERTY – There was further discussion on plantings on Association property. The conclusion was that going forward absolutely no new plantings of any kind will be allowed on Association property. All plantings need to be approved by the Board of Directors. Written approval by the Board of Directors was voted into our Governing Documents by a majority of our Members in September of 2020.
NEW BUSINESS
ROADWAYS – The roadways are well overdue for sealcoating and restriping! Due to a lack of funds, it has been postponed each year! Normally, there is an assessment made for members with this work. The Board voted unanimously to proceed this year. We cannot wait anymore because the cost will rise as the roads get worse. Melodie did not want to request an additional assessment this year from members after the city required the backflows to be installed. This means we will need to use reserves. Reserves are allowed for common areas. Joe is in the process of getting 3 estimates for the work that needs to be performed. We hope to get it scheduled in October. We will keep everyone informed!
FINANCES – July Expenses can be viewed on our website at: Expense Reports
VILLAS FOR SALE – C6U5 is officially for sale. It can be viewed on our website at
Villas for Sale at Garden Patio Villas.
WEBSITE – Read the latest article of our last social event at Bingo Social Event
KEEP MARGATE GREEN – The Owner of the Margate Executive Golf Course has scheduled a meeting with Garden Patio Villas and Oriole Gardens II to discuss his proposed plans for the sale of his property. The meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2021 at 7 pm. at Oriole Gardens II clubhouse. Oriole Gardens II is having an open meeting that anyone can attend in person or on zoom. Their clubhouse address is 7700 NW 5th Court. (These are the condos south of the golf course on Atlantic Blvd.) We believe that there is strength in numbers! We have been committed to fighting this proposal for years so we can continue to keep the peace and tranquility of our senior communities. As we get more information, we will pass it along to all of our members.
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE – Home insurance is a requirement of our Governing Documents. If you do not presently have insurance please start inquiring about it, you will be asked to supply proof from the Declaration page via picture or a paper copy. This is very important since it affects all of us as a community and the protection of our properties.
HOUSEKEEPING REMINDER – Trash and recycle bins are not to be left in the front of your garage or villa. You may keep them inside your carport or garage, behind your villa, on the side of your villa (if you are on a corner) or behind a shrub. Trash days are Wednesday and Saturday. Bulk comes on Wednesday; Recycle comes on Saturday. You may put your bins out the night before. Please read your Rules and Regulations!
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:30PM
SOLD – $212,500 – Are you searching for a villa for sale at Garden Patio Villas Association? This lovely 2/2 villa has just been remodeled this month! It will feel like a brand new villa to you! It has a car port with an attached patio in the back that is connected to the inside of the home. This cute unit has lots of upgrades including a brand new roof! The inside has been totally renovated! Newly painted gray walls with new modern flooring. The ceiling has been painted along with many more upgrades. A stacked washer/dryer is in the hallway of the kitchen. The kitchen has a newly installed granite top with a fresh new look and feel of all the appliances. All appliances are staying! This is move in ready with a feel of a new home for any person 55 or older!
This 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom also has a covered porch with sliding glass doors. It can be updated or remain the same depending on your wants or needs! This area can be transformed into a den, bedroom or remain an under roof porch.
Our senior community is 55+. We are a Homeowners Association and have “rules and regulations” that all Members must agree to follow. A quarterly HOA fee covers grounds, water, clubhouse and heated pool. Please review our website at Garden Patio Villas for more information. Owner must reside in villa or many be a snowbird. No renting is allowed.
This villa is presently on the market available for a showing! This villa for sale won’t last long because it is priced to sell! You can see more pictures here. For more information contact Denise Conroy with Berkshire Hathaway at 239-285-1907.
Our Social Events Coordinator, Barbara, along with Joan, a member in our community planned an afternoon social event of Bingo fun! Everyone is welcome to attend our social functions held at the clubhouse!
Joan and Norma enjoying some refreshments!
On July 23rd at 1PM we had a small group of members come out to the community clubhouse for some bingo fun, refreshments and small talk with others from our association here at Garden Patio Villas! They enjoyed the afternoon playing bingo along with talking and having fun together!
More social events are planned at Garden Patio Villas! Check the bulletin board for a calendar or you can always check the GPV calendar on our website to see when at what the next social event will be at Garden Patio Villas! Are you interested? Come join us for our next event!!
Garden Patio Villas
7708 Margate Blvd, Margate, FL 33063
Board of Director Meeting Minutes
July 12, 2021 Time: 7 PM Location: Clubhouse
Agenda: Property Boundaries and Planting on Association Property
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Melodie Savoca, President; Lou Grunes, Vice President (via telephone); Barbara Reul, Secretary; Gelly Dossman, Treasurer; Jeff Mandell, Member at Large
Owners Present: C3U5, C3U11, C5U1, C7U1, C7U9, C8U4, C9U2, C9U3, C9U5, C11U8
Melodie called the meeting to order.
OLD BUSINESS
Items that were discussed were as follows:
BACKFLOW PREVENTERS – The last two Backflow Preventers are tentatively scheduled to be installed by next week. Notice will be given to Clusters 9 and 10 as soon as the date is confirmed.
MAINTENANCE FEES – HOA fees will be going up to $510, as of January 1, 2022
CLUBHOUSE EVENTS: Our first social “Mix & Mingle” took place on July 9th. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and coffee and cake with our neighbors. Twenty-six owners came out, it was a really nice evening. Be sure to check out our coming events on the bulletin board or on Garden Patio Villas calendar.
NEW BUSINESS
HURRICANE TREE TRIMMING – Farina Tree Company performed an evaluation of the trees in our community that pose a risk during a hurricane. All of those trees (approx 25) were trimmed. The coconuts will be removed on a separate date.
FINANCES – Expenses for the month of June are available on our website at Expense Reports.
VILLAS FOR SALE – There are several villas for sale in our community. Unfortunately, C10U3 is back on the market. Villas can be viewed on our website at Villas for Sale at Garden Patio Villas
PROPERTY BOUNDARIES AND PLANTING ON ASSOCIATION PROPERTY –
The floor was opened up for the concerns and questions. Most of the concern was in regard to the planting and removal of trees or plants that are on Association Property. Members expressed their grievances and unhappiness with the Board removing their plantings that have been there for many years. They expressed that these plantings have been a sanctuary for them for peace and tranquility and that this situation was never addressed in the last 12 years. One Member spoke about the uncaring and dismissive attitude in which this was being done. Another Member brought up “Selective Enforcement” and gave hand outs to all present. One Member suggested putting together a “Beautification Committee” along with others’ suggestions to try and find a compromise. One Member asked about the financial cost of removing the plants.
The Board has been discussing the problem of plants on Association Land for more than two months. For the last 13 years, trees, plants, fruit trees and bushes have been planted past the 15 foot rule. Some Members have used up to 30 feet over their property boundary lines! This concern and problem does not have anything to do with the City of Margate but the legality of being a Homeowners Association with restricted deeds. This rule is in our Governing Documents as well as our Rules and Regulations. It is also a growing financial problem for our community. Our Lawn and Tree Companies financial cost will continue to rise with more trees and plants to cut and trim.
Our Treasurer translated many of our Hispanic Member’s comments and questions which was helpful to everyone! Our President defended the position of the Board’s decision, which was voted on 3 to 2 at the June’s Board of Directors meeting to remove plants over the 15 foot rule. To support Members and the Environment, the Board is not touching any of the huge trees. (This would include trees planted originally from the Developers and any trees approved by the Board from long ago.) She suggested Members re-plant any plant they wanted to keep within their own property boundaries. She empathized with Members because she also has a fruit tree that will be removed. She replied that the financial cost to correct this problem without taking down any major trees was free. All work done is by Board Members and other Members of our community. Our Vice President and Board-at-Large also discussed their concerns about the problem of planting on Association land and being liable against Governing Rules. “Selective Enforcement” was addressed and stated that since the Board is not charging a fine/violation, it does not apply to this situation per Garden Patio Villa’s Council.
Because the Board wants to help Members understand the issue at hand, it was decided that there will be more discussion about this subject matter at the next Board of Directors meeting on August 2, 2021 No further plant removal will be done until then.
WEBSITE – Melodie put together new articles with photos. Click on each one to go directly to our website to read them.
HOUSEKEEPING REMINDER – All pets must be kept on a leash when outside in our community. Please bring a bag when walking your dogs to pick up the poop. We want to be courteous and consider your neighbor’s property.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9PM
Dear Members of Garden Patio Villas;
We wish to express our deepest sympathy to all those that lost friends and family in the collapse of the Surfside Condominium Towers. This is what one may worry about, but never expects to confront. We know that the pain has extended to some of our owners here in our community. May God give comfort and healing to the families so touched.
Tom Savoca, along with Margate’s therapy dog Coco, (Residents here at Garden Patio Villas) spent two days there at the beginning of the disaster. They were sent by the Margate Police Department to comfort and emotionally support the First Responders who came from around the world. First Responders came from Israel, Mexico as well as those in Miami to help locate victims and work in the rubble.
This does serve as a reminder of the importance of HOA maintenance, even in our single story villas. Our community is committed to the best repair and upkeep as possible. Thank you to each and every member in our Homeowner’s Association as we all desire a safe and well maintained community!
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
Garden Patio Villas Association
Our first social event at Garden Patio Villas since COVID occurred on July 9th, 2021! We had a great turnout with over 20 members in attendance! Because it was the first social event in many years, everyone got to know each other and have some coffee and cake! A lottery took place with some amazing gift baskets given away as prizes! Everyone who attended really enjoyed coming out and getting together for the first time in a long while.
Barbara, our Secretary and Social Events Coordinator, along with Joan, are putting together some fun social events for Members of Garden Patio Villas Homeowners Association. Events such as bingo, playing dominoes, breakfast for the women, spaghetti night, and other holiday events will be done in the very near future! You can find the calendar printed out on our bulletin board by the mailboxes or you can see the calendar on our website at Garden Patio Villas calendar.
This “Mix and Mingle” social event was a huge success! We want to make sure all of our Members are aware of the social events that are now planned and hope to see those who didn’t come tot one of our next ones! See you then!
Join us on Facebook at Garden Patio Villas for social events and other information that is posted on a regular basis for you to be informed of what occurs in our HOA community!
SOLD – $210,000 – This villa that is for sale is in the perfect location! It is a pretty, waterfront villa located off the canal and Margate’s Executive Golf Course! It’s a 2/2 with garage. There is an additional room which can be used as a TV room, office or anything else you’d like! It’s separated by glass sliding doors with glass sliding door going out the back of the villa for a beautiful green view. The roof is practically brand new!! In addition, there are hurricane shutters! This villa is well kept and move in ready!
For more pictures of this villa and to schedule an appointment for viewing, contact the Realtor here.
Hurricane tree trimming in 2021, at Garden Patio Villas, was a two day task. Farina Tree cut and trimmed approximately 25 trees that were at risk for hurricanes. They assessed all trees here at Garden Patio Villas that were in danger for hurricane damage. Many of these trees picked were growing over the roofs of our villas. Coconut palm trees will have coconuts removed at another scheduled date in the near future. They did a great job and we appreciate what they did so we can keep our members safe during this hurricane season in 2021.
As you can tell in the pictures provided, this was a huge task! Many of the trees are big and have been around for decades. Some of our tree that were planted years ago were planted too close to villas. That is why we ask all of our members to check with the Board of Directors if they want to plant any trees or bushes.
Garden Patio Villas Board of Directors want to make sure:
We love all the trees at Garden Patio Villas! The nature here is beautiful and scenic! The golf course just adds to the view! The birds that come to visit our homeowners association are pretty and all of us enjoy their soothing music. Let’s keep out 55+ community green along with respecting the rules of our association to prevent future problems that can cost us all a lot of money! Stay safe this hurricane season in 2021!
