Garden Patio Villas Association, Inc.
7708 Margate Blvd, Margate, FL 33063
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
August 1, 2022 Time: 6:30PM Location: Clubhouse
Agenda: Overnight Parking/ Towing Contract, Items on Association Land
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Melodie Savoca, President; (Via Phone) Lou Grunes, Vice President; Mary Schultze, Secretary; Gelly Dossman, Treasurer; Jeff Mandell, Member at Large
OWNERS PRESENT: C11U2
Melodie called the meeting to order.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
OVERNIGHT PARKING/TOWING CONTRACT: The Board discussed overnight parking violations No overnight parking is allowed at the clubhouse or on the streets. The Board agreed to have violators towed on an “as needed” basis. Please contact the Board to approve any overnight parking at the clubhouse. We will be adopting a “Decal” system to identify approved parking at the clubhouse overnight.
Do you wish to vote in favor of signing a towing contract , which would be used only “as needed” with Board notification to tow unapproved vehicles parked in violation overnight?
Melodie (President) made the motion and Lou (Vice-President) seconded the motion. All Board Members present voted, 4 in favor, 1 opposed. (Melodie Savoca, President – “Yes”; (Via Phone) Lou Grunes,Vice President- “Yes”; Mary Schultze, Secretary-Yes”; Gelly Dossman,Treasurer-”Yes”; Jeff Mandell, Member at Large-“No”).
No parking on grass is allowed. We have noticed visitors parking on the grass. This is not allowed as it breaks the sprinkler heads. Please reference Section VI-Parking in our Rules & Regulations.
ITEMS ON ASSOCIATION LAND: The Board conducted a quarterly inspection of Association land along the property perimeter and also surrounding each villa (front and back). The purpose is to check areas needing repair and also to ensure compliance with property boundaries. While most Members have done a great job, we observed that some villas have placed personal items or new plantings beyond the 15 foot property boundary. We are asking ALL Members to please move these items back onto your patio or within 15 feet of your inner Villa wall. (tables, benches, potted plants, BBQ grills, light poles, outdoor decorations, garbage bins).
Please view Villa Property Boundaries.
LIGHTING REPAIRS / CLUBHOUSE: Electrical lighting near the clubhouse has been identified in need of immediate replacement. The Board is in process of collecting bids.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:15 PM
NEXT BOARD MEETING IS 9:00 AM – SEPT. 8th, 2022
Many times people want to purchase in our HOA community but don’t understand what that means to them. What does living in a HOA mean? HOA stands for Homeowners Association. In Florida, if you buy into a HOA you must become a Member and follow the rules.
What rules must a HOA follow?
What does living in a HOA mean?
When you buy into a HOA, you have a restricted deed of your property. You become a Member of a community. A Board is voted in, by all Members, and represents the Association. It maintains the common land and the finances among many other items. The Board at Garden Patio Villas must follow the legal requirements as well as follow all the rules. All HOA Members have rights as does the Board. Check your documents to know the law and the rules of a Homeowners Association.
All Florida Homeowner Associations must register with the state as a Corporation. Garden Patio Villas did this back in 1977. All Governing Documents must be filed with the County and after, with all official HOA rules. You can check Broward County’s website for all of these records or you can see our documents on our website for anyone to view. The Board of Directors must operate within these guidelines and be in compliance with the State, the City, and the Association’s legal documents.
What type of home is right for you?
Florida Statutes 720 and HOA Governing Documents are very detailed on what can or can not be done on your own property. Many people do not like this style of living. Do not buy into one or you will be frustrated. You will need to buy a single family house.
Some seniors appreciate this lifestyle of a HOA or condo where they can be a snowbird and leave their homes for several months without worry. Many people like this style of living because they do not want to maintain the grounds any longer. Whatever the reason you are buying or moving, please look into what type of home you buy. Buying a home is usually a long term investment and you want to be happy with the outcome!
Here at Garden Patio Villas, a senior community in South Florida, many of our Members stay here for life! We are a small knit HOA community of 83 villas. Members really care for each other and have close friendships!
“Seeing is believing” couldn’t be more true when it comes to the curb appeal of your home and how it is perceived by potential buyers. Of course, this can be good or bad, depending on how you’ve maintained the exterior of your property. So if it looks a little less desirable than you’d like it to look, here are some tips on beautifying your home if you are planning on selling soon.
Make sure your windows and sliding doors are glistening
Your windows and sliding doors are indeed the focal points of a property. Moreover, if they are dirty and dusty, they can be quite the eyesore. So if you want to give off a good impression that the actual home is treasured and well taken care of, then making sure that your windows are clean and glistening is a good place to start.
Repainting the exterior of your home or villa
There is perhaps nothing more off-putting to a potential buyer than a home with a shabby exterior. Here, we’re referring to how well your paint job has held up over the years. If it hasn’t, then it could pay off to completely redo the paint color of your house to freshen up its look.
At Garden Patio Villas Association, you do not need to be concerned with this because we re-paint our entire community, every ten years, to keep our villas looking great!
Touch up your driveway
The condition of your driveway will also go a long way in giving off a positive or poor perception. So if you have unsightly stains or marks on your driveway, you might want to consider having them moved with high-pressure cleaning. Also, you might want to fill in any gaps when it comes to missing bricks or damaged tar so that your driveway looks as pristine as possible.
In our Homeowners’ Association (HOA), the driveway requires upkeep by every Member! When you are preparing to sell your villa, we require your driveway to be painted by the proper permitted color. Please fill out a common elements form to accomplish this task and our Board will guide you through the process.
Make sure all lights are in working order
You’ll also want to make sure that if you have any lights outside, they are all in working order because it can be quite disappointing for buyers to turn on a switch only to see stark darkness in return.
At Garden Patio Villas, we take care of your front dome light since it is our street lighting. Contact Maintenance for more information.
Make sure the roof is well kept
Making sure your roof is well kept with no leaks. It should be a priority. This may mean replacing any missing tiles and fixing any broken gutters to ensure that your house’s ‘lid’ is in tip-top shape. This might mean replacing your roof!
As stated previously, any work done outdoors requires a form to be filled out and signed by the Board since we live in a HOA and we have common elements in the community. This includes the roof!
Take a second look at your greenery
For most people, their garden is their sanctuary. Therefore, you want to ensure that your front yard exudes that peaceful, calming energy by making sure that your shrubs, trees, and flower beds look trimmed and neat.
In our HOA, it is required that each Member who wants to plant anything fill out the Landscaping Planting form. It’s critical that anything beyond your property boundaries of 15 feet be removed before selling your villa. Your plants do need to be maintained. The Association does maintain the grass and bushes that are either on your own property or the Association property.
Things you can do yourself to boost your villa’s curb appeal
You don’t always have to consider outsourcing a professional to have your curb looking good. In fact, there are a few simple things you can do yourself, such as trimming your plants to give them more symmetry, for example, as well as raking up any stray leaves or branches that may be strewn along the ground. However, this is best left to the professionals as they have the necessary tools and equipment to ensure the stump removal takes place safely.
When searching for local tree removal companies near me, look at testimonials and reviews to see which company performs the best. Also, don’t forget to collect at least a handful of quotes to ensure you’re getting the most value for your money. Also, confirm that stump grinding and disposal are included in the price.
If there is a stump or problem with a tree on Association property, contact the Board. This land does not belong to you and it is up to the Board to take care of the stump or dead tree.
Displaying your villa in its best light will probably require creativity – and a lot of hard work. But who knows? It could even prove to be a project you derive the ultimate satisfaction from if it happens to turn out better than you imagined.
If you are looking for a quiet place to retire in Margate, Florida, check out Garden Patio Villas, a small, tranquil, and self-managed, senior Homeowners Association community in South Florida.
Garden Patio Villas Association, Inc.
7708 Margate Blvd, Margate, FL 33063
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
July 11, 2022 Time: 6:30PM Location: Clubhouse
Agenda: Assessment Vote for Budget Increases , Property Insurance and Lawn Increases,
Landscape Beautification Committee, Golf Course Property Survey Results
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Melodie Savoca, President; (Via Phone) Lou Grunes, Vice President; Mary Schultze, Secretary; Gelly Dossman, Treasurer; Jeff Mandell, Member at Large
OWNERS PRESENT: C3U1, C3U11, C7U9, C9U1, C9U4, C9U5, C10U4, C10U5, C11U1
Melodie called the meeting to order.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
ASSESSMENT VOTE FOR BUDGET INCREASES: Recent unbudgeted expenses were discussed by the Board, which are itemized below: Total Expenses = $10,521 Total Cost per Villa = $120
Does the Board wish to vote in favor of a Special Assessment of $120 per Villa to cover these expenses?
Gelly (Treasurer) made the motion and Melodie (President) seconded the motion. All Board Members present voted, 5 in favor, 0 opposed. (Melodie Savoca, President – “Yes”; (Via Phone) Lou Grunes,Vice President – “Yes”; Mary Schultze,Secretary – Yes”; Gelly Dossman,Treasurer -”Yes”; Jeff Mandell, Member at Large -“Yes”).
LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE: Due to time constraints, it was decided to move detailed discussion to next month’s Board Meeting. Mary Beth Schultze (Secretary) has volunteered to organize the Committee. Anyone interested in joining this new committee, please email gardenpatiovillas@gmail.com and join us at our August 1st Board Meeting!
GOLF COURSE PROPERTY SURVEY RESULTS: Melodie (President), delivered the results of our Golf Course Property Survey sent to Garden Patio Villa Members. There were 33 replies (For details, please contact gardenpatiovillas@gmail.com for a link to the actual survey information).
BULK GARBAGE: Bulk Pick Up is SATURDAY a.m. at the curb in front of each unit. FRIDAY, you should place bulk items outside for removal. Bulk garbage on swales is not permitted and there is no central collection point. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community clean and beautiful!
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:10 PM
NEXT BOARD MEETING IS 6:30PM – MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022
South Florida has hurricanes…and it also has lightening! Lightening hit a large tree this past month at Garden Patio Villas! It was loud with a bang and sharp crack. Everyone heard it and unfortunately, a Member’s TV was fried along with several Members’ modems.
Days later, leaves began to fall down by the thousands. Very unusual for green leaves to fall from a tree! A tree company came out to take a look and said that lightening hit the tree! Along side that, it hit the neighbors small palm tree and soon it’s leaves began to wither. Leaves keep falling that are now brown and crispy like fall up north.
It’s very important what is planted and where it is planted here at Garden Patio Villas! Trees too close to properties can create all types of problems. Although we do trim for hurricanes every year, lightening still occurs frequently at this time of year with afternoon rain showers and storms
We are thankful that no villa got hit by lightening nor did any Member get hurt during the storm at Garden Patio Villas!
Please stay safe and be careful when you see rain or hear the lightening! Follow the rules which apply when you want to plant something outdoors and use the Landscaping Plant form.
SOLD– $270,000 – This is a cozy and cute 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa for sale in Cluster 4 of our Association. This home includes a Florida room that is under roof. In the back there is a patio concrete slab which could easily be built up and screened in. The villa comes with a stainless steal refrigerator and washer and dryer. There is also a one car garage with a double driveway.
Garden Patio Villas Association is a 55+ HOA community.
Our Homeowners Association is located in Margate, Florida. We are a small community that is self-managed. Purchasing in our association means you get a restricted deed on your property. Members must abide by our Governing Documents and adhere to the rules and regulations.
Our HOA fee is $510 every quarter. A heated pool and clubhouse is available to members. For more information, go to eligibility to be a Garden Patio Villas member.
For more photos or to request a showing, contact the realtor by clicking here.
We sadly announce the passing of Maria Del Carmen Martin. Her farewell to this life was in May 2022. Her ashes will be returned to her home land in Columbia. She will be missed greatly by all those who knew and loved her.
Maria was a Member of our community, Garden Patio Villas, since 2014 at 7708 Margate Blvd. C4U3.
Surely, everyone has seen or had to clean up from all the Muscovy ducks in our Garden Patio Villas community. Did you know that even though they are considered wildlife, they were domesticated long ago. They were actually bred as eating birds. This is because of their larger size than other ducks that you may see in a woodland pond or even in our own canal. Male ducks can grow up to 30 inches, weighing up to 15 pounds. The females only grow to half their size, about 6-7 pounds. They have a lifespan of 8=12 years.
Muscovy ducks are extremely prolific. The female can breed 2-3 times a year. Breeding season is from October until May. The gestation period is usually about 35 days. They can lay up to 15 eggs, although only about 2 will survive to adulthood. The proliferation is what sometimes sparks controversy between neighbors. Some think they are cute and nice to look at. Others just see them as a nuisance.
Some people have the urge to feed the ducks. They feed them bread and cereal. This really has no nutritional value for the ducks. What it does is fill them up so they are not interested in feeding on grass, insects,slugs, and snails. This is what gives them the nutrition that they need. It is also against City of Margate ordinance and Garden Patio Villas Governing Documents (rules) to feed the wildlife.
Muscovy Ducks are really only good at eating and pooping. This is evidenced on our sidewalks and driveways. It is not against the law to capture and humanely euthanize a duck. However it is against the law to capture and release in another location. We should just leave the ducks alone. They do not need our help. The ducks will be just fine.
Garden Patio Villas Association, Inc.
7708 Margate Blvd, Margate, FL 33063
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
June 1, 2022 Time: 6:30PM Location: Clubhouse
Agenda: Approval Form for Plantings, Fruit Tree Rules, GPV Insurance Rate Increase
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Melodie Savoca, President; (Via Phone) Lou Grunes, Vice President; Mary Schultze, Secretary; Gelly Dossman, Treasurer; Jeff Mandell, Member at Large
OWNERS PRESENT: None
Melodie called the meeting to order.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVAL FORM FOR PLANTINGS – The Board voted to approve a new “Landscaping and Planting Request for Approval Form”. This will align with our Governing Documents. This form was created to provide a detailed approval of ANY landscaping and planting additions and/or changes on your property.
Does the Board wish to approve the “Landscaping and Planting Request for Approval Form”?
Jeff (Member at Large) made the motion and Lou (Vice President) seconded the motion. All board members present voted in favor. (Melodie Savoca, President – “Yes”; (Via Phone); Lou Grunes,Vice President- “Yes”;Mary Schultze,Secretary-Yes”; Gelly Dossman,Treasurer-”Yes”; Jeff Mandell,Member at Large-“Yes”).
FRUIT TREE RULES – Fruit trees must be maintained within members’ property boundary lines and Garden Patio Villas common property. Any fallen fruit must be picked up by Members to maintain ground quality and prevent issues with rodents or other animals. Note: Any fruit trees planted without authorization on common property are subject to maintenance and or removal by the Board. Any fallen fruit within a Member’s property boundaries must be picked up by the Member.
Consideration was given to creating a Landscape Beautification Committee. This will be added to our next meeting agenda. Mary Beth Schultze (Secretary) has volunteered to organize the Committee. Anyone interested in joining this new committee, please email us and join us at our July 11th Board Meeting!
GPV INSURANCE RATE INCREASE – Our annual insurance premium has unexpectedly increased by $5,600 which is 60% over last year. There was no advance notice provided at renewal. The Board is considering a special assessment of $70. to help cover this unexpected expense not in our 2022 budget. This will be voted on by the Board at our next meeting, July 11th at the Clubhouse.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:35 PM
NEXT BOARD MEETING IS 6:30PM – MONDAY, JULY 11th, 2022
