WHAT DIRECTION CENTURY VILLAGE
New Beginning!
If you have not been watching, permit me to observe that we have just undergone a transformational event here in Century Village. The Board of Directors of UCO voted against the President on a matter of significance, as a result, the President has resigned along with a Vice President. Additionally, a second Vice President had resigned earlier over basic philosophical differences with the President. Hence the first order of business is to fill these critical UCO positions.
Open meetings are now the buzzword of the moment; clarified and cemented into our bylaws, we must be ever vigilant and make sure it works. We now enter what I hope will be an "Era of Cooperation and Good Feeling."
We must leave behind fighting, blaming and divisions of groups and work together for the good of all.
Now is the time! Now is our chance! Let's use our heads and not our emotions! Let's stop fighting and start working!
Listed below is some of the business that needs to be addressed:
1. Open communication so everyone knows first-hand what is happening in the village by conversion of the UCO paper to a full-service paper with more news coverage and less personal columns. Also develop Channel 63 to a full serviceTV station with talk shows on items of interest in the village, news broadcasts and other live programming.
2. Streamline services for more efficiency and less waiting. For example, do all passes in the same place and do transponders instantly with no appointments, better yet, explore new technology like License Plate Recognition, and eliminate transponders altogether.
3. Computerization of all UCO operations and records for more accuracy and faster, more uniform service.
4. Run UCO like the $5 million business that it is.
5. Consolidation of willing associations to streamline operations, records,
management and to increase purchasing power.
6. Create a better informed and revamped Delegate Assembly with more power.
7. Reopen the Q and A to allow residents to express themselves.
8. Place professional talent in key UCO positions. For instance, finance and accounting
9. We pay the salaries of UCO staff and also the clubhouse staff. By combining some of their tasks we will be able to bring savings to these budgets.
10. We need to get started on addressing shoreline restoration.
11. Recruit and place talented, thinking people in committee chair positions. The newly elected President should appoint a "Volunteer Committee". The purpose of this committee would be to actively search and compile lists of willing and experienced residents, along with their bios, for submission to each committee chair.
12. Reaffirm term limits.
13. Bring back help for associations.
Dave Israel
17 comments:
testing only
Hi Randall,
Thank you most sincerly for your support of the "to-do" list and for your very good idea in addition.
I hope that the new slate of Officers, soon to be elected, can subscribe to these ideas and put them into execution.
Also, it is absolutely critical that the newly invigorated Delegate Assembly pick up and enhance the powers imbued by Florida Corporation law and use said powers to effect the "To-Do" list.
Dave Israel
Randall was away from his desk and requested this be placed on the Blog. Ed
Randall said...
I think we're off to a great start here folks. Every great pursuit requires a detailed plan, and plan we will. In this new era of cooperation, understanding, and government-in-the-sunshine, no realistic goals are beyond our reach. In addition to Dave's "to do list", may I suggest that the newly elected President appoint a "Volunteer Committee". The purpose of this committee would be to actively search and compile lists of willing and experienced residents, along with their bios, for submission to each committee chair. LET US NOW WORK IN A CONCERTED EFFORT TO MAKE CENTURY VILLAGE A MODEL FOR ALL COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES.
Jul 18, 2008 6:42:00 AM
How about a revision of the UCO CLUBHOUSE "rules" --- like ALL being able to use what ALL pay for (ie: COMPUTERS and ROOM and LECTURES, not just the "elite" select few "member stooges" - DUH!!!). Also, BIG SCREEN TV SPORTS GAMES!!! MORE USER FRIENDLY (without the looks, what are YOU doing here!!!). Stop treating the residents like "little children", NO .....! Thanks, DAVE !!!
I think Dave-Pres, Randall-Vp, Phyllis-Vp should run as a team.
Just one mans opinion. Mike
Mike I do not do a lot of writing but I do a lot of reading, I am with you Mike in regards to Pres, and VP's also Capt. John I think thats a great idea having a "volunteer committee" You are all on the right track. Keep it up
08/18/2008
I agree with Dave that a new era might begun with the recent events in UCO. Let's make sure however that we do not change nameplates only but that significant changes reflecting the majority of owners needs are provided by UCO.
I have done some research and analysis on this matter and below is the result. These ideas are put forward to generate solid intelligent discussions and further evaluation by the power to be. Implementation of some of these ideas are long term projects and they should be considered as such. Welcome to all to discuss...
Background information
Century Village of West Palm Beach is over thirty years old now and this offers new opportunities to improve the quality of life of residents while maximizing the dollar value of the monthly dues paid to UCO and WPRF.
The annual budget of the two organizations, according to figures I read in the Reporter, amounts to about $15,000,000 million dollars a year. That's an average of $1400.00 a year per condo unit for UCO and WPRF services.
The aging factor is bringing new people to Century Village. The natural attrition rate and the modern life habit of the residents is creating a situation where the majority of owners are present only about half of the year. It is estimated that the village is occupied at no more than 20% to 30% during the low season beginning in May. Also an average of 10% of the units are vacant at any given time, because of sickness, hospitalisation, travel and real estate activities pending sales or rental.
Budget considerations
The Operations Committee (UCO) decide of the WPRF annual budget allowance for recreational activities and maintenance costs. The rest covers the rent.
WPRF budget for the above is about $9,500,000. a year.
UCO's budget of about $5,000,000. a year pays for the following items
Cable: $ 1,944,180.00 or 38% of the budget;
Bus system: $ 1,071,000.00 or 21% " "
Security: $ 692,500.00 or 13% " "
Salary & Wages: $ 181,551.00 or 3% " "
Electric: $ 152,100.00 or 3% " "
Ambulance: $ 141,372.00 or 3% " "
Allocation to Fund: $ 126,000.00 or 2% " "
Beautification: $ 100,000.00 or 2% " "
Balance of items: 15% " "
Cable, the bus system and security is costing $ 3,707,680.00 which represents 72% of the UCO budget.
Change
Following is a list of areas where UCO should concentrate its action to bring about the changes which are necessary to offer an improved quality of life to its part time and full time residents and provide the best services for their dollars.
The UCO By-Laws should be changed to represent a new proposed organisational structure and responsibilities.
1 ) Fair representation
Allow every owner the right to run for an elected post as a UCO Officer and/or the Executive Board
This would require some changes to the way the business of the village is conducted to adapt to the fact that not everybody is present all year round. An effort must be made by UCO to keep permanent contact with the decision makers i.e.the President of each Association. UCO must keep them informed of any upcoming changes and ensure a full participaition in the Management of the Village by ensuring their personal vote directly by one way or another.
The Federation structure could be energized to play a most important role in this process.
Show of hands votes must be discontinued at the Delegates meetings to be replaced by confidential votes only on all money issue matters. Advance notice of agenda items, vote by fax, e-mail or telephone will have to be allowed. Forward planning by UCO must be improved to allow sufficent time for Presidents and their Board to evaluate proposals and casting of well informed votes.
An independent voting committee should be created to manage this process.
Spending limit authority must be defined and only contract of less than $50,000. dollars should be awarded by the Executive without the approval of the Associations. Everything above that amount must be voted on by the Presidents.
2) Hire a professional Village Manager and task him with the following goals:
Voluntarism and amateurism is not affordable anymore. We have learned with the reconstruction of the Clubhouse and the following Levy dispute how much that could cost.
Re-aligning our expenses to be more in line with usage by residents and their changing needs is badly require now. The security, bus transportation and cable budget items consumes over 72% of the UCO budget. The fact that now only about 20% to 30% of the residents are present during the low season starting in May, should be reflected in the monthly budget allocations of the three above mentioned budget items.
Goal 1) Security: Reduction of 30% equal to $207,788. dollars;
- Only one gate should be operational during the summer;
- Main clubhouse and Hasting premises security presence to be reduced in accordance with usage of the facilities;
Goal 2) Bus transportation: Reduction of 40% equal to $428,400. dollars;
- Limit summer transport to two shopping malls and two supermarkets;
- Reduce the inside the village runs by half;
- Where more economical maximize use of Palm Transport or taxi services with controls for residents who have no personal transportation means;
Goal 3)Cable: Within the same budget, offer a variety of services other than basic cable service
A) Renegotiate the contract with Comcast to reflect the utilization of the service by unit. Residents and users of cable should pay only when present. Snowbirds are suspending service for a minimal fee or no fee for the telephone, water and enhanced cable system with Comcast. The same should apply to the UCO contract with Comcast representing significant savings. Assuming 30% are present 12 months, 50% are 6 months and 20% are 4 months would represent a saving of $ 738,000 dollars. These savings can be used therefore to upgrade the basic service and provide new ones as suggested below.
B) Install through the entire Village Wi-Fi internet service. It is believe that over 1500 residents are connected to internet in the village. This number will continue to grow as the population mix is changing. Each is paying between $10.00 to
$45.00 a month to have Internet service by either telephone or cable service providers.
C) Provide more international stations like TV5, CNN International, BBC of England, RAI from Italy, GDW from Germany, CBC, Radio-Canada, CTV, RDS, TSN and TVA from Canada. A TV station from each US northern states should also be available, so that everyone can stay abreast of what is going on in their neck of the woods.
Goal 4) Review the Operations Committee budget to optimize the services provided by WPRF.
Not being familiar with the WPRF budget or the Operations Committee, I cannot at this time offer any suggestions for saving or re-alignment. This work should be continued once the information is available.
Goal 5) Implement the lakes and lagoons shorelines restoration plan
A monthly contribution is already set aside in the Operations budget of WPRF for this purpose. This project must be continue and completed as soon as possible as the lakes and lagoons not only contributes to the ground irrigation but also are an important asset to the beauty of the Village.
Suggestions of new recreational activities to be provided with the savings
of $636,188.00 dollars a year
1) Golf
Having direct access to a golf course on premises is an advantage that we must optimized. Part time owners are avid golfers and they like quality courses and cheap affordable prices. The Turtle golf course now called Fairway is lacking these two essential condition. Rates of $35.00 per player are too high for an Executive course of that quality.
Century Village Deerfield Beach has the Hillsboro Pines Golf Club inside the Village. This season prices were $32 until 11.00 a.m., $28.00 from 11 a.m. to 2 pm, and $15.00 after 2.00pm, including golf and cart.
Century Village Pembroke Pines has the Flamingo Lakes Golf Club and their rates are also appreciably lower than here. .
Maybe we can learn what success they have by paying a visit to the two Villages mentioned above.
The golf activity must be recognized as an important recreational activity supported by UCO and WPRF. Ensuring a healthy financial situation for the golf owners is essential as Century Village has no interest in letting this adjacent valued property being rundown or eventually closed.
Some ideas, such as those offered below, to improve the situation could be explore with the golf course management:
- Rates of $15.00 per person and $ 28.00 per couple should be available for Century Village residents on specific days of the week.
- UCO and WPRF should promote the golf course usage and fully support the Men's and Women's golf clubs to increase their membership. Tee time could be booked at the ticket office, like we do for shows, thus reducing course management costs.
-Participation options in the ownership of the Fairway golf course should be examined also.
- It is to be understood that some money could be subsidized by the WPRF budget ( as is done with shows etc..) to offset any difference in cost once the budget re-alignment is in place.
- UCO could participate in providing free but controlled access to Century Village water for the golf course watering needs.
2) Lakes usage
- The Sailing Club should expand its activities to provide canoes, row boats and paddle boats, so that residents not able to sail can have access to some other nautical activities;
- The water passage under the circle road bridges should be dredged in order to provide easy access to all lakes and lagoons;
- The two fountains should be re-activated as soon as possible. Other lighted bell shapes fountains should be installed in every runoff as well as in the two lagoons in Wellington. Not only these fountain are lovely to view but they contribute a lot to the oxygenation of the water.
3 )Entertainment
More recent artists should be hired to perform in the main auditorium with music and comedies of the 90 and 2000 era.
4) Pools
-The pools should be beautified with more flowers and plants;
- The chairs should be always clean and secured;
- The toilets and shower stalls should be modernized and upgraded to today's standards;
- The satellite pools should be freshly painted as well as the cement work around them.
5) Entrances to the Village and road leading to the Clubhouse island
Compare to others in the area, our entrances lack the punch of prosperity. The signage at Okeechobee entrance should be upgraded and there should be more plantations as well of flowers and shrubs to give it the appearance of South Florida.
The middle separation in front of the medical building within the Village should be planted with palm trees and flowers as a continuation of the Haverhill entrance. Old wire gates and fence at the bridge should be removed or upgraded if still necessary.
6) Tennis and petanque
Somerset residents are complaining of the noise and traffic created by the presence of these facilities in their vicinity. If permits can be obtained they should be moved to the Clubhouse island and repositioned along the lake edge or as replacement for unused shuffle boards. The hardball wall should be tear down to accommodate spaces for these courts.
Duck island could well be converted into a bocchi and petanque field only.
7) Back of the Main Clubhouse
This area requires a major uplift and it should be redesigned to make a better use of the grounds. Adding tropical vegetation and waterfalls would give the sector a Resort aspect. The unheated pool sees very little traffic all year round and a study should be conducted to determine its vocation.
8) Security control for visitors
Many residents must pay for the basic telephone which cost over $30.00 a month, to have access to the security control system. Other options should be added like the use of a cellular with PIN number or e-mail with PIN number. This way many residents could phase out the basic telephone system and use their cellular instead.
9) New UCO building
This extravaganza must be stopped if at all possible. The Main Clubhouse offers many opportunities to consolidate services with WPRF and provide sufficient space for UCO work in the morning, when the Clubhouse is not so occupied. Since construction is underway it might be too late to stop the project but UCO could rent this new building, which is outside the gates and work from the Main Clubhouse anyway.
Conclusion
Rome was not built in one day and many years might be required to accomplish all or part of the above suggestions.
Many other proposals can be made to improve it to reflect the need of the people.
Andre Veilleux
Rome, nor YOUR POST :)
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH, MIKE SUGGESTED, PRES AND VP RANDALL - ONLY
Oh yes, & since we "up here" are missing all of the fun "down there", maybe we can move on to other topics that are of general interest? And I thought the whole lawsuit thing would be buried...only to be replaced by this???
Working committees are the key to many issues you have listed. Committee members who are not here year round could be informed via Em and teleconferencing.If people who are not here year round don't have a computer they more than likely should not be on the committee. That does not go for people who are here year round because they will be at the meetings. The communication issue is a priority for both voting and committee meetings. Mike
Andre
Lets take you suggestions one step further. Lets charge our residents only for those things they use while they are here. If you come in the gate you pay a fee to enter. Want to ride the bus put money in the fare box, want to play tennis, put the money in the slot that opens the gate to the court. If you use anything at the clubhouse pay only for what you use. How about only charging part time residents for their building maintenance when they are not here? No fixing of the roof over your when you are away. No mowing of the lawn in front of your unit while you are not here. Lets go further cancel the bulk comcast contract and let each unit owner make their own deal with comcast for what they want while they are here. Each time you call in a guest there will be an entry fee charged to your unit. Lets make everything in the village "pay as you go" FORGET the whole idea of condo living. When you buy into a condo set up you buy into the concept of "common expenses" . Perhaps people do not understand the concept should not try to live here. Lets tell the people who NEED our transportation system that it is TO GOOD for them and should be curtailed.
Before making any changes, I strongly suggest that the UCO Reporter print The ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION of UCO and the UCO BY-LAWS. It would be wonderful if people would read and comprehend the laws and rules before they threw the baby out with the bath water. The reason you have all this turmoil is because most of the people in the village made it up as they went along.
If you really want a democracy, respect is required and that includes RESPECT FOR THE LAW.
Thank you Dave for the opportunity you gave this village, and I hope you run for president of UCO.
Copies of the UCO bylaws are available at the UCO office for anyone who wants to get a copy. The bylaws also explain the intent of UCO and its mission. You are correct that perhaps some of the "changes" proposed other than open meetings might prove to be a disaster.
What is needed now is to get UCO back to operating as a cohesive unit and stop the personality conflicts that are going on. Some people who are qualified will probably run for the vacant offices and some people who are not so qualified will also run. There will also be SOME VERY qualified people who will NOT RUN. Could some excellent people who do not run openly or not here right now,be "drafted" and asked to serve? Next Friday may prove to be a interesting day.
Andre if you have been following the blog you know your suggestions would get serious and highly intelligent hearing from Dave Israel. As you say Rome was not built in one day and many years might be required to accomplish all or part of your suggestions. I am all for zero based budgeting, search for efficiencies, fresh thinking. Do you sometimes think anonymous is trying to pull us back into the Black Lagoon. Keep them coming Andre.
To anonymous 2:29
In order for anyone to make an intelligent decision, they need to read the UCO by-laws, but more important than that are the ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION. These ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION supercede the by-laws.
To Andre
Your suggestions and ideas would be wonderful if UCO has assessment powers...
but they do not.
Each unit owner has a contract with Benenson, the owner. This contract is called the Millennium Amendment to the Long Term Lease. WPRF is the manager for Benenson, who I'm sure would not be thrilled if we try telling them what to do with their money. The golf course is a seperate business that has nothing to do with UCO or WPRF. and I don't think dredging will allow sailboats to go under the bridges.
There are some very smart people in the village. Perhaps it could be possible for you to seek them out and together you could come up with attainable changes.
Good luck to you.
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