Palm Greens Recreation Association

Delray Alliance

ALLIANCE OF DELRAY RESIDENTIAL ASSOCIATIONS

By Judy Goldberg

Meeting Notes – December 2024:

Happy & Healthy 2025 to all our Palm Greens and Delray Trails families! New beginnings, new friendships. Looking forward to a great New Year with hopefully lots of positive experiences. Again, we also want to thank Jerry Carlin and Bonnie Sanger for being our eyes and ears at this last meeting. They are an asset to all of us! Thank you again! Dr. Lori Vinikoor, our President of the Alliance, started the meeting at 9:30 with a few announcements, Mature Drive Courses, for information contact Lori Vinikoor. The Alliance is saying NO to the proposed new Tax Office as it will further stress the infrastructure, and it is not necessary as more people go online instead of in person visits.  Lori Vinikoor introduced our guests for the special topic of the day. 2024 Insurance Panel/addressing all aspects of property insurance in South Florida.  The panelists were Lori Berman, Senator for District 26, Connor Lynch, Plastridge Insurance, Jason Rodgers-Da Cruz of Siegfried-Rivera, and Caesar Mendez of C.A.R.E. Construction. Senator Lori Berman, first speaker of the four-person panel to discuss property insurance problems offered a solution in the form of a yet to be developed ‘task force’ to deal with problems the condominiums and homeowners associations’ homes must deal with. The task force would seek to lower premiums without lowering coverage. She noted the Citizens Insurance was created to be the last resort but has developed into the first resort instead. $1.2 million policies written, down to $1million. Senator Berman proposes that the task force would spread the risks of both flood and wind damage among the insurance companies. Property Insurance will be a priority in the next Legislative session beginning March 2025. Real Estate Trial Lawyer, Jason Rodgers Da Cruz, discussed the need for flood maps to be updated. They are badly out of date. Additionally, he suggested that attorney fees shift to the winner of any suit brought. You would win and get the prevailing attorney fees back. He sees a lot of people that are underinsured. Read policies very carefully, work with a broker on interpretation. All damages are not necessarily covered.  Also, evaluate 3rd party insurance. i.e., roofs, make sure that there are no exclusions, e.g. (condo roofs). Next speaker Caesar Menendez. Construction Rep. decried the practice of insurers refusing to renew insurance for buildings that need only repair, instead insisting on full reroofing. Boards must make sure that they have the correct insurance for the project being done. Insurance Companies may not renew policies if they find a loophole with construction so take time to evaluate the policy. The final speaker was Connor Lynch, {Plastridge Insurance) discussed the liabilities, mitigation, and reinsurance that come into play when selecting an insurance company to insure the condo or homeowners’ community property. Insurance companies cannot renew the policy if they find a loophole with the construction. Roof age plays a big role in mitigating features. Also, trying to regulate (frivolous) litigation which costs all of us money. Finally, remapping and redirecting water flow would help with determining insurance rates. Eight new Insurance companies have come into Florida. Most took over Citizens Policies. Bottom Line is to find an agent/broker that you can trust to see every quote. Do not let the agent pick you! Unfortunately, in March of 2023, the legislature gave insurance companies what they asked for. Many new guidelines. 20-year roofs are now required to be replaced at 17 years.

Senator Berman summed up the “My Safe Fla Home” program. For every $2 spent, the State gives $1 up to $10,000. Goes toward hurricane shutters, impact windows, and is based on Seniors’ income $80,000 or less for My Safe program. Very informative meeting, and many questions from the audience were addressed by the panel.

Captain Rob Sandt of the PBC Sheriff’s Office, said that crime levels in West Palm Beach have declined 40 to 50% and violent crime, little to none. Traffic crashes are down, 7 to 8%. He did say to always stay vigilant, especially at holiday time. Look around and be aware of your personal items. The Holiday Action Plan is to monitor the malls and parking lots. Please lock up your valuables and always LOCK YOUR CAR! Finally, he requested a moment of silence to honor the memory of the three fallen officers that were recently killed in the line of duty.

Chief Bill Stansbury of the Fire Rescue, said that with hurricane season over, take down your shutters. With all the growth of our western area of Delray Beach, we will elevate taking some resources to cover these new areas of development. He wished us all Happy Holidays. Lois Frankel’s Office was represented by Felicia Goldstein. She reminded us that Medicare enrollment ends on 12/7. Also thanked us for voting for Lois. If we have any problems with any Federal Agency, we should call her office. She is ALWAYS on Your Side!

Our first meeting of the new year will be on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.  Our topic will be “Staying Fit in 2025!”  Is Your Association Ready to Retrofit Pickleball?

Find Out What Associations Can Do to Meet the  Demands of Residents. Speaker: Attorney Joshua Gerstin PLUS…Moving for Better Balance and Avoiding Falls in Your Association. Tai Ji Yuan: What is Available to Your Community.

The meeting will be held in the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Rd, across from Morikami Gardens. Doors will open at 9AM when refreshments are served. The meeting starts at 9:30AM and always finishes by 11AM.  All are invited to attend. See you there!