NewsAug03

Our interior plant company has just notified us that residents are discarding their drinks in the plants in the Club Room. Not only will the plants die, but insects will be attracted.

If you see anyone dumping anything in the plants, please ask them to stop, or advise one of our staff members who will talk to them. Sponsors of events held in the Club Room are responsible for all damage to the facilities.

The Board of Directors has tasked management with a list of summer work projects. The following projects have been completed or are underway.

Barbecue grill - All parts have been replaced. We would appreciate everyone cleaning the grill after use.

Pool Deck - Three chaise lounges and one chair had their webbing replaced. A timer has been installed for the pool lights.

A new light fixture ballast was installed in the pool area. The Developer has repaired the surface and underpinnings of the pool deck. The surface had settled in spots and presented a potentially dangerous condition.

Hurricane film - If you are interested in installing hurricane film at your own expense on the windows of your unit, two vendors were invited to demonstrate hurricane film on the Club Room kitchen windows and a small window panel in the Club Room. A sheet explaining the products from each vendor is attached to each window. One of the samples is very slightly tinted, and after testing it to determine that it does not alter the appearance of the building, has also been approved by the Architectural Review Committee.

Club Room - New light bulbs were installed in the ceiling fixtures. An additional hand-rail on the top of the stairwell from the 2nd floor to the club room was installed. The furniture in the club room furniture was cleaned. Two new table lamps were also purchased.

Exercise Room - The television sets in the exercise room were lowered. The equipment in the exercise room was repaired. A paper towel holder and disinfectant dispenser were installed.

Parking Areas - Ballasts and light bulbs were changed in the garage. Temporary plastic sheeting in the 1st floor garage on the East fence was installed to eliminate corrosive irrigation water spray falling onto cars. A garage light relay that handles the garage and East street-lights was changed. (they were ON all the time). Fifteen parking wheel bumpers were installed on the 2nd and 3rd floors at the building façade and the 1st floor fence area to protect vulnerable walls and fencing from vehicle damage.

The ceiling fixtures in the North and South entrances were cleaned and new light bulbs installed. All Penthouse balcony lights were replaced

In late July, an outside contractor will refinish the decorative panels of the three passenger elevators.

The Developer has repaired a major hidden water leak that resulted in wall damage to the men and women's shower rooms. Walls were completely rebuilt.

Two of our maintenance staff attended pool school in July. The Association has now taken over maintenance of the pool. There is a lot to learn, and supplies to obtain, but the inspector for the Sarasota Health Department has been very helpful in advising what chemicals are better than others and assisted in the completion of forms necessary for pool maintenance.

A more robust wall covering material will be added to the Service Elevator hallway to help eliminate the inevitable dings and marks from furniture moves and deliveries.

Safety rails will be installed on each side of the concrete ramp leading from the 3rd floor garage door within the next few weeks. The raised edge of the ramp is a potential trip hazard.

A lighting management program will be set up. A site and building diagram will assist the security guards in identifying and reporting lights that are not working.

We will investigate graffiti prevention sealer to apply to prime targets such as entrance columns, and will obtain graffiti removal chemicals in anticipation of any future vandalism.

For safety reasons, we are looking into reliable methods of locking the gas valve on the grill on the pool deck.

In late July, two new cameras will be installed in the Service Elevator hallway, along with a motion detector signaling the front desk when there is movement in the hall.

Proposals will be obtained to install water outlets on each floor in the garage for pressure washer use by maintenance staff.

All pipe penetrations in the mechanical penthouse will be sealed and the floor will be epoxy-coated to protect units below from water damage in the event of a pump or line failure in the equipment room. We will also investigate flow monitors on all major systems so that an alarm will ring at the security desk if a pipe or pump should fail.

The Florida West Coast Symphony has decided not to move to Lakewood Ranch and will stay in the downtown cultural district. The Symphony Board is considering a site on Cocoanut Avenue, and the city site across Tamiami Trail from the Renaissance.

The issue of the View Corridor Easement, and a 2001 amendment to the Easement, has been hotly discussed in the press.

Regardless of what the Symphony decides to do, Renaissance residents can be assured that the original 1999 view corridor easement guaranteeing the unobstructed view of west-oriented apartments (for ninety-nine years) has not been invalidated. The Association, through our attorney, has placed the City on notice that our rights under the original View Corridor Easement agreement will be vigorously defended if challenged.

For a summary of the issues, to view a memorandum from the Developer on the subject, and a copy of the letter from the Association attorney to the attorneys for the city of Sarasota, visit the resident web site at http://RenCondo.com

The Association has purchased an excellent insurance policy, replacing the expiring coverage originally provided by the Developer. If your mortgage lender requires proof of insurance, they can obtain it by calling Lynda Kass, Oswald Trippe and Co, 800-621-6821 Ext. 7158. You may also fax Lynda at 239-433-4148 or email at lkass@otc1.com. Our thanks to chairman Manny Lauria for his assistance.

Note that condominium insurance does NOT protect the contents of individual apartments; it covers only building infrastructure and facilities. Owners and renters should be sure to purchase their own homeowner's insurance and windstorm coverage.

The Association would like to remind all owners that the quarterly maintenance assessments for their apartments are due on the first day of January, April, July, and October. Accounts unpaid by the 15th of the month they are due are assessed a $25 penalty. Accounts that remain unpaid must be turned over to our attorneys for collection, with all penalties and attorney's fees to be paid by the defaulting owner.

The Renaissance is operated from funds contributed by each owner, so any owner who does not pay quarterly assessments on time is essentially shifting their responsibility to all the other owners. Attorney fees, collection fees, and penalties can easily exceed $600. The quarterly invoices for maintenance assessments are mailed as a courtesy, and non-receipt does not relieve an owner of the responsibility of paying assessments on time.

Please do not store boxes, old furniture, unsightly, or bulk materials on your balcony. It is also against the Renaissance rules to store or operate any grill, smoker, barbeque, or similar cooking appliance on any terrace or balcony.

Renaissance rules require that any window covering (verticals, blinds, shutters, and the like) must be lined or painted so that they display a neutral color from the outside when installed on any window or door.

The August movie is "Catch Me If You Can" starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Tom Hanks. This movie follows Frank W. Abagnale, Jr. as he successfully passes himself off as a pilot, a lawyer and a doctor - all before his 21st birthday! The movie will be shown in the media room on Thursday, August 7 at 7:30 pm. Popcorn and sodas will be provided.



			THE RENAISSANCE NEWS August, 2003 CLUB ROOM PLANTS Our interior plant company has just notified us that residents are discarding their drinks in the plants in the Club Room. Not only will the plants die, but insects will be attracted. If you see anyone dumping anything in the plants, please ask them to stop, or advise one of our staff members who will talk to them. Sponsors of events held in the Club Room are responsible for all damage to the facilities. SUMMER PROJECTS The Board of Directors has tasked management with a list of summer work projects. The following projects have been completed or are underway. Barbecue grill - All parts have been replaced. We would appreciate everyone cleaning the grill after use. Pool Deck - Three chaise lounges and one chair had their webbing replaced. A timer has been installed for the pool lights. A new light fixture ballast was installed in the pool area. The Developer has repaired the surface and underpinnings of the pool deck. The surface had settled in spots and presented a potentially dangerous condition. Hurricane film - If you are interested in installing hurricane film at your own expense on the windows of your unit, two vendors were invited to demonstrate hurricane film on the Club Room kitchen windows and a small window panel in the Club Room. A sheet explaining the products from each vendor is attached to each window. One of the samples is very slightly tinted, and after testing it to determine that it does not alter the appearance of the building, has also been approved by the Architectural Review Committee. Club Room - New light bulbs were installed in the ceiling fixtures. An additional hand-rail on the top of the stairwell from the 2nd floor to the club room was installed. The furniture in the club room furniture was cleaned. Two new table lamps were also purchased. Exercise Room - The television sets in the exercise room were lowered. The equipment in the exercise room was repaired. A paper towel holder and disinfectant dispenser were installed. Parking Areas - Ballasts and light bulbs were changed in the garage. Temporary plastic sheeting in the 1st floor garage on the East fence was installed to eliminate corrosive irrigation water spray falling onto cars. A garage light relay that handles the garage and East street-lights was changed. (they were ON all the time). Fifteen parking wheel bumpers were installed on the 2nd and 3rd floors at the building façade and the 1st floor fence area to protect vulnerable walls and fencing from vehicle damage. The annual fire-pump and flow test per Sarasota statutes was performed. The ceiling fixtures in the North and South entrances were cleaned and new light bulbs installed. All Penthouse balcony lights were replaced A new motion detector flood light was installed and hard wired at the lobby entrance. Performed monthly generator check (per insurance specifications) Travertine hallway and elevator floors have been polished. In late July, an outside contractor will refinish the decorative panels of the three passenger elevators. The Developer has repaired a major hidden water leak that resulted in wall damage to the men and women's shower rooms. Walls were completely rebuilt. Two of our maintenance staff attended pool school in July. The Association has now taken over maintenance of the pool. There is a lot to learn, and supplies to obtain, but the inspector for the Sarasota Health Department has been very helpful in advising what chemicals are better than others and assisted in the completion of forms necessary for pool maintenance. The following items have been addressed and will be completed shortly. The spa will be completely resurfaced in mid-August. A more robust wall covering material will be added to the Service Elevator hallway to help eliminate the inevitable dings and marks from furniture moves and deliveries. Safety rails will be installed on each side of the concrete ramp leading from the 3rd floor garage door within the next few weeks. The raised edge of the ramp is a potential trip hazard. A lighting management program will be set up. A site and building diagram will assist the security guards in identifying and reporting lights that are not working. We will investigate graffiti prevention sealer to apply to prime targets such as entrance columns, and will obtain graffiti removal chemicals in anticipation of any future vandalism. For safety reasons, we are looking into reliable methods of locking the gas valve on the grill on the pool deck. In late July, two new cameras will be installed in the Service Elevator hallway, along with a motion detector signaling the front desk when there is movement in the hall. Proposals will be obtained to install water outlets on each floor in the garage for pressure washer use by maintenance staff. All pipe penetrations in the mechanical penthouse will be sealed and the floor will be epoxy-coated to protect units below from water damage in the event of a pump or line failure in the equipment room. We will also investigate flow monitors on all major systems so that an alarm will ring at the security desk if a pipe or pump should fail. WEST COAST SYMPHONY HALL The Florida West Coast Symphony has decided not to move to Lakewood Ranch and will stay in the downtown cultural district. The Symphony Board is considering a site on Cocoanut Avenue, and the city site across Tamiami Trail from the Renaissance. The issue of the View Corridor Easement, and a 2001 amendment to the Easement, has been hotly discussed in the press. Regardless of what the Symphony decides to do, Renaissance residents can be assured that the original 1999 view corridor easement guaranteeing the unobstructed view of west-oriented apartments (for ninety-nine years) has not been invalidated. The Association, through our attorney, has placed the City on notice that our rights under the original View Corridor Easement agreement will be vigorously defended if challenged. For a summary of the issues, to view a memorandum from the Developer on the subject, and a copy of the letter from the Association attorney to the attorneys for the city of Sarasota, visit the resident web site at http://RenCondo.com INSURANCE The Association has purchased an excellent insurance policy, replacing the expiring coverage originally provided by the Developer. If your mortgage lender requires proof of insurance, they can obtain it by calling Lynda Kass, Oswald Trippe and Co, 800-621-6821 Ext. 7158. You may also fax Lynda at 239-433-4148 or email at lkass@otc1.com. Our thanks to chairman Manny Lauria for his assistance. Note that condominium insurance does NOT protect the contents of individual apartments; it covers only building infrastructure and facilities. Owners and renters should be sure to purchase their own homeowner's insurance and windstorm coverage. ASSESSMENTS & COLLECTIONS The Association would like to remind all owners that the quarterly maintenance assessments for their apartments are due on the first day of January, April, July, and October. Accounts unpaid by the 15th of the month they are due are assessed a $25 penalty. Accounts that remain unpaid must be turned over to our attorneys for collection, with all penalties and attorney's fees to be paid by the defaulting owner. The Renaissance is operated from funds contributed by each owner, so any owner who does not pay quarterly assessments on time is essentially shifting their responsibility to all the other owners. Attorney fees, collection fees, and penalties can easily exceed $600. The quarterly invoices for maintenance assessments are mailed as a courtesy, and non-receipt does not relieve an owner of the responsibility of paying assessments on time. BALCONY GUIDELINES Please do not store boxes, old furniture, unsightly, or bulk materials on your balcony. It is also against the Renaissance rules to store or operate any grill, smoker, barbeque, or similar cooking appliance on any terrace or balcony. WINDOW COVERINGS Renaissance rules require that any window covering (verticals, blinds, shutters, and the like) must be lined or painted so that they display a neutral color from the outside when installed on any window or door. MOVIE NIGHT The August movie is "Catch Me If You Can" starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Tom Hanks. This movie follows Frank W. Abagnale, Jr. as he successfully passes himself off as a pilot, a lawyer and a doctor - all before his 21st birthday! The movie will be shown in the media room on Thursday, August 7 at 7:30 pm. Popcorn and sodas will be provided.