TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS .......HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021

 I hope this year brings Good Health, Happiness and Harmony to all!

UCO REPORTER, JANUARY 2021 EDITION, LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

Committee 2020, Reporter, January 2021 Edition, December 30, 2020 by ucopresident on Scribd

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Dave Israel

PALM BEACH COUNTY PLANNING FOR VACCINATION PROGRAM - LATEST BULLETIN - DECEMBER 29, 2020

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Please be advised that the following reflects very preliminary planning. Further will be published as planning is developed and stabilized.

I’m sure many of you have questions about how and when you can expect to be vaccinated. Though much is fluid as this point, commissioner Gregg Weiss’s office has been keeping us informed along the way and they will continue to do so as more becomes clear. 

Below is information I hope you find useful.

Keep an eye on this blog as I will be posting as I learn more

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Subject: RE:  Covid Vaccination Distribution for Non-Residents Living in PBC

Good morning

 

The strategies for the COVID vaccine distribution in Palm Beach County are still under development.  The County is working closely with State officials and the Department of Health Palm Beach County on the specific plans and criteria.  It is our intention at this time to make the vaccine available to winter residents in the same manner as year-round permanent residents.  Although procedures may vary depending on how and where you receive the vaccine, your ID will be used primarily for verifying age and making sure that your contact information is properly entered into the system.  The vaccines expected to be used in Florida in the coming months will require a second shot of the same vaccine type.  

 

Jon Van Arnam, Deputy County Administrator

Palm Beach County Administration

MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER WEISS - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

 

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DECEMBER 2020

Below you'll find: COVID-19 Response Tarpon Cove Update COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Quarterly Meeting BCC December Briefs Trash Pick Up Schedule Channel 20 TV Guide

Commissioner Weiss end of year message

COVID-19 RESPONSE

TARPON COVE UPDATE

Tarpon Cove Restoration won the 2020 Project Excellence Award in the Small Project Category from the Coasts, Oceans, Ports, and Rivers Institute (COPRI) which is an Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the country's oldest national engineering society. COPRI serves as a multidisciplinary and international leader in improving knowledge, education, development and the practice of civil engineering in the sustainable management to develop, protect, and restore coasts, oceans, ports, waterways, rivers and wetlands resources. Tarpon Cove Restoration was recognized for its partnership for between Florida Inland Navigation District, Taylor Engineering, and Palm Beach County for demonstrating both design and construction excellence by maximizing beneficial re-use of dredged material for environmental benefits through the island creation utilizing Intracoastal Waterway maintenance dredged material. The official Award Notice can be viewed on ASCE Website: 2020 COPRI Project Excellence Award Announcement | ASCE [asce.org] The islands continue to attract a wide variety of wildlife, below are some updated images of the project. Oyster Monitoring: FWC began Oyster Monitoring in October they observed the mean live oyster density of 2147.73 oysters/m2 with a mean dead ratio of 0.08. The average SH was 21.19 mm.  They hypothesis these oysters are the pioneers for this station so it’s natural to see these high numbers at first. Over time I think we’ll see it decrease a bit and then level out similar to how the grassy flats site did. Lots of 20 something mm oysters and a lot of very small spat on the rocks, too. Work Schedule: During the next two weeks, they are planning to work Dec 21 -23 and Dec 28 – 30, with no work occurring between Dec 24 -27 and Dec 31 – Jan 3. The December - January activity will include daily placement of sand in the Blue Box working from south to north and stock piling material within the Purple Box for the creation of the intertidal mangrove island. Work will only during daytime hours. The current schedule for placement of the Town Marina material has work through Summer 2021. Top photo courtesy of Lake Worth Waterkeeper. Photo of oyster recruitment on bedding stone, provided by FMRI.

COVID-19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION

To Palm Beach County Medical Providers: Securing and distributing the COVID-19 vaccine is a top priority for the State of Florida and the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County (DOH-Palm Beach). This vaccine will be a critical resource in preventing the further spread of the virus and allowing Floridians to return to the normal pace of life. We know medical providers have questions and concerns about the process by which DOH-Palm Beach will be distributing this vaccine, so please note the following: DOH-Palm Beach's first priority will be Fire Rescue- EMS / Paramedics who will be doing vaccinations. The second priority is DOH-Palm Beach frontline workers and healthcare providers with direct patient care. Frontline providers who have hospital privileges may get vaccinated at the hospitals. Providers in Florida Shots will receive the vaccine from DOH-Palm Beach for them and their staff. Providers who are not in Florida Shots, and NOT in hospitals, will be vaccinated by DOH-Palm Beach. Providers who are retired or not seeing patients will be vaccinated with the general population.

QUARTERLY MEETING

On December 2, 2020, Commissioner Weiss met with mayors and city managers of the eight municipalities in District 2. Guest speaker, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks, spoke about property values in our district.

BCC DECEMBER BRIEFS

At the December 8 and 15, 2020, Board of County Commissioners meetings, the board took the following action: COVID-19 – received an update from Dr. Alina Alonso and county staff on local COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Palm Beach County’s daily positivity rate is 5.67%, a significant decrease over the past few weeks. The county’s total positivity rate is 13.36%. Dr. Alonso said the number of new cases per day has been trending downward. On December 13, the county reported 365 new cases compared to 693 on December 10. Vaccines – Five hospitals in Florida have started receiving the Pfizer vaccine (none in PBC). All Region 7 hospital staff in contact with COVID patients are expected to be vaccinated by the end of the month. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities that registered with CVS and Walgreens for assistance will begin getting their staff and residents vaccinated next week. The Florida Dept. of Health-Palm Beach County will be receiving the Moderna vaccine, which does not require ultra-cold storage. After initial distributions to hospitals and long-term care facilities, three groups will follow; high-risk frontline healthcare workers, first responders and additional priority groups, which have not yet been identified. Palm Tran – authorized a grant application in the amount of $1,199,742 with a required match of $133,305 for a total project cost of $1,333,047 to purchase 11 replacement paratransit vehicles. The vehicles being replaced were purchased in 2015 with Public Improvement Revenue Bond funds and have reached the end of their useful life. Fire Rescue – adopted an ordinance repealing and replacing Sections 12-56 and 12-57 of Chapter 12, Article IV of the Palm Beach County Code. The local amendments establish requirements for life safety features and fire protection features within buildings; collection of fees for plan review and inspection services; and a Fire Code Board. Roads – continued to 9:30 a.m. on December 22 at the BCC Zoning meeting an ordinance approving the annual update of the Palm Beach County Five-Year Road Program, which is required to be considered each year. Legislative agenda – approved the proposed 2021 state legislative agenda that Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Affairs staff, in conjunction with the county’s contract state lobbyists, will advocate for during the upcoming 2021 Florida Legislative Session. The agenda includes general government issues with a focus on economic development, substance use and mental health, affordable housing, homelessness, transportation, and water and environmental restoration. Building codes – approved an ordinance adopting an updated Chapter 1 "Administration" of the Florida Building Code 7th Edition for unincorporated areas of the county and in municipalities with an interlocal agreement for the provision of county plan review and inspection services. The ordinance allows for the construction of tiny houses and repeals and re­adopts irrigation system regulations to help conserve water and protect the public water supply. Behavioral Health Network – approved an agreement for provisional financial assistance in the amount of $1.4 million with Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network, Inc. (SEFBHN) for the period October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021, for the continuation of recovery support and planning services, and prevention programs. Schools – approved an interlocal agreement with the School Board of Palm Beach County for COVID-related expenses and the safe reopening of schools under the CARES Act in the amount of $10 million. Health Care District – authorized an amended agreement with the Health Care District of Palm Beach County to increase the not-to-exceed amount if additional CARES Act funds are available for disbursement prior to the December 30, 2020 deadline. Cleaning services – approved a budget transfer of $1.395 million from reserves to Facilities Development & Operations for the continuation of emergency cleaning services as required in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and approved an increase of $755,000 over the previous authorized amount of $5,487,413 for custodial services for the period of June 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021. Strategic planning – received a presentation on the county’s six strategic priorities focusing on inter-departmental collaborations to address needs and progress on work completed in relation to the individual strategic priorities and how they coordinate with the county’s mission and vision. The strategic priorities remain housing/homelessness, economic development, public safety, substance use and behavior disorders, environmental protection and infrastructure. Budget – reviewed FY-2021 budget expenditures and budget projections through FY-2025. Staff was directed to begin preparing for the FY-2022 budget and future budget projections. Code Enforcement – approved a negotiated settlement offer of $30,000 for the full satisfaction of a code enforcement lien that was entered against Matthew C. Murphy & Britani C. Murphy on June 6, 2018. Their property had been cited for parking more than seven vehicles on a residential lot; stored equipment or materials outside of the dwelling including driveways; and erecting/installing a chickee hut and a shed without first obtaining required building permits. Stadium – approved an emergency agreement with Jupiter Stadium, Ltd. (JSL) for purchases and improvements to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in the amount of $615,670 for COVID-19 mitigation through December 30, 2020. Equal Opportunity – approved on first reading and to advertise for public hearing on January 12, 2021, an ordinance amending the definition of “employer” to any business with five or more employees. Greenacres – adopted a resolution authorizing commencement of negotiations for an interlocal service boundary agreement with the city of Greenacres pertaining to a designated future annexation area located outside the city’s boundaries. Climate Change Compact – approved an interlocal agreement with Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties for the cost-share support of services for the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact effective January 1, 2021, and ending on January 1, 2024. Each county will contribute $100,000 per year for the contract with the nonprofit Institute for Sustainable Communities for the continuation of staffing coordination, project management, and facilitation services for the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact. PACE Finance – approved an indemnification agreement between Enhanced PACE Finance, LLC, as administrator of the Florida Resiliency and Energy District and Palm Beach County. Retirement – recognized and thanked longtime Director of Facilities Development & Operations Audrey Wolf, who is retiring after 32 years with Palm Beach County, and ratified the appointment of Deputy Director Isami Ayala-Collazo as the new director of FDO.

HOLIDAY TRASH COLLECTION

On Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25, 2020) all SWA facilities are closed and there is no garbage service in unincorporated Palm Beach County. There is no make-up collection day.    However, under the new collection service contract using standardized garbage carts, garbage will be collected outside of the cart from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Residents still should place all debris normally collected on these days curbside by 6 a.m.     New Year’s Day (Friday, Jan. 1, 2021) will not affect garbage collection in unincorporated Palm Beach County. All material should be at the curb on New Year’s Day by 6 a.m. as collection service may be much earlier than normal.   Holiday Recycling and Waste Tips Unincorporated Palm Beach County residents can place their live Christmas tree curbside on the regular yard waste collection day. Remember to remove all decorations, lights and tinsel.  Pre-lit and artificial trees should be discarded as trash.  Plastic bags and film (like wrap on water bottle cases) can be recycled at most local supermarkets in special bins. Soiled bags and film should go in the trash.  Foam food trays and egg cartons can be recycled at most local supermarkets in special bins.  Oversized and large volumes of flattened cardboard boxes may be recycled at any of the Home Chemical and Recycling Centers. Click here. Holiday ornaments, decorative pieces, clothing and toys that are in good condition can be donated to a local nonprofit, church or shelter to be reused. Tree trimmings such as tinsel and garland should be discarded as trash. Palm Beach County residents can bring holiday lights to any of the seven Home Chemical and Recycling Centers. Click here. Excess trash can be taken to any of the SWA’s transfer stations during regular hours, but there is a nominal charge for disposal that is payable in cash only.  Click here. SWA Customer Service can be reached at 561-697-2700 or 866-792-4636. To know more click here   Live in one of Palm Beach County’s 39 municipalities? Contact your municipality directly for their holiday collection schedule. Click here for a list of municipal contacts

CHANNEL 20 TV GUIDE Subscribe to PBC TV Program Guide for Free!   The PBC TV Channel 20 Program Guide is published monthly and mailed free to anyone wishing to find out more about what is on PBC TV.  This includes a detailed weekly program listing along with information about departments and programs being featured that month.    The Channel 20 Division of Public Affairs provides County government information and educational programming to all cable subscribers in Palm Beach County. PBC TV Channel 20's primary services include broadcasting: County government meetings Government informational programs Critical public safety information Emergency preparedness Maintaining a storm-ready, live-broadcast studio at the County's Emergency Operations Center Bid opportunities with PBC Purchasing Department for local businesses Road construction projects County transit information Job opportunities  General government announcements Ways to watch PBC TV: Cable TV Live Online  On Demand Any Mobile Device YouTube To subscribe click here To download January's TV Guide issues as a pdf click here To watch PBC TV Channel 20 Online click here Have any ideas, suggestions, concerns? Contact Us! We are here to help you! Administrative Assistants to Commissioner Gregg K. Weiss: Niels Heimeriks Constituent Issues NHeimeriks@pbcgov.org Office: 561-355-4966   Cell: 561-371-1089 Virginia Savietto  Constituent Issues VSavietto@pbcgov.org Office: 561-355-2209   Cell: 561-324-9621 Paul Razza  Scheduling & Constituent Issues PRazza@pbcgov.org Office: 561-355-2202   Website: www.pbcgov.com/D2 Email us as a group: district2@pbcgov.org Contact PBC Commissioner Gregg Weiss, District 2 at: 301 N. Olive Avenue, 12th Floor West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Tel: 561-355-2202 Email: district2@pbcgov.org Website: www.pbcgov.com/D2 Follow us on social media: Facebook: @CountyCommissionerGreggWeiss Twitter: @GreggPBC Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

UCO WEEKLY LCAM REPORT - DECEMBER 28, 2020 - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

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Follow this link for the UCO Weekly LCAM Report by, Donald Foster - LCAM

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https://bit.ly/2JmfS0r

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Dave Israel

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EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

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 AS OF THIS DATE, THURSDAY 24 DECEMBER, 2020, 

THE SCHEDULED EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020 AT 1PM IN THE MAIN CLUBHOUSE     ROOM C     AS SCHEDULED. 

SEATS WILL BE ONLY FOR THE UCO LCAM,  ELECTED EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS AND THE OFFICERS OF UCO. PLEASE ATTEND. 

RSVP TO UCORECSEC@GMAIL.COM. 

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY PLAN ON ATTENDING. 

IF A QUORUM CAN NOT BE MET, THE MEETING MAY HAVE TO BE CANCELLED. 

Thank you in advance.  

Bob Rivera, USN Ret. 

UCO Recording Secretary.

OFFICER'S COMMITTEE MEETING - DECEMBER 22, 2020 - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

 

Video conversion - Kitty Gragg

Dave Israel

BID COMMITTEE MEETING - DECEMBER 17, 2020 - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

 

Video conversion - Kitty Gragg

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Dave Israel

COVID Vaccine at CV

I was wondering if there was any conversation between our leadership and our elected officials concerning distribution of the COVID vaccine to the residents of C.V. given the advanced age of our residents, many of whom have multiple co morbidities, it would make sense to innoculate our vulnerable population sooner rather than later. while most of us are thankfully not as compromised as those in facilities and assisted living, many of our residents share some of the same health concerns. our elected officials make certain they visit us when election time approaches. this would be a good circumstance to see which one(s) can deliver.

UCO OPEN MEETINGS - JANUARY 2021 - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

 

UCO WEEKLY LCAM REPORT - DECEMBER 21, 2020 - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

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Follow this link for the UCO Weekly LCAM Report by, Donald Foster - LCAM

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https://bit.ly/3h36r2q

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Dave Israel

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WEEKLY LCAM REPORT - DECEMBER 14, 2020 - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

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Follow this link for the UCO Weekly LCAM report by Donald Foster - LCAM.

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https://bit.ly/2KmulJQ

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Dave Israel

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 This article attempts to explain not only assessments but why they have not been reduced given COVID-19's restriction of amenities. 

ABOUT THOSE PESKY 'RECREATION' (and other) FEES\

Please understand that the term “recreation fees” does not appear in the Long term Lease Agreement signed between UCO and Benenson Capital Company, owner of the recreation facilities (Main Clubhouse, Hastings Building, several satellite pools) and lands thereunder (1980) or in the Notice of Amendment for all Condominium Associations in Century Village West Palm Beach (1999: the so-called “Millennium Agreement, a link to which is available on the left-hand side of the OUR VILLAGE blog)

Section 1 of the Millennium Agreement defines the two monthly assessments that unit owners pay: (a) the “Rent Increase Schedule” and (b) the “Operating Agreement.”

The rent increase schedule was set for ten years in 1980; ten years in 1990; and twenty more years in 2000 (hence the label “Millennium Agreement”).

The Operating Agreement outlines the process whereby the annual operating and maintenance budget for W.P.R.F. (Benenson's property manager) is established through discussions between the Operating Committee and the W.P.R.F. staff.

Currently, for 2021, the operating rent approved by the committee is $46.68 for every unit and the “average” base rent is $89.92 for a total of $136.60. (“Average” because square footage determines base rent.[Ironically, a one owner two bedroom pays more than a two owner one bedroom])

Alluding to the reduction in fees after the hurricanes of 2004 severely damaged the Clubhouse, some CV'ers have asked why the current monthly fees have not also been reduced, given that COVID-19 initially closed and now has restricted the use of Benenson's recreational facilities. There are, however, two significant and interrelated differences.

First, whereas the hurricanes physically destroyed the building itself, obviously suspending operations and maintenance therein, COVID-19 has, if anything, greatly increased operations and, especially, maintenance. As the chart below shows, over the past 39 weeks, COVID-19 has necessitated an additional 7402.5 hours of GLOW cleaning and maintenance. Residents' safety from this extremely contagious and dangerous (especially to the elderly and/or health compromised) demands approximately 190 hours per 7-day week, 27 hours daily, of continuous and continual cleaning and disinfecting. To meet the increased demand, (a) GLOW added a staff member to address COVID-19 cleaning; (b) additional janitorial staff had to be added for cleaning and disinfecting so that (c) Maintenance staff could be diverted to help with moving of furniture, floor markings, etc. to meet CDC requirements at all pools, as well as deep clean H/VAC units in the Clubhouse and Hastings.

MAINTENANCE & STAFF:
ENVIROSAN II AEROSOL	H/VAC CLEANING (MAINT ONLY)	USED M - F
FLASH II AEROSOL	MULTI-SURFACE (ALL STAFF)	USED M - F
LYSOL/CLOROX WIPES	MULTI-SURFACE (ALL STAFF)	USED M - F
HAND SANITIZER (STAFF & RESIDENT)		USED M - F
TOTAL HOURS = MAINT. STAFF HOURS SPRAYS COILS M - F , APPROX. 1.5 HOURS PER DAY = 7.5 HOURS A WEEK, APPROX. 39 WEEKS X 7.5 = 292.5 HOURS
GLOW:
DISINFECTANT BETCO FIGHT BAC RTU	MULTI-SURFACE	EVERY DAY
NABC NON-ACID DISINFECTANT	BATHROOM CLEANER	EVERY DAY
HAND SANITIZER	RESIDENT USE	EVERY DAY
GLOW HOURS :
DISINFECTING MCH from 7am - 8pm - totaling 13 hours a day, 13 x 7 = 91 hours a week, APPROX. 39 WEEKS X 91 HOURS = 3,549 HOURS
DISINFECTING HASTINGS from 7am - 8pm - totaling 13 hours a day, 13 x 7 = 91 hours a week, APPROX. 39 WEEKS X 91 HOURS = 3,549 HOURS
TOTAL DISINFECTING HOURS FOR BOTH HASTINGS & MCH = 7,098 HOURS                          292.5 + 7098 = 7402.5 TOTAL HOURS
UV LIGHTING INSTALLED: (AC TROOPER DID INSTALLATION)
MEETING ROOM C = 3 HOURS
ADMIN. OFFICES. X 2 UNIT = 6 HOURS
BILLIARDS ROOM = 3 HOURS
TOTAL HOURS = 12 HOURS FOR AC TROOPERS
THEATER ( IN PROCESS, PARTS ORDERED)
AS OF 12.3.2020

Second, because the hurricane's property damage triggered a reimbursable business interruption insurance claim, W.P.R.F. was able to reduce unit owner's fees. Conversely, W.P.R.F.'s business interruption claim filed in 2020 as a result of the pandemic's closing the recreation facilities was promptly denied as the specific language in most business interruption policies requires physical damage to the property to trigger a covered loss. Additionally, coverage for viruses is also specifically prohibited.

As you may have surmised, the Millennium Agreement expires on December 31, 2021. The Millennium Committee is currently negotiating with W.P.R.F. on Benenson Capital’s behalf not only about the base rent and annual increases, but also – and perhaps more importantly – about which entity (unit owners or Benenson) is responsible for certain expenses, especially capital improvements.

Thanks to the W.P.R.F. staff , especially Dan Cruz, Monica Wells, Aja Mejia, and Eva Rachesky their time, clarification, and numbers. Any errors are mine.

Richard Handelsman

ps. COVID-19 has also caused expenses at other facilities: On 12/5, Glow Cleaning Plus performed a deep cleaning of the laundry, with emphasis on sanitizing all “high touch” areas with virucidal products. Floors were scrubbed and mopped with bleach solution, and the rest room was also sanitized.

(LCAM”S report, Our Village, 12/6/20)