6/21/2024
Good morning or afternoon Mardi Gras Homeowner's
and Residents. This email is a review of some of the happenings in your
village.
Annual Dues:Mardi Gras annual dues increased by 5.80% this year. By way of a reminder and
previously reported, Mardi Gras after 32 years is continuing the replacement of
roofing material as the maintenance department indicated that the underlayment
needed to be replaced due to a variety of leaks in various homes. All the roof
tiles needed to be removed, underlayment replaced, including plywood in a
variety of instances as well as many rusted trim pieces. In some cases, badly
rusted chimney caps also needed to be replaced. The roof replacement is a
continuation from the past two years along Delaport, South Cays and the west side
of Tunapuna and now the east side of Tunapuna. Roof replacement will continue
along Mardi Gras Road in 2 years. This is an expensive maintenance cost for
Mardi Gras. Painting continues as well, and the new paint is warranted for 10
years even with our extreme salty air.Painting and stucco repair will be
completed in the 2024/2025 year. Weep screeds that were rusted and faulty are
being replaced as a failure causes water to weep into the home. The newly
painted homes, with plaster repairs give Mardi Gras an upscale look.
Mardi Gras is responsible for the grounds, some of the private roads and
sewers, sidewalks, water lines, irrigation water and controllers, club house,
pool, our share of safety personnel and anything else that is in the common
area. Mardi Gras reserves are slated to be at 50% within the 30 year period as
mandated by the Board of Directors. As previously indicated the understatement
of reserve costs associated with roofing, and of course the dreaded inflation
increases have dropped Mardi Gras reserves lower than planned. It is
anticipated that reserves should gradually increase as the major maintenance
projects are completed. This assumes no unexpected emergency expenses. Mardi
Gras is one of 10 villages in the C.C.H.O.A. and 1 of 4 condo villages. To date
Mardi Gras has had NO special assessments, while Montego has had a $24,194 per
homeowner with a current assessment for the replacement of the garage at
$11,945; Antigua has recently had 2 special assessments of $13,810 and $9,000:
and finally Kingston has had $20,000 and $7,800. Of course, the other condo
villages are considerably older than Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras reserves have been
sufficient to cover most emergency and planned expenditures to date. Deferring
maintenance is normally not an option, unless no other alternatives exist.
Clubhouse and Pool:It has been refreshing to see so many residents and homeowners using the tennis
courts and the pool. I have been told that of the 5 pools in the CCHOA our pool
is the most heavily used. The clubhouse does need to be reserved ahead of
planned usage. Clubhouse rental does not include the pool. Please let your
children or visitors know that riding bikes or skateboards around the pool is
not allowed. Of course it goes without saying, throwing the furniture into the
pool will not be tolerated. Animals are not allowed in the pool area. Children
that are not potty trained must wear swim diapers. Lastly, glass containers of
any kind are not allowed in the pool area. All of the above cautions have occurred
in the pool or around the pool recently. Eating in the pool area can no longer
be tolerated as folks have been dropping food into the pool and hot tub. If you
wish to have a party, you will need to prepare and eat the food outside the
pool area. Safety will be asking for names and addresses should they encounter
any of the above misuses of the pool and it is possible that the CCHOA Board
could fine the homeowner as well as consider loss of privileges for up to 6
months.
Grounds:I believe that the grounds department does a pretty good job to date. They are
normally responsive to areas that have been missed. If you believe you would
like to see areas improved, particularly around your home, please let the CCHOA
office know, remembering that money is the key to all improvements.
Conclusion:The Annual Homeowner's meeting is August 29, 2024, with registration beginning
at 4:30pm. I have been the Mardi Gras Director since the Spring of 2015 and the
CCHOA Treasurer since December 20, 2016. Although I am not up for election this
year, next year will be a great time for you to consider running for Mardi Gras
Director. I still believe Mardi Gras is a great village and of course the CCHOA
is a terrific Homeowner’s Association, due to you, the personnel and the General
Manager.
Respectfully, Bob Rood, Mardi Gras Director
and Residents. This email is a review of some of the happenings in your
village.
Annual Dues:Mardi Gras annual dues increased by 5.80% this year. By way of a reminder and
previously reported, Mardi Gras after 32 years is continuing the replacement of
roofing material as the maintenance department indicated that the underlayment
needed to be replaced due to a variety of leaks in various homes. All the roof
tiles needed to be removed, underlayment replaced, including plywood in a
variety of instances as well as many rusted trim pieces. In some cases, badly
rusted chimney caps also needed to be replaced. The roof replacement is a
continuation from the past two years along Delaport, South Cays and the west side
of Tunapuna and now the east side of Tunapuna. Roof replacement will continue
along Mardi Gras Road in 2 years. This is an expensive maintenance cost for
Mardi Gras. Painting continues as well, and the new paint is warranted for 10
years even with our extreme salty air.Painting and stucco repair will be
completed in the 2024/2025 year. Weep screeds that were rusted and faulty are
being replaced as a failure causes water to weep into the home. The newly
painted homes, with plaster repairs give Mardi Gras an upscale look.
Mardi Gras is responsible for the grounds, some of the private roads and
sewers, sidewalks, water lines, irrigation water and controllers, club house,
pool, our share of safety personnel and anything else that is in the common
area. Mardi Gras reserves are slated to be at 50% within the 30 year period as
mandated by the Board of Directors. As previously indicated the understatement
of reserve costs associated with roofing, and of course the dreaded inflation
increases have dropped Mardi Gras reserves lower than planned. It is
anticipated that reserves should gradually increase as the major maintenance
projects are completed. This assumes no unexpected emergency expenses. Mardi
Gras is one of 10 villages in the C.C.H.O.A. and 1 of 4 condo villages. To date
Mardi Gras has had NO special assessments, while Montego has had a $24,194 per
homeowner with a current assessment for the replacement of the garage at
$11,945; Antigua has recently had 2 special assessments of $13,810 and $9,000:
and finally Kingston has had $20,000 and $7,800. Of course, the other condo
villages are considerably older than Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras reserves have been
sufficient to cover most emergency and planned expenditures to date. Deferring
maintenance is normally not an option, unless no other alternatives exist.
Clubhouse and Pool:It has been refreshing to see so many residents and homeowners using the tennis
courts and the pool. I have been told that of the 5 pools in the CCHOA our pool
is the most heavily used. The clubhouse does need to be reserved ahead of
planned usage. Clubhouse rental does not include the pool. Please let your
children or visitors know that riding bikes or skateboards around the pool is
not allowed. Of course it goes without saying, throwing the furniture into the
pool will not be tolerated. Animals are not allowed in the pool area. Children
that are not potty trained must wear swim diapers. Lastly, glass containers of
any kind are not allowed in the pool area. All of the above cautions have occurred
in the pool or around the pool recently. Eating in the pool area can no longer
be tolerated as folks have been dropping food into the pool and hot tub. If you
wish to have a party, you will need to prepare and eat the food outside the
pool area. Safety will be asking for names and addresses should they encounter
any of the above misuses of the pool and it is possible that the CCHOA Board
could fine the homeowner as well as consider loss of privileges for up to 6
months.
Grounds:I believe that the grounds department does a pretty good job to date. They are
normally responsive to areas that have been missed. If you believe you would
like to see areas improved, particularly around your home, please let the CCHOA
office know, remembering that money is the key to all improvements.
Conclusion:The Annual Homeowner's meeting is August 29, 2024, with registration beginning
at 4:30pm. I have been the Mardi Gras Director since the Spring of 2015 and the
CCHOA Treasurer since December 20, 2016. Although I am not up for election this
year, next year will be a great time for you to consider running for Mardi Gras
Director. I still believe Mardi Gras is a great village and of course the CCHOA
is a terrific Homeowner’s Association, due to you, the personnel and the General
Manager.
Respectfully, Bob Rood, Mardi Gras Director