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