The Waterstone 1 Clubhouse Has Received It's Certificate Of Occupancy!
The Turnover Meeting Will Be Scheduled For August 28th 7:00 pm
(Communities will be receiving Official Notification)
CDD Approves $400,000 (69.7%) Budget Increase
With over 100 residents in attendance at the Final Budget Hearing Saying "No" To The Proposed Increase, the CDD PASSED the 2007-2008 Budget, increasing expenses by over $400,000 (69.7%). Yes, your CDD bill will go up approx $184.42.Buget Vote:
Alex Diaz de Villegas - YES
Kimberly Felipe-Ochoa - YES
Curtis Cooper - YES
Eduardo Gonzalez - YES
Angel Garrote - NO
Read or Post a Comment Here
CDD Bond Refinancing Options
The Current 2002 CDD bonds are under consideration for refinancing (advanced refunding).
Option 1) Apply the savings to each property owner according to their share of the debt.
According to the Bank of America presentation on Nov 2006.
Applying the savings to the debt with save $2,982,097 over 27 years or roughly $110,448 per year. Your individual savings will vary based on if you live in phase 1 or phase 2 and also on your lot size and/or community. For example 50' lots in phase 1 will save about $90 per year for 27 years ($2,430) while the same lot in phase 2 will save $21 per year for 27 years($567). This is because the 2002 bonds are roughly 85% phase 1 debt and only 15% phase 2 debt. (2004 bonds are all phase 2 debt - not part of the refinance)
Option 2) Cash Out the savings and Fund Capital Projects/Improvements within Waterstone.
According to the Bank of America presentation on Nov 2006.
The Cash Out would be roughly $893,952. One problem with this option is that the 2002 bond debt Is Not Equally distributed to all Waterstone homeowners. The debt is roughly 85% phase 1 and 15% phase 2. This means approximately 85% or $759,859 is coming from phase 1 home owners and only $134,093 from phase 2 home owners.
Is this fair & equitable??
Option 3) Do nothing for now and leave the bonds as-is.
Keep in mind that these figures are from Nov 2006 and Bond rates have changed and over 6 months have elapsed.
Read or Post a Comment Here
Option 1) Apply the savings to each property owner according to their share of the debt.
According to the Bank of America presentation on Nov 2006.
Applying the savings to the debt with save $2,982,097 over 27 years or roughly $110,448 per year. Your individual savings will vary based on if you live in phase 1 or phase 2 and also on your lot size and/or community. For example 50' lots in phase 1 will save about $90 per year for 27 years ($2,430) while the same lot in phase 2 will save $21 per year for 27 years($567). This is because the 2002 bonds are roughly 85% phase 1 debt and only 15% phase 2 debt. (2004 bonds are all phase 2 debt - not part of the refinance)
Option 2) Cash Out the savings and Fund Capital Projects/Improvements within Waterstone.
According to the Bank of America presentation on Nov 2006.
The Cash Out would be roughly $893,952. One problem with this option is that the 2002 bond debt Is Not Equally distributed to all Waterstone homeowners. The debt is roughly 85% phase 1 and 15% phase 2. This means approximately 85% or $759,859 is coming from phase 1 home owners and only $134,093 from phase 2 home owners.
Is this fair & equitable??
Option 3) Do nothing for now and leave the bonds as-is.
Keep in mind that these figures are from Nov 2006 and Bond rates have changed and over 6 months have elapsed.
Read or Post a Comment Here
$400,000 Is For Security Personnel Only
According to e-mails & conversations with residents there seems to be some misunderstanding on the purpose of the $400,000 proposed budget item for security. The $400,000 is for Security Personnel Not For Building Anything - Not Infrastructure. The figure was not based on any quote presented to the board. It is based on a guesstimate. 3 guards(1 at each entrance-No Roving-"Welcome To Waterstone Sir/Mam") @ $15 per hour 24 hrs 365 days. $15x3guards=$45 x24hrs=$1,080 x365days=$394,200. We can Hire 1 Full Time, 24hrs, 365 days, Homestead POLICE Officer for less that that.
Note Again the $400,000 is for the Security Guards ONLY at:
3 Security Gates That DO NOT Exist...
3 Security Gates That We Do Not Know If Can Even Be Built...
3 Security Gates That We Do Not Know The Cost Of... (I believe it will cost over $1,000,000 Yes Million)
3 Security Gates That We Do Not Currently Have The Money To Build....
3 Security Gates That IF they can be built and IF we had the Money would not be done(in my opinion) within the Next Year anyways....
At the last meeting Alex(CDD Chairman) was already asking staff that if we don't use the money for the security guards for x-y reason within the year can it then be used for other things... Staff said Yes.... I can see where this is going.....
P.S. Bring your own popcorn to the Budget Show, I mean Budget Meeting.
I'm sure it will top the recent appointment spectacular.
BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING for Final Adoption
Thursday July 26 2007 @ 6:00pm Waterstone II Clubhouse
Waterstone Trivia
We Have New CDD Board Members
We have 2 New CDD Board Members. Joel Kovin and Carmen Miranda have resigned. The new members are Curtis Cooper -resident of Florian Bay Estates II and Eduardo Gonzalez - resident of Stonebrook II (Yes Ed, from The Continental Group, property manager for Cluhouse II, Portofino Oaks, Floridian Bay Estates II, Portofino Pointe...)
Read or Post Comments Here
Read or Post Comments Here
Opening on the CDD Board!!
CDD Board Member Joel Kovin (Lowell Homes-Developer) has submitted his resignation.
The current CDD board will consider an appointment to fill his position at our next meeting Thursday June 28th 1:00 p.m. @ the Waterstone II Clubhouse.
If you are interested in this position please contact the current board and/or attend the meeting.
CDD Board of Supervisors Contact Information
Angel Garrote - Angel@HomesteadForSale.com
Alex Diaz de Villegas - Diazdevillegas@comcast.net
Kimberly Felipe-Ochoa - Kimberly8a1@yahoo.com
Carmen Miranda - Carmen_Miranda@bellsouth.net
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The current CDD board will consider an appointment to fill his position at our next meeting Thursday June 28th 1:00 p.m. @ the Waterstone II Clubhouse.
If you are interested in this position please contact the current board and/or attend the meeting.
CDD Board of Supervisors Contact Information
Angel Garrote - Angel@HomesteadForSale.com
Alex Diaz de Villegas - Diazdevillegas@comcast.net
Kimberly Felipe-Ochoa - Kimberly8a1@yahoo.com
Carmen Miranda - Carmen_Miranda@bellsouth.net
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Traffic Light @ 137 Ave & Waterstone Way
They following is a reponse in March from City of Homestead Public Works regarding the 137th & Waterstone Way traffic light.
"In response to your inquiry, the proposed light located at the intersection of Waterstone Way and SW 137 Avenue was part of an agreement between the developer group and the County. SW 137 Avenue is not a City road therefore, any construction in that roadway falls under the jurisdiction of the County. Also keep in mind that all traffic signal installations are under the complete control of the County and all Cities have to (by law) rely on the County for any improvements involving traffic signals. At this present time the traffic signal for the location of Waterstone Way and SW 137 Avenue has been designed and the permits for construction have been pulled with the County by the contractor. The County is currently working to ensure that there is no further delay in the construction, however, they were not able to give us a definite timeframe.
The three traffic signals constructed along SW 312 Street were as a result of conditions of development imposed by the City on the developers....all three signals are operational. The signals are located at the intersections of SW 312 street with SW 152 Ave, SW 147 Ave, and SW 137 Ave.
At this time there are no plans to provide a traffic signal at the "back" entrance of Waterstone....an installation of a traffic signal in this location would result in (4) traffic signals in a span of roughly 1.5 miles and would result in additional traffic congestions, and would not be consistent with traffic design standards. However, we periodically request the County to perform Traffic Signal Warrant Studies to determine if and when the conditions require the installation of a traffic signal.
Please be assured that the City is constantly in communication with the County for the installation of the traffic signal at SW 137 Avenue.
I hope the information above was useful and answered your inquiry."
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"In response to your inquiry, the proposed light located at the intersection of Waterstone Way and SW 137 Avenue was part of an agreement between the developer group and the County. SW 137 Avenue is not a City road therefore, any construction in that roadway falls under the jurisdiction of the County. Also keep in mind that all traffic signal installations are under the complete control of the County and all Cities have to (by law) rely on the County for any improvements involving traffic signals. At this present time the traffic signal for the location of Waterstone Way and SW 137 Avenue has been designed and the permits for construction have been pulled with the County by the contractor. The County is currently working to ensure that there is no further delay in the construction, however, they were not able to give us a definite timeframe.
The three traffic signals constructed along SW 312 Street were as a result of conditions of development imposed by the City on the developers....all three signals are operational. The signals are located at the intersections of SW 312 street with SW 152 Ave, SW 147 Ave, and SW 137 Ave.
At this time there are no plans to provide a traffic signal at the "back" entrance of Waterstone....an installation of a traffic signal in this location would result in (4) traffic signals in a span of roughly 1.5 miles and would result in additional traffic congestions, and would not be consistent with traffic design standards. However, we periodically request the County to perform Traffic Signal Warrant Studies to determine if and when the conditions require the installation of a traffic signal.
Please be assured that the City is constantly in communication with the County for the installation of the traffic signal at SW 137 Avenue.
I hope the information above was useful and answered your inquiry."
Read or Post a Comment
Should we have a five ACTIVE member CDD board???
Should we ask our CDD Board to consider some kind of regulation to address, the recurring absence of CDD Board Members?
Please answer YES or NO, and follow with a comment.
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Please answer YES or NO, and follow with a comment.
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$400,000 CDD Budget Increase
The CDD has approved a proposed budget increase of $400,000 for Security Services.
A public hearing for final approval of the budget is set for July 26 2007 @ 6:00pm at the Waterstone II Clubhouse.
Current results of the Security/Budget Poll as of 8-10-07 9:00am:
A public hearing for final approval of the budget is set for July 26 2007 @ 6:00pm at the Waterstone II Clubhouse.
Current results of the Security/Budget Poll as of 8-10-07 9:00am:
104 - Neither, I do not want to pay more in Non-Ad Valorem taxes
42 - Hire two 24-hour uniformed off-duty Homestead police officers with marked patrol cars
45 - Hire three 24-hour uniformed security guards, one located at each of the three soft gates
The Poll question was not drafted by me, I asked another community leader to draft it, because prior comments suggested that my questions were biased/slanted. Although I created this Blog I do not consider it my private Blog. I have previously e-mailed all community presidents invitations to be a writer on this Blog. There is a link on the home page for anyone who would like to be a contributor/writer. I set up the Blog to allow anonymous comments because it will allow a free flow of comments without getting too personal.
As a CDD board member I am governed by the Fla Sunshine Laws and must be cautious of my comments in this forum, as I do not want to risk a violation. I will soon be posting responses to some of the posted items plus correcting and clearing up some incorrect statements. I am open to listening & speaking directly with any/all residents, so you can get "the rest of the story" I believe to properly represent residents I/we need to begin by listening to them. Angel Garrote 305-403-3007 Angel@HomesteadForSale.com.
Remember the CDD meeting minutes are available on www.WaterstoneWay.com which is the best source for the Truth & Facts regarding the CDD.
Thanks for your comments and participation, Angel Garrote
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Post A Comment
The Poll question was not drafted by me, I asked another community leader to draft it, because prior comments suggested that my questions were biased/slanted. Although I created this Blog I do not consider it my private Blog. I have previously e-mailed all community presidents invitations to be a writer on this Blog. There is a link on the home page for anyone who would like to be a contributor/writer. I set up the Blog to allow anonymous comments because it will allow a free flow of comments without getting too personal.
As a CDD board member I am governed by the Fla Sunshine Laws and must be cautious of my comments in this forum, as I do not want to risk a violation. I will soon be posting responses to some of the posted items plus correcting and clearing up some incorrect statements. I am open to listening & speaking directly with any/all residents, so you can get "the rest of the story" I believe to properly represent residents I/we need to begin by listening to them. Angel Garrote 305-403-3007 Angel@HomesteadForSale.com.
Remember the CDD meeting minutes are available on www.WaterstoneWay.com which is the best source for the Truth & Facts regarding the CDD.
Thanks for your comments and participation, Angel Garrote
Read Comments
Post A Comment
CDD Meetings - Morning/Afternoon/Evenings?
Thank You for participating in the CDD Meetings Poll.
Currently CDD meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of every month@ 1:00pm @ Waterstone II Clubhouse. Do you think that moving these meetings to a different time or day would encourage more community participation?
Current Results: Yes=27 No=0
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Currently CDD meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of every month@ 1:00pm @ Waterstone II Clubhouse. Do you think that moving these meetings to a different time or day would encourage more community participation?
Current Results: Yes=27 No=0
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CDD Bond Refinancing (Advanced Refunding)
Thank You for participating in the CDD Bond Refinancing Poll.
The current 2002 CDD bonds are under consideration for advanced refunding (refinancing).The proposed savings are estimated at $826,000.How do you feel those savings should be used?
Current Results as of 7-22-07 10:00pm:
42=Apply the Savings to Lower the CDD Assessments
19=Use the Savings to Fund Capital Projects/Improvements within Waterstone
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Post a Comment
The current 2002 CDD bonds are under consideration for advanced refunding (refinancing).The proposed savings are estimated at $826,000.How do you feel those savings should be used?
Current Results as of 7-22-07 10:00pm:
42=Apply the Savings to Lower the CDD Assessments
19=Use the Savings to Fund Capital Projects/Improvements within Waterstone
Read Comments
Post a Comment
Green Space Vs Storage?
Thank You for participating in the Green Space Vs Storage Poll.
Would you like to see specified CDD Common Area/Green Space used for Storage of Boats, Trailers, Campers etc...?
Current Results: No=50 Yes =15
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Would you like to see specified CDD Common Area/Green Space used for Storage of Boats, Trailers, Campers etc...?
Current Results: No=50 Yes =15
Read Comments
Post a Comment
Waterstone Trash Schedule
Thank You for participating in the Waterstone Trash Schedule Pole.
Our current garbage, trash & recycling schedule provides for pickup service 4 days a week in 12 communities and 3 days per week in the other 4 communities.Garbage-Monday, Trash-Tuesday, Recycling-Wednesday, Garbage-Thursday We have garbage, trash or recycling outside our communities 3-5 days per week.Our previous schedule combined all pick-ups within 2 days. Would you support a request for the City for a new schedule to combine all pick-ups within 2 days?
Current Results: Yes=37 No=7
Our current garbage, trash & recycling schedule provides for pickup service 4 days a week in 12 communities and 3 days per week in the other 4 communities.Garbage-Monday, Trash-Tuesday, Recycling-Wednesday, Garbage-Thursday We have garbage, trash or recycling outside our communities 3-5 days per week.Our previous schedule combined all pick-ups within 2 days. Would you support a request for the City for a new schedule to combine all pick-ups within 2 days?
Current Results: Yes=37 No=7
As a result City of Homestead Public Works has listened to our concerns and have stated that they will be working on the schedule to combine all pick-ups within 2-3 days.
Citizens Unite To Limit Property Taxes!
In order to address effectively the problem of rising property taxes in the City of Homestead, a group of citizens is forming a committee of electors to amend the City of Homestead Charter to limit ad valorem tax increases to 8% percent above/over the roll back rate, unless a higher rate is approved by the voters of the City Homestead.We will also be forming a political committee to support this initiative, and are open to discussion of other changes that will protect residents from future financial burdens.
The benefits of limiting the rate of increase of property taxes, goes far beyond the simple enjoyment of more of your own money in your pocket. Limiting government spending slows inflation, helping to preserve the value of savings and retirement funds. It also forces lawmakers to exercise responsibility and oversight while planning for the future, as errors cannot be covered by simply raising taxes. A cap on tax increases also keeps a government financial crisis from becoming your financial crisis as they tap your pocket to cover the city's shortfalls. Furthermore you can free yourself from being a one issue tax voter when selecting candidates for political office. Lower taxes also increase property values, again putting more money in your pocket, and making housing more affordable for all citizens and also creating an ownership society where we all have more of a stake in our city.
For more information on joining the committee of electors, or to help with this effort, please call me at 305 246 2125,or email me brianforhomestead@gmail.com
Brian L. Judge