Published July 2019
Florida Community Association Professionals’ (FCAP) training is offered on two levels. Level one consists of courses meeting Florida’s continuing education requirements for CAMs, and level two is the Florida Advanced CAM Studies (FACS) course. For further information about the more than 50 online continuing education classes available or to pursue the Certified Florida Community Association Manager (CFCAM) designation, please visit www.fcapgroup.com/membership/education-training/.
On March 26, Brian Packard, owner of Kingsland Property Management, was the latest community association manager to obtain his Certified Florida Community Association Manager (CFCAM) designation.
Although he began his career in real estate, receiving his license in 2002, Brian has had an accomplished career in the community association management industry. Brian became a licensed CAM in 2006. From 2006 to 2013, Brian worked for Ambassador Community Management and was a co-manager for 60 condominiums and homeowner associations. While with Ambassador Community Management, Brian worked on his degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University, which he received in 2014. Also, in 2014, Brian started work as a property manager for Haag Property Management Company and managed four high-end homeowner associations. Following his time with Haag Property Management Company, Brian became the property manager at the Sea Ranch Club Condominiums, where he had many successes. While with Sea Ranch, Brian saved the association more than four million dollars as a result of taking over budget duties. In addition, within two years of managing the association, the building was saving money on its energy and water consumption and all building equipment was at peak performance. Brian is an example of excellence in the industry.
Congratulations again to Brian on obtaining his CFCAM designation!
The first issue I see facing community association mangers has to do with addressing the proper— and in some cases, necessary—fire safety standards for their communities, even though it appears the state is not going to mandate it. The second issue I see is iguanas!
During what I consider a successful career in customer service, I was providing my services and support to five portfolio CAMs. After a while, I said to myself, “I’m pretty good at this property management gig and feel a passion for it,” so I obtained my license and made it my profession.
This was a no-brainer on my end. Property management is not just a job for me; it is my passion and my profession. If you truly want to excel at something in life, you should always obtain all the knowledge, experience, and expertise needed for success.
The sense of satisfaction I get in helping communities prosper and reach their full potential. For me, it’s like taking a lump of clay and turning it into a work of art.
Marcy L. Kravit, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, CFCAM
FCAP Education and Training Coordinator
AKAM ON-SITE Managing Director
Every June through November, we enter into the hurricane season. Below is a sample staff hurricane preparedness plan.
In South Florida, we have learned from experience it is critical to be prepared each and every time the National Hurricane Center predicts severe weather. If you and your staff prepare the common areas well ahead of the event, you will minimize damage and ultimately reduce costs in clean-up and recovery for your association.
By following this checklist, you will be better prepared to meet the challenges that you may be faced with at some point from a storm. Prepare your association early so that when a storm is approaching, you are well protected and ready. Communicate with your association and board in advance, and your team will be well prepared!
Betsy,
I have another question regarding the condominium association that I have been working with. When I was hired as their interim CAM, my dad’s pool maintenance business already had his maintenance staff working on the property. I interviewed for the permanent CAM position, but I was told by two of the board members that if they hire me permanently, they will fire my dad’s company because it is nepotism. I do write the checks for the association, but they are signed by two board members. I am also not affiliated in any way with his company, nor do they make any additional money other than what is in the approved contract for extra projects. So, my question is, would this really be considered nepotism the way it is structured now? If I incorporated and got a CAM firm license, would I be able to use his company? This is a self-managed board, and the bookkeeping is done off site and the CAM is on site. Any advice or opinion would be appreciated.
– Bonnie
Bonnie,
It is not actually nepotism, but it could be perceived as a conflict of interest. Conflicts of interest in the statutes are usually referring to board members and their relationships with vendors. The procedures in Florida Statutes, Section 718.111(3) and Section 718.112(2)(p), for handling conflicts of interest seem to contradict each other.
Generally, perceived conflicts of interest can be overcome with disclosure written into the minutes. To me, it seems this one would be “easy” since your dad’s company was a vendor before you were hired.
Forming a management company firm will not make the situation any better. If the board is in doubt, check with your attorney.
– Betsy
Betsy,
Can a board member resign from the board via email and then two days later rescind the resignation?
– Dawn
Dawn,
It might depend on the wording of the email. Did he resign as of that day or a date in the future? It seems that if the board met during those two days and acknowledged the resignation, it would be noted in the minutes, and it would be a done deal and not able to be rescinded.
The board then has a vacancy to fill, so I guess they could appoint the board member who resigned (or appoint anyone else willing to serve for the remainder of that term). All this seems a little convoluted.
– Betsy
Betsy,
Quick question! What is the difference between CMCA—Certified Manager of Community Associations —and CAM? Or, should I ask that at the class?
– Brittany
Brittany,
You can ask in class, but the CMCA is a certification offered by CAI National. It has nothing to do with the Florida CAM license. In order to manage any type of community association in Florida, you must be licensed by the state of Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and have a current CAM license.
The CMCA certification takes you through a basic management course, and I would certainly encourage anyone to strive for that certification but not before you have received your CAM license. The information in the CMCA course, in some parts, contradicts Florida law. So, you need to get your CAM license first, so you don’t get confused about what is a good best practice and what is Florida law.
– Betsy
Betsy,
Thank you for your prompt reply, but I would appreciate revisiting one thing that you said earlier, which is whether or not the property manager should be sitting in when the fining committee meets.
I believe you said either that this is now allowed or that you do not allow it. I would appreciate your clarifying this matter.
– Al
Al,
The condominium statute, 718.303(3)(b), says that an employee of the association may not be on the fine (appeals) committee. So, the manager should not be on the committee.
As far as the manager attending the meeting, I see no reason for the manager to be there. The one time that our manager did attend our fine (appeals) committee meeting, it ended up in a two-way (heated) conversation between the manager and the angry owner rather than a one-way. The owner argued with the manager, which is not the point of the appeals hearing. In my view, it is a one-way conversation. It is the owner stating why he or she thinks the fine or suspension imposed by the board at the previous board meeting should not be upheld. At the earlier board meeting where the violation and fine were discussed, the owner had the opportunity to argue his case when the facts were presented by the manager to the board. The sole purpose of the fine (appeals) committee is to affirm or reject the fine previously imposed by the board.
– Betsy
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PeytonBolin PL is a law firm dedicated to enriching the community association industry through legal counsel and education. Community association law is more than just collections (and collections are important to keep cash flow and revenue moving)! We provide the guidance and strategy for boards and managers to produce the kind of community they are committed to. Not every association wants the same thing, and not every law firm is the right fit. We are looking for clients who want to work collaboratively with us to produce results! We provide innovative billing structures to help associations achieve their goals. Board and manager education makes a difference. Join us for classes online and in person. Be sure to check out Jane F. Bolin’s book Mastering the Business of Your Association, which can be found on Amazon!
For more information, call (877) 739-8662 or visit www.peytonbolin.com.
Founded in 1957, Rick Carroll Insurance is a full-service agency comprised of commercial, group benefits, and personal insurance. We are a team of dedicated professionals providing clients with a superior level of customer service, separating us from our competitors. Accessibility, promptness, and accuracy are qualities we strive for each day. To meet these goals, we have a live operator, no automated attendants; we utilize state-of-the-art technology; and e-mails and phone inquiries are responded to quickly. Our staff maintains current knowledge through frequent training and attendance of continuing education courses. We have developed the expertise required to understand and handle the cyclical nature of the insurance marketplace and utilize a consultative approach to provide a solutions-based insurance program that meets your needs.
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