April 4, 2006

Dear Old Cutler Bay Homeowner:

Thank you to everyone who attended the Old Cutler Bay Homeowners Association meeting last Thursday March 2^nd.  We covered many topics and made important decisions that will impact our community in an extremely positive way.  Among the issues unanimously agreed upon were:

1.     Maintenance fee to be raised to $1,000.00 / year, starting this year.

Rationale: Our yearly dues of $500 covered only our basic budget, with nothing left over for improvements.  Additionally, Old Cutler Bay has one of the lowest priced HOA fees of the surrounding gated communities (Snapper Creek $1,000/year, Hammock Oaks $1,000/year, Gables by the Sea $500.00/year, Gables Estates $6,000/ year, Journeys End $12,000/year).  In order to continue basic maintenance of our neighborhood, as well as make further improvements, a price increase was considered necessary.

2.     A three-member oversight committee will review the budget and expenditures quarterly.  The committee members, voted on at the meeting, will be:

·       George Irvin

·       Tony Fraga

·       Christopher Toomey

3.     Burying FP&L power lines leading into Old Cutler Bay: Andy Murai volunteered to investigate the feasibility of this project

4.     OCB Website - www.oldcutlerbay.com:

·       Updated monthly with all pertinent community information.

·       Online directory of OCB homeowners, access by pin number only.  Homeowners will have the ability to elect whether or not they would like to be included.

5.     Security

·       Feasibility of surveillance cameras at the Guard Gate will be re-investigated.

·       Traffic-calming devices will be re-investigated

·       Street light repairs will be diligently pursued.

·       When two cars enter into OCB at the same time, the guards are to open the gate for visitors only after residents have passed through.

6.     Seasonal plantings in cul-de-sacs (three times per year).

7.     Landscaping the Old Cutler Bay main entrance along Solano Prado up to the Guard Gate, including the dirt parking lot.  The city of Coral Gables and the Old Cutler Bay Homeowners Association will work in conjunction to bring about this improvement, which will include but not be limited to: irrigation, rock fill, sod, filling in washed out areas, additional shrubs for privacy from Journeys End and Gables Estates, re-defining and re-landscaping the dirt parking lot.

The enthusiasm and good will at this meeting was palpable.  My work has taken me to many a homeowners association meeting and I must say, we are the friendliest and happiest homeowners association I’ve seen!  With the increased budget comes new opportunity for significant enhancements to our neighborhood.  With the improved internet site comes swifter communication and greater facility for member input.  What a truly exciting time for our community!

Our next Homeowners association meeting will be in September and we hope to complete many beautiful improvements in that time.  Meanwhile, please send the additional $500 Association dues in the enclosed a self-addressed envelope, at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Toni Schrager