The Boca Rio Townhomes HOA, which has been ousted by vote, continues to maintain control over the monthly dues and special assessments paid by the residents. For the last two years the annual meetings have been conducted by parties other than the board of directors. On August 10th, 2023 a meeting was held to approve a special assessment, but the meeting was conducted by Jeff Estis of Florida Skyline Management. Florida Skyline Management is the property management company for Boca Rio Townhomes and is no more qualified to conduct an HOA meeting than a random stranger living under the bridge.
When Jeff Estis was correctly called out by members of the community for usurping board authority and taking charge of the meeting, he promptly dismissed them as "rabble rousers" and continued with his agenda of selling an excessive special assessment . Although members of the board were present, they looked on with contempt at the assembled residents and remained silent until it came time to approve the special assessment presented by Jeff. The board steadfastly refused any contact with residents.
Another point of business conducted by the board was the appointment of a new HOA President. Jeff Estis let the residents know that Mike Betters had resigned as President and that he would be replaced by appointment of the board by Tom Russell. The board then dutifully obliged Jeff Estis and appointed Tom Russell as President of the HOA without resident input. Tom Russell, the newly appointed President was then asked by several residents to take charge of the meeting, but he didn't see fit to do that and allowed the employee of Florida Skyline Management to continue to conduct the meeting. When residents asked how Tom Russell was appointed to be President, the reply was "He volunteered." Several residents objected, saying that they had also volunteered to be on the board but their requests to serve were simply ignored. It should be noted that the HOA Board never made an attempt to notify residents that there was a board opening. This appears to be another move by the HOA Board of Directors conducting business in the dark with zero input from the community.
The truth about Tom Russell is that he did not "just volunteer" to become Board President but has been a Director on the Board for some time now, so he was basically promoted by fellow board members. He is not a "new face" on the board. Tom has served on the board since at least January of 2023 as a Director, according to filings with the FL Secretary of State. The filing can be seen here.
Jeff Estis then moved the topic of the meeting to the sale of tree trimming services, encouraging residents who had trees within their responsibility to reach out to Palm Beach Tree and Landscaping for a "good deal". He also elaborated on how Palm Beach Tree and Landscaping, our current landscaping vendor, had prepared a tree survey and found that more work needed to be done. This resident wonders why we have perfectly manicured trees, while essentials such as fences and gates which affect the security and well-being of of residents remain neglected.
Jeff Estis then in an effort to "engage" the community in decisions, then brought up color selection of the brand new gutters installed by Sun Catcher Roofing. Of course this led to many residents "picking colors" but was largely a waste of time. A simple consultation with an architect prior to gutter installation would have yielded the proper color. When one resident mentioned that gutters can be installed with a color preference at the time of installation he was shot down by Mike Betters, the former HOA President who presided over the controversial roofing contract with Sun Catcher Roofing, admittedly by Mike Betters to be a long time friend of the owner of Sun Catcher Roofing. Mike Betters has also in the past said he would like to remain as President of the Board until the roofs were completed, That is exactly what happened, as evidenced by his recent resignation.
On the topic of the new roofs, several residents asked Jeff Estis what the final cost of the roofs came to. As has been the case with any questions regarding roof cost, Jeff Estis and the HOA board were non-responsive. Questions about roof warranty and maintenance costs were similarly met with no intelligible response.
Shady HOA Continues to act Shady