Tiara Towers

The North Beach Association (NBA) is a voluntary, non-profit organization that represents all the HOAs, communities, and property owners on North Hutchinson Island.    The NBA works on their behalf to:

• Make the North Beach Area a better place to live
• Maintain and improve the value of all property

Activities of the NBA:

• Sponsors a community Beach Cleanup effort to pick up trash along the beach from Avalon Beach to the Fort Pierce Inlet
• Sponsors the Florida Adopt-A-Highway program to pick up trash along A1A from the North Causeway bridge to Marina Avenue (just south of Lowe's Real Estate office)
• Advocates with the Coast Guard, FDOT, St Lucie County agencies, and private developers such as these recent activities:
  •  successfully requested the Coast Guard to institute timed bridge openings at the North Causeway Bridge
  • gained action from the County and the Sheriff's Office for illegal parking at Queen's Island Park, Crystal Cay, and the Ft Pierce Shores beach access points
  • worked with County Water Department for full disclosure of 2019-20 drinking water quality issues on the island
  • updates members on real estate sales on the island
• Holds informative Member meetings 4x / yr, with guest speakers such as County Commissioners, State Representatives, local developers
• Publishes a Member Newsletter 4x / yr

The greater its membership, the greater its clout when advocating for North Hutchinson Island owners with state, county, and private interests who may have an impact on NHI.

Tiara's representatives to the North Beach Association are Jeri and Pete Bullock, 1505 S.

Membership in the NBA

The Membership Drive for the NBA FY 2021 (October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021) is getting underway.   Your support of the NBA makes its efforts and activities that much better.    This year you can support the NBA with your new membership or membership renewal.   Anyone who owns on North Hutchinson Island can become a Member;  renters and others wishing to support its activities can join as Associate Members.   All Members and Associate Members receive the NBA Newsletter, published 4 times each year, and are invited to the 4 Member Meetings held each year.   Associate Members are non-voting members.

Three Membership Options

(1) For 2021 the standard membership rate has been reduced to $15 per family and includes receipt of the NBA Newsletters via email.   For those who prefer to receive a printed Newsletter via postal delivery there is a $10 annual surcharge, to cover the cost of printing and mailing.

Membership rates are further discounted based on a community's (or HOA's) member participation rate - more members lowers the cost of the membership for everyone in the HOA.    Based on Tiara's participation in 2020 the Membership cost or renewal cost for Tiara Towers members is $12 per family with the emailed Newsletter.   The additional $10 surcharge for postal delivery of the Newsletter applies, for a total of $22.  Current 2020 members will be receiving renewal notices in the coming months.    New members can request an application from Jeri or Pete, or pick one up in the mailrooms of Tiara later this month.

(2) A BOGO membership incentive was introduced for 2020 and is being continued for 2021.   An existing member can renew its membership AND sponsor a new member for 2021 and the cost to the new member is FREE for 2021.     That $12 renewal rate for Tiara members actually "buys" 2 memberships:   its own renewal AND a new membership for a friend or neighbor.  Both receive the emailed Newsletters.  We're betting that the BOGO member will come to appreciate the activities of the North Beach Association and will renew at the then-current rate for the following year.    The $10 surcharge to receive the Newsletters by postal delivery applies to each membership, renewal and BOGO.

(3) Several of the Boards of Directors of the HOAs on North Hutchinson Island have elected to support the North Beach Association by sponsoring 100% participation of its owners.    At 100% participation the new reduced cost per family is only $3, and includes the 4 emailed Newsletters.   Any individual preferring a printed, mailed NBA Newsletter can request it by sending in a check for the $10 surcharge along with the delivery address.   This 100% sponsored participation significantly increases the membership in the NBA and thus the NBA's influence with public officials and private entities is improved.  Tiara's Board has not made this election.

Contacts for more information:

Please welcome our new neighbors.

705 S - Kim and James McCloskey

204 N - Philomena Lennon

501 N - Donald and Irene Wilkinson

502 N - Joseph and Abra Carotenuto

704 N - Joseph and Lynda Prizio

1402 N - Max and Maria DeMarzi

Tiara was well prepared for this first hurricane / tropical storm of the season to threaten the island.   Shutters were closed, pool furniture was taken indoors, outdoor plants and welcome mats on the catwalks were mostly brought indoors, and we waited to see what the storm would do and bring us.      As far as I can tell, very few residents left Tiara for refuge inland.   Friends helped friends prepare for the storm.

Tiara came through this tropical storm with flying colors.   Yes, the storm stayed offshore, and most of the high velocity winds were to the far side of the storm and didn't affect the coast line.     We were lucky.   It was as though Isaias was a test run for Tiara and our preparations held.

Although I never noticed that the waves, which were much higher than normal, reached the dune walks, they did push seaweed and debris higher up the beach past the usual high tide line.     There is significant beach erosion with the beach sand now slanting downward from the sea grasses to the water line at about a steady 15 degree angle from horizontal.  The step down, noticeable on the beach for the past months as a result of last year's storms, is for the most part gone.

I noticed NO trees down, few palm fronds on the ground, no debris on the parking lots and grassy areas.    Tiara never lost power; the AC stayed on; elevators, TVs, cell phones, lights, all kept going.

The skies were very gray and overcast Saturday afternoon through Sunday.     A few people ventured into the waves to surf and others walked in the shallows.    There were a few bands of rain squalls throughout Saturday into Sunday but we did not get a deluge.  Winds were not as strong as predicted and, as measured a few times on the 15th floor, never exceeded 40 mph.

Monday dawned sunny and calm, very hot with very little breeze, and seas are once again pretty flat with just a few waves rolling in at the shoreline.

Other Items at Tiara

The South pool is closed for repairs, but those repairs are NOT related to the storm.     The South catwalks were pressure washed today, in preparation for another repainting beginning Wednesday and concluding Friday.      On the day for the repainting residents will not be able to walk on the catwalk for at least 4 hours after the painting.

The June President's Report from Board President Bill Dicker:

Tiara Towers Condominium Association

President’s Report – June 4, 2020

 

Good Day all,

 

As a result of the Covid pandemic, we have not had any Board meetings. In the next two weeks there will be a meeting to address a number of issues.

 

The biggest issue before the Board is the elevator modernization project and the means by which it will be financed.  This involves the selection of an elevator company to do the work, the work schedule that will be adopted, and the mix of financing options (reserves, assessment, loan). Estimates have been received from Schindler, Kone, Oracle, Premier, and SFES ranging $800,000 to $1,598,096. Otis is expected to submit their bid in the next few days.  Our consulting elevator engineer has started negotiations with these companies.

 

In the last two weeks, the north building has experienced a number of elevator issues and on several occasions both elevators have been down.  An ideal schedule for the project would be to start in April of 2021.  However, if issues continue it may be necessary to start at an earlier time.  It takes between 10-22 weeks for a company to secure the necessary equipment to begin the project once a schedule has been determined.

 

A second issue relates to our balconies and catwalks.  Eleven years have passed since our last professional inspection.  Many buildings on our stretch of beach have been re-building and repairing their balconies and catwalks.  We have contracted with an engineer who, in the next two weeks, will do an inspection of our catwalks and an analysis of 40 balconies. We have not seen any evidence of problems but if we choose to borrow money to finance the elevator project we need to know that we will not have to deal with expensive balcony/catwalk issues during the period of a loan to help finance the elevator project.  In the last 5-6 years we have been repairing minor issues with catwalks and balconies.

 

In recent weeks we have repaired a number of sprinkler pipe issues (where the pipes enter units) and have contracted to install shrouds on our new parking lot lights as well as sealing cracks in both parking lots. The new landscape company is doing a good job and various issues related to irrigation are being addressed.

 

More to follow in the next two weeks.

 

Respectfully submitted by,

Bill Dicker

 

 

The North Beach Association held its quarterly highway cleanup on June 27th.   Fourteen volunteers from condos and homes throughout North Hutchinson Island showed up to walk along A1A from the bascule bridge over the Indian River, along A1a to the Cumberland Market, and then north to Marina Avenue.      The prior cleanup was in January and this one was delayed due to the coronovirus pandemic so the there was a lot of trash in the grassy areas along the roadway that really needed to be picked up.    The volunteers worked for about 90 minutes and covered most of the area.

It's a shame that trash accumulates so quickly and that people continue to throw trash out the windows of cars.    The NBA will continue to do this quarterly to do its part to keep our island clean.    Volunteers are always welcome.  Watch for a notice on the Tiara bulletin board for the next highway cleanup in the Fall.

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We've been tracking the incidence of COVID-19 in Florida.     Some information for you.

The cases are reported by zip code.   Our zipcode 34949, which includes both North and South Hutchinson Island, has reported only 6 cases of COVID-19  to date.    That's good news for us.   Grocery stores, restaurants, and businesses are opening.    Life here at Tiara appears almost normal.

However elsewhere in St Lucie County the number of cases has risen in recent weeks, which means that we, all of us, have to continue taking precautions in an effort to remain safe and healthy.    Face masks are now strongly recommended in all areas where social distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained.    Most shoppers are observed to be wearing masks.     Restaurants are maintaining distancing and even encouraging outdoor dining.   In downtown Fort Pierce street parking has been reduced, blocked off and turned into outdoor restaurant seating.   It's a novel, and much appreciated, effort to increase restaurant service while maintaining social distancing.

At Tiara it is observed that friends are gathering at the pool and on the beach and most are maintaining the recommended 6 feet of distance between persons.    The Fourth of July party here at Tiara will not be held this year, in an abundance of caution about gatherings.

Source of the official Covid-19 numbers.

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/96dd742462124fa0b38ddedb9b25e429

You should be able to click on the following pictures to enlarge them for better reading.

In this first image, white is zero cases, then in increasing order, green, light blue, darker blues, and red is highest number of cases.

The following picture shows St Lucie County stats over the last 30 days, June 2 to present.

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Recent Guidance from public officials

St Lucie County orders use of face masks

To help slow the spread of COVID-19, St. Lucie County Administrator Howard Tipton has issued an executive order requiring that anyone entering a county managed facility, including offices, libraries and attractions, must wear a face covering, starting Monday, June 29.

St Lucie County addresses Fireworks on the beaches

With many cities on the Treasure Coast canceling Independence Day fireworks and celebrations to reduce the spread of COVID-19, St. Lucie County reminds residents and visitors that bonfires and fireworks are prohibited on St. Lucie County beaches. Please help us keep Hutchinson Island sea-turtle friendly, especially during the summer nesting season, which runs from March 1 – Nov. 15.

Hutchinson Island’s 21 miles of coastline are designated as critical nesting ground for endangered and threatened sea turtle populations, including Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback turtles.

While the sale of fireworks is legal in Florida, St. Lucie County’s Code Compliance staff asked that residents not shoot fireworks over St. Lucie County beaches as the debris from these explosives leave behind trash on our public beaches, while the flashes and loud sounds disturb wildlife.

City of Fort Pierce July 4th Fireworks Cancelled

The City of Fort Pierce has canceled its Fireworks Display this year, usually held on July 4th at the Fort Pierce Marina and Park.     The city is hoping to reschedule its Fireworks display to a later date, possibly Labor Day.

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Beach Closures over the 4th

St. Lucie County is closing all public beach accesses over the July 4th weekend.    This includes Pepper Park, and the beach access paths over at Fort Pierce Shores.   Avalon Beach Park and and Fort Pierce Inlet State Park are also to be closed.  Parking lots at the public beaches will also be closed.

Tiara enjoys a private beach access via our dune walks so it is still okay to go down to the beach this weekend.

When the Miami-Dade County and Broward County beaches were closed several months ago St Lucie County beaches had an abundance of beachgoers, many of whom were visiting from those southern counties.     This weekend the SLC beach accesses are also closed, along with the Miami beaches, so we may not experience an influx of visitors.    Law enforcement will be patrolling this weekend to try to keep illegal parking under control.

The following is the official information release from the County:

St. Lucie County Closes Beaches July 4 Weekend Over COVID-19 Concerns 

ST. LUCIE COUNTY – In an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, St. Lucie County will be closing all public beach accesses on North and South Hutchinson Island Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5.

This closure includes all of the beach parking lots in the unincorporated area as well as the City Limits of Fort Pierce. Additionally. the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park and Avalon Beach will be closing for the holiday weekend.

St. Lucie County is issuing this executive order to protect our residents from a potential increase in visitors from South Florida, as counties there are closing beaches this holiday weekend because of the continued increase in positive cases.

Law enforcement will be patrolling the barrier islands, issuing citations for anyone illegally parked in the right-of-way or on private property without permission.

As a reminder: To help slow the spread of COVID-19, residents should avoid limit social interactions, maintain a distinct of at least six feet from others, wear a mask in public when social distancing isn’t possible and continue to practice good hygiene such as frequent hand washing with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth and face. Avoid close contact with people who are sick or exhibit symptoms. If you are sick; please stay home and contact your primary doctor.

For additional information and updates relating to COVID-19 in St. Lucie County, please visit: www.stlucieco.gov/covid-19.

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Reported back in April

Walmart

Since my last post about shopping in the area, I have had occasion to try Walmart's online ordering system coupled with curbside pickup.     I found this to be very convenient and successful.     I created an online order at Walmart.com "grocery" section and was told the next appointment for pickup was 3 days out.    That was no problem, and I added items to my basket from their menu.   I was even able to add and delete items from my cart right up until the night before the scheduled pickup.     I chose to pick up my order at the Walmart store on Okeechobee Road, just a bit this side of I 95.    There's a designated pickup area on the north side of their building (the Auto Care shop is on the south side), and I pulled up, texted them where I was parked, and an attendant brought out my groceries within 10 minutes.    I'd already paid online and the groceries were loaded into the back of my SUV.    No delivery charge, no service fee, and my bill was adjusted to reflect the items I ordered or substituted.    I may shop this way forever!

Total Wines

Total Wines in Jensen Beach also has curbside pickup and it works much the same.    No contact, order on line, pay on line, get delivery into your car within minutes of arrival at the store.

Sam's Club

I also looked into Sam's Club in Vero Beach.    Sam's Club has special hours for seniors on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7 am to 9 am.  I was informed that Sam's Club has a "concierge" service on these mornings as well.    You can drive up to the west side of the building, about where their Auto Care is, give the attendant your shopping list, and the attendant will then go and get your items and bring them to the car.    It was also mentioned that the line starts gathering very early, sometimes as early as 6 am.  That's much too early for wme, but might be a great deal for you.

Lots of options now and some of these may be available even when life on the Treasure Coast gets "back to normal".

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Many of you will remember Suzy and Norm Molz, long time residents of 301 S.    Norm and Suzy moved north to be nearer their family about 6 years ago, but are remembered by many long time residents of Tiara Towers.    They were wonderful friends and neighbors.     It is with great sadness that we share this news with you.   On April 25, 2020, Norman Charles Molz beloved husband of Suzanne Blakely Molz; passed away. 

Norm was the dear father of M. Catherine Lowe (Thomas), Stephen C. Molz (Anita), Linda M. Newman (George), Thomas R. Molz (Theresa), Mary Carol Corder, Jean M. Carr (Sean), Janet M. Constantino (James) and Robert J. Molz; devoted brother of Jeanne Kuhn Hand and the late Kenneth Molz. Also survived by sixteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date. Interment private. Please omit flowers. Memorials in his name may be made to Oak Crest Benevolent Fund 8800 Walther Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21234.