NattyM (Florida)
Posts: 21
Posts: 21
Posted:
Our condo in Florida (Miami) currently has valet and some of the residents would like to remove this amenity. If this passes does the condo have to provide handicap and guest parking.
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Removing Valet
Started by NattyM • 14 replies • 522 views
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KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
I'm guessing probably. You need to check with your local municipality on this. Are you on the Board? Would this require a vote by the Owners? Or is it the Board's decision?
NattyM (Florida)
Posts: 21
Posts: 21
Posted:
No I am not on the board. Some of the owners want the valet to be remove and use that money for reserves. We need 75% of the residents to vote yes, but before we can do that the president needs to put it on the agenda. We have 138 units and the president need 70 units to sign the petition before he puts it on the agenda.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
I don't undertand the correllation of getting rid of a Valet and then having to add handicap/guest parking. Do not see the connection. They are apples and oranges to each other. Valet is a convenience item. Handicap is an ADA requirement IF a HOA is required to be ADA complaint. (Many are not necessarily). Guest parking is also either a convenience or a good thing to have in general.
Former HOA President
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
Some high rise condos require that valets park residents' cars in (usually) their own deeded parking spaces. No one (or visitors) may park their own car in these underground garages.
If residents park their own cars because valets are done away with, some handicapped owners will find themselves very far away from elevators, I assume, instead of exiting their car at the main entrance to their building very close to an elevator.
We don't have this system so I don't know the details, but some high rises near us do have it. As anyone can imagine, it's hugely expensive.
Natty, your Bylaws will say what percent of Owners need to sign a petition to place a topic on a meeting of the members (owners). Usually this % is quite small--say 10% or 20% of units must sign the petition. If you & others who want to dump this amenity are able, read your Bylaws to see how the works.
If you can't find this in your Bylaws check FL condo statutes for how to hold & conduct and members meetings
It sounds like the prez is talking about getting on the agenda of a board, not members meeting.
If the folks who want this removed aren't very knowledgeable about your governing documents and FL statues, you call could chip in and pay an HOA attorney to answer your group's questions about handicapped parking and about petitions for remember meetings.
If residents park their own cars because valets are done away with, some handicapped owners will find themselves very far away from elevators, I assume, instead of exiting their car at the main entrance to their building very close to an elevator.
We don't have this system so I don't know the details, but some high rises near us do have it. As anyone can imagine, it's hugely expensive.
Natty, your Bylaws will say what percent of Owners need to sign a petition to place a topic on a meeting of the members (owners). Usually this % is quite small--say 10% or 20% of units must sign the petition. If you & others who want to dump this amenity are able, read your Bylaws to see how the works.
If you can't find this in your Bylaws check FL condo statutes for how to hold & conduct and members meetings
It sounds like the prez is talking about getting on the agenda of a board, not members meeting.
If the folks who want this removed aren't very knowledgeable about your governing documents and FL statues, you call could chip in and pay an HOA attorney to answer your group's questions about handicapped parking and about petitions for remember meetings.
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
Some high rise condos require that valets park residents' cars in (usually) their own deeded parking spaces. No one (or visitors) may park their own car in these underground garages.
If residents park their own cars because valets are done away with, some handicapped owners will find themselves very far away from elevators, I assume, instead of exiting their car at the main entrance to their building very close to an elevator.
We don't have this system so I don't know the details, but some high rises near us do have it. As anyone can imagine, it's hugely expensive.
Natty, your Bylaws will say what percent of Owners need to sign a petition to place a topic on a meeting of the members (owners). Usually this % is quite small--say 10% or 20% of units must sign the petition. If you & others who want to dump this amenity are able, read your Bylaws to see how the works.
If you can't find this in your Bylaws check FL condo statutes for how to hold & conduct and members meetings
It sounds like the prez is talking about getting on the agenda of a board, not members meeting.
If the folks who want this removed aren't very knowledgeable about your governing documents and FL statues, you call could chip in and pay an HOA attorney to answer your group's questions about handicapped parking and about petitions for remember meetings.
If residents park their own cars because valets are done away with, some handicapped owners will find themselves very far away from elevators, I assume, instead of exiting their car at the main entrance to their building very close to an elevator.
We don't have this system so I don't know the details, but some high rises near us do have it. As anyone can imagine, it's hugely expensive.
Natty, your Bylaws will say what percent of Owners need to sign a petition to place a topic on a meeting of the members (owners). Usually this % is quite small--say 10% or 20% of units must sign the petition. If you & others who want to dump this amenity are able, read your Bylaws to see how the works.
If you can't find this in your Bylaws check FL condo statutes for how to hold & conduct and members meetings
It sounds like the prez is talking about getting on the agenda of a board, not members meeting.
If the folks who want this removed aren't very knowledgeable about your governing documents and FL statues, you call could chip in and pay an HOA attorney to answer your group's questions about handicapped parking and about petitions for remember meetings.
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
Agree that valet parking has nothing to do with ADA compliance or guest parking. Your community has to provide reasonable accommodations to those with disabilities (this is a Fair Housing issue). And I assume you'll need to have some provisions for guest parking or you may end up with guests grabbing homeowners' spots.
Cutting unnecessary expenses is always a good idea, but this sounds a bit like a knee-jerk reaction to the Surfside condo collapse. The board should be taking a hard look at all of your expenses, seeing which ones don't give you value for the money you're spending, and maybe directing those funds to other areas.
But if you've been under-funding your reserves for years (and probably deferring essential maintenance), things like cutting out the valet probably won't be enough. It's like someone who finds himself in serious credit card debt and who decides to do things like pack his lunch or sell some belongings. It's a start but it won't fix the real issue, which is that he's been living beyond his means for years. Neglecting essential maintenance in condos *is* living beyond your means because you're burning through the useful life of your property faster and delayed expenditures are nearly always more costly expenditures.
Cutting unnecessary expenses is always a good idea, but this sounds a bit like a knee-jerk reaction to the Surfside condo collapse. The board should be taking a hard look at all of your expenses, seeing which ones don't give you value for the money you're spending, and maybe directing those funds to other areas.
But if you've been under-funding your reserves for years (and probably deferring essential maintenance), things like cutting out the valet probably won't be enough. It's like someone who finds himself in serious credit card debt and who decides to do things like pack his lunch or sell some belongings. It's a start but it won't fix the real issue, which is that he's been living beyond his means for years. Neglecting essential maintenance in condos *is* living beyond your means because you're burning through the useful life of your property faster and delayed expenditures are nearly always more costly expenditures.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By CathyA3 on 07/17/2021 9:19 AM
Agree that valet parking has nothing to do with ADA compliance or guest parking. Your community has to provide reasonable accommodations to those with disabilities (this is a Fair Housing issue). And I assume you'll need to have some provisions for guest parking or you may end up with guests grabbing homeowners' spots.
Cutting unnecessary expenses is always a good idea, but this sounds a bit like a knee-jerk reaction to the Surfside condo collapse. The board should be taking a hard look at all of your expenses, seeing which ones don't give you value for the money you're spending, and maybe directing those funds to other areas.
But if you've been under-funding your reserves for years (and probably deferring essential maintenance), things like cutting out the valet probably won't be enough. It's like someone who finds himself in serious credit card debt and who decides to do things like pack his lunch or sell some belongings. It's a start but it won't fix the real issue, which is that he's been living beyond his means for years. Neglecting essential maintenance in condos *is* living beyond your means because you're burning through the useful life of your property faster and delayed expenditures are nearly always more costly expenditures.
Agree that valet parking has nothing to do with ADA compliance or guest parking. Your community has to provide reasonable accommodations to those with disabilities (this is a Fair Housing issue). And I assume you'll need to have some provisions for guest parking or you may end up with guests grabbing homeowners' spots.
Cutting unnecessary expenses is always a good idea, but this sounds a bit like a knee-jerk reaction to the Surfside condo collapse. The board should be taking a hard look at all of your expenses, seeing which ones don't give you value for the money you're spending, and maybe directing those funds to other areas.
But if you've been under-funding your reserves for years (and probably deferring essential maintenance), things like cutting out the valet probably won't be enough. It's like someone who finds himself in serious credit card debt and who decides to do things like pack his lunch or sell some belongings. It's a start but it won't fix the real issue, which is that he's been living beyond his means for years. Neglecting essential maintenance in condos *is* living beyond your means because you're burning through the useful life of your property faster and delayed expenditures are nearly always more costly expenditures.
Well said. Sound advice.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Natty
How was valet parking originally established?
How was valet parking originally established?
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
I'm thinking valets could be very expensive given you need at least three valets over 24/7 shifts and perhaps more during certain peak times (if they exist). How much do they const your HOA, Natty? Your should see this expense in your condo's financial reports. BUT valets may be lumped together with security officers.
In the two valet bldgs. I know about, residents may not drive their cars out of the garage or into it. The complaint about valet parking is sometimes having to wait a while for one's car. Both were esp stablished by the developer.
Guest parking usually is behind the gates to the garage. And, often, there's no access to residential parking from guest parking except though a gate controlled by security. Guests aren't let in unless the security officer has the required info about them the resident has made arrangements to park in their own extra space or in guest parking. Lotsa variation though so we don't know how it works at Nattie's condo bldg.
In the two valet bldgs. I know about, residents may not drive their cars out of the garage or into it. The complaint about valet parking is sometimes having to wait a while for one's car. Both were esp stablished by the developer.
Guest parking usually is behind the gates to the garage. And, often, there's no access to residential parking from guest parking except though a gate controlled by security. Guests aren't let in unless the security officer has the required info about them the resident has made arrangements to park in their own extra space or in guest parking. Lotsa variation though so we don't know how it works at Nattie's condo bldg.
NattyM (Florida)
Posts: 21
Posts: 21
Posted:
Hi John,
I believe the valet was written in the by laws when the building was build in 1968?
I believe the valet was written in the by laws when the building was build in 1968?
NattyM (Florida)
Posts: 21
Posts: 21
Posted:
Hi John,
I believe the valet was written in the by laws when the building was build in 1968?
I believe the valet was written in the by laws when the building was build in 1968?
NattyM (Florida)
Posts: 21
Posts: 21
Posted:
Hi Kerry,
The valet is optional for residents and this building has no handicap or guest parking. The valet operates from M-F 7:30-11pm and Sat and Sun 9-11pm. The guest pays $2.00 per day and overnight $5.00. The monies collected the valet keeps it. The building has a contract with the valet company which costs around $96,000. per year. Just a handful of the residents use the valet and I think its a waste of money when we could it for repairs to the building and the pool. We are definitely living above our means. We have no reserves and now each unit owners has to pay approximately $10,000.00 for building repairs.
The valet is optional for residents and this building has no handicap or guest parking. The valet operates from M-F 7:30-11pm and Sat and Sun 9-11pm. The guest pays $2.00 per day and overnight $5.00. The monies collected the valet keeps it. The building has a contract with the valet company which costs around $96,000. per year. Just a handful of the residents use the valet and I think its a waste of money when we could it for repairs to the building and the pool. We are definitely living above our means. We have no reserves and now each unit owners has to pay approximately $10,000.00 for building repairs.
NattyM (Florida)
Posts: 21
Posts: 21
Posted:
My question is if we get the votes to remove the valet does the condo have to provide handicap and guest parking?
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
Thanks for clarification, Natty. Wow, with limited service, valets are even more costly than I thought! Given it isn't used much, it looks like axing it will be a fine way to save money.
Given you have no guest parking, what are guests paying $2.00 for? Wait, are you saying that valets park guests' cars someplace off the premise? Is this arrangement for guests in your governing documents? Doesn't sound like anything about parking would be in your Bylaws, but, rather, in your covenants (CC&Rs; declaration)?
My first response about handicapped parking was you "probably" are required to provide disabled parking for Owners who need it. Are there disabled parking spaces for owners? Are the parking spaces deeded to owners? If there is no visitor parking on your premises, I do not think your assn. needs to carve out a space or two. You must check with local authorities about this topic. Or, your Board can easily check with the HOA attorney.
Given you have no guest parking, what are guests paying $2.00 for? Wait, are you saying that valets park guests' cars someplace off the premise? Is this arrangement for guests in your governing documents? Doesn't sound like anything about parking would be in your Bylaws, but, rather, in your covenants (CC&Rs; declaration)?
My first response about handicapped parking was you "probably" are required to provide disabled parking for Owners who need it. Are there disabled parking spaces for owners? Are the parking spaces deeded to owners? If there is no visitor parking on your premises, I do not think your assn. needs to carve out a space or two. You must check with local authorities about this topic. Or, your Board can easily check with the HOA attorney.
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