Covid-19 Information
COVID-19 Information from Florida Sunset Management -
We wanted to share with you information that pertains to the Ft Myers, your community, and Florida Sunset’s Management’s response to COVID-19. This information is updated as of today but also recognizing that this is a very dynamic and changing situation. As we receive more information that is relevant to the communities, we will share these updates with you. As a commitment to our Community, your association, and our Management team we are raising awareness on our procedures, protocols, and changes to them during this time.
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Lee County Update:
- Lee County removed attendants from causeway bridge and require lee pass or plate-tolls to pass (i.e. no cash)
- Public facilities including library, recreation centers, etc are closed
- Beaches have been closed as of March 19, 2020 at 6:00 pm
- Restaurants and critical infrastructure are adhering to 50% capacity rules at state level; many restaurants are making decision to close to foot traffic – pick up only.
Florida Sunset Management Offices:
Ensuring that our office staff remains available to our associations, Sunset Management is restricting walk-in access for the offices effective immediately. Communication and contact should be done through our office phones, email, postal mail, or drop-off in the mail box located outside. We will not allow walk-in foot traffic into the office unless it’s for emergency. The purpose of restricting foot traffic is to protect our office staff and prevent the spread of COVID-19. We are continuously evaluating and aligning with state and local guidelines limits non-essential business contact.
Please also understand that we have received an increased volume of questions and communications. We are prioritizing and triaging items as they come in; non-emergency items may take lower priority and appreciate your understanding.
Board, Annual, Special Meetings and Gatherings:
Almost every community has cancelled social gatherings until further notice and aligns with the guidelines coming from Florida Governor’s office to avoid group gatherings of ten or more. The larger question is what should Board of Directors do for Board Meetings and Annual Meetings. Below is the legal opinions from two local law firms that specialize in association management. Please review these for they are very clear responses to what Boards have authority to do and what is not allowed. Sunset Management maintains a conference call system for the purposes of meetings but handling the logistics of a large-scale meeting is very difficult; unless there is an urgent need or decision to take place, the recommendation is for Boards to cancel these meetings.
Meeting and Gathering Guidance for Boards:
Social Gatherings Cancel until further notice
Board Meetings This is a Board Decision; recommend to only maintain Board Meetings that are for emergency/critical decisions be held. The Board can meet through conference but it must maintain an Open Board Meeting (available to owners). Please see attachments for more information.
Annual/Special Meetings This is a Board Decision. If there is a critical decision/vote or an election, we advise to engage with legal counsel on recommendations and how to proceed. If there are no critical votes (i.e. standard annual member procedures) you may consider postponing the annual meeting. Proxies that have been received for Annual/Special meetings are effective for 90 days so would not need to be resubmitted if the meeting is postponed and rescheduled within that timeframe.
Interior Access and Services:
One of the most significant changes is that we are looking to restrict non-emergency, general access for interior unit services. The vendors are routinely and understandably being denied entry by the residents and it’s putting the residents and vendors into unnecessary risk. We are asking service providers for the following:
No Interior Access Provided - Routine AC service, Routine interior pest control
Interior Access Provided - Emergency Repairs for Water, AC, Electrical
- Home Watch
- Fire prevention (vent cleaning, system inspection)
- Direct owner authorized access for urgent matters (i.e. pest infestations)
If a unit owner organizes interior access that is their choice but we will not provide general access for routine services. We also have a very strict protocol for vendors that when they stop by, key authorization/access will be done through the drop box. As a Board, if you want to further restrict access for vendor services; please us know.
Exterior Access and Services:
Vendors performing regularly scheduled services for janitorial, maintenance, pool, landscaping, etc will be continue to provide services as normal. Janitorial and maintenance services are focused on procedures that maintain focus on safety issues including high-touch cleaning and disinfecting.
Common Area Access:
A question that we are getting is whether common areas can or should be restricted. The Board has full authority to close common elements such as pool, cabanas, parks, etc. Sunset Management has the ability to put up signs, communicate to owners/rental agencies, and lock pool areas, etc. There are two situations to consider:
1) If board chooses to close a common area: Please send mail directly to your property manager and we will enact the communications/closure protocol. Please be advised that we cannot monitor nor provide security for the closed area.
2) If State/Local authority closes common areas: As of this moment, county/city authorities have not closed or restricted access to pools or other amenities. We are not receiving indication that they are planning this change. However, we will continue to monitor of if this changes we will implement any protocol that is mandated. We will communicate out to Boards/Communities if necessary.
Communication and Partners:
We CANNOT keep rental agencies advised of any changes to the properties. OWNERS MUST INFORM THEIR RENTAL AGENCIES OF THIS CLOSURE AND ANY OTHER FUTURE CLOSURES. similarly, we have had questions about local resources such as wellness checks. We don’t have ability to provide checks on individual unit owners/guests but if you are concerned with being able to reach a family member/friend in your unit, please call the non-emergency police phone line and they will organize. Sunset Management is working directly with local providers to do help and assist with disaster measures and response.
Resources:
- Florida Health Information and Statistics
- Lee county health
- CDC COVID-19 Information
- Association Law: Becker and Poliakoff Association Law COVID-19
- Association Law: Pavese COVID-10
- CDC Coronavirus Resources
-
Contact Information:
Ft Myers Office: 239-454-3525
Office Address: (emergencies only)
Drop box available. Florida Sunset Management
16956 McGregor Blvd
Ft Myers, Florida 33908 Steven J. Mackesy President/Managing Partner 239-454-3525 Ext 121 16956 McGregor Blvd. Ft. Myers, Fl. 33908 steve@sunsetmgmt.com
Formerly Island Management-Ft Myers
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Lee County Update:
- Lee County removed attendants from causeway bridge and require lee pass or plate-tolls to pass (i.e. no cash)
- Public facilities including library, recreation centers, etc are closed
- Beaches have been closed as of March 19, 2020 at 6:00 pm
- Restaurants and critical infrastructure are adhering to 50% capacity rules at state level; many restaurants are making decision to close to foot traffic – pick up only.
Florida Sunset Management Offices:
Ensuring that our office staff remains available to our associations, Sunset Management is restricting walk-in access for the offices effective immediately. Communication and contact should be done through our office phones, email, postal mail, or drop-off in the mail box located outside. We will not allow walk-in foot traffic into the office unless it’s for emergency. The purpose of restricting foot traffic is to protect our office staff and prevent the spread of COVID-19. We are continuously evaluating and aligning with state and local guidelines limits non-essential business contact.
Please also understand that we have received an increased volume of questions and communications. We are prioritizing and triaging items as they come in; non-emergency items may take lower priority and appreciate your understanding.
Board, Annual, Special Meetings and Gatherings:
Almost every community has cancelled social gatherings until further notice and aligns with the guidelines coming from Florida Governor’s office to avoid group gatherings of ten or more. The larger question is what should Board of Directors do for Board Meetings and Annual Meetings. Below is the legal opinions from two local law firms that specialize in association management. Please review these for they are very clear responses to what Boards have authority to do and what is not allowed. Sunset Management maintains a conference call system for the purposes of meetings but handling the logistics of a large-scale meeting is very difficult; unless there is an urgent need or decision to take place, the recommendation is for Boards to cancel these meetings.
Meeting and Gathering Guidance for Boards:
Social Gatherings Cancel until further notice
Board Meetings This is a Board Decision; recommend to only maintain Board Meetings that are for emergency/critical decisions be held. The Board can meet through conference but it must maintain an Open Board Meeting (available to owners). Please see attachments for more information.
Annual/Special Meetings This is a Board Decision. If there is a critical decision/vote or an election, we advise to engage with legal counsel on recommendations and how to proceed. If there are no critical votes (i.e. standard annual member procedures) you may consider postponing the annual meeting. Proxies that have been received for Annual/Special meetings are effective for 90 days so would not need to be resubmitted if the meeting is postponed and rescheduled within that timeframe.
Interior Access and Services:
One of the most significant changes is that we are looking to restrict non-emergency, general access for interior unit services. The vendors are routinely and understandably being denied entry by the residents and it’s putting the residents and vendors into unnecessary risk. We are asking service providers for the following:
No Interior Access Provided - Routine AC service, Routine interior pest control
Interior Access Provided - Emergency Repairs for Water, AC, Electrical
- Home Watch
- Fire prevention (vent cleaning, system inspection)
- Direct owner authorized access for urgent matters (i.e. pest infestations)
If a unit owner organizes interior access that is their choice but we will not provide general access for routine services. We also have a very strict protocol for vendors that when they stop by, key authorization/access will be done through the drop box. As a Board, if you want to further restrict access for vendor services; please us know.
Exterior Access and Services:
Vendors performing regularly scheduled services for janitorial, maintenance, pool, landscaping, etc will be continue to provide services as normal. Janitorial and maintenance services are focused on procedures that maintain focus on safety issues including high-touch cleaning and disinfecting.
Common Area Access:
A question that we are getting is whether common areas can or should be restricted. The Board has full authority to close common elements such as pool, cabanas, parks, etc. Sunset Management has the ability to put up signs, communicate to owners/rental agencies, and lock pool areas, etc. There are two situations to consider:
1) If board chooses to close a common area: Please send mail directly to your property manager and we will enact the communications/closure protocol. Please be advised that we cannot monitor nor provide security for the closed area.
2) If State/Local authority closes common areas: As of this moment, county/city authorities have not closed or restricted access to pools or other amenities. We are not receiving indication that they are planning this change. However, we will continue to monitor of if this changes we will implement any protocol that is mandated. We will communicate out to Boards/Communities if necessary.
Communication and Partners:
We CANNOT keep rental agencies advised of any changes to the properties. OWNERS MUST INFORM THEIR RENTAL AGENCIES OF THIS CLOSURE AND ANY OTHER FUTURE CLOSURES. similarly, we have had questions about local resources such as wellness checks. We don’t have ability to provide checks on individual unit owners/guests but if you are concerned with being able to reach a family member/friend in your unit, please call the non-emergency police phone line and they will organize. Sunset Management is working directly with local providers to do help and assist with disaster measures and response.
Resources:
- Florida Health Information and Statistics
- Lee county health
- CDC COVID-19 Information
- Association Law: Becker and Poliakoff Association Law COVID-19
- Association Law: Pavese COVID-10
- CDC Coronavirus Resources
-
Contact Information:
Ft Myers Office: 239-454-3525
Office Address: (emergencies only)
Drop box available. Florida Sunset Management
16956 McGregor Blvd
Ft Myers, Florida 33908 Steven J. Mackesy President/Managing Partner 239-454-3525 Ext 121 16956 McGregor Blvd. Ft. Myers, Fl. 33908 steve@sunsetmgmt.com
Formerly Island Management-Ft Myers