208th Street Meeting is a Success

Cutler Bay officials Paul Vrooman, Mayor, and Rafael Casals, Public Works Director, met with Cantamar homeowners, Wednesday, September 3rd, to discuss revisions to 208th Street to make it a safer and more residential road.

Read more >>>

******

Labor Day "Splash" a Big Hit

The Social Committee's End-of-Summer Splash was enjoyed by kids of all ages (and quite a few adults). Check out the Events page for more details and photos.

 

******

Don't Lose Your Ficus

See the article on the Bulletin Board for details on treatment for Ficus (Fig) Whitefly.

******

Mailbox Replacement

Many Homeowners have been asking how to replace damaged mailboxes.
See the article on our Bulletin Board for details.

******

Social Committee Formed—Volunteers Needed
Thanks to Maxine Hermida for volunteering to chair the Social Committee.
However, she still needs volunteers for the committee.
Please contact her at social@cantamarhoa.org if you'd like to join the committee.
And watch for exciting events coming up this summer.

*****

Crime Watch Committee Chair Needed
Unfortunately, Maxine gave up her position as chair of the Crime Watch Committee
in order to form the Social Committee, so we need a volunteer
to chair the Crime Watch Committee.
This is a great way to meet your neighbors and help protect our neighborhood.
If you are interested, please contact the Board at board@cantamarhoa.org.

*****

Actions of the Board
Here are some of the things your Board has been working on for the community:
1. Working on getting quotes to irrigate, fertilize, mulch around the community
2. Working on getting quotes to light the front entrance
3. Working on financial books left by Courtesy to see where we stand
4. Issuing violations and penalty fees around the community
5. Working on obtaining a release from Courtesy
6. Reviewing our current insurance policy to ensure it is accurately insuring us
7. Exploring the possibility of adding irrigation lines around canals on 87th Avenue

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mark your calendar for
Future Board Meetings in 2008:

<< The 3rd Wednesday of every other month. >>

October 15
December 17

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

2008 Budget and Approved Rules & Regulations
now available online.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

New Water Restrictions Eased for Miami-Dade County

Effective Friday, April 18, 2008, new, less strict water restrictions are in effect.
Read the details.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

New
Crime Watch Section
of Cantamarhoa.org

Take a look at this new section of the Web site. Your help is needed to keep our community safe.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Contact Sheet

The Board of Directors is updating the contact information for homeowners. If you have not filled out and returned the Contact Sheet that was mailed to you, please do so.

You may fax it to: 305-278-7499,
mail to: HOA, 20609 S.W. 90 Place, Cutler Bay, FL 33189,
or email to: board@cantamarhoa.org.

If you need another copy, click here for a PDF file of the Contact Sheet.
You will need Adobe Acrobat to view/print it. If you don't already have it, download Acrobat here.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

208th Street Meeting is a Success

Mayor Vrooman explained that the roads had just been turned over to the Town in July, and that the Town is now in the budget process and working on the capital improvement plan. Because of the importance of fixing 208th Street, it has been pulled out of that process and will not need to wait for that entire plan to be approved. They have money in the 2008-2009 budget for beginning improvements on 208th Street--this first phase will include efforts to calm traffic by adding a traffic circle at S.W. 90th Court. It may also include other efforts depending on cost. Mayor Vrooman introduced Ramon Soria and Edwin Mojina from Marlin Engineering who will be doing the actual plan for our road. They did not bring a plan to show, as they wanted our input before finalizing the plan. A drawing created by a homeowner on 208th Street was shown and used as a point of discussion.

(Click to enlarge)
A 208th Street homeowner's idea for improving the street. Engineers will present a final plan including a traffic circle, bike paths, and left turn lanes in the next few months.

The engineers said the plan was similar to what they had in mind with the addition of the traffic circle and bike paths on each side. They also pointed out that the final plan will include left turn lanes in the landscaped median to allow left turns to all roads in Cantamar and across the street. They did say the landscaped swale would not be practical as drawn here due to drainage issues. Based on the budget restrictions requested by our Town, they are planning to keep the current drainage, which is very effective. So where there are existing drains, they will need to keep pavement. But they did listen to our request for as much green space and landscaping as possible, and said they would incorporate what they can. They will also be adding parking areas along 208th Street. They do feel very strongly that 208th should be a 2-lane road with a median, but said the County (even though it no longer owns the road) will have to approve the change. The County does seem to prefer these wide roads, but has approved similar changes in the past.

Also discussed was the possibility of "speed tables". These are wider (approximately 10' x the width of the road) than speed bumps or humps and only about 4" high. They do not jar cars the way speed bumps do and are safe for emergency vehicles. This may or may not be part of the final plan.

Cantamar homeowners asked a lot of insightful questions regarding specifics, timing and budget. The mayor assured us that this project is budgeted for and will not require an increase in taxes. The engineers said they would get back to us with the County's response and plans for the first phase within the next few months and that this phase would be completed in this upcoming fiscal year (October 2008-September 2009). The balance of the work would be included in the 2009-2010 budget and should be completed by September 2010.

Once the Town has any additional information and/or the plan, they will advise our Board who will pass the information on to homeowners.

 

Quick Contacts

For Association Issues or Suggestions:
board@cantamarhoa.org

For Website Suggestions or Submissions:
webmaster@cantamarhoa.org

See the Contacts page for other important contact information.

 

Stay Informed!

Click here to send us your email address if you wish to receive messages regarding the Cantamar community.

 

Actions of the Board

Check out the latest Actions of the Board, updated June 8, 2008.

 

 

Making Improvements?

Make sure you submit your plans to T&G Management for approval. This will make sure your plans conform with the acceptable standards of the Cantamar community.
This is the UPDATED form, with the new Management Company.

You can download the submission form here.

 

Upcoming Committee Meetings

Communications Committee:
Meetings are scheduled approximately one week after the bi-monthly Board meetings.
Next meeting TBD

Architectural Control Committee:
No meeting scheduled.
If you have an issue you would like the ACC to address in a meeting, please email:
arc@cantamarhoa.org.
Once a meeting is scheduled, it will be posted here. Approvals are generally done without the need for a meeting.

Grievance Committee:
The Grievance Committee meets
before the scheduled Board meetings
at 6:00 pm at the same location.
To get on their agenda, contact them at:
grievance@cantamarhoa.org.