Recap of the Board Member Round Table: Legislative Insights and BDA Solutions
On November 12, 2024, the Brickell Homeowners Association hosted a Board Member Round Table at The Capital Grille in Miami, bringing together board members, property managers, and industry experts for an informative session on legislative updates, signal compliance, and budgeting challenges in condo communities. This event was proudly sponsored by Digitechx and Siegfried Rivera.
State Representative Vicki Lopez opened the floor by sharing her commitment to returning, serving, and understanding the unique challenges that board members and property managers face in today’s condominium communities.
Upcoming Compliance Deadlines
Roberto Blanch, Shareholder from Siegfried Rivera highlighted essential upcoming deadlines for Florida condominiums and homeowners’ associations:
• December 31, 2024: Unless exempt, file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with FinCEN by December 31, 2024.
• January 1, 2025: All high-rise buildings must meet minimum radio strength standards for fire department communications and implement two-way radio enhancement systems as required by the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
• January 1, 2025: Homeowners’ associations with 100 or more parcels must establish a website to provide accessible information for residents.
If you have questions or would like to connect with Roberto, please reach out to Stephanie Bowman at sbowman@siegfriedrivera.com.
Will Washburn from Digitechx Wireless provided updates on signal compliance, including Miami’s recent adjustment of the signal survey threshold from -95 dBm to -105 dBm. This change could reduce the urgency and cost of upgrades, though Will recommended updating surveys older than a year.
He also noted significant cost variations in vendor proposals for BDA (Bi-Directional Amplifier) installations, particularly in elevator service and conduit installation. Roberto Blanch of Siegfried Rivera advised board members to clarify these costs and conduct bid leveling to avoid unexpected expenses.
While some jurisdictions may consider fines for non-compliant BDA systems, no formal action has been taken by Miami yet, as long as properties are working with vendors toward compliance. Will also introduced Digitechx’s Managed Service option, allowing properties to shift BDA costs from capital budgets to monthly operating expenses, offering budget flexibility.
The Board Member Round Table provided a valuable platform for board members to gain insights into current challenges and compliance requirements impacting condo communities. With updates from industry leaders like Will Washburn and Roberto Blanch, attendees left with practical knowledge to guide informed decision-making and effective budgeting for their properties. If you would like to access his presentation please reach out to Nora ndennis@digitechx.com
With more updates likely on the horizon, the roundtable reinforced the value of staying engaged and informed on regulatory changes and compliance solutions. Thank you to everyone who attended, and we look forward to continuing these vital discussions in future sessions.
