2008-09-29-President's Report

PRESIDENTS REPORT- OCTOBER 2007 - SEPTEMBER 2008

When I was elected as President of Mi-Sol Park, I had visions of what I would like to achieve for the Community. I soon realised this was going to be a difficult task. The first thing I instigated was Committee meetings to be held fortnightly on the Bar terrace with an open invitation to all owners for the sharing of information to correspond with my blog on the web and the monthly newsletter, available in the office, for those owners who do not have access to a computer. The office is now open six days a week for two hours a day.

It was very apparent that Mi-Sol was in a very bad state financially with the bank balance standing at just over €3000 and the amenity bills due monthly. We had to resort to some owners paying their bills in advance to see us through the xmas period with the hope that the annual fees, due in January 2008 would be paid.
The situation with the split community did not help as monies that should have been paid into Mi-Sol's account at Banco Popular had reportedly been paid into an account with the Cam bank.

A lot of owners did not pay their due fees in January being under the impression that they could wait until the end of the year. I introduced a monthly payment system and am pleased to report that several owners are now paying their fees this way resulting in some regular money being deposited.

There was good news in February when we received notification by the lawyers that the ongoing Court case had been heard and the judgement was found in favour of the previous President.   The consequence of this judgement is that all non payers taken to court after this date will lose their case. Those owners that were taken to court before this date, after losing their case and winning their appeals have been recompensed. A cursory inspection of the bank account in April revealed that an estimated €30,000 had been paid out which relates to non payment by the previous President. Payments for Social Security, Tax, Fines, Insurance, fees due to APYME and the lawyers.

Several owners expressed the view that it would take a year to sort out the financial problems and I have to say this prediction is well founded.

To avoid employing a gardener and being liable for social security payments, the committee and I agreed to obtain the services of a contractor to resolve the gardening situation as the park had become untidy with overgrown weeds, trees in need of pruning and the necessity for mosquito spraying. The work began in April and within 6-8 weeks there was a vast improvement, unfortunately after carrying out the initial work the contractors disappeared for 8 weeks with no explanation, it was decided to terminate their services and I suggested to a group of owners that they form their own group to deal with the site maintenance. They have had to start again with the tidying up, weeding and spraying, early signs look positive and soon the park will benefit from their service.

There was a major problem with the swimming pool, it was losing so much water that it was a financial liability, after obtaining 3 quotes, it was obvious there was not going to be enough funds in the bank to pay for the repair, the cheapest quote being €38,000. I am pleased to say that I negotiated with the contractor to pay by instalments and work started in May with a completion date for the end of July.

It has been a frustrating year hampered with the lack of funds and the on-going split in the community which I am pleased to report is reaching some resolution, the two Administrators are meeting. The most frustrating aspect is the time it takes to resolve any situation involving the lawyers and the Administrator.

The committee, and myself have given up a lot of hours striving to reach a satisfactory conclusion so that we can move forward. I may not have achieved all that I envisaged at the onset but taking into account the difficulties, I feel I have addressed the role with maximum effort and effect.

There is much yet to be done in order to bring Mi Sol up to the standard to which we all aspire. Top of this list must be security for the Park, closely followed by improvement of the road system. These are both capital intensive programmes and require the goodwill of all Owners to pay their fees on time.

A sense of community spirit is returning, many Owners have devoted time to helping with various projects, 10 circles are now being cared for by their owners this helps the Community as a whole in reducing gardening costs.

The care of the front boundary wall has been entrusted to a group of graffiti artists who come from far and wide to display their talent, at no cost to the Community. Their work may not be to the taste of everyone, but it is surely better to display the work of these talented enthusiasts, than have the mess produced by the local vandals.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has helped the Community and me during the last few months, and hope you will show your support by helping to elect me again as your President for a further year at the A.G.M. to be held on September 27th 2008, so that we may build on the foundations already laid.
Neill Stacey
Presidente Comunidad de Propietarios Mi Sol Park