March, 2014 | Construction Law Authority

Public Contracting: When Can I Be Heard?

March 17, 2014

Bidders may have an opportunity to be heard during evaluation committee meetings or in conjunction with other proceedings during a competitive solicitation process. Members of the public also have the right to a reasonable opportunity to be heard in accordance with a recently enacted Florida Statute, Section 286.0114. Section 286.0114 went into effect on October 1, 2013, and provides that members of the public have a right to be heard on a proposition before a Florida “board or commission” takes official action. The opportunity to be heard does not need to occur at the same meeting that the official action takes place, so long as it occurs during the decision making process and is within reasonable proximity in time before the official action is taken. The board or commission may, however, adopt rules or policies, including limitations on the amount of time that an individual may speak and the number of...

The Anatomy of a Water Leak

March 13, 2014

Ryan Carpenter

Construction Defects, Insurance

For those of us who live or work in a condominium, it is easy to lose sight of all of the infrastructure that operates behind the scenes to make a condominium a home. When that infrastructure fails, it can be inconvenient, or it can easily be disastrous in the case of a water leak. While the damage from a water leak can be immense, there are ways to avoid or at least reduce the impact from them, if you are proactive before and after they occur, and know your rights and responsibilities. Taking steps like establishing inspection, maintenance and replacement schedules, and installing water leak detection systems, air conditioner pan alarms and remote sensors wired to master valve shut-offs can prevent problems from becoming a disaster. In the event of a water leak, condominium associations should take advantage of their right to access units to protect common elements and other units,...