SUMMERPLACE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.
Vero Beach, Florida 32963
September 30, 2026
Dear Summerplace Neighbor,
This is your notice that the SIA annual meeting will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 10:00am at 1995 W. Barefoot Pl. A light lunch of snacks and sandwiches will be provided. Please bring your own chair.
In preparation for the 2026 SIA annual meeting and the election of officers of the Summerplace Improvement Association Inc., please find enclosed the documents necessary for our meeting and election. The annual meeting is required in our bylaws and state law requires at least thirty percent of the members to attend, either in person or by proxy. Of particular importance is the return of the following documents found in Section III of the annual mailing documents:
- Voting certificate
- Election ballot
- Proxy, if you cannot attend the SIA Annual Meeting
On behalf of the SIA Board, the following is an overview of important matters the Board dealt with this year. Details of these actions are reflected in the Board Meeting Minutes which are available on our website, along with all relevant SIA documents, including all our governing documents, rules and guidelines, at:
Board Structure Activities 2025-6: The 2025-6 Board of Directors (BOD) consisted of Michael Flax – President, John Finn – Vice President, John Lehnhardt – Secretary/ Treasurer, Walter Garrard and Steve Melchiori.
New SIA Members:
1860 E. Barefoot Pl. was taken over by Jean Etzel’s family as the Barefoot Trusts and will be maintained as a family getaway.
1940 W. Shell Lane was sold to Robert Burchett and deeded to Frank Wroblewski. Frank and his wife Daryl will be permanent residents and move in when they sell their current home in Vero Beach.
1860 E. Barefoot Pl. was purchased by Denise and David Kniess from Any Hanlon. The Kniess’s are from North Carolina and will be part-time residents.
1951 W. Shell was purchased by Rossana Tamames and David Maharaj from Leigh and Chuck Pickard Jr. Rossana and David are from South Florida and will be permanent residence once they complete some work on the property.
1841 E. Pebble Path will be owned by Kara MacCullough, from Pompano Beach, FL, after her father Don McCullough passed away last year. The house will be a family retreat and periodic rental.
Construction
Loren Anne Smith’s new home at 1990 W. Barefoot Pl. was completed and Loren spent much of the winter here before returning for the summer to her Massachusetts home.
1860 E. Pebble Path is undergoing significant renovation with the lower open first level being enclosed.
For Sale
Trish and John Essick ’s house at 1881 E. Pebble Path is for sale.
Cindy O’Dare’s bungalow at 1930 W. Shell is for sale.
Proposed changes to the Architectural Review Committee Guidelines:
The SIA ad hoc ARC Guideline Revisions Committee proposed revision of the ARC Guidelines is included in this mailing. Please read it over carefully and bring any concerns you may have to the annual meeting. This proposal will be discussed at the annual meeting and put to a vote of the membership present. Sections of the proposal can be voted on individually. If a majority approves of a section, it will become part of the new Guidelines. If a section needs revision, it can either be revised and voted on at this meeting or that section can be pulled from the Guidelines to be addressed at a later meeting. ARC Guideline sections approved at the meeting will become effective immediately at the adjournment of the meeting.
Maintenance:
1. Repairs were done on the E. Shell in February 2026 to replace the posts, rails, stair steps, runners etc damaged in late October 25’. We had budgeted $20,000 from the reserve fund to hire folks to do the repairs, but the cost came in at just under $10,000.
2. Road repairs – After the original contractor failed to complete the roadwork to our satisfaction, a new/old contractor, Bill Pinheiro, resurfaced and was able to find shell material we liked and the roads were resurfaced in July. Bill will come back semi annually to repair and regrade the roads. Thanks to John Finn for connecting with Bill and overseeing the road refurbishment.
3. Landscape trimming along the roads will completed in late September or early October..
2027 Annual Dues
An invoice for the 2027 annual dues is included in this packet. Dues are payable by January 1, 2027. The 2027 dues remain at $300 per lot as they have been for the last few years.
On behalf of the SIA Board, thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting on Saturday November 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at 1995 W. Barefoot Place.
Please bring your own chair.
Sincerely, Michael Flax, President
SUMMERPLACE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
Your Summerplace property is not only a home, but an asset and investment. To assure you have a voice in the welfare and direction of our SIA community, it is important to complete and return the following documents:
– Election ballot
– Voting certificate – designates (1) voting representative for each SIA Property
NOTE: A ballot is null and void without the required voting certificate
– Proxy form – use only if you are not able to attend the meeting
Instructions for Returning the Annual Meeting Documents
Step1:
- Complete your Election Ballot
- Place your Election Ballot in the small BALLOT ONLY envelope and seal this envelope
Step 2:
- Complete your Voting Certificate – designate one (1) voting representative for each SIA Property
- Place your Voting Certificate in the large stamped, addressed return envelope along with the sealed BALLOT envelope
Step 3: Only if you are not attending the Annual Meeting
a. Complete a Proxy (included at the end of this section) to ensure your
vote will count
b. Place the completed Proxy in the large stamped, addressed return envelope
with both your completed Voting Certificate and your Ballot sealed in
the small Ballot Only envelope.
Step 4: Mail the envelope
OVER
Fill out the Voting Certificate on the back of this page
SUMMERPLACE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.
2027 VOTING CERTIFICATE
TO: Secretary, Summerplace Improvement Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 700160, Wabasso, Florida 32970-0160
IMPORTANT: Complete both sections:
KNOW YE ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned is the record owner of that certain parcel in Summerplace, Unit #1 and/or Unit #2, shown below, and hereby certifies (enter your name*) ________________ ______________ is the voting representative for the parcel owned by said undersigned pursuant to the By-Laws of the Association.
*Enter your name as the owner of your SIA Property and as the one designated voting representative for this property
Complete this entire section: The forenamed voting representative is hereby authorized and empowered to act in the capacity herein set forth until such time as the undersigned otherwise modifies or revokes the authority set forth in this voting certificate. Dated this ______day of ___________2026.
Parcel Owner:_________________________________
(SIGNATURE)
Parcel Owner:_________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Summerplace Street Address:__________________________________
Telephone Number:______________ E-Mail:_____________________
Seasonal non-Summerplace Address: ___________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Complete and return the Voting Certificate in the large stamped addressed envelope with the small sealed Ballot Only envelope containing your Ballot.
****PLEASE MAIL BY NOVEMBER 2, 2026****
Turn this page over for voting instructions
SUMMERPLACE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.
ELECTION OF THE 2027 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BALLOT
Please vote for ONLY FIVE (5) candidates, including Write-in candidates you might add to your ballot. Ballots with more than five (5) votes will be disqualified.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE CANDIDATES
_______ Alex Collazo
_______ John Finn
_______ Michael Flax
_______ Walter Garrard
_______ Renee Hall
———— Angelo Zaffuto
WRITE-IN CANDIDATES
(Any write-in candidate must be a property-owning member of SIA)
_________________ _________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
Instructions:
- Complete the Ballot voting for ONLY FIVE (5) candidates.
- Place the Ballot in the small envelope marked BALLOT ONLY and seal. Do not place other items in the Ballot Envelope.
- Return the sealed Ballot Envelope with the other requested Annual Meeting items in the large stamped addressed envelope provided for your convenience.
2026-7 SIA Board Nominee Bios
Alex Collazo – Alex purchased the lot at 1981 West Shell Lane about 5 years ago and built his new home, where he has lived full time since 2023. He has attended the last 4 annual meetings and served on the Ad Hoc ARC Guidelines Review Committee this year. He has not been on an HOA Board previously. Alex is retired, a father of 2, has a BS in Chemical Engineering from the USMA at West Point, NY and was a Captain in the Army from 1981-8. From 1988 – 2023 he worked for Mobil then Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation in various Sales and Technical management roles both domestic and international. Alex’s statement: Summerplace is my home. I wish to join the team working on preserving and enhancing our neighborhood’s unique ambiance…unpaved roads, canopy, varied architectural styles, friendly neighbors, general laid-back “bohemian” vibe.
John Finn – John and his wife Beth purchased their first Summerplace home in 2013 at 1881 E. Barefoot Pl. while living in Brooklyn, New York.They purchased their second Summerplace home at 1840 E. Shell Lane in 2021 and continue to work on renovations to both properties. They moved to Summerplace as full-time residents in 2023. John served briefly on the condo Board for their residence in Brooklyn. John has been on the SIA Board for two years and has served as Vice President for both years. He has been involved in maintenance of the SIA Stairs and the refurbishing of the roads this year. He was Board contact for the recent ARC Guidelines revision committee. He has attended 5 of the last 7 SIA annual meetings. John has been a private business owner for over 17 years, is a fourth level blackbelt and has his own Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Ginastica Natural facility in Vero Beach. He is also a finish carpenter. Beth has her own interior decorating company. John would like to be a member of a team that can steer the whole neighborhood through our diverse challenges East and West of A1A.
Dr. Michael Flax – Michael and Sandra purchased their home in Summerplace in 1991, commuting on weekends from Boca Raton until May of 2022 when they became full time residents when Michael retired. Michael has been on the SIA Board for the last two years serving as President both years. Michael was the driving force behind the construction of the Seawall and oversaw its design, permitting and construction along with then SIA President Bill Glynn. MIchael coordinates repair and maintenance of the Seawall within SIA boundaries every 5 years. He has attended all SIA annual meetings since 1991 except for 2 in the last 3 years, which had schedule conflicts. He is the maintenance contact person for E. Shell Lane, keeping the beach pathway clear of leaf matter. Michael has been in all executive roles over many years in the East BelleTerre Condo Association in Coral Springs, which is made up of about 30 professional offices. Michael was a practicing dentist for 30 years, 25 years in Endodontics, and was Program Director of Endodontics at Nova Southeastern School of Dentistry for 11 years. He has been CEO of Solstice Benefits, a dental health insurance provider, and of Nutra Pharma Corp and spent two years at head of appeals for United HealthCare, both dental and medical claims, after United HealthCare purchase Solstice Benefits. Michael wants to help manage the association and work with others to ensure Summerplace is a wonderful place to live.
Walter Garrard – Walter and his wife Patty moved to Summerplace as full-time residents upon their retirement in 2009. Patty’s family purchased one of the first lots in Summerplace in 1960. Walter and Patty acquired the original house on that lot in 1991. Walter has been on the SIA board since 2010 and chaired the Architectural review committee from 2010 through 2017, was Vice President in 2010 and served as President from November 2012 to February 2019. He has attended the last 14 annual meetings. He previously served the Cooper Village Lake Homeowners Association as board member, Vice President or President for 10 years. Walter worked for the City of Sunrise, Florida for 35 years as chemist, facilities manager and Director of Plant Operations. Walter likes living in this neighborhood and wants to see it maintained as it has been in the past.
Renee Hall – Renee and her husband Jim fell in love with Summerplace in 2014. Renee purchased the home at that time and she and Jim have done extensive interior renovation work and love living by the sea. You have also likely met their three noisy terriers. Renee has been a part-time resident and is excited to be a full time resident beginning in January 2027, though she will still travel extensively for work. Renee has attended a handful of SIA annual meetings over the years and volunteered to Chair the current ad hoc Architectural Review Guidelines Committee as a way to get involved and support our precious neighborhood Renee has not served on any HOA Boards but is currently on two small business boards. She has been a corporate business leader in the animal health industry for 30 years and her business skills should serve her well in volunteering for our HOA. Renee says, “It’s important to me that Summerplace continues to evolve with the times, but that we also work hard to preserve its unique character, and you can count on me to care about community connection, collaboration, nature and our shared neighborhood ecosystem.”
Angelo Zaffuto – Angelo has owned property the property at 1811 E. Pebble Path for 38 years. The original home was destroyed in the hurricanes of 2004 and the new house was constructed in2012. Angelo has attended one annual meeting in the last 5 years and was a member of the Ad Hoc ARC Guidelines Review Committee. He has not been on the Board of any HOA previously but brings 50 years of experience owning and managing a construction business. Angelo wants to join the board because he wants to improve the neighborhood.
SUMMERPLACE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.
***(If you are not attending the Annual Meeting***)
Instructions for completing the Proxy form
If you cannot attend the SIA Annual Meeting on November 14, 2026, please complete and enclose the attached Proxy together with your completed Ballot and Voting Certificate in the addressed, stamped envelope. Please mail these documents by November 2, 2026.
This will ensure your voice as a property owner in Summerplace will be heard in matters voted on at the Annual Meeting.
ONLY complete and return the attached Proxy if you are not attending the
Annual Meeting on November 2, 2026.
OVER
See the Proxy form on the back of this page
Summerplace Improvement Association, Inc.
Annual Meeting November 14, 2026
PROXY
To: Secretary, Summerplace Improvement Association, Inc.
P. O. Box 700160, Wabasso, Florida 32970-0160
KNOW YE ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby appoints the Secretary of the Association, his or her designee, or the following person
(name of proxy)__________________________
as attorney and agent with the power of substitution for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to vote as proxy at any Board meeting held during the following date November 14, 2026 and any adjournment thereof, according to the number of votes that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then present in accordance with the specifications hereinafter made, as follows:
General Powers ______________ I hereby authorize and instruct
my proxy to use his or her best
judgment on all matters which
properly come before this meeting.
Limited Powers ________________ I hereby specifically authorize and
instruct my proxy to cast my vote in
reference to the following matters
only as indicated below:
The undersigned ratify and confirm any and all acts and things that the proxy may do or cause to be done in the premises, whether at the meeting referred to above or at any change, adjournment, or continuation of it, and revoke all prior proxies previously executed.
Dated: ______Signature of Parcel Owner of Record:____________________________
Summerplace Parcel Address: ______________________________________________
IMP: If you cannot attend the Annual Meeting, complete and enclose this Proxy together with your completed Ballot (sealed in the Ballot Only envelope) and your Voting Certificate in the stamped, return address envelope. Return mail items by November 2, 2026
SUMMERPLACE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2026, 10:00AM
1995 W. BAREFOOT PL.
AGENDA
- Introduction of Board members and new association members
- Calling of the Roll – Determination of Quorum – 21 required by presence or proxy – Secretary John Lehnhardt
- Submission of proof of notice of meeting
- Report of Officers:
a. 2026 financial report and 2026-27 budget and dues – Treasurer John Lehnhardt
b. 2026 update – President Michael Flax
5. Committee reports:
a. Architectural Review Committee
b. Maintenance Committee
c. Nominating Committee
6. Review and Vote on revision to the Architectural Guidelines:
7. New business:
a. Update on the Septic conversion state law and its implementation in Indian River
County and its impact on Summerplace residences not currently on County sewer.
b. Nominations to the Architectural Review Committee and board vote of approval
c. Counting of the ballots for the 2026-7 SIA Board of Directors and announcement of election results.
8. Adjournment
Notice of an organizational Executive Board Meeting of the newly elected directors immediately following the annual meeting.
SUMMERPLACE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.
2026 ANNUAL MAILING
NOTICE
THE BUDGET OF THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDES FOR LIMITED VOLUNTARY DEFERRED EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS, INCLUDING CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND DEFFRRED MAINTENANCE. SUBJECT TO LIMITS ON FUNDING CONTAINED IN OUR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THE OWNERS HAVE NOT ELECTED TO PROVIDE FOR RESERVE ACCOUNTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 720.303 (6), FLORIDA STATUES, THESE FUNDS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF SUCH FUNDS SET FORTH IN THE STATUES, NOR ARE RESERVES CALCULATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THAT STATURE.