January 1 – What’s Up Wednesday

Thank you to the following members who
reinvested in their CDBIA family in
December:
Ed Blanchard, Davidson Insulation &
Acoustics, Inc.
(*CHARTER MEMBER* since 1985)
Darin Waldeck, Gulfcoast Engraving &
Awards
(Member since 2005)
Jeff Lindsey, Sunniland Roofing Supplies
(Member since 2008)
Donald Guynn, Pipedream Plumbing of
SWFL
(Member since 2010)
Rick Ilmberger, Suncoast Glass & Mirror
(Member since 2010)
Mark Miller, Miller’s Murphy Bed and
Home Office
(Member since 2012)
Paul Wojtowicz, affiliate of Truex
Preferred Construction
(Member since 2014)
Scott Knapp, Capitol Building
(Member since 2016)
Nikki Young, affiliate of A&E Paint
Centers
(Member since 2017)
Ben Adams, Fine Line Millwork Services
(Member since 2018)
Mike Nunez, affiliate of Wharton-Smith
(Member since 2018)
Stash Oleckna, SOS Pest Control
(Member since 2018)

Save the Date

Save the Date 

Upcoming CDBIA meetings

11/21: Babcock Ranch Homes for the Holidays Parade of Homes
Banquet
11/22-12/08: Babcock Ranch Home for the Holidays Parade of
Homes
11/29: Last day for early bird pricing for builders for the SWFL
Parade of Homes
12/3: Very Special December VIP GMM

12/5: Ribbon Cutting/Joint event with Chambers: Monarch
Direct
12/7: Havana By The Bay CDBIA Installation & Awards Banquet

Member Spotlight

Colleen & Mike Ferrara

Conserva Irrigation of SWFL
941-249-9690

www.conservairrigation.com

Member Name: : Colleen & Michael Ferrara
Location of Business: 1897 Manzana Ave. Punta Gorda, Florida
33950
Tell us about your business: : Started in April 2016, Owner
has 26 years experience in the industry. We do irrigation,
service, maintenance and installs for residential & commercial
properties. We are State Licensed. Owner and most technicians
are IA certified, CIT, CLIA, CIC, CID. No job is to big or too
small, we can handle it all.
How long have you been a member: CDBIA since 2017
List: CDBIA Committees or volunteer work: : Colleen is the
Chair for the Membership Committee voted in 2019 and will
continue on in 2020, Colleen is on the Board of Directors for
2019, Colleen was just voted in for Secretary on the Executive
Board for 2020, Michael is on the Licensing Board for Charlotte
County.

What is one service your business offers that may
surprise some people? Free 12 point system efficiency
inspection & we also warranty anything we install, for as long as
we maintain it, through our maintenance packages.

Share anything else (90 words or less) you would like
your CDBIA family to know: We are the first and only
irrigation franchise, and also a Fortune 5000 Franchise. We
won 2018 Vanguard award in water sustainability project for
Target Corporation.
Family run company, family owned and provide service second
to none.
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Charlotte DeSoto Building Industry Association has a program
we call “Partners in Progress.” We would like to offer to each of
you the opportunity to participate in this program and become a
CDBIA Partner in Progress.

Partners in Progress was created to help us fund our new
building and has now evolved into a program that assists us
with the upkeep of our beautiful building and promoting the
Association while giving our members the highest level of
exposure throughout the community.

How would you as a member benefit as a Partner in Progress?
We have put together the following the benefit packages. The
package you select will determine your level of exposure.

Reputable High Hammer $3500

Faithful Straight Level $1500

Loyal Level

Block of Foundation

Hessler Floor Covering

Light Ideas
Lori Swindell Insurance Agency
Odette Embury, Drummond Community Bank
Sharon Neuhofer, Coldwell Banker Sunstar

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Join us to celebrate the builders of Babcock Ranch and their
workmanship. The Awards Party will kick off for the inaugural
2019 Parade of Homes™- Homes for the Holidays at Babcock
Ranch. We will enjoy good food and drinks, present trophies to
the winners of the Parade of Homes judges’ awards and
recognize the events sponsors.
Date November 21, 2019
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location: The Hatchery
42881 Lake Babcock Dr.
Suite 200
Babcock Ranch, FL 33982
Tickets: $60.00 each
Includes two (2) drink tickets (Beer/wine) and an array of
delicious appetizers.
https://charlottedesotobia.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/
Register/EPK6XdMp
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2019 Parade of Homes™- Homes for the Holidays at
Babcock Ranch begins Friday, Nov. 22

Join us as we celebrate the inaugural 2019 Parade of Homes™ –
Homes for the Holidays at Babcock Ranch. The Parade of
Homes will be held from Friday, November 22 through Sunday,
December 8. View the nation’s most innovative new homes as
we showcase twelve spectacular model homes and sales
centers. During this unique event, the area’s top builders are
rolling out holiday décor and welcoming all to this festive and
FREE experience.
Presented by the Charlotte-DeSoto Building Industry and
Babcock Ranch, the Parade of Homes features new homes
ranging from the low $300,000s to more than $700,000 open
daily Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to -5 p.m. and
Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., rain or shine! Plus, admission is
FREE!
A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor Babcock Ranch
and our Platinum Sponsors Divco Custom Homes and Florida
Lifestyle Homes and Gold Sponsor, Meritage Homes.
Homebuyers can explore several floor plans to view the most
creative designs and latest building techniques that incorporate
Smart Home technology and energy efficiency. In addition, all
featured builders are experienced, ethical professional of the
building industry.

The official 2019 Parade of Homes™ Homes for the Holidays at
Babcock Ranch Model Home Tour booklet will be available on
Friday, November 22 at the Babcock Ranch Discovery Center
inside Woodlea Hall at 42850 Crescent Loop. While here, enter to
win great prizes at all of the stops on the Parade of Homes
route!
Please visit BabcockRanchParadeofHomes.com for more
information.
About the CDBIA:
Founded in 1985, the Charlotte-Desoto Building Industry Association
(CDBIA) is a not-for-profit organization consisting of a group of individuals
and firms who care about their community and who believe that home
ownership should be within reach of every American. They believe in the free
enterprise system. They believe that homes and all buildings in America
should be well-designed, well-constructed and located in attractive
communities where educational, recreational, religious and shopping
facilities are available to all. Our mission is: CDBIA is a professional
organization of industry leaders who advocate, educate and support our
members, customers and stakeholders while being the voice of the
construction industry in our community.
About Babcock Ranch:
Babcock Ranch was created by Kitson & Partners with respect for the natural
environment and the philosophy that smart growth and sustainability work
hand in hand. Half of the town’s 18,000-acre footprint is set aside as
greenways, parks and expansive lakes, providing recreation and scenic
backdrops for Babcock Ranch’s homes and the Founder’s Square downtown
district. Babcock Ranch was recently ranked Southwest Florida’s top masterplanned community based on Metro study data on single-family home
annual starts in Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties through June 2019.
Babcock Ranch has nine homebuilders offering more than 50 home designs
for nearly every lifestyle, from condominiums to villas to single-family
estates ranging from 1,107 to more than 4,000 square feet. Homes appeal
to young millennials, families, empty nesters and retirees alike, with prices
ranging from $189,999 to more than $1 million. Homes are built to Florida
Green Building Coalition standards, emphasizing energy and water
conservation, and offer a full gigabyte of fiber-optic connectivity.
More than two dozen model and quick-delivery homes are now open or
under construction by Arthur Rutenberg Homes, Divco Custom Homes,
Florida Lifestyle Homes, Fox Premier Builders, Lennar, Meritage Homes,
Pulte Homes, Stock Classic Homes and WCI. Many models are open for
viewing daily.
For more information about Southwest Florida’s new hometown,
located just northeast of Fort Myers off Babcock Ranch Road/State Road 31,
visit the Discovery Center inside Woodlea Hall at 42850 Crescent Loop in
Babcock Ranch, call 877-709-6620, or visit www.BabcockRanch.com.
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Let’s celebrate all the holidays with our new members! The
CDBIA invites you to attend the SPECIAL General Membership
Meeting for the CDBIA.
The agenda for this evening is:
5pm-6pm: Networking
6pm: Introduce new members who joined the CDBIA in 2019

and will be attending their first GMM
We will also be highlighting many of the great deals you get for
being a member of the CDBIA.
This evening’s menu is a potluck. Please bring your favorite dish
to share with your CDBIA family.
Tickets are $10 per person (includes 2 drink tickets) Click here
to register https://charlottedesotobia.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/
Register/DpB6Z7Op
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Guaranteed Winner of the CDBIA Progressive Pot at the
Installation Banquet.
On December 7th, all active members’ names will be put into a
drawing for the CDBIA Progressive Pot (which is up to $550).
We will drawn names until someone present at the event wins!
Don’t miss out! Register today.

2020 CDBIA Installation Banquet and Annual Awards
Saturday, December 7th, 2019
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Four Points by Sheraton: 33 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Attire: Havana Nights Cocktail/Formal
The Evening Menu:
Croquetas, Guava and Goat Cheese Crostini
Seafood Paella (clams, mussels, lobster, and shrimp)
Roast Mojo Pig
Chop Cuban Salad, Mashed Yucca, Spanish Rice, Plantains,
Flan and Churros
Banquet Reservation:
· Individual Reservation: $85.00 each
· Table of six(6): $410.00 *
· Table of eight (8): $525.00 *
· Two (2) Banquet reservations and one (1) hotel room:
$260.00
Sponsorship: $500.00 Five (5) Available:
· Four (4) Banquet Reservations
· Reserved table for four (4) with company/sponsor signage
· One (1) Specialty drink of choice named by you
· Premium table location (sponsor preference)
Click here to register: https://charlottedesotobia.
growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/Zrn4nvzP
*(optional company table signage)
Sponsors:

Member Deal: Christmas & Holiday gifts!
As a member of the Charlotte-DeSoto Building Industry Association
you are also a member of Florida Home Builders Association and
National Association of Home Builders.
Today’s deal comes from your membership with Florida Home
Builders Association and National Association of Home Builders
Harry & David, Simply Chocolate, and even bicycles! Verizon, electronics
and more!
Click here to register for National Purchasing Partners (free with
your membership to the CDBIA)

Charlotte-Desoto BIA

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NEWS RELEASE
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS OBSERVANCE
Date: Friday, November 15, 2019
From: Charlotte County Community Development Department
Subject: Thanksgiving Holidays Observance on Thursday,
November 28 and Friday, November 29, 2019
The Charlotte County Community Development Department will
be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29,
2019 in observance of the Thanksgiving Holidays.
Normal operating hours will resume at 7:30 a.m. on Monday,
December 2, 2019. Please mark your calendars and distribute
this information to others in your organization.
~

FHBA HIGHLIGHTS – November 11, 2019
______________________________
_____________________
Home Building Industry Represented in Legislative
Committee Meetings
This past week, was the fourth of six interim committee
meetings taking place before the 2020 Legislative Session
convenes on January 14.
FHBA President, Michael Bourré and Volusia BIA President,
Frank Severino, joined the lobbying team in Tallahassee to
advocate on priority issues by meeting with key leaders,
including; Senator Passidomo, Senator Simpson, Senator
Wright, Representative Fetterhoff, Representative Gregory, and
Representative Santiago.
The conversations focused on, but were not limited to:
HB 459, “Building Design Elements” by Representative Toby
Overdorf (Senate Sponsor: Keith Perry of Gainesville, FL): The
legislation seeks to prohibit local governments from adopting
design and esthetic ordinances for one and two family
dwellings, as well as prohibits local governments from
bypassing the local building code process.
Right to cure legislation that will be filed by Senator Baxley
(Lady Lake, FL) and Representative Tommy Gregory
(Bradenton, FL): The legislation looks to return to the original
intent of the construction defects law and eliminate frivolous
suits by requiring a notice of claim be made under oath, the
claimant cite the specific building code that was alleged to have
been violated, the specific location of the defect, access to
property records, and an inspection of the defect. Further, the
bill defines “material violation” and creates a safe harbor from
civil action if the party obtained all required permits and the
project passed all required inspections.

Impact fee reform legislation that will be filed by Senator
Gruters (Sarasota, FL) and Representative Nick DiCeglie (Largo,
FL): The legislation defines capital expense to ensure local
governments direct impact fees to true capital expenses, caps
impact fee increases to bring predictability to the market, and
limits school impact fees in order to counter local school
districts from seeking funds in excess of the state allowed per
square foot.
Stay tuned for progress updates on these and many more
legislative issues that impact the building industry in Florida.
Register for the 2020 FHBA Legislative Conference
Join us as FHBA hosts the 2020 Legislative Conference,
February 3-5 in Tallahassee, Florida, where members and
leaders in Florida’s residential construction and remodeling
industry participate in legislative training, engage with elected
officials, and meet to address organizational agendas.
Legislators and Capitol observers use this event as a barometer
of FHBA member intensity regarding our legislative initiatives.
Be sure to join us as we firmly support the building industry in
Florida. Click here to register.
Private Health Exchange Enrollment Period Now Open
The 2020 individual open enrollment dates for the FHBA Private
Health Exchange insurance are as follows:
November 1, 2019 – First day you can shop for 2020 coverage.
December 15, 2019 – Last day of 2020 Open Enrollment Period.
January 1, 2020 – First date 2020 coverage can start.
Shop for your 2020 Health Insurance plan by visiting
www.memberbenefits.com/fhba.
SEBC 2020 Call for Speakers Now Open!
The goal for the 2020 Southeast Building Conference is to bring
together you and your peers for an information-sharing and
world-class educational event. This conference program
addresses the success stories, challenges, opportunities,
tangible action items, and takeaways with regard to the
construction industry today…read more
Submit Your Q3’19 Member Rebate Claim!
All of your Builder & Remodeler members can claim for any
completed residential addresses from July 1 – September 30,
2019 that used any of our 50+ manufacturer brands.
The deadline to submit your claims is November 15, 2019. Click
here to start your claim today!

Is Townhouse Construction Ready for a Resurgence?
Single-Family Construction Continues to Make Steady Gains in
October
Spike Spotlight: Recruitment Lessons from a Young Professional
Builder Confidence Holds Firm in November
IBS Early Bird Pricing Extended to Nov. 22
Next Week Housing ReleaseNAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) –
Monday, November 18
Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family
homes rose three points to 71 in October. Sentiment levels are
at their highest point since February 2018 and have risen 13
points since the start of 2019.
New Residential Construction (Housing Starts) –
Tuesday, November 19
Total housing starts fell 9.4% in September due to a large
decline in the volatile multifamily sector. Single-family starts
grew 0.3% to a 918,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate in
September, while multifamily starts declined 28.2% to a
338,000 annualized rate.
Existing Home Sales – Thursday, November 21
Existing home sales fell 2.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual
rate of 5.38 million in September despite low mortgage rates.
On a year-over-year basis, sales were still 3.9% higher than a
year ago. The September median sales price of all existing
homes was $272,100, up 5.9% from a year ago, representing
the 91st consecutive month of year-over-year increases.
Multifamily Housing Market Index (Q3 2019) – Thursday,
November 21
Builder and developer confidence in the multifamily market
strengthened in the second quarter of 2019. Compared to the
first quarter of 2019, the Multifamily Production Index (MPI)
jumped 16 points to 56, while the Multifamily Vacancy Index
(MVI) dropped eight points to 40, the lowest reading since the
second quarter of 2017. Lower MVI numbers indicate fewer
multifamily vacancies.
What’s up with the CDBIA Family
If you have an upcoming event, deal for members, please
email admin@cdbia.com and we will include your update in
the next What’s Up Wednesday
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Security Alarm Corporation
Leave your construction sites with a peace of mind knowing a
quality camera is keeping an eye on your investment.
Click here for details
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Blu Site Solutions
At Blu Site Solutions we deliver our best, so you can deliver
yours! We’ve recently began manufacturing our very own
premium toilets right here in the Southeast. These brand-new
porta potties also known as TOI TOIs, feature a larger interior
with blue and white esthetically pleasing walls. They are selfcontained with no needed connections for electricity or water.
Perfect for special events, residential and commercial
construction, these portable toilets are sure to impress! Visit
www.blusitesolutions.com to see what’s happening with our new
TOI TOIs in Englewood, Fort Myers and Tampa.
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The Charlotte-DeSoto Building Industry Association is contacted
by local organizations looking for support. We will never give
out any company name to solicit for donations. We will however
provide a list of companies and upcoming events that have
contacted us looking for support.
Click below if you are interested in supporting any of the
following events:
From Stephen R. Deutsch
William B. Gaines Memorial Park