Tops-In-Trucks Award Winner 2016/files... · Florida Pool Prosm • April 2016 7 Permits provided by HBW / County Name February 2015 February 2016 Alachua County6 7 Bay County1014

April 2016 A publication of the Florida Swimming Pool Association / www.FloridaPoolPro.com

Service Professionals of the Year

Larrr

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East Central Florida Chapter

Jerry

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Palm Beach Chapter

Kirk B

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Manasota Chapter

Applications are due November 30, 2016. Plan ahead! Entry forms can be found at www.floridapoolpro.com/tops-in-trucks-award/ and www.floridapoolpro.com/servicepro/

Tops-In-Trucks Award Winner

http://www.floridapoolpro.com/tops-in-trucks-award

http://www.floridapoolpro.com/servicepro

http://www.floridapoolpro.com/

2 Florida Pool Prosm • April 2016

Florida Pool Prosm

2016 Florida Swimming Pool Association. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.

2555 Porter Lake Drive, Ste. 106 Sarasota, FL 34240

(941) 952-9293 / (866) 930-FSPA Fax: (941) 366-7433

www.FloridaPoolPro.com

Association Mission: Advancing Florida’s swimming pool industry.

Executive Director, Ext. 102Wendy Parker Barsell, APR, CEM

Office ManagerBernice Ryder-Smit, Ext. 109

Communications ManagerCharis Tyson, Ext. 103Education Program Manager

Mary Anderson, Ext. 104PR & Digital Engagement Specialist

Erika Dunayer, Ext. 113Member Information Specialist

Ava Jones, Ext. 105Administrative Assistant

Pennie Quinn, Ext. 100

PresidentRob Sanger

Galaxy Pools, Sarasota

Vice-PresidentBrian Kelly

Shamrock Pools, N. Lauderdale

Treasurer David Pruette

David Pruette’s Electrical Services, Inc.Orange Park

SecretaryJim Bingold

Proline Distributors, Boca Raton

At-Large Director Ken McKenna

Tampa Bay Pools, Brandon

At-Large DirectorRich Tarricone

Aquatic Pool Systems, LLC, North Port

Past PresidentJohn Garner, Sr.

Pools by John Garner, Inc., Jacksonville

Printed on a sustainable product

Published monthly by the Florida Swimming Pool Association

Spring break time in FloridaPresident’s Column

Building a workforceExecutive Director’s Column

Why our trade show is at the Orange County Convention Center 2016 Legislative Bill Tracking Report

Employees: Life blood of your businessService Article

Thank youBuilder Article

Are your customers’ VGB drain covers about to expire?Are you hiring teenagers for summer work?Insurance Article

Preview of pool safety brochureManaging your service department: Technicians need to understand the cost of running a company

Chapter news

CONTENTS45789101011121718

All FSPA members are welcome to attend state Board of Directors Meetings. If you would like more information or need to RSVP visit www.FloridaPoolPro.com/board-june or call 800-548-6774.

June 10-11, 2016Board of Directors Meeting

Hilton Daytona Beach OceanfrontDaytona Beach


http://www.floridapoolpro.com/board-june

Florida Pool Prosm • April 2016 3

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4 Florida Pool Prosm • April 2016PR

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Rob SangerFSPA President

[email protected]

Spring break time in FloridaWell it’s spring break time again in Florida. There will

be a multitude of people of all ages and walks of life descending upon us, crowding up our roads restaurants, beaches, theaters, stores etc. I know that I, and most of you, get very frustrated and angry sometimes with the crowds; I very rarely go out to eat from December until late April or May when they finally leave. I just don’t have the patience or the time for waiting. It’s just a good time of year to stay around the house, do improvements, have friends over and just enjoy being home. You can enjoy going out and traveling the state’s wonderful places after the tourists leave.

However we must remember that these visitors of ours are the one’s helping make our payroll and improving our bottom line. Without them, business in Florida would be dramatically different, the economy would be flat, our tax system, as bad as it is, would have to be changed because the tourists inject tens of millions of dollars into our economy and tax base every year. The construction trades of all types would be reduced to rubble.

Speaking of the construction side of things, I don’t know about your area, but the west coast of Florida is on fire. It is almost like 2006 again with the pace of building going on here, let’s hope we don’t have a 2009 follow-up!

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you view it, the baby boomers up north are on a tear buying property down here; there are subdivisions, condominiums, apartment houses popping up everywhere. I think half are moving here permanently and half are snow birds. I hope our infrastructure can catch up quickly because our roads in particular cannot handle the increased traffic, not to mention public works, sanitation and so on. Our city, county, and state leaders have so much on their plate to come up with the solutions for these problems.

The next time you are sitting in gridlock with your blood pressure rising just remember that this is the price we are paying to have a successful business and put food on the table!

Florida Swimm

ing Pool Association

Florida Public Pool Special

istFP2S

Florida Swimming Pool Association’sFlorida Public Pool Specialist Certification

Training and certification for Florida public pool operators.Become eligible to service public pools and spas in Florida.

Certification is valid for five years.Call 800-548-6774.

Developed by the Florida Swimming Pool Association and approved by the state of Florida Department of Health as an approved 16-hour Florida public pool service technician certification course.

FP2S certificate program includes operation principles, basic calculations, safety, water illnesses, water chemistry, sanitation, specialty chemicals, special problems, water testing, circulation and filtration systems, spa pools and hot water chemistry.

FSPA Members: $150

Non Members: $300

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Quantity Price* Postage 50 $2.50 $7.00 100 $5.00 $8.00 250 $10.00 $10.00 500 $15.00 $13.00 *Pricing is based on total quantity of all types of brochures.

Pool Watcher Badges $1 each (includes a lanyard)

Play and Learn with Splash the Penguin!

Florida Swimming Pool Association2555 Porter Lake Dr., Suite 106 • Sarasota, FL 34240

(941) 952-9293 • www.FloridaPoolPro.com

Coloring books - $0.25 each

Circulation/ Suction Entrapment Safety

Circulation/ Suction Entrapment Safety

The Florida Swimming Pool Association’s guide to ...

Swimming Pools and Storms

Tips for Storm Preparation and Reactivation

The FSPA is promoting its annual swimming pool safety month in Florida during the month of May in conjunction with the National Water Safety Month. In the last year we have designed a new safety brochure; turn to page 12 to take a look.

Promote safety to your customers by ordering safety activity books, Splash the Penguin stuffed toys, pool watcher badges, temporary tattoos, suction entrapment brochures and safety brochures. Log in to the members only area of FloridaPoolPro.biz and click on marketing to preview materials and download the order form or call 866-930-FSPA to place your order. Members pay only pennies per brochure!

Be prepared for water safety month in May

FSPA beach ball - $1 each

Splash the Penguin Temporary Tattoos ($5 / 50)

http://www.floridapoolpro.biz/


6 Florida Pool Prosm • April 2016E

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Wendy Parker BarsellFSPA Executive Director

[email protected]

Building a workforceOne of the biggest challenges our members tell us they

face is hiring skilled employees. This runs the gamut from simple pool service to all parts of pool construction. Your association has been listening and working with other organizations to find ways to assist the membership. This month we have two exciting events which will help bring awareness to young people of careers in the swimming pool industry.

Next week, April 7-9, is the Future Builders of America (FBA) Leadership Summit. This annual event brings 60

students from local FBA chapters throughout Florida to Haines City for classes and activities about working in the construction industry. Steve Hackl, Hackl Pools, has arranged for the Pentair training trailer to be on site for students to learn about swimming pools. Steve and others from the FSPA Palm Beach Chapter will be on hand to answer questions and share how exciting our industry is as a career.

On April 25-26 is the SkillsUSA Florida State Conference in Lakeland. FSPA has committed $3,300 towards sponsorship of the event in order to reach out to students and teachers in high schools and technical schools. FSPA members will be working the booth in their “Worlds of Possibilities” exhibit hall. We plan to have information available to students about the many career options our industry provides. If you are interested in being part of this event please let me or Mary Anderson know.

Many other projects are in the works and as they develop further we’ll keep you posted. We’d love to hear from members who can volunteer to speak to local high school and technical school classes to encourage students to choose swimming pools as a career. We all know it is the most fun part of a home to be around!



Permits provided by HBW / www.hbweekly.com County Name February 2015 February 2016

Alachua County 6 7 Bay County 10 14 Brevard County 61 74 Broward County 59 27 Calhoun County 0 0 Charlotte County 0 46 Citrus County 15 20 Clay County 6 18 Collier County 101 139 Dade County 68 118 Duval County 40 54 Escambia County 12 9 Flagler County 21 28 Franklin County 4 1 Gadsden County 0 1 Gulf County 2 3 Hernando County 11 20 Highlands County 3 8 Hillsborough County 70 81 Holmes County 0 1 Indian River County 31 32 Jackson County 1 1 Jefferson County 0 0 Lake County 33 25 Lee County 138 166 Leon County 9 12

Liberty County 0 1 Manatee County 99 100 Marion County 7 26 Martin County 23 29 Nassau County 8 16 Okaloosa County 19 16 Orange County 105 129 Osceola County 32 100 Palm Beach County 112 164 Pasco County 34 54 Pinellas County 52 51 Polk County 37 48 Putnam County 0 0 Santa Rosa County 16 30 Sarasota County 52 65 Seminole County 34 31 St Johns County 53 43 St Lucie County 22 35 Sumter County 22 21 Volusia County 14 32 Wakulla County 0 0 Walton County 30 39 Washington County 0 0 TOTALS 1472 1935

County Name February 2015 February 2016

FLORID

A PO

OL PE

RMITS

http://www.hbweekly.com/




Exhibitors and attendees continue to ask the question, “Why is our trade show held at the Orange County Convention Center rather than a hotel facility?” Fortunately for the organization, the trade show has grown exponentially since moving to the Convention Center. Our exhibitors now occupy three to four times the amount of space used at the twin towers. Since moving to the convention center we have more than tripled the number of continuing education courses offered and with higher attendance now utilize three times the classroom space even available before.

There are only a couple of hotels in the Orlando area that have a contiguous ballroom large enough for our event and even fewer with the available breakout

Why our trade show is at the Orange County Convention CenterBy Wendy Parker, FSPA Executive Director, [email protected] published in the Florida Pool Prosm April 2009

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rooms for the classes. The requirements of securing this space are why we utilize the convention center. A hotel’s primary goal is to fill their sleeping rooms and most do this by booking conventions and meetings. The largest hotels in the Orlando area do not rely on tourists, rather on booking large conferences and events for groups from all over the United States, and beyond, who will come to Orlando for the conference and sleep in the hotel. They are more than willing to provide the convention halls to these groups knowing that 90% or more of their rooms will have conference attendees.

Our event is unique in that 50% of our participants do not stay in Orlando overnight. Of the other 50% that do stay, less than 20% utilize the room blocks we secure at the host hotels. When I talk to participants about why they stay at other locations almost every answer relates back to the pricing; understandable and the reality. Using these statistics, we would occupy between ten and fifteen percent of a large hotel’s sleeping rooms but need 100% of their convention and meeting space, thereby preventing them from being able to book space for another group in order to fill the remaining hotel rooms. And even more challenging is that these larger hotels’ room rates exceed $240 per night. There are also requirements to purchase a minimum amount of food, and financially these requirements are more than ten times what we currently spend. In order to meet these food requirements the fees to attend and participate in the show would increase significantly.

The 2016 Everything Under the Sunsm Expo at the Orange County Convention Center

continued on page 10


We have also looked into relocating the Show to another city in Florida. At this time the options are very limited regarding space large enough for the exhibition and the classrooms as well as easy access for everyone. Orlando is the most central location for participants coming from within the state, allowing almost all attendees to drive to the event in a few hours or less. It is one of the most affordable and convenient airports for exhibitors and attendees traveling from outside of Florida.

This is where the convention center is the most cost effective location for the annual trade show. We are able to rent the exhibit hall with no strings attached – no minimum number of hotel rooms, no minimum food purchases. The parking seems to frustrate some, but most hotels have the same parking fees and large convention hotels have same distance to walk to reach the event. The manufacturers have continued to sponsor the Friday night private party which provides a chance for everyone to be together in a relaxed environment to network and catch up with friends.

The Everything Under the Sunsm Expo is one of the premier regional events in the swimming pool industry. We are very proud and appreciative that the manufacturers and distributors have continued to participate on the same level as in previous years and with sponsorship support as well. The annual event provides an opportunity for manufacturers of all sizes to meet directly with thousands of customers and prospective customers over a two day period. They are able to demonstrate their newest products and answer questions about their products. It is the most cost effective way for manufacturers to reach thousands of customers and get direct feedback.

The annual event is the primary source of revenue for the Florida Swimming Pool Association and allows your trade association to provide a wide variety of programs including strong representation in Tallahassee, continuing education at low rates, and weekly and monthly newsletters which keep you informed about matters affecting your business. In order to keep the trade show cost effective and profitable, the convention center is the best location.

Mark your calendar for next year’s Show, February 17-18, 2017 in Hall B of the South complex (the new building).

http://www.underthesunexpo.com/


The 2016 regular legislative session ended at 6:45 p.m. Friday, March 11 after the House and Senate passed an $82.3 billion budget. The Legislature passed approximately 275 bills during the 2016 session, with about 1,600 bills dying. The final week of session saw the building code bill pass, which includes many provisions important to the pool industry. In the final hours of the session lawmakers approved a $129.1 million package of tax breaks, far short of the $1 billion proposal the governor wanted.

A summary of all 2016 legislation tracked for FSPA that passed is listed below. Bills that did not pass can be found online under the “Bills that Died” category.

FSPA Priority Bills:

Building Codes - SB 704 by Sen. Hutson / HB 535 by Rep. EagleSummary: Revises provisions related to Florida Building Code; revises

provisions regarding Florida Building Code Compliance and Mitigation Program; restricts application of Florida Building Code for certain aspects of construction; revises provisions related to portable pools; revises provisions regarding Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund; revises minimum requirements for certificate of completion for residential swimming pools; revises provisions regarding authority of building officials to issue building permits; revises provisions regarding appeal boards; revising provisions addressing certain fire service access elevators; creates task force to study electrical safety in swimming pools; creates construction industry workforce task force to study issues associated with training of construction workforce.

Comments: This bill provides numerous provisions, the following are important to the pool and spa industry:

• Incorporates the same task force that SB 530/HB 295 would create to address Swimming Pool Electrical Safety.

• Includes language that would (a) exempt a portable pool used for swimming

LEG

ISLATIV

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2016 Legislative Bill Tracking ReportBy Jennifer Hatfield, FSPA Legislative Consultant / [email protected]



instruction by a school from regulation by Department of Health (DOH) and (b) exempt a temporary pool used for a sanctioned swimming and diving event for no longer than 30 days from regulation by DOH.

• Allows for a new option for the residential barrier law: the new allowance would be for swimming pool alarms that, when placed in pools, will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. These pool alarms must be certified to the ASTM Standard F 2208 “Standards Specification for Pool Alarms” which includes surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser, and infrared type alarms. The language clarifies that these type of pool alarms would not include ones that children can wear.

• Establishes a Construction Industry Workforce Task Force that would look at the existing critical shortage of trained individuals and develop a consensus path for training the next generation of construction workers. This Task Force would include a representative of the FSPA.

• Addition of claims against Division II contractors to the Homeowner’s Construction Recovery Fund eligibility and caps maximum payment from fund for Division II claim at $15K, with an aggregate cap for each Division II licensee at $150K.

• Authorizes disciplinary action against a plans reviewer or building code administrator’s license if he/she fails to provide to the permit applicant a reason for denying, revoking, or requesting a modification, based on compliance with the Florida Building Code or local ordinance.

• Allows phased-permitting for construction documents; and• Incorporates HB 605 by mandating that a county or local enforcement

agency that issues building permits shall post each type of building permit application on its website and that completed applications must be able to be submitted electronically to the county building department; specifying various formats for electronic submission.

Effective Date: July 1, 2016Status: SB 704 – Laid on table, refer to HB 535. HB 535 –Passed House

as amended by a vote of 116-0 on March 3. Passed Senate by a vote of 38-0 on March 9. Signed by Officers and presented to the governor on March 11.


Taxation - HB 7099 by Rep. GaetzSummary: The bill provides for a wide range of tax reductions and

modifications designed to directly impact both households and businesses, and to improve tax administration.

• Sales Tax: The bill includes a permanent extension of the sales tax exemption for certain manufacturing machinery and equipment and expands the exemption to include machinery and equipment used for certain agricultural postharvest activities and metals recycling. An exemption for sales of food and drink by military veterans service organizations to their members is created. The bill clarifies requirements for the current exemption on sales of aircraft that will be registered in a foreign jurisdiction. The bill phases out over three years the current per ton tax on asphalt used for government public works projects. The bill includes a three-day “back-to- school” holiday for clothing and footwear priced at $60 or less, and school supplies priced at $15 or less.

• Property Tax: The bill clarifies that for a limited period, current local option economic development tax exemptions can be granted in areas which were designated enterprise zones as of December 30, 2015. The bill also specifies that replacement equipment for a data center qualifies for the exemption and provides that the exemption shall remain in effect for 20 years for a data center (as opposed to 10 years for other facilities under current law).

• Corporate Income Tax: To maintain the linkage between Florida’s corporate income tax code and that of the federal government, the bill updates references to the Internal Revenue Code as in effect on January 1, 2016, with some exceptions. Also, some filing dates are changed to conform with federal filing date changes.

• Other Provisions: Further changes in the bill include: equalization of the tax rates on apple and pear cider; changes to allowable uses of tourist development taxes under specified circumstances; elimination of a current exemption from and a reduction of the aviation fuel tax rate; clarification of administration of the tax on other tobacco products; and replacement of the current tax calculation on liquor and tobacco sold on cruise ships


with a simpler, revenue neutral calculation. Comments: HB 7099 is the House tax package that includes parts of various

bills filed in the Senate; however, it does not include SB 870, which would have provided an energy star sales tax holiday that included swimming pool pumps. This years $129.1 million package includes a permanent sales-tax exemption on manufacturing equipment, a 1-year extension of the renewable energy technology corporate income tax credit, a three-day tax back to school tax holiday and a one-day small business tax holiday.

Effective Date: July 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided. Status: HB 7099 – Passed as amended by the Senate by a vote of 35-4 on

March 11. Passed House as amended by a vote of 105-9 on March 11.

FSPA Watch Bills:

Workers’ Compensation System Administration - SB 986 by Sen. Simpson / HB 613 by Rep. Sullivan

Summary: Requiring members of limited liability companies to submit specified notices; requiring that the Department of Financial Services allow an employer who has not previously been issued an order of penalty assessment to receive a specified credit to be applied to the penalty; eliminating the certification requirements when an expert medical advisor is selected by a judge of compensation claims; and deleting the requirement that employers notify the department within 24 hours of any injury resulting in death.

Comments: The bill contains a variety of changes to the workers’ compensation law. The changes include:

• Providing for a 25 percent penalty credit for certain employers; • Establishing a deadline for employers to file certain documentation to

receive a penalty reduction; • Reducing the imputed payroll multiplier related to penalty calculations from

2 times to 1.5 times the statewide average weekly wage; • Requiring employers to simply notify their insurers of their employee’s

coverage exemption, rather than requiring that a copy of the exemption be provided;

• Eliminating a 3-day response requirement applicable to employer held


exemption information; • Removing the requirement that construction employers maintain written

exemption acknowledgements; • Deleting a requirement that exemption revocations be filed by mail only; • Removing unnecessary information from the exemption application; • Relieving employers of the obligation to notify the DFS by telephone or

telegraph within 24 hours of any work related death and relying instead on other existing reporting requirements;

• Removing insurers and employers from the medical reimbursement dispute provision since they meet their adjustment, disallowance and provider violation reporting duties through other provisions of law;

• Eliminating fees collected by the DFS related to new insurer registrations and Special Disability Trust Fund notices of claim and proofs of claim;

• Revising the method for selecting an expert medical examiner; and • Eliminating the Preferred Worker Program, which has not been used in

over ten years. Effective Date: October 1, 2016Status: SB 986 – Laid on table, refer to HB 613. HB 613 –Passed House

by a vote of 115-2 on March 3. Passed Senate by a vote of 40-0 on March 3. Approved by the governor on March 10.

Ratification of Department of Financial Services Rules - SB 1402 by Sen. Simmons / HB 7073 by Rep. Ray

Summary: Ratifying a specified rule relating to the Florida Workers’ Compensation Health Care Provider Reimbursement Manual for the sole and exclusive purpose of satisfying any condition on effectiveness pursuant to s. 120.541(3), F.S., which requires ratification of any rule exceeding the specified thresholds for likely adverse impact or increase in regulatory costs; providing applicability.

Comments: These bills ratify reimbursement schedules for health care providers rendering treatment to injured workers. This measure is necessary to be certain that employers are able to provide their employees with the best medical treatment to get them well and back to work safely and quickly, and to keep our system current with national standards.


Effective Date: Upon becoming law.Status: SB 1402 – Passed Senate as amended by a vote of 40-0 on March

3. Passed House by a vote of 116-0 on March 8. HB 7073 – Laid on table, refer to SB 1402.

Unlicensed Activity Fees - SB 394 by Sen. Hays / HB 303 by Rep. BurtonSummary: Prohibiting the Department of Business and Professional

Regulation from imposing a specified fee in certain circumstances.Comments: The bill prohibits the DBPR from requiring payment of the

$5/licensee unlicensed activity fee if, at the beginning of the fiscal year, the profession’s unlicensed activity account balance totals more than twice the cost of that profession’s expenses for unlicensed activity investigations from the preceding two fiscal years combined. If a professional board meets these requirements, all of the licensees licensed by that board are exempt from paying the unlicensed activity fee for that renewal period. A profession that has a deficit in its operating account or is projected to have such a deficit within the next five years must continue to obtain the unlicensed activity fee from its licensees for each renewal cycle. This legislation would not currently affect fees collected by the DBPR for licensed 489 contractors.

Effective Date: July 1, 2016Status: SB 394 – Laid on table, refer to HB 303. HB 303 – Passed House

by a vote of 114-1 on February 24. Passed Senate by a vote of 38-0 on March 7. Signed by Officers and presented to the governor on March 9.

Renewable Energy Source Devices - SJR 170 by Sen. Brandes / HJR 193 by Rep. Rodrigues / SB 172 by Sen. Brandes / HB 195 by Rep. Rodrigues

Summary: The joint resolution bills propose amendments to the State Constitution to require the Legislature, by general law, to exempt the assessed value of a renewable energy source device or a component thereof from the tangible personal property tax, to allow the Legislature, by general law, to prohibit the consideration of the installation of such device or component in determining the assessed value of residential and nonresidential real property for the purpose of ad valorem taxation, and to provide effective and expiration dates, etc. The bills tied to the joint resolutions then revise the term “renewable


energy source device” to include certain devices that store or use solar energy, wind energy, or energy from geothermal deposits to generate specified forms of energy; specify a period during which a property appraiser is prohibited from considering an increase in the just value of real property used for residential purposes which is attributable to the installation of a renewable energy source device; exempting a renewable energy source device, or a component of such device, which is installed upon real property on or after a specified date from the tangible personal property tax.

Comments: The bills were amended to provide that this constitutional amendment would be on the ballot for the special election held August 30, 2016 instead of the 2016 general election held in November.

Effective Date: January 1, 2017, if HJR 193 is approved by the electors at the August 30 special election.

Status: SB 172 – Laid on table, refer to HB 195. SJR 170 - Laid on table refer to HJR 193. HB 195 – Passed as amended by a vote of 108-0 on March 7. Passed Senate by a vote of 33-6 on March 9. Signed by Officers and presented to the governor on March 11. HJR 193 - passed House as amended by a vote of 117-0 on March 9. Passed Senate by a vote of 37-0 on March 9. Signed by Officers and filed with Secretary of State on March 11.

FSPA Bills of Interest:

Administrative Procedures - SB 372 by Sen. Lee / HB 183 by Rep. AdkinsSummary: Providing procedures for agencies to follow when initiating

rulemaking after certain public hearings; providing for publication of notices of rule development and of rules filed for adoption; specifying legal authority to file a petition challenging an agency rule as an invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority, etc.

Comments: Any changes to the Administrative Procedures Act that rules of DOH, DBPR and other agencies of importance to the pool industry must follow are important for us to be aware of and understand.

Effective date: 7/1/2016Status: SB 372 – Laid on table, refer to HB 183. HB 183 – Passed House

by a vote of 104-1 on February 24. Passed Senate by a vote of 40-0 on March


9. Signed by Officers and presented to the governor on March 11.

Legislature - SB 7076 by Ethics and Elections / HB 7103 by Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee

Summary: Fixing the date for convening the 2018 Regular Session of the Legislature.

Comments: Provides that the 2018 legislative session will convene on January 9. Effective date: Upon becoming a law

Status: SB 7076 – Passed Senate by a vote of 21-11 on March 3. Passed House by a vote of 89-28 on March 8. HB 7103 – Laid on table, refer to SB 7076.

Bills that Died:• Swimming Pool Electrical Safety - SB 530 by Sen. Sobel / HB 295 by Rep.

Fresen • Applications for Building Permits - HB 605 by Rep. Smith• Small Business Saturday Sales Tax - SB 1236 by Garcia / HB 721 by Rep.

Fant• Energy Star/Water Sense Sales Tax Holiday - SB 870 by Sen. Flores• Assignment or Transfer of Property Insurance Rights - SB 596 by Sen. Hukill

/ HB 1097 by Rep. Caldwell• Real Property - SB 1618 by Sen. Hutson / HB 1263 by Rep. Wood• Energy Policy - SB 1328 by Sen. Altman / HB 687 by Rep. Costello• Building Code Enforcement - SB 1258 by Sen. Smith / HB 723 by Rep. Lee• Florida Building Code - SB 1348 by Sen. Sobel / HB 51 by Rep. Jacobs• Statute of Repose - SB 316 by Sen. Stargel / HB 297 by Rep. Perry• Prohibited Discrimination for Employment - SB 120 by Sen. Abruzzo / HB

45 by Rep. Raschein• Florida Healthy Working Families Act (Paid Sick Leave) - SB 294 by Sen.

Thompson / HB 205 by Rep. Williams• Wireless Communications Devices - SB 328 by Sen. Altman / HB 537 by

Rep. Perry• Government Accountability - SB 686 by Sen. Gaetz / HB 593 by Rep. Metz


Recently the seven year mark has passed since the Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Act required all commercial pool and spa drains to have new VGB certified covers. Part of the law also required manufacturers to provide a life span for each cover and a fair majority were between 5-7 years. Therefore, FSPA encourages contractors who installed these drain covers to a) notify their customers if their drain cover is set to "expire" and b) replace the covers correctly.

This first means that a licensed pool contractor should be doing the work. The licensed contractor should choose the right cover, install it correctly, provide both the customer and any regulatory body (i.e. health department) with the documentation the cover was replaced and when the new cover is set to expire, and finally the contractor should keep a copy of this information on file. Part of choosing the correct cover will mean ensuring that it is tested and certified for the flow rate that the pump can produce on that particular pool or spa. Further, while changing out the cover, make sure all components of the drain are in good condition. It is also important that the contractor use the new screws that come with the new cover - do not use the old screws!

Remember, VGB compliance also requires the replacement cover be compatible with the currently installed mounting ring and/or sump, which may require replacement if it is damaged. For example, if the screw holes are stripped out. Finally, always follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation. However, it is important to be mindful that Florida Public Pool Rule 64E-9, F.A.C., requires a limit of 1.5fps through the openings, which is more restrictive than the VGB Act, so it may not be in the instructions.

Are your customers’ VGB drain covers about to expire?By Jennifer Hatfield, FSPA Legislative Consultant / [email protected]



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ERV

ICE Monday morning here we go again. Four pool routes to cover and one of

your employees has called out sick with a bad head cold or a sour stomach or whatever. Welcome to the world of trying to navigate the waters of hiring and keeping dependable and knowledgable pool service technicians. I know when you first decided to start your own business you were going to run the entire business by yourself. Sounds good. You could make all the decisions, provide quality work, make your own hours, be your own boss, stay small enough to handle everything. Remember those days. Oh that’s right, this is pool service in Florida. Nobody stays small if they know what their doing, unfortunately even if they don’t. Sooner or later we all decide to go to the next step and start to one by one bring in people to help expand our growing business.

Let’s face it, we all want the best employees for pool service. We think

Employees: Life blood of your businessBy Rober Miller, Palm City Pool & Spa Inc. / [email protected]

http://www.puritypool.com/



anybody we hire will have the same work ethic as we do. This is the pool service business, how hard could it be to hire and keep good employees. I think it all starts by hiring a person who has had prior experience maybe not in the pool service business but in a field a lot more physically demanding. It seems more often than not new employees think this job is going to be just shorts, tee shirts, and sunglasses.

After a comprehensive interviewing process, where you believe the person is a good fit for your company, I believe a training program specifically designed around the employees’ past experience, their strengths and weaknesses that you know of, and needs of the parts of the business you hired them for. The pool service maintenance technician has very repetitive job five or six days a week. It is very easy for the job to become complacent for he or she. It is important to find different ways to keep enough interest in the job and still provide quality work. One important thing I like to do is show up from time to time at different jobs on any given route the tech is on and show an interest in what they are doing right there at the time. Most employees tend to care about their work more when the person they work for shows they care to.

Once we find employees we believe are the right fit for our company, we would like for them to work with us as long as possible. It can be very difficult in the pool service business. A good thing I believe to do is constant advancement in your business. Whether it’s more responsibility in their current position, or moving on to a different facet of your business, or even education with some kind of certification involved. Not many employees want to be stagnant in their job. To keep good employees there should always be something on the horizon they can look forward to. It is the employers job to make sure the life’s blood of their business keeps flowing...


Thank youBy John Garner, Pools by John Garner. / [email protected]

I hope this year has been as busy and rewarding for you as it has been for me. Our business is as busy as last year, if not busier! The FSPA trade show and everyday work in the state office are a part of my business plan as a builder.

The Everything Under the Sunsm Expo was an incredible success and the largest show since 2007. I was fortunate to be an instructor at the show this year. The class I taught was going along fine until the Wifi at the convention center hijacked my laptop. The IT guys came in and said they couldn’t help but eventually the laptop broke free, I didn’t have to wing it any longer and I finished my class on time!

The awards ceremony was so much fun with our emcee Erik Von Ancken, a local news anchor from WKMG - TV News 6 (CBS). It was especially rewarding for me as the Person of the Year award was a total surprise and caught me off guard as well as totally speechless. I cannot thank you all enough for this honor. I have to mention our FSPA Executive Director Wendy Parker Barsell and the staff of the state office. Their hard work and loyalty made my job over the last two years as president an incredible experience. Jennifer Hatfield, FSPA Government Relations Consultant, continues to work hard with endless energy staying ahead of everything on the government front, both locally and nationally. She leads our commercial pool coalition, made up of members from FSPA, UPSA, BOAF, and DOH. This job is never ending. We have new code changes going before the FBC now and the Pool TAC in April.

We still have our task force on all upcoming standards (ANSI/APSP) and remain vigilant about our public pool code and residential pool code. Again, Jennifer keeps us on task. I think her energy is only surpassed by her son Lincoln! He is already grabbing her phone and face-timing me! Who knows, we may see him on Little Big Shots soon! Look out Steve Harvey!

Last but not least I would like to thank all the volunteers. This industry would not be where it is today without the tireless hours and work provided by

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our volunteers. From the task forces starting with the local chapters, on to the state level at quarterly Board meetings and all of the volunteers at the show, and everything in between – Thank you!

We are always looking for new faces to step forward and volunteer. Share your experience and knowledge with us. As my pastor told me years ago, everyone has some talent they can provide to an organization. Reach out to others that you would like to see join this association. We are growing every day and new members only make us stronger.

Thank you again and God Bless America! Remember to vote!

What might be heard at Mount Rushmore about Salt Water Pools...I keep thepH in the

correct range.

I add conditioneras needed,honestly.

I check the salt level and only use

AQUASALT.

I clean the cell every 2 to 3

months of use.

7.5 x 4.75 Florida Pool Pro

http://www.aquasalt.com/

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TE It’s that time of year. Many young people are out looking for full and part time summer jobs. So, what considerations do you have as a businessowner?

Young workers can be an asset to your workforce; however, young workers have unique and substantial risks for work-related injuries and illnesses due to a variety of factors. On-the-job injuries to young workers may be significant and costly.

There are also several laws and procedures to consider when hiring a minor as follows:

Posting RequirementsEmployers who hire minors must display a poster in a conspicuous place

on the property or place of employment notifying them of the Child Labor Law. Child labor posters may be obtained through this website by calling Child Labor Compliance at 1-800-226-2536.

Documentation RequirementsEmployers are required to keep waiver authorizations, proof of age

documentation, and proof of exemption from minor status for all employees who are under 18. These records must be maintained for the duration of the minor’s employment. Unless exempt from the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act), the records must be kept until the minor turns 19.

Parental Permission to HireEmployers are not required by law to have permission from the parents to

employ their minor child. However, we strongly encourage employers to include parents in the process.

Work Permits“Work Permits” and/or “Working Papers” are not required in Florida and

By David Griffiths, Insurance By Ken Brown / [email protected]

Are you hiring teenagers for summer work?



are not issued by either the schools or any governmental agency in Florida. Please see Waivers.

Hour LimitationsMinors are limited in the hours they may work to permit them to attend and

complete their educational responsibilities. Go here for more information: www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/reg/childlabor/ChildLaborHours.htmlBreaks

Minors may work no more than 4 consecutive hours without a 30-minute uninterrupted break.

ExemptionsMinors are exempt from the hour limitations of the Child Labor Law if they

have been married, graduated from an accredited high school or hold a high school equivalency diploma, served in the military, have been authorized by a court order, or been issued a partial waiver by the public school or the Child Labor Program.

http://www.insbykenbrown.com/

http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/reg/childlabor/ChildLaborHours.html


SafetyEach year minors suffer injuries in the workplace. OSHA has recommendations

and guidelines regarding this area. You can view these at: www.osha.gov/youngworkers/index.html

Also, please visit the following website for additional training tips for minor workers: www.cdc.gov/niosh/talkingsafety/states/fl/default.html

WaiversThe Florida Child Labor Law is designed to serve and protect minors and to

encourage them to remain in school. At times, however, some minors feel that the law conflicts with their best interest or that their life circumstances are such that they need to work. Minors have the right to request that the Child Labor Office exempt them from parts of the Child Labor Law. For detailed information on waivers please call 1-850-488-3131.

PenaltiesEmployment of minors in violation of Florida child labor laws may result in

fines up to $2,500 per offense and/or be guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor.

More InformationEmployers who have an interest in learning more about Florida’s child labor

law may request training by contacting the Bureau of Child Labor at 1-800-226-2536.

We support your giving young people the opportunity to learn your business, learn what a work ethic is and have some spending money or money for future education. It’s great for the future of our country. However, we encourage you to take the right steps to protect both you and them!


FSPA Past Presidents dinner held in conjunction with March Board Meeting

Past president John Garner, FSPA Executive Director Wendy Parker, Libby Bludsworth, past president Steve Bludsworth.

Past president Eva Adcock, past president Dominick Montanaro and Barbara Montanaro

(Right) Ellen Cooper and past president Alan Cooper.

(Right) Past presidents Jim Manning, Brian Van Bower, Steve Bludsworth, Alan Cooper, Eva Adcock, John Garner, John Thornett, Albert Underwood, Dominick Montanaro and David Seffer.

(Above) Past president Albert Underwood and Brian Van Bower.


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Make a difference, encourage your customers to practice pool safety during National Water Safety Month in May. Order this brochure and other materials by calling 800-548-6774.


BACK

Make a difference, encourage your customers to practice pool safety during National Water Safety Month in May. Order this brochure and other materials by calling 800-548-6774.


Here's a question I get on a fairly regular basis: "Tom, my techs install and repair equipment. Why should I waste time explaining what it costs to run a company? They are techs, not owners."

Think about that for a moment. More than 90% of all owners within the trades industry used to be a tech working for someone else. But, again, you may ask, "So what? They are techs now, so why should I invest time and money helping them understand what it costs to run a company?"

The answer is twofold.

1. Under PricingIf technicians don't believe what you are charging is fair to

the customer, they will tend to under-bill the customer. They need at least a general idea of what it costs to run a company in order to justify, in their own minds, what you are charging per hour. It's up to you, as the owner or manager, to help them believe the hourly rate you are charging is both necessary and needed, in order for the company to survive and, therefore, provide a certain degree of job security.

Try this. During your next service meeting make a list of your 10 highest costs of doing business. The number one cost of doing business is the cost of non-billable time. Non-billable time is the time the company pays the tech for that cannot be charged directly to the customer. That includes things like shop time in the morning and afternoon; travel time between jobs; sick, holiday, and vacation time; warranty work; callbacks; and company meetings.

The second highest cost of doing business is equipment replacement. This is money that needs to be saved each year in order to be able to replace

By Tom Grandy, Grandy & Associates / [email protected]

Managing your service department: Technicians need to understand the cost of running a company



equipment when it wears out. Other costs would include things like insurance, vehicle maintenance, gasoline, rent, office salaries, etc. You get the idea.

Pick 10 items then ask your employees to guess how much it is costing your company per year for each one. Make it fun by offering a prize for the closest number to each item. As the game comes to a close, simply mention that these 10 costs only represent a few of the costs of running your company which is why you need to be charging what you are charging.

2. Future CompetitionAs I mentioned earlier, more than 90% of all company owners used to be

a tech working for someone else. Most techs who go out on their own tend to undercharge the customer because they actually believe the difference between what they are paid, and what you are charging the customer, is all profit. The thinking is something like this. "The company is paying me $20/hour and they were charging the customer $100/hour. When I start my own company, I don't need to rip off the customer like my boss does in order to make a nice living. I can change $50/hour and still make a nice profit." So, they do just that. Now your new competition is grossly under-billing the customer which makes it really tough on all the contractors in your area,

Teaching your techs the basics of what it costs to run a company will result in one of two situations. Either they will understand what's involved in running a company and therefore might just decide that they really don't want to go out on their own. Or, should they decide to go out on their own, at least they will be priced properly and therefore become fair competition without messing up your local market.

Teaching your techs the basic costs of doing business will bear fruit in the short run as well as the long run, no matter whether they stay with your company or go out on their own.

Article provided by Grandy & Associates. They can be contacted at 800-432-7963 and visited at www.grandyassociates.com. Grandy & Associates provides business training to service and trade industries through more than 30 years of experience.

http://www.grandyassociates.com/

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S BrowardChapter Coordinator: Maggie Kloepfer

(866) 930-3772 [email protected]

www.FSPABroward.com

On March 15 the Chapter had a meeting about how to promote your business using multi-media venues. The meeting was well attended with more than 50 pool professionals.

The annual bowling tournament is set for April 24. If you haven’t already done so, please sign up today.

Please support your Chapter by attending the planned meetings and events. If you have something specific you would like to see at a meeting, please let us hear from you. We are always looking for members who want to get involved in the Chapter events. If you are interested, please let us know. Get Involved!

Central FloridaChapter Coordinator: Sonja Dickey

(800) [email protected]

www.FSPACentralFlorida.com

The Chapter would like to welcome The Better Pool Guy and Home Solutions, Leisure Products Group, Red Rhino Leak Detection, and Minerva Pools as our newest Chapter members. We have a great year planned for 2016 and look forward to seeing you at the upcoming events.

Many of our members cheered and roared the Orlando City Soccer team on against Real Salt Lake. The game ended in a 2-2 tie!

The FSPA state Board meetings were held March 18-19 at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort. Thank you to our 2016 Chapter President Tony Caruso, TC Water Features; Vice President Richard Smith, Universal Solar; Treasurer Alan Cooper, Alan Cooper Consulting; Directors Steve Bludsworth, All Pool Service & Supply; Ken Brown, Insurance by Ken Brown, and Mike Dooley, HornerXpress, for representing the Chapter at

FSPA Chapter news

http://www.fspabroward.com/

http://www.fspacentralflorida.com/




these meetings. We appreciate your time and energy!Save the date! “Don’t get left behind! Jump on the Digital Express!” will be

led by our very own FSPA PR & Digital Engagement Specialist Erika Dunayer. She will be speaking to our membership about learning best practices for marketing your business on Tuesday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Dubsdread, 549 West Par St., Orlando, FL 32804. Bring your office manager or marketing specialist and don’t forget to bring your laptop, iPad, tablet, etc. Remember your social media login information.

Your 2016 Chapter Board continues to work on exciting and educational events for the rest of the year. Please let us hear from you with any suggestions for speakers or events. Our next Board meeting, which all members are encouraged to attend, will be on Tuesday, April 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Dubsdread.

Charlotte [email protected]

(800) 548-6774www.FSPACharlotteHarbor.com

Join the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter at the Spring Into Summer Tabletop. The event is April 28 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center, 9931 Interstate Commerce Dr.

Attendance is free and dinner is provided. RSVP at www.FSPAGulfCoast.com. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet manufacturers, distributors and suppliers.

East Central Florida Executive Director: Diane Michael


www.FSPAEastCentral.com

The monthly Chapter meeting was held Tuesday, March 8 at Olive Garden in Palm Coast. Members and guests alike participated in “speed-networking” spending two minutes with each other learning about how to support one another’s business better. Wayne’s Solar was the monthly sponsor who educated the Chapter on their products and services.

http://www.fspacharlotteharbor.com/

http://www.fspaeastcentral.com/




T h e E a s t Central Florida C h a p t e r ’ s m e e t i n g o n March 8.

The next Chapter meeting is Tuesday, April 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Caribbean Jack’s, Daytona Beach. Guests are welcome!

Like our Chapter Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FSPAEastCentralChapter a n d f o l l o w u s o n I n s t a g r a m @FSPAEastCentralChapter.

We are currently seeking monthly meeting sponsors. If you are interested,

please contact Diane at 386-538-1083.Know someone who is interested in our Chapter? Remember, guests are

invited to attend two meetings before they become members. Bring your associates and help us continue to grow!

All 2016 meetings are the second Tuesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Save the date, the next Chapter meeting is April 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Caribbean Jack’s, Daytona Beach

Here are upcoming 2016 meetings; please mark your calendars: May 10, June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13, October 11, November 8 and December 13.

Florida Gulf [email protected]

(800) 548-6774www.FSPAGulfCoast.com

The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter’s Spring Into Summer Tabletop is this month. The event is April 28 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center, 9931 Interstate Commerce Dr.

Attendance is free and dinner is provided. RSVP at www.FSPAGulfCoast.com. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet manufacturers, distributors and suppliers.

http://www.fspagulfcoast.com/

http://www.fspagulfcoast.com/

http://facebook.com/FSPAEastCentralChapter



Florida West CoastExecutive Director: Malinda Howard


www.FSPAWestCoast.com

A Chapter Meeting was held Tuesday, March 1 at noon at Jack’s Magic Products, Largo. The topic was digital marketing. Thank you to Erika Dunayer, FSPA PR & Digital Engagement Specialist, for presenting the program, and thank you to Ian Ferguson and Jack’s Magic Products for hosting the meeting and providing lunch. Thank you to all who attended this informative meeting.

The Chapter Board met Tuesday, March 1 at Jack’s Magic Products following the Chapter Meeting. The next Board of Directors meeting will be held Tuesday, April 5 at noon at AquaCal, 2629 24th St. N., St. Petersburg. Chapter Board of Directors meetings are usually scheduled for the first Tuesday of the month. We are always interested in hearing your ideas for Chapter meetings and programs. All members are welcome to attend.

It is time to start putting your team together for the Florida West Coast Chapter’s Annual Golf Tournament! This year’s tournament will be held Saturday, May 7 at the Cove Cay Golf Club in Clearwater. The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. Lunch and awards will follow play. Contact the Chapter office regarding sponsorships or registration.

ManasotaChapter Coordinator: Sonja Dickey


www.FSPAManasota.com

The Chapter would like to welcome Doug Boese, Doug Boese, LLC; Todd Starner, Starner Brothers Pools; Deidre Bedford, West Coast Pools, Inc.; and Kyle Fisher, Beach Monkey Pools, as our newest Chapter members.

The Florida West Coast Chapter held a meeting on digital marketing with FSPA PR & Digital Engagement Specialist Erika Dunayer as the speaker.

http://www.fspawestcoast.com/

http://www.fspamanasota.com/




N e w m e m b e r D o u g B o e s e , Doug Boese, LLC, shaking hands with Manasota Chapter ‘s 2015 president Rich Tarricone.

The Manasota Chapter meeting held March 10 was on digital marketing with FSPA PR & Digital Engagement Specialist Erika Dunayer.

We have a great year planned for 2016 and look forward to seeing you at the upcoming events.

Our Chapter meeting titled “Don’t get left behind! Jump on the Digital Express!” was held March 10. It was a success! Members who attended learned the ins and outs of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and how social media can help grow their business. Thank you to Erika Dunayer, our very own FSPA PR & Digital Engagement Specialist!

The FSPA state Board meetings were held March 18-19 at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort. Thank you to our 2016 Chapter President Chuck Coone, SCP; Vice President Ray Kurilavicius, DART; and Directors Matt Russell, Pool Design Concepts; John Ellsworth, BluWater Pool Designs; and Todd Starner, Starner Brothers Pools, for representing the Chapter at these meetings. We appreciate your time and energy!

Be on the lookout! The Manasota Chapter is offering a free CPR course to its members on April 11. Watch out for upcoming emails regarding this amazing class!

Save the date! Manasota Golf Classic 2016 is fast approaching! Mark your calendars to play golf with your pool industry professionals on Saturday, May 21 at Legacy Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch for an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. For registration and sponsorship information please e-mail [email protected].

Our next Chapter Board meeting, which all members are encouraged to attend, will be

Tuesday, April 12 at 11:45 a.m. at the FSPA state office.

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New Member SpotlightVak Pak Builders Supply, Inc.

www.vakpakbuilderssupply.com

Vak Pak Builders Supply, Inc. 9301 Hogan Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32216 (904) 642-2267 www.vakpakbuilderssupply.com

Vak Pak Builders Supply, Inc. has been in business since 1991. As an independent pool/spa distributor in Jacksonville they service all counties in Northeast Florida including making deliveries into Flagler and Volusia counties.

Vak Pak has wanted to join the FSPA for some time now. Barry Robinson, branch manager, feel as the business continues to grow, becoming an active member in the FSPA can be beneficial moving forward.

In addition to being a distributor, Vak Pak also sell all of the replacement parts for Vak Pak filtration systems. Vak Pak, Inc. is the manufacturer of these commercial filtration systems, and has been in business since the early ‘70’s. Vak Pak, Inc. is also a member of FSPA.

Your 2016 Board continues to work on exciting and educational events for the rest of the year. Please let us hear from you with any suggestions for speakers or events.

North Central FloridaChapter Coordinator: Maggie Kloepfer


www.FSPANorthCentral.com

The Chapter is gearing up for a tabletop in the fall. Watch your e-mail for more information to come.

Please support your Chapter by attending the planned meetings and events. If you have something specific you would like to see at a meeting, please let us hear from you. We are always looking for members who want to get involved in the Chapter events. If you are interested, please let us know.

Northeast FloridaChapter President: Rick Schmitz

State office: (866) [email protected]

www.FSPANortheast.com

The Chapter had its 2nd Employer/Employee Training on March 3 at Maggiano’s Town Center. More than 90 members and guests were in attendance. Thank you to Dave Pruette, David

http://www.fspanorthcentral.com/

http://www.vakpakbuilderssupply.com/



http://www.fspanortheast.com/




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Pruette Electric Services; Tim Sprinkle and Brad, Pentair; and Cheryl Crews and Mike, Natural Chemistry, for their presentations. So much good information was shared. Thank you to Cheryl for the free phosphate product! Maggiano’s made a special drink for our group!

There will be no Chapter meeting in April due to our annual golf tournament. The golf tournament will be held April 2 at the Champions Course at Julington Creek. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. with a continental breakfast and there is a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. with a BBQ lunch following the tournament.

This was a sellout last year! Get your teams together and send in your

New Member SpotlightIsland Watershapes, LLC

www.islandwatershapes.com

Island WatershapesPO Box 16197 Fernandina Beach, FL 32035 (904) 321-9192 www.islandwatershapes.com Northeast Florida Chapter

Island Watershapes, LLC has been in business for six years in the Amelia Island, Nassau, St. Johns areas. The company focuses on new and remodel design and building.

Island Watershapes joined FSPA to do their part in helping to establish a voice for pool professionals.

They can also be found at www.facebook.com/Island-Watershapes-241012972590509

The Nor theas t Florida Chapter’s training meeting had more than 90 attendees and had its own signature drink.

registration. All golfers must pay in advance. There is a $5 per golfer discount if paid by April 1! You may pay by credit card or check prior to the day of the event.

P lease s ta r t so l i c i t i ng donations for raffle prizes! There are many sponsor opportunities available: A big thank you to JD Silva, Seminole Enterprises, for being the lunch sponsor this year! David Pruette Electric

http://www.islandwatershapes.com/



http://www.facebook.com/Island-Watershapes-241012972590509

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pay their dues in full to qualify. This is held to the first 10 new members. Four members have recruited four new members so there are gift cards still waiting for you!

Thank you to the following Board members who have been working diligently on rewriting the Chapter By-Laws: Jack Manilla, David Pruette and Rick Schmitz.

Please mark your calendars for the upcoming meetings:

Please mark your calendars for the upcoming meetings: April 22 – Chapter’s annual golf tournament at The Champions Course, Julington Creek. This was a sell-out last year! Get your teams together and registration forms in early! May 5 – the Chapter will have a CE class and Water Safety Day at the Zoo is May 14. June – the Chapter will

Services is sponsoring a beverage card and SCP Distributors is sponsoring two additional beverage carts. Thank you to Eagle Pools for being a raffle sponsor. The Hole-in-One Sponsorship for $350 is still available and there are still two slots for additional raffle prize sponsors!

A reminder that the Chapter still has a membership campaign taking place. If a member recruits a new member, the new member will receive a $150 gift card and the referring members will receive a $50 gift card. The new member must

New Member SpotlightSaline Generating Systems LLC

www.sgschlorinators.com

Saline Generating Systems, LLC 1436 W 12th Place Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 385-3052 www.sgschlorinators.com

Saline Generating Systems, founded in 2007, develops and manufactures salt systems at our office and facility in Tempe, Arizona. Twenty-four employees are busy manufacturing the Breeze Residential Chlorine Generator, The Wave Residential Chlorine Generator and the Storm and SG Series commercial Chlorine Generators. The Breeze and all the commercial systems are UL and NSF certified to the ANSI 50 standard. The Wave systems are UL certified. In addition, SGS developed and has a patent for the SLTD 100 electronic Salinity/TDS/Temperature meter.

SGS is represented in Florida by Professional Lines, and sold through Distribution. SGS Salt Systems are environmentally friendly, easy to maintain, competitively priced and robust, with a terrific warranty. For more information on SGS products, go to www.sgschlorinators.com.

Saline Generating Systems, LLC team 2014

http://www.sgschlorinators.com/





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host an activity. July-August – No Chapter meetings. September – CE Class. October – no class. November – Member Appreciation/Table Top.

As always, thank you for the opportunity to work with this great group of people and please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Palm BeachExecutive Director: Doris Rohner


www.FSPAPalmBeach.com

The Chapter meeting on March 8 was perhaps the most uplifting and exciting meeting for the Palm Beach Chapter in months, perhaps even years. Richard Reeder, Associate Dean, Trade and Industry Programs, Palm Beach State College, accepted an invitation to attend and discuss how the FSPA could develop an accredited course that would help the pool industry have a better employee base.

In detail he outlined a two-year plan to develop and execute a program starting with CE classes and adding several modules of existing classes that would meet industry needs. Current students when completing their programs could roll in pre-determined pool related classes. A complete accredited program developed in steps could happen in a little as two years.

Thank you to Jim Bingold, Proline Distributors, for putting this program together and to Brian Kelly, Shamrock Pools, Broward Chapter, for realizing the need to such a program at the college level and for attending in support

The most recent Palm Beach Chapter meeting was March 8. Jim Bingold, guest speaker Richard Reeder, Associate Dean at Palm Beach State College, and Brian Kelly.

http://www.fspapalmbeach.com/



of the Palm Beach Chapter. The first phase of the program is planned to be up and running soon.

A special thank you to Brian Loften, Loften Pool Services, for becoming involved in Chapter monthly activities. Brian has attended all membership meetings since becoming a member and has attended two Chapter Board meetings. Brian also attended the FSPA state Board meeting on March 17-18 in Orlando. Brian was the proxy for Scott Griswold, President. Thank you, Brain Loften; you are a valuable asset to the Palm Beach Chapter.

All Chapter Meetings are held at Contractors Business Park, 2701 Vista Pkwy., Bldg. A, Ste. 9, on the second Tuesday of each month. You are welcome to attend and participate in the discussions. Members may also complete a short survey posted on the Chapter home page at www.fspa-pb.com.

Jim Gay, Jacks’ Magic Products, will present a one hour CE course on April 10 at the Chapter meeting. June 14 there will be a basic electrical program. The July 11 meeting topic will be about advanced plumbing. The August 9 membership meeting will offer two hours of continuing education taught by CES on ORP. The October 10 meeting will be also be for two hours of CE credit. The Palm Beach Pool Show is scheduled for September 7 and the Chapter Christmas Party is scheduled for December 10.

Please welcome our newest member Lou Tobia, Tobia Pool Care, LLC, Lake Worth.

Mark your Calendar for September 7. The Palm Beach Pool Show is returning to the Marriott on Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. The Show will be larger this year and include new features.

Continuing education classes will be offered in the Polo Room prior to the show floor opening. A minimum of two mandatory CE classes will be held. This is the time to start meeting your license renewal requirements. More information will be posted soon.

The annual auction has us all spinning in excitement. Non-pool related items would be auctioned off with a new format for placing bids. Items such a cruises, movie tickets, gift baskets, golf rounds and more will be available.

http://www.fspa-pb.com/


Our priority goal is to make the event fun and rewarding for the many exhibitors and attendees. We thank the exhibitors that have already committed to table selections. Exhibit packages are available on the Chapter website as well as either emailed or faxed. Check back often as new exciting information is released.

Mark your calendars for all of these important dates. We look forward to seeing you at the next Chapter meeting.

Polk CountyChapter Coordinator: Maggie Kloepfer


www.FSPAPolkCounty.com


Space Coast Chapter President: Eva Adcock


www.FSPASpaceCoast.com

The Space Coast Chapter is growing! We are pleased to welcome two new members this month: Trey Doherty, Reliable Pools, in Satellite Beach and Chad Hintz, Busy Bee Pools, in Melbourne.

Join us for a free lunch on April 14 at noon at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, 3030 Lake Washington Rd., Melbourne. The meeting is sponsored by Creighton Rhodes, SCP.

Thank you to Creighton for his generosity to our Space Coast members. Come to the meeting and welcome our newest members! See you there.

The Chapter Board of Directors met at Carl Moody’s office on March 10, and the Directors attended the State Board meeting in Orlando the weekend

http://www.fspapolkcounty.com/

http://www.fspaspacecoast.com/




For additional information about any of the events or meetings listed in the Chapter News, please contact the Executive Director listed at the top of each Chapter's News.

of March 18.As always, we welcome input from our members on any issues you may

be facing.

Tampa BayChapter Coordinator: Maggie Kloepfer


www.FSPATampaBay.com

The Annual Golf Tournament is scheduled for April 29 at Westchase Golf Club. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Sign up today!


Treasure CoastChapter President: Robert Miller


www.FSPATreasureCoast.com

We would like to welcome three new members this month: JD Pool Clean Inc., Coastlife Pool & Spa, and American Pools & Spas. The Treasure Coast chapter Annual Horseshoe Tournament is April 16, 2016 . Stuart Causeway-East Island Pavilion. Start at 10:30. Bring a lawn chair. Food fun and Prizes. Have a safe and fun spring break.

http://www.fspatampabay.com/

http://www.fspatreasurecoast.com/




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This month’s advertisers

Pg 3: HornerXpress.com / 727-823-5642

Pg 5: www.SGM.cc / 800-641-9247

Pg 6: www.HBWeekly.com / 877-332-1411

Pg 9: Purity Pool.com / 800-257-1961

Pg 11: Insurance by Ken Brown www.InsByKenBrown.com / 800-940-1543

Pg 14: AQUASALT.com / 866-549-7665

April 20165 FSPA Central Florida Chapter 5:30 p.m. Board Meeting 6:30 p.m. Chapter Meeting Dubsdread, 549 West Par St., Orlando

FSPA Florida West Coast Chapter Board Meeting Noon at AquaCal, 2629 24th St. N., St. Petersburg

10 FSPA Palm Beach Chapter Meeting and CE Course Contractors Business Park, 2701 Vista Pkwy., Bldg. A, Ste. 9

11 FSPA Manasota Chapter CPR Course12 FSPA East Central Florida Chapter Meeting 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Caribbean Jack’s, Daytona Beach

14 FSPA Space Coast Chapter Meeting Noon at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, 3030 Lake Washington Rd., Melbourne

16 FSPA Treasure Coast Chapter Horseshoe Tournament 10:30 a.m. Stuart Causeway - East Island Pavilion

22 FSPA Northeast Florida Chapter Golf Tournament 8:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start The Champions Course, Julington Creek

24 FSPA Broward Chapter Annual Bowling Tournament28 FSPA Florida Gulf Coast Chapter Table Top 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport 9931 Interstate Commerce Dr., Fort Myers

29 FSPA Tampa Bay Chapter Annual Golf Tournament Westchase Golf Club

May 20165 FSPA Northeast Florida Chapter CE Course 7 FSPA Florida West Coast Chapter Annual Golf Tournament 8:00 a.m. Cove Cay Golf Club, Clearwater

12 FSPA East Central Florida Chapter Meeting

14 FSPA Northeast Florida Chapter at Water Safety Day at the Zoo Jacksonville Zoo

21 FSPA Manasota Golf Classic 2016 8:30 a.m. Legacy Golf Club, Lakewood Ranch

CALENDAR

http://www.hornerxpress.com/locations

http://www.sgm.cc/


http://www.puritypool.com/

http://www.insbykenbrown.com/

http://www.aquasalt.com/

Tops-In-Trucks Award Winner 2016/files... · Florida Pool Prosm • April 2016 7 Permits provided by HBW / County Name February 2015 February 2016 Alachua County6 7 Bay County1014

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