February 2008 HOA Board Meeting
Homeowners Forum
No homeowners were present at this months meeting.
Property Managers Report
- Garage Tax – Calculated for 2007 with notice of 2008 space evaluation of $20K per. Just received updated mailing addresses from Ambassador I and will mail property tax billing.
- Utility Billing – ABI has switched billing address back to them; will pay as received.
- Bicycle Rack Assignments – All spaces in first rack assigned; consider second rack.
- Loitering deterrents; investigated by Board President Shaun Ross.
- 503/Flake collection action.
Treasurer’s Report
For period ending January 31st, 2008
Bank, Savings and Investment Accounts
Checking $23,275.98
Insurance Reserve $4,738.80
Replacement/Special Assessment CD $236,318.33
Other Assets
Petty Cash $100.00
Total Assets $265,399.26
Since our last report 2 months ago, we have paid the buildings earthquake insurance premium for this year. We now have $8,013,660 worth of coverage, an increase from last year. The premium went down slightly. For the current fiscal year, the Association is $3,528 over budget. This is expected and are well within budget for the entire fiscal year. Please see below in the old business section for information that has already placed us back under budget.
Committee Reports
The beautification committee has put together several proposals for the elevator refurnishing to help enhance the impression our building gives to guests. We will be posting the three proposals in the lobby within the next week. Please take a look at them and contact the board or Jack at Property Concepts to cast your vote for option A, B, or C. During the next monthly board meeting, we will sign the contract for the elevator refurnishing and notify residents of the day during which the elevator service will be interrupted.
The technology committee has found a ‘last meter’ solution for providing the building with internet access in the form of a number of Meraki wireless routers. These routers will allow us to securely provide internet access for the entire building quickly and easily. During the next 4 months a ‘last mile’ will be devised to get large amounts of bandwidth for the Meraki routers to share. For more information about Meraki routers visit the Merkai website.
Security
We have had continuous loitering problems in areas surrounding our property. The board has investigated a loitering deterrent solution to make it less comfortable for transients to sit on the walls surrounding our building. Several bids should be available as early as next month and pending approval from our lawyers and insurance providers, we will be selecting a bid and installing the deterrents.
Rules
There have been several noise complaints made recently regarding late night movie playing from several units. Please be aware of your noise levels after 10pm.
Old Business
The bicycle rack is being utilized heavily, and the board will be installing another bike rack to expand our capacity. In order to do this, several of the unused pieces of exercise equipment will be removed. Please contact the board if there are particular pieces of equipment that you use and we will ensure that specific equipment is not removed.
A repeat-offender to the association for past due payments on homeowners dues has paid up. This has resulted in $6,411 boost to our budget. These funds arrived at the last minute and were not included in the monthly treasurers report.
New Business
The Ambassador II and Ambassador I have changed the way utility bills are paid. Primary ownership of the bills will belong to Ambassador I , and the Ambassador II homeowners association will reimburse Ambassador I for all bills paid.
A homeowner (different from above homeowner in the old business section) has been sent to collections for past due homeowners dues. The homeowner currently owes approximately $6,300.
There has been an increase in graffiti in and around the building. Please call the Seattle Police when you see graffiti or people loitering around the building. Their number is (206) 684-7587. The volume of calls helps shape their patrol routes. With the recent rash of crime in our area, we would like to see an increase in police presence.
The garbage and recycling area has been starting to become unsanitary. The board will be engaging our maintenance vendor to power wash the garbage area and rectify the problem.
The board is investigating pricing on carpet cleaners. By having a regular maintenance contractor who can operate the machine, we hope to keep the carpets in better shape so the building looks nicer. We then don’t have to replace the carpets before their time.
Yet again, the board is extremely unhappy with the cleaning services provided by our current cleaning vendor. We are considering alternative means of getting the building cleaned. Due to our poor luck with external cleaning vendors, one of our unit owners has offered their services as an on-site cleaner. This would likely increase the cleanliness of the building without increasing our budgeted costs.