Meeting minutes for April 2015 Board Meeting
Monday, April 13, 2015
President: Brien Sherman
Vice President: Venus Chan (absent)
Treasurer: Jay Heath
Secretary: Shaun Ross
Member At Large: Anand Singla (absent)
Association Manager: Jack Taylor
Homeowners Forum
● No homeowners were present at the meeting this month.
Meeting was called to order at 6:38pm. The March 2015 minutes were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report
For period ending March 31, 2015
Bank, Savings and Investment Accounts
Checking: $51,169.05
Washington Federal Replacement / Special Assessment Reserve CD: $369,709.87
Sound Credit Union Savings: $211,260.03
Petty Cash: $100.00
Total Assets: $632,238.95
Committee Reports
● Security Committee: The Board has examined a variety of security proposals including new keys, electronic access control, video surveillance and other enhancements to our building security. We will explore ways to implement upgrades over time so as to pay for any work with only modest long term dues increases. A broad outline of these proposals was included with last months minutes. The Board is still interested in any comments the membership may have. We will certainly discuss this further. Please contact the Board through a temporary email address (ambassador2 at outlook dot com).
Security
● Our security company found a prowler in the Summit garage and ejected him. Also, a resident called SPD when they observed someone prowling the lockers in the Summit garage. He was arrested for criminal trespass. There were two other instances of trespassing in both garages as well as an unauthorized vehicle in the Summit garage that left before it could be towed.
● CONTINUED REMINDER: Packages may still be rifled through or stolen from the lobby and hallways. We advise that everyone pick up their packages as soon as they arrive or have them delivered to your workplace or other address. By the way, Amazon has lockers throughout the city for secure package delivery. One is at Pacific Place.
● Unauthorized people continue to gain access onto the property, into the east building, and in both garages. Please do not allow anyone you don’t know gain entry as you enter onto the property. If someone is squeezing in behind you, introduce yourself and see if they truly live in the building. This will build community within the association. It’s always good to know one’s neighbors.
● The storage lockers continue to be a favored target for thieves. No reports of actual locker breakins in March, but as noted above one person was arrested for trying. Please don’t store any item in the lockers that you are unwilling to lose.
● CONTINUED REMINDER TO ALL RESIDENTS: Please wait for the garage gate to close completely before proceeding away from the building or to your parking space. It takes less than a minute for the gate to close.Homeowners with renters, please discuss this security issue with your tenants. It’s their security too. This is the most logical way that transients gain access to the property.
Rules
● While in the common areas, dogs should be leashed at all times. Please also pickup after your dog and consider using a Citronella collar to curb barking.
● A reminder that the City of Seattle now requires food and yard waste recycling, which includes houseplant trimmings. The green compost bin in located inside the alley fence at the north stairwell landing of the east building. Food waste, pizza boxes, napkins, paper plates, shredded paper and plant material must be composted. NO PLASTIC OR GLASS IS ALLOWED IN THE FOOD WASTE COMPOST BIN. We are happy to see significantly increased use of the compost container. Shredded paper should now be dumped, loose, in the food and yard waste container rather than in recycling.
Old Business
● Please make sure Property Concepts has a valid phone number and email address for you and/or your tenant. This contact information is necessary for emergencies.
● A minor leak from a water heater happened in March that caused damage to the unit below. All water damage of this type is the responsibility of the unit with leaking/damaged water heater and/or plastic valve failure. Equipment past the warranty expiration is strongly suggested to be replaced. It’s less expensive to replace old equipment preemptively than pay damage reparations. Most water heaters have 6 year warranties.
● A second noise complaint was sent to one unit for excessive exercise type activity. Please take your gymnastics or aerobics outside or to the exercise room. These kinds of activities transfer noises to surrounding units. Please be a considerate neighbor. We’re all living here together in close proximity of one another.
● Update:The new alley garage gate will be installed in late April or early May. Notices will be posted when we have a firm date.
● Spring window and dryer vent cleaning was completed on April 2nd & 3rd.
New Business
● The Board and our painting contractor are considering repainting the hallways of the east building with a lighter, but similar color. Some of the floors are looking increasingly mottled despite frequent touch ups.
● The Board is researching options to replace the courtyard lamps. A member met onsite with a representative from Pacific Lamp. An estimate will be sent to the Board for review with three options: 1) use current poles with new downward lighting tops, 2) replace poles with contemporary versions with down lights, 3) replace poles with 2’ to 4’ bollards with down lighting. The goal is to eliminate as much light pollution as possible in the courtyard and put the light at ground level where it is needed.
● We’re experimenting with an LED bulb replacement for the garage light fixtures. We’re disappointed with the light output with the one bulb we’re testing. Pacific Lamp is also providing options for garage fixture replacements and is looking into grants from the city to help with paying for replacements. We may be able to combine the garage light fixture replacement with the courtyard upgrades to save the association money. These upgrades would be covered by current Replacement Reserve funds.
● Pressure washing of the courtyard and walkways has been scheduled for June 11th.
Meeting adjourned: 7:14pm.
Next Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 11, 2015 at 6:30pm in Unit E108.
Ambassador II Condominium Homeowners Association:
506 E Howell St, Seattle, WA 98122