Meeting minutes for May 2015 Board Meeting
Monday, May 11, 2015
President: Brien Sherman
Vice President: Venus Chan (absent)
Treasurer: Jay Heath
Secretary: Shaun Ross
Member At Large: Anand Singla
Association Manager: Jack Taylor
Homeowners Forum
● One homeowner was present at the meeting this month.
Meeting was called to order at 6:31pm. The April 2015 minutes were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Reports
For period ending April 30, 2015.
Bank, Savings and Investment Accounts
Checking: $41,815.77
Washington Federal Replacement / Special Assessment Reserve CD: $375,204.03
Sound Credit Union Savings: $211,286.07
Petty Cash: $100.00
Total Assets: $628,405.87
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 the March minutes. The Board is still interested in any comments the membership may have. We continue to discuss this further. Please contact the Board through a temporary email address (ambassador2 at outlook dot com) with any comments.
Security
● CONTINUED REMINDER: Although reported problems have diminished, 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.
● We are seeing increased levels of unauthorized people attempting or succeeding in gaining 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 or exit the property. If someone is squeezing in behind you, introduce yourself and see if they truly live in the building. This will build community. It’s always good to know one’s neighbors.
● Thieves continue to target the storage lockers when they gain access to the garage. No reports of actual locker breakins were reported in April. Please don’t store any item in the lockers that you are unwilling to lose. SPD reports car prowls are on the increase. Leaving valuables in sight is an invitation for vehicle breakins.
● 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. It has been reported that a few people have snuck into the garage. A couple residents have confronted the trespassers and asked them to leave.
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 requires we recycle our food and yard waste. The green compost bins (there are now two) are located between Ambassador I & II inside the alley fence on 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. Our pickup date has changed from Thursday to Sunday, so you may find the container(s) outside the garbage room on weekends. Ambassador I is attempting to get the date changed back to a weekday.
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.
● The Board has received two quotes from Pacific Lamp with options to replace the courtyard lamps. The Board will review and discuss two of the three options. Option 1 below was not quoted. Here are the three options we’re considering: 1) use current poles with new downward directional lighting tops, 2) replace poles with contemporary versions, also 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 with the light aimed downward. Pacific Lamp has included a proposal to replace the 25 garage light fixtures.
New Business
● The new alley garage door has been installed and is working wonderfully.
● The Board approved our 2015-2016 Operating Budget. The final vote to implement this new budget will be at the Association’s annual meeting of homeowners in August. A 2.5% increase over last year covers increased utilities, maintenance costs and an increase in security funds to help pay for upgrades.
● Pressure washing of the courtyard and walkways is scheduled for Thursday, June 11th.
● Dave Tree Service will be coming out in the coming weeks to inspect and possibly remove an alley tree as well as trim some of the Howell St trees.
Meeting adjourned: 6:52pm.
Next Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 8, 2015 at 6:30pm in Unit E108.
Ambassador II Condominium Homeowners Association:
506 E Howell St, Seattle, WA 98122