2017 Annual Homeowner Meeting Minutes
2017 Annual H.O.A. Meeting Minutes
https://ambassador2.com
Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.
Board Members in attendance:
Brien Sherman (President),
Jay Heath (treasurer),
Shaun Ross (Secretary)
Introduction and Sign-in:
● A quorum was met with the number of persons present and proxies received equaling 22.
● The proof of meeting notice was provided to all attendees.
● The IRS resolution 70 -604 was read aloud by the Treasurer as per federal law.
● The membership approved the 2016 annual meeting minutes as written.
Financial Report:
● Budget: Highlights of the previous fiscal year’s expenses we presented by the Treasurer. He also presented the 2017 /2018 annual budget for approval by the membership. A dues increase of 4.5% over the previous year was suggested. A total of 6 line items we reduced while 10 increased.
○ The present membership voted to approve the 2017/2018 annual budget as written.
● Explanation: For the continued increases to our reserves, the Treasurer provided explanations. We had more unexpected reserve withdrawals due of uninsured losses caused mainly by water damage from failed plumbing fixtures and appliances. The Reserve Study suggests we increase the amount of maintenance expected to occur in the next few years.
Old Business:
● Water Supply Valves & Hoses: If the water valves to your sinks, toilet(s), washing machine, and dishwasher are gray plastic, they are original equipment and NEED to be replaced as soon as possible. These gray plastic valves have failed without notice, causing considerable damage. We also urge everyone to check and change washing machine hoses every 5 years; braided hoses are more flexible.
● Toilets: Please consider replacing your toilet(s) with newer more efficient models. This will save us all on our water bill. Also the Board strongly urges toilet replacement as several instances of spontaneous tank cracks over the years have been reported. If your toilet says “CRANE,” it’s likely original equipment.
● Water heaters: Please replace water heaters by the time the manufacturer’s warranty period ends. Equipment past its warranty period may fail without warning, causing significant water damage to your unit as well as neighboring units.
● Recycling: Our recycling containers are picked up twice a week (TUE & FRI). Residents, please pay attention to what can and cannot be recycled. For a quick reference, notices are posted near the dumpsters. In addition, please check the City of Seattle website for the latest updates. If we lose our recycling containers or fines are imposed, our garbage bill will rise considerably.
● Smoke Detectors: If your smoke detector doesn’t have a battery backup, it is well past its expected service life. According to USFA/FEMA, smoke detectors are recommended to be replaced every 10-years. Also remember that carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are now required by State law. Rental units must be equipped immediately with CO detectors. Whereas, resident owners are required to install CO detectors as a condition of sale.
● Janitorial: Twilight Cleaning continues to service the property, and we’re very happy with their service.
● Barking Dogs: Frustration remains with fellow residents about this issue. The first step to resolving a barking dog issue is to please contact the owner of the dog to work on resolving the situation between each party. If this doesn’t work, please contact the Board with a log of times and dates of the continued barking along with the unit number. Unfortunately, the Ambassador II Board has no jurisdiction over Ambassador I residents.
● Remodeling: Please reference the Rules & Regulations regarding remodeling of units. The inside of each unit is the domain of each owner and each may pretty much do what they like to the space as long as it does not affect other units, common areas, or the building exterior. It would also be nice to meet your neighbors to discuss the remodeling noise and to give them a heads-up. Please be a good, courteous and respectful neighbor.
Nomination & Election of Directors:
● We have two new Members of the Board; Jeanne Perrin and Kenneth Long. Welcome to the Board! The two open positions have a 3-year term, however. One of these positions will complete 2-years left by the departing board member. Board positions will be discussed at the next monthly meeting in August.
New Business:
● Garbage: Cleanscapes picks up or garbage twice a week (MON & FRI). Please be sure all garbage is completely in the dumpsters; no trash on the floor.
● Yard Waste: The yard waste container is picked up once a week (SUN).
● Lighting: The emergency lights in the east building and garages are being replaced as we receive the fixtures. These new units have a longer battery life and LED bulbs.
● Roof Repairs: Roof repairs (both buildings) are complete.
Homeowners Discussion:
● Exterior Repair: The stucco on both buildings has been inspected and repairs are suggested. The first section on the list will most likely be the east side of the x04 stack. At this time, we don’t have a timeline for when the repairs will begin.
● Security: A member inquired about a tent being set-up in the garage. Our security service notice the tent as well. It has since disappeared. Discussion about a local transient was brought to the memberships attention. This transient has been quietly residing on the Summit Ave steps outside Ambassador I.
Meeting adjourned at 7:43pm.
Next annual meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Meeting minutes for July 2017 Board Minutes
https://ambassador2.com
● No home-owners were present at the meeting this month. Meeting was called to order at 6:34pm. The May 2017 minutes were approved as written; no June 2017 minutes, as a quorum had not been met.
Things to Always Remember
● CONTINUED REMINDER TO ALL RESIDENTS: Before proceeding to your parking space or away from the building, please wait for the Summit Ave garage gate to close completely (Rule 3.17).
● WATER SHUT-OFF VALVE: There is a water shut-off valve located above the water heater in every unit. This valve will shut water off to your whole unit and not the building.
● PARKING IN GARAGE: The dentist office spaces are not to be used after hours for guest parking. There is no guest parking in either garage. All parking spaces are assigned. Unauthorized vehicles may be towed without warning at owner’s risk and expense. Non-resident owners, please advise your tenants.
● REGULAR INSPECTIONS: Owners not residing in their unit are encouraged to inspect their unit on a regular basis. Non-resident owners who live out of the area are required by statute to have a local representative to protect their interests.
Treasurer’s Reports
● For period ending May 31, 2017. Bank, Savings and Investment Accounts
Checking: $21,303.41
Washington Federal Replacement / Special Assessment Reserve: $292,907.18
Sound Credit Union Savings: $127,481.29
Umpqua Bank 17-month CD: $238,246.52
Petty Cash: $100.00
Total Assets: $680,038.40
● For period ending June 30, 2017. Bank, Savings and Investment Accounts
Checking: $25,662.47
Washington Federal Replacement / Special Assessment Reserve: $299,777.23
Sound Credit Union Savings: $127,481.29
Umpqua Bank 17-month CD: $238,246.52
Petty Cash: $100.00
Total Assets: $691,267.51
Committee Reports
● At this time, there’s no new information on the residential/commercial structure (#3024635) planned for the east side of the alley. The Redwood Bar is still scheduled to close in November of this year.
Security
● Our security service has found multiple loiterers on the property in the last couple of months. Of course, they’ve asked them to move along. Most of these incidents have been in the night-time hours.
● Residential garage burglaries continue to occur. No report of locker or vehicle burglary in May or June had been sent to the Board. We strongly advise residents to never leave anything in lockers or vehiclesthat one does not wish to lose. Leaving valuables or even non-valuables in plain sight is an invitation for thieves. Non-resident owners, please discuss this continued security issue with your tenants.
Rules
● Recycling reminders : Our rules are identical to the City’s recycling rules. See the City of Seattle’s website for what is recyclable. The insulation or ice packs that come with prepared meal kits are not recyclable.Please place the insulation or ice packs in the garbage bins. Cardboard boxes should be collapsed so that there is room for all 115 units worth of recycling. Flat boxes take up a fraction of the space.
Old Business
● The roof contractor was here the second week of May to repair sections of roof on the east and west buildings.
● Pressure washing of the courtyard, front stairs, and ramp was completed in early June.
New Business.
● We’ve renewed our domain hosting.
● In regards to the upcoming state wide 10-digit phone number dialing, our phone systems were updated years ago to comply with the soon to be mandatory 10-digit dialing.
● A contractor has inspected the stucco on both buildings and sent a report to the Board. We’re in the process of reviewing their findings and will create a plan to maintain the stucco areas of the buildings. This project will be funded through our reserves, as we’ve been planning for this.
● Volunteers are needed to fill two empty positions on the Board. Meetings are scheduled the second Monday of each month. Please consider becoming a board member.
● Some water damage has been detected in the x09 stack. We’re having it inspected shortly to see if it’s an ongoing issue or from a previously repaired leak.
● The annual HOA meeting is Wednesday, July 12th. The annual minutes will be mailed separately.
Meeting adjourned at 7:09pm.
Next Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 14, 2017 at 6:30pm in Unit E108.
Ambassador II Condominium Homeowners Association:
506 E Howell St, Seattle, WA 98122 (not our mailing address)