Ambassador II Condominiums

Ambassador II Condominium Association
2019 Annual H.O.A. Meeting Minutes
https://ambassador2.com

Meeting was called to order at 7:05pm on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
Board Members in attendance:
Brien Sherman (President), Kenny Long ( Vice President), Jay Heath (Treasurer), Shaun Ross (Secretary), & Jeanne Perrin (Member at large)

Introduction and Sign-in:
● A quorum was met with the number of persons present and proxies received equaling 21.
● The proof of meeting notice was provided to all attendees.
● The IRS resolution 70 -604 was read aloud by the Treasurer per federal law.
● The membership approved the 2018 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 2019 /2020 annual budget for approval by the membership. A dues increase of 3.5% over the previous year was presented.
● Explanation: Increases in earthquake insurance, fire system monitoring and regulation expenses were the primary causes for the increase.
● The attending membership voted to approve the 2019/2020 annual budget as presented.
● Per a newly enacted regulation we are required to provide the following information- As of the 2019/2020 budget approved at the Annual Homeowner Meeting, we are saving $8142 per month in
reserves plus an additional $1250 per month to pay back the loan mentioned above. Our Reserve Study consultant recommends saving a minimum of $8100 per month and a maximum of $8740 per month to fully fund our reserves to cover the highest repair estimates our Reserve Study predicts. The most recent study spans the period between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. A new study is pending completion and will be posted to our website when available.

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 durable.
● Toilets: Please consider replacing your toilet(s) with newer more efficient models. The Board strongly urges toilet replacement as several instances of spontaneous tank cracks over the years had 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. Units past its warranty period may fail without warning, causing significant water damage to your unit and neighboring units.
● Recycling: Please be cognizant of what you put in the recycling bins. City of Seattle sends out mailings of what is accepted. These are also posted next to the containers. Just because it has a recycling symbol on it doesn’t necessarily mean it is accepted. Wishful recycling is not acceptable. When in doubt, throw it out. No cloth or clothing of any kind. No styrofoam, appliances, furniture, or electronics. The City’s recycling rules are our rules!
● 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 required by State law. Rental units must be equipped with CO detectors prior to lease. Resident owners are required to install CO detectors as a condition of sale.
● East Building hallways, West Building walkways, and a few garage and exterior fixtures were replaced with LED versions in summer 2018. We were able to take advantage of some City Light rebates to cover some of the
cost.

Nomination & Election of Directors:
● Shaun has been re-elected for another 3 year term. Board positions will be discussed at the next monthly meeting in August.

New Business:
● Exterior Repair: The first section still on the list is the east side of the x04 stack. We have a bid to complete the work. Unfortunately, we’re having issues with scheduling a start date with the vendor.
● Tub Overflows : We have observed a number of issues where the gasket in the tub overflow dries out and water leaks into the units below. This usually happens when a tub is filled high. Please be cognizant of this and off
site owners please mention this to your tenants. It would be advisable to check and replace this gasket.
● Fitness Room: How to improve the Fitness Room was discussed. From the committee chairpersons research, there is interest in adding a cardio equipment, a fitness cycle, rowing machine, repairing the heaters,
securing the weight machine to the floor, remove old donated equipment, and possibly adding more bike storage. The attendees and the Board agreed to not make any decisions at the meeting. Instead, we agreed to see what it
would cost to add equipment and estimate the long term energy and maintenance costs before implementing any updates/changes.
● Replacement of the carpeting in the East Building had been intended to be completed in late 2018, however, the project was not completed due to no vendor willing to bid on the project. With a vendor now available, we
intend to replace the carpet this autumn. Carpet samples were presented. A majority of the attending membership would like to see more of a contemporary design/colors in the selections.
● The 600 E Howell project was discussed. We discussed security cameras and building design.

Homeowners Discussion:
● Security with residents allowing unknown persons access to the property was discussed. Ideas of how to help inform tenants ranged from making sure the Rules & Regulations being added to a renters signing packet to
encouraging people to get to know fellow residents. Hopefully, these possible solutions would help solve this on going concern.
● A homeowner inquired about people who seem to be renting parking spaces in the garage and don’t live in either association. The practice of renting spaces to persons outside the building is not permitted (Rules &
Regulations 4.7).
● Discussion about stolen packages. Ongoing issue, especially with packages left more than a day or two. Concerns with how to report thefts was discussed.

Meeting adjourned at 8:18 pm.
Next annual meeting is tentatively scheduled at 7pm on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 in the Fitness Room.

Ambassador II Condominium Board Minutes
https://ambassador2.com

Meeting was called to order at 6:38pm. The June 2019 minutes were approved as written.

Monday, July 8, 2019
President: Brien Sherman Vice President: Kenny Long (absent) Secretary: Shaun Ross Treasurer: Jay Heath Member At Large: Jeanne Perrin Association Manager: Jack Taylor

Homeowners Forum
● No homeowner attended the meeting this month.

Treasurer’s Reports
● For period ending June 30, 2019
Checking: $42,397.60
Washington Federal Replacement / Special Assessment Reserve: $367,019.01
Sound Credit Union Savings: $227,670.19
Umpqua Bank 17-month CD: $240,457.98
Petty Cash: $100.00
Total Assets: $877,644.78

Old Business
● The 3rd floor repainting is underway. Trim is done. The elevator lobby and the short hall will be painted this month. Wall and trim colors will essentially be the same; doors will not be repainted.
● A contractor has been located to refurbish the -04 stack’s east exterior wall. We’re unable to locate a 2nd bidder, so we’re moving forward with the 1st bid. At this time, no update as to when the project will begin.
● The annual HOA meeting was Wednesday, July 10, 2019 in the Fitness / Bike Storage Room.
● Please curb barking dogs, loud music, and televisions when windows are open.
● When in public areas on the property, please be considerate of your conversation volume especially in the courtyard. Sounds echo off the pavement and surrounding buildings.
● If an owner is planning to remodel or make substantial construction noise, it is courteous to notify all surrounding units and restrict work hours to when the units are mostly unoccupied, weekdays usually. All work should be done within the unit boundaries. An owner or contractor wishing to use common area space for storage or work space shall inform the Board, which will render a decision.

New Business
● The 2019-2020 budget was approved by the membership at the annual meeting with an increase of 3.5%.
● Reserve Study has been completed. We’re now waiting for it to be published for our review.
● Please be kind and courteous to one another. It doesn’t matter whether you are an owner or a tenant. We are a community of residents. Please smile and greet your fellow residents when you see one another on
or off the property. It’s the neighborly thing to do.
● Most of the reported leaks have been repaired, however. There is one unit waiting for interior repairs.
● Pressure washing of the courtyard is now looking to happen later this summer.
● The Board discussed carpet options and will have a design scheme and samples available for view at the Annual Meeting. We’re looking to schedule the carpet replacement this autumn.

Committee Reports
● The 600 E Howell project continues. They’re working on the 3rd floor. Please see ‘Seattle in Progress’ for design details and scope of the project: https://www.seattleinprogress.com/project/3024635/page1/
● The Fitness Room Committee continues to work on ideas for improving the space. A number of residents would like to see a cardio machine, the room heated during the winter, and a rowing machine. This topic was discussed at our Annual Homeowner Meeting.

Security
● A locker break-in with items being stolen was reported to the Board. Please don’t store valuables in the lockers, as they are easily accessible to thieves entering the garage through unattended open doors.
● Continued burglaries of residential garages. Non-resident owners, please discuss this continued security issue with tenants. No reported vehicle break-ins last month.
● June saw a number of packages opened with contents removed. Please pick-up your packages as soon as they arrive or schedule them to be delivered to a different location.

Rules
● Recycling reminders : Our recycling rules are identical to the City of Seattle’s. IF A NORMALLY RECYCLABLE ITEM LIKE A PAPER BAG OR A PLASTIC CONTAINER IS SOILED WITH FOOD OR LIQUIDS, IT’S NOW CONTAMINATED AND NOT RECYCLABLE. Please place in the trash bins.
● Personal items may not be stored in common areas. These items may be disposed of without notice and at the unit owners expense.

Things to Always Remember
● OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION: Please keep Property Concepts updated with your latest mailing address, phone(s) and email. We recommend using non-work related email and phone number.
● WATER SHUT-OFF VALVE: Every unit has a water shut-off valve located above the water heater. This valve will shut water off to your entire unit without affecting the whole building.
● COMMUNICATIONS: Recent changes to condominium law (RCW 64.38.035(e) et.al) now permits electronic delivery of Association communications. If you type OPT IN AMBASSADOR II in the subject
line and include your name and unit number in the email body, you will not receive paper copies. The Board Minutes are posted monthly on our website. All other mailings will be sent via first class USPS mail.
● GARAGE SECURITY: It is our individual responsibility to secure the building for all. Before proceeding away from the building or to your parking space, please wait for the Summit Ave garage gate to close
completely (Rule 3.17). Do not leave garage remotes in vehicles (Rule 4.10). When a vehicle break-in occurs, thieves typically take the remote, as it’ll be much easier for them to re-enter the garage for additional burglarizing. We strongly advise residents to never leave anything in vehicles or lockers that
one does not wish to lose.
● PARKING IN GARAGE: The dentist office parking spaces are not to be used after hours for guest parking. There is no guest parking in either garage, as all spaces are assigned. Unauthorized vehicles may be towed without warning at owner’s risk and expense. Non-resident owners, please advise tenants of this continued parking issue. The dentist office has provided us a list of vehicles to tow on sight, no warning. These vehicles often park overnight and on weekdays.
● REGULAR UNIT INSPECTIONS: Owners not residing in their unit are strongly encouraged to inspect their unit on a regular basis, as tenants tend to not report damage. Non-resident owners living out of the area are required by statute RCW 59.18.060(15) to have a local representative to protect their interests.

Meeting adjourned at 7:12pm.
Next Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 12th, 2019 at 6:30pm in unit E-108.
The annual HOA meeting was held on July 10, 2019 in the Fitness Room.
Ambassador II Condominium Homeowners Association:
506 E Howell St, Seattle, WA 98122 (not our mailing address)