Highlighted in the September meeting of the Elizabeth Condo Board were these points: locks on apartment front doors are failing frequently now due to age and need to be replaced to avoid getting locked in or out of the apartments; Legum & Norman (L&N) are continuing to help the Elizabeth realize cost savings and other efficiencies.
Present at the meeting besides all the Board members were the following Legum & Norman representatives:
John Algner, Senior Community Manager (assigned to the Elizabeth and other buildings in Friendship Heights)
Mike Horan, Site Manager
Cost Saving Measures:
L&N site manager Mike Horan is looking into consolidating at a cost-savings two separate contracts for care of employee uniforms.
The Elizabeth qualifies for an $11,000 rebate on replacing garage lighting with more energy-efficient fixtures. Derick Lighting, which bid $39,000 (lowest of several bids) to install new cost-saving lighting in the garage, was sure we qualified and therefore lowered the contract price to $28,000 based on the assumed rebate. The payback of this expenditure ($28,000) is anticipated within 2-3 years. Mike Horan said the wattage dramatically drops but the light will be the same or brighter with the new technology lighting.
Contracts:
With regard to major contracts, L&N has approved our contracting procedure and has provided us with an addendum to protect us better in terms of liability.
We are starting several major contracts. One involves evaluation of replacement of horizontal piping in the lobby.
AD Heath Company is looking to see if the packing around the ducts contains asbestos.
We have a contract for façade improvements at the 14th and 15th tiers which is beginning at the end of this month and will continue through November.
We have a contract for the emergency generator work. At the time of the Board meeting, L&N was meeting with contractor engineers about this.
Committee Structure:
Board is looking at expanding the committee structure to take advantage of talent and expertise in the building.
Security:
Dr. Muller and Mike Horan spoke about the analysis of the security cameras and recording system. The recording system is old and time-consuming to use. This will be replaced. Also we will try one or two digital cameras and evaluate their clarity and efficiency before proceeding further.
Committee Reports & Housekeeping:
Judi Barth reported on the renovation. Work has begun by the designer, and the Refurbishment Committee will meet with her on September 22. We may have sample boards in a week or so.
Tobi Esler reported on the work of the Pet Committee. They met twice and will report their recommendations at the next meeting. New registration forms will be issued to all pet owners.
Tobi Esler reported on the Floor Reps on behalf of Stephanie Olshan. She has met with Mike Horan about providing new residents with Welcome Packets. Additionally, the Floor Reps are suggesting bi-lingual signs (English-Spanish) for the trash rooms since the signs in English don't get the desired results. Mike Horan agreed to look into such signage.
Mention was made about the condition of the trash rooms. Residents were reminded NOT to load up the trash rooms on weekends when staff is short.
There was a discussion about the pool plants that are in bad condition. The decision was made to try to locate the residents who own the plants, and ask that they remove their plants. Otherwise, all plants will be removed by Elizabeth staff.
Charles Bressler said that he met with a landscape designer from Merrifield Gardens, Tom Wallerich, who prepared a new design plan for the front of the building, the West Terrace, and the back of the building. Tom Wallerich gave an overview of the plan to the Board and attendees at the meeting and answered questions. He said that in designing this plan, he tried to keep as much of the current plantings as he could, and suggested removing those that were not salvageable. Charles emphasized that the plan could be installed in several phases. Phase I, the front section of the building, would cost about $16,000. The West Terrace would cost about $14,000, and the back portion off the party room terrace would cost about $8,000. Mike Horan has copies of the plan and will post it in the lobby.
Mike Horan and Jim Jones spoke about a problem with the locks on the front doors of the apartments. The brass hardware and parts are no longer available. These locks have, in some instances, failed. The result is that residents have either been locked in their apartment or locked out. This is dangerous, particularly in case of fire. Mike Horan suggested that residents get a deadbolt lock installed and use it instead of the original door lock, in other words, leaving the original door lock unlocked at all times. Mike is getting quotes for: (1) disabling the front door locks; and (2) installing brass deadbolt locks. He will make that information available to residents.
Sharon Bobb suggested that we also look into replacing the original toilets, as they have outlived their useful life, and they spontaneously break, creating floods that damage more than one apartment with each such event. Such spontaneous breaks have occurred with enough frequency to suggest that all older toilets be replaced to avoid any further flooding. She asked that Mike Horan look into getting bulk prices for toilet replacement, and offer this to the residents. Sharon suggested getting quotes from Ferguson Plumbing, and offered to share information with Mike about this.
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