In an effort to make the business of running the Elizabeth Condominium Association more transparent to the Association, the ECA Board held a public meeting where residents were invited to observe the Board at work. Those attending however were not allowed to speak.
The object of this working meeting was to set priorities for action items. One result of this meeting was the form recently slipped under the front doors of ECA units. The form will not only update contact information but also will determine how many of our units are being rented.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Summary of May 17, 2010 Elizabeth Condo Board Meeting
Present at the meeting: Alexandra Kielty, Judi Barth, Charles Bressler, Molly Frantz, Monique Fridell, Seth Levine, Al Muller, Scott Murdoch, Mike Horan, recorder of meeting minutes.
Engineering study: Mendoza Revis has completed the study and will provide a briefing possibly in the June Board meeting. The importance of the study may lead to action on replacing windows and doors as well as new attention to the McQuay heating and cooling units within our apartments.
Lobby Renovation: The work begins June 2 and will be completed by contract agreement on August 6. HBW said it is in their best financial interest to complete the project by that date. Their cost is $623,000. This leaves $250,000 for furniture, fixtures, etc.
Scott Murdoch said a communications board should be set up in the lobby to help keep residents informed about access to various places on the lobby level during the renovation period.
Lobby furniture was sold in an auction. $3051 was collected. Items not sold are being donated to a group that serves homeless and financially challenged families.
Finances: $451,000 of depreciated assets was removed from our accounting records
Capping Rentals: Charles Bressler suggested that the ECA take a serious look at capping the number of rentals in the building to protect the ability to get mortgages here. If I building exceeds 30% with the number of units rented then mortgages will be hard to get. This will require changing the Bylaws. Al Muller suggested that management verify how many units are rented at this time.
Revising Bylaws: Monique Fridell suggested that a comprehensive study of the Bylaws be done so that changes can be brought before owners at the 2011 annual meeting.
Website & Blog: Alexandra Kielty stated it is time to move ahead and look at website option for the Elizabeth. Charles Bressler called for a cease and desist order against Karren Alenier who runs this blog. He wanted her to end the blog because he thinks the name of the blog makes people think this is sanctioned by the Board. None of the Board members agreed with him, pointing out obvious things like First Amendment Rights and how useful the blog is in helping unit owners get information about the Association.
Elections: Molly Frantz suggested that the Board conduct a post mortem on the recent elections.
Emergency Generator: still awaiting permit.
Telephone problems: mentioned but no action to either get a better system or fix what we have.
Pool Management & Maintenance Contract: Some dissatisfaction but not enough to provoke changing the company because it is very hard to get any contract to service our needs.
Landscaping: No activity. However cracks were noted in the large planter on the right side if you face the building. Management was directed to look at the restoration warranty.
Microphones: Charles Bressler asked for purchase of better microphones. The Board members said the renovation will include in ceiling speakers and we need to get wireless mics. No action until after the renovation.
Community News: Whole Food opens May 18, 2010 on Willard Avenue close to Wisconsin.
Engineering study: Mendoza Revis has completed the study and will provide a briefing possibly in the June Board meeting. The importance of the study may lead to action on replacing windows and doors as well as new attention to the McQuay heating and cooling units within our apartments.
Lobby Renovation: The work begins June 2 and will be completed by contract agreement on August 6. HBW said it is in their best financial interest to complete the project by that date. Their cost is $623,000. This leaves $250,000 for furniture, fixtures, etc.
Scott Murdoch said a communications board should be set up in the lobby to help keep residents informed about access to various places on the lobby level during the renovation period.
Lobby furniture was sold in an auction. $3051 was collected. Items not sold are being donated to a group that serves homeless and financially challenged families.
Finances: $451,000 of depreciated assets was removed from our accounting records
Capping Rentals: Charles Bressler suggested that the ECA take a serious look at capping the number of rentals in the building to protect the ability to get mortgages here. If I building exceeds 30% with the number of units rented then mortgages will be hard to get. This will require changing the Bylaws. Al Muller suggested that management verify how many units are rented at this time.
Revising Bylaws: Monique Fridell suggested that a comprehensive study of the Bylaws be done so that changes can be brought before owners at the 2011 annual meeting.
Website & Blog: Alexandra Kielty stated it is time to move ahead and look at website option for the Elizabeth. Charles Bressler called for a cease and desist order against Karren Alenier who runs this blog. He wanted her to end the blog because he thinks the name of the blog makes people think this is sanctioned by the Board. None of the Board members agreed with him, pointing out obvious things like First Amendment Rights and how useful the blog is in helping unit owners get information about the Association.
Elections: Molly Frantz suggested that the Board conduct a post mortem on the recent elections.
Emergency Generator: still awaiting permit.
Telephone problems: mentioned but no action to either get a better system or fix what we have.
Pool Management & Maintenance Contract: Some dissatisfaction but not enough to provoke changing the company because it is very hard to get any contract to service our needs.
Landscaping: No activity. However cracks were noted in the large planter on the right side if you face the building. Management was directed to look at the restoration warranty.
Microphones: Charles Bressler asked for purchase of better microphones. The Board members said the renovation will include in ceiling speakers and we need to get wireless mics. No action until after the renovation.
Community News: Whole Food opens May 18, 2010 on Willard Avenue close to Wisconsin.
ECA Voting Statistics
Jim Jones has created a series of graphs to show Board Candidate election results for 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Unfortunately this blog doesn't have a large enough capacity to display the graphs. You might want to contact him at jonesjcz@prodigy.net and ask him for his PDF files. You can also use the following links but be sure to use the drop down menu at the bottom of the black screen to bring up the first chart. (It says "slideshow" and you need "scroll.") The second chart is accessed from a navigation button at the bottom of the screen in the middle section.
Analysis of 2010 Elizabeth BOD Results: http://www.scribd.com/doc/31746655/2010-Board-Election-Results-Analysis?secret_password=1xey7l94kpp198kjukmi
Analysis of 2009 Elizabeth BOD Results: http://www.scribd.com/doc/31746653/2009-Board-Election-Results-Analysis?secret_password=aoew3cy54gkwqtwhxrz
Analysis of 2008 Elizabeth BOD Results:http://www.scribd.com/doc/31746651/2008-Board-Election-Results-Analysis?secret_password=20tv2nw1xovtc778nsqa
For example:
In 2010, voters representing 46.52% of the weighted count did not participate in the election. (Unit owners are assigned a voting weight based on the size of their apartment and what floor it is located on as I understand it.)
In 2009, voters representing 33.30% of the weighted count did not participate in the election.
Since 2002 which is where Jim began collecting data, 2009 represents the highest voter turnout and 2010, the lowest.
In order to conduct the annual meeting there must be a quorum of 51% unit owner participation. There was some concern this year that quorum would not be achieved.
Besides showing what percent of the vote each candidate for 2009 & 2010 got, what this information reveals is that there are many unit owners who fail to participate in the governance of the Elizabeth Condominium Association. What is particularly worrisome is how many units in the Elizabeth are owned by investors who have never lived in the building.
Unfortunately this blog doesn't have a large enough capacity to display the graphs. You might want to contact him at jonesjcz@prodigy.net and ask him for his PDF files. You can also use the following links but be sure to use the drop down menu at the bottom of the black screen to bring up the first chart. (It says "slideshow" and you need "scroll.") The second chart is accessed from a navigation button at the bottom of the screen in the middle section.
Analysis of 2010 Elizabeth BOD Results: http://www.scribd.com/doc/31746655/2010-Board-Election-Results-Analysis?secret_password=1xey7l94kpp198kjukmi
Analysis of 2009 Elizabeth BOD Results: http://www.scribd.com/doc/31746653/2009-Board-Election-Results-Analysis?secret_password=aoew3cy54gkwqtwhxrz
Analysis of 2008 Elizabeth BOD Results:http://www.scribd.com/doc/31746651/2008-Board-Election-Results-Analysis?secret_password=20tv2nw1xovtc778nsqa
For example:
In 2010, voters representing 46.52% of the weighted count did not participate in the election. (Unit owners are assigned a voting weight based on the size of their apartment and what floor it is located on as I understand it.)
In 2009, voters representing 33.30% of the weighted count did not participate in the election.
Since 2002 which is where Jim began collecting data, 2009 represents the highest voter turnout and 2010, the lowest.
In order to conduct the annual meeting there must be a quorum of 51% unit owner participation. There was some concern this year that quorum would not be achieved.
Besides showing what percent of the vote each candidate for 2009 & 2010 got, what this information reveals is that there are many unit owners who fail to participate in the governance of the Elizabeth Condominium Association. What is particularly worrisome is how many units in the Elizabeth are owned by investors who have never lived in the building.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Invitation to ECA Furniture Auction
Dear Elizabeth Resident:
In preparation for the renovation of the Lobby level, a live Auction will be held on Sunday, May 16th from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. in the West Lobby. Items will include furniture, art work and other accessories currently in the public spaces of the Lobby level.
• A preview will be held on Saturday from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. and again at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
• Registration will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
• Each bidder must register and have a bid number.
• The auction will begin at 2 p.m. and will run until 4 p.m. or until bids have been offered on all items.
• All items must be paid for, in cash, at the time of the auction and must be removed from the premises by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16th.
This is a great opportunity to purchase furniture and accessories at a reasonable price. Bring your friends and have a fun afternoon. We have an in-house auctioneer ready to get these items sold. All bids will be considered.
All items not sold will be given to “A Wider Circle”, a nonprofit organization providing furniture for homes of families moving out of battered women’s and homeless family shelters.
We look forward to seeing you at the Auction.
In preparation for the renovation of the Lobby level, a live Auction will be held on Sunday, May 16th from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. in the West Lobby. Items will include furniture, art work and other accessories currently in the public spaces of the Lobby level.
• A preview will be held on Saturday from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. and again at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
• Registration will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
• Each bidder must register and have a bid number.
• The auction will begin at 2 p.m. and will run until 4 p.m. or until bids have been offered on all items.
• All items must be paid for, in cash, at the time of the auction and must be removed from the premises by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16th.
This is a great opportunity to purchase furniture and accessories at a reasonable price. Bring your friends and have a fun afternoon. We have an in-house auctioneer ready to get these items sold. All bids will be considered.
All items not sold will be given to “A Wider Circle”, a nonprofit organization providing furniture for homes of families moving out of battered women’s and homeless family shelters.
We look forward to seeing you at the Auction.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Recommendations for ECA Board Candidates
My recommendations for ECA Board Candidates:
JUDI BARTH incumbent ECA Board Member
AL MULLER incumbent ECA Board Member
SETH LEVINE
The annual meeting of the Elizabeth Condominium Association takes place on Wednesday May 5, 2010. Registration begins at 7 pm in the West Lobby. A quorum of 51 percent is needed before the meeting can begin.
Owners need to attend the meeting or take their proxies to the lockbox in the management office no later 5 pm than May 4, 2010.
I am endorsing three of the six candidates running. I invite the other three candidates to address the two major concerns I have:
--Ability to work cooperatively with other ECA Board members to fulfill the fiduciary responsibilities of this Association.
--Priority for attending to failing components at the Elizabeth including windows & doors and McQuay heating/cooling units.
Why I am voting for Barth, Muller, Levine:
Judi Barth’s extensive work on behalf of the ECA speaks for itself. During her tenure as an ECA Board member, she has done more than anyone currently on the Board to improve the quality of life at the Elizabeth and to get us the best services at the best price. This includes landing a contract with a renovations designer who has an impeccable reputation and who has bent over backwards to keep us within our small budget for renovations this year. Besides bringing people together in the building (I have to admit I have met more people in this building in the last 2 years because of Judi’s social committee activities than all the 30 plus years I have lived here), Judi has handled many sensitive tasks that involve money (she has served as the Assistant Treasurer of the Board) and personnel. She supported the change from in-house management to professional management and that has proven to be a notable improvement in the way our building is run as well as many cost-saving opportunities. She has been a team player and often a voice of reason in the monthly board meetings.
Al Muller has done much to improve the way ECA Board meetings are conducted (he suggested making Management summaries available before the public meeting) and has been a good team player who knows Robert’s Rules of Order. He has made security improvements happen throughout the building. He was instrumental in supporting the change from in-house management to professional management. As a member of the Friendship Height Village Council, he has kept us aware of projects and activities in the neighborhood.
Both Judi Barth and Al Muller can be counted on to address problems brought to them from unit owners. They have both worked behind the scenes on many occasions to address issues of concern.
Seth Levine is relatively new in the Association but he is someone who owns an apartment and leases space in the Arcade. He has experience in mediating issues between discordant coworkers. He also works in the area of real estate and understand the issues we are faced with here in our ageing building. I personally think it is time that younger members of the Association be represented on our Board.
I would also like to note that I do not consider Hongbin Liu a serious candidate since she did not provide much information about her qualifications or where she stands on issues facing the building.
JUDI BARTH incumbent ECA Board Member
AL MULLER incumbent ECA Board Member
SETH LEVINE
The annual meeting of the Elizabeth Condominium Association takes place on Wednesday May 5, 2010. Registration begins at 7 pm in the West Lobby. A quorum of 51 percent is needed before the meeting can begin.
Owners need to attend the meeting or take their proxies to the lockbox in the management office no later 5 pm than May 4, 2010.
I am endorsing three of the six candidates running. I invite the other three candidates to address the two major concerns I have:
--Ability to work cooperatively with other ECA Board members to fulfill the fiduciary responsibilities of this Association.
--Priority for attending to failing components at the Elizabeth including windows & doors and McQuay heating/cooling units.
Why I am voting for Barth, Muller, Levine:
Judi Barth’s extensive work on behalf of the ECA speaks for itself. During her tenure as an ECA Board member, she has done more than anyone currently on the Board to improve the quality of life at the Elizabeth and to get us the best services at the best price. This includes landing a contract with a renovations designer who has an impeccable reputation and who has bent over backwards to keep us within our small budget for renovations this year. Besides bringing people together in the building (I have to admit I have met more people in this building in the last 2 years because of Judi’s social committee activities than all the 30 plus years I have lived here), Judi has handled many sensitive tasks that involve money (she has served as the Assistant Treasurer of the Board) and personnel. She supported the change from in-house management to professional management and that has proven to be a notable improvement in the way our building is run as well as many cost-saving opportunities. She has been a team player and often a voice of reason in the monthly board meetings.
Al Muller has done much to improve the way ECA Board meetings are conducted (he suggested making Management summaries available before the public meeting) and has been a good team player who knows Robert’s Rules of Order. He has made security improvements happen throughout the building. He was instrumental in supporting the change from in-house management to professional management. As a member of the Friendship Height Village Council, he has kept us aware of projects and activities in the neighborhood.
Both Judi Barth and Al Muller can be counted on to address problems brought to them from unit owners. They have both worked behind the scenes on many occasions to address issues of concern.
Seth Levine is relatively new in the Association but he is someone who owns an apartment and leases space in the Arcade. He has experience in mediating issues between discordant coworkers. He also works in the area of real estate and understand the issues we are faced with here in our ageing building. I personally think it is time that younger members of the Association be represented on our Board.
I would also like to note that I do not consider Hongbin Liu a serious candidate since she did not provide much information about her qualifications or where she stands on issues facing the building.