THE ELIZABETH CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION
4601 North Park Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting May 30, 2012
Board Present:
Ted Ariev President
David Robinson...............Vice-President
Herman
Stekler .............Asst. Treasurer
Ilo-Mai Harding................Secretary
Steven Schattman ............Director
Absent:
Charles Bressler Director...................
Others Present:
Jason Fisher Counsel, Lerch, Early & Brewer
Bill
Perry Regional
Director, Legum & Norman
Gregory Roby ............ Senior Community Manager, Legum & Norman
James M. Santos .........ECA General Manager, Legum & Norman
Jana Bowcut ...............ECA Recording Secretary, On the Record
On April 30 and May
2, 2012, in accordance with Section 11.109.1 of the Maryland Condominium Act,
the Board met in executive session.
Call to Order: Mr.
Ariev called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Approval of Meeting Minutes:
MOTION Mr. Stekler moved, Mr. McNerney seconded to
approve the April 30, 2012 regular meeting minutes, with one change to the
second paragraph on page 4, so that the contract termination date reads “June
30”. The motion passed unanimously (6-0-0).
President’s Report: Mr.
Ariev reported that on May 2, 2012, ECA members elected a new Board, and
positions were decided on in executive session. The two by-law amendments that
were brought before the membership were tabled for up to six months. The Board has already worked to implement
changes. Management will sit with the
Board at the table during meetings, and the agendas will be posted in the
elevators and at the front desk one week before the meeting. The Treasurer’s report will also be available
at the front desk after the agenda is posted. Regarding action items discussed at Board
meetings, if a motion is put forth and seconded that concerns an expenditure
exceeding $5,000, residents will be encouraged to comment up to two minutes on that
issue.
Treasurer’s Report: Mr.
McNerney provided the report. Copies of
the report, together with balance sheet and statement of income and expenses as
of April 30 are available at the front desk.
Management Report: Mr. Roby announced that he has recently
accepted a position that increases his responsibilities at Legum and Norman. He
will remain active at The Elizabeth, and Bill Perry, a regional director at
Legum and Norman, will now assist Mr. Roby with community manager duties.
Mr. Ariev stated
that he will continue to direct the maintenance, repair and replacement
program. Contractors have almost finished required work. The canopies, swimming pool, management
office, and fitness area have been inspected. Information will be compiled into one comprehensive
report by the third week of June. Special informational meetings will be held
in July for ECA members.
Mr. Roby
highlighted the operations budget for the month of April, and reminded
residents that in a $4,000,000 budget, the figures are satisfactory.
Mr. Santos
reported that the delinquencies for the in-unit maintenance program have been
cut in half, and credited the efforts of Wanda Powell.
Mr. Santos presented
a proposal, scope of work, and cost estimates from Stovall, Smith and Neiman,
for the refurbishment of the management office, fitness area, swimming pool,
and canopies.
MOTION Ms. Harding moved, Dr. Robinson seconded to
approve the proposal from Stovall, Smith and Neiman for $4,405. The motion passed unanimously (6-0-0).
MOTION Mr. McNerney moved, Ms. Harding seconded to
approve withdrawal of the action to remove party room fees, as discussed in the
April 30, 2012 board meeting. The motion passed unanimously (6-0-0).
Mr. Santos
recommended instituting a debit card controlled by management, with a $1,000
limit, for minor running expenses. This will come out of the operations fund
and be replenished in $500 increments. The card will be issued to Jim Santos
and Wanda Powell.
MOTION Ms. Harding moved, Mr. Stekler seconded to
approve the debit card. The motion
passed unanimously (6-0-0).
Mr. Santos
stated that there have been many issues with the operation of the elevators,
but he is working with the company on a daily basis to get all issues resolved.
Committee reports:
Mr. Ariev stated
that he has asked all committees to prepare charters that include funding
requirements.
A major lobbying
effort will be needed to educate and talk to residents to get the by-law
amendments passed. Charles Bressler has
agreed to take the lead.
Renovation Committee: The appointment of a committee is currently on
hold. Renovation of the corridors will
be rolled into the overall refurbishment program.
Social Committee: The
Board is looking for people who are interested in working on the committee.
Library
Committee: The committee is in need of children’s books,
and needs donations.
Newsletter
Committee: Questions/suggestions should be placed in the
management box in the business center.
Energy
Committee: Energy saving equipment can be installed in
all condominiums, free of charge, by a company called Eco Becco. Residents volunteers are needed to serve on
the committee.
Landscaping
Committee: Changes have been made during the past months.
Additional plants will be installed in
front of the building.
Making a
Difference: A “Baby Shower” was held on May 9 in the
elevator lobbies. $130 and two large
bags of items were collected to donate to Wider Circle and NAMI. The committee will hold a box party before Christmas.
Suggestions should be placed in the management
box in the business center.
Resident Comments:
-A resident urged
individuals not to feed the birds as seeds attract rodents.
-A resident stated
that PEPCO will pick up old appliances and pay owners $50 if these are replaced
with energy efficient appliances.
-A resident
suggested placing the monthly flyers from the Friendship Heights council at the
front desk.
-A resident
expressed concern that a door near the pool is now locked and does not enable
the resident to quickly access her floor.
-A resident expressed
concern about a staff member who retired.
-A resident suggested
that the ECA record what it spends on energy.
This would provide additional incentives
for energy savings.
-A resident inquired
about wind units or solar panels for the roof. Mr. Santos stated that this will be part of
the engineering report.
-A resident
stated that in 2014 Chevy Chase village will be 100 years old. A committee is collecting photos, articles and
artifacts related to the history of the village. Donations welcome.
Adjournment:
The President
adjourned the meeting at 8:42 p.m., with the Board to meet immediately after
for an executive session, in concordance with section 11.109.1 of the Maryland
Condominium Act.
The initial
draft, upon which these minutes are based, was prepared by Jana Bowcut of On
the Record.
Respectfully
submitted,
Ilo-Mai Harding,
Board Secretary
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