Summary of ECA Board Meeting May 20, 2014

Board Present: Steven Schattman, Patricia Batey, Sharon Bobb, Jim Jones, Dr. Alfred Muller, John McNerney, Jim Vuko

Others Present: ECA General Manager Terrence Lee, Legum & Norman Regional Manager James Santos

Highlights from the May 20, 2014 meeting:

Discussion of balcony repair schedule with Q&A by Wiss Janney Elstner (Ken Kosteva).

Currently demolition phase is happening now for tiers 7-16 (mostly the back of the building except the 11 tier which has two balconies).

Once majority of balconies are complete including the painting, then window/balcony door replacement will begin. This includes the tiers within 7-16 tiers that have no balconies. Windows will be delivered close to date of installation.

Hazardous material (e.g. asbestos in popcorn ceilings) problems will be attended to for floors including lobby level, first, and eighth floors. Note that rain and humidity can interrupt balcony repair work. It takes 40-45 days for each balcony repair but it could be as much as 90 days.

Condo fee beginning July 1, 2014: The board in a 4 to 3 vote approved a 4% increase in monthly condo fees. This discussion concerned whether to increase 4% or 5%. This increase will help cushion against unforeseen expenditures. The Association will begin borrowing as early as October (but maybe later) to pay for major improvement expenses like repair of balconies and replacement of window/balcony doors. (Expected total loan draw is $2.5 million at 3.9% for a timeframe not to exceed 36 months. Expected pay back by end of 2019 fiscal year.)

Water Pump: a noise suppression collar is scheduled for installation within two weeks. This has been an ongoing noise problem since the new pump was installed late last year.

Elevator problems in East Tower: The electrical control panel probably needs to be replaced and this is one of those unbudgeted for items that impacts condo fee rise. (This issue was covered in the April 22 meeting also.)

Fan coil units: There will be a presentation at the next board meeting. Estimated average costs of in wall vertical units is $5700 and console units are priced at approximately $3200. This price depends on the number of owners participating and was based on a survey taken last year. The contract will be between the vendor and the unit owner. Humidifiers installed on or in the units are not recommended. They only last three years and they are likely to cause mold problems.

Landscaping: The ECA General Manager is working with the most recent landscaper to take advantage of credit due the ECA and to spruce up the front of the building.

Website: need a chairperson to evaluate current provider to see if improvements can be made. Please volunteer. Contact president Steve Schattman

Social Committee: need new chairperson. Please volunteer. Contact president Steve Schattman

Participation Committee: will be producing a monthly newsletter.

Exercise Room: Rules need to be followed. Be considerate, stay safe.

Wipe down equipment with sanitizing wipes (provided in the exercise rooms) after you use the equipment.

Use earphones or headsets for TVs.

Dry off from pool before entering equipment rooms.

No small children, no unsupervised children.

From April 22 meeting (which was not covered on this blog):

Electric Car Charging Station: 112 people responded to the survey. 68 people liked the idea of installing a few charging stations. This issue will be turned over to the new board.

Legum and Norman contract up for renewal

Unclaimed bike donations: action halted