Summary of the June 23, 2015 ECA Board Meeting

Board Present: Sharon Bobb, Patricia Batey, Clifford Cohen, Peg Downey (by phone), Jim Jones, John McNerney, Steven Schattman

Others Present: ECA General Manager Terry Lee, Legum & Norman Regional Manager James Santos, ECA legal counsel Jason Fisher


The following notes were prepared by Jackie Lapidus:

President Bobb announced that we have a new minutes recorder, someone who used to take minutes before: Martha Morris. Ms. Bobb has been assured by the recorder that the board and management will have minutes on a timelier basis (2 weeks or less)

 

Resident comments on the agenda ahead. Several residents spoke against the proposal to cut the contract hold back from 5% to 2 1Ž2 %.

 

Residents spoke about the pros and cons of having the resident comment portion of the meeting at the beginning. Some felt that they would like to have more opportunity to comment on the events of the evening, some appreciated being able to speak early in the meeting and also comment on the business ahead. Other residents commented on the content of the agenda. For example Dr. Muller talked about election policy (proposed policy was on the written agenda). He noted that the write-in candidate process did not appear to work and he was concerned that one appointed judge also writes a blog in which opinions about candidates was included. Others were concerned about the lack of anonymity in the voting process. Residents expressed concerns about personal/specific problems: excess humidity in her apartment or expressed support for a community-wide survey regarding quality of and satisfaction with the work on the refurbishment which now nears completion.  

 

President Bobb reiterated the reasoning behind having comments at the front of the meeting – to provide residents an opportunity to influence the board on the business at hand.

 

President Bobb read a statement regarding violations of the Pet Policy with respect to the kinds of pets (snakes, rabbit) and the failure of pet owners to leash pets or ensure the pets were not getting on furniture, barking at other residents, or being allowed to soil in inappropriate places. She said that notices had been sent to violators and that perhaps the Elizabeth should do as The Chase did: initiate a Poo Print system.

 

Management reported problems with condensate leaks from fan coil units; that there were a number of units with factory defects and that management is working with Quality Air to address the problems. The installation process was suspended, then resumed. Some damage has occurred.

Treasurers’ report: 3% condo fee increase to begin within days.

 

Committee reports: Website getting a lot of activity, one additional member on the website committee. Development of external website – call for content regarding the Elizabeth and the surrounding area.

 

Design Committee (Alex Kielty spoke on committee’s behalf, though Peg Downey attended the meeting by phone). Proposal for a bench in the library and baskets to hold books at a cost of about 2k. After some debate, the measure was passed 4 to 2. The hope is to end the rancorous debate in an aesthetically pleasing way.

 

Fitness committee spoke about the need for fans (which tend to disappear from the workout area)

 

Benefits for Kevin Stewart will be run through L & M.

 

Santos reported on progress of renegotiating elevator contract to cover OT costs, saving the Elizabeth several thousand dollars. The measure was passed unanimously.

 

Proposal to decrease holdback on Manganaro contract to 2 1/2 % was defeated. [Second defeat.]

 

Board of directors discussed a proposed written election policy, essentially codifying what has been the unwritten policy for many years. Some discussion of the language of the policy was discussed and the proposal was tabled until next month.

 

A board of directors’ code of ethics, written by ECA attorney was voted and approved.