Summary of ECA Board Meeting April 23, 2019

Board Present: Zlatan Beca, Makarand (Mak) Dehejia, Monique Fridell, Al Muller, Lyle Schwartz, Rhonda Taller, Christopher Wemple

Others Present: ECA General Manager MaryAnn Hall, Assistant Manager Romaine Cureton, Jeremy Tucker (ECA Legal Counsel, Lerch Early & Brewer)

Highlights of the meeting:

Legal:

New directors must take CCOC training within 90 days. It is an in-person 4-hour class at night or on weekends in Rockville. Online training not currently available.

Management Report

Garage Project:

General Manager is asking that work on the weekend be allowed to speed up the project. This will involve some jack hammering, beginning at 9 AM.

Budget:

1% or 2% increase in condo fee? These options were deliberated.  Mr. Beca favored 2% or even 3% increase; Ms. Taller explained her concerns that this is an old building and often in need of repair; Ms. Hall pointed out that one catastrophic flood could wipe our comfortable financial position.  Al Muller repeatedly argued for a 1% increase.  In the end, the vote was 4 to 3 for a 1% increase.

Window Cleaning:

Will take place May 2-3.

Meeting Location:

The Board discussed where to best have the monthly meetings and decided that  the West Lobby is preferable because there is more room and it gives better access to people with walkers. Fire and Safety issues were of a concern in the party room which is only rated for 49 people, and where there is only one safe exit in case of fire.

Spring landscaping:

Spring flowers will be installed the week of May 6.

Other Business

Embezzlement Report:

The Board distributed a written summary of the embezzlement reports and summarized the findings under all doors. There were three such reports: ECA, Gates Hudson, and forensic audit firm. The reports emphasized that the fraud was perpetrated by one highly placed and trusted employee of Gates Hudson and that since learning of that event, Gates Hudson has worked to tighten its internal controls as has the Elizabeth, in accordance with recommendations. All embezzled funds have been returned with interest, and all funds expended in connection with the embezzlement, to include time spent by our Counsel and our General Manager, were paid by Gates Hudson.

The Gates Hudson contract was renewed for one year in March.  It will be up to the new Board to consider an RFP for Management Companies (to include Gates Hudson) when the time comes next year.

Motion: unanimously approved some changes to the budget including a significantly large amount for elevator repair which Otis said we do not need to do until 2021. Monique Fridell asked for a letter from Otis be attached to this change.

Motion:

1% condo increase was approved 4 to 3.

Motion:

Approved unanimously the budget with 1% condo fee increase.

Committee Reports

Newsletter:

Copies are at the Concierge Desk and have been emailed from BuildingLink.

Fire & Safety:

Instructions for residents in case of fire or fire alarm sounding were reviewed by the Fire Educator.  He suggested the instructions be simplified and easy to read for people whose eyesight is not sharp or who are not fluent in English, and to use more graphics so that people  can still understand the instructions.  The Committee needs the support of a graphics artist to follow up on these suggestions. 

Additionally, it was suggested that the Elizabeth should plan a program of regular education for residents, like Town Halls, on the subject of what to do in case of a fire, or fire alarms, so that people know that it is their responsibility to prepare for such an event.  Those who need assistance evacuating in case of fire, should have an exit plan at the ready, and people ready and able to assist them.  The responsibility belongs to each and every resident.

Again, residents ask that the Management office make full  use of  BuildingLink for notification of fire status since the fire alarm often sounds for a long time and only the Fire Department can turn off the alarm after doing a full investigation.

Comments from the Floor

— Rhonda Taller spoke of the importance of the upcoming election and selecting the right individuals to serve on the Board.  Elections have consequences

— One individual mentioned that the Management Office needs training on BuildingLink.