Fire Code Violation

Have you noticed that no one is taking care of the building and the problems are escalating?

Yes, there are plenty of small things like the elevator pads hanging in car 4 of the West Tower  for several days, dog pee on the elevator floor, and some kind of noxious spray defacing the brass and stainless steel panels that control what floor you select in both the garage elevators and the West Tower Elevators, as well as the metal plates on each floor where you call the elevators.

However, for many days, in stairwell A, the gate between floors 1 and 2 is broken now and can no longer be opened by applying pressure on the horizontal bar. Needless to say, that if we have a fire or some other emergency requiring that we evacuate the building, this would prevent an orderly exit.

There is no excuse for not sending our engineer on duty to fix this gate or to bring in a contractor. This is a fire code violation and our safety is in jeopardy.

On May 23^rd I sent a message to the entire Board, our General Manager, and our Assistant GM. I have not gotten a response.

The only thing that makes a difference is when people write in large numbers to the Board or speak up at the monthly meetings.  I have said it before but I will say it again, we need a new General Manager who wants to do what the job requires.

Need Action on Clearing Condensate Lines BEFORE Leaks Occur

I am concerned about the prospect of a humid summer and the leaks that happen when the condensate lines above my apartment are not cleared.

The condensate lines are associated with the HVACs systems in every apartment.

After receiving the notice that residents could optionally ask for their filters to be changed and at that time condensate lines would be treated, I wrote to the Board with copies sent to our General Manage to strongly suggest that treating the condensate lines be a mandatory action for every apartment and that action be taken now before the humidity becomes acute. Why? Because it will save the Association unnecessary costs and staff time related to damaged walls and floors from leaks.

Last year, my apartment had a series of leaks from clogged condensate lines above me and my apartment was in disarray for 2 months.

So, I wrote to the Board on May 19 and got a prompt reply from our Board president Lyle Schwartz saying “thanks for copying management. I’ll leave the response to MaryAnn.”

On May 21, after not getting any response from the GM, I wrote to the Board president and Board and copied management, the following:

“Has MaryAnn reported to you about the issues I raised regarding comprehensive clearing of condensate lines” and did he consider this appropriate response time from the General Manager?”

Lyle Schwartz answered me quickly that day, “The issues have been referred to management. Please direct your further questions on these subjects to her.”

In the recent past, Lyle has asked that problems be addressed to him before escalating the issue. However, as Board president of the Elizabeth, he represents Association members and he is our General Manager’s supervisor. As such, he needs to follow up with the general manager.

Today at close of business May 22, there has been no response from MaryAnn Hall. This is typical of Ms. Hall’s behavior. We need a general manager who is not only responsive to such issues but one who will take a genuine interest in maintaining our building.

Alert: Budget Item pertaining to future management

ATTENTION please: Budget Proposal re: management  will cost us dearly

Buried on page 8 of the 11 page budget document, under the heading “2. Staff Succession Planning,” is a proposal for an increase of $70,000 to hire an understudy for the current GM in the event of her retirement. 

Please review the budget documents carefully. The case is made for hiring a second Assistant General Manager or Associate General Manager, using the following justification:   

1.     Failed attempts to hire a part-time clerical temp.

2.     Concerns about adequate personnel during the garage project which is scheduled to be completed in July 2020, and which has a Project Manager who is not our current General Manager.

3.     To plan “for the eventual retirement of the GM” for which “no firm decisions have been made.”

The Board should consider the following:

1.     No one hires a trainee for an executive position.  A qualified General Manager should have at a minimum 10 years of property management experience, excellent oral and written skills, supervisory experience, and financial management, etc. Why would such an individual sign on to be an understudy? Elizabeth condominium bylaws, policies, and House Rules are available in written documents.

2.     Is it appropriate to hire support staff when a new General Manager is needed?  It is the responsibility of a NEW General Manager to ensure he/she has the support staff required to make his/her management successful.   Our current AGM, Engineers, and Maintenance Staff will provide the necessary continuity and institutional memory during the GM recruitment, transition, and orientation process.  They have as much, if not more, experience at The Elizabeth than our current GM.

3.     Let’s face it: salary determines the caliber of applicants, applicants who are experienced professionals. 4620 advertised for a General Manager in March, with a  salary range of $120,000 - $135,000.  What kind of a person will we get—One who is willing to wait indefinitely for the GM position,  perhaps at a higher salary if and when the position comes open?

4.     A good executive search firm charges approximately 30% of hiring salary and usually provides one replacement  if their candidate does not work out during the first year.

5.     Do we want a clone of our current General Manager? Please consider the following:

a.     Many owners are dissatisfied.

b.     The building looks shabby and poorly maintained, inside and out.  

c.     Excessive absenteeism – sick days, late days, etc. occurring prior to coronavirus work-at-home schedule.

d.     Poor customer service skills—does not respond to phone calls and emails in a timely fashion.

e.     Does not walk the building.

f.      Supervisory skills leave much to be desired.  Often publicly criticizes staff or blames them, frequently failing to accept responsibility.

g.     Does not enforce the bylaws and House Rules. We now have several apartments which have multiple and/or large dogs, in violation of bylaws, House Rules and policies, as well as bicycles and furniture frequently moving through front lobby, and more. 

Consider attending the virtual Town Hall meeting by Zoom on May 13 at 7pm. Whether you intend to attend the meeting or not, please let the Board know how you feel about this matter.

lyle.schwartz2@verizon.net

mdehejia@gmail.com

fkklein@verizon.net

siegel.ek@gmail.com

cwemple@verizon.net

whalen.james48@gmail.com

zbeca33@yahoo.com

We need to raise our voices before it is too late.