Highlights of ECA Board Meeting March 24, 2021

 

Board Present: Lyle Schwartz (president), Zlatan Beca, Joe Bucherer, Makarand (Mak) Dehejia, Francine Klein, Elisa Siegel, Christopher Wemple

 

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

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

            Mr.  Schwartz opened the meeting with a brief statement saying that the condo had weathered a difficult year.  Our success is due to the cooperation of our residents and the new management direction.

 

LAWYERS REPORT

            Mr. Tucker discussed a potential new requirement by the State requiring the filing of condominiums reserve study and to follow the recommendations contained in the study. He will continue to track this.

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT

            Ms. Gann gave an update on committee activities.  Notices and postings have gone out on schedule. At this time the Committee has received 2 applications. A third individual has indicated interest.  Last call for nominations April 7. Ms. Gann emphasized that it was important to turn in your proxy even if you decide not to vote so it can be counted in the quorum. This year the elections will be virtual. The League of Women Voters will be handling the elections. Electronic voting is not possible this year, but will be the future. A process is being set up for proxy collection, which will include drop off, mail and email of scanned proxies. A resident asked does the provision to nominate at the annual meeting still be possible?  Mr. Springer replied that this option will still be available.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

            Mr. Wemple, stated he wished to respond to questions raised at the Budget and Finance Committee about the investments with Morgan Stanley. He explained the concept of laddering investments (selecting different amounts and expiration dates for investments). Typically, this allows the condo to take advantage of different rates for short and long-term investments, The past year has made the decisions more difficult because there is little variation in rates.

 

MANAGEMENT REPORT

            A complete copy of Mr. Springer’s Management Report is available electronically.  Here are some of the highlights:

            Elevator Update

The meeting with Michael Blades and Associates and Otis Elevator was postponed due to a death in the family of the Service Manager for Otis.

Two-way radio amplification update

Engineers were on site to measure the signal reception.  Draft plans are being prepared to be submitted to Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (MCDPS). MCDPS has been kept informed of our progress.

 Mail Corridor and Adjacent Lobby Refurbishment.

Mr. Springer met with Phyllis Hartman to review the project. A preliminary budget has been developed. A recommendation will be made at the April meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS

            Draft Budget

The Draft Budget along with a narrative describing the development and review process is part of the Management Report. Mr. Bucherer moved to accept the draft budget. Approval of the budget is scheduled for the April Meeting.

 

            G-4 Condition and Assessment and Estimated Projected Costs

WJE estimated Costs for this project $483,500. Management recommends that the Board not move forward on the project.

 

NEW BUSINESS

            Consider League of Women Voters Proposal for 2021Annual Election

After a brief discussion the League of Women Voters has been selected to handle the 2021 condo elections.

            Consider Contract for Composting

A resident presented information on composting. A full description of this service is in the management report. It was suggested that the General Manager conduct a survey to determine resident interest. A pilot project is another approach that could be used, no decision was made at this time,

 

RESIDENT FORUM

 

Three residents noted that their apartments had excessive humidity. It was determined that a study needed to be made to determine if the problem is universal or limited to specific tiers. A resident survey will be conducted.

 

A resident suggested that grills be installed in the back  for the residents use.

Highlights of ECA Board Meeting February 24, 2021

 

Board Present: Lyle Schwartz (president), Zlatan Beca, Joe Bucherer, Makarand (Mak) Dehejia, Francine Klein, Elisa Siegel, Christopher Wemple

 

Others Present: Richard Spring, General Manager, Romaine Cureton, Assistant Manager (AM) Jeremy Tucker (ECA Legal Counsel, Lerch Early & Brewer), Jeremy Powell (auditor, GoldKlang)

 

I am pleased to say that a welcomed change has come to our Board Meetings and how the building management is proceeding under our new General Manager Richard Springer. Therefore the nature of these reports will be briefer because you as owner at the Elizabeth may get the Board Meeting Packet in electronic format (via email I recommend) if you want additional details.

 

President's Report (see Board Meeting Packet if needed)

The president mentioned emergency radio antenna, corridor renovation, and the audit report which will all be addressed in upcoming special meetings.  One of community Raymond Quarterman unit 906 died February 1. He was an original owner.

 

Audit Report

The Elizabeth Condominium Association is in good financial shape and we are continuing to aggressively pay down the loan which financed window and balcony door replacements.

 

Legal Report

 

Our ECA counsel Jeremy Tucker reported that a survey of Arcade owners was conducted revealing that the majority of ECA parking spaces are being used by customers coming to the Arcade. This also brings up another question and that is how many of ECA parking spaces are being used day after day by hired caregivers.

 

Management Report

The main point addressed was upcoming March 5 elevator inspection.

 

However, Mr. Springer is a major player in the meetings and provided additional information about our service contracts and how approval will be handled (either by Board or GM—see Board Meeting Packet Old Business for the  complete chart). For now we will continue with concierge and housekeeping services until our GM has time to fully evaluate. Contracts from various vendors were included in the Board Meeting Packet.

 

Air Quality Report

The COVID-19 19 Task Force issued a 2-page report summary (see Board Meeting Packet) that essentially says most of our common areas are safely getting conditioned outside air. You can request the full report (Air Quality Enhancement Study) which is 35 pages. Here’s what the report says:

 

The Lobby and Party Room receive conditioned ventilation air via their individual units and associated

air ducts. The Business Center does not. However, there is no way to monitor usage of any of these

areas to be sure that MoCo Health Department and CDC guidance on limiting group size, masking and

social distancing are observed or to monitor for illness. Therefore, the Task Force recommends deferring

action for two months until we see what percentage of the population are vaccinated and what the

general community standards and practices are.

 

There was some discussion about opening the West Lobby in day time hours only when management is on duty to monitor use.

 

Air in individual apartments do NOT get outside air directly. The Hallway Renovation Project does raise some concerns but our fall timeline may mitigate those concerns.

 

Pool Hours

 

The Air Quality Report gives the pool system relatively good grades, and we continue to observe

the Health Department requirements.

 

The recommendation is to resume 7-9 am swim hours (presumably Mon-Fri?) allowing 6 swim reservations per day. Additionally, an individual would be allow a reservation 4 times a week. This additional time requires a second life guard to cover the added hours.

 

The air temperature was fixed and should now be registering in 70’s degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Since COVID restrictions occurred, pool hours are in high demand.

 

Garage

 

Bids are being collected for putting down a membrane/painted floor on the G-4 level of the garage. This is strictly a cosmetic project which will cost around $12,500 according to Wiss Janney Elstner Associates. It will create noise and dust. After all the money and time spent recently on garage repairs, I am not in favor of this project and think the money could be spent on other projects.