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CORCORAN MEWS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION
Attending:
Board Members Present:
Tim Foley – President (arrived approximately 7:50PM)
Andrea Higginbotham – Vice President
Wayne Maffett – Secretary
Carmen Varley – Member-at-Large
Board Member Phone In:
Jeff Hertrick – Treasurer (on phone only for Treasurer's Report and discussion and vote on condo fee increase)
Property Management – Tilton Bernstein Management:
Cheng Sithole – Property Manager (202-232-5247 ext. 21)
In the absence of Tim Foley and in consideration of Andrea Higginbotham's first meeting, the meeting was called to order by Secretary Wayne Maffett at approximately 6:45 PM in 1754 Corcoran Street, 50B Washington, DC 20009 (Secretary's residence). Wayne welcomed Andrea Higginbotham to the Board.
- Management Report - Cheng reports:
- Board has passed motion disallowing single washer and dryer units and electric stove ranges. Only combination washer/dryer is permissible.
- Noyes has winterized the boiler room and will come back in the spring to prepare for summer which will include acid washing the cooling tower without additional charge.
- Noyes completed the seasonal switch over and replaced a hot water mixing valve at no cost.
- TASCO (water treatment) provided service on 10/2.
- Proposals from two other water treatment vendors ARC and EcoLab will be provided to the board for their consideration. Cheng has worked with EcoLab successfully in the past but has knowledge of ARC working for various buildings locally.
- Board approved $1500 to repaint the interior of the hallway at 1756 Corcoran and the painter, Bob Gaston, met with interior designer, Ellen Schofield. Tim Foley is in discussion about repainting the hallway of 1754.
- Ev-Air Tight completed masonry repairs outside of 1748 2A and Cheng is awaiting the invoice as well as a proposal to re-point the entire Corcoran Mews.
- Sliding door work on unit 1754 46B has been done.
- Following a discussion the Board decided to defer the scheduled December carpet cleaning as the carpets are in good condition and painting is to be done in 1756.
- Three delinquencies for this month's condo fees. Board discussed emailing reminders to owners carrying a balance of less than $100.
- President's Directive
- Cheng will inspect ceilings in top level units to determine if there are any signs of water damage. Cheng will notify the Board of his findings.
- Cheng will formally notify members that the Board approved a 6% condominium fee increase, effective January 1, 2010.
Cheng will provide the Board a list of duties and tasks now being performed by our custodian.
- Treasurer's Report - Jeff reports:
- Amy Whittington is transferring about $4,875 from reserves money market account to our checking account to pay for the Modern Remodeling Invoice. We don't have enough in our checking account to cover this.
- CMCA is continuing to drain its reserves. The drain supports my recommendation to increase the 2010 condo fee by 6% increase. By so doing $12,000 will be added to the reserve funds annually.
- On TBM's recommendation, we have transferred money market reserves (about $35,000 before the above mentioned withdrawal) from Wachovia /Wells Fargo Fund Management to Wachovia Bank. The new interest rate is 1.0%. This is a 90-day 'special', which could be extended another 90 days. To get this rate, a $50 checking account was opened.
- Our CD of $50,000 matured in October. It too has been transferred to Wachovia Bank for the above mentioned money market 'special' of 1%. We will monitor cd rates for a better deal, but currently cd rates are horrible.
- Old Business
- Cheng reports he should be receiving a proposal to rehabilitate the old junk tree area shortly. Carmen Varley suggested getting a proposal from handy man Lewis Brady who has done work for her in the past.
- 2 of our 3 Elm trees will be injected in the spring at the expense of CMCA. The DC arborist recently injected the Jackson Elm at no expense to CMCA.
- Status of Outstanding Reserve Study Inspection Repair Issues:
Cheng reports:
- Boiler room door hinge repair was not completed by RA McGraw. Cheng will get new proposals.
- Unit Doors Address Labeling should be done to limit fire hazard. Decision to obtain numbers similar to those of 52B. Cheng will obtain and have numbers installed on doors needing them.
- Trip step outside of 52R Cheng will get proposal to fix. But hasn't been an issue to residence.
- Two proposals have been submitted for gutter cleaning. Cheng will have the selected vendor create before and after photos to ensure work has been done.
- Chimney crack repair has been completed.
- Door weather stripping TBD by RA McGraw was not done. Cheng will get a proposal from Bob Gaston.
- Repair of sliding door at 1754 46B has been completed.
- Carmen Varley will ask Kassie Lynch if she is still interested in making Handbook Update/Revisions
- Cheng will obtain estimates for street side garden brick and mortar repair
- Noyes is now maintaining a maintenance log. The log book is in the utility tower. Wayne Maffett suggests these notes be in water proof covers.
- Cheng will scan TASCO service visit tickets for board review.
- New Business – Tim Foley arrived and began chairing the meeting
- The Board discussed and reviewed the 2010 budget. There is pressing need to replenish CMCA's diminishing reserve account, in line with the recommendations of our Reserve Study, prepared earlier this year by an independent engineer.
Motion to increase 2010 condo fees by 6 % to replenish the reserves:
Motion By: Wayne Maffett
Second By: Tim Foley
Vote: 5-0-0 Board
- Cheng received water treatment bids from 3 vendors. The Board will defer a decision in this matter until proposals are reviewed.
- Rats are still a problem in the alley. A resident complained about holes in, neighbor Jon Keeton's garbage cans where rats can gain access. Carmen agreed contact Jon about replacing the cans.
- Review of Rolling Maintenance Schedule.
- Two vendors have submitted proposals for custodial services and grounds maintenance. Cheng will create a list of current tasks George Worrels undertakes and compare to the proposals.
- Tim wants Green Initiatives/Estimates for Solar Heating/PEPCO Energy Inspection. Cheng will check with Derek Lighting who provides energy initiatives and could possibly also have connections with PEPCO. Cheng will also start sending the Green Newsletter out quarterly. Cheng will follow up with WASA about possible services involving low flow products.
- The Board reviewed and discussed the recent repairs completed at 1756-3B on CMCA common elements which were done without notification to TBM and without knowledge, approval or authority of the Board. A motion was made to make full contribution to cover the cost of repairs on replacing the retaining hangers/brackets and insulation on the climate control ceiling pipes and repairing the ceiling drywall as the repair work was 1) performed on common elements of the condominium 2) which needed repair and 3) the action taken was similar to the action TBM would have taken had they been notified, and finally 4) the quality and cost of the repair was deemed comparable to the quality and cost which would have occurred had TBM managed the repair. Further, Cheng was directed to have the vendor, Allen Built, submit an invoice to the Association for payment so that CMCA would benefit from the repair warranty.
Motion to pay for repairs.
Motion By: Tim Foley
Second By: Carmen Varley
Vote: 4-0-0 Board
Tim emphasized that under the bylaws of CMCA only the Board and its agent, TBM, have the authority and responsibility to make repairs on common elements of the condominium and that individual unit owners may not perform repairs or secure contractors to perform repairs on any of the condominium's common elements, and that if they do so it is at their own risk and responsibility.
Motion to adjourn the meeting at approximately 8:50 PM:
Motion By: Tim Foley
Second By: Wayne Maffett
Vote: 4-0-0 Board
Submitted by:
Andrea Higginbotham
Vice President
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