Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Oakbrook Townhouses Board Meeting Minutes August 14 2023

 

Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting

August 14, 2023

Oakbrook Townhouses, Inc.

c/o Willow Properties

9527 Bridgeport Way SW

Lakewood, WA 96499

 The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Oakbrook Townhouses (OT) was held August 14, 2023 at 7535 Zircon Drive SW, Lakewood, WA 98498.

 A quorum being present Board President Al Glamba called the meeting to order at 6:06 PM.

 Board members present were Al Glamba, Ken Karch, Mike McDonald and Jim Allsopp via phone.  Also attending were member Dennis Shuler and Rice Insurance’s Mike Englund. 

 Member Comments

 Shuler addressed the Board on responsibility for repair of flow restrictors if they lie within the sheetrock.  He suggested members check their insurance coverage.

 Insurance Proposal

 Englund reported on insurance provisions.  Liberty Mutual (our agent) had insisted on an inspection of the property, and came back with a very complementary assessment.

He shared a synopsis of our coverage and expected provisions for 2024. He indicated our coverage has gone up about 8% to keep up with inflation, and that Liberty Mutual is requiring the Property deductible be increased from $5,000 to $10,000. The Board had an extended discussion about thermographic surveys, fire extinguishers, chimney cleaning, and circuit breaker panels, and agreed that a notice be sent to the membership outlining the insurance company and Board expectations. The premium for General Liability insurance will go up to $53,674 from $47,419.

 Englund presented the proposal for Earthquake Insurance, and the Board had a lengthy discussion about it.  The Earthquake insurance premium will increase to $21,387 from $18,600.

 McDonald moved that the Board accept the proposal form earthquake insurance from Palomar for the period August 23, 2023 to August 23, 2024 in the amount of $21,387.  The motion passed.

 Karch moved and Allsopp seconded to accept the General Liability insurance proposal from Liberty Mutual in the amount of $53,674, including a change in the deductible to $10,000.  The motion passed with McDonald voting Nay.

 McDonald moved and Allsopp seconded to pay the full Earthquake Insurance premium by August 23 in the amount of $21,387.  The motion passed.

 Approval of Minutes

 Glamba requested approval of the Board meeting minutes of June 12, 2023 and July 10, 2023.

 Karch moved and McDonald seconded approval of the Board meeting minutes of June 12, 2023. The motion passed.

 McDonald moved and Allsopp seconded to approve the Board meeting minutes of July 10, 2023. The motion passed.

 Treasurer’s Report

 McDonald referenced the financials for the past month. He reported the following in our various accounts:

 Checking Account                           $     14,865.86

Reserve Account                             $   190,544.71

Insurance Deductible Account     $       5,042.32

Capital Improvement Account       $       5,728.68

Insurance Holding                           $     40,000.00

 He also listed all expenditures during July.

 McDonald moved and Karch seconded that the Board approve an additional transfer of $4,000 in to the Insurance Holding account. The motion passed.

 Enforcement Regarding Monthly Charge-Delinquent Unit Owners

 McDonald recommended that the Board send a letter to all delinquent unit owners to bring their accounts up to date, or provide a plan to do so, or face the enforcement provisions of the CC&Rs.

 Following discussion, McDonald moved and Allsopp seconded that the association send a letter to the four most monthly charge-delinquent unit owners indicating that if the delinquency is not corrected, or a plan submitted to do so, by October 1, the Association will exercise its authority under the CC&Rs to cut off cable service to those unit owners. The motion passed.

 Karch moved and Allsopp seconded to accept the Treasurer’s report.  The motion passed.

 Heritage Restoration Litigation

Glamba indicated this topic would be deferred to a closed session later in the agenda.

 Audit Report

 Glamba reported he had signed the engagement letter to Newman CPA for $2,800, and transmitted it to them, and that the previous auditor had been terminated. Karch asked about the return of materials in the hands of the previous auditor. Glamba said we should expect the audit report for 2021 within 4 to 6 weeks, and will verify with Willow Properties that the materials needed by Newman to complete that audit report have been provided.

 Certification of Backflow Prevention

 Glamba reported the question of the cost of the inspection and certification of the backflow prevention devices is complete.

 Payment for Mailbox Replacement

 Glamba reported the insurance check in payment for the most recent mailbox destruction, in the amount of $3,080 has been received.

 Ratification of Payment for Rear Deck Repair

 Glamba reported the repair of the rear deck at 7611 Zircon is complete, that he had authorized payment in the amount of $1,069.18, and that he asked for Board ratification of said payment.  McDonald moved and Karch seconded that the Board ratify the payment approved by Glamba.  The motion passed.

 Update on Chambers Creek Trail Construction

 Glamba reported the request for extension of time for a permit for certain work on the Chambers Creek Trail has been granted for 1 year and 84 days, commencing on September 11, 2023.

 Reconsideration for Decision on Wooden Steps and Gravel at 7631 Zircon

 Glamba briefed the Board on actions taken since the last Board meeting on this issue. The unit owner has not responded to our previous letter indicating the work is the unit owner’s responsibility and proposed that the Association engage our General Maintenance contractor to repair the problem and bill the unit owner.  Following discussion Allsopp moved to notify the unit owner that the Association will engage our General Maintenance contractor to repair the problem and bill the unit owner, with any unpaid amount owing to be added to the assessment due by the unit owner.  Karch seconded, and the motion passed.

 Reconsideration of Decision on Removal of Fir and Cedar Trees at 7631 Zircon

 Glamba briefed the Board on actions taken since the last Board meeting on this issue, and proposed a letter be sent reiterating the provisions of our previous notification, providing that the Association relies on the expertise of certified expert in the field. 

McDonald moved and Allsopp seconded that the President draft and send such a letter.  The motion passed.

 Repair and Replacement of Rear Decks at 7411, 7613, and 7619

 Glamba reported on three requests for, and his inspection of, rear deck repair/replacements at 7411, 7613, and 7619 Zircon. He reported that the 7411 deck is in urgent need of repair/replacement and that our contractor has indicated the estimated cost is $9,350 including tax, and has requested $4,250 down to secure needed materials. Glamba reported the other two rear decks can be deferred until next year. Following discussion McDonald moved and Allsopp seconded to authorize PDQ Construction to repair/replace the rear deck at 7411 Zircon and advance $4250 for materials. The motion passed.  McDonald moved and Allsopp seconded to have Edwin evaluate all rear decks by December 1 based on criteria provided by the Board. The motion passed.

 Use of Email Transmission of Draft Monthly Meeting Minutes

 Karch described the benefits and problems associated with the transition from USPS mailed documents to the membership to emailed copies, and urged caution in its implementation.  For example, the association would save considerable expense in doing so, and it would provide a paper trail, but members should have to agree in writing to have such notification in lieu of mailed notification.

 Proposed Election of Nancy Dilworth to the Board

 Glamba reported member Nancy Dilworth has agreed to appointment to the Board.  Following discussion McDonald moved and Allsopp seconded to appoint Nancy Dilworth to the Board to fill the position to be vacated by Mike McDonald. The motion passed.

 Proposed Election of Nancy Dilworth As Treasurer

 Glamba reported member Nancy Dilworth has agreed to be appointed as Treasurer.  Following discussion McDonald moved and Allsopp seconded to appoint Nancy Dilworth as Treasurer effective September 1, 2023. The motion passed.

 Property Management Proposals

 Glamba described efforts to secure proposals from property management contractors, including Willow Properties. One has been received and submitted to all Board members for comment.  Glamba and Karch will secure all Board member comments and negotiate with the makers of any further proposals in order to secure a best and final offer, and bring a recommendation to the Board for action.

Miscellaneous Items

 Glamba reported on the repair of the Comcast line at 7719 Zircon; the Building 12 pest issue; completion of the gutters at 7419 Zircon; the Purcor pest control issue; final payment to PDQ for work at 7801 and 7611 Zircon; notices to secure compliance with the needed 2-foot right-of-way behind the units; removal of bamboo; loose shingles and a leaking faucet at 7411 Zircon; gutter cleaning policy, the desirability of establishing a list of contractors (without endorsement) which could be provided to members seeking help.  The Board took no action on any of these issues.

 Proposal for a Web Portal

 Karch reported that Willow Properties had suggested creation of a web portal on which a variety of information would be assembled.  Karch endorsed the basic idea, but expressed concern over the resources necessary to keep it up to date, and suggested that Board discussion on the matter was warranted.

 Driveway Replacement

 Glamba indicated further driveway replacements, including the two approved by the Board on July 11, 2022 (7417 and 7533 Zircon) had been put on hold pending a review of finances.

 Goals Assessment

 Karch reported he has created a tool for assessing how well the Board has completed work on the goals adopted on July 11, 2022, and will distribute it to Board members shortly.

 2024 Budget

 McDonald reported on his assessment of the proposed 2024 budget.  He reported he expects a shortfall of $35,000 to $40,000, and suggested 3 ways to handle it: 1) a dues increase; 2) a special assessment, and 3) elimination of cable TV and earthquake insurance. He recommended the Board review and decide on a course of action as the proposed budget numbers are presented.

 Executive Session on Heritage Restoration

 It was moved, seconded, and approved to adjourn to Executive Session. Following Board discussion, during which no Board actions were taken, it was moved, seconded, and approved to return to general session.

 Payment to McFerran Law for Services Rendered

 Glamba described work done during July by McFerran Law in the amount of $3,828 and asked for a motion to pay. McDonald moved and Allsopp seconded to pay $3,828 to McFerran Law for service rendered during July.  The motion passed.

 Next Board Meeting

 Glamba announced the next Board meeting will be held on September 11, 2023 at a time and location to be determined.

 Adjournment

 It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 PM.

 Respectfully submitted,

  

 

Al Glamba, President

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