Author: Matthew Pilkington

2022 Annual Meeting Minutes

June 7, 2022

Meeting conducted via videoconference

Board Members Present:  Peter Levy, Pres.; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Andrew Kurland, Sec.; Matthew Pilkington, Treasurer; Hannah Berkin-Harper; Terra Chalberg; Cameron Martin; Malik Ashiru; Michael Tedesco

Also in Attendance:  Valdet Boleviq, Superintendent; Kathleen Malara, EM Holding Corp.; Mark Levitch, CPA

Preliminary Matters:

  • The meeting commenced at 8:09 PM after a quorum was achieved.
  • In total 79.15% of the ownership was in attendance or appeared by proxy.
  • Notice of the Annual Meeting was presented, and reading of last year’s meeting minutes was waived on a duly made motion.
  • All Board Members introduced themselves.

Financials:

  • The Annual Financial Statement was circulated and presented by our accountant, Mark Levitch.  The Condo financials are in good order. 
  • For tax purposes, we expensed major capital expenditures.  In light of depreciation, we had a small loss for the year 2021, which is good from a tax perspective
  • All “profit” will be used for necessary maintenance, including the ongoing roof repair project, which was the largest expenditure for last year. 

Management/Superintendent’s Report:

  • Major projects include:
    • 120 Boerum roof repair project; we have completed all but the final phase of the project.  Certain decking will need to be replaced and materials are being sourced.
    • Electronic waste collections began this year, and will continue.
    • The City re-starting compost collection.
    • The boiler was drained last summer and multiple owners completed work on their radiators and valves.
    • Painting occurred in building Common Areas.
    • The main gas valve was replaced, and a gas piping inspection was completed.
    • A frozen drain pipe caused damage to certain Units, which was addressed.
    • The Super has been working diligently to address presence of vermin on Boerum Pl. and Dean Street, and has made much progress.  We are also working with the City and neighboring buildings to this end.
    • The Condo engaged an engineering firm to investigate and report on sewer backup issues, and their work will continue with supervising contractors to implement improvements as we work to prevent backup issues from recurring in the future.

President’s Report:

  • The Board and the Condo thank Val and Rose for their gardening efforts.
  • We again have filed a protest with respect to property tax increases.
  • We will be hiring a company to clean building ventilation ducts.
  • The heating system will be drained again so that owners can make any necessary repairs to their radiators and valves.  Contact EM Holding or the Super by July 15th to coordinate.
  • The Board has decided to continue to require face masks in interior Common Areas, as posted on signs throughout the Buildings.  The feedback received in the survey was informative.
  • Adding EV charging capability to the garage is still being investigated and the committee to pursue options is led by Skytrack resident Miranda Magagnini, who presented at the meeting.

Board Elections:

  • Three board seats were up this year, Katharine Flanders Mukherji (existing Vice President), Cameron Martin, and Malik Ashiru.
  • Malik has decided not to run again.  The Board thanked Malik for his service.
  • The Board encouraged all Owners to run leading up to the meeting and at the meeting.
  • Rose Firestein chose to run, along with Katharine and Cameron.
  • A vote was held and Rose, Katharine, and Cameron were unanimously approved and elected to the Board for three year terms, to expire in June 2025.

New Business:

  • Board member Hannah Berkin-Harper presented plans and budget proposal for renovations to lobbies and Common Areas of 122 Boerum, 134 Boerum, and 15 Bergen.  The Board thanks Hannah for all of her extensive efforts in this regard.
    • A vote was held on the proposed budget of $125,000 for these improvements, and the proposed budget was approved with a unanimous vote.

Reminders:

  • City law and Condo insurance require all units to properly secure window-mounted air conditioner units.  Please contact EM Holding or the Super with questions regarding this.
  • Reminder that all Common Areas and hallways must be kept clear of all items.

Adjournment:

  • With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:54 PM following a duly made motion.

E-Waste Collection Event

Dear Skytrack Community,
 We are pleased to announce the next Skytrack e-waste collection event.  Please leave unwanted e-waste items (types listed below) in the collection boxes that Val has placed in the lobbies of 134 Boerum and 15 Bergen, next to where recycling is deposited, and in the recycling area at the 1st floor of 120 Boerum (upstairs residents must go down to first floor at 120).  The collection boxes are out currently and will be available through Friday, July 1st.

For larger items that will not fit in the collection boxes, please reach out to Val in advance, and he will assist in getting them to the proper spot for collection by the City. 

Acceptable items:

  • TVs
  • VCRs, DVRs, and DVD players
  • Cable and satellite boxes
  • Video game consoles
  • Computers: including small servers; monitors; laptops and their peripherals (such as keyboards, hard drives, mice, etc.)
  • Printers/scanners
  • Fax machines
  • Small electronics: including tablets; mobile phones; MP3 players

NOTE: Appliances, batteries, and light bulbs are NOT accepted.

Final Reminder – Annual Meeting Tonight

The 2022 Annual Meeting will take place via Zoom this evening at 8:00 PM. Advanced registration is required. Please: Click here to register for the 2022 Annual Meeting 

After you register, you will receive an email containing instructions to join the meeting by video or telephone. The meeting will commence at 8 PM, and the video/teleconference line will open at 7:45 PM.

If you might not be able to attend, please designate a proxy to appear on your behalf, by filling out the Annual Meeting Proxy Form by clicking here.

Three Board positions will be up for election, and all owners are encouraged to run. Please let EM Holdings know if you are interested in joining the Board.

Board Meeting Minutes – May 24, 2022

Meeting conducted via videoconference

Board Members Present:  Peter Levy, President; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Andrew Kurland, Secretary; Matthew Pilkington, Treasurer; Michael Tedesco; Terra Chalberg; Hannah Berkin-Harper

Also in Attendance:  Valdet Boleviq, Superintendent; Kathleen Malara, EM Holding Corp.

Superintendent’s Report:

  • The measures we have taken to control rats around the exterior of the buildings have been successful, though we have heard from buildings across the street that they are experiencing issues; we will continue to be vigilant about this and encourage efforts by all neighboring buildings as well.
  • The new heating system pumps arrived and are in process of being installed.
  • A temporary issue with the domestic hot water was discussed and is being investigated so to prevent the issue from recurring.
  • A leak has been identified in a Unit at 134 Boerum, and will be addressed.

Financials:

  • The Condo is in good financial condition.

New and Ongoing Business:

  • The Board discussed issues with chipped and peeling paint around the Track and in Common Areas, and will develop a plan to address
  • The Board was provided with an update on the lobby renovations, and next steps.  Additional details will be provided at the Annual Meeting.
  • The Board was provided with an update concerning the water engineer’s investigation into remedying future issues with respect to sewer backup; efforts in this regard will continue.

Announcements:

  • Our Annual Meeting will take place by Zoom on June 7, 2022, at 8:00 PM, and notices have been posted and distributed.  Advanced registration is required – please visit https://skytrackcondo.com/ for the link to register or fill out proxy if you are unable to attend.
  • Three Board seats are up for election.  All owners are encouraged to volunteer to join the Board, and anyone interested should reach out to EM Holding.
  • Reminder that window air conditioners must be installed with proper support brackets.  Please contact Val if you have any questions.
  • We are in process of organizing our next e-waste collection event; details will be provided soon.

Water Clarity Update

The City recently posted the following on Twitter:

“We’ve received reports of discolored tap water in the vicinity of Boerum Hill/Cobble Hill/downtown Brooklyn. The water remains safe but residents should avoid consuming discolored water. Crews are opening hydrants in the neighborhoods to clear discolored water from the system.”

Water Clarity Issue

Some have noticed issues with clarity of their water.  This is not a Skytrack-specific problem — EM Holding reached out to the DEP to inquire, and they admitted that they are doing maintenance in the area.  The City provided no notice of this work unfortunately.  We hope the issue resolves itself soon.  

Annual Meeting – June 7

The 2022 Annual Meeting will take place via Zoom on Tuesday June 7, 2022 at 8:00 PM. Advanced registration is required. Please: Click here to register for the 2022 Annual Meeting 

After you register, you will receive an email containing instructions to join the meeting by video or telephone. The meeting will commence at 8 PM, and the video/teleconference line will open at 7:45 PM.

If you might not be able to attend, please designate a proxy to appear on your behalf, by filling out the Annual Meeting Proxy Form by clicking here.

Three Board positions will be up for election, and all owners are encouraged to run. Please let EM Holdings know if you are interested in joining the Board.

Board Meeting Minutes:  April 27, 2022

Board Members Present:  Peter Levy, President; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Michael Tedesco; Terra Chalberg; Malik Ashiru; Cameron Martin

Also in Attendance:  Valdet Boleviq, Superintendent; Kathleen Malara, EM Holding Corp.

Superintendent’s Report:

  • The intercom at 120 Boerum was able to be repaired after a new access panel was installed in the ceiling of the lobby.  The system is working properly once again.
  • The next phase of the roof repair project was completed, though certain deck boards and underlying structure require repair and will be addressed.  Bids are being obtained for that work.
  • The super planted new flowers in planters.
  • The rodent situation is much improved but is not solved altogether.  “Mouse proofing” within Units does not last forever and should be revisited if Units still are experiencing issues.  The Super is staying on top of the exterior areas, including in planters surrounding the buildings, and we continue to work with exterminators.  In general, the problem is greatly diminished.

Financials:

  • The Condo is in good financial condition, and we are on budget so far this year.

New and Ongoing Business:

  • The circulating new pumps for heating system are expected to be installed in May.
  • Bids are being obtained for repairs to the deck of Unit 2L.
  • Bids are being obtained for painting, including in the lobby of 122 Boerum.
  • The initial engineering report related to the water ingress issues was completed reviewed, and continued work will take place.  The highest priority is installation of a “check valve” to protect Unit 1P and thus the basement of 122 and 120 Boerum.  That will take place.

Announcements:

  • Our Annual Meeting will take place by Zoom on June 7, 2022, at 8:00 PM.  Advanced registration will be required (the access issues that some experienced in 2021 have been addressed and will not happen this year).  Please “save the date.”  Additional details will be distributed, posted in buildings, and posted on the website.
  • Three Board seats are up for election this year.  All owners are encouraged to volunteer to join the Board, and anyone interested should reach out to EM Holdings.