Author: Skytrack

Board Meeting Minutes, January 24, 2012

Attending:  Peter Levy, Pres., Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P., Levi McConnell, Sec., Matthew Pilkington, Treas., Rose Firestein, Terra Chalberg, Jose Perez (to present Super’s report), and Elia Malara (Managing Agent).

 

I.   Maintenance

– The heat timer was changed on the boiler, which, according to Jose is “running like a charm.”

– No other major repairs to report

– The carpet and paint is to be updated on the first floor of 120 Boerum Place, to match the second and third floors.

– The interior doorknob at 15 Bergen is loose and will be tightened

– The brick on the ground outside the Dean Street exit tends to ice up more easily than the surrounding concrete sidewalk. The board is investigating options to replace.

– A decision was reached on what will replace the exterior lighting at 134 Boerum Place.

– The board is investigating the best path forward to replacing or cleaning the carpet at 134 Boerum Place.  If it is replaced, carpet tiles will be used, as were at 120 Boerum Place.  The tile entryway will be redone in tile.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Tedesco appeared before the Board in order to show a short video of the damage to the interior of their unit from the plumbing leak that occurred in Unit 2E.

 

II.   Financials

– The managing agent sent out a reminder of an increase of Common Charge of 3% in January. Skytrack has budgeted an automatic increase every year of 3%.  We had waived the increase for the last 3 years, as our financial position was strong.  Due to a large amount of roof and deck repairs in 2011, our receipts were less than our payments, therefore the normal 3% increase was not waived for 2012 in order to balance the condominium budget.  If you pay by automatic bank transfers, please update the amount.

– The financial situation of Skytrack Condo was reviewed and continues to be in order.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.

 

The next Skytrack Condo Board Meeting is scheduled for March 6, 2012.

The Board extends holiday greetings to one and all.

We wish everyone at Skytrack

a Happy and Healthy Holiday and New Year.

 We would like to remind everyone that this is a good time to

thank José and Patrick for their hard work and dedication

to the building.

Trees:

Please make sure all holiday trees are bagged while bringing them into, and removing them from the building.  José will have oversize plastic bags available for tree transportation.  This will ensure that the super and porter do not spend time removing pine needles from the hallways.  Please be responsible and respectful. 

A fifty dollar ($50) charge may be imposed upon offending units.

Board Meeting Minutes November 22, 2011

Attending:  Peter Levy, Pres., Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P., Levi McConnell, Sec., Rose Firestein, John Carluccio, Terra Chalberg, Jose Perez (to present Super’s report), and Elia Malara (Managing Agent).

 

I.   Maintenance

 

  • The painted section of the brick wall in the courtyard of 15 Bergen St. has been repainted.
  • The wall between the Montessori School and 15 Bergen St. has been resealed.
  • The condominium has completed all of the deck repairs that were scheduled for 2011.
  • The front entrance stairs of 120 Boerum have been refurbished.  Layers of paint have been stripped and the metal nose edges have been ground to reveal clean metal beneath.
  • The board, with some feedback from other residents, has chosen to use the style of rolling receptacles for recycling that were being tested on the 2nd floor of 120 Boerum.  The aging plastic trash cans currently in use on the 3rd floor will be replaced.
  • The recycling area on the 3rd floor of 120 Boerum was experiencing leaks from a problem drain in the ceiling of the common area, which is a principal means of draining water from the roof.  The ceiling in that area was opened to determine the cause. The drain will be replaced and the ceiling closed up again.
  • Work has begun, and will continue, to refurbish the entry area of 134 Boerum Place.
  • The parking garage roof will be resealed.  The board and management company are reviewing bids for this project, which will commence in Spring 2012.
  • The board discussed the updates from insurance companies involved in the plumbing leak in Unit #2E, which caused damage to units below.
  • If any resident sees unlawful activity/behavior in any of the condominium common areas, including the roof, they are encouraged to report the activity to the police immediately.

 

II.   Financials

The financial situation of Skytrack Condo was reviewed and continues to be in order.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.

The next Skytrack Condo Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24th, 2012.

Residential Parking Permits

Residential Parking Permits
Hearing in City Council on Wednesday, November 2nd

  • According to the Empire State Development Corporation, when the Barclays Center opens in September 2012, an expected 35% of arena patrons or as many as 5,600 cars will travel to the site for each of the projected 220 events held each year. If nothing is done before to mitigate this volume of traffic, there will be an increased risk of vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle accidents that have already make Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn’s most dangerous road. This barrage of traffic is also expected to cause significant delays at more than half of the intersections within a half mile of the arena. And it will result in almost 3,000 arena patrons taking curbside parking spots in Park Slope, Boerum Hill, Fort Greene, and Prospect Heights.
  • Among all of the impacts to neighborhood character and quality of life that will come from locating Atlantic Yards’ arena within residential communities, none are of greater consequence to more residents than the unsafe conditions resulting from the traffic generated from arena events. But there is a way to reduce the demand for our local streets. It’s called “residential permit parking,” or RPP, and it’s been effective in other cities, like Boston and Chicago, where sports facilities are located in densely-populated areas. By limiting on-street parking during arena events to local residents, RPP creates a disincentive for patrons to drive, reducing congestion and making streets safer.

    However, New York City requires authorization from the State legislature before it can implement RPP. On Wednesday, 11/2 at 10:30AM, the City Council will hear testimony on legislation authorizing the City to enact residential permit parking programs in the five boroughs. The Boerum Hill Association urges you to participate in this critical hearing and make your voice heard.

  • What: Hearing of the New York City Council Committee on State and Federal Legislation
    When: Wednesday, 11/2 at 10:30AM
    Where: 250 Broadway, 14th Floor

Board Meeting Minutes September 20, 2011

Attending:  Peter Levy, Pres., Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P., Matthew Pilkington, Treas., Levi McConnell, Sec., Terra Chalberg, Rose Firestein, Jose Perez (to present Super’s report), and Elia Malara (Managing Agent).

I.   Maintenance

  • There was a plumbing leak in Unit #2E that severely damaged units 1E, 1M, the Super’s apartment, and parts of the Common Area below. It has been inspected by the appropriate  insurance companies, and repairs will commence as soon as they are approved.

Flexible plumbing connections have limited life spans.  They should be inspected and replaced every 5 years.  When you leave your apartment for an extended time (vacations, business trips, etc.), close the shut-off valves to the sinks, toilets, and washing machines.

  • The front entry stairs at 120 Boerum will be refurbished.
  • The exterior wall of 120 Boerum Place that fronts Dean Street is being investigated for possible re-pointing of the brick.
  • Repairs to the roof and ceiling of the parking garage are being considered.
  • A few more roof decks are being replaced/repaired
  • More upgrades and miscellaneous repairs are being considered for the Common Areas of 134 Boerum Place.

II.   Financials

The financial situation of Skytrack Condo was reviewed and continues to be in order.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.

The next Skytrack Condo Board Meeting is scheduled for October 25th, 2011.

 

PLEASE RETAIN THIS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

 RECYCLING RULES

PICK-UP IS MONDAY MORNING (Except Holidays)

(So put recycling into the containers by Sunday afternoon)

Glass Bottles & Jars, Plastic Bottles & Jugs, Beverage Cartons, Metal & Foil

Place in “METAL, GLASS & PLASTIC” or BLUE-labeled recycling bins:

*            glass bottles and jars

*            plastic bottles and jugs

*            beverage cartons and drink boxes (milk and juice cartons, juice boxes)

*            metal cans

*            aluminum foil wrap and trays

*            household metal (such as wire hangers, pots and pans, dried-out paint cans with lids removed)

*            bulk metal (such as metal furniture, cabinets, and appliances*)

*Before discarding appliances containing CFC gas (such as refrigerators and air conditioners), NYC residents must schedule an appointment for the recovery of CFC. Call 311

 

Mixed Paper & Cardboard

Place in “PAPER” or GREEN-labeled recycling bins:

*            newspapers, magazines, catalogs

*            paper, mail, and envelopes

*            telephone books and soft-cover books

*            paper bags

*            smooth cardboard (such as shoe boxes, cereal boxes with liners removed, cardboard tubes)

*            corrugated cardboard boxes (flattened and tied in bundles) Next to the Containers

What NOT to Recycle

Place the following items with your regular trash:

*            any other types of glass (bulbs, etc.)

*            other kinds of plastics (such as deli and yogurt containers, Styrofoam, plastic toys and furniture)

Do not place anything on the street unless so instructed by the Super.

Recycle ONLY designated materials; help make recycling cost effective.

NOTICE

Due to repairs,

the water will be shut off on

Monday, July 18,

from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM.

 

Please keep your faucets closed to prevent damage when the water is turned back on.

 

Board Meeting Minutes June 22nd, 2011

Attending: Peter Levy, Pres., Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P., Matthew Pilkington, Treas., Levi McConnell, Sec., John Carluccio, Jose Perez (to present Super’s report), and Elia Malara (Managing Agent).

 

Election Note: The board (in the absence of Matthew Pilkington and Rose Firestein) voted unanimously to appoint them to the Board until the next Annual Meeting with a quorum.

 

I. Maintenance

 

§ A number of decks have been replaced with good results, and a few more are still to come.

§ The leak in Unit 3D is being investigated further.

§ A few different styles of recycling receptacles are being tested on the first and second floors of 120 Boerum, in hopes of finding the best to use permanently. New signage to come.

§ New motion sensors for the lights in the parking garage have been installed.

§ The brick wall in the parking garage is being cleaned to remove brick dust lingering from the recent wall work and repair.

§ Due to a wiring issue, some intercoms are malfunctioning. This is being investigated.

§ The wall between 15 Bergen and 17 Bergen was experiencing moisture issues, and has been repaired satisfactorily.

§ Another joint wall, this one between 15 Bergen and the Montessori School, is experiencing moisture issues, and is being investigated.

§ Emergency lights will be installed at 15 Bergen. They will be similar to those already installed in 120 Boerum.

§ Carpets will be cleaned on the 3rd Floor of 120 Boerum.

§ The ”Skybridge” which connects 120 Boerum and 15 Bergen has been updated to have “sides” constructed of the same material used on the floor of the track.

§ Skytrack is investigating the addition of lines for FIOS service.

 

** NOTE TO RESIDENTS:

Please use care when placing items in the recycling bins, making sure any food containers are rinsed of food, which can attract rodents and other pests. Our recycling pickup day is Monday morning.

Please be sure the items you are recycling are actually recyclable. The city of NY recently distributed a guidebook for disposal of household items. You can also visit: http://bit.ly/8Yswo

“Bulky items” which residents wish to discard as “rubbish” need to be put out, curbside, for collection between 5 PM and midnight on Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday night, and will be picked up on Monday, Wednesday or Friday morning by the NY Dept. of Sanitation.

Remember- items that still have use can easily be given away on CraigsList.com using a “Curb Alert.”

 

II. Financials

The financial situation of Skytrack Condo was reviewed and continues to be in order.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm.

The next Skytrack Condo Board Meeting is scheduled for September 20th, 2011.

Skytrack Condominium Annual Owners’ Meeting Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The Board introduced themselves: Peter Levy, President; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, Vice President, Matthew Pilkington, Treasurer; Rose Firestein; Terra Chalberg, John Carluccio

Also Present: Elia Malara, Managing Agent; Mark Levitch, CPA; Jose Perez, Superintendent

 

At 8:10 there was not yet a quorum after all owners present, and by proxy, had signed in.  The meeting was begun at that time, with the intention of holding votes at such time as a quorum was reached. THE PERCENT OF OWNERSHIP PRESENT NEVER ROSE ABOVE 48.35%.  THIS HAS NEVER OCCURRED IN THE HISTORY OF THE CONDOMINIUM’S ANNUAL MEETINGS.

So, this was an ordinary meeting of owners, and no elections could take place.  At the next meeting of the Board, two persons will be elected to fill the expired seats until the next Annual Meeting.  In the future, non-attending owners should show community responsibility by giving their proxy to someone who is attending the Annual Meeting.  This meeting is required by the By-Laws, and incurs the expense of renting a facility and presenting reports.

By show of hands, a move to waive the reading of last year’s minutes was approved.

 

Accounting: Mark Levitch’s report:

The building’s finances are in excellent shape.  The only items on the budget that weren’t quite on target were repairs, which were more extensive than planned because the payment of the debt owed to us by 3C permitted the long-delayed renovation of the front and back stairs and stairwells in 120 Boerum Place.  Other repairs needed were somewhat more than predicted but easily paid for, still leaving an ample balance.  Common charge increases did not go into effect in January and can continue to be deferred.

 

Managing Agent : Elia Malara’s report:

In addition to the front and back stair renovation in 120, there has been work on the parapet coping.  Pigeon spikes were installed in the courtyard, and appears to have eliminated the pigeon droppings problem.  A number of roof decks have been replaced and several more are slated to be done this season.  There are plans for continued work on the light sensor set-up in the garage.  The nylon netting planned for the roof bridge has not yet been installed, but it should be as soon as the options can be researched fully.  Water has entered the brickwork where 15 Bergen’s walls meet the neighbors on both sides, Montessori School and 17 Bergen St.

Skytrack is working with these neighbors to seal and repair interior damage.

 

Maintenance: Jose Perez’s report:

Please consider that what is dropped down the refuse chute needs to be carried out.  Do not drop heavy bags of soil down the chute.  Cat litter should be double bagged and well closed, as well as not being in too heavy quantities, because when poorly packed it splits the bag upon impact at the bottom of the chute, and causes a smelly and filthy mess.  If you are getting rid of potting soil, it can be added judiciously to the building’s planters.  Please do not put furniture in recycling halls or on the street.  Pick-up is Friday, so arrange with Jose in advance, so that it can be placed on the street on Thursday night.  Abide by the recycling rules.  Styrofoam is not recyclable. Many packaging stores are happy to take it off of your hands and reuse it.  Or put it in a regular garbage bag, down the chute.

 

President’s Report: Peter Levy:

As we have reported, apartment 3C was sold.  We received all outstanding common charges, interest and late fees as well as reimbursement for legal fees incurred in our effort to collect the same.

Real Estate Tax protests for the 2005/6 through 2008/9 tax year assessments have been accepted by NYC.  The Department of Finance mailed a refund to our lawyers who, after deducting their fees, sent us a check for $75,178.41.  This money will be distributed according to the schedule provided by the City, to the owners during those tax years, even though some of them no longer live here.  There are apparently a few more refunds pending. When those that are pending arrive, they too will be distributed.  The subsequent years are still under protest but haven’t yet been addressed.  However the garage 2010/11 through 2011/12 assessment protested by our lawyers has been successfully accepted by the city and a reduced assessment has been recalculated by the city.  Rebates to garage owners can be expected, as well as reductions in future payments.

 

Three different apartments and one common area have reported bed bugs and residents should be vigilant in looking out for them.  If anyone else has spotted them, or is aware of bites, or has attempted to solve their problem alone, the board requires that they let us know about it, so that we can consider warning nearby apartment residents for preventive purposes, and check the nearby common areas.  You can find the Board’s policy on bed bugs on www.skytrackcondo.com, under Announcements, or contact the Managing Agent for a copy.

 

Two Board terms expire today.  Matthew Pilkington, who had been appointed to fill the remainder of David Crofton’s year after he resigned, has agreed to run for a full term.  Rose Firestein’s term has also expired and she, too, has agreed to run again.  There were no additional volunteers or nominees.  Since there was not a quorum, their election by the owners present was not legitimate.

New Business:

Miscellaneous requests were made by owners.  Among them: to have the buildings wired for FIOS, installing emergency lighting at 15 Bergen St., modification of the Skybridge, adjustment of the motion sensors in the garage, and to have the brick dust cleaned off garage floors and walls.

 

Please remember that the hallways and stairwells are not telephone booths or gymnasiums, but are next to neighbors’ apartments.  Sound carries through the walls and floors, so consideration is requested.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 P.M..

Respectfully Submitted by Katharine Flanders Mukherji, substituting for the secretary, Levi McConnell.