An owner has reported that there have been at least four cars broken into while parked on the Dean Street side of the building in the last month.
If you are concerned you may want to attend the 84th Precinct Council meeting this Tuesday:
84th Precinct Council
9/16, @ St. Francis, Remsen between Court & Clinton @ 7:00PM.
The Captain always attends and will have his officers respond to this issue
A quorum was achieved (61.3% present & by proxy) and the meeting began at 8:00 pm. The board introduced themselves and the group voted to waive the reading of last year’s minutes.
The President’s Report: The first item of business was describing the change of managing agent from Peter Burgess, and introducing Elia Malara of E.M. Holding Corp., 80 Joralemon St., Brooklyn, NY 11201. Tel. (718) 625-4671.
The Financial Report: Mark Levitch, the condominium’s accountant, reviewed the financial records from 2007 and several major expenses, such as plumbing (due to all the repairs and check valve installments caused by sewer back-up) and some one-time expenses (paying Victoria Whitmore $34,214 in 9/2007). With the increase in Common Charges, we expect the 2008 budget to be in line with projected expenses, which have risen in recent years with the increase in fuel and other expenses. An update was provided regarding unit 3C and Common Charges owed. The Board indicated that it had a lien on her residence, which it updates periodically. Several owners expressed concerns over the state of the Unit (electricity turned off by Con Edison, litter, etc.) and the fact that someone is living there who claims that he is not paying rent, but has permission to occupy the apartment. The Board has no way of confirming this because Ms Whitmore is not contactable…even by her attorney.
Refurbishments: We reviewed the refurbishments undertaken, including the entryway on Dean Street, and soon-to-be-completed 2nd and 3rd floors of 120 Boerum Pl. The Board explained its decision to invest more in materials, such as heavy-duty, replaceable, carpet tiles, which cost more initially, but are expected to last longer. We reviewed the rationale for using a designer to have a more unified aesthetic, and for overseeing the work; her costs were reasonable and the budget was carefully reviewed by the Board. We have borrowed $15,000 against the line of credit for this work, having covered the rest of the costs from the operating budget.
The floor was opened for discussion to elicit views about investing in the remaining updates needed (primarily to the service hallways of 120, painting and carpeting 15 Bergen) through borrowing versus waiting to do these until we have more funding. A variety of opinions were expressed, and there was no consensus. Residents of 15 Bergen expressed the immediate need to have a solution to the garbage smell in their building, and this is a priority that is being addressed.
Matthew Pilkington also gave a gardening report, indicating that we have gotten a number of planters for 15 Bergen, 134 and 120 Boerum, which will be filled with evergreens and some annuals over the coming months.
Elections: Two Board member terms were expiring; Cynthia Steele’s, and that of David Crofton, who was appointed as a replacement for Mike Hansen when he left Skytrack. The Board accepted Cynthia Steele’s resignation after several terms of service, including the last as Secretary, and thanked her for her service.
In addition to David Crofton, two residents expressed interest in running for the two slots: Rose Firestein and Levi McConnell. Rose and David were elected, which means that the Board continues to have representation from all buildings. The Board encourages Levi to run in the future, or to get involved in other ways.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 pm.
Street Cleaning Regulations will be suspended within the following borders starting Monday, July 7, and lasting an estimated six to eight weeks:
North: Wyckoff Street (not included) from Court Street to 3rd Avenue
Saint Mark’s Place (not included) from 3rd Avenue to 4th Avenue
East: 4th Avenue (included) from Saint Mark’s Place to 15th Street
South: 15th Street (not included) from 4th Avenue to Hamilton Avenue
Hamilton Avenue (not included) from 15th Street to Court Street
West: Court Street (included) from Hamilton Avenue to Atlantic Avenue
The new Street Cleaning Regulations will take effect once sign changes are complete in the entire area, also indicated on the attached map. The changes do not affect 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. parking rules or meter regulations, or any other parking rules that are not Street Cleaning Regulations.
The DOT will give advance notification before enforcement resumes, and the public is encouraged to check the DOT’s Web site at www.nyc.gov/dot and call 311 regularly.
Similar conversions and temporary suspensions of ASP rules will occur later this year in the remaining neighborhoods of Board 6, including Red Hook and Columbia Heights. A total of 9,200 signs are being changed in the district.
Payments for your July 2008 common charges should be addressed to our new management company:
E.M. Holding Corp.
80 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
If you are setup automatic monthly mail-in payments from your bank, please notify them of the change.
Attending: David Crofton, Steve Dembitzer, Peter Levy, Katharine Mukherji, Matthew Pilkington, Cynthia Steele, Peter Burgess and Carlos, and Jose Perez (for the discussion of maintenance issues)
I. Maintenance Report (with Jose)
Abilene installed the glass refractor for the boiler.
Some roof fans were fixed; one more will be checked. The deck railing and track will be repainted this month.
Several decks, with the original wood floors, need replacement, which was authorized.
II. Finances
Finances are in order, with the exception of continuing arrears of 3C.
III. Old Business: Refurbishment Plans
Phase 1 Refurbishment: 2nd and 3rd floors of 120; planters; Garbage Bin in 15 Bergen
The Board authorized painting, carpeting and other needed upgrades (new baseboards and corner guards) for the residential areas of 2nd and 3rd floor of 120 Boerum Place, using materials recommended and to be sourced by the design consultant, Shoebox Interiors. The removal of vertical panels next to the doors, and painting of the second and third floors is scheduled to begin shortly! Carpeting will follow soon after.
The garbage bin will be changed within 15 Bergen. Other updates for 15 Bergen will be prioritized for the next phase. Doors will also be repainted for 122 Bergen.
The cost of this project will be around $47,000-substantially more than we have spent in previous refurbishments. As explained in earlier minutes, the rationale is that we are investing in materials which should have durability over the long term (e.g. industrial carpet in squares that can be replaced if needed) and in a scheme that does justice to the value of the building and the units. The plans for covering costs are to use reserve funds ($15,000 in money market account) and balances in operating funds over the next 2-3 months (we expect our costs to decline as heating costs will not be a factor). We will cover whatever is leftover (estimated at less than 50% of the total cost) by borrowing against our line of credit, and paying it back over the next 12 months.
Shoebox Interiors has sourced planter replacements for 134 and 120 (15 Bergen is pending landscaping adjacent building).
After the above refurbishments, we will take stock of our financial situation and estimated costs for subsequent phases (updating 15 Bergen; and completing the service areas and stairways in 120). Once all these are completed, we will investigate possibilities and costs for refreshing the lobby, outside awnings etc.
IV. New Business:
The annual meeting of the residents will be held June 11 at Montessori School at 8 pm. Please arrive by 7:50 to sign in and ensure we have a quorum.
The next Board meeting is May 28.
Submitted by: Cynthia Steele, Secretary
Notice to All Skytrack Owners
The boiler will be turned off on Wednesday April 2 at 10pm.
Due to repairs in apt 3b where heating pipes are leaking.
The carpet tiles for the Dean Street entrance and corridor will be installed, stating Tuesday March 25.
As many of you know, our Board of Managers meets monthly to review the routine tasks that keep our Condo running, manage our financial condition, and address Condo owners’ needs. Our priority is to maintain a welcoming and open atmosphere where owners are proud to reside, and are free to voice suggestions.
We are volunteers – all of us with other commitments, including full-time jobs and families. We donate our time and energy to ensure that Skytrack runs effectively and efficiently. We are owners just like you and wish to do the very best for our collective buildings.
Someone recently left anonymous remarks on the bulletin board at 120 Boerum; the board was defaced with graffiti, and an unsigned letter was posted. Frankly, actions taken by this anonymous owner are both childish and underhanded. Such actions are antithetical to the kind of community we are trying to build.
We would like to remind all owners that you are welcome to voice your opinions in a civilized manner. Written notes or emails are preferred, and signed notes may be placed in the suggestion box in the lobby of your building. The Board will always respond to you.
Every owner has the right to raise questions or comments about the board’s decisions; more importantly, every owner has the right to serve on the board and thus change policy. Complaining is the easy part. However, you do have an opportunity to effect change – simply volunteer to join the board.
The member terms of the Board are arranged so that every year seats are up for election at our annual meeting. Since 2004, nobody new has volunteered to be on the board. In fact, in 2007 the board was reduced to seven members due to the lack of volunteers.
If you have a complaint, please don’t trivialize it like a graffiti artist. Volunteer to join the board.
Attending: Steve Bruner, David Crofton, Steve Dembitzer, Peter Levy, Katharine Mukherji, Matthew Pilkington, Cynthia Steele, Peter Burgess, and Jose Perez (for the discussion of maintenance issues)
I. Maintenance Report (with Jose)
Abilene changed 14 tubes in the boiler and installed some heavier tubing. Temperature checks in several units afterwards showed uniformity in temperature readings.
The Dean Street project, involving the back stairs and entry, has been started. The closet door has been repaired and painting started.
Mario is to look into pointing needed at134.
Peter Burgess is going to contact the Sanitation Department about the collection of garbage (and if possible recycling) near each building-as is standard in NYC–rather than all garbage on Bergen Street, and all recycling on Dean Street as is the current practice.
II. Finances
The 2008 budget with reorganized budget categories is in effect. Our financial status is generally good: we have over $44,000 in the bank, half of which will be put into a money market account. Several owners did not notice, or change their payment if automatic, the increase in common charges. The management company will be in touch with them directly.
The Board will be exploring how to save money as well as to be greener as a building, e.g. reducing our $32,000 annual water bill by eliminating drips from all faucets or toilets. We each can take such measures as turning off the heat (or air conditioning in summer) when leaving home. We welcome your suggestions and will be putting forth ideas in upcoming meetings.
III. New Business
Several packages to 120 Boerum Place have gone missing. Jose will put any packages delivered in the locked package room going forward, so see him if you are expecting a delivery.
The Board has asked our design consultant at Shoebox Interiors to produce a design scheme and costs for needed upgrades for the 2nd and 3rd floor of 120 and 15 Bergen. She will also suggest landscaping upgrades, notably planter replacements (including 134). These will be presented next month for prioritization and allocation of resources. Our expectation is that this refurbishment will be done this spring.
We now have a digitized version of the bylaws and will determine the best way to make these available to people, such as prospective buyers.
The next Board meeting is March 26.