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.