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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MARCH 22, 2007
READING, MODIFICATION, ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF FEBRUARY 22, 2007
The Board approved the February 22, 2007, minutes as a true record of the meetings.
TREASURER'S REPORT
The president read the report from the treasurer,
who could not attend because of illness.
Net cash available at the end of February was $952,095.74
For year-to-date operations, through the end of February:
- Total income was $166,632, which is under budget by $8,734;
- Total operating expenses were $130,056, which is under budget by $5,798;
- Capital expenditures were zero ($0.00)
Certificates of deposit activity during February was as follows:
-NONE-
Fund Balances
- Operating fund balance as of the end of February 2007 is $89,254;
- General reserve fund booked balance as of the end of February 2007 is $887,928;
- HVAC replacement reserve fund booked balance as of the end of February 2007 is $4,950
Audit Status
A draft audit for 2005 was reviewed. With the exception of about $4,000 for which the auditors could not find appropriate documentation, the audit is “clean.” The Board hopes to have the 2005 audit and an interim audit for 2006 in time for the annual meeting.
D.C. Taxes--Status of Resolution
Progress has been made in the dispute about D.C. taxes. For two out of four issues, D.C. has agreed that the Lauren did make payments and has waived penalties and interests. Two other cases are still a dispute. The Lauren will write an official letter requesting waiver of the payment for these and of any interest or penalties
Change to Simmons Management
The manager reported that the last two accounts have been transferred from Koger to Simmons.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MEETINGS OF FEBRUARY 22, 2007
Replacement of Water Valves
Riser Valves
The shut off valves for water pipes in each tier are located inside 10th floor units. Whenever a leak occurs or a unit is renovated, this requires the staff to enter the 10th floor home owner's unit in that tier, which is an inconvenience and raises privacy and security concerns. In case of emergencies, it may not be possible to gain entry to the 10th floor unit. The valves are failing and must be replaced in any event. The Board approved not only the replacement of the valves, but also the relocation of the valves to space inside the ceiling of the 10th-floor hallway, and movement of the valves to the hallway, accessible to repair personnel at all times, pending final negotiations with the contractor.
Water Main Valves
Main water valves that supply all water to The Lauren must be replaced, since they no longer function properly. Since the building will be without water for six to eight hour while the work is done, the Board asked that owners be given as much notice as possible. The Board also asked the manager to check if there is any requirement to let the fire department know about this, since the riser pipes during the time of the repair will be without water.
ACTION ITEMS IN ADDITION TO THOSE FOUND ABOVE
Annual Meeting
The board wishes to remind owners that the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Lauren Condominium Association Owners is scheduled for May 10.at the Marriott Hotel on 21st Street.
Rules to Govern Contractors Work in Building
The Board approved the rules governing contractor work in the building. They will be posted on the Lauren web site and distributed to all owners and tenants. The goal is to ensure that renovations to units do not adversely affect the quality of life of other tenants and owners and that Lauren hallways and other property are not damaged..
Patio Fence
The Board approved the request for the installation of a patio fence outside unit 113 as long as it is constructed of the same fencing used in the Lauren parking lot. Board approval is also dependent on the 113 owner getting written approval of by the neighboring owner whose view would be affected, and upon the approval of the Lauren attorney, since the fence will surround a limited common element of the condominium..
COMMITTEE REPORTS
HVAC Committee
Convector Pan Coating
Ibeas, the company doing the pan coating, was able to secure additional workmen to perform the scraping of pans. It now looks like convector pans all floors will be completed prior to the start of the cooling season. The work has been reviewed by the Lauren engineering consultant, who was satisfied with the quality of the new sealant.
Quality of Life Committee
No Report
Decorating Committee
The president reported that the Decorating Committee met and reviewed samples supplied by chair Erin Erlenborn. They were given assignments to visit various buildings and to photograph particularly attractive features. Among many decisions ahead, the Committee will consider the cost-benefits of hiring a professional decorator to help guide the project and answer questions. Cost for renovation of the carpeting, walls, doors, and elevators is expected to be about $100,000. The Lauren hallways were last redecorated in 1997. Members of the committee in addition to the chair are John Filice, Dwight Clark, Barrett Witkin, and Roger Hirschland.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION ITEMS
N Street Door Monitoring During Moves
The board continues to discuss various ways to ensure that the doors are monitored during moves. The Board discussed hiring someone or paying overtime to staff to stand right by the N Street door when it is open during moves in order to discourage or prevent any unauthorized people from entering the building. The Board approved raising the move in fees to $200 unfurnished and $175 furnished to help cover the cost of added security.
HGTV Filming Lauren Apartment
Last month, the cable network HGTV (Home and Garden Television) selected two Lauren residents, Jeff Wertkin and Erin Erlenborn, to be featured in one of HGTV's home remodeling programs. HGTV will be brining in design experts and a construction team to remodel Jeff and Erin's seventh-floor condominium, and capture the entire transformation on camera. A film crew visited The Lauren on March 19 to take the "before" shots of the apartment.
The construction and the remainder of filming will take place between April 23 and April 27. HGTV is distributed to more than 89 million U.S. households and is one of cable TV's top-rated networks. The construction work will follow the same rules as other construction. The unit owners will ensure that HGTV insurance covers any contingencies. While no date has been set, the 30-minute program is expected to air sometime this fall. Erin and Jeff intend to invite Lauren neighbors to a viewing at a nearby establishment.
Building-Wide Maintenance
The Board asked that signs be placed around when work such as floor-washing, floor-waxing, or painting is being done. The Board also asked that residents respect these signs and not walk on newly waxed or painted areas.
Trash chutes
The manager reported that he is still investigating differently designed trash-chute doors that would prevent the placing of large objects in the trash that cause blockage.
Ceiling Leak in Pool Room
There have been some leaks in the pool room and into the unit below. Two problems are involved. The floor is coated with a sealant but this has dried and cracked, and is no longer effective. Also, an HVAC supply pipe has a small leak. The president asked that this be fixed as a priority. Seal Engineering has been asked to provide recommendations for resealing.
Desk Staff-Training
Staff are now monitoring and recording HVAC water temperatures. They have also been updated on procedures for fire and water emergencies.
Security Cameras
A down payment was made to SETEC for the installation of an additional security camera to be located in the laundry room foyer. Installation commenced on 3/2 1/07 and is expected to be finished soon.
Emergency Lighting
Backup Generators
The manager reported that a preliminary engineering report indicate there are two possible locations for emergency generators. One is in the rooftop mechanical room, and might cover the heating of hot water. The second could be in a cornered off section of the laundry room, and might provide backup lighting for the halls and stairwells.
Flashlights
The Board has purchased a large supply of flashlights and batteries available at the front desk to help residents and visitors negotiate the hallways and stairways during blackout emergencies. Residents are expected to provide their own emergency flashlights for in-unit use.
Residents' Responsibilities
Residents are reminded that they have the responsibility to have their own emergency supplies.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 7 p.m. in Unit 908. All owners and residents are welcome.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p,m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was no executive session.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
Elizabeth A. VanderPutten, Secretary
TO SUBSCRIBE
To receive e-mail copies of Board Minutes, send a request to Property Manager Walter Krolman at
manager@lauren.org
Minutes and other Lauren information may be found in the Business Section of the Lauren
Web site
www.lauren.org/lrn_business.htm