Lauren Condominium Association
Minutes of the Board of Directors
September 25, 1996
President Brian Larkin called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in Unit 109. Present were other board members Eileen Collins, John Doolittle, Joe Morris, and Waldemar Wajszczuk and Property Manager Walter Krolman. Attending selected portions of the meeting were owners Margaret Crandall, Dorothea Schaffer and Maxine Schwartzman.
Treasurer's Report--
The finances of The Lauren continued to be stable through the month of August. We closed the month with slightly more than $200,000 in capital reserves, a decline of about $13,000 from the end of July. This decline was anticipated because the hallway renovation was still underway and invoices from contractors were expected during August. As of August 31, the total cashes on hand was $284,000, an increase of $14,000 from July, and the Net Cash Available was $204,000, up $9,000.
The income received in August was about $450 less than anticipated when income is adjusted to exclude capital reserve transfers. Most of the difference was due to the fact that The Lauren did not record any income during August for in-unit service. Of The Lauren's eight major budget categories, four were over budget and four were under budget. The categories over budget were: Capital Expenditures which exceeded August projections by nearly $17,000 (a result of payment timing), Utilities which were over by $2,100 (most of it from electricity), and Maintenance and Salaries which exceeded estimates by $1800 and $500 respectively. The under budget categories were: Contracted Expenses ($200), Professional Services ($640), Administrative ($175), and Insurance, Taxes, and Debt ($950).
In August, nearly $26,000 was paid out for capital expenses. The entire amount was in payment for the hallway renovation.
Action Items--
Temporary Exchange of Living Facilities
The Board approved a policy allowing owners to permit short-term use of units (two to ten months). A fee of $75 will be charged and owners will be limited to one short-term use per year. It is assumed that furniture will not be moved in these arrangements. In lieu of a rental agreement, a contract form was approved that must accompany the request for the short-term use.
Permanent Hallway Ash Urns
The Board decided to consider less expensive alternatives to the urns suggested by Gotwald and Finch.
Electrical Load Test
Environmental Systems Engineering of Fort Washington, Maryland ran tests during the month to assess electrical usage in a single power riser of the building. This procedure was done in order to determine the strain placed on the electrical system by adding in-unit washer-dryers. The firm recommended a particular brand and model of washer and dryer combination should be used in order to avoid overloading the electrical system.
Certificate of Occupancy Application
The owner of Unit 111, Dorthea Schaffer, has applied for a Certificate of Occupancy from the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA). She said she was told by the BZA staff that it would help the case if the Lauren Board of Directors joined with her in the application. Unit 111 has been on the market for some time and one potential buyer would like to operate a travel business from the space. Ms. Schaffer and her Realtor, Maxine Schwartzman, said they believe the Certificate will be offered if the Lauren Board supports the petition. The Board voted unanimously to uphold its long-standing policy of neutrality on C of O applications, i.e., it will neither support nor approve such applications.
Modification of Unit 504
The new owner of Unit 504, Margaret Crandall, presented plans to remove a privacy wall that had been installed in the unit during a previous modification. No supporting walls, plumbing or electrical work is involved. The Board approved the change.
Committee Reports--
Cost Containment
Chair Waldemar Wajszczuk discussed a revenue-enhancing plan by which the building rent roof space to wireless communication companies. One approach would be for the Lauren to market the space or contract with a firm to do it. Wajszczuk indicated he had obtained a proposal from one marketing firm. The Board decided to request its legal counsel to review the agreement making sure the contract conforms with the building's insurance coverage and provides for the necessary City permits and zoning regulations.
Marketing
Chair John Doolittle said there was a session with a Realtor who is familiar with the Lauren last week at which information was gathered about making the building more attractive to potential buyers of units. Waldemar Wajszczuk and Melva Caswell ran the session. Wajszczuk said the Realtor made several suggestions such as the advisability of replacing the canopy over the front door, modifying the front doors themselves so as to look less industrial, and not get involved with constructing a health club inside the building. Doolittle said the committee will meet next week to discuss these suggestions and where to go for additional ideas on making the strengths of the building more available to potential buyers.
Zoning Committee
Chair Joe Morris indicated his committee is preparing a comprehensive report concerning the issues facing the Lauren with respect to zoning issues. These include changing the building's zoning status from the present SP2 (mixed use, medium-density) to one that is commercial. The report will also address questions related to the pending applications by several unit owners for Certificates of Occupancy. Morris presented data from Lusk & Son on the relationship between unit usage and sale price. Ultimately, the committee's report will provide the Lauren Board with a set of recommendations to assist it in dealing with these complicated issues.
Review, Status and Discussion Items--
Development of Emergency Evacuation Plans
Similar plans are being sought from nearby buildings such as Embassy Square that will be used as a model for a plan for the Lauren. Walter Krolman anticipates he will have a draft proposal for the Board to review at its October meeting.
1997 Budget-Identification of Capital Expenditures
Property Manager Walter Krolman Building Engineer Wayne Hall provided him with a list of items that need to be considered when drawing up the budget for the next few years. Krolman presented the list to the Board. Other capital expenditures that were discussed included cleaning air ducts and drainpipes throughout the building and replacement of the front door canopy.
Laundry Room Washers/Dryers
Eileen Collins said several of the washers and dryers are not functioning properly. Joe Morris agreed adding that some of the dryers don't work well either. Some of the problems that laundry users experience may be due to electrical or plumbing malfunctioning rather than the equipment, according to Walter Krolman. It was decided to install a "suggestion box" in the Laundry Room to solicit comments from residents who experience problems with various machines.
Roof garden Wine and Cheese Party
Waldemar Wajszczuk picked up cheese and crackers plus some grapes and John Doolittle obtained the wine for the event. Walter Krolman indicated tables will be available for the refreshments. He also said our insurance company confirmed that the building's coverage is more than adequate for the affair.
Lauren Newsletter
The next edition of the newsletter will be September 30, according to editor Waldemar Wajszczuk.
Adjournment--
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m. The next meeting of the Board was scheduled for Wednesday, October 30 at 7 p.m. in Unit 109. Executive Session followed. Copies of the Minutes of this meeting may be obtained via e-mail by sending Property Manager Walter Krolman a request at WKrolman@aol.com or WKrolman@pop.erols.com.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Doolittle, Secretary
