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Take a look at what we have happening around the building on the following platforms:
2013 meeting minutes - Indicative of the Board's engagement with owners
Why have there been none posted since March 2013? What is going on with our building?
There is major construction underway in two locations, site management is essentially non-existent, elevator troubles persist, there has been an abrupt and unexplained change in management companies. A reserve fund study is due this year. The hallway carpets are a disgrace. The front steps to South Tower are a lawsuit in waiting. And we here nothing from the Board. With the exception of Chris, from the perspective of an owner the Board does not exist.
I look back over the past few years and see nothing but excuses, with every problem blamed on the current or past management company. Yet we never hear of problems until the contract is over and a new company has been signed. How can we trust an appropriate company was selected when this Board has already failed so many times at choosing a management company?
Without communication or at the very least meeting minutes to track issues and activities, we the owners have no idea what is going on with our investment. How can we attract engaged owners, the type who will actually screen their renters, when the Board can't even be bothered to pass on basic information? And this must be the whole Board, leaving everything to Chris, as capable as he is, is not acceptable.
Rationale for terminating property managers
In the future, I think the condo board needs to notify owners as to why property managers are leaving this building OR why they were being terminated in the case of Celtic. It's fine that a new property manager will be hired soon but I think at some point the owners should know what is going on behind the scenes with regards to the decision making on this. I am just a renter with no say but seriously, how many property managers are left in this city for the board to choose from. What happens if the new property manager leaves after one year or is fired?
Also, it would be nice if we can get another site office lady that did a good job like Heather. Less bitches like Shirley and Angela Ryder, more like Heather and the swedish lady. Let's keep our fingers crossed
Minutes, et. al
I certainly understand your concern and frustration. I will apologize on behalf of the entire Board, as it certainly never has been our intent to make excuses, or to try to not be accessible. This web page and forum were part of our long term solution; we will have to explore what more we can do.
I would like to point out, though, in defense of all members of the Board, that all of us are volunteers, with lives just like every other owner. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to repair the damages done to this building, and 5 people alone are not enough. We do try, often fail, but get up to try again. It is a slow moving process when repairing these issues is not (and cannot be) the main focus of one's life.
Which is not to demean your concerns. They are quite valid. The minues cannot be posted until they are ratified, which means they are always a month behind (if everything goes well with them each month). The RSF has been contracted; it will take 6-8 months for it to be completed. The exterior landscaping is part of that study (and the north side of the building is in far worse shape, by the way). The carpets suck. We agree. But the cost to replace them is high, and we cannot prioritize an aesthetic change right now, with all the other issues that require attention. Like the elevators. Which is a problem with the elevator company, who continue to fail in providing the services of their monthly mainteance contract.
None of my answers are solutions. I know that. I wish I had some. All I can do is keep trying. It may not seem like it, but we ARE making forward progress. Grindingly slow progress, but progress. No one is more frustrated by that than me, but I take solace in the fact that, at least, it isn't regress (any more). I am hoping, with time, the pace will pick up and the improvements will be much easier to notice. In the meantime, please continue to bring issues of concern to our attention, so we can keep them on the front burner.
Building
I think the smart move would be for the board to try to retain a property management company then when an alternative has been identified, then switch over to the new one. So far, no property management has been identified yet. There's also nobody in the site office either which means they need to find a property manager first, then the site office staff hiring is next.
I personally think Ayre and Oxford was a good property manager. The longer we have no replacement property manager, the longer repairs will take to get fixed. I guess its like government, you hate them but you still need them to run the country. You are right in that you need more engaged owners who work just as hard as Chris to make a difference.
I'm just a renter in this building who helps out but I feel bad for the owners. From what I understand, theres over 7-8 units trying to be sold in this building now. I suspect this number will increase....
I try to look at the positive things now in this building ...