BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Joe Engle, President; Sandy Bagley, Secretary; Victor Blanc, Treasurer; Steve Chipman, Member-at-Large
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
None
MANAGEMENT COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE(S) PRESENT
Ellona Hess and Josie Fajardo of Scott Management Company (SMC)
CALL TO ORDER
The following are the minutes of the 555 Esplanade Condominium Owners Association Board of Directors open session meeting, held on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 via Zoom. A quorum of Board Members was established, and Mr. Engle called the meeting to order at 10:08 AM.
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR TO FILL VACANT BOARD SEAT | VOTE
The Board has operated with four (4) of five (5) seats filled since the 2020 Annual Meeting/Election.
MOTION Mr. Engle made a motion to appoint Mr. Steve Chipman to fill this fifth (5th) seat, with the position of Member-at-Large. Ms. Bagley made a second to the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.
HOMEOWNERS FORUM
Homeowners were provided with the opportunity to address the Board regarding items of interest or concern, in accordance with the open meeting act, CA Civil Code 4925(b).
APPROVAL OF BOD MEETING MINUTES (05.25.21)
MOTION Ms. Bagley made a motion to approve the May 25, 2021 meeting minutes as prepared. Mr. Engle made a second to the motion. The motion carried with all in favor.
APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL REPORT (JUNE)
As of June 30, the Association had $2,841.92 in operating funds and $1,104,329 in reserves. There were no accounts in collections as of June 30, and $7,617.12 in receivables. The Association is current with the monthly reserve contributions, each in the amount of $9,400. The Association currently holds the following CD maturities: 2021 maturities $425,000 3 CDs and 2022 maturities $350,000 2 CDs. The Association’s Merrill Lynch senior portfolio advisor noted that they do not have any CD purchase recommendations for this month as the cash in the account needs to be used for upcoming projects.
OLD BUSINESS
- Exterior Retaining Walls The retaining wall project is continuing. Mr. Blanc reported on project progress and noted that it is now in its “home stretch.” The new walls are up, and stucco was applied. The soil was leveled, and on the 535 side they are installing the pavers for a “cascading effect.” Painting the new walls will be the last step. The contractor estimates that he will have everything wrapped up by the end of next week. A conference call was set up with Rancho CA Landscape for July 22, to review their proposal for landscape design/restoration. The intention is to plant drought tolerant foliage.
- Sundeck Resurfacing Mr. Engle reported, on behalf of the Committee, that proposals for this project were received, ranging from a low of $200,000 to a high of $500,000. Proposal and contract negotiations, facilitated by Pacific Construction Analysts (PCA) are in progress. The Committee anticipates that the project will end up costing $320,000 - $350,000 (including a contingency allowance). The Committee believes it should be ready to make a recommendation to the Board as to which proposal to go with within the next two (2) – three (3) weeks. The intention is to have the project started by mid-August, with the goal to have the work complete by October. The contractor will need to have access to the bicycle cage on G1 and the immediately adjacent parking space for storing equipment.
- Key-Card to Operate Elevators TRE Elevator (TRE) issued a proposal to install a keypad/fob reader at the lobby level hall station. The merits and disadvantages of installing this pad/reader were considered. This will remain on the agenda for continued discussion.
- Fire Sprinkler Repairs in Units The Board reviewed the proposal by Bear Contractors to attend to pending fire sprinkler repairs in four (4) Units.
- 517 Balcony Deck Repairs The Owner of Unit 517 presented a proposal by GMF Construction, Inc.
- Balcony Railing Repairs by ProTec Repairs to balcony railings for Units 103, 114, 307, 315, 317, 319, 406 and 517 are complete. ProTec is now tasked with painting the repaired areas.
- Gym Room Fan Repairs It was previously noted that one (1) of two (2) fans in the gym is not working. Mr. Blanc and Ms. Betty Schneider will continue to pursue service by Moffit Electric as needed, for an authorized not to exceed amount of $1,000.
- Hydrojetting Jose Rodriguez Plumbing (JR) was hired by the Association for the jetting of kitchen and lavatory stacks (175 fixtures in total). The schedule prepared by Ms. Schneider will be followed. The scheduling is spread out for budgetary reasons. The first stack attended to on April 29 was the 01 Stack. The 02 Stack was serviced May 7 and the 03 Stack on June 24. The 19 Stack is scheduled to be service today.
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations The Board will review the information by ChargePoint, “the world’s largest and most open electric vehicle (EV) charging network,” on charging options they offer to Community Associations. A Committee will work together with the Board on this. So far, the Committee Members will include Ms. Bagley (representing the Board) and Ms. Schneider. Ms. Bagley and Ms. Schneider will search for another volunteer.
- Gym Reopening, Protocols The County of Los Angeles retired its Reopening Protocol for Gyms and Fitness Establishments. Before the gym is reopened, the Association’s Release of Waiver and Liability for use of the gym will be presented to counsel for any suggested updates (concerning COVID, and generally).
- Repairs to Common Area Doors (555 S Wall Main Entrance, 535 N Wall 1st from West) Vortex issued a proposal for these recommended repairs, based upon their observations while on-site back in February to install the astragals for the lobby doors. The Board will plan to revisit this proposal at the next meeting.
- Cameras for Lobby Entrance Call-Boxes The Board considered adding cameras to the existing lobby callboxes which would allow residents to see who is dialing them from there, via an app pulled up on smart device. In place of this, the Board is in favor of establishing WiFi for the lobbies, to allow residents reception on smart devices to be able to interact with visitors/delivery people, etc. Mr. Blanc will facilitate this.
- Carpet Cleaning Service
MOTION Mr. Engle made a motion to accept the proposal, for a fee of $1,000. Ms. Bagley made a second to the motion. The motion carried with all in favor. Following the cleaning service, the Board will walk around to identify any areas with stains that could not be lifted. ProTec will then be assigned with the replacement of those damaged carpet tiles.
- Relocation of Beach-Side Fence
- 2022 Reserve Study Update
- Structural Integrity Analysis of the Building
ADJOURNMENT | CONFIRM NEXT MEETING DATE
The meeting was adjourned at 11:56 AM. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, 10 AM via Zoom.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
An executive session was called to order at 11:58 AM to review the executive session meeting minutes, the aging report, governing document enforcement matter(s) and a legal matter. The meeting was adjourned at 12:49 PM.