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Minutes for 2002 November

Minutes
Altamont Patio Condominiums
Board Meeting
November 27, 2002
6:00 P.M.
Attendees:                Jeff Sfakianos, President

        Presley Burns, Grounds

        Shirley Williams, Secretary

       Charles D. Chapman (D-11)

        Charles Baird

        Bart Jones, Metcalf

        Bob Lacey, Metcalf
Business:

                           Parking Lot

Dunn construction has resubmitted a bid of $16,100 in correction for redesigning the lines painted on the parking lot asphalt. Colonial construction property submitted a bid of $17,500 for a comparable job. The bids were to cover laying an average of 1 1/2 inches of asphalt over the existing lot.

Charles Baird suggested that more work could be achieved for the money if he were to talk with the companies, since he has friends in the company that might be able to help. It was agreed to give Charles until December 6th to give feedback on his progress to Bart Jones of Metcalf Realty. The idea for a limited amount of time was the concern that refinishing the parking lot has been in debate for nearly 2 years, and further delays are not welcomed by the residents.

Continued leaks and toilet rings

Leaks continue to occur as a result of neglect in general maintenance of plumbing by residents of the condominiums. The responsibility of repairing the leaks lies in the hands of the owner of the unit that has the faulty wax ring. However, the task of organizing the repairs has come at the expense of Metcalf Realty not being able to spend time on other issues. Since worn wax toilet rings are the most common source of leaks in the buildings, the board has voted to obtain bids and begin the process of replacing all of the wax rings that cannot be documented as "new" by a professional plumber. While the wax toilet ring is being replaced, the plumber will inspect all of the plumbing in the unit and document the age of the hot water heater in the unit. The hot water heaters are also a common source of water destruction in the buildings. Lastly, if the unit has a washer and dryer, then the vent of the dryer will be documented as safe and in accordance with the fire code of Birmingham. The cost of the inspection and replacements will be billed to residents as a one-month special assessment.

                           Ground leaks

Unit D-7 has revealed a new ground water leak. The wall will be sealed by B-dry. The B-dry system has proven successful in other ground water problems. The system also comes with a warranty.

Annual Meeting on December 2002

The board voted that dinner would not be served at the annual meeting because the participation at  the last meeting was low. Dinner cost approximately $450 last year and only 25 people attended the meeting (just enough for a quorum). Bob Lacey of Metcalf Realty suggested that the meeting be held to 30 minutes or less if dinner was not to be served. He suggested that the agenda be kept to a presentation of the fiscal years expenses, ratification of the new budget, and election of officials. The suggestions were all agreed upon by the board and the annual meeting will be held at 845 South 19th Street, Room 170 of Bevill Biomedical Research Building at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Lawn Care

Our one year contract with Curb Appeal is to end in November. The board voted to not renew the contract. The decision was based on Curb Appeal's high charges for "extra" duties that were not outlined in the original contract and their lack of initiative in keeping up the curb appeal of the complex.

Air Conditioner Stands

The air conditioner stands located on top of the upstairs' units decks are falling apart and are becoming a hazard on a few of the stands. Southern Custom Remodeling submitted a bid to replace all of the stands with a design that is similar to the existing stands. The bid was chosen to not be accepted in its current form due to the poor design of the existing stands. Charles Chapman suggested that the stands simply consist of 2 pieces of 4x4 lumber that the air conditioners can sit on. The lumber can be tarred. The existing stands are 2 foot by 6 foot stands that are beginning to lean in worst cases. The leaning is dumping the condensing units off the stands. Charles Chapman has agreed to contact Southern Custom Remodeling to discuss changes to the current bid.

Satellite Dishes

Satellite dishes are becoming more popular at the condominiums. The possibility of having 84 dishes mounted onto the buildings is also becoming real. The existing policy of installing satellite was clarified as, "Satellite Dishes may be placed on the air conditioner stands on the decks above the upstairs units. The dishes must not be visible from the ground. Wiring from the dish to the unit must also be hidden from sight. All dishes must be professionally installed after a signed letter of permission for installation is granted by the board or Metcalf Realty." Several dishes do not comply to the existing policy nor have many of the units that have installed dishes obtained permission for installation.

Enforcement of the compliance to the dish installation policy will begin after the air conditioner stands have been repaired. In the meantime, Bart Jones of Metcalf Realty has agreed to contact the major dish service providers and discuss having the dishes properly installed. If the dish companies cannot move the dishes to a site that is in compliance to the installation policy, the owners of the units will be liable for the duty and cost of moving the dishes.

Financial Statements

It was requested that Metcalf Realty begin mailing a summary of the "Total Monies on Hand" with every financial report. Bob Lacey of Metcalf Realty said that this would not be a problem.
 
 

minutes documented by Jeff Sfakianos