September 16 Meeting

Attending:

Corinne Getchell (MA) --Modica Associates

Yelena Chigirinskaya (YC) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Douglas McClennen (DM) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
Bill Gentz (BG) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Distribute to:

Kristen Lipstreuer (KL) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

David Sherf (DS) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
107 Mail Room for general information
111 Mail Room for general information

Structural Needs Assessment Report
The second (out of 3 total) payment installment has been made to C&P. The association has not yet been billed for any window panning (the panning over the old windows). The board approves the new bricks that has been used so far on an alley wall to be used for the rest of the building. The board has a question for C&P about 2 cracked lentils over 2 top front window in 107. What will be done about these? Will they be fixed or replaced? So far C&P replaced a total of 2 lentils--they have not replaced any lentils beyond what is in the spec. When the work shifted to the Jersey St side of the building, it was discovered that one of the balcony supports has rusted out. MA has called Nino's to come and do the welding to fix the support. Dave Modica will be meeting with Nino's about this issue.

Second Means of Egress
The individual unit window replacement is complete, so MA has now spoke to Logan Grate about replacing the window grids. MA to put out a notice to all the units involved to ask them to put a piece of paper on their bedroom window, so that the workers know which grates to replace. Unit 111-23D owner requested to bump out their new grid so that it can fit an AC unit. The reason grids are being replaced is to bring the units up to fire code--to allow a second means of egress from the bedroom window. The board is concerned that if an AC unit is blocking the window, then there will be no second way out of the unit. MA to look into the fire code regulations about AC blocking the second means of egress window.

Damanged Bollards by the Dumpsters
Same.

Window Replacement
All individual unit windows have been replaced and all units have paid the association. The association will now pay $18150 for the work. The association has paid 1/2 of the cost of panning for the windows in 111-2 unit, but the panning was not the right kind and was removed. MA is working with Hadco, the company that was replacing 111-2 unit's windows in order to get the money back. Unit 107-14, which had its windows replaced, had a screen fall out during the storm. MA to contact Lewin about fixing the screen.

107 Laundry Room Floor
Same.

QCT Meeting Minutes Web Hosting
The board has approved the site. YC will port all the old meeting minutes onto the site, so that the old website can be dismantled. Item Complete.

Dead Tree in Front of 107
MA spoke to the city Parks Department on September 9th. They said that they have placed the tree on the inspection list. This means that a city official will come to check if the tree is dead. If the tree is dead, it will be placed on the removal list. This process will take 1 to 2 years. Once it is removed, it will be placed on the replacement list. The board thinks we should at least remove the polls for now, as it may take several years for the tree to be replaced.

These minutes are written to Yelena’s best recollection. Please notify her of any discrepancies immediately.

August 19 Meeting

Attending:

Corinne Getchell (MA) --Modica Associates

Yelena Chigirinskaya (YC) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Douglas McClennen (DM) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
Bill Gentz (BG) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Kristen Lipstreuer (KL) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
David Sherf (DS) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Distribute to:

107 Mail Room for general information
111 Mail Room for general information

Structural Needs Assessment Report
David Modica will send out a report to the board on the work progress. C&P is looking for the 2nd of the 3 payments from the association. The following work has been completed to date: all 3 courtyard walls, 2 rear cheek walls, all wall has been 100% cut, pointing has begun. Trustees have some questions on the work in progress. C&P is filling the deep crack between the brick and the door frame with mortar--is that per spec? David Modica will check the spec, confirm with C&P, and inform the board. 111 2nd floor window in the courtyard had a lantil with 2 cracks that have been patched. Should that lantil be replaced instead? MA will hold off payment to C&P until these issues are addressed. Trustees agrees to go forward with replacing all common area windows at the total cost of $7,700. Trustees will go look at the wall where new bricks have been used to make a decision whether the right color of the brick has been selected.


Second Means of Egress
Window grid work is on hold until all window replacement and capping work is complete. 111-20A owner is concerned that it is a safety issue that the 111 laundry room window does not have a grid. (None of the ground level windows along Jersey Street have grids.) The board takes owner's request to add the grid on that window under advisory, but currently no action is planned.


Damanged Bollards by the Dumpsters
C&P has straightened the bollard, and will do something to stabilize it at no extra charge to the association.


Window Replacement

All unit windows for the participating units have been replaced, except for 111-11, which was a add-on unit that is replacing just one window. 111-2 has new windows, but no panning, because 111-2 was replacing the windows on his own, and the panning did not match. 111-2 windows will be capped as part of the structural needs work, with all old windows are capped.

107 Laundry Room Floor
Same.


Cash Reserve Interest on Monthly Financial Report
From now on, a copy of the cash reserve bank statement will be included in the monthly financial report. Item Complete.


QCT Meeting Minutes Web Hosting
YC to email the board the blog URL for feedback on content and usability.

New Business:

Dead Tree in Front of 107
A tree that was growing in front of the 107 building. The tree died, and was broken off. Polls remain that used to support the tree. MA to call City Hall to find if they will replace the tree. If the tree will not be replaced, the polls should be removed.

These minutes are written to Yelena’s best recollection. Please notify her of any discrepancies immediately.

Dead Tree In Front of 107

(08/19/08) A tree that was growing in front of the 107 building. The tree died, and was broken off. Polls remain that used to support the tree. MA to call City Hall to find if they will replace the tree. If the tree will not be replaced, the polls should be removed.

(09/16/2008) MA spoke to the city Parks Department on September 9th. They said that they have placed the tree on the inspection list. This means that a city official will come to check if the tree is dead. If the tree is dead, it will be placed on the removal list. This process will take 1 to 2 years. Once it is removed, it will be placed on the replacement list. The board thinks we should at least remove the polls for now, as it may take several years for the tree to be replaced.

(11/18/2008) We are on the city's "inspection list"--they will come to make sure it is actually dead.

(01/20/2009) Same.

(03/17/2009) Same.

(05/19/2009) Same. Doug has offered to purchase a ginko tree. The landscaper (Malkasian) provided an estimate of $250 that includes installation of the tree only. (The amount is higher because the stump of the old tree has to be dug out.) MA to ask Malkasian for the total estimate on purchase, delivery and installation of the tree.

(06/16/2009) New tree planted. Item Complete.

July 15 Meeting

Attending:

Corinne Getchell (MA) --Modica Associates

David Modica --Modica Associates

Yelena Chigirinskaya (YC) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Douglas McClennen (DM) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
Bill Gentz (BG) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Distribute to:

Kristen Lipstreuer (KL) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

David Sherf (DS) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
107 Mail Room for general information
111 Mail Room for general information

Structural Needs Assessment Report
Noblin decided to walk away from the job, and will no longer be working with the association. Noblin’s reasons, as far as the board understands, were the following: 1) the board did not chose the lowest bidder, 2) the board changed the timeline of the project [the original timeline planned the work to be completed in 2 years, but it was cheaper to complete the work in 1 year], 3) the scope of the project was changed [originally the plan was to reseal old windows, but David Modica became aware that that might imply scraping out old lead paint. To avoid lead paint, the plan was changed to seal the old windows with aluminum panning], 4) the board requested another round of bids. From now on David Modica will oversee the job and work directly with C&P for no extra charge to the association. C&P delivered brick samples for the board to look at and chose the brick to best match the building.

Second Means of Egress
MA to send notices out to all owners of garden level units who have grids on their windows, to ask the owners to mark their bedroom window. Logan Grate will then measure the windows without entering units, and will provide estimates for the grids.

Damanged Bollards by the Dumpsters
Same.

Window Replacement
DS and MA drafted a letter to go out to all owners who decided to replace the windows. The owners will have several days in which to agree to the window replacement and conditions outlined in the letter, and return the signed letter with their payment.

107 Laundry Room Floor
MA contacted the laundry machine company. Since our contract is up for renewal soon, MA will meet with the company in August to discuss terms of the contract renewal, including fixing the floor.

Cash Reserve Interest on Monthly Financial Report
Bookkeeper has been notified, and the numbers should show up in our July financial statement.

QCT Meeting Minutes Web Hosting
We need to find a new place to host our meeting minutes on the internet. The current site is not owned by any of the trustees, and we need to find an alternative. YC to explore using a free blogging host for posting our minutes.

These minutes are written to Yelena’s best recollection. Please notify her of any discrepancies immediately.

QCT Meeting Minutes Web Hosting

(07/15/08) We need to find a new place to host our meeting minutes on the internet. The current site is not owned by any of the trustees, and we need to find an alternative. YC to explore using a free blogging host for posting our minutes.

(08/19/08) YC to email the board the blog URL for feedback on content and usability.

(09/16/2008) The board has approved the site. YC will port all the old meeting minutes onto the site, so that the old website can be dismantled. Item Complete.

June 24 Meeting

Attending:
Corinne Getchell Modica Associates MA
Yelena Chigirinskaya Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust YC
Douglas McClennen Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust DM
Bill Gentz Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust BG

Distribute to:
Kristen Lipstreuer Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust KL
David Sherf Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust DS
107 Mail Room For general information
111 Mail Room For general information


Structural Needs Assessment Report
The board agreed on the color of the mortar to be used. C&P started working on Saturdays. MA to work with Noblin to revise the specs to account for windows panning. MA to ask Noblin to determine how the panning is going to be attached. C&P has been paid 10% at signing the contract for the masonry and 30% when they started the work. The expense will show up on June finance report.

Second Means of Egress
MA met with Logan Grate again, and provided him with a photo of the kind of grid the board approved to be installed. The garden level unit windows facing Queensberry Street currently do not have any grates, while the ones facing Jersey St. do. MA to work with Logan Grate to get the cost estimate for grid replacement.

Inner Courtyard Cleanup
Item Complete.

Damanged Bollards by the Dumpsters
The bollards have been straightened out but not reinforced. David M. will work with C&P to see if they can be reinforced with concrete.

Window Replacement
9 owners have signed up for window replacement. Windows have been measured in all but one unit (key issue with the unit). The exact estimates will come in once all windows have been measured.

107 Laundry Room Floor
The laundry room sub-floor in 107 Jersey Street has been rotting and is now uneven, causing the washing machines often to become unbalanced and fail to finish their cycle. MA to investigate if a board can be put under the machines to temporarily fix the problem.

Cash Reserve Interest on Monthly Financial Report
DM suggested to modify the monthly financial statements such that they show any interest made on the cash reserve. The numbers are available. MA to ask the bookkeeper to put the numbers on our monthly statements.

These minutes are written to Yelena’s best recollection. Please notify her of any discrepancies immediately.

107 Laundry Room Floor

(06/24/08) The laundry room sub-floor in 107 Jersey Street has been rotting and is now uneven, causing the washing machines often to become unbalanced and fail to finish their cycle. MA to investigate if a board can be put under the machines to temporarily fix the problem.

(07/15/08) MA contacted the laundry machine company. Since our contract is up for renewal soon, MA will meet with the company in August to discuss terms of the contract renewal, including fixing the floor.

(08/19/08) Same.

(09/16/2008) Same.

(11/18/2008) Same.

(01/20/2009) Proposal by DM to motion at owners meeting that we consider reconfiguring entire space including storage locker area and boiler room to be more efficient. Including replacing current inefficient gas systems. Will ask owners for feed back on whether to hire engineer to make proposal.

(03/17/2009) ALS (Automatic Laudry Services) came and looked at the floor. ALS will give us $750 to fix the floor. When the floor is removed, we will need to investigate the drain pipes underneath to see if larger pipes have to be installed.Our contract with ALS does not expire until 2014. Laundry breakdown: 55% to ALS, 45% to QCT.

(05/19/2009) MA is continuing to negotiate with ALS (Automatic Laundry Services). $750 that ALS has agreed to give to the association to fix the floor is not enough. MA will ask ALS if ALS knows anyone who would do that kind of work for only $750, or try to negotiate a larger amount. When the floor is removed, the plumbing underneath needs to be investigated. It is possible that the smell in 107 is caused by drain water backing up. One suggested solution is to install a backflow preventor.

(06/16/2009) Modica to get bids for new floor and investigate installation of back flow valve.

(08/18/2009) Carpenter (Vogt & Company) did a proposal and submitted to MA, with the cost of $7600. The proposal includes carpentry, but does not include tiling, removing and reinstalling the washing machines. The laundry company will have to do the removal and reinstallation of the machines. The laundry company will not give the association more than $700-800. The estimate is approximately $52.77/sq. foot (based on 8x18 ft area).Doug proposes to just fix the floor, and put down rolled goods. Currently the floor is a potential tripping hazard.MA to ask the carpenter to price items 1-3 on the proposal, without preparing the floor for tiling (described in item 2), without new cabinets or counters, and without painting.When the floor is lifted, it is likely that they will find rot in the joices. Joices will have to be replaced. This work would not be included in the estimate.

(09/15/2009) Vogt & Company (the carpentor/vendor whose proposal the association is considering) warns that roll-out/linoleum type floor is pourous, and if there are leaks, the floor maybe severely damaged or destroyed. The carpenter discussed the issue with Dave Modica, and both recommend installing tiled floor. DM estimates that the price difference between tile and linoleum may be over $1000, and the linoleum floor should last for several years. MA to get an estimate on both tile floor and linoleum floor to see what the actual cost may be and what the actual difference in price is. Plumbing is to be inspected when the floor is removed. DM requests that the material to be used for the subfloor is specified in the proposal.

(2010, March update since 09/2009) The board and MA exchanged many emails about what the specs for the work should include, and what a reasonable price for the work might be relative to what a contractor is proposing. The latest info to be discussed during the next trustees' meeting.

(03/16/2010) We had bids from multiple places: Vogt & Company (wood floor), and Capuccio Construction (bid for mud floor after we provided the spec, recommended by Dave Modica).Capuccio Construction bid included adding a layer of concrete onto the foundation, tile on top of that (as opposed to laying tile on an elevated floor), as well as removing the wall behind the washing machine, and replacing it with a water resistant green dry wall. When the wall is removed, Dave Modica and the plumber will inspect the plumbing and electrical hook ups behind that wall.MA to request a reference for Capuccio before the next meeting.

(04/20/2010) On hold until the smoke test is done.

(05/18/2010) Same.

(06/15/2010) Same.

(07/20/2010) Same.

(08/17/2010) The board discussed possible ways to repair the floor: pouring the slab on grade vs floating slab.

• Floating slab—is lifted on joists above the soil, creating a "gap" between the ground and the floor.
• Slab on grade—is poured down against the soil, thus sealing the so called "gap".

The current floor is a concrete slab on joists with plywood on top.  The proposal (whose?) is for thicker concrete slab with the floor. 

The board needs the following questions answered before deciding on the "slab on grade" floor:

• Are there any pipes between the current "floating slab" floor and the dirt?
• Is there a significant price difference between the 2 types?
• If plumbing work needs to be done (pipes burried to allow for the "slab on grade" floor, what would the extra costs be?

Fire code violation was discovered when the laundry room wall was opened. No insulation (no 2nd layer of sheet rock) between the laundry room and an abutting unit.  David Modica is aware of this problem, and this minor issue will be fixed with other work in the laundry.

MA to request 2 specs from Wolf Rock Development and ask about pros and cons. The board will review the specs.

[Later edit:  In an email David Modica reminded the board that we have reviewed bids for this work and questions the need to rebid the work.  Notes about previous bids can be found here -- the latest bid information was noted in the March 16th Meeting Notes.]