GALENA GREEN CONDOMINIUMHOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

16 NOVEMBER 2024, 1pm

Board Members Present: Frank Priore, President (202); Brad Biddick, Treasurer (302); Meta Mazur, Secretary (208); Jeff Shoemaker (204)via Zoom.

Other Homeowners Present:Mike Bercini (203); Marybeth Bercini (203); Debbie Graham (309); Nancy Priore (202); Peggy Biddick (302); Laura Darling (210); Ruth Hutchinson (104); Niles Fleege (306) via Zoom.

Topic 1: Approval of Minutes–MetaMazur

Minutes of the October 5, 2024, Board of Directors Meeting were unanimously approved as corrected – Unit #201 should be Unit #101 and Secretary added her signature and date of submission.

Topic 2: Financial Update – Brad Biddick

Special Assessment

Nearly everyone has paid in full. A few payments are due in January, and then the loan will be totally paid off. Brad, as Treasurer, greatly appreciates everyone’s cooperation with the assessment.

The new monthly fees will go into effect in January 2025. If any owner does not know their new monthly fee, they may contact Brad for the information. If any fees are electronically transferred, the owner needs to contact their bank before January 2025 (30 days in advance if possible)so that the correct amount will be debited from their bank account.

We have some ongoing projects, but bills are being paid on time, and in general everything financial is very current.

Topic 3: Declaration– Frank Priore

Brad has done a lot of work to accomplish the updating of the Declaration. Our present condo attorney has not responded to any of our recent questions about the Declaration, and so the Board will very likely find a different attorney. The Board already has information on a Condominium Law attorney recommended by Jeff Shoemaker. Final changes to the Declaration may be delayed until 2025 after we contact a new attorney. We also do not want to rush through the revision process.

Topic 4: Building Report

Bat Control

Since the recent attic cleanup, no bats have been seen in the attic or halls. The company who installed the bat-repelling devices will be back to finish cleaning up. In general, this project has been very cost-effective and highly successful.

Fire Alarm

There are red alarm boxes with horns and strobe lights that go off whenever the fire alarm is triggered in the building. There was one alarm in the stairwell on the third floor that was malfunctioning. In order to replace the broken alarm box, we bought our own alarm box for a more reasonable price than quoted by Johnson Controls. It will be installed by an electrician. The Board has approved cancelling  the AT&T service because we no longer need them. Everything is now via fiber-optic and costs much less.

EntrySystem

Frank changed the time between entering a door code and unlocking the door from 5 seconds to 10 seconds. Residents have responded very positively to this change, which makes it much easier to get through the door with a grocery cart or a package. Renters need to ask their landlords to get them a door code from Frank Priore.

Deliveries & Packages – Meta Mazur

During the week of November 3 – 9, two incoming packages were seen on the little table by the mailbox, but disappeared before they could be picked up by the addressee. In the interest of security, especially at this time of year, it is recommended that everyone be responsible for their own incoming mail. Residents also are encouraged to arrange for a trusted fellow-resident to take in and hold their packages whenever they know they won’t be here for the delivery.

BackEntryway – Meta Mazur

For improved security, residents, workers, and anyone else using the back door should not leave the back door propped open by any means. Frank will install a metal plate over the no-longer-needed deadbolt lock.

Official Moving Policy– Meta Mazur

Meta will be preparing a “Moving Checklist” to be handed out to all Galena Green residents. The checklist will include the section in the Declaration regarding Renters. It will also include the requirement of obtaining a copy of a renter’s lease, and the statement that the lease must be for a minimum of 6 months.

CornerWall Guards

Over time paint has been chipped off walls and corners by people who live here and people moving in and out using grocery carts, heavy moving equipment, boxes, furniture, etc. We first need to touch up the paint, and then cover the corners with easy-to-clean and easy-to-replace wall guards, which are available in a variety of materials.

Other Building Issues

Renting a dumpster might be a good idea for spring. The dumpster would be used for disposing of things that don’t normally go into garbage or recycling containers. Owners would benefit, and we also would be able to clean up the inside  storage areas of the building. Brad changed the building furnace filters and also adjusted the thermostats  from cooling to heating. The outside water has been turned off, and Brad also figured out how to heat the room in the back where the water pipes are.

Water-Leak Prevention

Any owner who will be away from their condofor a long period of time shouldturn off theirwater valve before leaving their condo.Also, if a resident plansto begonefora long time, it is a good idea to have someone check the condoevery month or so to make sure that all is well inside. The City of Galena does take notice if there is an unusual increase or decrease in water usage.

Topic 5: Administrative Issues – FrankPriore

Annual Meeting

The date for the Annual Meeting,which includes the Election of Board Members,is scheduled forSaturday,January 25, 2025. Time is yet to be determined. Frank will run for the Board again, but not as president.

Voting ProcedureElectronic voting via Zoom meetingswould be veryconvenient.A resident would not need to be present in person to participate and to vote. An exact procedure for the Zoom meetings will be needed. Bradis working on this and would liketo have it in place by the end of December 2024.

Brad plans tophone andtalk to allownersin hope of findingpeople to step up and join the Boardand to let everyone know how rewarding it is to serve as a Board Member.

Meeting Adjourned 2:30pmand Opened for Discussion — FrankPriore

Topics, Comments and Questions from Attendees

Recommend Cleaning and weeding around the Gazebo. Wood chips, mulch and/or ground cover would look better, and be much less of a problem than rocks.

The tornrubber treads on the back steps needto be replaced.

The cement area by the garbage cans is messy with scattered leaves and dirt and needs cleaning up.

Maybe we couldfind a part-time handyman for outside cleanup and other small jobs. If anyone can recommend someone, it would be appreciated.

We have an entry code for use by the Police, Fire Department, Post Office and Merry Maids. General delivery people don’t have a special code and should leave packages in the outer lobby.

It is not advisable to just let someone in who appears to want entry. And it is okay to ask someone who they’re here to see.

We are freeto bring inside any packages we notice that have beendelivered to the outer lobby and put them on the table next to the mailboxes.Or,we may just want to contact the addressee and let them know a package is here.

It is again recommended that ownerskeep track of their own mail and to arrange for a trusted fellow-resident to take in packages, if necessary.

Respectfully submitted,

Meta Mazur

Galena Green HOA Secretary

11.16.24