Minutes Of The Tilsner and Management Liaison Meeting of 8/31/06
Present:
Kim Bowman, Tilsner Office Manager
Michael Silbernagel, Real Estate Equities
Deneen Gannon, Tilsner Management and Legal Documents Committee Chair


NOTE: You can also find a complete copy of these minutes at Tilsner.net. Go to:
---About the Tilsner
---Committee Information
---Management Legal Docs Committee
---Committee Minutes



1. There were a variety of items that the Tilsner wished to discuss with REE and TCHDC. Unfortunately there was no representative from TCHDC at this meeting, so there were some items that we could not get any information on. Here are the items that the Tilsner wished to discuss at this meeting:
a. Updating/fixing the Tilsner pipe system
b. Resolving climate issues in units
c. Fixing issues with the Tilsner roof
d. Starting/completing the window paint replacement project
e. Fixing leaking windows
f. Addressing communication delays with Tilsner representatives
g. Resolving issue of moths in Tilsner units
h. Getting new washers and dryers
i. Addressing issue of mice in building
j. Why are other materials for other properties being stored in our basement common area?
k. How can we get security cameras for the Tilsner?
l. Why are window air conditioners not allowed? Can anything else (such as window boxes for plants and etc) be put on the outside of windows?
m. We would like detailed information on how to buyout the building.
n. We would like to know what it would take to replace the Tilsner roof with one residents can use.


2. The Tilsner pipe system and climate issues: Michael stated that they have been trying to resolve some of the current problems, through re-insulating pipes, replacing pipes, and replacing other parts of the pipe system. However there is still a lot of work that needs to be done – Michael described this work as “very complicated.” Deneen asked “Well what exactly needs to get done, and when will this happen? Show me a project plan.” Michael stated that he had asked for this information, but was still waiting to get this information from Thermal Technologies. Deneen expressed a lot of frustration over this, and stated that the pipe system and climate issues are the top two concerns in the building right now, and we really need to get some detailed information on these projects. Michael stated that he would contact Thermal Technologies again, and work on getting the pipe project information as soon as possible. He would then get this information to the Tilsner.

3. Issues with the Tilsner roof: Some residents on the sixth floor have gotten water in their units from the roof. Kim said she was just contacted by unit 602, who has seen water in their unit. Deneen stated that unit 607 has also had water in their unit. Kim said that she did have Walker Roofing over recently to look at the roof. She will bring them back out, and have Walker examine the roof areas about 602 and 607. If anyone else is having trouble with water coming through a sixth floor roof, please let Kim know right away! Kim needs to know the following information:
a. How long have you seen water coming from the roof?
b. Where is the water in your apartment?
c. How much water are you seeing?

4. Kim stated that the windows will be cleaned on Tuesday, September 5! Please remove any items you have outside of your windows, otherwise they will not be cleaned.

5. Starting/Completing the window paint replacement project: This project is in the hands of the TCHDC. Deneen stated that the Cooperative was extremely concerned about this project. Deneen stated that “We specifically allocated money for this year’s budget to complete this project, and yet nothing has gotten done. Why has there been no progress on this project?” Although Jane from TCHDC was not present for this meeting, she addressed this project in a recent letter to the Tilsner Board and other elected Tilsner reps. She stated that although TCHDC had planned to begin scraping and painting the windows last year, the price tag for this work was much higher than previously anticipated. Therefore instead of doing this work all at once, TCHDC is now planning on doing this work in stages over the next few years. Deneen expressed frustration that TCHDC was not present to answer some of the questions that the Tilsner has on this project. Deneen stated that the Cooperative has not seen anyone from TCHDC at an All Co-op meeting in some time, and it would be very helpful if a TCHDC representative could attend those meetings to answer questions. The cooperative is anxious to know timelines and/or dates for completion of the tasks involved in this project.

6. Fixing leaking windows: Deneen stated that unit 604 has windows that are leaking water into the unit. Kim stated that she would send a maintenance person up to 604 to look closer at the windows. If anyone else in the building has leaking windows, please let Kim know right away.

7. Addressing communication delays with Tilsner members: Deneen expressed great frustration that the Tilsner has had very little to no communication with TCHDC this year. Although Jane recently sent a detailed note to the Tilsner Board and other elected reps, this note came after literally months of Deneen asking and re-asking for information. Further, we have seen no attendance from TCHDC at our recent All Co-op meetings, which also hampers communication. The Tilsner would like to see increased communication from TCHDC, especially in regards to the projects and issues under discussion in these minutes.

8. Resolving issues of moths in Tilsner units: Deneen brought up that many units have reported having moths. Kim stated that if a unit has moths, they should let Kim know and she will send in Ecolab to spray the unit. Unit 204 had Ecolab come in and spray, and according to Kim that unit does not have moths anymore. Other units have declined using the spray to get rid of the moths. If you have moths in your unit, you can contact Kim for more details on the spray that Ecolab provides to get rid of the moths.

9. Getting in new washers and dryers: Kim has spent time researching this issue for us. Our current contract for the washers and dryers extends out for some time, until 2008. TCHDC needs to make a decision on whether or not we are going to modify the existing contract to get in the new washers and dryers that the Tilsner prefers, or if we have to wait for the current contract to end. This issue requires a response from Jane/TCHDC.

10. Mice in the building: Residents have continued to see mice in the building, including in the basement atrium meeting area. Kim stated that she would put additional mouse traps in the basement atrium meeting area, as well as near the Free Pile area.

11. Kim expressed great concern that someone had recently attached a string in the West stairwell, that ran across the stairs. This seemed to have been placed so that someone would trip when going down the stairs. Frankly, mere words cannot describe the stupidity of this act. Vickie has removed the string so that no one gets hurt.

12. Why are materials being stored in the Tilsner basement common area? Michael explained that REE had been storing the materials here because there is a large project that is happening at another REE property location nearby. Michael wasn’t sure if the Tilsner was using this large common area? Deneen stated that yes, this common area is used by the Tilsner for resident gatherings, and also some resident actors practice, rehearse and audition in this area. Michael said he would move the boxes out of our basement common area to another location, and see if he could keep the boxes in that new location. Michael and Deneen then discussed the storage of REE materials in the Tilsner. Michael stated that as our management agent, he could store REE materials in the Tilsner. Deneen was not aware of this, and mentioned some concerns over this issue. This has not been an issue in the past, and Michael said he would speak with the Tilsner elected reps on these types of issues in the future.

13. We need a new Key Keeper for the Tilsner. This person would need to pass a background check. Please contact Kim if you are interested in this position.

14. Kim stated that recently some changes were made to the Tilsner re-certification paperwork process. The paperwork now needs to get in somewhat earlier than before. Some residents wait until last minute to get their paperwork done. All residents should take the responsibility to know when their paperwork is due, and to strive to get their paperwork in on time!

15. Security cameras for the Tilsner: Almost everyone agrees that this would be a good idea. We would have to research what the costs would be for a security setup in the Tilsner, and then we would have to allocate funds for this during the creation of the annual budget.

16. Why are window air conditioners not allowed? This information is located specifically in the Occupancy Agreement, Article 13, “Alterations and Repairs.” It states: “The member shall not, without the prior written consent of the Cooperative, install or use in his/her unit any air conditioning equipment…” This section of the Occupancy Agreement also mentions that members “shall not, without the prior written consent of the Cooperative, make any alterations in the premises.” Some residents have raised questions over whether or not window boxes or ledges are then allowable under the Occupancy Agreement. Many residents have boxes or ledges for plants or etc outside of their windows. As far as Deneen knows, to date there has never been an issue with boxes or ledges outside of unit windows. We may want to investigate this further with the Board.

17. Deneen wanted to know how to get information on the process for buying out the building. Michael stated that the Cooperative would probably need to do that research on their own. Deneen stated that the Cooperative was currently looking into hiring a real estate lawyer, to assist with interpreting legal documents and explaining the rights of the Cooperative. We may bring this issue to a lawyer as well.

18. We discussed replacing the Tilsner roof with one that residents can use. Michael stated that adding useable roof space was a good idea, and definitely raises the value of a building. Of course making the roof a useable space would incur considerable cost, however the entire roof might not need to be modified. Specific sections of the roof could be modified, to accommodate decks that could be used by residents. We would need contractors to look at the roof and provide us with estimates for converting the roof into a useable space. Michael suggested that this might be a good project to undertake around the time that we buyout the building.


To-Do’s:
1. Michael: To get detailed information from Thermal Technologies on what needs to be replaced or fixed for the Tilsner piping system, when these work tasks need to be completed, and how much they will cost.
2. Kim: To bring out Walker Roofing to look at the areas above units 602 and 607.
3. TCHDC: To provide detailed information to the Cooperative on the window paint replacement project, including target dates to complete required tasks.
4. Kim: Send maintenance to investigate leaking windows in unit 604.
5. TCHDC: To provide a decision on the new washers/dryers for the Tilsner.
6. Kim: To put additional mouse traps in the basement atrium meeting area, and Free Pile area.
7. Michael: To move REE boxes out of the Tilsner basement common room and into another location.


--Deneen Gannon