View the official pdf version of the minutes

Willamette Towers Board Meeting

Thursday, March 14, 2024 @ 5:00 PM

ATTENDEES:

Board members in person: Clyde Horn, David Igl
via Zoom: Jesse Fitipaldi, Hal Dillon, Alex Howe

BMC Personnel: Diane Sollinger, Dave Saraceno

Owners in person: Bill Bomball, Ken Guzowski, Richard Bomball
Owners via Zoom: Tom Ferrer, Giny Landgreen, LaDonna Qualtieri, Dottie Kemp (via Zoom)

Call to order: 5:08 PM

Agenda Approval: Motion: Clyde; 2nd: David — Unanimous

Minutes Approval:
02/20/2024 Motion: Clyde; 2nd: David — Unanimous
02/26/2024 Motion: Clyde; 2nd: David — Unanimous
02/27/2024 Motion: Clyde; 2nd: David — Unanimous

Treasurer’s Report:

Month ending February 29, 2024

Operating Account Summary (aka Trust or Checking account)

Beginning Cash Balance [02/01/2024] $264 prev: $264
Ending Cash Balance [02/29/2024] $9,813 prev: $9,813

Budget–Comparative

Month-to-Date Details

BUDGETED Total Operating Income: $22,793 prev: $22,793
ACTUAL Total Operating Income: $22,888 prev: $22,948

ACTUAL Total Operating Expense: ($17,196) prev: ($23,113)
BUDGETED Total Operating Expense: $22,793) prev: ($22,793)

Year-to-Date Details

BUDGETED Total Operating Income: $45,587 prev: $22,793
ACTUAL Total Operating Income: $45,836 prev: $22,948

ACTUAL Total Operating Expense: ($40,310) prev: ($23,113)
BUDGETED Total Operating Expense:($45,587) prev: ($22,793)

Notable Expenditures:

$29,269 for L Riser work (and some F riser work)
$27,921 for A Riser work
$6,365 to River Roofing for roofing membrane

Reserve Account Summary

Opening Balance [02/01/2024]: $493,332 prev: $538,698

Credits this Period: $0 prev: $19,743
Debits this Period: $62,030 prev: $(66,679)

Change in Value this Period: $1,179 prev: $1,569
Closing Balance [02/29/2024]: $432,480 prev: $493,332

Notes about Reserves:

Primary Reserve balance: $143,091 prev: $143,091
Plumbing Reserve balance: $47,486 prev: $47,486

Revised goal of $200,000 in rotating CD funds:

CD #9 matured on 3/5/2024 and no new CD was purchased
CD #10 purchased, matures 04/22/2024
CD #11 purchased, matures 05/20/2024

End of Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer’s Report Approval: Motion: Clyde; 2nd: Hal - Unanimous

Owner’s Forum:

Ken G. has worked in horticulture. He made the following points:

According to the 1965 Landscape Plans Thorny Barberry and Phitzer Juniper were to be planted on the east side of the parking garage wall, next to the alley. Both shrubs are thorny and not pleasant to climb through.
It seems that the four large trees on Lincoln St near the north end of the building are diseased and should be removed soon. He acknowledges that this will eliminate shade for many units in the summertime. He suggests that we plant more Hornbeams to replace these four trees.

Dottie K. asked about the status of the installation of fiber cable for internet that Hunter Communications is installing.

It is our understanding that the installation is complete. We are told that Hunter Communications will be reaching out to unit owners.
Unit owners can also call Hunter Communications for more information.
Jesse F. will call Hunter Communications for more information.

A problem was also raised about items other than a car in parking space #86. Dave Saraceno is dealing with this.

Committee Reports:

MMRC:

All projects are moving forward.

We received the Electrical System Report from New Way Electric.

Zinsco Electrical Panel Replacement: We received a bid from Bear Mountain Electric for the replacement of all the Zinsco Residential panels and the building distribution panels.

Jesse recommended that we accept the bid from Bear Mountain Electric. Several reasons for doing this are:

Their bid is reasonable, and we are likely to not get a much better bid.
They have done work in Willamette Towers over the years, and they know what they are getting into.
New Way Electric is not able to do this work in 2024. Jesse talked to another electrical contractor that said the same thing.

We are considering accepting the Bear Mountain bid if we get favorable answers to the following questions:

Some Zinsco-Unit owners may choose to have a different company replace their panel. How would this affect Bear Mountain’s bid?
Is Bear Mountain willing to invoice individual Zinsco-Unit owners?

The board voted to authorize Jesse to accept Bear Mountain’s bid if we get favorable answers to our questions.

Motion: Alex; 2nd: Hal — Unanimous

Diane will compose a letter to be sent to the Zinsco-Unit owners explaining their options.

Jesse F. and Alex H. will review the Bear Mountain bid in regard to the electrical panels that are not in the residential units.

Green Committee:

An arborist will conduct a walk-around on 03-18-2024 @ 11:00 AM.

The Committee continues to meet monthly. The bulletin board reflects a revolving list of Green Tips.

Members attended the EWEB presentation of CARBON CREDITS FOR HOMEOWNERS. Biden passed a bi-partisan bill that is the biggest GREEN proposed legislation ever.

Tax credits and rebates will be available in 2024 for upgrading homes against the costs (perhaps as high as 30%) needed to address climate changes. Many of these are based on all levels of income. These could apply to replacing original electrical panels, heating and cooling systems, solar panels, and plans for EV charging.

Our efforts to educate the residents about recycling continue. Some citizens remain challenged by breaking down boxes before recycling to create more room in the bin. There exists an ongoing need for reminders about more consideration for disposing of trash and keeping the mailroom free from giveaways. Only magazines in the rack are welcome.

New Business:

MAE (Mortier Ang Engineers) invoices:

Jesse F. stated that these fees are for Plumbing Riser engineering and are reasonable. We voted to pay them.

We will request that MAE include more detail in their future invoices.

Motion: Jesse; 2nd: Hal - Unanimous

Late-Fee waiver request:

We approved the request. The problem was because of the recent increase in HOA dues.
Motion: Alex; 2nd: Hal - Unanimous

Unfinished business:

Odors from Mia Bella Salon: No one at the meeting had experienced a bad odor recently. The problem may be fixed!

We received a document from our attorney about our insurance situation and how that impacts owners and their insurance. We need to study this document and move forward.