Board Minutes August 8, 2017

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RIVER PLACE SOUTH HOUSING CORPORATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
August 8, 2017

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Mays at 5:34 p.m. and convened an Executive Session until 6:06 p.m.
Board Members Present:  Janice Mays                     President
Waqas Ali              Vice President
                                        Jim McInerney       Treasurer (by phone)
Sara Shahade         Secretary
                                        Vic Reddy             Director
Richard Villegas    Director
David Williams      Director
 
Board Members Absent:  None.
         
  Others Present:              Joette Waters                   Building Manager
                                        Brian Hernandez              Asst. Manager
Kevin Kernan                  Whiteford, Taylor, Preston         
                                        Barbara Seaman               Recording Secretary
                                       
Residents: Nancy Greenberg #542; Lauren Hall #1029 & 1034; Bill Little #919; Jim Wolfe #547; Wanda & Joe Martin #1105; Sam Metters #1107.
 
RESIDENT PARTICIPATION:
 

• Mr. Little #919 said that a proximity card could work on both entrances. Ms. Mays said that the OA had responsibility for the gates and that the RPS representatives will present the idea there.
• Mr. Metters#1107 said that EMF from the cell towers shines into his unit and that he was afraid that the cell towers were causing residents radiation damage. He also suggested that radiation should be blocked or that cell towers be moved back. Ms. Mays replied that the contracts with AT & T and T-Mobile allow them to modify the towers and that the Board was working on installing window film, replacing windows, and have the companies move the antennas back.
• Mr. Martin #1105 said he was surprised that the antique mirrors were removed. Ms. Mays said that the Board decided on removing themsince some mirrors were broken and could not be replaced. Ms. Waters added that she has some mirrorsif he was interested in seeing them. He also expressed disappointment that coop fees were increased. In terms of co-op fees, Mr. Villegas said that costs have increased and that the corporation was behind in capital projects. Mr. Ali added that the increase was 2% which is about the same as the inflation rate and that financial information is available at the Annual Meeting.
• Mr. Wolfe #547 asked about the agreement of November 2013 that gives financial stock in the corporation to the former president. Ms. Mays said that the Board voted to terminate the agreement and that notice has been served. Mr. Wolfe then asked about OA voting at the Christmas dinner to award a bonus to an OA staff memberwithout a record of the vote which was inconsistent with the bylaws. Ms. Mays said this was not the OA so it was not a matter for this Board. Mr. Wolfe said that RPS Board controls the OA and wanted to make sure all were acting according to the bylaws. Ms. Mays said that none of the South Board Members were privy to that conversation regarding a bonus at the Holiday Party.Ms Mays also said that Pat Fairman was now the OA President and was strict on rules so she does not anticipate that being a problem in the future. Mr. Wolfe then asked about the entertainment expenses of the OA as it related to the rumors he has heard about large parties being held. Mr. Williams replied that no OA meeting was held when parties were discussed. Mr. Wolfe went on to ask to see the bills for the RPS Board’s holiday dinners for the past 3 years. Ms. Waters said the parties are just as they were when Mr. Wolf was a Board member; that 6-8 people attended the last dinner and that she can supply receipts. Mr Wolf asked for Mrs. Waters to provide receipts so he can see them.
   
  APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
   
  MOTION:  Ms. Shahade moved, Mr. Villegas seconded, to approve the agenda as written. The motion passed unanimously (7-0-0).
   
  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
   
   
  MOTION:  Ms. Shahade moved, Mr. Ali seconded, to approve the Minutes of June 27, 2017 as amended.  The motion passed (7-0-0).
   
  REPORTS:
   
  President: Ms. Mays said items in her report will be covered in Old Business.
  Treasurer: Mr. McInerney had no report.
  OA: Mr. Williams reported that the OA was working on the gates and on paving issues. He said that the Board discussed options for displacement of cars while work is being done on the Monroe garage and how to finish floors and ceilings. He also said that the Board discussed redoing the pool locker rooms and the roofs on ancillary buildings.
   
  MANAGER’S REPORT:
   
  Package Heat Pump: Replacement of two rooftop package heat pumps for S1110, the oldest of the individual heat pumps on the 11th floor will total $26,372. Work will begin as soon as equipment arrives.
  Riser Replacements: Densel has replaced risers on tiers 17 and 18. Tiers 21 and 22 will be done next year. This should complete all that were not included in the work done in back in 2009.
  Reserve Study: Doug Greene of Design Management has done a site inspection and will submit a report within the next few weeks.
  Riv-Star: Pat Fairman will address the problem with the share transfer agent and has indicated that any problems with RIV-STAR should be reported to her to handle.
  Graffiti: The problem seems to have stopped as the newspaper delivery boy was caught stealing a vase from the lobby and has been banned from the property..
  Death of Staff Member: A donation of $100 was sent to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society in memory of Sally Spell.
  Rentals and Parking: Rentals are 98.5% occupied and parking spaces are 98% occupied.
  Non-Partisan Voting Event: The event will take place in the lobby and will consist of the distribution of hand-outs on voting.
   
  NEW BUSINESS: None.
   
   
  OLD BUSINESS:
   
  Cell Towers: Both AT & T and T-Mobile are in the process of upgrading their antennas. Ms. Mays said that the Board wants to protect residents but does not want to suffer financially for breaking contracts. Both companies have contracts that allow modifications. She added that the corporation receives a combined amount of $86,000 from these companies annually. She said that the Board has asked AT & T to move the antennas back so that they are not focused on patios, the location of the highest concentration of radiation, but to date there has been no movement to do so. The Board has previously approved a  copper mesh barrier to be installed along with a new roof and due to the increased labor and material for the copper shield it will cost approximately $45K more than originally thought.  Ms. Mays said that at a meeting earlier in the week with Wolfgang Kessell of Cuprotect, Paul Dow of NV Roofing and the roofing manufacturer rep a means of application that would not void the wind warranty was determined. The cost of the new roof will be approximately $450,000. Mr. Ali said he supported installing the copper mesh at an additional cost of about $100,000 because of resident concerns that FCC standards are too low.  Ms. Waters said that more labor will add to charges. She also said that she will get estimates for window film.  Each member of the board was asked for their approval of the additional expenses related to the the copper mesh installation and all members present voiced their acknowledgement and approval.
  Skigen-Sale of T-4: The issue is still open because Mr. Ingram said that the operating agreement states that commercial spaces don’t have to pay property taxes. As a result, RPS seems to be paying those taxes in terms of square footage. Mr. Ingram has been asked to look into the matter. Because the property can’t be sold without a clear title, Mr. Ali suggested reporting the matter to the Arlington County Office of the Tax Assessor for a resolution. Mr. Reddy said it was a complicated operating agreement and the revised version is not clear. He added that RPS is getting $2,000/month for the Entertainment Center.
  Next Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for September 24.
   
  EXECUTIVE SESSION:
   
  MOTION:  There being no further business for the open session, the meeting was adjourned to Executive Session at 7:17 p.m. There were no objections.
   
   

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