River Place South Board Minutes-April 26, 2018

RIVER PLACE SOUTH HOUSING CORPORATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
April 26, 2018

CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Mays called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.  
Board Members Present:  Janice Mays                     President
                                             Waqas Ali              Vice President [by phone]
                                             Jim McInerney       Treasurer [by phone]
                                             Sara Shahade         Secretary
                                             David Williams      Director
                                              Vic Reddy              Director
 
Board Members Absent:  Richard Villegas    Director
 
Others Present:                Joette Waters                   Building Manager
                                           Brian Hernandez              Assistant Manager
                                           Barbara Seaman               Recording Secretary
                                       
Residents: Lauren Hall #1029 & 1034; Bonnie Kline #928l; Jim Wolf; Lorenzo Ricks.
 
RESIDENT PARTICIPATION:
 

• Ms. Kline asked if the 5-minute rule applied to the shareholder’s number of units or to individuals. Ms. Mays replied that the limit is applied evenly.
• Ms. Kline asked about the accounts for the co-op and the rentals and said that if the rentals were treated differently, taxes might be avoided, thus saving shareholders money. Ms. Mays said that the Board was not able to determine savings and that financial advisors said that RPS would not be saving money. She then suggested that Ms. Kline email her suggestions to the Board. Ms. Kline then asked about the bylaw requiring leases to be at least 6 months long which was later amended to 3 months. She said that overturning the amendment would be difficult without 75% of shareholders voting for it. She wanted to know why there was no special meeting or notice of the change. Ms. Mays said she will ask legal counsel. Ms. Kline then said that according to the June 27 Board meeting, Ms. Waters said that the South building had the lowest fees per share, but Ms. Kline said that it should be noted in the minutes that RPS and RPW have the highest fees per foot.
• Mr. Wolf said that he was following up on whether there was a financial advantage to look at the corporate structure. Ms. Mays replied that RPS is taxed as a corporation and that the corporate tax rate has gone down to 21% from 35%. She also said that she consulted the attorneys and they asked to postpone the investigation until after tax season. Mr. Wolfe then said that some YELP postings on the internet have been defamatory and may influence investment in RPS negatively. Ms. Waters said she told the woman who wrote the complaint that RPS management had nothing to do with her leased shareholder owned unit and that the owner should be addressed directly. She also said that she could not remove negative comments from Yelp or similar sites as it is not permitted. Ms. Kline said she was the person being criticized and that the tenant signed the lease and should not expect a refund as her apartment was fine. Ms Kline also objected to Ms Mays assisting this tenant in a temporary place to stay and that as a board member she had no place doing so. Ms.Mays said she did not intercede or act as a Board member but did so as a personal citizen.
• Mr. Williams said that the Board meeting was not a town hall and that comments should not be long.
• Ms. Hall said that resident concerns should be voiced but kept to 5 minutes so that more people have a say and the Board can keep to the agenda.
• Mr. Ricks said he was following up on his suggestion at the Annual Meeting that the benefits of buying at RPS be made more visible. Ms. Mays replied that Mr. Ali made a presentation to the OA about the redevelopment of the property which was a way of showing the benefits. Mr. Ali said that he hoped to have another meeting with Monday Properties. Ms. Mays added that the tax attorneys will address possible changes to improve finances after tax time. She said that rental units save the corporation money but the Board will continue to pursue better ways to show the advantages of buying in the South building.
     
  APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
   
  MOTION:  Mr. Williams moved, Ms. Shahade seconded, to approve the agenda as written. The motion passed unanimously (6-0-0).
   
  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
   
  MOTION:  Ms. Shahade moved, Mr. Williams seconded, to approve the Minutes of February 27, 2018 as written. The motion passed unanimously (6-0-0).
   
  REPORTS:
   
  President/OA: Ms. Mays said that at the OA, Ms. Schmelzer made a presentation on Rosslyn in the context of challenges in court. She also said that a 2nd meeting with Monday Properties is being planned. The biggest topic of the OA meeting, she said, was getting bids on improvements to the MP garage. Mr. Williams added that the re-roofing of the commercial building was done.
   
  Treasurer: Mr. McInerney said that Zalco covered financials thoroughly at the Annual meeting and said the corporation was in good shape.
   
  [Mr. Reddy left the meeting at 6:47 p.m.]
   
  MANAGER’S REPORT:
   
  Boiler: The boiler shut down and was placed on manual operation, possibly caused by an electrical surge. HVAC Concepts and Capital were on site and reprogrammed the boiler “brain”.  Seems to be working fine.
   
  Convector Cleaning and Spring Inspection: Convector cleaning is under way. Requests are being sent out to replace water and gas valves for safety.
   
  Gas Detection System: This system providing an audible alarm, contact with the control monitoring station, and a shut off of the system in case of a major gas leak has been installed.
   
  Laundry Room Door: Changing to key fob entry should be considered to prevent non-RPS use.
   
  Laundry Prices: Prices were increased without authorization to $2.25 and were returned to $1.50.
   
  Trash/Recycle System: Bids are being solicited for trash compactor containers.
   
  Eleventh Floor Windows: Advance Windows will not do the windows for #1110 and other vendors are being solicited.
   
  Roof and Roof Shielding: Project is finished and clean up is under way. Damages to the units while the project was underway are being estimated.  NV Roofing to cover these costs.
   
  Service and Emotional Support Animals: Mr. McInerney will meet with Kevin Kernan, legal counsel, on the matter.
   
  Wall Installation: A wall is being constructed between the Skigen space and the entry to the loading dock.
   
  OLD BUSINESS:
   
  None.
   
  NEW BUSINESS:
   
  Concierge Duties: Mr. Williams said he was concerned that after hours, residents are asked to call the gatehouse with issues like the hot water problem. Ms. Waters replied that it was more efficient to have the gate house person speak directly to someone who experienced the problem so that the appropriate action can be taken.   
   
  EXECUTIVE SESSION:
   
  There being no further business for the open session, an Executive Session was convened at 7:02 p.m.
   

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