STEPPINGSTONE
September-October 2006
Message from the Editor
Message from the Editor: STEPPINGSTONE IS BACK! Our contributing writer, David Page, and I are very pleased to present to you the September-October 2006 issue of STEPPINGSTONE, and look forward to providing bi-monthly newsletters.
Nataliee Ross, Editor
Contributing Writers and Production Assistance Needed: Stoneybrook is a very busy place with a myriad of things in action every day of the week. Our principal objective is to get Association news and information to you in as timely a manner as possible. Perhaps, eventually on a monthly basis. Members interested in joining our burgeoning staff of two, please contact me. Previous writing experience and desktop publishing skills will be most helpful. (Sorry, this is volunteer work, AKA, "a labor of love".)
| Publishing Schedule: | Month of Issue | News Months Covered |
| Bi-Monthly Newsletter: | ||
| January | November - December | |
| March | January - February | |
| May | March - April | |
| July | May - June | |
| September | July - August | |
| November | September - October |
Special Issues: Periodically, STEPPINGSTONE Special Issues will be published covering such matters as Seasonal Reminders (e.g. Pool Rules/Etiquette), New Business Requiring Immediate Notification to Residents, New Programs (how about a "Garage Sale at Pool Side").
Advertising: Yes, we are back in the advertising business. Guidelines and Pricing information have been forwarded to the Board for their consideration. We know there are some whose advertising schedule was not fully utilized prior to the temporary discontinuance of STEPPINGSTONE. We are researching the records and will report back promptly. In the meantime…BRING ON THE ADS!!
News and Notes - Stoneybrook Board of Directors
- Actions Without a Meeting: Bill Zeldow, President, informed the Owners that during the month there are sometimes important items in-progress that require immediate action and cannot wait until the next Board meeting to consider. The Board uses "An Action Without a Meeting" to make such decisions.
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For September: Proserv Plumbing - $6,083 to replace sewer and drain fittings; $1,040 to install ten (10) motion detectors in the laundry rooms; $4,346 for an emergency sewer pipe repair at Building 552.
- Tabled approval of August financial statements, pending answers to questions raised.
- Tabled Laundry Room Flooring proposal – to secure additional bids.
- Authorized Nataliee to investigate possible methods to control the squirrel population with our Pest Control Company.
- Approved $15,400 for membrane coating project on eight decks.
- Approved $5,534 for five Pedestal Mounts to house the access phones for the new entry control system.
- Architectural Committee
: Marilyn Helgeson volunteered to serve as Chair of the Committee. Members: Kevin Alpert, Rich Jark, Noelle Murphy, Speedy Watson, and Pat Whitecloud. **(VOLUNTEER)- Election Committee
: Appointed Don Evan Appleby as "Inspector of Election" for the Annual Meeting, December 6, 2006 in accordance with SB 61, the new state law, that states how community associations hold elections (effective July 1, 2006). Authorized purchase of a secure mailbox for the Office to hold the Secret Ballots until tabulated.- Finance Committee
: Appointed Bill Whitecloud to the Committee. Additional members: Rich Jark, SBVOA Treasurer and Chair, Don Friedman, Marilyn Helgeson, and David Page. TPI representatives: Wayne Martin, Community Manager, and Adriana Fierro, Director of Accounting.
Board Meeting Highlights – October 18, 2006
- Homeowners Insurance: Stoneybrook has insurance that covers all common areas and certain parts of your unit that, as a "Common Interest Development", are also included under the Association’s policies. Such items include, but are not limited to, the space between your walls and the adjoining unit, the ceilings, and the exterior surfaces of the balconies.
Your personal property, e.g., furniture, clothing, equipment (stoves, dishwashers, water heaters), anything hung on the walls or from the ceilings are the Owner’s full responsibility. Liability claims for activities within the Unit are also the Owner’s responsibility.
The Board strongly encourages all Owners to secure Homeowners’ Insurance from their personal insurance company to provide protection in the event of a loss.
: In addition to the above, the Owner should also consider purchasing earthquake insurance for damage to the personal property.
- Earthquake Insurance
The Board was advised that the Association’s earthquake policy expires October 21, 2006. It is not being renewed at this time due to the annual premium increasing 14.3% ($63,000 to $72,000) while the coverage for our buildings will be decreased 87.5% (from $20,000,000 to $2,500,000). This drastic reduction in coverage is due specifically to the financial effects and depletion of the insurance industry’s pooled reserves, as a result of the devastation wrought by Katrina. The proposed insurance limit for the common interest segments of our 471 condominiums is reduced from approximately $42,500 per unit to $5,300 per unit. The Board is aggressively researching possible solutions to this difficult problem.
- Actions Without a Meeting For October
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Authorized Maintenance staff to paint over graffiti placed by vandals on the wall bordering the west side of Bellflower Boulevard.o
Recommended renewal of the custodial services contract (Fuji Gandy).: Authorized management to secure proposals.
- Termite Inspection
Violations : Approved one $100 fine each for a barking dog violation and balcony storage violation.Clubhouse Rules : Proposed change to Rules to extend the reservation time for an event so as to allow more time for cleanup.Election Committee Appointed Maria Campello to the Election Committee. Additional Members: Don Evan Appleby, Chair, William Zeldow, Mary Thomas, Ward Johnson **(VOLUNTEER FOR NEXT YEAR! Approved recommendations presented by Don Evan Appleby, "Inspector of Election": a. "Record date" for election is November 21, 2006 (owners of record eligible to cast ballot)
b. Annual Meeting Registration will start at 6:00 p.m.
c. Format of Secret Ballot
d. Bylaw Amendments to be placed on ballot
: Meeting notices, draft minutes of Association meetings, and monthly financial statements are posted on the bulletin board next to the east entrance from the deck. Check it out to keep current on the activities of Stoneybrook and financial status.
- Clubhouse Bulletin Board
Elevator Repairs : All elevators to be repaired @ $11,000 per building. Two months to fabricate parts. Approved elevators in Buildings 552 and 412 for initial increment of project.Engineering Study – Laundry Room Walls : Approved $1,800 for Peters & Associates engineers to inspect the walls and sinking stairwells of the laundry room and submit a proposal for refurbishment and a drainage system.
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Water Leakage Protection: The Board strongly recommends the following to protect your unit from possible water damage: a. Periodically open the plywood cover of your water heater enclosure to be certain the underlying drip pan is empty and/or there is no leakage occurring.. b. Consider a waterless heater – contact Department of Gas and Water c. Periodically inspect the drip pan in your hallway ceiling for water accumulation from your air conditioner. |
Purpose: To discuss topics requiring action which were not covered at the 10-18-06 meeting due to insufficient time.
- Approved "Safety and Security Rules". (Previously distributed to all Owners, 09-13-06.)
- Approved $14,300 for the next eight balcony repairs, with the following requirements:
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Advantage Deck Coating will set two (2) dates for the repairs and continue dealing directly with the Owner on the date and time of the repairs.o
If the Owner remains unavailable, they will be asked to leave their unit key at the Office.o
If the key is not left at the Office and the Owner is not at the unit to admit the contractor, Advantage will charge the Association $50.00 which will in turn charge the Owner.
- Bylaw Amendment: Approved placing on the Annual Meeting Ballot the proposed petition amending the Bylaws re: qualifications to serve on the Board
- Bylaw Amendment: Approved placing on the Annual Meeting Ballot the proposed petition amending the Bylaws re: establishing the Record Date for the Annual Meeting to be forty (40) days prior to the Meeting instead of the present (15) days. (The Record Date is the date on which Members eligible to vote in the annual meeting election is determined.)
- Architecture Committee recommendations approved:
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To place a moratorium, effective immediately, on installation of 2nd & 3rd Floor Tile/Wood Flooring until February 1, 2007 to allow time for the Committee to develop sound proofing standards. (Linoleum and hard surface flooring in bathrooms and kitchens is acceptable.)o
To place a moratorium, effective immediately, on installation of sliders and windows until February 1, 2007 to allow time for the Committee to develop standards.
- Approved $7,242 for ProServ to repair a broken main sewer line near Building 552.
- Approved $2,132 for the acquisition of additional hardware and software for networking and the new access entry system computers.
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SECURITY ALERT SECURITY ALERT |
- Most regrettably, we are still experiencing vandalism of vehicles parked on Bellflower Boulevard, as well as within our gated community. Discussions are on-going with the Long Beach Police Department in a combined effort to end these destructive actions. If your car is vandalized, please report it to the LBPD at 562-435-6711 or call 911.
- Further, if you witness any suspicious behavior, please contact the Office immediately at 562-494-4814, or Shield Security between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at 562-283-1100.
As Thanksgiving approaches, we extend to all our very best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and sharing.
Next Board Meeting: November 15, 2006. Please join in the meeting.