1. Election of Officers.
The Board unanimously agreed to the following officers:
• George Boniface -President
• Dick Donahoe -Vice President
• Jay Jacobs -Treasurer
• Beth Dixon -Secretary
• Joy Jarvis -Member
2. Response to Homeowner Suggestions.
The Board discussed the following suggestions that were made by homeowners at the Annual Meeting. See below for Board responses:
Pay for or pro-rate for the AC on the 7th floor so that the thermostat that controls all the floors can be lowered and reduce the cold temps on floors 2-6.
- RESPONSE: The Board believes this is not a practical solution to the problem. An argument could be made that the South and North window exposures cause excessive energy bills in the summer or winter months. Should we pro-rate those bills also? We do not want to set a precedent like this. We believe this problem will be ameliorated when we get a new roof.
Adjust the ducts and vents on the 7th floor so that the thermostat that controls all the floors can be lowered and reduce the cold temps on floors 2-6.
- RESPONSE: The Board agrees to investigate this suggestion. We will ask Cullum to look at this and also ask if we should install dampers in the 7th floor duct system. We will also get a second opinion on this.
Ask for background checks on renters.
- RESPONSE: The Board decided not to ask for background checks on renters. Rather, the preference is that homeowners support the Board by encouraging their renters to follow the FSH rules.
Post pictures of new residents in lobby.
- RESPONSE: The Board decided not to post pictures of new residents in the lobby or mail room area. Instead we anticipate the creation of a FSH Web Site and we would encourage new residents to post their picture there (if they choose to do so).
Charge renters for use of privileges.
- RESPONSE: The Board decided not to impose additional fees on renters (to use parking lot, exercise room, etc.). Rather, the preference is that homeowners support the Board by encouraging their renters to follow the FSH rules.
Provide an example lease agreement for owners who rent.
- RESPONSE: The Board likes this suggestion. When the FSH Web Site is created, we will post suggested lease agreement terms there.
Is it OK to have signage for a commercial unit on the 1st floor?
- RESPONSE: Exhibit G, Paragragh #4, in the Master Deed provides guidelines for the exterior appearance of the apartments on the first (1st) floor. With prior Board approval, signs are allowed to be no bigger that 6 feet square and flush with the wall of the building.
Is it OK for commercial and residential units on the 1st floor to have lamps and decorative items in the windows?
- RESPONSE: This should be OK subject to Board approval. It is OK to have antiques, lamps, and other decorative items in the window as long as nothing is attached to the window itself.
Can we move the key lock to the outside door on King Street?
- RESPONSE: The Board decided that changing the location of the security lock on King Street to the outside door is not feasible. The phone would have to be moved outside and would be subjected to the weather. Changing the door lock would provide security for 2 units, but the other units on the 1st floor do not benefit. This would be very difficult to implement.
Can we get a web site to post rules, meeting minutes, items of interest?
- RESPONSE: The Board agrees that we should have a Web Site and is investigating the creation of one. We will keep everyone updated on the progress.
Can we use email for Board meeting minutes?
- RESPONSE: The Board agrees to share Board meeting minutes. In the past Nancy Roskam has delivered them in an email newsletter, however not all homeowners have an email address. In the future, we will deliver printed copies of the non-confidential items from Board meetings with the regime bills that Joe Yetsko sends out.
3. Balconies Repair Estimates.
• Robert Rosen has suggested an alternative fix for the balconies that would use three 8” angle irons on each balcony. This fix should be less expensive than full replacement of balconies, as proposed by Craig Bennett. We agreed to have Rosen do the architectural drawings. If we decide to proceed with Rosen, the anticipated cost of the engineering work is approximately $4000 – $5000, and this would include Rosen getting BAR approval.
• We are still in the process of getting the estimates for the repairs to the balcony, porch, and terrace railings.
4. Conservation Easement.
• The Board agreed to notify the individual who proposed the CE that this project has been tabled. Dick will contact Winslow Hastie at Historic Charleston Foundation and inquire about a CE on the water lots only.
5. Priority List of Maintenance and Repairs.
• We discussed the idea of key cards and security cameras again, and agreed to proceed with an investigation into the cost of implementing same.
6. Creation of FSH Web Site.
• Beth created a free demo web site on Google. Due to restrictions on the Google site, we agreed to purchase a domain name and begin setting up a Web Site for FSH. Beth to investigate this further. We will keep everyone updated on the progress.
7. Amendment to Master Deed – Transfer Fee.
• The Exhibit H amendment to implement the transfer fee did not pass this year (or in 2008 and 2009). In light of this failure to pass the transfer fee, a review of the Master Deed was undertaken. In Paragraph #19 REGIME WORKING CAPITAL, it is stated that “At or before the time title is conveyed to a co-owner, each co-owner shall contribute to the working capital reserve established by the Interim Management Agent the sum of twice the monthly assessment attributed to his apartment.” Apparently this clause in the Master Deed has been overlooked for some time and it provides for a transfer fee. The current Board unanimously agreed to implement this transfer fee, as stated in the Master Deed, beginning in 2011.
8. Amendment to Master Deed – Rental of Apartments.
• Pursuant to the discussion at the Annual Meeting about the time period for rental of units, we propose adding a sentence to the Master Deed Paragraph #17 (i) SALE OR LEASE to clarify the minimum length of time for a rental: “Leases or subleases of Apartments for a period of less than six (6) months are prohibited.”
• The Board will discuss this idea further at a future Board meeting.
9. Usage of Commercial Space on 1st Floor.
• Pursuant to the discussion at the Annual Meeting about a gourmet market with restrooms in unit #101, the Board agreed to investigate whether a change to the Master Deed would be worthwhile way to address this concern. No decision was made and we will discuss further in future meeting.
Attendees: George Boniface, Beth Dixon, Joy Jarvis, Dick Donohoe, Jay Jacobs