State of Bay Scene 2011
2011 State of Bay Scene
2010- 2011 Projects/Tasks Completed
1. The pond waterfall has been optimized with larger and more natural looking waterfall rocks. Thank you Bob Lehmann!
2. Schraner Masonry completed cobblestone look over the remaining exposed concrete areas within the compound and along the beach.
3. New landscaping (and wall) was installed along the areas leading from the lobby to pool.
4. Main lobby overhaul was completed with stair tile repairs and runners installed, new Lucite security doors and glass double doors for the exit to walkway were installed. A big thanks to Bob Lehmann for the Lucite doors and Terri Luhr for the hand crafted wooden double doors)
5. Recycling volume has increased significantly. I am still tying to educate residents…..Please break down all of your boxes and no Styrofoam or plastic bags!
6. New security lights at the pool gates and Jacuzzi area. (Thank you Bruce Bredon!)
7. We had one tree removed from the property (behind tower 4). Other trees were trimmed and monitored for root problems and in some cases sap tree blankets were installed.
8. We had a well-organized 4th of July celebration. I think the new Board will try it without hiring an off duty police officer.
9. Tower roof fans were repaired and adjusted over the year.
10. New ceiling lights were installed in the first floor tower outer hallways.
11. 95% of units have been completed for new ground to their breaker box.
12. We integrated low water usage sprinklers throughout the property.
13. Eight committees have been created, staffed, and are busily at work; (Housekeeping, Architectural, Landscaping, Rules and Regulations, Recreation Area Renovation, Security, and Social). Thank you to all who have volunteered your time and talents!
14. Installed new heaters for both the Jacuzzi and pool.
15. Installed new main piping out to the street to prevent plumbing backups in towers 3 & 4.
16. One stack of windows in tower 3 received all new window seals.
17. All gates have new closures installed.
All this is in addition to the innumerable repairs made on a daily/weekly basis by our maintenance staff, and our preferred plumbing, welding, and electrical support contractors.
Things in progress
1. Stucco repair project still in consideration (have bid, will review/vote on 24 Feb).
2. We are completing the rewiring of the remaining 5 units for the new ground wire to the units’ breaker panel.
3. California Commercial Security still needs to complete the CCTV security evaluation of Bay Scene proposal.
4. Major renovations are in progress for the recreation, gym, and game rooms. This will also include the rec room patio area, game room sauna, and pool area bathrooms. (much thanks to the Recreation Area Committee)
5. Front driveway portico renovation is nearly finished (just waiting on the new letters/numbers). Thanks again to Bob Lehmann!
6. Garage cleaning and restriping/renumbering is scheduled for Mar 24th.
7. Will be draining the pool and filling it with new water (current water is too hard).
8. The wine cellar is getting new lighting and our maintenance team is investigating if the walls can be water sealed to reduce the amount of moisture in the cellar.
9. Moving forward with a major re-statement of the Bay Scene’s Rules and Regulations.
10. Addressing a major injury lawsuit filed by an owner against the association.
“My” Proposed Projects for 2011 (in order of priority)
1. Initiate a security upgrade to protect our new recreation area investments.
2. Extend the beach side of our pool deck and build a real fire pit.
3. Repair/tile over/paint the remaining exposed concrete areas throughout the complex to prevent further damage and rebar degradation. Our garage entrance and exit are high visibility areas that are in particularly nasty shape.
4. Continue to enhance security throughout the complex (garage entrance in particular).
5. Implement the low water usage street side landscape plan that has been developed.
6. Renovate our maintenance staff office and storage areas (not becoming of our property).
7. Add two new additional kayak racks along the beach front.
Finances
Decreased the HOA dues from $750 to $695.00/unit/month during this past fiscal year.
At the end of Jan 2010 we had ~$82.7K in our checking account and
$533.5K in the reserves, with total net assets (including insurance and receivables) of $630.8K
As of the end of Jan 2011 we have ~$78.1K in our checking account and $630K in the reserves with total net assets (including insurance and receivables) of $728.2K.
My Conclusions
Your Board has continued to address the day-to-day needs of Bay Scene while looking towards the future and planning for reinvestment in long term renovations. In the past five years Bay Scene has come a long way towards recapturing some of its past glamour, but we still have a long way to go and that does not come without a cost. The expense of our recreation area renovations and the proposed stucco work will once again drop our reserves back down to their traditional level of ~$500K. Although the impact from the reduction in dues did not preclude us from continuing with our much needed and long overdue face-lift, any further reductions in dues will significantly reduce the working capital we need to continue the revitalization of Bay Scene. By continuing to make our major renovations now, while construction costs are at an all time low, we are getting the absolute best value for your dues. I believe that if we maintain our dues at the current level of $695/month for the next two years, that should provide our community with the necessary capital to complete all of the renovations envisioned, and still be able to contribute to our reserves, and all of this will have been done without an assessment.
Bill Marsh
President, Bay Scene Owners Association