esrosedotblog

Today was the monthly condo association board meeting.

I am the Treasurer.

Someone writes my report for me but I have to be able to answer questions. If I miss the mark our professional manager(s) are there to help bail me out.

We are in the final phases of some very major overhauls of our "working" papers. The incorporation, the rules, the other stuff that keeps us legal under the acts of California. And also, of course, keeping the people with pitchforks and torches from storming our castle.

We have about 150 owner members. They pay a monthly fee to the Board out of which we disburse funds for common core work. Landscaping, pool maintenance, the professional managers and so on.

There is lot of little shit in the budget.

I sign all the checks for funds outgoing.

We passed our budget for the next fiscal year today. We voted some extra money to remove some trees that the original developers planted right over the sewer lines in some lots.

The biggest issue in front of us right now is that a portion of our land is leased from the local indian tribe. This is quite common in the Valley.

The Tribe has a new leader and has let us know that all the land leases will almost double in the next five years.

While this does not alter the day to day operations it does give some owners a feeling of fear and doubt about whether they will be able to pay the new fees.

We are OK but some people on fixed income may not be.

The new lease will last for 34 years so in one way it is a good thing as it will bolster the resale value of units. Removing the doubt about the land fees and lending stability. The lease cost will be higher hut there will be a limit set.

I am on the sub committee negotiating with the Tribal members who own our land. It is s slow tedious process. They have over 70 stake holders who have to come on board.

But I like the work. I spent my work life teaching negotiation skills as part of our company's offerings. The real world is not always as predictable as the models hope they will be especially when there are so many people on the other side.

In the end it is all done by lawyers but we have to tell them what to do.

This is my second term on the Board and it lasts until the end of 2017. I like the work and could run again. Last time I was unopposed.

In any case, I want to do a good job while I am at it.

I have always done stuff like this in my life. This is not political but it has its political aspects. I do need votes after all. So I play to the crowd that shows up for our meetings. 15-20 people, different each time.

No meetings for the summer, July or August. Everyone takes off. In fact they already have. Those of us who stay are enjoying the quiet.

Labels: condo