News and notes for this week

A few items of news and note for this week:

• 2019 HOA budget to be set on Thursday, 12/27; HOA dues to increase
  All homeowners were recently mailed the HOA board's proposed budget for 2019. The proposed budget can presumably also be viewed on the HOA’s Pilera website.
  
  The proposed 2019 budget will be voted on by homeowners during a special budget ratification meeting on 12/27, at 6:00 p.m. in the community room. Per Section 15.3 of the CC&Rs, the proposed budget will pass automatically unless rejected by a majority vote of all homeowners. Homeowners may vote by being present at the meeting or via a proxy ballot, which was also mailed to all homeowners.
  
  The board has also approved an 8% increase in HOA dues for 2019, due in part to reserve expenditures on large projects.
  
  
  

• Carpet and flooring installation continues 
  Work is ongoing in the residential hallways: painting the walls, carpet replacement, and installation of hard surfaces in front of all elevators. Contractors are working their way downward. Still to come will be vinyl flooring in the trash chute rooms, transition strips, and metal corner protectors. Karen recently sent out instructions for cleaning the new carpet in the hallways in the case of a spill or accident:
  
  
  "In each trash room you may have noticed a paper towel dispenser and a shelf with a plastic bin. This bin contains disposable rags, a soft brush, a bottle of spot remover, disposable gloves and a container with dry extraction cleaner. I have attached the instructions how to use these products. A copy will be posted in the trash rooms also.  Please do not use anything else on the carpet. In the past, residents have used products containing bleach. Although they meant well, the bleach stained the carpet.
  
  
  The paper towels are for spills that may occur in the elevator lobbies or in the trash rooms. Please wipe up any spills immediately and dispose of the paper towels.  If you do use one of the rags in the kit, please dispose of the rag when done.  Do not place the dirty rag back in the bin.
  
  
  Please instruct any housekeepers or contractors not to leave anything sitting in the halls. I have seen many housekeepers set their totes or even bottles of chemicals outside of doors. These bottles often contain a bleach based product.  This will leave spots on the carpet."
  
  
  

• Please mail in ballot regarding language change to CC&Rs
  All homeowners recently were mailed a ballot, which would have arrived in an envelope from "Fullaway, Lamphear & Suave." This ballot is for homeowners to vote on language changes to the CC&Rs, which would allow vehicle traffic and short term parking in the "concrete circle."
  
  It is the intent of the board to replace the existing concrete, which is currently unsuitable for cars, and cracking, and sitting above the underground parking garage. The current estimate to replace the concrete (with stronger, appropriately reinforced concrete) is $96,000. The board debated whether to dip into reserve funds for this expense or to create a special assessment, and finally decided to use reserve funds.
  
  Despite the board's intent to replace the concrete, the circle still cannot be opened for general use without enough "Yes" votes to change the CC&Rs.  (Article 23.6.2.iv. of the CC&Rs currently forbids most vehicles in the easement.) A two-thirds "Yes" vote will be needed to change the CC&Rs and open the circle.
  
  
  

• Esplanade Book Club sees its final chapter

  After a four-and-a-half year run, the Esplanade Book Club held its final meeting earlier this month. Book Club organizer Nan Colburn indicated that the club seemed to have run its course; she thanked all who participated over the years.
  
  
  

• Esplanade Social Committee looking for new chair
  At the last HOA board meeting, Sallie Zimmer gave her official notice to the board that she would be retiring as chair of the social committee, after several years of service. Sallie noted that she would be willing to help a new person learn the job, if someone wanted to fill her role in the future. Anyone interested in planning social events for the building should contact Sallie at sallienherb85@comcast.net.