2017-04-24

Minutes of Q&A Session - Thursday April 20, 2017

Videotron

TV

·         Videotron is seeking a 50% increase in the next contract.
·         This would increase overall condo fees by 3.5% just for TV.
·         They have yet to return with a more acceptable offer.
·         Our current package of ~110 channels will cease to exist as of December 2018
·         They propose a 60 channel package instead where each subscriber can choose 30 individual channels
·         Most people in attendance seemed to prefer that option.
·         There was discussion about moving to Bell but, after approaching Bell, this appears to be a very difficult option.
·         At present, the preferred options are a Videotron deal or no deal.
·         If so, people would be free to move to Bell or stay with Videotron on a retail basis
·         If people move away from Videotron, they will lose the door channel.

Internet

·         Current package is not enough capacity and too slow by today’s standards.
·         Streaming just one movie per day from Netflix would easily exceed the capacity of the current group plan.
·         We have not seen a revised proposal.

Bill 122

·         As described in the past 2 annual reports, Bill 122 is a new government requirement to do a hands-on inspection of our facades and garages.
·         This was because, a few years ago, a wall fell downtown and killed a woman and a garage which collapsed in Saint-Laurent killing a taxi driver
·         We received the results of the inspections.
·         In summary,
o   The only URGENT repairs needed to be addressed to either the façade or garages is any pieces that could fall and cause injuries.
o   Neither our facade nor our garages are in danger of imminent collapse.
o   Repairs to the C2 garage drains and membrane should be done in the next 2 years.
o   Repairs to the C1 garage drains and membrane should be done in the next 4 years.
o   There are a large number of defects in the facades and balconies. None are dangerous but repairs are necessary in order to comply with the law.
·         So far, we have received quotes for the facades ranging from $99,000 to $500,000.
·         Because of the uncertainty of cost, it is not known whether we will require a special assessment to cover the cost. We have not had a special assessment since the main roofs were done 8 years ago.

Pool

·         The problem of the pool roof continues to be condensation.
o   The gutters installed last year reduced the damage but did not eliminate it
o   We do not have an acceptable solution yet
·         There is still an issue with the pool paint.
o   The contractor will have to repaint at his cost for the 3rd time.
·         The pool should not be closed for more than a month this time but it is not scheduled yet.
·         There was a request to not close the pool in the summer however that is yet to be determined.
·         The latest we can wait is until September as October will be too cold.

Drains

·         As a result of a blocked main drain, last month a condo incurred significant damage to the kitchen and carpets.
·         Using cameras, we have since inspected all 25 of our main drains starting from the roof. Almost all need to be cleaned.
·         A plumbing snake is approximately 100 feet long at most which means that the cleaning will be logistically done in 3 steps, 2 for the columns and one for the garage. We are in the process of getting quotes to do all the drains.

Pool Extended Hours

·         The request was made to extend pool hours from the current 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM schedule.
·         There is not a lot of enthusiasm to do so as it increases our supers’ burden.

Garden – Cement Table

·         The request was to buy cement type tables with parasols for our garden rather than store-bought tables that can be blown away by the wind.
·         This response was generally positive.

Security Phone in the Gym and Pool

·         It was suggested that we add a security phone to the pool and gym for emergencies
·         There is a panic button in the pool but it is currently unreliable

Supers

·         We were sorry to see Paulo & Suzette go however the environment had become exceptionally poisonous and could not continue as is.
·         We held many meetings with them over the course of months including 2 meetings with the full board and the C1 supers trying to rectify the situation but it continued to degenerate.
·         Eventually, we stopped trying to accede to their demands. They became even more frustrated as were we so we accepted their resignation.
o   Although it was not mentioned in the meeting, Paulo had actually quit more than once before but subsequently changed his mind each time.
·         After a year of discussion, we have decided to hire a single male super rather than a couple as a 3 month experiment.
·         This super has extended hours compared to each person in the couple.
·         This super will be supplemented by non-resident outside help in busy periods, days off, and vacation times.
·         The benefit of this approach is increased flexibility as couples do things together whereas, this way, changes only affect one person.

·         It is too early to tell, but so far it working very well for us. 

No comments: