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Newsletter |
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| Volume 3 Issue 1 -- Winter 2002 |
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FROM THE MANAGER’S DESK
Brrrrr…It has been chilly lately! Last week we even had to get out the heavy sheet to sleep under. The locals are all wearing sweaters. Had my first whale sighting on the weekend, and there’s Christmas music in all the stores. Laugh if you will, but these are the signs of winter in Hawaii.
Happy Holidays from sunny Maui, Jim.
On with the news….
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
At the October meeting, the Board of Directors approved an operating budget for 2003 with no change to the monthly contribution. The allocation to reserves increases by $21, while the allocation to expenses is reduced by $21. The monthly payment will remain at $728.00.
A positive variance of over $50,000 in the 2002 operating budget is credited to holding fees steady. This variance occurred primarily in three areas:
a. "Utilities" continue to benefit from cost saving methods introduced in 2001.
b. "Building Maintenance" has benefited from a reduction in the sewer repair line item due to preventative measures.
c. "Payroll" benefited from running one man short.
The next Board meeting will be held on property 1/17/03. The annual meeting will be held Saturday morning 1/18/03. The terms of three directors will expire at this meeting. Those interested in running for a position on the Board still have time to do so.
The annual homeowner’s party will be held poolside the evening of January 18th. John Applegate and Co. will again cater the event. We hope to see everyone there.
LEASED FEE INTEREST UPDATE
Escrow is scheduled to close on the purchase of the fee interests on 1/8/03. The apartment owners affected will be able to purchase their fee interest at any time after that date. Please contact David Ferguson of Management Consultants at (808) 661-8795 for details.
NEW ROOF AND SOLAR
After the removal of the rubber tree the roof of the equipment and activity buildings presented the perfect location for additional solar panels to heat the pool.
In September, the building was re-roofed and a new solar system was installed. Since we were about due to replace the gas heater anyway, this was perfect timing for the project. The plan is to completely eliminate the need for a gas heater.
On November 1st, the pool temperature dipped to a wicked 79 degrees when we kicked on the solar. Since then, the pool temperature has been running very comfortably in the low to mid 80’s.
Lucky we live Maui!
TREE WORK IN PROGRESS
In October three more aging African tulip trees were removed near the B, C, and D buildings along the golf course. One of the trees was replaced with a royal palm. There are no plans to replace the two trees that were up against the buildings.
Removal and replacement of the three remaining African tulips near the P building are next on the list. Following that will be a very heavy trimming of the monkeypod trees in the parking areas scheduled next April.
As always, the coconut trees are trimmed every January and July.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERS LIST
Have you ever wondered where to buy those screen doors, or how to find a painter that won’t take you to the cleaners? We will soon be assembling a list of recommended contractors, tradespeople, and suppliers who are familiar with our property or provide items of common interest.
Collectively we have a lot of information and history that would be useful to all owners. If you have had a good experience with one of the trades, please share that for our list. If you have had a bad experience, share that as well. Together we can put together a very valuable resource.
EXPENSIVE RICE
In many areas, multi-level apartments and condominiums are requiring residents or owners to remove garbage disposals. Misuse of garbage disposals is often cause for drain stoppage leading to huge shared expense.
It seems many people don’t understand what happens when they dump coffee grinds, potato peelings, or that old bowl of rice down the drain. Much of what goes down a disposal will tend to pack up in one of the many turns before it gets to a main drain line. Causing a horror for the owner, or an unsuspecting neighbor "downstream".
About once a month we get a call from a resident "…my drain is clogged. Can you send one of the guys to snake it?"
The moaning usually begins when we tell them that the AOAO doesn’t unclog drains and recommends that they call a plumber.
Should the AOAO do the work and then charge the owner? Well, maybe…in a severe emergency that would probably happen, but that would be a judgement call made case by case.
Since every owner shares equally in the cost of our employees, every owner should receive equal benefit of that employment. This is one reason AOAO employees are restricted to maintaining only common elements. If the AOAO does individual unit emergency repair it is billed back to the owner.
Why wouldn’t we do this job? Snaking a drain sounds easy…what could go wrong? Plenty can go wrong, let me tell you…one damaged fitting and it’s off to the hardware store for parts. Dirty floors? Now it’s PWC. Clogged again six weeks later…now it’s our fault forever! How about those parts…now they’re leaking and have damaged the cabinet…our fault again?! This is often one of those jobs that start simple enough, but before you know it you’re out in the street with a jackhammer.
So please, think twice the next time you clean out the refrigerator…bag that old rice, and toss it in the trash.
COOLING TOWER PROJECT UPDATE
New water towers are on site for a replacement project that was planned in November. Contractor delays will likely move the install date sometime in January.
The AC equipment will be shut down for approximately one week to do this work. We will advise timing of this project as soon as we can nail it down.
THE FAIRWAY SHOPS
CJ’s Diner and City Financial are now busy with site improvements and will soon join Aloha Toy Co., Whaler’s Realty, and Maui Dive Shop already open for business.
Reliable sources say to expect a hair and nail salon, a furniture store, and a gym and spa soon. The large space on the south end is expected to be a restaurant.
CHANGES IN THE WIND
It is always good to see new faces on property, please welcome these new owners.
E201 – Vivian and Harold Hyman
J102 – Cliff Behl
J302 – Michael and Ann Jass
Q202 – Bill and Joan Brown
And a fond aloha to old friends.
E201 – Joe Morin
J102 – Kurt and Kimmie Becker
J302 – Chuck and Jean Gamble
Q202 – Dick and Lois Haynes
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