Spring has finally arrived!

Spring has strung in Calgary! Finally!

A few things to note:

1. Upgrading the decks on the second and third floor - by now you would have received a letter in the mail explaining how the deck upgrade will be funded via special assessment. Major projects like this do not come up that often but it is important that when they do we manage them in a responsible way, a way that gives owners some flexibility in terms of how to pay the assessment. You have two options:

• Pay the full amount by August 2018 via cheque payable to Condo Corp No. 0512735 and mail to Connelly and Company 2723 - 37 Avenue NE, Calgary, AB, T1Y 5R8 or,

• Make monthly payments from August 2018 - August 2019, Connelly needs your permission in writing to do this - you can email darynn@connelymanagement.com or send a letter to Connelly at the address listed above

We ask that you choose your option and complete the process in a timely manner. If you have questions, please contact Darynn at darynn@connellymanagement.com. 

2. Please break down your recycling when you put it into the bin. If we all do this, we will need less picks reducing our cost. A couple extra minutes could mean a few extra dollars in our operating fund

3.  Our favourite topic - doggy do-do! Please be curious to your neighbours and pick up aft4er your dog. Our right to own them comes with our responsibility for poo. 

4. Our other favourite topic - smoke butts. Please don't throw your smoke butts on the ground. We live in a shared building and you agreed to keep it clean when you decided to live in this kind of environment.

Thank you for your understanding and attention,

Expresso Condo Board

AGM and Winter (oh my!)

Hello Expresso!

Hope everyone is well and ready for winter. Do you have your winter tires on yet?

AGM - the AGM is complete for the year.  We had a totally of 8 present and 4 via proxy. Thank you to those owners who came to learn and ask questions - the board always appreciates the attendance. The usual suspects are back on the board and we have one new addition - Hailey - welcome!

A special thank you to Lindy and Tiffany who moved onto the next chapter of their lives this year.  They both put a lot of effort into ensuring the building is maintained, safe and in good a financial state. Thanks again ladies and all the best in the future!

Overall, 2016 has been a quiet year in terms of big maintenance activities.  The year was made up of smaller projects and continuing to ensure we are secure which included replacing the garage door and improving our security system.

2017 Focus:

Offsetting the carbon tax increase costs will hit our bottom line January 2017.  Utilities are the largest line item on our operating expense and we will see an increase in electricity and natural gas costs - estimated around 5% more. We are working with Connolly to find innovative solutions to offset these costs over the long run.  There are companies like Gasonic who are retrofitting building's with LED lighting systems to help decrease the cost of electricity over the long run...something for us to consider.  http://www.gasonic.com

Interior painting - is it that time already! It feels like we just painted.  Time for touch ups...we are targeting Spring 2017.

Decks - it is time to work with an Engineer to find out what we need to do with the decks to ensure they are safe and sound.  We anticipate replacement of some and will be working to build a plan and timeline to do this work in the most cost effective way for owners.  This could mean starting to save up now and defer the work for a couple years (if we can safely),

When is the next Reserve Fund Study? 2018

What is a Reserve Fund Study? click here to learn more

Winter is coming...

Remember to keep your doors and windows closed on those cold days to prevent issues with the heating system. Click here for a few more tips on how to prepare for winter!

Thank you, if you have any questions or concerns please let Connelly know!

Expresso Board

Hello Expresso!

Hello!  A few things are going on at the condo....here is some insight.

2016 Operating Budget

Is currently under review by the board...you will receive a copy in February.



The Trees are getting a hair cut

The board is reviewing quotes to decide on a tree stylist to give them a trim.  We will also have the broken branch removed that is stuck in the tree on the back-west side of the building.



Winter - what winter - reminders

Please wipe your shoes on the rugs when you enter the building, it's messy out there - this will help keep the carpets clean.  If it does get cold, remember to keep your
doors and windows closed so the pipes don't freeze.



Doggy do do

Remember to pick up after your doggies.  Thank you to everyone who follows the process to have a dog in their unit.  We really appreciate it!

Late Summer Update

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer.  The board has a few updates for you.

1. The Annual General Meeting is coming up on September 15, 7:00pm at Connelly Management Company.  You will receive your package in the mail soon.

2. The board completed a Spring walk-around and found a list of small maintenance items like painting the back fence and putting the final touches on the front stair repair.  We approved the quote this week.  You will see the contractors taking care of these items before fall.  It will be nice to spruce up the outside of the building, it's been awhile.

3. All is not lost in the front flower bed.  We are hopeful the plants rooted well before the storm.  We will prune them back this fall and look forward to seeing them thrive again next year.  We are slowly sorting out the arrangement with the landscaper to weed the front bed.

4. Fire Inspection coming up on September 24. You would have received a notice on Saturday.  Please make arrangements with Monica so we can access your unit.  We always find at least one unit that needs a repair of some sorts to ensure the alarm is working to protect the unit, occupants and building in case of fire.  Also, we are going to look at the emergency lighting, a few of the lights did not come on when he lights went out during the last storm, they will be fixed also.

5. We have heard there is increased theft in the area. Please take extra care when you are coming in and out of the building and don't let anyone in that you don't know.  We are very kind creatures but be careful when holding the door for someone you don't know...just in case.  Also it is best practice to wait till the garage door closes before driving away, to deter someone from entering.  I am guilty of not doing this but plan to do this more often.

6. Next big job at Expresso will be to assess and maintain the balconies as per the reserve fund.  This is going to be a big job.  We are going to start reviewing quotes and scope out the work.  Work will be planned as cost effective as possible and could span a couple years.  We will keep you informed as we know more.

Thanks! Enjoy the last part of summer (I hear we are going to have a long warm fall...awesome!)

Expresso Condo Board

Recycling is coming to Expresso!

Dear Owners/Tenants of Expresso:

As you may know the City of Calgary has mandated all apartments and condominium complexes to provide recycling services to their Owners/Tenants as of Feb. 1, 2016. Your Board has opted to start this service for Expresso sooner rather than later by adding a no sort recycling program besides our current garbage bin starting April 1st, 2015.

Calgary Herald article

We hope that those of you who are already committed to recycling will find this more convenient and that those of you who do not regularly recycle will take advantage of having the service available on site.

We respectfully request that only approved recycle materials be put in the recycle bin, garbage deposited in the garbage bins only and that all renovation and hazardous materials be disposed of at an appropriate City facility off-site.

Where do you take items that CAN'T go in the bin?

Items like paint, electronics, tires etc. Check out the Alberta Recycling wesbite. There have an interactive map that will help you find a location for what you need to recycle!

There will be signage on the recycle bin indicating what is acceptable for recycle and what is not. You will also receive a notice under your door with this information and a chart of what can added to the bin.

Any questions or concerns on the foregoing can be addressed to Darynn Morey at Connelly Management.

Thank you,

Expresso Board of Directorsrrs

Winter is here!

Hello Expresso

Few things to touch on...

Front Step Repair

• We hoped to get the stairs complete prior to Winter.  As you can see, they are not done.  Sounds like temperatures are going to warm up next week (fingers crossed), if they do, we are going to really push to finish pouring the new cement to remove the tripping hazard due to the lip between the new/old concrete.  
• The project includes applying a traffic deck coating finish to waterproof and non-slip the surface.  We are trying our best to get as much done as possible.  We are also going to talk to he contractor about the fact they committed to having it complete before winter, hoping to work something out with the final invoice.

Snow Removal

• The first winter snowfall brought freezing rain, which created very slippery conditions near and around our building.  I want to thank everyone who pitched in to help out with the car accident bordering Edmonton Trail on Sunday.  I do believe our efforts contributed to minimizing the severity of the situation.  
• We do expect the snow removal contractor to remove the ice.  We are never satisfied with simply clearing the snow on top of the ice.  Our concerns have been submitted.  It is important we are clear on our expectations and manage to them as the winter progresses. Please be careful when you are walking outside the building, we are doing what we can and will continue to work with the contractor.

Hot Water Heating System

• Although rare (some even say it's a myth) we don't want to risk freezing the pipes, it will lead to a costly fix for all owners. Winter can get a little stuffy but please remember to keep your doors and windows closed when it is cold outside.

Updates to the Blog will be made as we learn more, please check back often or set up a notification.  We won't always post a notice in the building when we quick posts.

Thank you,

Remembering our fallen heroes today....

Expresso Condo Board

Power and Garage Door

The power was off today because the city was cleaning up trees in the area.

We placed to call to have the garage door fixed since it is stuck in the open position.

Thanks
Condo Board