President’s Corner by Gordon Diamond gord.diamond @sympatico.ca 160 George Street Ottawa, On K1N 9M2 The St. George Newsletter Members of the Board President: Gordon Diamond 613-562-2487 Storm MacGregor 613-562-9154 Pam Rosengren 613-562-3909 Jean-Claude Bernais 613-562-2293 Robert Marcus 613-562-3188 Christina Lewis 613-241-1690 Caroline Proulx 613-744-1199 Axia Property Management) Mrs. Andrée Ball 613-738-9700x125 [email protected]Security Office: 613-241-7664 Editor: Irene Diamond [email protected]Translation: Carmen Forget Advertising Sales Carrol Ann MacGregor [email protected]Webmaster: Tahirah Shadforth tahirah@shadforth,com Web translation: Diane Mann St. George website www.thestgeorge.net March 2012 As promised, our focus this year will be on improving our budget process, identifying areas where we can make sav- ings and keeping you informed. Working with Axia, our Property Management Company, we’re off to a good start with a more structured budget development process led by our Treasurer, Pam Rosen- gren, ably assisted by Sandy Tunwell. Here are some efficiencies your Board has been able to realize: We changed electrical contractors to a company which offered a more competitive rate; We hired a new marble polishing company which did equally good work for less; We issued the pest control contact to a less expensive company; The Garbage Compactor Bin was repaired rather than replaced; We purchased a wet vacuum to improve carpet cleaning throughout the building (particularly in winter). It should pay for itself in less than a year; Your Newsletter team has offset the cost of printing the Newsletter and operating the Web Site with advertising revenues, which are even gener- ating a small surplus. A number of major building projects for this year, covered by the Reserve Fund, are already underway or will begin soon: Emergency Fire Panel upgrade; Elevator improvements and cab modernization; Balcony leak prevention and membrane replacement on the east side; Completion of the 3 rd floor patio deck and shrubbery. Finally, the Ontario Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) has mandated the following: A complete inspection of the emergency generator and installation of a new fuel tank; Installation of elevator car top safety guard rails. If you have any questions about any of the projects or programs, don’t hesi- tate to ask me or send me an e-mail. President’s corner 1 Budget Report 2 Volunteers needed 3 Invitation 3 AODA Training 4 Management Corner 4 Market Messages 4 Our advertisers Remember the annual spring clothing and household items drive held this year on Sat. April 21st. 9am to 12 pm. Time to clean out your closets and cupboards for charity. Watch for posters!
Transcript
President’s Corner by Gordon Diamond gord.diamond @sympatico.ca
As promised, our focus this year will be on improving our budget process, identifying areas where we can make sav-ings and keeping you informed. Working with Axia, our Property Management Company, we’re off to a good start with a more structured budget development process led by our Treasurer, Pam Rosen-gren, ably assisted by Sandy Tunwell. Here are some efficiencies your Board has been able to realize: We changed electrical contractors to a company which offered a more
competitive rate; We hired a new marble polishing company which did equally good work
for less; We issued the pest control contact to a less expensive company; The Garbage Compactor Bin was repaired rather than replaced; We purchased a wet vacuum to improve carpet cleaning throughout the
building (particularly in winter). It should pay for itself in less than a year;
Your Newsletter team has offset the cost of printing the Newsletter and operating the Web Site with advertising revenues, which are even gener-ating a small surplus.
A number of major building projects for this year, covered by the Reserve Fund, are already underway or will begin soon: Emergency Fire Panel upgrade; Elevator improvements and cab modernization; Balcony leak prevention and membrane replacement on the east side; Completion of the 3rd floor patio deck and shrubbery. Finally, the Ontario Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) has mandated the following: A complete inspection of the emergency generator and installation of a
new fuel tank; Installation of elevator car top safety guard rails. If you have any questions about any of the projects or programs, don’t hesi-tate to ask me or send me an e-mail.
President’s corner 1
Budget Report 2
Volunteers needed 3
Invitation 3
AODA Training 4
Management Corner 4
Market Messages 4
Our advertisers
Remember the annual spring clothing and household items drive
held this year on Sat. April 21st. 9am to 12 pm.
Time to clean out your closets and cupboards for charity.
Twenty-six years of service in sales and rentals in the Ottawa area
A little bit different! It’s the difference that counts!
(613) 744-5525 www.caldwell-realty.ca
Iberica
Travel agency inc.
Agence de voyages
Agência de viagens
2012/2013 Budget by Pam Rosengren
The 2012/2013 budget process started early this year. Maintenance fee notifications to Owners are ex-pected to be posted early in April.
Our May 2012 through April 2013 expenses are budgeted at just over $1million. Less than the cost of liv-ing increase, this is only a 2.2% increase over last year.
It is important to note that the St George will be able to operate with virtually the same funds (-0.4%) as last year. The Board and our Property Management Company, AXIA, have committed to ‘tightening our belts’ in many areas. They have prudently renegotiated contracts such as snow removal and window cleaning, and ensured that we can manage known increases in areas such as water supply. Yet in order to meet the legislated recommendations of the St George reserve fund study (that which finances major re-pairs and replacements such as elevator upgrades,) our reserve fund contribution has increased significant-ly to $249,000. This will put the total value of our reserve fund in excess of $1.3 million.
In addition, The Board is pleased to advise that this year the St George is expected to see a surplus, as we did the previous year. That is, we managed our expenses better than the budget demanded. As a re-sult, some of these extra funds will be put toward the Reserve Fund this year ($9,000) and others, for ex-penses next year ($8,000.)
You may be interested to see how our budget is spent: 25% for Utilities, 24% to the reserve fund; 21% to personnel , 20% to maintenance, and; 10% to administration. See graph below.
We all wish to have a beautiful neighborhood, but wishing is not enough... So let's take action to help trans-form our neighborhood into a more desirable and attractive place. I am referring especially to the Waller Mall.
I would like to invite you to take part in a get-together at which everyone would have a chance to express their ideas and vision for improving the physical and social aspects of this area of concern.
The City of Ottawa is presently engaged in a renewal program for Rideau St., giving us an opportunity to join with them in their efforts to make our environment more pleasant and resident-friendly.
Please contact me if you are interested in participating.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED One of the great strengths of the St. George has always been its volunteers. Your Board of Directors is look-ing to new (or old) residents to volunteer to:
Organize the annual Spring Clothing & Household Goods Drive;
Coordinate the Volunteer Emergency Medical Responder Program;
Coordinate annual CPR & AED refresher training; and
Administer the Volunteer Merit Award Program.
All of the activities listed contribute to the quality of life we enjoy at the St. George and since they are already set up, it would not require too much time.
If you are interested and want to take an active part in our vertical community, contact Gord Diamond @ 613-562-2487
Under the new legislative requirements of the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the directors, management and staff of the St George have participated in a training course designed to improve our skills in interacting with people with disabilities.
The training included communication techniques, and the right way to work with assistive de-
vices, service animals, and people acting in a support role (such as personal attendants). The course covered a wide range of situations, such as how to communicate with a deaf person accom-panied by an interpreter; whether or not you can pet a guide dog; whether or not it’s appropriate to excuse yourself for a moment when serving an elderly person in order to assist another client; and more.
The training was effective, thought provoking and designed to make the front line people at the
St. George more aware.
The is clearly marked FOR CARDBOARD & PAPER ONLY, yet there are people in the building who continue to throw anything and everything (including the kitchen sink) in with the paper.
Such thoughtlessness causes extra and unnecessary work for our staff which has to spend time sorting and removing all the other garbage before it can be recycled. On top of that, they have to go through the dumpster to break down many boxes to make enough room for all the cardboard and paper; a task which is a resident responsibility and clearly displayed on the dumpster itself.
Remember a condominium is a cooperative community which requires that all residents follow the agreed rules. It’s time for every one to re-examine their individual recycling practices.
MARKET MESSAGES
“There is always something happening in the ByWard Market”. Be sure to mark your calendars! 26 March -1 April - Juno Fest events 4 – 21 May - Tulip Festival 2 - 3 June - Doors Open Ottawa 3 June – ByWard Market Auto Classic 7 June – Heart & Stroke Big Bike event – York St 10 June – ‘Their Opportunity’ Minor Sports Chari-
