Some Board Members to not want to repair the entrquard

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

Although I resigned from the Board of February of this yr due to health problems, some board member still come to me for advise.

Our Entraguard system is broken once again. Some board members don't want to have it fixed due to the expense. We have had some other major expenses recently.

The thought is that if someone wants to visit the visitor use a phone to call us and we then walk to the entryway to open the door for our visitor.

I don't think this is a good idea at all. In fact I think we might have some legal problems with it. Although this is independent living we have aged people with mobility issues.

What are your thoughts on this?

Former President.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Please clarify, Bonnie. Is this an entrance to the interior of your condo building? Or an entrance to your parking lot? Or?

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

It is the entrance to the interior of our building.

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

The more I think about this the worse the idea becomes. If someone called 911 the firemen will not know your phone number to call you and this could add response time in what could be a dire emergency.

I know when I come home from the hospital after major surgery last year there was no way I could walk to the entrance to let anyone into the building. My phone wasn't working when I cam home and I had caregivers call my phone when they arrived, but I could not walk to the entrance to let them into the building. I was so glad my sister had just moved into the building and she would walk to the main entrance to let my caregivers into the building.

After my second chemo, my magnesium level dropped to .06 (almost dead level). I called 911 for myself. I was so week there was not way I could have walked to the entrance to let anyone into the building.

I think if we don't get the entraguard system repaired or another system we could be opening ourselves up to a lawsuit which could be quite expensive. And yes I do know suing the Association is like suing yourself. But I may not be an owner than sues but a family member of an owner.

I guess I answered my own question.

The next Board meeting is Monday, Nov. 20 and I plan on being at it.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

What is the cost of not having the system? Is it safety? Could there be other options?

Former HOA President

GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276

Posted:

I think if it's part of the common amenities then it needs to be repaired or replaced. No reserves for that?

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Posted By BonnieG1 on 11/15/2017 6:52 PM
The more I think about this the worse the idea becomes. If someone called 911 the firemen will not know your phone number to call you and this could add response time in what could be a dire emergency.

Bonnie, your BOD can purchase a 911 box that will hold the key to the entrance door, these boxes are becoming popular at business to gain emergency entry
because of the delay in armed security response to alarm calls.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

There may be other brands of intercom systems that are tailored to the number of units in your building .

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Bonnie, I found this product that might help, providing you have less than 125 units in your building.
You would only need to find a vendor to install it.

https://www.allsecurityequipment.com/proddetail.asp?prod=LINEAR-AE100&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpoamhLPC1wIVBcZkCh2GTA5QEAYYBiABEgJ70PD_BwE

GeorgeR8 (Arizona)
Posts: 182

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By BonnieG1 on 11/15/2017 4:50 PM
Although I resigned from the Board of February of this yr due to health problems, some board member still come to me for advise.

Our Entraguard system is broken once again. Some board members don't want to have it fixed due to the expense. We have had some other major expenses recently.

The thought is that if someone wants to visit the visitor use a phone to call us and we then walk to the entryway to open the door for our visitor.

I don't think this is a good idea at all. In fact I think we might have some legal problems with it. Although this is independent living we have aged people with mobility issues.

What are your thoughts on this?

Former President.

Is this a Independent Living condominium that was advertised, documented, and sold as such? Or is it a regular condominium building that a lot of old people, some with health issues, just happen to be living in. If it is the first I think it should be replaced. If it is the second, I don't.

AugustinD
Posts: 5,144

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By BonnieG1 on 11/15/2017 4:50 PM
The thought is that if someone wants to visit the visitor use a phone to call us and we then walk to the entryway to open the door for our visitor. I don't think this is a good idea at all. In fact I think we might have some legal problems with it. Although this is independent living we have aged people with mobility issues.

The federal Fair Housing Act has prohibitions on discriminating on the basis of disability. So I agree with your concerns about legal problems. I would have the board consult an attorney.

For the archives, can you say how much repair of the system would cost each unit owner? How often does the system break? Also I too wonder if there are less expensive systems, like the one LetA mentioned. My gated condominium community (many buildings) spends a lot repairing the danged gate system each year. Residents can remotely open the gate from their phone.

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LetA on 11/15/2017 9:43 PM

Posted By BonnieG1 on 11/15/2017 6:52 PM
The more I think about this the worse the idea becomes. If someone called 911 the firemen will not know your phone number to call you and this could add response time in what could be a dire emergency.

Bonnie, your BOD can purchase a 911 box that will hold the key to the entrance door, these boxes are becoming popular at business to gain emergency entry
because of the delay in armed security response to alarm calls.

I forgot we do have a 911 box with the key to the entrance door, but the first responders haven't always had a key to the box. I don't know if the current board has corrected this or not.

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By GenoS on 11/15/2017 7:11 PM
I think if it's part of the common amenities then it needs to be repaired or replaced. No reserves for that?

We have reserves, but we have had some major expenses that are depleting the reserves fast. We had our parking lot repaved last year and are still have two payments of over $9,000. before it is completely paid. Although we have insurance for our hail damaged roof, we still will owe on that.

I think one problem is a Board member who freaks out if he thinks there is the slightest possibility we may not have enough money if one of our elevators need to be replaced.

I did mention getting bids on key card entry since our system breaks so often. It is decades old.

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LetA on 11/15/2017 9:47 PM
There may be other brands of intercom systems that are tailored to the number of units in your building .

I agree

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By GeorgeR8 on 11/16/2017 2:46 AM

Posted By BonnieG1 on 11/15/2017 4:50 PM
Although I resigned from the Board of February of this yr due to health problems, some board member still come to me for advise.

Our Entraguard system is broken once again. Some board members don't want to have it fixed due to the expense. We have had some other major expenses recently.

The thought is that if someone wants to visit the visitor use a phone to call us and we then walk to the entryway to open the door for our visitor.

I don't think this is a good idea at all. In fact I think we might have some legal problems with it. Although this is independent living we have aged people with mobility issues.

What are your thoughts on this?

Former President.

Is this a Independent Living condominium that was advertised, documented, and sold as such? Or is it a regular condominium building that a lot of old people, some with health issues, just happen to be living in. If it is the first I think it should be replaced. If it is the second, I don't.

It is an Independent Living condominium that was advertised, documented, and sold as such.

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LetA on 11/15/2017 9:54 PM
Bonnie, I found this product that might help, providing you have less than 125 units in your building.
You would only need to find a vendor to install it.

https://www.allsecurityequipment.com/proddetail.asp?prod=LINEAR-AE100&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpoamhLPC1wIVBcZkCh2GTA5QEAYYBiABEgJ70PD_BwE

Thanks, I will check this later, I have to go to work soon.

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By AugustinD on 11/16/2017 6:18 AM

Posted By BonnieG1 on 11/15/2017 4:50 PM
The thought is that if someone wants to visit the visitor use a phone to call us and we then walk to the entryway to open the door for our visitor. I don't think this is a good idea at all. In fact I think we might have some legal problems with it. Although this is independent living we have aged people with mobility issues.

The federal Fair Housing Act has prohibitions on discriminating on the basis of disability. So I agree with your concerns about legal problems. I would have the board consult an attorney.

For the archives, can you say how much repair of the system would cost each unit owner? How often does the system break? Also I too wonder if there are less expensive systems, like the one LetA mentioned. My gated condominium community (many buildings) spends a lot repairing the danged gate system each year. Residents can remotely open the gate from their phone.

We do have disabled people living in the building. You might say at this time I am disabled since I quality to ride Moby (the transportation service for people who can not ride the city bus due to a disability)

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LetA on 11/15/2017 9:54 PM
Bonnie, I found this product that might help, providing you have less than 125 units in your building.
You would only need to find a vendor to install it.

https://www.allsecurityequipment.com/proddetail.asp?prod=LINEAR-AE100&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpoamhLPC1wIVBcZkCh2GTA5QEAYYBiABEgJ70PD_BwE

I can not get to the site. I copied and pasted but I got a message be careful this site is not encrypted.

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By AugustinD on 11/16/2017 6:18 AM

Posted By BonnieG1 on 11/15/2017 4:50 PM
The thought is that if someone wants to visit the visitor use a phone to call us and we then walk to the entryway to open the door for our visitor. I don't think this is a good idea at all. In fact I think we might have some legal problems with it. Although this is independent living we have aged people with mobility issues.

The federal Fair Housing Act has prohibitions on discriminating on the basis of disability. So I agree with your concerns about legal problems. I would have the board consult an attorney.

For the archives, can you say how much repair of the system would cost each unit owner? How often does the system break? Also I too wonder if there are less expensive systems, like the one LetA mentioned. My gated condominium community (many buildings) spends a lot repairing the danged gate system each year. Residents can remotely open the gate from their phone.

I think the system breaks two or three times a year. However some of those times it breaks after a storm and the break is caused by storm damage.

BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186

Posted:

I only got half the story. I talked to another Board Member today. Having people walk to allow visitors entrance into the building is to be temporary until the Board can determine the best option.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By BonnieG1 on 11/16/2017 6:27 AM

Posted By GenoS on 11/15/2017 7:11 PM
I think if it's part of the common amenities then it needs to be repaired or replaced. No reserves for that?

We have reserves, but we have had some major expenses that are depleting the reserves fast. We had our parking lot repaved last year and are still have two payments of over $9,000. before it is completely paid. Although we have insurance for our hail damaged roof, we still will owe on that.

I think one problem is a Board member who freaks out if he thinks there is the slightest possibility we may not have enough money if one of our elevators need to be replaced.

I did mention getting bids on key card entry since our system breaks so often. It is decades old.

If your reserves are being depleted due to other big expenses, it may be the board is having to make some difficult decisions about which major repairs take priority over the others. I'm not saying the intercom system isn't important, but I would agree with the board member that if one or several of your elevators fail, you'll have bigger problems.

It appears your reserves are seriously underfunded - when was the last time you had a reserve study? If it's been over 5 years, time to do another one quickly, so you can see where you're at and where you need to be. If you want the intercom system, you may be looking at a loan, special assessment, major increase in assessments - or all three - to get it done, along with everything else.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius