Senior Services Commission

Approved Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Senior Services Commission Village of Northbrook November 14, 2013 The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. at Crestwood Place, 1000 Waukegan Road. Present were Chairman Wax and Members Bachrach, Forde, Louis, Ganitopoulos, Nevin, and Rosenberg. Members Moore and Stern were absent. Also present were Liaison Kiraly, Realty and Mortgage (R&M) representatives Crane and Rider, and Recorder Martin. Review and Approval of Minutes from the September 12, 2013, Meeting Member Louis, seconded by Member Ganitopoulos, moved to change the minutes of the September 12, 2013, meeting to say that the village “could not” (not “would not”) require a pension plan for R & M employees as part of the contract to operate Crestwood Place. On voice vote, the motion passed. Member Louis, seconded by Member Forde, then moved to approve the minutes as amended. On voice vote, the motion passed. Chairman’s Report Chairman Wax welcomed Member Nevin to the Commission. 1) Staff Liaison Chairman Wax congratulated Liaison Kiraly on his new job as Village Manager for the Village of Glencoe. The Village Manager will appoint someone else to serve as Liaison to the Senior Services Commission. Manager’s Report Manager Crane said that replacement of the carpet in the “A” and “B” common area hallway and elevator lobby was replaced as previously approved. The work was done well without any problems. Two quotes have been received from companies that are qualified to do an assessment of the building and its systems for the purpose of developing a long-term capital spending plan. R & M is working to secure a third quote. Crestwood Place is 100 percent occupied. Three vacancies recently arose, and replacement tenants have been found. 1) Report on 2005 Reserve Study Improvements Chairman Wax read aloud the categories of building repair that have been reviewed as part of an effort to identify work that has been done on the building since the last reserve study was completed in 2005. For example, in some categories such as “roof”, work has been done since 2005. In other categories, such as “exterior lighting,” no work has been needed—and so no work has been done. Liaison Kiraly said that the categories of building Page 1 of 4  repair read aloud by Chairman Wax were included in the 2005 reserve study, which is the most recent study conducted of Crestwood Place and its structure and systems. R & M produced the report highlighted tonight because the Commission asked it to review what has been repaired (or might need to be repaired) since the last major study of the building in 2005. R & M has secured quotes from two firms that might do another reserve study for the building. The results of such a study would be used this spring to develop a capital spending plan for Crestwood Place as part of the development of the budget for the fiscal year that begins May 1, 2014. a) Status of Generator Replacement Recommendation Liaison Kiraly said that despite prior repairs, a secondary issue arose, causing the generator to fail in the summer. Hugh Rider of Realty and Mortgage (R & M) said that the generator runs the elevator, the fire pump, and the emergency lighting. Because it runs such important items, he wants to get an expert opinion as to what needs to be done to fix or replace the generator. He asked Kordick Electric of Northbrook to inspect the generator. Mr. Rider said that Kordick recommended that an engineer be hired to look at the generator and associated switches. Mr. Rider said that an engineer would charge $3,000 to look at the generator and make a recommendation. He said that it would also be necessary to pay Kordick or another electrician $1,500 to dismantle the generator so that the engineer can look at it. Results of this inspection should be available before the Commission’s next meeting in January. 2) Plan for Development of 2013 Reserve Study Updates Liaison Kiraly said that quotes received to date are from Klein and Hoffman (not to exceed $23,000) and Thornton Tomasetti (not to exceed $20,000). R&M is working to secure a third quote. Park District Programs Update—Frank Lamberti No report. Budget and Finance 1) Review of August 2013 Financial Report Chairman Wax reviewed the report, and said that as of August 31, 2013, revenues exceed expenditures by approximately $37,000. Funds available are approximately $600,000. Member Forde moved, seconded by Member Ganitopoulos, to approve the August 2013 financial report. On voice vote, the motion passed. 2) Review of September 2013 Financial Report Chairman Wax said that this report shows year to date revenue over expenditures of approximately $65,000. Funds available are approximately $625,000. Member Ganitopoulos, seconded by Member Louis, moved to approve the September 2013 financial report. On voice vote, the motion passed. Old Business Page 2 of 4  1) Report on Progress of Contract Discussions with R & M Liaison Kiraly said that at its last meeting, the Commission recommended that the Village retain R & M as the manager of Crestwood and that the Village negotiate with R & M to renew the two-year contract that expires April 30, 2014. The Commission also recommended that the new contract be for three years, not two. Liaison Kiraly said that he will meet with R & M on November 18 and leave a report for his successor. The contract will be presented to the Commission at its meeting in January. At that meeting, it will review the draft contract and make its recommendations, if any, to the Village Board for their consideration in February. . New Business Member Bachrach presented a list of suggested improvements to Crestwood Place that had been suggested to him by individual residents. Chairman Wax said that the Commission would not act on the suggestions tonight, but members of the Commission would certainly listen. Member Bachrach’s suggestions included: 1) Snow removal at Crestwood Place is good, but it sometimes is very poor at neighboring properties. This makes it hard for residents to walk to bus stops and nearby shopping. Chairman Wax said that the point was well taken and that the issue has already been forwarded to the Village. Liaison Kiraly said that the Village cannot force private business owners to remove snow. He has mentioned the issue to the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce president, who may mention it to her members. The Village will encourage business owners to cooperate. 2) Residents would like to have a way to dispose of electronic waste. Many don’t drive and so cannot participate in regular collections of e-waste. Liaison Kiraly said that he has spoken to the vendor who provides e-waste pickup at the village’s Public Works facility. If the vendor has the necessary equipment, he may be able to stage a pickup at Crestwood. It may not be every month. It may be much less frequent. Chairman Wax said that the two foregoing suggestions were forwarded to the Village because they were not the province of the Senior Services Commission. The next two recommendations are matters for the Commission. 3) Residents would like new furniture in the lobby; and 4) Residents would like toilets that are not so low. Liaison Kiraly said that the Americans with Disabilities Act does not require the replacement of existing facilities outside of a wholesale renovation. But the Commission can budget for the replacement of furniture or toilets if it feels it is necessary. Chairman Wax suggested that these improvements be discussed at the meeting in January when the budget is developed. He said that each commissioner will receive a copy of the proposed budget and financial reports well before the January meeting. He asked that each commissioner read the material well in advance of the meeting. The Commission will vote on each line item in the budget at the January meeting. Page 3 of 4 Hear from the Audience A woman in the audience suggested that those who want taller toilets could purchase them using their own funds. Others in the audience disagreed, saying that not everyone could afford them. A man in the audience said that he is happy to be living in Crestwood and appreciates the facilities. Another resident said that the new computers recently installed at Crestwood are working fine, although they could use more ink for the printers. The same gentleman asked when the new generator will be installed. Chairman Wax said that after the engineering study is complete, a request for funds must be approved by the Village Board if it’s for more than $10,000. Liaison Kiraly said that it is important to make sure that the generator is the right size for the building. The same gentleman also asked if funding for new toilets could be budgeted to replace them ten at a time, as was done with walk-in showers. Perhaps those with a medical need could be served first. A woman in the audience said that parking is tight at Crestwood. Caretakers, visitors, and contractors doing work at the building must be required to park farther away to preserve nearby parking for residents. Other residents thanked Dave Bachrach for his work in representing the residents and Marsha Crane for her work in keeping the building operating. Another woman in the audience asked if area high school kids might be willing to clear snow off cars to earn money. Member Bachrach said that his daughter is a teacher and may be able to identify some students to do the work for pay. Another woman in the audience said that more card tables are needed in the common room. Adjourn Member Rosenberg moved, seconded by Member Forde, to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. The motion passed by voice vote. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Christine Martin Recorder Page 4 of 4