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Killen sends update to August HOA manager newsletter
Notes from Board Member Dale Killen – Treasurer, August 1, 2023
This is my first contribution to the Monthly Newsletter. Do not view my words as the voice of the Board, but rather my perspective and contributions to issues facing Pointe Royale.
- Since settling into the Treas role on 27Mar23 I have approved invoices totaling $1,044,233. This excludes Payroll which on a different accounting system and runs roughly $30,000/mo. Operations on an average year (no disasters) run ~$1.6 million (excludes reserve funding).
- Have ‘pushed back’ on several invoices to effectively reduce costs (savings below). Minor impact on the big picture but people know we are watching.
o $2,000 waived on invoice that billed us for (2) engr on project when (1) was adequate. o $2,397 waived on invoice that billed for repeat elevator repair w/I 24hr period.
o $1,000 waived on invoice that billed for repeat plumbing repair w/I 24hr period.
- My policy is that invoices are not approved unless I have one of the below: o Contract on file
o Work order on file
o Quote on file
o Personal knowledge after talking with one of our Managers.
- Negotiation of elevator service agreement is in my lane and we are close to signing an agreement that includes: o Concession for labor charges if both elevators are concurrently down in any Building.
o Waiving of the Invoice noted above.
o Quarterly Reliability meetings to track improvement. Everybody wins if we define/resolve ‘root cause’ of
failures instead of repairing symptoms.
- Main waterline failure – will work with City to modify billing for ‘average usage’ for this period. At minimum will
get sewer portion of bill waived. The leak (using water meter at street and a stopwatch) was roughly 18GPM (prior to entering our booster pumps).
o Communication should have been better and as a Board Member, I apologize.
▪ I wanted (but was fearful) to implement a 1.5hr/day ‘water on’ period because we only have (2)
operational booster pumps (capable of ~80GPM each) and it would concentrate our water consumption into this period and run the risk of burning up another motor. Filling bathtubs is collectively a bad thing.
▪ We need to develop a plan for this situation in future – Be Prepared.
o Palm Rats were seen scrambling for cover when bushes were pulled and access gained under the
pumproom. Our $ is better spent with traps here instead of in garage.
o A second 6” water line was laid and capped in event we have secondary failure in fire main from dirt
disturbance. Also, we are prepared for when horizontal mains are replaced – Be Prepared.
o The failed water main had significant internal corrosion resulting in charge pressure loss to the booster
pumps. Hopefully the life of the booster pumps will be enhanced by reduction in cavitation damage to
impellors.
A lot more to share with you but do not want to dominate the column inches of this Newsletter. I wish to publicly thank many of you (especially Bill Seegmuller) who are my eyes and ears on the ground to provide me with the information needed to make decisions while up North. I will be at Pointe Royale next week to meet Kat and get a first-hand look at the Hurricane restoration activities.
Dale Killen
Editorial- letters to and from the Editor
Day 300 with no pool
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