process was with concrete information ….

process was with concrete information on how much it would cost to reinstall a community garden compliant with all current codes.

Once the costs are calculated, the board will reconsider its options.

• Mask Requirements GRF President Susan Hopewell read several emailed comments that strongly objected to an order by the board to close the pool and game rooms for a week starting Feb. 5.

(The pool and game rooms are now open.)

The rooms were closed due to “repeated noncompliance with the state-issued mask mandate, which has resulted in conflict and physical confrontation,” according to a posted sign at the site.

In their emails, residents argued that the closure punished everyone—those who were wearing masks along with scofflaws who weren’t.

People also cited inconvenience because tournaments and other scheduled activities had to be abruptly canceled.

As of now, vaccinated residents are not required to wear masks inside GRF amenities, in keeping with a Feb. 15 state mandate.

In a related action, the board voted to continue requiring people to wear face masks inside all GRF business offices and at meetings where GRF staff members are present.

• Cyber Security Remediation

The board voted to spend a total of $429,686—$190,496 from operating funds and $239,190 from reserve funds— to replace the GRF’s aging and unstable network infrastructure to secure it from malware attacks. (Network infrastructure refers to all of the resources that make Internet connectivity, management, business operations and communication possible, including computer hardware and software.)

Malware attacks aimed at a growing number of municipalities, hospitals and businesses are on the rise. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that infects a computer and restricts users’ access until a ransom is paid to unlock it.

GRF Treasurer Janet Isom called it “absolutely necessary” to grant the funding to secure the network to protect it and to meet insurance standards, which will reduce premiums.

The board voted unanimously to allocate the funds, which will cover professional services, hardware and software.

• Pool Renovation Progress Facilities Director Mark Weaver reported that the pool facility, which has been closed since November 2019, should be open by the end of March.

Work is proceeding quickly. The deck was 95 percent complete as of Feb. 22, he told the board. Stucco was expected to be fully applied last week. Southern California Edison, which has caused several delays in the permitting process, was expected to fully energize the pool and golf course in the next two weeks.

The facility will have five swimming lanes, a 30-by-30-foot activity area with a volleyball net, a 9-by-25-foot spa, new locker rooms and and a reconfigured lounge area.

• Janitorial Contract Extension- Innovative Cleaning Service In keeping with a recommendation by the Recreation Committee, the board voted to extend Innovative Cleaning Service’s contract until Dec. 31.

The janitorial agreement between Innovative Cleaning Services and GRF was due to expire on April 30.

By extending the contract rather than going out to bid at a time when potentially costly COVID restrictions could not be determined, the GRF was able to maintain service at a favorable rate.

The $1.5 million GRF portion of the contract (separate from Mutual cleaning services, also addressed in the contract) was expected to increase by $27,882.12 if it were renegotiated in April. The extension saves the GRF $5,119 monthly, according to a Recreation Committee staff report.

• GRF Employee Salary and Benefits

Salary Increase: The board voted to award all GRF employees except directors, who are the highest-ranking department heads, a 5 percent “economic adjustment” increase to help attract and retain staff. Employees have not received a cost-of-living raise since 2012.

As of January, the annual inflation rate accelerated to 7.5 percent, the highest since 1982, and above market forecasts of 7.3 percent.

The hike is attibuted to soaring energy costs, labor shortages and supply disruptions, among other factors.

As GRF wages have fallen behind industry standards, the board also approved a comprehensive salary comparison and a review of vacation and health benefits for all positions.

GRF Director Carol Levine pointed out that the GRF is losing employees, especially in the trade services, such as electricians and plumbers, because they can get more money elsewhere.

“A 5 percent increase is just the beginning of what we need to do,” said GRF Vice President Marsha Gerber.

“Everything costs so much more than it did six months ago,” agreed GRF Director Leah Perrotti. “They need this 5 percent increase.”

Employee Benefits Enhanced:

The GRF Board also voted to renew staff’s current medical plans with Anthem Blue Cross.

In addition, it will add an HMO Select plan with exceptional coverage levels that include the GRF paying 100 percent of the employeeonly premium, 75 percent of the employee-plus-one premium and 65 percent of the employeeplus- family premium. The GRF also offers comprehensive dental and vision plans, among other benefits. By adding the HMO Select plan, the GRF would be above average in benefit offerings, which will further assist in GRF’s recruitment efforts and improve employee satisfaction, according to a staff report.

GRF staff, led by Human Resources Director LeAnn Dillman, was able to negotiate a favorable rate with the help of Burnham Benefits, the GRF’s insurance broker. The health insurance market has continued to see doubledigit increases, and the initial renewal quote from Anthem Blue Cross, GRF’s medical insurance carrier, proved that out. Anthem quoted a 20 percent increase for the 2022-23 plan year, but GRF staff was able to cut the overall net increase to 14.5 percent. The renewal cost came in below the approved 2022 operating budget estimate of an 18 percent increase.

Also of note:

• Copy and Supply Center

Update:

The Copy and Supply Center has been closed for about two weeks due to staff shortages. It was set to reopen Feb. 23 with one employee and return to a full staff by the beginning of this month.

• Bulk Cable Ad Hoc Committee

The current agreement with Superwire expires in June and has a transition clause through December. It offers a group discount to residents who subscribe to Spectrum’s cable TV through Superwire. The ad hoc committee, chaired by GRF Director Nick Massetti, will research services and costs from providers and explore new possibilities, including a free or heavily discounted broadband-only service that will let each resident access email and the Internet. Then, residents could choose their own cable TV service or assemble a streaming package of entertainment and news sources. Before any universal agreement can take effect, all 16 Mutual boards will have to agree with its terms. The committee report is due back to the board by May.

—Ruth Osborn, managing editor