Amphitheater overhaul OKed
GRF BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
The GRF Board of Directors convened March 25 for a meeting marked by an hour of public comment that was punctuated by boos, cheers and applause from a raucous crowd. Twenty-five residents took to the podium to express concern about escalating assessments, the GRF budget, gate hours and confi guration, and GRF management. To see the entire meeting, log on to lwsb.com and click “livestream.”
After public comments, GRF President Janet Isom accepted the resignation of Lee Melody, who served as the Mutual 14 GRF representative for five years. The board truly appreciates his many years of dedicated service to the commu- -nity, both as Mutual 14 president and a GRF director. This term, he was elected board treasurer and chaired the Finance Committee. Among his notable achievements was facilitating the donation of $50,000 from a Mutual 14 shareholder to build a shade structure at the Aquatic Center. A special election to fill his post is underway.
Isom also clarified a statement she made at the Feb. 25 board meeting regarding Executive Director Jessica Sedgwick’s employment contract. In February, the board voted in executive session to not extend Sedgwick’s contract when it expires in late June, Isom reported at the time.
Some people misunderstood that to mean Sedgwick’s employment was terminated. But that is not the case. The board chose not to renew Sedgwick’s contract, but it did vote to retain her as an at-will employee as opposed to a contract employee for the foreseeable future. Amphitheater Renovation
The most significant financial decision made at the meeting was the approval of about $490,000 from reserve funding to renovate the Amphitheater. This renovation was scheduled for 2025 in the GRF Reserve Study. The reserve study is a planning tool that analyzes community assets to calculate a funding plan for future major repairs and replacements. This ensures sufficient funds are available when needed.
All new members pay a one-time user fee when they purchase their LW residences. This money is largely allocated to the reserve fund, which covers the costs of scheduled projects, like the Amphitheater overhaul.
Specific upgrades include refinishing the stage floor, new lighting, exterior painting and restroom renovations by several vendors.
The Facilities Committee recommended the project to the board after it removed large LED screens to tighten the scope of work.
The board approved the project with two no votes.
Reserve Fund Write-Off
The board rejected a motion to write off $421,900 in redirected funds originally intended for reserves. In October 2024, the board voted to forgo reserve contributions for November and December and put the money into the operating account to cover a large 2025 insurance downpayment.
Even though the money was withheld from the reserve fund, it is rated “strong” at 78% funded. If the funds had channeled into reserves, it would have had a very healthy 90% rating.
According to GRF’s reserve study analyst, legal counsel and CPA, it is permissible to write off the liability, but the board majority agreed it was not the right choice for GRF at this time.
The consensus was that the unpaid balance should be recorded as a liability on the reserve balance sheet until it is fully repaid, which will avoid “artificially improv(ing) the operating budget while misrepresenting the GRF’s true financial position,” as articulated by Director Vicki Burdman, who represents Mutual 4.
The liability amounts to an assessment of $5.34 per apartment per month that will have to be recouped, although assessments are not the only means of balancing the fund.
Back to Committee
The board sent four items back to the various committees for further consideration. They include a $42,000 project to install curbing in place of painted lines at the St. Andrews Gate; a $14,975 project to install acoustic paneling in Clubhouse 3, Room 9; and two proposed changes to the governing documents regarding the Administration Committee charter and consolidated fines.
Elevator Maintenance
The board approved $23,833 for three years of elevator maintenance at Building C, Clubhouse 6 and the Administration Building. The current contract is set to expire. The Physical Property Department sent out bid requests to eight vendors; three bids were returned with the contract going to TK Elevator for a lower annual cost than the current provider. On-Site Sales Office Remodel
Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the board voted to award a contract in the amount of $112,900, plus a 10% contingency, to Hi-Tech Painting & Construction for needed renovations to the Resales Office. Bids were solicited from 11 contractors, and three were returned.
In January, the GRF Board ordered the scope of the project to be revised, removing flooring in high traffic areas, a breakroom remodel and painting of the interior of the building.
The original scope of work was $125,900; the revised scope of work was cut to $112,900, for a savings of $13,000 in reservefunding. Work includes interior paint, flooring in some areas, parking lot repair, kitchen improvements and a new heating and air conditioning system.
Kiln in Clubhouse 4
On the recommendation of the Member Services Committee, the board voted to replace a kiln in the Lapidary Room in Clubhouse 4 at a cost of not to exceed $2,228.
It will replace a broken 10-year-old kiln that would have cost over $1,000 to repair.
CH 2 Automatic Door
The board approved the installation of an automatic door opener on the north entrance leading to the large parking lot of Clubhouse 2 for a total cost not to exceed $10,400, reserve funding. Clubhouse 2 is used by large clubs that host meals and special events. Members often have their hands full, bringing items in and out of the facility, and the automatic doors will make access easier and safer for them.
