CAI-MN Minnesota Community Living - Mar/Apr 2014

In this Issue: Spring Training for Community Association Volunteer Leaders .................. 3 March/April 2014

Spring Training Prepare for spring with helpful tips on spring walkthroughs, fixing leaks and stains, and getting involved in your community.

Volume 32 • Issue 2

Get into the Swing of Spring .................... 4 Solutions for Spring: Fixing Leaks, Stains, & More ...................... 9 Spring WalkThroughs: Timing Is Everything ............ 13 And Much More!

Visit us online at www.cai-mn.com.

2

Minnesota Communit y Living

From the President

Board of Directors

By Michael Klemm | CAI-MN President

President Michael Klemm, Esq. Phone 952.953.8832 klemmm@dmshb.com

Spring Training for Community Association Volunteer Leaders In Major League Baseball, spring training is essential for players to improve their skills and practice together as a team. Training is equally important for community association board members, who must act in good faith, in a manner they reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the association, and with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances.

Community Associations Institute provides three levels of training to provide a foundation for community association volunteer leaders: Level 1: “An Introduction to Community Association Living” is a free PDF download available on CAI’s website at www.caionline. org. It covers the following topics: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

What is a Community Association?

Types of Community Associations Legal Basis for Community Associations Governing Documents Community Rules, Regulations, and Fees Community Governance Community Management Rights and Responsibilities Building Community

Level 2: “The Fundamentals of Community Volunteer Leadership” is an online course available on CAI’s website at www.caionline. org that is free for CAI members. It addresses operational issues such as management, the bidding process for service providers,

Vice President Gene Sullivan Phone 952.922.2500 gene@ncmgi.com

maintenance issues, accounting and legal services, and board meetings.

Level 3: “The Essentials of Community Association Volunteer Leadership” is a oneday class that covers topics such as problem solving, maintenance, rules and regulations, and financial statements. The Minnesota Chapter of CAI offers the “Essentials of Community Association Volunteer Leadership” class every year. Community Associations Institute also offers seminars and publications on a wide variety of topics:

Treasurer Halo Stafford, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Phone 952.944.2237 edenplacemgr@pinnaclefamily.com Secretary Nancy Polomis, Esq. Phone 952.941.4005 npolomis@hjlawfirm.com Directors Tom Engblom, AMS, ARM, CMCA, CPM, PCAM Phone 866.800.4656 tengblom@cabanc.com

CAVL Seminars: The Community Association Volunteer Leaders (CAVL) Committee of the Minnesota Chapter of CAI provides seminars that are specifically designed for community association board members. Please see the article in this magazine regarding the next CAVL Seminar, on the topic “Aging in Place.”

Registration for CAVL seminars is available on the website of the Minnesota Chapter of CAI at www.cai-mn.com.

Joseph Fadell Phone 952.392.9208 fadell.joseph@gmail.com Russ Lis, CMCA, AMS Phone 612.805.6111 rlis@reconstructionsolutionsgroup.com Jim Rezek Phone 763-424-9984 jimrezek@comcast.net Michelle Stephans, RS Phone 763.754.5500 michelle@reserveadvisors.com

Manager Seminars: The Education Committee of the Minnesota Chapter of CAI provides seminars that are tailored for association managers. Community association volunteer leaders and business partners are welcome and encouraged to attend. Upcoming topics include “The Art of Neighboring” and “The Value of Preventative Maintenance.”

Registration for manager seminars is available on the website of the Minnesota Chapter of CAI at www.cai-mn.com.

Crystal Pingel, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Phone 612.381.8626 crystalp@citiesmanagement.com Joel Starks, CMCA Phone 952.698.2053 joel@sharpermanagement.com

Spring Training continued on page 20

Committee Chairs CAVL

Lynn Boergerhoff Phone 651.308.1461 lynnab7@gmail.com

Communications Chair Janice Pyka Phone 612.801.1229 janicepyka@gmail.com

Charitable Outreach Committee Chair

Golf Tournament Chair

Membership Chair

Trade Show Committee Chair

Education Committee Chair

Legislative Action Chair

Social Committee

Vision Awards Chair

Cliff Kurth Phone 763.248.1047 cliff@aemn.co

Nigel Mendez Phone 651.287.8640 nmendez@carlsonassoc.com

Kris Birch Phone 651.481.9180 krisbirch@birchlawn.net

Greg Pettersen Phone 612.616.4817 gregp@RDAmidwest.com

Jared Lawrence Phone 763.449.9100 jlawrence@omega-mgt.com

Tracey Bernier Phone 952.277.2780 Tracey.Bernier@fsresidential.com

Jon Edin Phone 651.222.2155 jedin@mncondodefects.com

Jane Bristow, CMCA, AMS Phone 952.277.2722 jane.bristow@fsresidential.com

March | April 2014

3

Get into the Swing of Spring

By Matt Drewes, Thomsen & Nybeck, P.A., Attorneys

I

n this issue of CAI-MN’s Community Living Magazine, we hope to keep alive our streak of drawing what analogies we can between Major League Baseball’s annual calendar of events and the annual rites of community association living. When you receive this, your March/April edition, the calendar soon should be turning to Spring.

In March, teams are getting into full swing at spring training, and teams will be playing some of their first spring training games (most start by the end of February). Through the month of March, some players may fight for roster spots, or try to make an impression on the team’s brass. This year, the Twins have some exciting young players joining them in spring training who may not be expected to break camp with the team when the big leaguers head north for opening day, but they’ll hope to make their mark and show they’ll be ready soon. These include the speedy (and consensus number one prospect in baseball) Byron Buxton and the long, lanky pitcher Alex Meyer. But most of the positions on the 25-man roster are already set, and those players will try to get ready for the season by working on their timing and conditioning, including former catcher and new first baseman Joe Mauer. Teams and players set their goals for the new season.

Teams evaluate their players and set rosters.

Although it has been a long winter, there is no time to waste. Opening Day at Target Field for the Twins is April 7.

In this magazine, we’ll talk about the importance of preparing for spring walkthroughs as an opening day for your season, and the completion of preparations for the summer. Al Gallagher is said to have

4

Minnesota Communit y Living

“That’s the true harbinger of spring, not crocuses, or swallows returning to Capistrano, but the sound of a bat on a ball.” —

Bill Veeck

quipped, “There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem – once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit.” Your own priorities may shift now as the seasons change, as you focus on new tasks or projects. You will want to spend the last days before the snow has melted finalizing the specifications for your projects and be sure to have your “roster” of service providers set for the summer. You may also want to start focusing on your schedule for the summer if there are projects to complete, or member events you want to conduct during the season. Designate those who will be responsible to help with the incremental tasks or overseeing various projects to keep

you on schedule and on budget. Just as Ron Gardenhire is going to have Paul Molitor as a new member of his field staff, your association may want to appoint a new committee to attack the planning of an overdue project or to assist with pursuing a renewed interest in compliance with rules or policies where attention to detail may have lagged.

Whatever you view as your harbinger of spring, whether it’s the sound of the bat on the ball, or the sight of the first robin, we hope it finds you soon. We hope that you’re getting in the groove now so you can start your summer off right. And we hope that this issue helps you think about some of those issues.

2014 MCL Magazine Themes & Editorial Schedule

Are you interested in contributing an article to an edition of the MCL? We take the time to consider each article that is submitted for publication in CAI-MN’s magazine. So if you enjoy writing, enjoy researching industry topics, or want to share your findings on a discovery you’ve made, then feel free to contact us and submit your article. Articles can be sent to montea@cai-mn.com. This year’s magazine themes and article deadlines are listed below.

May/June

Theme: “Play Ball” Topics: Operations, putting training into practice, lawn care, community

July/August

November/December

Theme: “Off-Season” Topics: Evaluating the year, analyzing strategy, looking ahead to next year Article Deadline: September 1, 2014

Theme: “All-Star Game” Topics: Promoting all-stars in HOA, honoring employees, growing business Article Deadline: May 1, 2014

September/October

Theme: “Post-Season” Topics: Budgets, finishing the year strong Article Deadline: July 1, 2014

Announcement for Current & Potential Advertisors

The 2014 magazine themes will all be focused around a baseball theme. We encourage you to consider using some “baseball creativity” in your advertisements. Keep your eyes and ears open for information on an upcoming advertisement contest during 2014.

Calendar

Index

2014 SAVE the DATE! CAI-MN 2014 Golf Tournament Wednesday, July 23, 2014 StoneRidge Golf Club Stillwater, MN 55082

features 4 Get into the Swing of Spring

3 President’s Message

By Matt Drewes

9 Solutions for Spring: Fixing Leaks, Stains, and More

Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

Upcoming Events

13 Carin’s Corner — Spring Walk-

April Managers Seminar: The Art of Neighboring Tuesday, April 8, 2014

The Essentials of Community Volunteer Leadership - Save the Date!

Saturday, April 26, 2014

May Managers Seminar: The Value of Preventative Maintenance Tuesday, May 13, 2014

May CAVL Education Program: Aging in Place Wednesday, May 21, 2014

For more upcoming events please visit our event calendar at cai-mn.com

Register online at www.cai-mn.com For more information regarding an event, call the office at 651.203.7250 or visit the CAI-MN website. Online registration is available at www.cai-mn.com.

Throughs: Timing Is Everything

By Michael Klemm

6 Ask the Attorney

By Nigel H. Mendez

By Bob Guenin

By Carin Rosengren

17 CAI-MN 2014 Tradeshow Recap 19 Aging in Place — CAVL Seminar, May 21, 2014

22 CAI-MN Committee Updates

CAI-MN is looking for article contributions.

Contact Monte Abeler at (651) 265-7852 or montea@cai-mn.com for further details about joining our list of article contributors.

2014 Annual Partners Platinum

Asset Exteriors

Community Development, Inc.

Complete Building Solutions, LLC

Gassen Management

Gaughan Companies

Sela Roofing & Remodeling

Xtreme Exteriors Gold

Community Advantage

FirstService Residential Silver

All Ways Drains American Family Insurance Jeff Mayhew

Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson

Carlson & Associates

Hammargren & Meyer, P.A.

Levin & Edin

Sharper Management

Thomsen & Nybeck

Bronze

American Building Contractors Dougherty, Molenda, Solfest, Hills

& Bauer P.A. Michael P. Mullen, CPA, PLLC Tru Seal America, LLC

Find articles from this issue and archived articles online at cai-mn.com in the Minnesota Community Living (MCL) Resource Library.

Published by Community Associations Institute — Minnesota Chapter, copyright 2014. All articles and paid advertising represent the opinions of authors and advertisers and not necessarily the opinion of either Minnesota Community Living or CAI–Minnesota Chapter. The information contained within should not be construed as a recommendation for any course of action regarding financial, legal, accounting, or other professional services by the CAI–Minnesota Chapter, or by Minnesota Community Living, or its authors. Articles, letters to the editor, and advertising may be sent to Chapter Staff Editor Joanne Penn at joannep@cai-mn.com, or at CAI–Minnesota Chapter, 1000 Westgate Dr., Suite 252, St. Paul, MN 55114.

[ ADS ] All Ways Drains............................................. 14 ADAC-MN, LLC............................................ 11 AMBE, Ltd.................................................... 17 American Family Insurance – Jeff Mayhew...... 14 APMC - Association Property Management Company................................................. 17 Asset Exteriors............................................. 10 Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, P.C. ........ 22 Carlson & Associates, Ltd ........................... 14 Columbus Exteriors, Inc................................. 2 Community Advantage................................ 11 Community Development, Inc..................... 12 Complete Building Solutions ........................ 7

series

Index of Advertisers

Final Coat Painting....................................... 20 FirstService Residential................................ 15 Gaughan Companies.................................... 18 Gassen Companies......................................... 8 GW Cross, LLC............................................. 11 Hammargren & Meyer, P.A. ......................... 20 Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC.......................... 15 Jet Black ...................................................... 16 Levin & Edin................................................. 11 Mutual of Omaha Bank – Community Association Banking & CondoCerts......... 14 New Concepts Management......................... 9 Omega Management, Inc............................ 20

Plehal Blacktopping..................................... 14 Reserve Advisors.......................................... 14 Reserve Consultants, Inc. ............................ 19 Reserve Data Analysis, Inc. .......................... 20 Russo Consulting, Inc. ................................... 9 Restoration Technologies, Inc...................... 20 Schwickerts Roofing..................................... 14 Sela Roofing ................................................ 21 Sharper Management ................................. 14 Strobel & Hanson ........................................ 17 Thomsen & Nybeck...................................... 11 TruSeal America........................................... 24 March | April 2014 5 23 Xtreme Exteriors..........................................

Ask the Attorney by

This column is comprised of questions that have been posed to me by homeowners, property managers and related professionals regarding legal issues that they have encountered with respect to their associations. Discussion of these questions, as well as prior questions, can be found on the CAI-MN LinkedIn page: www. linkedin.com/groups?gid=1769135 My association is not governed by the Minnesota Common Interest Owners Act. Do we still need to provide a resale disclosure when we sell our unit?

Every time a unit is sold1 by an owner other than the declarant (the original seller of the unit), certain actions must be taken by the seller and the association. Whether or not your association is governed by MCIOA, the provisions of Minn. Stat. §515B.4107 must be complied with. This statute requires that three items be provided to a potential purchaser of a unit. First, copies of the declaration, articles of incorporation, bylaws and any rules and regulations, along with all updates to these documents must be provided. Second, if the association is part of a master association, the same set of master documents must also be provided.

Finally, a resale disclosure certificate must be completed and provided to the potential purchaser.

The resale disclosure certificate must substantially follow the form provided in Minn. Stat. §515B.4-107(3)(b). It is important to note that the form underwent big changes in 2010 and many people are still using the older form. The resale disclosure certificate is intended to provide potential purchasers with a clear understanding of the maintenance 1. Except in the cases of 1) a gratuitous transfer; 2) a transfer pursuant to a court order; 3) a transfer to a government or governmental agency; 4) a transfer to a secured party by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure; 5) an option to purchase a unit, until exercised; or 6) a transfer by inheritance. See Minn. Stat. §515B.4-107.

6

Minnesota Communit y Living

obligations of the association, the financial health of the association and what large issues the association may be facing in the short term.

The certificate must include the following information (note — this list is not exhaustive, but highlights most of the areas): Assessments and other charges: • the amount of current annual assessment installments • any ongoing or outstanding special assessments • all unpaid assessments (including fines and other charges) • if the association has approved a plan for levying certain common expenses against fewer than all of the units • details on all late fees, user fees, etc., that may be charged by the association • describe any un-assessed “extraordinary expenditures” that have been approved Maintenance, reserves and insurance: • describe what components the association is obligated to replace • how much money is in the reserves • provide copies of the most recent balance sheet, income/expense statement and current budget • details of the insurance coverage provided by the association Status of the unit: • if the unit has been altered in any manner inconsistent with the declaration • it the association is aware that the unit is not in compliance with a governmental statute, ordinance, code or regulation The resale disclosure certificate must be completed by a representative of the association. For managed associations this is usually the property manager, and for self-managed associations the president or treasurer often complete the certificate. The association must respond to a request for a resale disclosure certificate within 10 days of receiving a request, and is allowed to charge a reasonable fee for drafting the certificate and providing the necessary documents.

Nigel H. Mendez, Esq., Carlson & Associates, Ltd.

The accuracy of the resale disclosure certificate is very important. A purchaser of a unit is not liable for any unpaid assessments, including special assessments, that are not disclosed on the certificate. In addition, the purchaser is “not liable for the amount by which the annual or special assessments exceed the amount of annual or special assessments stated in the certificate for assessments payable in the year in which the certificate was given.” For example, if the current assessment installments are $150 a month, but the certificate states $130 a month, the association is only able to collect the lower amount from the purchaser for the remainder of the year.

Finally, the resale disclosure certificate must be dated no more than 90 days prior to the date of the purchase agreement or conveyance of the property (whichever is earlier).

Our board currently meets monthly, but as we are not facing any pressing matters in our association we want to change to quarterly. Can we do that?

Probably. The answer will be found in your association’s bylaws. Many bylaws state that the board must meet on a prescribed schedule, often monthly or quarterly. If a specific frequency is stated, then it must be followed. However, other bylaws simply state that the board must meet at a time and place determined by the board. In this instance, a quarterly meeting, provided that a majority of the board members support that change, would be acceptable.

The Minnesota Nonprofit Corporation Act requires boards to meet at least once during the year. If your association bylaws require monthly meetings, you could amend the bylaws to have a less frequent meeting requirement.

To have a question answered in a future article, please email it to me at nmendez@carlsonassoc.com with the subject line “Ask the Attorney.” While I can’t promise that all questions will be answered, I will do my best to include questions that have a broad appeal. Questions will also be answered by other attorneys practicing in this area of law. The answers are intended to give the reader a good understanding of the issue raised by the question but are not a substitute for acquiring an opinion from your legal counsel.

bS

C

Reputable consultants you can trust

“The remedy for ice dams is a twofold process. First, you must stop all heat loss at the ceiling.

All bypasses must be identified and sealed. Second, you must achieve proper ventilation; intake and exhaust. If you can accomplish this balanced approach you can add life to your roof and protect your home from unnecessary water damage and lower your energy bills!”

–Mike Baker Residential Energy Auditor, Complete Building Solutions

Since inception, Complete Building Solutions has helped hundreds of homeowners deal with their ice dams using industry leading products and vendors to stop heat loss in attics. These homeowners have been able to mitigate ice dams and reduce their energy costs by using the system created

by Complete Building Solutions.

Go to cbsmn.com to read more or give us a call at 763.544.3355

March | April 2014

7

ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT ———————————————————————————-——————————————–-————

Gassen Companies is a Minnesota owned and operated property management company specializing in Community Association Management and Maintenance for Condominiums, Townhomes and Common Interest Communities.

We have been meeting the unique needs of the real estate and property management industry since 1969.

Our 98% customer retention demonstrates we are serious about service!

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— –———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— – ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

6438 CITY WEST PARKWAY EDEN PRAIRIE, MN 55344

P: 952-922-5575 F: 952-922-2004 WWW.GASSEN.COM 8

Minnesota Communit y Living

Solutions for Spring: Fixing Leaks, Stains, and More by

W

ater stains on ceilings, ice dams, and possible wintertime roof leaks. Not one “polar vortex” but two in less than six weeks. The coldest temps in 20 years, alternating with above-freezing thermometer readings. In this scenario, many homeowners understandably feel like Chicken Little anxiously wondering if the sky is falling.

The story goes like this: To keep warm during the winter we turn up the heat. We also use the stove/oven to cook food, we take hot showers and we often use warm mist humidifiers. Why do we experience water issues in winter but not other times of the year? Answer: a lack of proper insulation, ventilation or both.

Let’s look at a recent client example to identify factors that can contribute to reducing trapped heat and eliminating the cause of ceiling stains.

This particular home experienced heat loss from the kitchen above the stove/range into the attic that caused frosting/freezing in the attic. When above freezing temps returned, the melting of that frost/ice caused seasonal water stains and leaking around a kitchen light. Old stains on the kitchen ceiling indicated a longstanding issue. Again, this situation only occurred in the winter during above freezing weather, which affirmed it was not a roof leak but a problem from within the structure.

Inspections into the attic revealed: 1) No frost or ice build-up found during above freezing temps and frost/ice build-up found in a very specific area above the kitchen range on the roof decking in the attic during below freezing temps. It appeared to be very limited to only that area directly above the stove. The stove did not have a properly vented range hood.

The older home had insulation in the attic but over time it gradually degraded in its ability to keep heat from escaping into the attic. At this particular problem area there was old, matted down insulation that had been exposed to water over a chronic but indeterminate amount of time. All of those factors decreased

Bob Guenin, Golden Rule Remodeling

the performance of insulation. So the ability of the home to keep heat where it’s supposed to be (inside the living space) and keep heat from escaping into the uncontrolled space (the attic) is reduced.

In the winter, normal activities like turning up the heat, cooking and taking baths/showers can — with the right contributing factors — make water stains appear.

Once heat escapes into the attic, vents in the roof, soffit and sometimes siding negate the heat that would otherwise stay and cause problems. If there is not enough ventilation, heat loss can cause frost/ice build-up in an attic during below freezing temperatures and melt when it gets warmer.

Proposed solutions for this client: 1. Removal/replacement of existing insulation at frost/ice build-up point above the kitchen in attic with new 4 mil poly vapor barrier. Of note: Building codes may have changed since a home was originally built and so there may be no vapor barrier in the ceiling spaces of your home or walls.

2. Install gable vent in attic siding above oven/ stove. This provides additional cold air into the space where too much heat is escaping into the attic space.

3. Install a properly vented range hood fan above oven/stove that vents the heat directly to the outside.

4. Install additional roof venting.

Upgrading insulation or clearing/adjusting/ adding ventilation can resolve the trapped heat that can cause problems in winter weather. A timely inspection by a qualified contractor will identify the causes of such issues and assure a homeowner in this situation that the sky isn’t falling after all.

Bob Guenin is Craftsman & Owner of Shakopee-based Golden Rule Remodeling, Inc. He can be reached at bob@ goldenremodel.com or 952.445.6390.

Contact John Russo, Ph.D. Reserve Specialist 952-944-7137

MEMBER

• Consulting Services • Specifications, Bidding, Contracts, Inspections of All Exterior Replacement Items including Asphalt, Concrete, Siding, Roofing, Windows, Doors • Litigation Support • Insurance Claims and Appraisal Support • Problem Solving and Investigations CALL THE PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION SERVICES

March | April 2014

9

Your Community Association & Multi-Family Property Specialists

PROTECT YOUR # 1 ASSET • Competitive Pricing • Capital Improvements • All Insurance Claims – Interior & Exterior • 24/7 Response • A+ Rating BBB

• • • • • •

Free Estimates Roofing Siding Windows Gutters Decks

Community Association & Multi-Family Award Winners

Giving Back to the Community on Every Project www.AssetExteriors.com | 763-248-1047 10

Minnesota Communit y Living

ADAC-MN, LLC,

A Minnesota Limited Liability Company

build your reserves with the trusted industry experts Community Advantage is one of the Midwest’s leading providers of financial services to condominium, townhome and homeowner associations. Our lending solutions are tailored to fit each association’s individual needs. We offer a complete suite of financial solutions, including lending options, reserve investments and treasury management services.

Call (952) 835-2780 to speak directly with our local Minnesota contact, Ron Ornatowski or call (866) 328-0008 to speak with any of our Trusted Industry Experts.

GWCross, LLC P.O. Box 270276 Vadnais Heights, MN 55127 gcross71@gmail.com

866-328-0008 | www.communityadvantage.com

@ComAdvantage 110 W. Palatine Rd. , Ste. 2 Palatine, IL 60067 5001 American Blvd. W., Ste. 1000 Bloomington, MN 55437

Consulting Services      

over 20 yrs. experience managing CIC’s

Site map creation Resident handbooks Reserve studies conducted & reviewed Management Practices Review Guide Parlimentary procedures Architectural Control procedures

  

Planning calendars Grounds specifications Board orientations

Community Advantage is the Proud recipient of the 2013 “Leadership Award” from the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) recognizing their leadership role in enhancing the reputation of the real estate industry.

Community Advantage is a division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A.

March | April 2014

11

BEYOND MANAGEMENT At CoMMuNity DeVelopMeNt, first-class community management services are just the beginning. We offer lifestyle products and services, unparalleled in the industry, designed to improve your life.

• Expert 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year maintenance services • Discounts and savings on the products and services you use every day • Family-friendly programs promoting health, safety, and “green” living

7100 Madison Avenue West | Golden Valley, MN 55427 (763) 225-6400 | www.developcommunity.com

Delivering unsurpassed management and lifestyle services to communities worldwide.

12

Minnesota Communit y Living

Carin’s Corner Spring Walk-Throughs: Timing Is Everything

By Carin Rosengren, Keller Property Management

I

t takes a favorable combination of circumstances to pull off a successful walkthrough, but when it comes together, there’s no better way to get board members, vendors and property management on the same page for the association’s upcoming season of activity.

roofer, or whoever. Having these folks present can eliminate a lot of back-andforth afterward about what needs to be done and about the association’s expectations.

A spring walk-through is also a great time to get a close-up inspection of individual units and any violations. What’s not great is finding a lawn full of pet waste that accumulated, under the cover of snow, all winter long – but getting a head start on compliance practices that will last through First and foremost, there’s the weather. It’s the summer can save loads of time down hard to forget last year, when the calendar said that spring had arrived but our seasonal the road. I like to bring association sticky notes and business cards to alert residents service vendors still had plow attachments on-the-spot about what was found around instead of trailers full of mowers and their homes. trimmers. Spring walk-throughs had to be put off until the snow melted, and by Finally, having experienced eyes and good that time the landscapers were so behind schedule it was difficult to get spring communication goes a long way toward cleanups done. maximizing everyone’s time during and after a walk-through.

The weather plays an important part in a productive walk-through. A downfall of I recall the year one of my boards decided to doing one too early is that it may cause us conduct their walk-through on a weekend to see problems that will resolve themselves I was out of town. They generated a long as the weather warms. If you look too list of items for repair including missing soon at driveways, sidewalks and fences shingles and crooked fences – easy enough for needed repairs, you might be looking to spot – but they also found more than at frost-heaved components and causing a dozen pieces of siding with holes that unnecessary calls to the vendors who would needed to be replaced. make these repairs.

I dutifully typed up their list for the general Second, there’s the scheduling. What’s the contractor and sent him off to make repairs. best day and time to get the most people He dutifully came back and reported that involved? When it comes to walk-throughs he couldn’t find any siding with holes. It for an association, there can never be is just fine, he said, leaving me baffled and enough sets of eyes, so setting a date and prompting me to do a second walk-through time when the most board members can of the property. As it turns out, what the board members thought to be holes were attend is critical to its success. clumps and spots of dirt. It’s true that from a distance it’s hard to tell the difference, but The date-and-time dilemma extends the result was time wasted by the contractor to any vendors you want to have come and by me. Another result of that incident along. It might be the general contractor was that it was easy to convince the board who ultimately will receive the punch list created, or the landscaper who will replace of one more needed expense: it was time to take bids for power-washing. trees, shrubs and do the irrigation, or the concrete and asphalt representative, the

Save the Date!

CAI-MN 2014 Vision Awards

International Market Square New time of year!

October 23, 2014 Nomination Information Coming Soon at www.cai-mn.com

March | April 2014

13

14

Minnesota Communit y Living

We’re the pillar of your association.

Very few law firms in Minnesota even practice in this area of law, much less wield the talent we bring to it. In any measure of ability – from years of experience, to leadership in state and national organizations, to the size and diversity of our client portfolio – our attorneys’ knowledge of community association law places Hellmuth & Johnson in a community of one.

Our clients benefit from our experience in the following areas: Collection of Association Fees • Judgment Collections • Construction Defects & Warranties Property Insurance • Claims Enforcement of Covenants and Rules • Foreclosure of Liens

On your side. At your side.

Contact us today.

952-941-4005 hjlawfirm.com

8050 West 78th Street Edina, MN 55439

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AND SOLUTIONS. Managing Community Associations in Minnesota for over 40 years.

FirstService Residential Minnesota delivers best-in-class property management solutions with local leadership and nationally-supported technology, training, and best practices. We have successfully partnered with more than 270 properties and communities in Minnesota, building and maintaining longstanding relationships with Board members, residents, and vendors. Our awardwinning Association Managers are highly trained and certified, and they have manageable portfolios enabling them to provide exceptional customer service to each and every one of our clients. Call us to learn more about how we may serve your association.

FirstService Residential Minnesota is an Accredited Association Management Company 1801 American Boulevard E. Ste. 21 | Bloomington MN 55425 952.277.2700 | www.fsresidential.com

March | April 2014

15

16

Minnesota Communit y Living

cai-mn Providing Professional Consulting Services from Rooftop to Below-Grade

www.ambeltd.com

Show RECAP

TRADE

February 20, 2014

By Carin Rosengren, Keller Property Management

It Takes More than that to Stop CAI-MN!

ROOFING

Snow dampens attendance, but not enthusiasm at annual CAI-MN Trade Show

WATERPROOFING WALL RESTORATION BUILDING ENVELOPE CONSULTANTS PROFESSIONAL EVALUATIONS SPECIFICATION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT • DAVIT INVESTIGATION • PROJECT DOCUMENTATION •

•

952-831-1233

•

7201 Ohms Lane, Ste. 150, Minneapolis, MN 55439

General Counsel for Associations:

Construction Defect Representation

Einar Hanson Benjamin Kirk

651-222- 0109

www.strobelhanson.com

H

ardy Midwest folks like us are well used to Minnesota weather and the variety of surprises it brings. That’s why landscapers, arborists, roofers, restoration specialists, bankers, engineers, asphalt/concrete outfits and many, many more were in attendance, along with property managers and homeowner-association volunteers, at the annual CAI-MN Trade Show on Feb. 20 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

As it has in years past, the Xcel proved an ideal location for the 60+ booths of exhibitors offering services to members of Minnesota’s Community Associations Institute (CAI) chapter. Many of the exhibitors offered prize drawings, and all had giveaways and fun freebies in exchange for a handshake, a business card or a simple “hello.” The food and service were top-notch, with a central bar serving potent and other potables to everyone there.

Informative and educational sessions were well-attended at this year’s event, which not only had a modified format from prior years, but underwent last-minute adjustments to accommodate the weather conditions. Thank you to Ewald Consulting for the work you do on behalf of CAI-MN, and to the local CAI leaders who helped plan the event. It was a job well-done!

March | April 2014

17

18

Minnesota Communit y Living

Aging in Place — CAVL Seminar, May 21, 2014 Registration now open!

L

ook around our associations. We will likely notice our neighbors aging. The number of older adults, including baby boomers, is increasing in Minnesota as throughout the US. Lifestyle changes and medical advances have given us more years. With those years comes the increased risk of disability due to illness and injury. Technology, health services and social services are allowing us and our aging neighbors to remain living in our homes longer than ever before. Called “aging in place,” it is a major shift away from nursing home care.

There is a strong inter-relationship between housing and health. What challenges and opportunities will our residents’ aging in

place bring to volunteer board governance?

Could bylaws need amending? Will rules and regulations require changes? How do federal and state housing, disability and privacy laws apply? How should boards respond to requests for home and common area modifications to accommodate a resident who has trouble with steps or uses a wheelchair or walker?

Join us at our CAVL Spring Seminar on May 21 to learn more about these and other important aging in place issues from experts and from board members like you.

Visit the CAI-MN website to register: www.cai-mn.com

Reserve Consultants, Inc. Association Property Services Specializing in RESERVE PLANS that are • Easy to Understand • Practical (Around 12 to 13 Pages) • Color Photos Included • Fee will be the Least Expensive Quoted John Russo, Reserve Specialist, has more than 20 Years Experience in Reserve Planning; Is the only Ph.D. Reserve Analyst in the Midwest.

952-944-7137 (Office) 952-935-9647 (Fax)

March | April 2014

19

Spring Training continued from page 3 Minnesota Community Living Resource Library: Community association volunteer leaders can find helpful information online from recent articles in Minnesota Community Living. Look for the MCL Resource Library under the “Resources” tab on the Minnesota Chapter’s website at www.cai-mn.com.

Additional Resources: Community Associations Institute offers many publications and on-demand webinars on a wide variety of topics through its website at www.caionline.org.

Managing to make a

difference 30 years of association management experience Reserve Plans are included in our management program Proactive management, including weekly property visits Smart, expert, professional advice

I encourage you to take advantage of these “Spring Training” opportunities. If you have any questions or suggestions for future training, please contact me or Chapter Executive Director Monte Abeler at 651.265.7852.

SMART & DECISIVE The Best Value in Construction Law for Community Associations

That’s what our clients tell us.

At Hammargren & Meyer, we’re smart, decisive lawyers focused exclusively in the areas of law that we know best.

For prompt responses and straightforward answers, call Hammargren & Meyer.

(952) 844-9033 www.hammarlaw.com

Omega Management, Inc.

763.449.9100

www.omega-mgt.com

20

Minnesota Communit y Living

March | April 2014

21

CAI-MN Committee Updates Charitable Outreach Committee Update Save the date 4-314 on your calendars! Keep your eyes and ears open for more information regarding our first Silent Auction event to be held on April 3, 2014 in support of Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge. It will be an opportunity to network, enjoy quality appetizers, and taste fantastic coffee, but even more important it will give CAI-MN the opportunity to come together and help a good cause.

For almost 30 years, Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge has been restoring hope to people of all ages struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. In addition to its effective and affordable 30-day programs, Life Renewal, and distinctive long-term

22

Minnesota Communit y Living

faith-based recovery program, it has extensive prevention and transitional/aftercare services.

Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge has locations in the Twin Cities, Duluth, Brainerd, and a new Rochester location serving Southern Minnesota. All these programs and locations allow them to serve people with a broad spectrum of addiction issues.

Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge helps clients gain hope, healing and freedom in their lives, serving close to 500 clients at a time around the state. The hope is that if someone needs help, they will consider the organization as a resource. If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction, it is unlikely to get better on its own. Don’t wait, call today at 612-FREEDOM (612-373-3366) or visit the web at www.mntc.org.

Education Committee Update The CAI-MN Education Committee has been working hard to create interesting and informative manager seminars. In April the topic will be “The Art of Neighboring”.

This session will encourage and challenge managers and board members to build a strong sense of community in the associations in which they serve. May’s topic will focus on the importance of preventive maintenance. Registration for both of these seminars is available on the CAI-MN website. Please contact the committee chair, Nigel Mendez at nmendez@carlsonassoc.com with any suggestions for future speakers or topics that you would like to see presented.

High Standards. High Value.

When It Comes to Your Home, You Have High Standards.

So Do We. At Xtreme Exteriors, we bring over 20 years of home exteriors experience backed by quality products and craftsmanship, plus proven solutions to make your home beautifully functional and efficient for years to come.

That’s Our Value.

Want To Make Your Home Picture Perfect This Spring?

Whether your home needs routine repairs and maintenance or new roofing, siding, decking or windows, count on Xtreme Exteriors to deliver high quality, affordable home exteriors solutions, plus dependable service at every phase of your project. That’s Our Commitment. Give us a call at 763.441.1334 and let us help you make your home picture perfect!

Jeff & Jeannie Sigler, Proud Owners of Xtreme Exteriors: Your Dependable Single-Source Solution for Your Entire Home Envelope.

MN License: BC362463

•

WI License: 962215

Call Us Today at 763.441.1334.

Visit Us at www.xtremeexteriors.com

March | April 2014

23

24

Minnesota Communit y Living