CAI-MN Minnesota Community Living - Jul/Aug 2010 by CAI-MN

Minnesota’s premier homeowners association magazine

July/August 2010

Volume 28 • Issue 4

In this Issue: CAI-MN Vision Award Winners Emerald Ash Borer’s Effect on Common Interest Communities

Summer Storm Season Ready or Not… Storm Preparation

For Sale: Your Extraordinary Townhome And Much More!

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

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Minnesota Communit y Living

Board of Directors

From the President

By Holly Johnson | CAI-MN President

As I write this, my official term as President has not yet begun. Our Annual Meeting is still a few days away, and I am starting to feel the weight of this responsibility sink in. Will our chapter continue to grow while I am President? Will we meet our financial goals? Will our educational opportunities continue to improve as they have over the past year? Will our Members find our chapter to be the place they go for answers and resources? Will I let anyone down? This chapter has done a lot for me in the past eight years. I have grown, and I have learned a tremendous amount. I have benefited from the wisdom of some of the best in the industry. I have also had the amazing opportunity to lend a hand to some of those that are newer to this field. I have gained professionally and personally with my membership, and because of this, I am not worried I will let anyone down. Quite the opposite—I am excited at the possibilities for the upcoming year. We all have a unique relationship with CAI. Some of you are reading this article on the same day that it landed on your desk. Some of you may be reading this for the first time as the next magazine hits your desk. Some of you devour the publications and educational material as fast as they come in, and some of you utilize the vast amounts of information only when needed—finding the information online or in CAI’s books and materials. Some of you volunteer at nearly every event while some of you attend only one event a year. This chapter is good for all of its members. We all use it differently, but the important thing is we all use it. Although each of us is being tested daily with more work, more questions, and fewer resources, I think it is a critical time to make this chapter an even more integral part of our lives. As I gather my thoughts in preparation for the upcoming year and dig deep to see what else it is that I can give, I ask each of you to take a moment to see what you too can give this year to our chapter. I understand that everyone is busy and I am not suggest-

ing that everyone has the time or ability to volunteer for something big or challenging. I am not even necessarily asking that you make a monumental change in your relationship with CAI. I am just asking each of you to make it a point sometime throughout the year to give back a little to this chapter. I am also serious when I say I am asking that everyone also make a point sometime throughout this year to get something from this chapter too. This chapter is ours, and we only benefit by participating. Events, educational opportunities, happy hours—they are all beneficial. By participating you not only get something but you give as well. Sometimes it is the relationships that we form that bring us the most benefit. I can say without a doubt that the friendships and connections that I have made at CAI have had the most impact on me as a member. As you can clearly see, my goal this year is simple. I want each of the members of this chapter to fully realize the potential of their membership. I want each of us to both take from and give back to this chapter in some way over the next twelve months. I am committed to doing my part. I will do the best that I can in helping to lead all of the amazing chapter volunteers and members. I will do my best to assure that this chapter is as beneficial to you as it has been to me. So, as you finish reading this, our Annual Meeting has come and gone and the torch has been passed. As I step into the shoes of those that have gone before me, I can tell you that I am both grateful and humbled. You have my word that I will work hard on your behalf. It is my goal that you will find a renewed passion and interest in this chapter and that you will find your membership to be even more valuable to you in the year ahead. Let me know. Email me. Call me. Write me. I am interested in your point of view and your vision for the chapter.

President Holly Johnson, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Phone 763.225.6400 hjohnson@developcommunity.com Treasurer Michael P. Mullen, CPA Phone 952.928.3011 mike@cpamullen.com Directors Jonathan Edin Phone 651.222.2155 jedin@mnconstructiondefects.com Tom Engblom, AMS, CMCA, PCAM Phone 866.800.4656 tengblom@cabanc.com Mark Johnson Phone 612.381.9951 mjohnson@associationsonline.com Michael Klemm, Esq. Phone 952.953.8832 klemmm@seversonsheldon.com Traci Lehman, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Phone 612.381.8600 tracil@citiesmanagement.com Nancy Polomis, Esq. Phone 952. 941.4005 npolomis@hjlawfirm.com Jim Rezek Phone 763-424-9984 jrezek@cadence.com Halo Stafford, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Phone 952. 277.2785 hstafford@gittleman.com Gene Sullivan Phone 952.922.2500 gene@ncmgi.com

Here’s looking forward to a great year. I can’t wait to get started!

Committee Chairs Legislative Action Chair Michael Klemm, Esq. Phone 952.953.8832 KlemmM@SeversonSheldon.com

Annual Meeting Chair Lisa Astelford, CMCA Phone 952.277.2787 lastleford@gittleman.com

Golf Tournament Co-Chair Tosh Tricas, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Phone 888.219.2534 capt.tosh@gmail.com

Nominating Chair Jonathan Edin Phone 651.222.2155 jedin@mnconstructiondefects.com

Communications Chair Steve Hoogenakker Phone 763.213.2410 steve@landscape.pro

Education Committee Chair Gene Sullivan Phone 952.922.2500 gene@ncmgi.com

Golf Tournament Co-Chair Membership Chair Tom Engblom, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Rachel Wexler Phone 866.800.4656 763.225.6400 JulyPhone | August 2010 3 tengblom@cabanc.com rwexler@developcommunity.com

CAI-MN Member News CAI Reaches 30,000-member Milestone “We’re pleased to reach this milestone, especially in today’s economic climate,” said CAI President P. Michael Nagle, Esq. “Our membership grew by more than 5,000 members between 2005 and early 2010 despite a severe recession during the past few years. That speaks volumes about the value CAI membership provides to homeowner volunteer leaders and the professionals who support associations across the country.” CAI’s membership has grown steadily since its founding in 1973, from 1,000 members in 1975 to 10,000 in 1988, 15,000 in 1996 and 25,000 in 2005. “A membership association cannot grow—in either size or effectiveness—without dedicated staff and member volunteers,” said CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. “CAI would not be the organization it is today without the commitment and expertise of thousands of member volunteers during the past 38 years. Add that to skilled and dedicated national and chapter staff and you have the ingredients for continued long-term success.”

Contact John Russo 952-944-7137

Member

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Your Single Source for Construction Defect Questions and Answers. Our Construction Defect Practice Group provides litigation services and counsel to community associations with construction defect issues, including water intrusion, stucco defects, leaking windows, ground heaving issues, and other construction-related problems. Since there are strict time limitations that apply to all construction defect claims, it is important to understand your rights and take action quickly. Contact Robert Keena today for your free initial consultation at jkeena@hjlawfirm.com or 952-746-2113.

10400 Viking Drive, Suite 500, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 P 952-941-4005 • www.hjlawfirm.com

Minnesota Communit y Living

Calendar

Index

2010 August

features 7 Breathe Roof, Breathe!

August 10, 2010, 8:30-11:00 am Sheraton Bloomington Hotel $30 for members (early); $40 for members (regular); $50 for nonmembers

Managers Seminar – Smoke Free Common Interest Communities? Reality or Myth?

Bare-Bones Basics for Boards (BBBB) – Changes in MCIOA & Legal Update

August 25, 2010, 6:00-7:45 p.m. Free – Homeowner; $30 – Manager/ Business Partners; $15 – Manager/Business Partner Bringing one Homeowner; Free – Manager/Business Partner Bringing two or More Homeowners

September

Managers Seminar – Technology Trends

September 14, 2010, 8:30-11:00 am Sheraton Bloomington Hotel $30 for members (early); $40 for members (regular); $50 for nonmembers

Register online at www.cai-mn.com For more information regarding an event, call Taryn Ayres at 651.265.7856 or visit the CAI-MN Web site. Online registration is available at www. cai-mn.com.

By Clay Curran

9 Emerald Ash Borer’s Effect on Common Interest Communities

By Steve Hoogenakker

10 Check The Traps

By Mark Petersen

12 Vision Award Winners 15 For Sale: Your Extraordinary Townhome

By Tony Poetz

16 Ready or Not…Storm Preparation

By Tosh Tricas

17 LinkedIn and CAI

By Steve Hoogenakker

21 Last Call for Home Improvement Tax Credits

By Tony Poetz

22 Star Tribune Names Two CAI-MN Partners Among Top Workplaces

departments 4

President’s Message By Holly Johnson

Member News

Thank You 2010 Annual Partners Platinum Gassen Management Gates General Contractors, Inc. Gittleman Management Hellmuth & Johnson New Exteriors by SMA, Inc. Gold BEI Exterior Maintenance Community Association Banc Silver Allstar Construction Management American Building Contractors Carlson & Associates Complete Building Solutions, LLC Hammargren & Meyer, P.A. Johnson and Lindberg Levin & Edin Omega Management Bronze BNC National Bank Homeowner Association Website – HOA WEB Michael P. Mullen, CPA, PLLC RJF Agencies Schoenfelder Painting

[ ADS Index ] of Advertisers Ace Chem Dry.................................................... 9 Allstar Construction Management................... 7 American Building Contractors, Inc............... 16 American Family Insurance............................... 8 Asphalt Associates Inc. .................................. 17 BEI Exterior Maintenance................................. 2 CA Banc/CondoCerts...................................... 22 Carlson & Associates, Ltd............................... 18 Complete Building Solutions . ........................... 8 Final Coat Painting............................................ 8

Gates General Contractors, Inc. . .................. 24 Gassen Companies.......................................... 23 Gittleman Management.................................. 11 Hammargren & Meyer, P.A. . .......................... 22 Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC......................... 4, 21 Johnson & Lindberg, P.A................................. 20 Levin & Edin....................................................... 7 Minnesota Exteriors Inc................................... 15 Minnesota Roadways Co. .............................. 20 New Exteriors by SMA, Inc............................. 19

Omega Management, Inc............................... 10 Plehal Blacktopping.......................................... 8 Reserve Data Analysis, Inc................................ 6 Rick’s Roofing & Siding Inc.............................. 20 RJF Agencies................................................... 14 Russo Consulting Inc. .............................................4 The Inspectors of Election.............................. 14 Thomsen & Nybeck........................................... 8

Published by Community Associations Institute — Minnesota Chapter, copyright 2010. 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 Jane Duntley at janeyd@cai-mn.com, or at CAI–Minnesota Chapter, 1000 Westgate Dr., Suite 252, St. Paul, MN 55114.

July | August 2010

Grill Safety Tips From CAI National

hen firing up your grills this summer, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds you to barbecue safely whether you use gas or charcoal.

Gas Grills Liquid petroleum (LP) gas or propane, used in gas grills, is highly flammable. Each year about 30 people are injured as a result of gas grill fires and explosions. Many accidents occur when consumers first use a grill that has been left idle for a period of time or just after refilling and reattaching the grill’s gas container. To reduce the risk of fire or explosion, consumers should routinely perform the following safety checks:

• Check the tubes that lead into the

burner for any blockage from insects, spiders, or food grease. Use a pipe cleaner or wire to clear blockage and push it through to the main part of the burner. Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing. Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease. If you can’t move the hoses, install a heat shield to protect them. Replace scratched or nicked connectors, which can eventually leak gas. Check for gas leaks, following the manufacturer’s instructions, if you smell gas or when you reconnect the grill to the LP gas container. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don’t attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed. Keep lighted cigarettes, matches and open flames away from a leaking grill. Never use a grill indoors. Use the grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any building. Do not use the grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch or under a surface that can catch fire.

• • • •

• •

Minnesota Communit y Living

• Do not attempt to repair the tank valve • •

or the appliance yourself. See an LP gas dealer or a qualified appliance repair person. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions that accompany the grill and when connecting or disconnecting LP gas containers. Consumers should use caution when storing LP gas containers. Always keep containers upright. Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors. Never store or use flammable liquids, like gasoline, near the grill.

To avoid accidents while transporting LP gas containers, transport the container in a secure, upright position. Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape. Charcoal Grills Charcoal produces carbon monoxide when burned. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate to toxic levels in closed environments. Each year about 30 people die and 100 are injured as a result of carbon monoxide fumes from charcoal grills and hibachis used indoors. To reduce carbon monoxide poisonings, never burn charcoal indoors, in vehicles, tents or campers, even if ventilated. Since charcoal produces carbon monoxide fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals. For more information, visit the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov.

Breathe Roof, Breathe! by

id you know that, just like you, an asphalt shingle roof needs to breathe? Cool, dry air must be drawn in along the eaves (usually through the soffit) and warm moist air must be exhausted as close to the ridgeline as possible, creating a flow that should completely turn over the air in the attic space. Having adequate balance of intake and exhaust venting is the most important thing a property manager or owner can do to get the optimum life from asphalt shingles. An abundance of either vent (intake or exhaust) does not make up for a lack of the other. In addition to prolonging the useful life of shingles, a properly vented attic space provides more benefits. It prevents mold and deterioration on the underside of the roof deck and on the rafters or trusses. It safeguards items stored in the attic against mildew. Proper ventilation reduces attic condensation which can cause interior damage, cause rust on anything metal in the attic and ruin insulation. It can help minimize peeling and extend the life of interior paint. It can reduce heating and cooling costs and, my favorite, it will hinder the formation of ice dams in the winter. If a roof is not properly ventilated it may void your roofing material manufacturers warranty. So, does your property have enough ventilation? How do you tell? I can give you the basic “rule of thumb,” but because almost every roof has its own unique characteristics, it may be necessary to have your properties inspected by a qualified roofing and/or insulation contractor. The

Federal Housing Administration recommends a minimum of one square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space. According to FHA, that one square foot should be half intake and half exhaust ventilation. For example, if an attic space is 1,200 square feet, it should have at least four square feet of ventilation, two square feet of intake and two square feet of exhaust. Notes: The Home Ventilating Institute actually recommends a 60/40 ratio where 60 percent of total ventilation is intake and 40 percent is exhaust. Also, some building codes and architectural specifications will require even more ventilation: one square foot for every 150 square feet of attic space. It is often said that nine out of ten houses in America don’t have adequate attic ventilation. Where most of these homes are falling down is in the intake ventilation category. It’s easy to cut holes in a roof and stick some more exhaust vents on it. For proper intake ventilation, a few things need to happen. First, a vented soffit panel must be installed that allows enough air to be drawn. Most professionals agree that continuous soffit vent is preferred. Next, sheeting on the bottom of the soffit enclosure needs to be cut out to allow the vented soffit panels to function. Note: if your building doesn’t have adequate soffit for ventilation there are drip edge and fascia products that can be used instead. Inside the attic, chutes or baffles must be installed to ensure that air can flow from the soffit vents into the attic space without being blocked by insulation. When it comes to exhaust vents, all of the varieties available to us will work. There are static vents like slant louvers (also called box vents, low profile vents, 750 vents and turtle vents), gable vents and ridge vents (still available in the classic metal style and the newer, better plastic “shingle over” style). Then there are vents which move to

Clay Curran, American Building Contractors, Inc.

exhaust air, like turbine vents (whirlybirds) and power vents (which must be solar powered or hardwired to operate). Each type of exhaust vent has its own benefits and challenges. They each have their own abilities with regard to the square footage of attic space they are able to handle, but if enough are installed, any is capable of doing the job. Product literature from the manufacturers will show how many vents of a given type would be required for your roof. One situation that must be avoided is to have a mix of these exhaust vent types in any one attic space. Mixing exhaust vent types can result in a situation where air is actually drawn in a vent that was designed to expel it. If that happens snow and rain can get sucked into the vent (and thus, into the attic space) along with the air. Just because things look good on the outside does not mean your roof is properly ventilated. If your attic space is divided (for example: by firewalls), each separate space must have its own intake and exhaust ventilation. Two other things that can complicate proper ventilation are vaulted ceilings and knee walls. In these situations it will be necessary to work with your contractor to come up with the best possible solution for your specific needs. If one of your properties is experiencing any of the problems mentioned above, or if you are in the market for a new roof, make sure you are talking to your contractor about the roof ventilation system.

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Substantial experience in the successful resolution of construction defect claims. Contingent fee option in most cases. To schedule a free initial consultation with us, or a free initial inspection by a qualified consultant, contact managing attorney Jonathan A. Edin at 651-222-2155

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Emerald Ash Borer’s Effect on Common Interest Communities

By Steve Hoogenakker and the MDA

hy should I care about Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)?

All ash trees are susceptible to EAB and millions of ash trees have been killed in infested areas already. It’s estimated that townhome associations may have as many as 40 percent of their trees as ash trees. Minnesota has one of the highest volumes of ash on forestland in the U.S. with an estimated 867 million forestland ash trees, and ash is a prominent component of our urban forests as well. How many trees do you have in your association? If you have 200 units and there’s two trees per unit including common areas, that could mean 160 ash trees. The potential economic and environmental impacts of losing these trees is substantial. The cost of removing and replacing a single tree can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. In any case, knowing the number and size of ash trees will be helpful and setting reserves aside now for future tree replacements or treatments is a good idea. How do I prepare for EAB affecting my association? You have two choices. You can learn to spot EAB on your own using the links below. The information also includes insecticide information that will teach someone in your association to treat the trees or contact a reputable tree/landscape company especially if there are any large ash trees. Some companies will perform an ash tree audit to see how many ashes you have. The three options available for your ash trees are 1. Remove the ash trees now and replace with a different tree so the landscape can continue to mature. 2. Treat the ash trees using an insecticide. The treatments may have to take place for the remainder of the tree’s life. This is probably too expensive for your entire association, but if you have large ash trees in prominent areas, these can’t really be replaced and treatments might be the best option. 3. Wait until the ash trees die, dispose of properly and replace later.

Emerald Ash Borer is in Minnesota On May 14, 2009, EAB was confirmed as present in the South Saint Anthony Park neighborhood in St. Paul. EAB is a serious invasive tree pest, and consequently a quarantine has been placed on Ramsey, Hennepin, and Houston counties to help slow the spread of EAB to other areas. What is EAB? EAB is an insect that attacks and kills ash trees. The adults are small, iridescent green beetles that live outside of trees during the summer months. The larvae are grub or wormlike and live underneath the bark of ash trees. Trees are killed by the tunneling of the larvae under the tree’s bark. Where is EAB? EAB is native to eastern Asia but was discovered in Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario in 2002. Indications are it may have been introduced to this area as early 1990. EAB has been spread in ash firewood, nursery stock and possibly other ash materials to a number of new areas.

following factors before moving forward with an insecticide treatment. Also on the right side of the website, there are links to an EAB treatment guide, FAQ’s and how to determine if you have EAB. Identify if EAB is near – treatments are only advised for trees within about 15 miles of known infestations. Consider removing and replacing small and struggling ash tree – the cost of replacing these trees may be less than the cost of repeated treatments over the years. Check the calendar – treatments are most effective from mid-April through June. Have a professional treat large ash trees – doit-yourself products are generally less effective on trees larger than 48 inches in circumference or 15 inches in diameter. Contact a certified arborist or city forester before treating your trees – some communities have special restrictions or requirements.

“Dealing with emerald ash borer is a new challenge for most Minnesotans,” said MDA Plant Protection Director Geir Friisoe. “In some cases people may not know when it makes sense to treat their trees and when it doesn’t, or what kind of treatment will work best for their situation. With so many options out there and so many factors to consider, we thought it would be helpful to provide homeowners with all the relevant information in one small package.” “It’s not just a matter of picking the most effective option for your trees,” Friisoe said. “There are potential water quality and human health concerns with some of these products if they are not used properly. We’re doing our best to get that information into the hands of homeowners, but ultimately the responsibility is theirs to read, understand and follow the label requirements.” Available to download on MDA’s Web site at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab, the guide recommends that homeowners consider the July | August 2010

Check The Traps by

ave you ever wondered what that “U” shaped pipe under your kitchen sink does, besides getting clogged with gunk? It’s called a P-trap. It got its name because if you hold it straight up and down it somewhat resembles the letter “P”. I personally would have went with U-trap, but I presently have no influence in the plumbing nomenclature department. So for the purpose of this article, I’ll stick with just “trap.” Whether or not you can see them, every drain in your home has one. Traps are designed to “trap” water after each use of the drain. This trapped water acts as a barrier which prevents foul smelling sewer gasses from wafting back up into your home. In order for a trap to work it needs to be filled with water. A dry trap does not keep the offensive smells at bay. Kitchen sinks, bath sinks, showers and tubs usually get used enough to keep their drain traps filled with water. Floor drains and washing machine disaster pans are another story. Most houses have at least one floor drain somewhere on the lowest level. Often times it can be found in the utility room where the furnace is located. Floor drain traps are buried under the concrete, and if they don’t get filled with water, in all likelihood, your nose will know. Most furnaces, air conditioning systems and water softeners use a floor drain during the course of their normal operations, so chances are, the floor drain trap in your utility room is being replenished on a regular basis. But you may have a floor drain in another location that isn’t being used often enough to keep the trap filled. We have come across situations where an uninformed prior homeowner lays carpet right over a floor drain without capping it off. Also, some builders install a floor drain where the washing machine is located. This is good planning, but again, homeowners need to be aware that every trap needs to be replenished every now and then.

Mark Petersen, Access Builders Corporation

If your washing machine is not on the lowest level of the building, it may be sitting in a fiberglass disaster pan. These pans are designed to act like a floor drain and catch the water in case the washing machine springs a leak, hopefully saving thousands of dollars in water damage repairs in the process. Disaster pans are normally plumbed differently than a floor drain; it’s called an indirect drain. Plumbers know that disaster pans are used infrequently or not at all, so they typically do not tie the pan drains “directly” into the house’s plumbing system, but rather have a line that runs to a floor drain somewhere else in the house. Consequently, disaster pans plumbed indirectly do not have a trap that could run dry from infrequent use. This isn’t always the case though. We have encountered disaster pans that are plumbed the same as a sink, which means, every so often they need to be filled with water. Filling a trap is as easy as pouring water down the drain. A quart of water should be sufficient. If you know that a particular drain is not going to get used anytime in the near future, after pouring in the water, add a couple tablespoons of vegetable oil. The oil will sit on top of the water and minimize the evaporation process. Even without the oil, it could take a year or more for a trap to dry out. If you do have a dry trap, you may not experience a consistent odor. It may be an intermittent problem. It all depends on where your home is located relative to the other homes in the neighborhood. You may have a dry trap and never smell a thing, but if you do occasionally catch a whiff of some unpleasant odor, stop blaming it on your poor cat and check your traps.

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Minnesota Communit y Living

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July | August 2010

Top Community Association Professionals Recognized at CAI-MN Awards Program

ANNUAL

The Community Associations Institute of Minnesota (CAI-MN) recognized top industry professionals at the 6th Annual CAI-MN Vision Awards Gala at the Metropolitan Ballroom on June 16, 2010. The Vision Awards were established to honor community association industry leaders who made outstanding contributions to the communities they serve and to the industry as a whole. Awards are given in the areas of Outstanding CAI-MN Chapter Volunteer, Excellence in Service, Homeowner Association of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Service Professional of the Year. The vision awards are subjected to a Jury Process. Judges are selected from among a list of highly-qualified community association industry leaders and serve as an independent panel to evaluate nominations. The identity of candidates is not shared with the judges. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winners were:

Service Professional of the Year Sara Lassila, CPA, Jelinek Metz McDonald, Ltd. Sara stands out from other finance professionals in that she asks pertinent questions about each Association that increases the accuracy of the financial reports. She may contact various Association decision makers to ask questions and get clarification about Association financial matters. She is always willing to answer questions about accounting and financial reporting issues. Her support to property managers helps mitigate and minimize problems with their Associations.

Service Professional of the Year Nominees Tom Connors, Taylor Made Landscape Tom Engblom, Community Association Banc & Condo Certs Sara Lassila, Jelinek Metz McDonald, Ltd.

Service Professional of the Year, Sara Lassila, CPA, Jelinek Metz McDonald, Ltd.. and CAI-MN President Holly Johnson,

Community Development, Inc.

Rookie of the Year John Tracy, Community Development Inc. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first role out of college was to work on the largest association insurance claim in Minnesota. He created follow up inspection reports, managed repair vendors, and was able to bring positive and productive outcomes to complaints made by homeowners. He used technology and the Internet to bring board discussion pages to life. He used the website to develop mass communication to homeowner about upcoming events. John created and implemented a volunteer committee process that has brought many homeowners in the community forward to participate within the associations, creating a great sense of community.

Rookie of the Year Nominees Jesse Dubuque, Community Development Inc. Kim Hansen, Gittleman Management Corp. John Tracy, Community Development Inc. 12

Minnesota Communit y Living

Rookie of the Year, John Tracy, Community Development Inc.

Homeowner Association of the Year The Jonathan Association The Jonathan Association is noticeable because of its sheer size. It is the largest homeowners association in the state of Minnesota. The Jonathan Board has demonstrated a commitment to excellence for its homeowners by providing the “2039 Plan” – a 30-year plan for reserve funding for the repair, renovation or replacement of all physical assets in the association. Homeowner Association of the Year Award Winner,

The Jonathan Association President, Nate

Bostrom, and manager, Terri Redshaw, Gassen Company

Jonathan is remarkable in that after suffering for years as a troubled association beset by legal challenges and internal dissension, dedicated board members and homeowners are leading an enthusiastic revival of community spirit and neighborhood pride.

Homeowner Association of the Year Nominees Foxborough Place Condominium Association Glen Edin Townhomes The Jonathan Association

Excellence in Service Hamlet Vazquez, CMCA, AMS, Gittleman Management Corporation Hamlet deserves recognition because he was great when he started as the onsite property manager at Grant Park and has become even better as he has assumed responsibilities as Association Manager. He understands truly what it means to build community, and in addition to his high competency as a manager, his integrity, fair mindedness, and calm demeanor have supported a very well managed building. In a resident survey, 92 percent of respondents indicated that they were satisfied and very satisfied by the full-time personnel employed at the property, which has remained constant over the previous four years.

Excellence in Service Nominees Excellence in Service, Hamlet Vazquez, CMCA, AMS, Gittleman Management Corporation

Michelle Boeck, Cities Management Jennifer Campbell, Community Development, Inc. Jennifer Carr, Gassen Management Amy Doenz, AML Cleaning Jenny Donovan, Community Development, Inc.

Kim Fortier, Genesis Property Management, LLC Casey Groff, Community Development, Inc. Cheryl Hoiosen, Gassen Company, Inc. Hamlet Vazquez, Gittleman Management Jodie Woodrow, Gassen Company, Inc.

Outstanding Chapter Volunteer Mark Schoenfelder, Schoenfelder Painting, Inc. Mark truly believes that CAI is a benefit to managers, business partners and homeowners associations. Based on this belief, Mark has been a tireless promoter of CAI. He has reached out to all three groups to testify to the value that our association brings to each of the distinct groups. Mark has written articles, spoken to audiences, lunched with non-participating managers and counseled that CAI will help them grow their business and service their clients better. He suggests that they also go beyond just joining and become involved. He has demonstrated the value of CAI by introducing new people to other CAI members who can be valuable connections. Outstanding Chapter Volunteer, Mark Schoenfelder, Schoenfelder Painting, Inc. and CAI-MN President Holly Johnson, Community Development, Inc.

Outstandin Chapter Volunteer Nominees Steve Hoogenakker, Concierge Enterprises Mark Schoenfelder, Schoenfelder Painting Rachel Wexler, Community Development, Inc. July | August 2010

We’ve been here. We’ll be here. Thank You, Event Sponsors and Exhibitors Gold Sponsors

Building Restoration Corporation Gassen Company Property Management Girtz Construction, Inc. Gittleman Management Corporation RJF Agencies

Bar Sponsors All Ways Drains All Ways Building

Long-term dedication to your association.

Exhibitors

Ace Chem Dry Association Dues Assurance CA Banc/CondoCerts Carlson & Associates Clean Response Concierge Landscape Electro Watchman Encompass, Inc. Goetz Landscape & Property Maintenance Hellmuth & Johnson Lindstrom Restoration New Exteriors by SMA Inc. Renewal by Andersen Schoenfelder Painting, Inc. SERVPRO of Brooklyn Park/ Champlin

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For Sale: Your Extraordinary Townhome By Tony Poetz, Spectrum Home Services

elling your condo or townhome in a buyer’s market can be challenging. According to the current Minneapolis Area Association of Realtor’s Housing Supply Outlook, (www.mplsrealtor.com/downloads/market/ HSO/hso.pdf ) townhouse prices are down -10.2 percent with an April 2010 average sale of $155,744. Condominiums in general are at -18.2 percent from last year with an average sale price of $170,784. Because housing prices are lower, a seller often loses a bit on the house they sell then gains when buying a property at a reduced price. That means, buying a new place without selling your old place is ideal right now. Of course that last step also means coming up with a down payment then renting out your old place for awhile until the value increases. Coming up with down payment money can be tough, and most people don’t like the idea of managing a rental property with an already overloaded schedule. So how do you unload your place at a good price without spending a ton on upgrades? Here’s some advice from the experts. Mandatory Maintenance According to Kathy Boyes, a Service Specialist at 33rd Company (www.33rdcompany. com) in Woodbury, “any evidence of deferred maintenance, even minor, is a slippery slope. If a perspective buyer hears a squeaking front door, sees walls with marks or notices dripping faucets…they would leap to question if the furnace has been maintained, if the basement has stayed dry or if the insulation is adequate.” • Slowly walk through the home and make a list. Many of the items will involve an easy solution. • Clean the utility appliances like the furnace and water heater. • Have the user manuals and maintenance records available in an organized folder. Curb Appeal • A green, healthy lawn portrays the TLC put into a home. It also helps buyers envi-

• • •

sion their family relaxing and playing in the yard. Re-seeding or fertilization may get you to green. New sod does even more. If you install, it’ll run 20 – 30 cents/sq ft; professionally installed doubles the price. Colorful, simple bushes are focus points that are inexpensive and simple to install. Fresh paint makes a home more inviting even if it’s just the entry door or trim on the front. Windows will reflect on the rest of the home. Clean or dirty, their condition WILL be noticed. Pros charge around $5 to clean both sides of the pane and the sills.

“” “Any evidence of deferred maintenance, even minor, is a slippery slope.”

Keeping up with the Jones’ Buyers will compare your home to the rest of the neighborhood. If you’re one of the few without a deck, consider installing one or a similar, less expensive alternative like a standalone pergola. If every home on the block has two bathrooms and you’ve got one, you may want to get an estimate on a ½ bath in the basement.

The idea of keeping up with the Jones’ is more than just neighborhood perception. Real estate professionals call these comparables, or “comps.” Appraisers arrive at your home’s value by comparing to the recent sales in the neighborhood. If you’ve got a 3BR, 2BA similar to the one down the street that sold last month, your price will likely be in that ballpark. This information will offer a guideline and help you decide whether a new screen porch is “keeping up” or over-improving. The Center of the Home Kitchens sell a home. Families spend important time here. Breakfast time gets the kids off to school. Dinner may be the only time of day the whole family is together. Birthday cakes, Thanksgiving turkey and Christmas cookies are strong memories generated in the kitchen.

Before you list, consider one of these kitchen upgrades: • A tiled back splash behind the sink and/ or range adds form & function. You can also get a nice piece of stainless steel at the hardware store that works just as well. • Stainless steel appliances are eye-popping upgrades. Save hundreds on a fridge that has a nice scratch on the side that’ll be hidden in your kitchen. • The brighter the better. New light fixtures range from simple to elaborate and are rather easy to install. SHUT OFF THE BREAKER FIRST! Match to the existing décor. Selling in a buyer’s market can be challenging, but a few budget-friendly improvements can change ordinary to extraordinary and separate your townhome from the five others for sale in the complex. Research your own neighborhood and call a real estate professional for up to the minute advice.

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July | August 2010

Ready or Not…Storm Preparation by

o, this is not hide and seek, but they’re coming and the question remains, are you ready or not? Colorado State University states that in 2010 there will be 15 named storms, a very active year for storms and that the El Niño effect will dissipate by summer. The top ten hurricane names have been chosen. Curious? So was I… the names are: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igo and Julia. Ready or not… In my decades of adulthood I have come to know one thing for certain: severe weather is going to come. Weather patterns are affected by many things, but let’s leave the science of weather prediction to the experts. I cannot say with any certainty that this year will be worse or better than others, but I do know some of you will experience nasty weather and your associations will be damaged because of it. Ready or not… Are you ready, have you taken the time to buy the CAI Gap Report #14 Natural Disasters? CAI volunteers and staff have spent countless hours developing these and other processes to help with just these situations. Other resources, such as NOAA, offer lists and reference materials for you to prepare for weather events. Here are some suggestions from NOAA on storm planning:

• Escape routes

Do you and your residents have a planned escape route complete with maps? How about a back up? Do the local emergency response personnel know your property well? Have you had them over to talk about these issues and asked what they recommend?

• Evacuation plans

What is the plan, and will you have site staff sound the alarm and notify all owners of the danger and either identify the escape route and/or help them get assistance leaving the property?

• Storm shelters

When tornadoes and wind storms hit, what is the warning? Is it a siren? Do your residents new to the area know

Minnesota Communit y Living

Tosh Tricas CMCA, AMS, PCAM, American Building Contractors

what it is? Are the shelters close by, and do your residents know they exist? Who’s got the key? (I know I laughed too, but the irony is the storm shelter is probably locked, especially at night).

• Homeowner communications

Leading up to and after the event, will you use text messages, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail or phones to communicate with homeowners? How should they communicate with you? Will your office stay up and running, or do you have a contingency plan for your office to relocate to and continue operation?

• Utility shut-off and safety

This is a big one. Leaking gas and live electrical wires are a real danger to homeowners and rescue workers after the fact. Should you contact your local utility and ask them if they have an emergency plan in place and how can your community participate in the process to ensure you are as safe as possible?

• Insurance and vital records

Who has the vital records, like insurance policy’s homeowner lists with contact information, emergency services number listings and your restoration company contact? You don’t want to try to figure out who is going to complete the repairs after the damage is done. Be proactive.

• Special needs

Handicapped and non-ambulatory residents including the blind and bedridden cannot use stairs. How are they going to get down to the lobby in the event of an emergency? Also consider a plan for service dogs since they are the lifeline for the handicapped and could mean the difference between independence and assisted living.

• Care for pets: In-

formation for pet owners Another big question is, where is Fido? We all know

how important pets are, and the fact is, people have been known to jeopardize their lives and the lives of others to save this valued family member. Also, when the storm is over and their pet has gone missing where might they find it?

• Safety skills

Do you have a safety and evacuation committee? Individuals trained in disaster preparedness and who are willing to assist with the process of evacuation?

Ready or not… It is not “if ” it will rain but rather “when” it rains. Are you ready to be the face of calm and determined perseverance? Are you ready to be the manager that leads your association back from the brink? Let’s face it: you are the one they will be looking to for guidance, leadership, patience, determination, insight, drive, desire, a can-do attitude with a never-say-die outlook. That’s right, tear the shirt open – it is either the wonder woman or superman logo you choose. The fact is you will need to be on top of your game. Ready or not… I believe we are all pressed to our breaking point at times. I believe that poorly prepared associations can suffer a much greater emotional loss than a properly prepared community. Which one do you manage? Are you ready to look into the eye of the storm, confidently knowing you have done all you could and that you are ready? If you are reading this I know you have the potential. It is really all up to you. Remember, life is all about attitude so pick a good one. Well are you ready…or not?

LinkedIn and CAI – The Link to the Top Professionals in the CAI Community by

Steve Hoogenakker, Concierge Landscape Environments

hat is LinkedIn and why is it so important to property managers & HOAs? First of all, it’s the best way to post your questions and have them answered by your peers. Second, there are members of groups like CAI and CAI-Minnesota that you can join for free and get timely articles and discussions on topics you care the most about.

to manage your professional life and career, even if you aren’t looking for a new one.

LinkedIn is not a passing fad; it’s here to stay, and it’s your free tool for important information.

You Google other people, don’t you think they Google you? Of course they do. LinkedIn organizes your life’s work and interests, so if people search for you, it’s all presented in a clear, concise manner.

The average LinkedIn user is a college educated 43-year-old making $107,000 per year. Where else can you connect to this level of professionals in your industry? There were 17 million visitors in February. Who is visiting? Your customers, your employers, your employees, your vendors, your fellow homeowners and your peers. This isn’t your “Facebook for adults,” and this isn’t a short “tweet.” This is a free, powerful tool

Recently, Accenture’s head of global recruiting John Campagnino, announced that he is hiring for 50,000 positions. Forty percent of those he expects to get through social media, particularly LinkedIn, so if you’re not using social media for your benefit, you’re missing out.

Here’s an example of LinkedIn’s value: Nishar was trying to decide whether his daughter, who was 12 at the time, should spend her summer at a program offered by Johns Hopkins University. He posted the question to his status update on both Facebook and LinkedIn. While he received more comments on Facebook, they were casual and congratulatory. Only four of his LinkedIn contacts wrote him, but they offered a rich analysis, describing experiences with the Johns Hopkins program that left them better off academically; they persuaded him to enroll his daughter. “People are in a different context and mindset when they’re in a professional network,” he said. CAI and LinkedIn LinkedIn is even more important to members of CAI. The most powerful aspect of LinkedIn is its groups. There are four groups available as of this writing: Community Associations Institute, CAI Minnesota, CAI – CT, and CIC and Townhome Mastermind Group. These groups are

made of your peers. There are relevant discussions there that can help you with your business or association. You can post your own discussion or even ask a question. The members of these groups have been very supportive, and calls for help are almost always answered. We’ll tell you how to find these groups a little later. So, how do you get started? If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, go to www.linkedin.com, and set up an account. It’s free. There’s no need to use the paid version. It will take maybe a half hour to two hours to enter the information. If you’ve been a professional for a while, you don’t need to enter in irrelevant information like grade school or even high school information. Your typical profile might have your current position and company on top with previous employment underneath. Then you might decide to list your goals. Also on your profile, you can have LinkedIn automatically grab your blog entries, Twitter, Facebook entries and articles you’ve written. You can also list things like the groups you belong to, your reading list, people you’ve recommended, and people who have recommended you. After you’ve done the original profile and joined a few groups, you might want to spend 30 minutes every six months or so updating your profile and inviting others to join your network. I encourage you to join the groups I mentioned earlier. Post a thought, or pose a question and get involved with your peers. After the original setup, look for the CAI groups listed above and ask to join. Use the searchbar in the upper right and change the search from people to groups. Besides the CAI groups, look for other interests that are not based in business, like bird watchers, executive weightlifters, speakers and panelists, gardeners – whatever. For every interest you have, there are probably already five groups or more to possibly join. If you’re really passionate about an issue, it’s very easy to start your own group like I did with CIC and Townhome Mastermind. So get LinkedIn, join a few groups, and share this article with friends and famly. I hope your life can be enriched a little like mine has. July | August 2010

Shedding Light on New Bulbs From CAI National

tandard incandescent light bulbs may soon become a thing of the past. Under the Clean Energy Act of 2007, the sale of energy-inefficient incandescent bulbs will be phased out over a two-year period, beginning with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) have become the most popular replacement choice. The typical CFL uses 66 percent less energy and lasts up to ten times longer than an incandescent bulb. Making the switch to CFLs doesn’t require that you throw out all your incandescent bulbs right away. Even a gradual change can result in significant savings. Just replacing your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures can save you more than $65 each year, as CFLs provide the most savings when a lighting source is used for at least two hours a day. You can continue to use incandescent bulbs for fixtures that are only on for a few minutes at a time, such as closet lights, changing to CFLs as your supply of incandescent bulbs runs out. One important point to know about CFLs is that they contain an average of 4 milligrams of mercury (about the amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen). The mercury is sealed within the bulb’s glass tubing, and no mercury is released when the bulb is intact or use. Special caution must be taken when disposing of used bulbs or cleaning up broken bulbs, however. Some states require used CFL bulbs (broken and unbroken) to be taken to local recycling centers for disposal. And if a bulb breaks in your home, you should follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines to clean up the debris:

Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room • Have people and pets leave the room, and don’t let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out. • Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more. • Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one. Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces • Carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag. • Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. • Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag. • Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces. Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug • Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag. • Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. • If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken. • Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials • If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage. • You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb. • If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal. Disposal of Clean-up Materials • Immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup. • Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials. • Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center. Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming • The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming. • Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

Minnesota Communit y Living

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July | August 2010

Protect Your Windows from Bird Collisions From CAI National

light is a magnificent means of transportation, but not without its dangers—especially for birds. For many birds, a journey across the skies ends with a deadly collision with windows, vehicles, cell towers or high-tension wires.

If you’ve been startled by the dull thud of a bird smacking your window, you’re not alone. Bird collisions with windows occur day and night, in all seasons, and in cities, suburbs and rural areas. Birds don’t see the glass, generally because it mirrors trees, shrubs, or sky, so the transparent panes appear to offer a passageway through a building. It’s surprising how common this problem is. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimate that billions of birds die from aerial collisions each year in the U.S. A lot of them, it seems, are colliding with our windows. Replacing glass or just cleaning it after a bird crash is a maintenance issue for the association. Fortunately, some simple solutions can help protect our windows and the birds.

• • • • • •

birds take flight quickly from feeders that are further from buildings, they are less likely to collide with windows. Hang a mobile, wind sock or strips of fabric on the outside of the window. Use an attractive window film, such as one that gives the appearance of glass etching or sandblasting, to reduce reflections. Paint or stencil the window with soap or wax. Cover the window with garden protection netting or a screen. Hang multiple bird silhouettes on the outside of the window to break up the reflection. Replace standard windows with non-reflective glass, such as stained or frosted glass.

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Place bird feeders either close to (within 3 feet) or far away from buildings (a minimum of 33 feet). Birds cannot build up enough momentum to injure themselves when flying to and from feeders that are very close to buildings. Conversely, when johnson_2.5x4.5_bleed.pdf 2/4/07 8:33:09 PM

Construction defect problems?

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Last Call for Home Improvement Tax Credits by

ecember 31, 2010 is the last day to cash in on home improvement rebates brought about by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The act dedicated $4.3 billion toward products that make homes more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. In a nutshell, if you install a product that makes your furnace or air conditioner run less, there’s a good chance that you can take up to 30 percent of what you paid for the product off of your 2010 taxes. Most of the rebates top out at $1500 PER EXISTING HOME. It’s not per person or product or new construction...it’s per existing household, which means each unit in an HOA is eligible. Energystar.gov has a ton of details about what, who, where and how much. With the appliance rebate over this past March and the first time home buyer credit only being applied to transactions in process before December 31, 2009, which products are left to qualify for the rebate? There are two separate categories.

The first category contains items that qualify for the 30 percent (up to $1500) rebate until December 31, 2010. Some of these products qualify for the rebate, but the labor to install them does not. Those items are noted. Make sure your contractor itemizes his/her bill into parts and labor (which an upfront contractor will do without being asked) so you can properly claim the parts on your taxes.

• • • • • • •

Central AC Air Source Heat Pumps Furnaces Water Heaters Windows and Doors (material only) Roofs (material only) Insulation (material only)

The second category features products that provide significant energy returns and drastically reduce environmental impact. Because these products perform better, the rebate and timeline available is considerably more. The cost of materials and labor qualifies for the 30 percent rebate, but with these products there is no upper limit.

Tony Poetz, Spectrum Home Services

There’s no $1500 cap. The deadline for these items to qualify is extended until December 31, 2016.

• • • •

Geothermal Heat Pumps Solar Panels Solar Water Heaters Small Wind Energy Systems

By the time you read this, contractors will be setting their autumn schedules, and some of the items such as windows and doors can take up to eight weeks just for delivery...considerably longer for large HOA projects. All of these products must be installed before their respective deadlines to qualify. To get the rebate, the products can’t be just contracted, not just ordered, not just sitting on pallets on your property, but installed and functioning. If your association is contemplating a project, it’s last call to save thousands.

The Easiest Maintenance Decision You Can Make. Associations face numerous maintenance decisions. However, when it comes to maintaining your association’s legal affairs, look no further than Hellmuth & Johnson. Hundreds of associations and property managers look to us as the definitive source for legal expertise, education and counsel. As one of the first firms in Minnesota to focus on this specialized area of law, we know the many challenges of running and managing an effective home owners association. For attorneys who know associations, call us or visit our web site www.mncommunityassociation.com.

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July | August 2010

Star Tribune Names Two CAI-MN Partners Among Top Workplaces

JF Agencies and Hellmuth & Johnson PLLC are listed among the Top Workplaces in the Twin Cities metro area based on an employee-based survey project from the Star Tribune.

provided was largely positive, as demonstrated by the ranking, but the high participation level also shows me that our employees are ready and willing to help make this an even better place to work.”

Produced by the same team that compiles the 19-year-old Star Tribune 100 report of the bestperforming public companies in Minnesota, Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive companies in the metro based on employee opinions about company leadership, career opportunities, workplace flexibility, compensation and benefits. The analysis included responses from over 33,000 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations.

Hellmuth & Johnson PLLC Hellmuth & Johnson PLLC was ranked 35th on the small company list. Their employees surveyed said they love their jobs because “opinions are valued, work appreciated and the clients are satisfied. The organization gives me the tools I need.”

RJF Agencies RJF was ranked 19th on the list of small companies (50-149 employees).“The entire leadership team is thrilled about this honor,” said RJF Chief Executive Officer Bill Jeatran. “Not only did we secure a position on this list, but we did so only because nearly 90 percent of all RJF employees took the time to provide their honest feedback to the survey. The insight they

Star Tribune Publisher Michael J. Klingensmith said, “I congratulate each of the companies in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces on their outstanding accomplishment. They have succeeded in creating a positive workplace for their employees during very challenging economic times.”

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

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The full report can be found at www.StarTribune.com/topworkplaces.

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Gassen Companies professional management team promptly responds to your concerns and considers follow-through a critical aspect of effective management.

Gassen Companies specializes in

Community Association Management and Maintenance for Condominiums, Townhomes, Common Interest Communities and Cooperatives. Since 1969, we have serviced the Twin Cities metro area and greater Minnesota. With Gassen Companies as your property management partner, HOAs have more time to focus on other needs of their residents. The Jonathan Association in Chaska quickly realized how valuable a partnership with Gassen Companies would be. As Nate Bostrom, Jonathan’s President said, “The decision to hire a professional property management company a couple of years ago was crucial to our Association’s future.” Our team of professionals can be your single provider of a wide variety of property maintenance services and management solutions, which reduces the cost and headaches of working with several vendors. You can rely on Gassen Companies expertise and experience to come through for you and your residents. Our customer statistics demonstrate that we’re serious about service. • 93% customer retention rate. • 95% of emergency calls responded to within 9 minutes. • Over 3,000 audits and reviews done in the past 5 years with 0 negative results. • Accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 1997 and maintains an A+ rating.

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