Monthly Report

- by Marion Scott

- by Jay Williams

General Manager’s Monthly Report for March 2023

Who is Summit Building Management?

In short, Summit Property Management Services, Inc. (“Summit”) is me. I am changing the Marion Scott Real Estate (“MSI”) name to Summit. The reason for the change is simple. I need to distinguish myself and my company as something different from MSI. In the same way a child will learn from their parents but grow into their own person. I learned a lot from Mr. Scott and Mr. Freedman using management aspects from them both. However, I am a very different manager than either. Mr. Scott would say, I am moving from environmental support to self-support. This change will be effective May 20th, 2023.

The summit, by definition, is the highest point of a mountain. For me, the name Summit is not what I am, so much as it’s a goal I want to achieve. The name is commensurate with my singular focus at a major inflection point moving from career into ownership. I am at the beginning of my journey or the bottom of the mountain, so to speak. I understand that this venture is going to be difficult and uncertain. The road less travelled usually is. I am fully committed to the task at hand and looking forward to a continued partnership with Rochdale as I travel this path.

Managing Rodents in Multifamily Buildings

Rodents are a city-wide problem. While the City is mandating new curbside garbage disposal laws, mainly targeting rats, rodents remain a challenge in Multifamily living. I am glad that we do not have to contend with rats infiltrating apartments at Rochdale. However, we do have mice and they are an annoying pest to contend with. Below are some frequently asked questions and answers for your review.

How are these mice getting into my apartment?

You might hear that they are coming from the fan coil unit (“convector”). That’s not quite accurate. They use the pipes conduits that connect to the convector and connect with each floor to access apartments. In some cases, they also use the old intercom line conduit located in the front closet of some apartments and old copper phone lines in other closets. In very rare cases they may even enter under your front door.

How do I stop them from coming in?

1. Ask us to check/seal all conduits behind the old convectors. (As part of the new convector installation all conduits are sealed. Also, the new convectors also have a solid back preventing mice from entering the apartment after installation).

2. Ask us to check/seal any potential conduits in closets.

3. (Optional) – you may have a door sweep installed as a precaution.

What else can I do?

1. Clean and dispose of waste food particles daily.

2. Store food in airtight containers.

3. Reduce clutter in the apartment (to include inside closets and cabinets).

4. Refrain from leaving garbage bags containing food particles on the service hallway floors.

What preventative steps Management does to limit rodent activity?

1. Schedule exterminating services in common areas.

2. Inspect and close common area entry points.

3. Mass cleanout of apartments yearly.

4. Make sure all garbage is in a plastic garbage bag before disposing down hopper chute.

5. Keep shrubs and vegetation trimmed back from foundation of buildings and Parking Lots.

6. Ensure anti rodent ‘open hole’ cover or lid on garbage disposal bins in Parking Lots, along walkways and grounds throughout the campus.

7. Cover catch basins with mesh wire to prevent rodents from entering the Parking Lots through the drainage system.

8. Exterminate laundry rooms, service hallways, crawl spaces, ashcan rooms, garbage pits, and compactor rooms weekly.

As new convectors are installed, I predict that we will see a drastic reduction of rodent activity in our apartments. Management will continue to be vigilant regarding our efforts. Please make sure to alert your group manager, Central Maintenance or the Management Office regarding any rodent related issue you see.