A series of special levies are proposed for the strata building, including parkade coating and EV charging infrastructure. Estimated levies over the next 8 years include $234,000 in 2023 for visitor parking coating, $204,000 in 2024 for owner parking coating, $500,000 in 2026 for balcony coatings, and $500,000 in 2032 for garage roof re-waterproofing. The total levy per unit ranges from $9,101.27 to $24,915.98, not accounting for EV infrastructure costs. The EV charging infrastructure proposal has been moved from a Special General Meeting to the AGM in May 2023.
Building Envelope
IMPORTANT
The building envelope has undergone various repairs and maintenance, including townhouse patio repairs, courtyard drain/walkway and stairwell repairs, and new caulking on south elevations, with costs covered by the Contingency Reserve Fund. A feasibility study for air conditioning penetration waterproofing is proposed, and significant future expenses are anticipated for balcony and parking garage repairs, with costs escalating from $103,000 in 2022 to $500,000 by 2032.
Leaks
The building has experienced several water ingress issues, including leaks in a 12th floor unit and a tenth-floor unit, with the latter requiring caulking by Steelhead Contracting. The garage has also been subject to leaks, with a quote received for waterproofing repairs. Additionally, the parkade has undergone waterproofing, with approved repairs for patching, filling ceiling cracks, and lime residue removal in the electrical room, funded by up to $12,000 from the Contingency Reserve Fund. There have been ongoing water ingress concerns reported by the owner of SL 97.
Plumbing
The strata building's plumbing system has had several issues and maintenance activities. Owners have been reminded to check air conditioner drainage to prevent water ingress, with a specific ingress issue reported in unit 312, which may require drain cleaning or patio slab removal. The council has been in discussions with MegaHydronics regarding horizontal drains. Soundproofing was completed around radiant heating pipes in unit 308, and a contract with Hytec System is in place to prevent pinhole leaks in copper piping, set for review in 2024. Pipe noise work was also completed.
Elevators
Richmond Elevator has implemented a price increase as of April 1st, 2023. Additionally, an update to the elevator access control system has been approved.
Insurance
The strata building's insurance policy covers replacement costs, which were valued at $40,907,050 as of April 1, 2022, and increased to $43,800,000 upon renewal on April 1, 2023. An annual appraisal ensures accuracy of the replacement value. The water damage deductible is $50,000. Owners are recommended to have personal insurance for the Strata Corporation's deductible and displacement, including coverage for contents and improvements. The insurance premium rose by 11.3% to $98,484.00 for the 2022-2023 period. Installation of air conditioners does not affect policy conditions, but may limit water ingress claims. A three-year insurance appraisal service engagement has been approved for 2023-2025.
Roof
The strata building's roof has been regularly inspected and maintained by Sample Roofing, with the latest annual review approved on July 25, 2023. Roof Rain Caps were successfully installed by Steelhead as of November 24, 2022, following the completion of all recommended repairs by September 15, 2022. There are no current updates on significant future plans or pending issues that require special attention.
The strata building is actively working on electrical upgrades, including the installation of EV charging infrastructure with an estimated cost of $290,000 for 117 chargers, which will be the responsibility of the owners. Individual installation and operating costs for EV chargers are estimated between $3,000 to $5,000. A Special General Meeting was planned for fall 2023 to approve these costs and for Air Conditioning units installation. The EV charging project is expected to be completed by June 2024. Additionally, there have been discussions about load studies for electrical system capacity and reimbursement for increased electrical costs for certain owners. A third party is involved in determining reimbursement costs for electrical charges related to the pressurization system/duct heaters.
Security
The strata has completed line painting to delineate parking zones, but issues persist with residents sitting in their vehicles in no parking areas. This indicates a need for ongoing monitoring and possibly the implementation of enforcement measures to ensure compliance with parking regulations.
Legal And Civil Resolution
The strata has been active in enforcing bylaws, with violation letters sent to an owner for security and parking breaches. Alterations for several units have been approved, including a digital lock installation. The strata's bylaws are currently under review, indicating potential changes. It's important for unit owners to ensure their personal insurance policies cover strata deductibles up to the specified limit to avoid out-of-pocket expenses.
Fire Safety
The strata building has an ongoing commitment to fire safety, with regular inspections and repairs conducted by Voltech Fire Protection. Annual fire equipment inspections are completed, with deficiency reports addressed and repairs approved. However, there have been instances where access to units was not provided, leading to follow-up actions. A generator testing log is maintained, and specific repairs, such as the replacement of connection couplings, have been approved. There was one report of smoke infiltration into a unit, which was addressed. All units have been inspected for fire safety equipment except for a few instances of non-compliance, which required notices and follow-ups.