We kick off the first episode with Brad Wells, President of Wilson Blanchard Property Management and Vice President of CCI Grand River chapter, and Michelle Kelly, a partner at Robson Carpenter LLP, condo law expert, and currently President of CCI Grand River chapter.
CCI Grand River is all about helping people! Listen to this episode to find out how CCI Grand River is a phenomenal resource for condo managers, directors, professionals, and owners!
Key Points:
Learn about Michelle’s story and how she went from not knowing anything about condos to becoming a condo expert
How most people come to work with condos and get “hooked”
The importance of networking and community between professionals and condo owners, and the go-to directory filled with condo experts
What CCI Grand River provides for condo managers, directors, professionals, and owners
Opportunities to get free legal advice
An update on the Condo Authority Tribunal (CAT) which has expanded its jurisdiction and will now hear nuisance, annoyance and disruption disputes (noise, odour, light, smoke, etc).
Stay tuned for new updates!
Subscribe and review this episode on your favourite podcast platform!
https://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Episode-1.png12602240adminCCIhttps://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CCI-Full-Logo-Grand-River-31ae3da81a2928943167b28ecdb52b1f-300x103.jpgadminCCI2023-09-17 18:27:592023-09-17 18:27:59An Introduction to Canadian Condominium Institute: Opportunities and Benefits
Social media is an ever-evolving beast. Once you get comfortable with one algorithm, there have since been five updates, and a new sub-app that everyone is telling you to use. It’s understandable that most find themselves wanting to pull their hair out once tasked with social media managing. This can be especially frustrating if you are already overwhelmed should anyone utter “social media” around you.
Where do you start? How do you map out your KPIs? What’s keeping all this from becoming too overwhelming and getting away from you?
It’s clear that social media is key to your continued success, and understanding how to utilize this tool will make marketing much less intimidating.
Understanding the Importance of Marketing Your Condominium or Company
At its core, marketing your condominium, your management company, or your business can be simplified to one word: connection.
Engaging with your audience, whether occupant, potential buyer, or industry network, is crucial to building a strong, positive reputation. People are in constant search of connection, and if you can strategize a way to appeal to your masses in a way that is more personable rather than robotic, you are on the right track.
Given how we are as a society, it’s important to understand one key thing: anyone who has never heard of you will look up your social media.
Anyone. Everyone. Staying relevant, consistent, and approachable online will help when it comes to first and lasting impressions.
The first thing you need to do is choose your preferred social media platform. You do not need to be on every single main platform, but you should be utilizing at least two. Take the time to get to know the platforms, and ensure that those platforms are where your audiences will likely spend their time.
Once you narrow down which social media apps your audience uses, and which ones you feel confident using, the rest will fall into place.
Measuring Your Social Media Success
It’s not always about the number of likes a post gets. Though we all like to see that count rise, and get a little giddy when we see higher double and triple digits, there is more to measuring than meets the eye.
Reach. Engagement. Total follows. Those are three areas where you always want to see in the green. Making sure your content goes out at the right time, on the right day, will ensure you hit those first two targets. The followers, will follow.
Monitoring Your Social Media
Social media is both simple and complicated. It can get away from you easily, and pile up under a mountain of updates and missed insights.
If we circle back to your online reputation, there is one area of social media that you absolutely do not want to ignore.
Reviews.
By a show of hands, how many of us can say we monitor our online reviews, regularly? How many of us can say we know how to handle negative reviews or online disputes?
Monitoring your tone online is a difficult task, and is especially difficult when you’re handling uncomfortable situations. And even more so, if the person handling the situation is already frustrated.
The key to handling negative reviews is to deal with them ASAP. Since we’re now in the habit of checking our reviews regularly, it’ll become much easier to regulate your online presence.
If you come across a negative note or comment, here are some quick steps to handling it:
Read the comment carefully.
Ensure you understand exactly what the commenter is talking about, and if not, reach out to your team to see if anyone was involved with the interaction.
Respond to them promptly.
Take the time to give them a thoughtful response. Acknowledge their experience, apologize for the circumstances, and invite them to discuss the matter privately whether through direct message or phone call.
Once resolved, ensure you update the review/comment. You can encourage the original poster to do so, but there is no harm with replying to the public comment with an update (i.e., we have touched base with Ms. Doe about X issue and are happy to announce that we have found a resolution. We thank everyone who has taken the time to share their feedback.).
There is no harm in asking for support from your condo board or marketing team. Reach out if you feel unsure of how to handle any social media-related situation.
Social media is a great tool. Being able to connect with your audiences regularly will allow you to stay at the top of their list.
Using your platforms wisely, understanding your KPIs, and managing public reviews will have you running like a well-oiled machine.
This is no easy feat. Working with a social media professional, or an online marketing professional can take some of the digital weight off your shoulders.
Luckily, there is a plethora of information and resources out there in regards to social media and your digital presence. Stay tuned for our upcoming pieces as we discuss monitoring Facebook Groups, and understanding how “brand” affects you.
https://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Blog-Titles-CCI-2.png300750adminCCIhttps://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CCI-Full-Logo-Grand-River-31ae3da81a2928943167b28ecdb52b1f-300x103.jpgadminCCI2023-09-17 18:27:552023-09-17 18:27:55Where Does Social Media Take Your Condominium?
It’s that time of year again for the Annual General Meeting and the process of forming next year’s budget. The auditor happily noted that the condominium had a growing surplus in both accounts. A golden retriever with a goofy grin ran onto the stage. His owner read a flyer that showed the benefits of having a pet sanctuary.
Budgeting: Should last year’s surplus be used to fund a pet sanctuary?
It’s that time of year again for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and then comes the process of forming next year’s budget.
AGM Meeting
The AGM began with the auditor taking the stage to present the audited statements. The auditor happily noted that the condominium had a growing surplus in both the general account and the reserve account. After the auditor had left the meeting, the president of the board opened the floor and asked the unit owners what they would like to do with the surplus funds.
Unit Owner Discussion
The serious accountant, fiddling with her laptop, informed the other unit owners that they could put the surplus into a GIC, but the interest rates had fallen since the pandemic started in 2020, so the benefit was minimal. She then suggested that they could decrease their monthly common element assessment fees for the next fiscal year or keep their fees locked at the same rate for the next few years.
The active triathlete piped up, suggesting that the condominium should install an Olympic-sized pool and gym with stationary bikes for spin classes. He went on and on about the health benefits of exercise until a golden retriever with a goofy grin ran into the room and escorted him back to his seat by tugging on his pant legs.
The owner of the dog, a unit owner and humanitarian, took the stage. He read a flyer that showed the health benefits of having a pet sanctuary.
Pet Sanctuary
The room was abuzz with excitement, as many unit owners in that community loved pets. The board took this to a vote, knowing that they would need 66.67% of the owners to approve any change to the common elements. The vote was unanimous in favour of purchasing the pet sanctuary.
Budgeting with a Surplus Balance
At the next board meeting, the directors discussed how to form next year’s budget to plan for the coming year, as a budget is required by the Condominium Act to be included in the audited financial statements. The board followed these steps:
They looked at the auditor’s financial statements. The auditor had let the board know that the corporation had one year’s worth of expenses as a surplus in the general fund. (Typically, accountants like to see ½ month to 3 months’ worth of spending as a surplus in the general fund).
When forming the budget, they were told to work backwards.
What were the known expenses? The landscaping contract was $35,520. Property management fees were $25,100. Insurance premiums were quoted at $9,000.
What were the trends of increasing/decreasing expenses over the last five years? They saw a trend of water expenses increasing by $1,000 every year. Waste removal was also increasing by $2,000 each year.
The treasurer of the board added up the total expenses they were anticipating for the next fiscal year.
The board member in charge of the pet sanctuary project had researched the costs of constructing the pet sanctuary and added the project, as a one-time expense line item to the budget. The board member had also researched the costs of maintaining the pet sanctuary and added another $1,000 to their budgeted utility expenses. The board debated decreasing security costs due to the additional security the pets provided. They decided to wait another year to get a more accurate measure of how the sanctuary impacted security costs.
The treasurer observed the reserve fund study to see if there were any upcoming major repairs that they needed to consider. The corporation had been transferring the required amount to the reserve fund. There was appropriate funding for their reserve expenses and the treasurer saw no additional transfers required in the reserve fund study within the next three years.
After doing this exercise to figure out their total expenses, the treasurer noticed that their budgeted expenses were higher than the total amount of fees that they collected in the prior year by $20,000. As a group they decided that they were comfortable keeping their monthly fees consistent with the prior year, resulting in a planned shortfall of $20,000 for the current year. After the initial construction of the pet sanctuary, they would have fewer costs in the subsequent fiscal year. Their plan allowed them to continue with a surplus of $80,000, which gave them enough cash flow to cover the costs of the year, paying all of their vendors on time.
Now that the board had the financial plan for the year, the pet sanctuary committee could start selecting which pets they would like to save.
… If I was on the committee, I would definitely have chosen the monkeys first!
https://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CCI-Full-Logo-Grand-River-31ae3da81a2928943167b28ecdb52b1f-300x103.jpg00adminCCIhttps://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CCI-Full-Logo-Grand-River-31ae3da81a2928943167b28ecdb52b1f-300x103.jpgadminCCI2023-09-17 18:27:542023-09-17 18:27:54Budgeting: Should Last Year’s Surplus Be Used to Fund a Pet Sanctuary?
Around this time of year, many condominium owners, directors, and managers ask us: why are my windows dripping with water? Condensation is a common issue for older condominium windows and even some new windows. Here are some tips to better deal with condensation:
Open your blinds or curtains. Having them closed can reduce the temperature of your window frames and increase the potential for condensation. Opening your window coverings will allow warm interior air to reach them, raising your window frame temperature and drying the condensation.
Use your fans. The relative humidity in your unit may be too high for your windows. Using bathroom and kitchen fans more often can bring in fresh dry air and reduce the potential for window condensation.
Lower your humidifier settings. Most windows can only tolerate about 20% relative humidity when we reach cold January/February temperatures. Consider lowering relative humidity to 30% when temperatures drop below 0C, and 20% when temperatures drop below -10C.
Ensure your operable windows are fully closed. Leaving them slightly open can lower the window frame temperature enough to cause condensation.
If your problem still persists, feel free to reach out to your engineering consultant to ask for further tips on dealing with condensation. They should be able to provide you with standard tips and comment on the condensation performance of your window systems.
Every window system has a different condensation rating (i.e. ability to resist condensation) and new windows with higher ratings generally come at a cost premium. When it does come time to replace your windows, speak to your engineer about your expectations and your budget. New windows are a long-term investment and condensation resistance is not something to overlook when making your big decision.
Since 1993 they have been creating and maintaining exceptional landscapes through the Spring and Summer months AND ensuring safe properties through the snowy Winter seasons. Read-on for some tips from Whispering Pines Landscaping.
The lawn furniture is tucked away and the snow contractors are doing their best to meet winter’s rigorous demands; now is the best time to put plans in place for the coming “green season” of 2022!
Here are some important considerations to add to your next Board meeting agenda to ensure your condo property will provide enjoyment and pleasure for unit owners:
1. Audit of your Garden Care program. Are your gardens looking their best? Are your shrubs being pruned at a horticulturally appropriate time of the year? Do you remember the last time the gardens in your community brought joy? Chances are that you could not answer “yes” to each of those questions.
Solution: consider adding a specific line in your budget to allocate funds to the maintenance of gardens. Corporation budgets commonly combine grass cutting and garden care under one line: Maintenance. Perhaps your property could benefit from a dedicated gardening crew that makes regular visits with gardens and shrub care as their only priority. Ask your landscape contractor if they offer this service.
2. Schedule a mulch application to your garden beds and tree circles. You have likely seen the positive impact that is immediately visible following an application of fresh mulch. Not only does mulch provide a barrier for weed growth, mulch also helps your garden retain the needed moisture allowing plants and shrubs to thrive. Mulch will also help prevent rainwater from washing away your soil. Furthermore, when an organic shredded pine mulch is applied, it will release valuable nutrients in the soil as it naturally decomposes.
3. Fix lingering outdoor drainage problems. Spring run-off and melting accentuates the wet, soggy areas of condo properties; we all know where the wet spots are on our properties! Given the high density of the building projects in recent years combined with extreme rain events, there is less surface area for spring runoff and rainwater to be absorbed into the ground. Pooling of water can also occur in areas where the ground has been saturated.
Solution: a corrective measure, such as a French drain will solve an annual nuisance and provide enjoyment for years to come. Consider contacting your landscape contractor to get on the schedule for a 2022 project.
Whispering Pines Landscaping is a full-service landscape company with experts in the areas of landscape design & construction, garden care, lawn maintenance and snow services. Their service area includes Guelph, Elora, Fergus and Orangeville.
Andrew Westrik Sales, Whispering Pines Landscaping wpn.ca
https://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CCI-Full-Logo-Grand-River-31ae3da81a2928943167b28ecdb52b1f-300x103.jpg00adminCCIhttps://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CCI-Full-Logo-Grand-River-31ae3da81a2928943167b28ecdb52b1f-300x103.jpgadminCCI2023-09-17 18:27:532023-09-17 18:27:53Thinking about Spring? Introducing Whispering Pines Landscaping!
As condominium managers, we have all been there – your relationship with a condominium community comes to an end. This can happen for any number of reasons – financial difficulties, personality conflicts, board unrest or lack of trust, to name a few – but no matter the reason, you will find yourself in the position of having to hand over a (preferably neat and organized) package of information to the incoming management company.
On the flip side, you may be the incoming condominium manager who is taking over a contract. Do you know what to ask for in advance? What to ask for at the deadline? How do you make the transition as seamless as possible for the residents?
As per the Condominium Management Services Act, 2015 (CMSA), all relevant documents and records must be transferred to the condominium 15 days after the date of termination, with a few exceptions. Of course, it is reasonable to request/hand over some documentation in advance of the turnover date (registered documents, for example), and in this digital age, it’s quick and easy to pass along copies via email.
Aside from handing over documents, there are dozens of tiny practical details to consider, such as banking (keeping former accounts or opening new ones?), address for service (make sure this is updated!), the status of PO’s (work completed vs. work in progress), etc. Each firm will have its own processes for these, but generally, remember to stick to the following:
1. COMMUNICATION – As soon as you know you are either terminating or taking over a contract, designate a point of contact to handle the transition. The point of contact may be anyone in your office – if they are prepared to amicably discuss the details of the transition and keep an open dialogue with the other party.
2. CHECKLISTS – There are just too many items to remember, so eliminate some of the stress and put it all in a list. Checking off items one by one will help you keep track and ensure that nothing is missed.
3. COOPERATION – It is imperative that both companies (and the Board) work together to ensure the least amount of disruption to residents, no matter the circumstances. Cooperation will set up the board, and therefore the community, for success.
4. PATIENCE – There are many moving parts to transitions and often residual items to wrap up, even months later. This is not necessarily anyone’s ‘fault’, but it’s important to remember that these things take time. Don’t expect the transition to be wrapped up by Day 1 – it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Even when you follow these guidelines, you will likely run into a situation at some point where things are not progressing as smoothly as you would like. Maybe pertinent documents are being withheld, or maybe false information is being passed along. These types of issues can stem from the other management company, the owners, or even the board. In these situations, it’s important to remain professional and to carry on in the best interests of the community.
If despite your best efforts, you have reached a roadblock (perhaps you have been unsuccessful in obtaining documents, or there are financial red flags), you may need to involve the corporation’s lawyer and/or the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO). This is the last resort, but a necessary step to protect the Board of Directors and condominium corporation.
The Grand River condominium community is a small one. While we all strive for fulfilling and long-lasting relationships with our clients, it is not always possible. We have all experienced both ends of a transition and know how difficult they can be – so the bottom line is to remain respectful and courteous while keeping the best interests of the client in mind.
https://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CCI-Full-Logo-Grand-River-31ae3da81a2928943167b28ecdb52b1f-300x103.jpg00adminCCIhttps://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CCI-Full-Logo-Grand-River-31ae3da81a2928943167b28ecdb52b1f-300x103.jpgadminCCI2023-09-17 18:27:522023-09-17 18:27:52Smooth Transitions: Making the Move Between Management Companies Seamless
“Water, water everywhere,” is not what you want to be thinking as you’re standing in the living room of a townhouse condominium unit or peering into the lobby of a high-rise. Water inside any attached housing structure means likely damage – furnishings and fixtures, floors and walls; it also means the possibility of rotting wood and mold risks; it means potential liability, and that something has gone terribly wrong.
When property managers and board members worry about weather-related water damage, they are usually thinking about the damage caused by flooding at the bottom of a building, or by a leaky roof at the top. But engineers think in terms of “water intrusion,” which may result from a flood or a leaky roof, but is more likely caused by construction flaws in a building’s envelope – the components that separate the interior from the exterior. Flooding is an act of nature. The conditions that permit water intrusion are man-made. Windows and doors sliding, balconies and surface “transitions” are particularly problematic.
Windows and Siding
It is not the type of windows or siding you select that matters most; it’s how well they are installed. A low-quality product installed correctly can be perfectly water-tight; the best quality product installed poorly will imitate a sieve. One of the most common installation mistakes is the incorrect laying of building envelope materials, such as the house wrap, the flashing, or the siding itself. When this occurs, water isn’t shed properly from one material to another; it accumulates behind the materials and penetrates the structure. Incompatible materials in the building envelope can also permit water intrusion by creating temperature variations that can cause sealants to fail. Failing to recognize how different products perform is another common problem. Brick veneer can certainly look quite nice on buildings but brick isn’t watertight, and if the contractor fails to install “weep holes” through the veneer, the water will not drain properly. If water accumulates behind the veneer, there is a good possibility for mold to form.
Balconies
Outdoor balconies are a common feature. Many balconies are on the same level as the living room floor due to an accessibility requirement, to permit ease of access for someone in a wheelchair. But in a heavy storm, wind-driven rain may be forced under the door sill and into the living room. Some balconies have walls on all sides. A system of drains and pipes conducts water to the ground when it rains. These same pipes may possibly freeze in the winter causing the water to accumulate on the balcony and then flood the attached living rooms.
Cool Designs
Varying materials, using different shapes, and inserting angles all add architectural interest to a building; but every angle you create, every transition you make from one shape or material to another creates a point at which water may intrude. Transition or termination points represent a tiny portion of a building’s envelope, but they account for much of its vulnerability to water. And they don’t always receive the extra water-proofing they require.
From the Inside Out
While many water intrusion problems result from something builders fail to do, some are caused by what builders, or the subcontractors working for them, do. Consider the plumbers, electricians, and HVAC mechanics who come into a building that has been framed, wrapped, and made water-tight and poke holes through that nice, water-tight surface. The wall penetrations are necessary to make connections that run from the inside out, but they also have to be properly waterproofed, and they often are not. That’s why the small details that can create immense water intrusion risks are so often overlooked.
Controlling the Risks
Water intrusion is a potential risk that the boards and managers of communities can reduce by being mindful, diligent, and proactive.
Don’t ignore early signs of water intrusion.
Bring in experts at the outset.
Don’t assume water intrusion in one unit is an isolated problem.
Take care of preventive maintenance.
Consider flooding risks.
Don’t look for shortcuts.
If the problem is systemic, you will have to deal with it systemically. There are no Band-Aids for water intrusion. If transitions on the building’s surface weren’t set properly, you have to re-do them. If the windows weren’t installed properly, you may not have to replace them, but you will have to re-install them. These measures are going to be expensive. But they will be far less expensive than dealing with the damage water intrusion can do to buildings, to the personal property, health of residents, and to the finances of your condominium.
Reach out to your condominium board, property manager, or engineer today if you have any questions, or need further guidance on handling water intrusion and potential damage.
https://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Blog-Titles-CCI-1.png300750adminCCIhttps://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CCI-Full-Logo-Grand-River-31ae3da81a2928943167b28ecdb52b1f-300x103.jpgadminCCI2023-09-17 18:27:512023-09-17 18:27:51Water Damage and Where it Starts
Around this time of year, many condominium owners, directors, and managers ask us: why are my windows dripping with water? Condensation is a common issue for older condominium windows and even some new windows. Here are some tips to better deal with condensation:
Open your blinds or curtains. Having them closed can reduce the temperature of your window frames and increase the potential for condensation. Opening your window coverings will allow warm interior air to reach them, raising your window frame temperature and drying the condensation.
Use your fans. The relative humidity in your unit may be too high for your windows. Using bathroom and kitchen fans more often can bring in fresh dry air and reduce the potential for window condensation.
Lower your humidifier settings. Most windows can only tolerate about 20% relative humidity when we reach cold January/February temperatures. Consider lowering relative humidity to 30% when temperatures drop below 0C, and 20% when temperatures drop below -10C.
Ensure your operable windows are fully closed. Leaving them slightly open can lower the window frame temperature enough to cause condensation.
If your problem still persists, feel free to reach out to your engineering consultant to ask for further tips on dealing with condensation. They should be able to provide you with standard tips and comment on the condensation performance of your window systems.
Every window system has a different condensation rating (i.e. ability to resist condensation) and new windows with higher ratings generally come at a cost premium. When it does come time to replace your windows, speak to your engineer about your expectations and your budget. New windows are a long-term investment and condensation resistance is not something to overlook when making your big decision.
It’s that time of year again for the Annual General Meeting and the process of forming next year’s budget. The auditor happily noted that the condominium had a growing surplus in both accounts. A golden retriever with a goofy grin ran onto the stage. His owner read a flyer that showed the benefits of having a pet sanctuary.
Budgeting: Should last year’s surplus be used to fund a pet sanctuary?
It’s that time of year again for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and then comes the process of forming next year’s budget.
AGM Meeting
The AGM began with the auditor taking the stage to present the audited statements. The auditor happily noted that the condominium had a growing surplus in both the general account and the reserve account. After the auditor had left the meeting, the president of the board opened the floor and asked the unit owners what they would like to do with the surplus funds.
Unit Owner Discussion
The serious accountant, fiddling with her laptop, informed the other unit owners that they could put the surplus into a GIC, but the interest rates had fallen since the pandemic started in 2020, so the benefit was minimal. She then suggested that they could decrease their monthly common element assessment fees for the next fiscal year or keep their fees locked at the same rate for the next few years.
The active triathlete piped up, suggesting that the condominium should install an Olympic-sized pool and gym with stationary bikes for spin classes. He went on and on about the health benefits of exercise until a golden retriever with a goofy grin ran into the room and escorted him back to his seat by tugging on his pant legs.
The owner of the dog, a unit owner and humanitarian, took the stage. He read a flyer that showed the health benefits of having a pet sanctuary.
Pet Sanctuary
The room was abuzz with excitement, as many unit owners in that community loved pets. The board took this to a vote, knowing that they would need 66.67% of the owners to approve any change to the common elements. The vote was unanimous in favour of purchasing the pet sanctuary.
Budgeting with a Surplus Balance
At the next board meeting, the directors discussed how to form next year’s budget to plan for the coming year, as a budget is required by the Condominium Act to be included in the audited financial statements. The board followed these steps:
They looked at the auditor’s financial statements. The auditor had let the board know that the corporation had one year’s worth of expenses as a surplus in the general fund. (Typically, accountants like to see ½ month to 3 months’ worth of spending as a surplus in the general fund).
When forming the budget, they were told to work backwards.
What were the known expenses? The landscaping contract was $35,520. Property management fees were $25,100. Insurance premiums were quoted at $9,000.
What were the trends of increasing/decreasing expenses over the last five years? They saw a trend of water expenses increasing by $1,000 every year. Waste removal was also increasing by $2,000 each year.
The treasurer of the board added up the total expenses they were anticipating for the next fiscal year.
The board member in charge of the pet sanctuary project had researched the costs of constructing the pet sanctuary and added the project, as a one-time expense line item to the budget. The board member had also researched the costs of maintaining the pet sanctuary and added another $1,000 to their budgeted utility expenses. The board debated decreasing security costs due to the additional security the pets provided. They decided to wait another year to get a more accurate measure of how the sanctuary impacted security costs.
The treasurer observed the reserve fund study to see if there were any upcoming major repairs that they needed to consider. The corporation had been transferring the required amount to the reserve fund. There was appropriate funding for their reserve expenses and the treasurer saw no additional transfers required in the reserve fund study within the next three years.
After doing this exercise to figure out their total expenses, the treasurer noticed that their budgeted expenses were higher than the total amount of fees that they collected in the prior year by $20,000. As a group they decided that they were comfortable keeping their monthly fees consistent with the prior year, resulting in a planned shortfall of $20,000 for the current year. After the initial construction of the pet sanctuary, they would have fewer costs in the subsequent fiscal year. Their plan allowed them to continue with a surplus of $80,000, which gave them enough cash flow to cover the costs of the year, paying all of their vendors on time.
Now that the board had the financial plan for the year, the pet sanctuary committee could start selecting which pets they would like to save.
… If I was on the committee, I would definitely have chosen the monkeys first!
https://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/blog-post-2.png300750adminCCIhttps://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CCI-Full-Logo-Grand-River-31ae3da81a2928943167b28ecdb52b1f-300x103.jpgadminCCI2023-09-17 18:27:482023-09-17 18:27:49Budgeting: Should Last Year’s Surplus Be Used to Fund a Pet Sanctuary?
Since 1993 they have been creating and maintaining exceptional landscapes through the Spring and Summer months AND ensuring safe properties through the snowy Winter seasons. Read-on for some tips from Whispering Pines Landscaping.
The lawn furniture is tucked away and the snow contractors are doing their best to meet winter’s rigorous demands; now is the best time to put plans in place for the coming “green season” of 2022!
Here are some important considerations to add to your next Board meeting agenda to ensure your condo property will provide enjoyment and pleasure for unit owners:
1. Audit of your Garden Care program. Are your gardens looking their best? Are your shrubs being pruned at a horticulturally appropriate time of the year? Do you remember the last time the gardens in your community brought joy? Chances are that you could not answer “yes” to each of those questions.
Solution: consider adding a specific line in your budget to allocate funds to the maintenance of gardens. Corporation budgets commonly combine grass cutting and garden care under one line: Maintenance. Perhaps your property could benefit from a dedicated gardening crew that makes regular visits with gardens and shrub care as their only priority. Ask your landscape contractor if they offer this service.
2. Schedule a mulch application to your garden beds and tree circles. You have likely seen the positive impact that is immediately visible following an application of fresh mulch. Not only does mulch provide a barrier for weed growth, mulch also helps your garden retain the needed moisture allowing plants and shrubs to thrive. Mulch will also help prevent rainwater from washing away your soil. Furthermore, when an organic shredded pine mulch is applied, it will release valuable nutrients in the soil as it naturally decomposes.
3. Fix lingering outdoor drainage problems. Spring run-off and melting accentuates the wet, soggy areas of condo properties; we all know where the wet spots are on our properties! Given the high density of the building projects in recent years combined with extreme rain events, there is less surface area for spring runoff and rainwater to be absorbed into the ground. Pooling of water can also occur in areas where the ground has been saturated.
Solution: a corrective measure, such as a French drain will solve an annual nuisance and provide enjoyment for years to come. Consider contacting your landscape contractor to get on the schedule for a 2022 project.
Whispering Pines Landscaping is a full-service landscape company with experts in the areas of landscape design & construction, garden care, lawn maintenance and snow services. Their service area includes Guelph, Elora, Fergus and Orangeville.
Andrew Westrik Sales, Whispering Pines Landscaping wpn.ca
https://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/blog-post-1.png300750adminCCIhttps://cci-grc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CCI-Full-Logo-Grand-River-31ae3da81a2928943167b28ecdb52b1f-300x103.jpgadminCCI2023-09-17 18:27:172023-09-17 18:27:48Thinking about Spring? Introducing Whispering Pines Landscaping!
Here are some important considerations to add to your next Board meeting agenda to ensure your condo property will provide enjoyment and pleasure for unit owners:
On the flip side, you may be the incoming condominium manager who is taking over a contract. Do you know what to ask for in advance? What to ask for at the deadline? How do you make the transition as seamless as possible for the residents? 
missed. 
Here are some important considerations to add to your next Board meeting agenda to ensure your condo property will provide enjoyment and pleasure for unit owners:
