Updated Surplus Numbers

Updated Surplus Numbers
Updated Surplus Numbers: Actual surplus 2018 per audit was $85,163.
Boards 2011-2018 implemented policies and procedures with specific goals:
stabilize owner fees, achieve maintenance objectives and achieve annual budget surpluses.
Any surplus was retained by the association.
The board elected in fall 2018 decided to increase owner fees, even in view of a large potential surplus

Average fees prior to 2019

Average fees prior to 2019
Average fees per owner prior to 2019:
RED indicates the consequences had boards continued the fee policies prior to 2010,
BLUE indicates actual fees. These moderated when better policies and financial controls were put in place by boards

Better budgeting could have resulted in lower fees

Better budgeting could have resulted in lower fees
Better budgeting could have resulted in lower fees:
RED line = actual fees enacted by boards,
BLUE line = alternate, fees, ultimately lower with same association income lower had
boards used better financial controls and focused on long term fee stability

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

City of Wheaton - New Trash and Recycling Program

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Here's an update from the city on the new trash and recycling program, effective October 1. 2016. I spoke with a representative of the contractor, but this email from the city covers it fairly well.

One concern some of us have is the size of the new containers. Our existing recycling containers are the smallest available at 35 gallons. Here's a photo of the three sizes of trash containers available under the new program. These MUST BE USED. The sizes are 35, 65 and 95 gallons. To see these, go to the Rice Lake Park complex, or the Ace Hardware on Main Street.

I did measure the carts because there is some concern that the larger won't fit inside our garages and may create a nuisance.



Here's the city email dated August 29, 2016


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Contact information:

Lakeshore Recycling Systems, 773-685-8811, Ext. 0
Monday, Aug. 29, 2016

New Garbage/Recycling Program Update

WHEATON, Ill. – The website for selecting your garbage cart for Wheaton’s new garbage/recycling program is currently unavailable, as Lakeshore Recycling Systems is performing maintenance. In the meantime, you can register for service and pick your garbage cart size by calling 773-685-8811, Ext. 0. Thank you for your patience.

Here is some more information about the new program with Lakeshore Recycling Systems, which begins Oct. 1.

What sizes are available for my garbage cart, and when will I receive it?
You will have a choice between a 35-gallon, 65-gallon or 95-gallon garbage cart that will be delivered to your home between September 15 and October 1. Those same sizes are available for recycling carts.

What is the cost of garbage and recycling collection with the new program?
The weekly collection of garbage, recycling and yard waste/leaves/organics will be less expensive with the new program for most households. The following are the costs for the various cart sizes and services for each pickup:
Garbage:
  • 35 gallon: $1.43 per pickup               
  • 65 gallon: $2.86 per pickup               
  • 95 gallon: $4.29 per pickup 
Recycling:
  • 35 gallon: $1.17 per pickup               
  • 65 gallon: $1.17 per pickup
  • 95 gallon: $1.12 per pickup

Garbage/Organic Stickers
Stickers will only be used for yard waste/organics, excess garbage outside of the cart and bulk items. Stickers can be purchased at the same retail outlets as they currently are at $2.75 per sticker.
  • One (1) excess bag of garbage: 1 sticker = $2.75
  • Bulk Item (mattress, toilet): 5 stickers = $13.75
  • White Good (refrigerator, water heater): 10 stickers = $27.50
     
  • E-Waste single item:1 sticker = $2.75
  • E-Waste bundle (within brown paper bag): 5 stickers =$13.75
  • E-Waste TV or computer monitor: 10 stickers = $27.50
Miscellaneous Cart Fees
  • Additional cart rental: $3 per month
  • Cart delivery/exchange/removal fee: $25 (after first 60 days)
Will I receive a new recycling cart?
At least initially, you will continue to use the same City-issued recycling cart you use now. Lakeshore Recycling Systems will attach an RFID chip to your current recycling cart along with an informational sticker detailing items that can and cannot be recycled on the top lid starting August 29, 2016. Residents who wish to change the size of their recycling carts should call the Lakeshore customer service number: 773-685-8811.

Will Lakeshore Recycling Systems take my old garbage container?
Yes. You may keep your current garbage containers for home storage, or if you do not want them, Lakeshore Recycling Systems will recycle them on your regular collection day. Containers should be labeled “please take.”

How does the RFID technology work?
The garbage cart includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip that allows the garbage/recycling/yard waste trucks to wirelessly “scan” your carts each time they are picked up and emptied, or tipped, into a Lakeshore Recycling Systems truck. This allows you to continue to pay for only the amount you throw out or recycle, without the need to use stickers.

What will stickers be used for with Lakeshore Recycling Systems?
Stickers will not be used for weekly garbage and recycling collection. The same sticker will be used for excess garbage, yard waste/organics, e-waste and bulk items. If you have excess garbage that will not fit in your garbage cart, you must use a garbage/organic sticker for each bag outside of your cart. There is no limit to the number of excess garbage bags that will be collected. Garbage mixed with yard waste/organics cannot be collected.

Can I still use Advanced Disposal stickers?
Yes. They will be good through October 15, 2016 for excess garbage, yard waste, bulk items, white goods and/or e-waste.

What about large pieces of garbage? Can I still put these out at the curb?
Yes:
  • Bulk items are items that are too large to fit into your plastic cart. Each bulk item requires 5 garbage/organic stickers attached to it. Carpet rolls must be no longer than 4 feet in length and 18 inches in diameter and require 5 garbage/organic stickers attached to each roll for collection.
  • White goods, or appliances containing CFC, HCFC, PCB’s, mercury switches or other hazardous components (refrigerators, air conditions, humidifiers, etc.), require 10 garbage/organic stickers to be collected. All white goods will be collected by a separate truck at the end of the day.
  • Do-it-yourself construction or demolition debris will require 5 garbage/organic stickers per stack or 35-gallon container. Stacks must weigh less than 50 pounds, be no more than 4 feet in length and up to 18 inches in diameter. 35-gallon containers cannot weigh more than 50 pounds.
  • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) products are flammable, toxic, corrosive or reactive, and can pose a harmful threat or damage to the environment when disposed of improperly. Items such as paint, pesticides, poisons, cleaning solvents, tainted gasoline, used oil and other automotive fluids are considered to be hazardous waste and should not be included with your regular garbage for disposal. For more information regarding disposal, call the DuPage County HHW Information Hotline at 630-407-6760 or visit www.dupageco.org.
How does the food scrap/organics program work?
A new option with the City’s garbage and recycling program will be the ability to recycle food scraps. Yard waste and organic material (food scraps) are collected at the curb from the first full week of April through the second full week in December. Each container or biodegradable bag can be a maximum of 35 gallons in size and 50 pounds in weight and must have one garbage/yard waste sticker attached in order to be collected. Grass clippings, brush, plant material and weeds are considered yard waste. Food scraps include fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, breads, grains, pasta, cereal, meat, poultry and seafood. Yard waste or food scraps stacked on top of a container will not be collected.

Will the date and time of garbage and recycling collection change for me?
No. Your collection day will stay the same.

Will Lakeshore Recycling Systems pick up our Christmas trees?
Yes. Christmas trees will be recycled during the first two weeks after the holiday at no charge. During this free two-week collection period, make sure trees are free of all decorations and are not in plastic bags. After the two-week collection period, you will need to attach 5 garbage/organic stickers to a Christmas tree to have it collected.

How does Lakeshore Recycling bill us for garbage and recycling services?
The City will continue to use the Pay-As-You-Throw program, but with NO stickers required for weekly garbage and recycling services. You will initially receive your monthly bill electronically, which you can pay online or by check. You will also have the option of automatically paying via ACH transfer from a bank account that you authorize. Lakeshore Recycling Systems is working on a pre-payment, auto-replenish billing system similar to that used for iPass by the Illinois Tollway Authority.

What do I need to do?
Call Lakeshore Recycling Systems at 773-685-8811, Extension 0. Provide the representative with the Verification Code you received in the mail on a postcard, or provide your address. Verify your household information, and select a garbage cart size.

If you have other questions, contact Lakeshore Recycling Systems atwww.LRSrecycles.com or 773-685-8811.
City of Wheaton, 303 W. Wesley St., Wheaton, IL
www.wheaton.il.us, 630-260-2000


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Monday, August 22, 2016

It is that time of year for elections at BLMH

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Once each year our HOA holds elections for the board. I'm currently the association president, and I will run again for office. Why not make a contribution for as long as I am here? If the owners choose otherwise, that's their prerogative and it will free me up to pursue other commitments.

I prepared my "Candidates Form" and sent it to management. My form is a mission statement. I have specific goals:

"NAME: Norman _____________  BLMH ADDRESS: _______________

QUALIFICATIONS: Purchased (closed) my unit in February 2002. Served on the board November 2010 to present. Proven track record. Current president of the BLMH board and also served as Architecture & Maintenance director. I have expert knowledge of this association, and of business operations as founder, president and systems engineer for several high tech industrial automation firms from 1978 to present. Expanded these businesses during severe recessions and never laid off or docked the wages of a single employee. Received extensive communications, leadership and human potential training and trained the trainers. As a volunteer I am the recipient of the BSA District Award of Merit “for rendering service of an outstanding nature at the district level; this is the highest award at the district level” and I successfully completed Wood Badge. Currently I am also a published and paid free lance writer (on retainer) on matters of personal finance, retirement planning and investment. I am an entrepreneurial case study in a published book on personal financial planning. I am an advocate of continuous learning and personal improvement.

Since 2010 I advocated responsible, appropriate and necessary fees which have allowed the work achieved to date and maintained reserves, currently above $1 million. I voted for the recent, lower fee increases using extensive fact based financial analysis of the current, changing situation while acknowledging 30 year future projections with condition analysis. This includes frequent condition surveys. I converted problems into opportunities, spearheaded or reactivated numerous programs and worked with or on the teams that got the job done, despite some great difficulties. I practiced proactive leadership to deal with the fireplace issue and liaised with the city on this matter. I realigned priorities and openly encourage others to join the board and committees. I prepared the “newsletter” for about 5 years, which expanded with responsible, concise articles on association finance, procedures, priorities, planning, maintenance and projects. Projects completed included the replacement of Lakecliffe with a street engineered for 30+ years of service. Other projects included the proactive replacement of about 300 feet of water mains, stream repairs, excess soil removal with sod installation, substantial rain water handling improvements throughout the property and as part of the roofing project and others specifically designed to handle standing water, remediate muddy areas and so on. The roofing project will be completed in 2016; about 70% of the roofs were completed in 6 years. Replaced numerous garage floors, decks, patios, driveways, portions of walks, bridges, etc. Documented and published the extensive issues with surrounding COD and Wheaton storm water systems.

POLICIES/OBJECTIVES: I am in favor of reasonable and appropriate fees using realistic and fact based knowledge of the condition of the infrastructure of the entire association, while acknowledging the value of our units and the financial impact of fees on our owners. I advocate creative solutions to keep fees as low as possible today and in the future. Expand the owner participation recognizing that these are volunteer positions and we all have other things to do, and I encourage all including younger people to join the board and committees and strengthen our community. We each do make a difference. I want to expand the possibilities for this association. I advocate the expanded use of technology in our association and improved communications. I want to maintain the grounds and streams, establish priorities, improve our planning, preparation, project management and cost accounting. Continue frequent reserve study updates recognizing the extensive work that has been done. Maintain continuity of maintenance and replacement programs and avoid suspending or stopping them; it is so very important to maintain momentum because incompletions will accrue and will become costly breakdowns for future owners to deal with next year and beyond. I want to strengthen our liaison with all professionals including with management and our contractors. Use engineering professionals to solve long term issues and realign priorities. Improve our liaison with the city, recognizing that we are at least 1.25%of the city population.

TIME CONFLICTS (working/retired, etc.): I am 70 years of age and I currently work part time and I do have other commitments. I also travel extensively, yet I met or exceeded all objectives and requirements for a board member 2010 to date."