Month: August 2019

BANKING CHANGE

Cityscape Property Management in conjunction with BKLynch Associates, the HOA’s accounting firm, are working with Alliance Association Bank to make available their national banking program that works exclusively with common interest communities. Alliance Association Bank is one of the nation’s leading banking institutions for community management companies and homeowner associations and was recently rated as a top-10 bank in the country by Forbes.

Watch for a letter from BKLynch Associates, explaining the changes in detail. We are switching banks and you will need to change the method you use to pay your HOA dues.

If you have any questions about how to establish your autopayments with Alliance Association Bank, please contact BKLynch Associates at 866-289-6000 or HOAbilling@bklassociates.com.

We understand that this switch may cause confusion with regular payments and will have a grace period for at least one month where there will be no late fees. Payments made to our previous bank will be declined, so you should not see double billing.

Draft Rules Change

Based on feedback we received during the annual meeting, the Board has approved the following draft changes to the rules for 28-Day membership review. 

If you have any feedback, please Contact Us.

  • Vehicles parked in the common area parking must have current registration, license plates, and be in an operable condition or they will be subject to tow.
  • Vehicles that are not moved for 30 days will be subject to tow.
  • The fee to rent the clubhouse for the first 5 hours is $75 and a full day rental will be $100, in advance. (Reduced from $100 and $150 respectively.)

Safety Recommendations from Travelers Insurance Company

Smoke Detectors

Approved single-station or multiple-station smoke detectors, continuously powered by the house electrical service, should be installed in every living unit within the condominium building in accordance with NFPA 101-2015, Sections 30.3.4.5 (New) and 31.3.4.5 (Existing). When activated, the detector should initiate an alarm that is audible in the sleeping rooms of that unit. This individual unit detector should be in addition to any sprinkler system or other detection system that may be installed in the building. As an alternative, wireless smoke detection systems may be used. To be acceptable in lieu of a single station smoke detector powered by the building electrical system, wireless smoke detection systems must be UL listed, but not all UL listed systems are acceptable. Many wireless systems are listed as household fire alarms, which do not necessarily provide supervision of the batteries. Some of the listed household systems may have supervision to meet the requirements of NFPA 101, but this must be determined on a case by case basis. All of the UL listed commercial systems have battery supervision, plus standby battery power for the alarm panel. In the UL Fire Protection Equipment Directory, these two product categories are: 

  • Control Units and Accessories, Household Type (UTOU), which may or may not meet the NFPA 101 requirements for single station detectors. 
  • Control Units System, (UOJZ), (for commercial applications) which always meet the NFPA 101 requirements for single station detectors. 

In summary, to meet the intent of NFPA 101 as an acceptable alternative to single station smoke detectors powered by the building electrical system, a wireless smoke detection system must: 

  • Be UL listed and 
  • Provide supervision of the battery powering each detector

Open Fires

In order to reduce the risk of fire, gas and charcoal grills or similar devices used for cooking, heating or any other purpose, should not be used on any balcony, under any overhanging portion, or within 10 feet of any structure.