Condo Communications Q4 - CY 2018 Condo 5 YRVLCC 1193 Welcome to the Condo Communications section of Condo 5/YRVLCC 1193 s website. Our objective in this section is to provide timely communications on subjects of interest exclusively pertaining to Condo 5 to our residents. You are encouraged to view https://www.ourbggcc.com/ for information of a general nature for all of BG&CC. We hope you find this information helpful. Your suggestions on how this section can be continuously improved are welcomed. Notifications distributed by email are in chronological order and appear below:
2 Email Sent November 20 th, 2018 CONDO 5 BOARD HIGHLIGHTS NOVEMBER 2018 Landscape News 1. The Do Not Trim and the Garden Maintained by Owner signs should be removed for the winter to sustain their durability and colour. 2. The Do Not Trim signs have caused some confusion. When the homeowner places this sign in their garden, it indicates to Melfer to not trim anything in the garden or the shrubs. Melfer will however continue to weed and cultivate the soil in the garden on a bi-weekly basis. Rodent Prevention The Board has discussed, after a great deal of consultation, ways of attempting to eliminate the rodents (rats, mice, raccoons). Step one is to eliminate all food sources that are attracting rodents: 1. Bird feeders are food sources and all bird feeders will have to be removed. 2. The lawns will continue to be treated for grubs. 3. Garbage should be well wrapped and not put out too early. Step two: 1. Install 10 bait stations for rats and mice throughout Condo 5 (April to Nov) and all will be inspected monthly.
3 Safety and Security As a follow-up to the inquiries about safety and security brought up at the AGM after the reported attempted break-ins, the Board contacted the York Regional Police about a Neighbourhood Watch. It was reviewed and not seen as a program that could be effectively implemented here. However, the Police provided some helpful information for your reference. It can be accessed at: https://www.yrp.ca/en/crime-prevention/home-security-and-protection.asp FINANCIALS The Board reviewed the unaudited financial statement for the month of October. There were no concerns, the budget is on target. DECLARATION CHANGE Just an update on the request for a 4.2(c) Declaration Change as discussed at the residents special meeting on September 27 th and included in the October highlights. The Board has decided to present the Change, once again, at the AGM in June and answer questions at that time. Any consent forms already submitted will be honoured. BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR The Board reviewed the draft budget with the intent to keep any increase under its control to a minimum. We are awaiting the confirmation of any increases from Condo #967 (Ring Road), Condo #1202 (Rec Centre), the Irrigation System and Water Treatment.
4 The Board will continue to work on the budget at their December board meeting to ensure that homeowners have the information at least 30 days prior to the new budget year, which starts on Feb 1 st and ends the following Jan. 31 st. WINTER HAS ARRIVED Just a few reminders regarding snow clearing: *Snow clearing will begin upon the accumulation of 2 inches (5 cm) over paved areas. *The roads are cleared first followed by driveways. *The snow clearing crew will clear all walkways and driveways that are clear of parked cars. Please note: walkways and driveways may be done at different times (i.e., walkways sometimes before the driveways or sometimes after). *Once the crew has completed the driveways of all homeowners in Condo 5, they may (but are not obligated to) return to the previous driveways that have not been done because of parked cars if the cars have been moved and the contractor is still present in Ballantrae. Thank you for placing your blue boxes and garbage on the lawn to enable snow clearing of the driveways. *On a no snow week the contractor will clear blowing and drifting snow. The contractor will shovel all snow accumulation caused by wind in front of main entrance doors, in front of garage doors and along main sidewalks in each unit to permit reasonable access to each unit. The contractor has up to 12 hours after snow stops to complete the snow clearing process. It is always important to respect the plows/bobcats and keep a minimum of 100 feet away. Please do not proceed in their direction. The Condo 5 Board of Directors
5 Email Sent November 8 th, 2018 GRUB ALERT! Some homeowners have recently sustained considerable damage to their lawns and gardens due to grubs being dug up by raccoons. We appear to have two different kinds of grubs in the area: one is the white grub which is the larva of the Japanese Beetle that we had as visitors this past summer, and the other is the Leatherjacket grub which is the larva of the Crane Fly that was numerous and quite evident late this summer in our area. So what can be done at this time of the year? Unfortunately, nothing that is currently available to us will work to eliminate these problems. Since more stringent laws regarding the control of domestic lawn pests were introduced, we can no longer rely on harsh chemicals to supress or eliminate these pests. The only treatment currently acceptable is nematodes that are specific to the particular grub. Nematodes are living organisms that destroy the grubs when they are introduced in a lawn or garden. They are applied as a solution in water which is sprayed onto the affected area. This treatment is effective and environmentally friendly. HOWEVER, nematodes cannot survive freezing. Therefore, the treatment of our properties at this time would simply be a waste of money. Our lawns were treated by our lawn care contractor earlier this year for the white grub, but since there had been no evidence of any Leatherjackets, spraying for that particular problem had not been recommended and was not done. We have alerted our lawn care company of this problem already, so that next spring, the nematodes can be applied for BOTH TYPES OF GRUBS. This treatment with nematodes will have to be done in spring and fall at specific times in order to be effective, and will need to be continued for at least two years in order to bring this infestation under control.
6 Also, for those who wish to do so, property owners can easily apply a nematode treatment on their own property come next spring. They are available from Sheridan Nurseries, and their expert staff will give excellent instructions as to how to go about controlling grubs. You will have to tell them that you may have BOTH white grubs and Leatherjackets, and they will supply you with the appropriate nematodes. Should you have any further concerns or questions, please contact the Landscape Committee at landscape1193@gmail.com
7 Email Sent October 19 th, 2018 CONDO 5 BOARD HIGHLIGHTS OCTOBER 2018 THE PONDS We have received information from Schickedanz, the owners of the ponds. We are commencing a stormwater pond maintenance project this fall which will continue into the spring. The work will include lowering the water level on some of the ponds to enable access to the liners and re-establish the eroded pond banks and perform liner repairs. Some of the pond levels have already been lowered. Some restoration of the affected areas will be completed this fall, with the rest scheduled for spring 2019. Once all restorations are completed, the water levels in the ponds will be maintained at the engineering designed normal water level to maximize pond efficiency and enable sufficient stormwater storage. Although the golf course will be closed prior to these works, there will be construction activity accessing the stormwater pond areas, on the course and within the ponds to enable this upcoming pond maintenance work. FINANCIALS The Board reviewed the unaudited statements for the month of September. The revenue and expenditures are in line with the budget.
8 DECLARATION This is a follow-up to the Owners meeting held on September 27 th regarding a Declaration change to 4.2(c) The purpose of the meeting was to outline the change and answer questions. Many residents expressed their views with a signed consent form. To officially change or amend the Declaration, Condo Act requires that 80% of the Condo 5 homeowners must vote in favour of the change. The change is being requested by the Board because as it reads right now, the Corporation is responsible for ensuring construction anywhere in your unit is authorized by municipal authorities and complies with all applicable provisions of the Ontario Building Code etc. The change will remove the Board s responsibility and will name the owner as being responsible. The Board believes that is where the responsibility should rest. Board members don t want to be involved in any renovations inside your unit. We have attached another consent form for your convenience. Please contact Kelly DaSilva if you have questions. We ask you to voice your approval or disapproval for the change and submit it to Kelly by email at Kelly.DaSilva@fsresidential.com or drop it off at the REC centre.
9 GATES On October 17 th an email was sent to the FirstServices property managers on behalf of the Board of Directors of YRCECC 967 advising that they are working with management in reviewing different options that they have been presented with regarding the repairs/replacement of front gates, and that no decision had been made at this time. FSR is working closely with the board of 967 to ensure that the best options are reached; including value and longevity for the community. ELECTION DAY Monday is Election Day and the REC centre will be busy with Polls 204 and 205. FYI - Phil Bannon s name will still appear on the Ballot; however, he has withdrawn from the Mayoral Race.
10 LIGHT BULB STANDARD Our Community and Landscaping Standards specify that outdoor light bulbs must be Soft White or Warm White. Look for this on the box: (1) Soft White (2) pointer is at the warm end of the colour bar below the words. LED BULBS ON SALE UNTIL NOV 4 Until Nov 4, LED bulbs are discounted by $2 per bulb at many building centres like Home Depot, Lowe s, RONA and Canadian Tire. REMINDERS *The Annual Craft Sale is taking place this Saturday, Oct. 20 th between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the REC. centre. The funds raised from the raffle will be contributed towards Cancer Research. It is that time of year when we prepare our gardens for winter. Thank you for removing all your annuals.
11 Condo 5 homepage has been redesigned by Paul Mak to list recent changes or updates to individual web pages. Please familiarize yourself with the new design. If you have bookmarked BGCC home page or Condo 5 home page as Favorites on your computers or ipads or smart phones, please delete those Bookmarks / Favorites and replace them with the following: BGCC Condo 5 SUGGESTIONS https://ourbgcc.com/ https://ourbgcc.com/?page_id=6882 The Board is open to hearing your suggestions or tips for other homeowners. Please email or speak with a Board member and share your suggestions. Your Condo 5 Board of Directors
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13 Emal Sent October 3 rd, 2018 October 3, 2018 Dear Resident, We are writing to inform you that Bartlett Tree Experts will be on site between October 9th - October 12th (weather permitting) to conduct the 4th application of treatment. Thank you, Kelly Da Silva Property Manager kelly.dasilva@fsresidential.com 2645 Skymark Ave., Suite 101 Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4H2 Customer Care Center: 1.855.244.8854 Fax: 416.293.5904 www.fsresidential.com
14 Email Sent October 2 nd, 2018 October 2, 2018 Dear Resident, We are writing to inform you that over the next few days you will see contractors on site planting new trees in the common areas. Please do not be alarmed should you see people and machinery throughout condo 5. Thank you, Kelly Da Silva Property Manager kelly.dasilva@fsresidential.com 2645 Skymark Ave., Suite 101 Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4H2 Customer Care Center: 1.855.244.8854 Fax: 416.293.5904 www.fsresidential.com