July 2008 Your Communication and Information Resource Harry douses lakefront expansion plans Osterman speaks out two votes. on condo issues I also focused on lead poisoning. We did get legislation passed requiring By Jack Winans warning labels on toys with lead. Attending an ASCO A significant problem is with senior (Association of Sheridan citizens overpaying or paying their Condo/Co-op Owners) property tax twice and then having a open meeting in MECA’s problem getting their money back. We Windjammer Road June have put a system into effect that allevi- 12 were 24 interested parties, including ates this problem. representatives from about 20 buildings on Sheridan Road. ASCO President We have expanded gymnastic and sen- Sheli Lulkin invited Illinois Rep. Harry ior programs at the Broadway Armory. Osterman to speak on several current is- We are hoping to get state-federal-local sues plaguing condo owners. Our own money to build a state-of-the art library ASCO representative, Sandy Chaet, to replace the Elmdale library. I’m served as host. Sheli announced that Os- working with the new area CPD com- terman would address four topics and manders asking for more foot patrols so answer questions. that residents will be safer on our streets. Legislation The CTA and public transportation is “I have a great deal of respect for the important to this area. I made sure there people who live on Sheridan Road,” Os- Illinois Rep. Harry Osterman, were funds to keep the system function- terman said. “They have been important ing. Thorndale and Bryn Mawr elevated featured speaker at the June to me and my family and I hope to visit stations are in desperate need of repairs 12 ASCO open meeting held many of the buildings on Sheridan Road and upgrading. By fall all buses on this summer to talk with residents about in the Malibu East Windjam- Sheridan Road will have GPS. This will those issues that are important to them.” mer Room, with ASCO Presi- allow those with Internet access to see dent Sheli Lulkin A lot of bickering is going on in Spring- the actual location of all buses and field about the budget and other issues. hopefully, eliminate long waits. Article page This year’s budget puts a little more The electricity issue Board meeting 2 money into the Chicago Public Schools Last year, I spearheaded an effort that Management report 3 and the Department of Aging. It hasn’t resulted in a ruling that all common ar- been signed yet. Community Calendar 4 eas in condos would be charged at a Annual meeting 6–7 Pay to Play ethics reform has finally residential rate, not at the commercial Thorndale Beach vote 9 passed. Donors of over $25,000 will not rate as ComEd had done. Now ComEd be able to get a state contract. I’ve pro- is asking for another increase. It is be- FOTP meeting 9 posed legislation that would cap cam- fore the Illinois Commerce Commis- Balcony Man/Etta Kitt 10 paign donations. Recall legislation was sion. CUB can be reached for input and Town Crier 10 not passed. The House passed it, but it comment at citizensutilityboard.org. Restaurant review 12 did not get called up in the Senate. Please also write to Attorney General Neighborhood notes 13 Lisa Madigan. I also focused on gun control. I believe 48th Ward news 14 Questions guns are too easy to get. I wanted to Join the Dialogue staff 14 make it harder for criminals to get guns, 1. What moneys are going to de- especially semi-automatic guns. NRA velop and improve the El stations? Kennel cough 14 lobbying defeated all these efforts by The money will come from federal Scams in the area 16 SEE OSTERMAN PAGE 8 Page 2 Malibu East Dialogue July 2008 Please keep in mind that the meeting notes are not the official record of the MECA board meeting notes MECA Board of Directors meetings. The official minutes are generally approved at by Elaine Winans the following meeting and may be viewed or copied in the management office. MECA board meeting MECA events, page 4.) (Under capacity) 47 4) Commercial Property Changes Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Avany Penaherrera New monthlies: 5 Attendance: 10 board members, 2 man- Marcel Molins Cancellations: 5 agement representatives and 9 residents Will have a new tenant taking over Upgrades 0 Not present: Avany Penaherrera, Steve the Live Life Fit location. 8) Public & Community Affairs Ransone 5) Architecture & Aesthetics Sandy Chaet Presiding: President Marcel Molins Steve Ransone FOTP (Friends of the Parks) com- OPEN FORUM 1 Chris Chiodo munity meeting about the northerly Resident comments and questions: Elevator marble floors will be pol- extension of Lincoln Park. (See arti- 1) Water damage to unit from another ished tonight. cle, page 9.) unit’s broken water heater. Insurance Some flowers on the fourth floor 9) Pets and claim problems. Reported by deck had to be replaced due to dam- Sandy Chaet phone call. age from the windstorm. Need to sanitize the dog run and ap- Must report facts in writing to the 6) ASCO report ply more gravel. office before action can be taken. Sandy Chaet 10) Sports and Entertainment 2) The new garage doors look great! June 12 meeting (See article, page Neil Warner 3) 36th floor resident complained of nu- 1.) Swimming pool open after repairs. merous lit cigarette butts being The condominium unit rental rule Looks good. Water aerobics class thrown onto her balcony from above. bill is on hold. have begun; schedule on the bulletin A letter will be written to all resi- Required licensing of property man- boards. New yoga class begins July dents from which the butts could agers is being lobbied. We will have 7; new members welcome to join come from. to do more work with this. then. TREASURER’S REPORT Planter between East Point and our 11) Long Range Plans & Special Pro- Neil Warner building at the lake end of Glenlake jects 1) Financial statement will be planted this weekend. Our Eleida Gomez Balance on hand, cash and reserves maintenance crew will repaint the Samples of carpet for the mall dis- $2,992,621.37 curb yellow. played for a month. We will discuss 2) Delinquencies 7) Garage choices further. $59,476.32 Martina Molins 12) Communications 3) Audit Standard Parking report Cass Buscher Hope to have audit soon for Finance Shade Little, Mgr. The Dialogue continues to post a Committee to review. Monthly audit May 31, 2008 profit. COMMITTEE REPORTS Claims 13) Building Maintenance & Services 1) Rules and Regulations Approved: 3 Steve Ransone Cass Buscher Denied: 3 Chris Chiodo Will propose new rules: Pending: 1 Receiving Room back in place. Will Limits on time for remodeling con- Total: 7 install new lights in the bike room struction. Waiting lists and the garage employee stairwell. Fines for harassment of MECA em- Single self-park: 12 14) TV ployees. Tandem self-park: 0 Cass Buscher 2) Security Second car: 0 Cable Committee meeting 7:30pm Sandy Chaet Monthly parkers Thursday, June 26 to discuss our op- Operator on lower level automatic Valet: 487 tions. door on order. Total: 487 MANAGEMENT REPORT Will look at stocking replacement Garage capacity Items requiring immediate board ac- panels for the automatic doors. Single 144 tion 3) Social and Educational Tandem: 72 1) Elevator contract discussion Sandy Chaet Valet stalls: 295 Dean Lerner Upcoming events include a luau, So- Valet aisles 20 Proposals for elevator maintenance cial Committee meeting and Candi- Motorcycles: 3 contracts. dates Night. (See notice, page 3 and Total: 534 Both Otis ($297,000) and ACM July 2008 Malibu East Dialogue Page 3 ELECTION DATES Application deadline: 5pm Aug. 1 What’s happening Proxies mailed: Mon., Aug. 18 Candidates night: Wed., Sep. 3 around the building Annual meeting: Tue., Sep. 16 by Chris Chiodo, MECA Manager ($273,000) proposals are comparable Assessments: Assessments are due by Swimming pools: Swimming pools have in price. Otis also proposed a sepa- the first of each month. A late charge will been open since June 20. Be sure to have rate rider with a special price be assessed for any delinquent account at your swimming pool tags or you will not ($62,000) for a list of specific repairs th the close of business on the 15 of each be granted access to the pool area. Chil- and replacements that may or may month. dren under 12 must be accompanied by not be needed and may or may not an adult. Guests will not be allowed to Please send remittance to: be done but could cost up to swim on their own; a resident must be Malibu East Condo Assoc. $150,000. with them at all times. The lifeguards are % Sudler – 80 Dean reports that some of this work there for your safety. They are NOT 8401 Innovation Way likely will need to be done before the babysitters. If you need to leave the pool Chicago, IL 60682-8401 end of a five-year contract. for any reason, you must take your chil- The management office will not accept The ACM contract was approved dren with you. We cannot and will not assessment checks. subject to the inclusion of specific babysit your children for any reason. If contract revisions. Tennis court: The tennis court is for ten- you plan to participate in the water aero- ACM’s proposal for installing emer- nis use only. No other activities are al- bics classes, you must sign a waiver first. gency key access to the freight ele- lowed on this court A schedule of classes will be posted.