The WSCAI LAC actively participated in the political process surrounding Senate Bill 5263, the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act. A public hearing was conducted in Olympia February 4th with testimony provided by the UCIOA drafting group, representatives of the building and banking industries, homeowners and the LAC co-chairs.
In 2014, legislation requiring community associations to “reasonably accommodate” installation of HAM radio towers and antennas was cosponsored by 64 U.S. Representatives. While this legislation died at the end of the 113th Congress, the HAM radio lobby is back, aggressively pushing its pre-emption agenda in 2015.
The Washington State Legislative Action Committee for CAI (LAC) has announced that Senate Bill Senate Bill (SB) 5263 – the Washington State Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act – was filed on January 16, 2015, and referred to the Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee. The sponsors are Senators Pedersen, Benton, Mullet, Fraser, Roach, Hobbs, Rivers, and Fain.
On December 16th & 17th, the Committee is seeking volunteers to serve a meal at the Union Gospel Mission, 318 2nd Ave Extension South, Seattle, WA 98104. Volunteers will be involved in some meal preparation, serving of meals and clean-up after the meal. Volunteer time will be from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on the date of your choice.
Washington State Community Associations Institute (WSCAI) Chapter Luncheon had an amazing turn out for the Toys For Tots program in our community! The U.S. Marine Corps attended to collect the toys and to speak about the Toys For Tots Program.
Washington State Community Associations Institute (WSCAI) Business Partner Summer Mixer at Matthews Winery was a smashing success!
Each year an association’s board of directors is entrusted with budgeting for the upcoming fiscal year. This would typically be spearheaded by the management firm, if one is retained, and would be predicated on historical information, known increases in pricing of goods and services, and other factors material to your specific needs. One thing is for sure, if you are a condominium association, invariably the insurance premiums can be one of the largest line items on your budget. This is because of the requirement to insure the property.
The benefits of a reserve study have been well documented and universally accepted. Reserve studies highlight the scope of predictable repair and replacement an association will face over a predefined period, providing not only a roadmap of anticipated costs but a clear plan as to how to navigate and prepare for them. However in spite of its acceptance as a good means of management and financial planning, a reserve study must also be understood for its inherent limitations.
July/August 2010 Journal
The number one reason homeowner associations self manage is to “save money.” But this myopic attitude often leads to avoidable problems and unnecessary headaches, and in many instances, higher costs over time. The benefits provided by a professional management company often transcend and outweigh the monetary cost of monthly management fees. The troubles self-managed associations face can be grouped into three primary areas
Have you noticed how the “rage” once confined to our roadways has crept into our communities as well? “Owner Rage” is what we’ve come to call it at our law firm. But why is it happening? What forms does it take? And what can we, as volunteers and professionals, do to contain and defuse it?
