Shiplake Meeting (December 16, 2020)

TTA-Shiplake Meeting

Zoom              Tuesday, December 16, 2020             2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Present: Kurt Low, Katherine Harwood, Arnab Majumdar, James McCarthy, Kathleen Armstrong

Updates on

1. Roofing work
   • With delays by contractors and with weather, this project, originally to be finished in October, is nearly completed now.
   • Tapering of the roof to allow for drainage is complete.
   • The parapets had to be removed and replaced, and then new roof anchors must be installed; awaiting delivery now. Replacement of the metal flashing is half complete.
   • Roof anchors must be installed, inspected and approved, before window washing can proceed.
2. Landscaping, especially in the back
   • Many delays but nearly finished now. More perennials to be planted in spring and light bollards installed. (See also dog park item, below.)
3. Garbage shed
   • The side doors for residents to deposit recycling and other garbage will be open for use once the contractors are out of the back.
   • Also, the double-door construction might impede residents’ ability to toss in bags readily so being reviewed now for ease of use.
   • A control arm will definitely be installed in the back driveway, likely in March, to permit traffic into the property between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. in the evening.
   • Request that residents break down the many boxes and cartons thrown into dumpsters without flattening – this adds considerably to cost of garbage pickups.
4. Visitor parking
   • This is ready to go. Any visitor can now buzz a resident from intercom at top of driveway to gain admission.
   • However, Shiplake is waiting for company to supply entry codes for residents. For now, visitors can use pay station at the P1 pedestrian door now. However, obviously residents should not invite non-essential visitors during lockdown.
   • Shiplake can make exceptions in specific circumstances, such as allowing a resident to park a rental car in the area for a day or 2 as needed.
   • Notice will be sent to all residents about availability of the visitor parking in January, asking them to be cautious about encouraging visitors during COVID.
5. Window washing
   • Can be done any time of year, depending on the weather, once the roof anchors are installed and pass inspection. The window-washing contractor stands ready.
6. Dog park and how to limit its use to residents of Torontonian
   • For now the dog park has natural sod; artificial turf will be installed within the fenced area in spring. Residents are asked not to let their dogs relieve themselves on the shrubs/small bushes recently planted.
   • The dog park will have double doors for entry and be accessible by fob after 7 a.m. to late afternoon/evening.
   • The muddy area was fenced a few days ago.

New items:

7. Garbage dumpsters that were placed under balconies in the back
   • These have been moved away from the building.
8. Availability of 2 disability-parking spots in back and old furniture and large household items left out
   • The disability spots will be restored.
   • Shiplake is considering erecting a small shed to store large household items discarded by residents pending removal of these items.
9. Request for better lighting in the back
   • Shiplake will consider floodlights as well as the motion-sensor lights currently installed.
10. Ice removal at junction of Dunfield Ave. sidewalk and front driveway sidewalk
    • Will be monitored closely and cleared.
11. Strong smells and poor ventilation through bathroom vents and in hallways
    • Shiplake plans to have the fans on the roof serviced this coming year.
    • Stagnant air in the building often indicates the roof fans are not working properly for a line of units.
    • Shiplake plans to have kitchen and bathroom exhaust vents/ducts cleaned in spring 2021, as the laundry room and hallways were done recently.
    • Residents are asked to open their windows when cooking pungent-smelling foods as a courtesy to neighbours who might be sensitive to strong odors.
12. Laundry-room renovation and stopping backup of drain at back
    • Shiplake has quotes and has postponed this work for now.
    • The laundry room will be renovated and repaired in 3 phases, beginning with the back, so that machines will be available to residents throughout the renovation.
    • The tiled flooring will be replaced, walls and ceiling repainted; machines will be deep-cleaned and serviced.
    • The drain in the back area where the water backs up runs horizontally under the floor; it probably needs to be “snaked” and cleared of accumulated debris.
13. Request for better advance notice to individual units of nearby renovations
    • Shiplake tries to do this and will continue to do so.
    • This is difficult because of the inconsistent schedules of outside contractors, coming when not expected and not showing up when scheduled.
    • Residents are asked to contact Katherine or the concierge if concerned about specific days when they especially need quiet while working from home. Shiplake will do their best to accommodate these requests, rescheduling drilling or other loud work whenever possible.
14. TTA’s recent elevator survey
    • On the question of how many fellow passengers residents were comfortable with, 55 out of 93 TTA members responded they were fine with 2 others with them in the elevator. For now, Shiplake recommends 3 people at a time in elevator or one household.
    • 62 percent of approximately 90 respondents answered that they had had problems with the elevator since the restrictions were introduced.
    • No strong majority opinion on whether to allow seniors or families with small children priority.
    • Vague guidelines from various levels of government about “approximate” social distancing in elevators.
    • However, all residents are urged to use common courtesy and respect others’ preference for 2 or 3 maximum if requested.

Other:

• Current TTA Acting Executive group – Kurt requests list of current members. Kath will send.

Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash