Page 28 - CooperatorNews Chicagoland EXPO 2021
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28 COOPERATORNEWS CHICAGOLAND  —EXPO 2021  CHICAGO.COOPERATORNEWS.COM  When Trust and Quality Matters   773.865.3855  WWW.  BOREK-RENOVATION  .COM  Chicago Licensed   Masonry Contractor  Licensed / Bonded / Insured  ONS   NTIAL  • TUCKPOINTING  • MASONRY RESTORATION  • LINTEL REPLACEMENT • CRITICAL INSPECTIONS   • WATERPROOFING • COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL  • APARTMENTS/CONDO BUILDINGS   www.ilexpo.com today!)   The Community Associations Network  in elections, has led to an eventual shift in   (www.communityassociations.net) is an  the makeup of the board to one that con-  online resource that aggregates news and  sists of 11 professional, astute, responsible   information related to co-ops, condos, and  members who represent the community   HOAs. There, boards and service profes-  sionals can access the latest on legislation,  remember, this year’s election was the first   events, and issues pertaining to associa-  tion living and governance throughout the  tory—whether that speaks to community   U.S. and Canada.   The Community Associations Insti-  tute (CAI), with 63 chapters worldwide   (www.caionline.org), provides informa-  tion, resources, and advocacy to its more  tion about needs, processes, services, and   than 40,000  members.  Marilyn Brainard,  laws related to co-ops, condos, and HOAs,   member of the CAI Government & Public  perhaps this article will serve as a primer   Affairs Committee, expresses the impor-  tance of orienting new board members to  ing boards and management companies   the critical role they play in the health and  seeking to create new “board on-board-  safety of their community’s structures and  ing” materials themselves.                          residents. This summer’s tragedy in Surf-  side, Florida, underscores just how impor-  tant vigilance and action are on any board.   “Board members—in all associations—  are expected to use recognized experts   to examine the integrity of the physical   property as one of the most important re-  sponsibilities of a director, especially when   lives may be involved,” says Brainard.   “This usually means hiring qualified busi-  ness partners to report to the board and   members of the association the soundness   of structures providing housing. Not only   \[should boards\] accept the report’s recom-  mendations, but \[they should\] commence   action for corrections in a timely manner.   Aging high-rise condominium associa-  tions are especially vulnerable due to the   buildings’ configuration and the natural   degrading of  some original  construction   products over time.”  You Got the Right Stuff  Thorough and transparent communica-  tion is also essential to a healthy commu-  nity. Butler contends that “practical skills   like knowing how to run efficient board   meetings, whether virtually or in person,   and how to manage resident expectations   and communication channels, can make   the difference between successful boards   and those who may struggle.”   Boards should not hold back or “sugar-  coat” a building’s or association’s financial   or physical status, even—perhaps especial-  ly—if the news might seem unfavorable   to other homeowners or shareholders. “If   an association is composed of owners on   limited income,” continues Brainard, “the   board needs to express the importance of   keeping the integrity of their units. Recent   programs by the federal government may   be accessed to help meet this financial ob-  ligation for individual owners, and should   be pursued.”   Indeed, I personally believe that putting   forth robust, accurate, timely information   was what turned the tide in my commu-  nity to a more progressive and proactive   board. In the intervening years, there has   been more interest from newer sharehold-  ers in serving on the board and its com-  mittees. That, and a higher participation   wholly and dutifully. As far as anyone can   uncontested one in the co-op’s 60-year his-  apathy or contentment remains unknown,   but I’d like to think it is the latter!  Now that I write for the publication that   boards and managers turn to for informa-  for other board newcomers—or for exist-  n  Darcey Gerstein is Associate Editor and   Staff Writer for CooperatorNews.  and a load-bearing capacity of 80 to 150   pounds per square foot. This type of roof   can include shrubs and trees, in addition   to other materials and installations that   make the roof suitable for active use. Both   provide stormwater benefits, including   insulation, water filtration, storage, and   habitat opportunities; intensive systems   have more potential for these benefits.  “Green roofs are a great way to cool   down your roof during the summer, re-  tain some of the rainwater from going   straight into the storm sewer system, and   provide an ecological oasis in a dense ur-  ban environment,”  says Giulia  Alimonti,   AIA, LEED AP, senior architect with the   recently launched New York office of en-  gineering, architecture, and materials sci-  ence consulting firm CTLGroup, head-  quartered in Skokie, Illinois. “Green roof   elements can be combined with decking to   create areas where building residents can   rest and enjoy the roof.”  The city of Chicago was a pioneer in   green roofs and one of the first cities in   the U.S. to study their impact on the “heat   island effect” that occurs in dense urban   environments where copious concrete and   buildings absorb and trap heat and then   release it back into the environment. It   was also one of the first to provide finan-  cial incentives to commercial and residen-  tial property owners who build or convert   their roof to one that includes a vegetation   layer. Now with nearly 7 million square   feet of such roofs, according to city esti-  mates, the Windy City still leads in this   area.   GREEN OPTIONS...  continued from page 8  NEW KIDS...  continued from page 26  See us at Booth 226  See us at Booth 111


































































































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