Author: Joe Bechta

SECURITY ALERT

Over the past several weeks a number of members reported items left by couriers stolen from outside of their unit doors. On several of these incidents, security was able to identify the suspects who had been visitors to other members units.

In recent days an unknown female was hanging around the vestibule in 31 Alexander Street waiting for a member to leave. When the member opened the door, the female entered the building. The female then went floor by floor looking for packages outside of members doors.

If you notice anyone hanging around the vestibule that you don’t recognize as member of City Park, please call security at 416-990-7731 and provide the information.

If someone buzzes your unit and you cannot identify them, do not let them in and call security 416-990-7731 and provide the information.

If you notice a person acting suspicious in the building please call security at 416-990-7731 and provide the information.

Do not let unknown people into your building.

Security Tips

• Schedule deliver of packages at a time when you are at home
• Talk to a neighbor to see if they will be at home during the delivery time and have it delivered to the neighbor’s unit
• Use an alternative address, e.g. work or a relative, to have the package delivered
• Amazon has lockers within Toronto items can be shipped to
• Retails like Best Buy, Walmart, Canadian Tire will let you pick up internet orders from a store close to you

James Holmes

Security Manager

Final Results

Pest Control – Member Survey 2019

Thank You for your responses to this survey. Maintenance and Property Standards (MaPS) Committee received 256 completed surveys by June 6, 2019 and that means that 33.24% of City Park’s members responded to the survey. (101 from 484 Church, 76 from 51 Alexander and 79 from 31 Alexander)

Question 1: The number one problem seems to be cockroaches (139 responses); followed by bed bugs (49 responses); with rodents in third spot (41 responses) and last place other pests (18 responses).

Question 2: In units pests were most likely to be found in the kitchen (84 responses); in second place the bathroom (34 responses); with the bedroom in third spot (22 responses) and followed by living room (16 responses);  suite entry (4 responses) and closet 1 (response).

Question 3: In public areas pests were most likely seen hallways (51 responses); followed by elevators (12 responses); with the laundry rooms in third spot (10 responses) and several mentions of rodents in basement and rats outside.  

Question 4 and 5: Reporting the problem to the office may be an issue. (101 members reported a pest problem to the office but 70 did not). Why this is so was not very well explained, but 17 respondents indicated a lack of confidence treatment would be effective.) Early treatment minimizes the spread of pests.

Question 6. Pigeons are more of a problem and concern than imagined. Pigeons were identified as a concern by 128 members – 50% of respondents.

Question 7.  While 109 respondents indicated they were satisfied with the action taken by City Park staff and contractors another 66 Members indicated they were not satisfied with the actions taken to control the infestation. This suggests more effort to inform members on how important it is for Members to be pro-active to help City Park eradicate and control infestations. As well, City Park must monitor the effectiveness and thoroughness of pest control contractors.

OTHER COMMENTS: We cannot list all the great suggestions that were made to the survey questions but below are some responses/suggestions not related to the points made above:

Regular spraying of public areas; Pigeons nesting on balconies; infestations in neighbouring units and hoarding; clean-up of garages and regular clean out of garbage bins and finally; better indicate scheduled time for treatment in the unit, length of time Member should be away from the unit and leave a post-it note indicating treatment was done and at what time.

WHAT MEMBERS CAN DO TO HELP BETTER CONTROL PESTS:

1.DON’T DELAY TREATMENT. If you see pests please contact the office immediately for treatment.

2. PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE PIGEONS (From your balcony or on the grounds).  Leftover food encourages rats and other rodents to make City Park their home. Pigeon droppings are also difficult to clean and a health hazard.

Key takeaway: The role of the Board is to: 1) identify goals, set priority and plans; 2) set priorities or recommends policies for member approvals; 3 )select, supervise and evaluate management; 4) evaluate outcomes; 6) approve new members; 7) enter into contracts on behalf of the co-op and; 7) report to members at meetings and between them. In achieving this a GOOD Board is: effective in getting results; aware of its legal obligations; has a strategic focus; acts transparently; is accountable; acts fairly and consistently and; is responsive and respectful to members. As a Board member you are expected to discuss issues at meetings but when a decision is made you must support the decision and fellow directors after the meeting.

Key points for consideration by City Park Board:

1. Source documents such as the co-op’s by-laws, standing resolutions, occupancy agreements, policies, previous minutes (approved) and relevant legislation should be easily accessible at Board and Member meetings.
2. Annual performance review. Board does Property Manager. Property Manager does Managers. Managers do staff as appropriate.
3. Committees and sound management. Review committee/project performance cost from time to time – ensure relevance.
4. Communication with Members. Use website more, use LINK more regularly and consider developing standards for posting info in glass covered notice boards (colour of paper, font size etc.
5. Board meetings. Key items first. Business arising from the previous meeting(s) update (can be included as 1^st item of Property Manager’s report). May want to consider a timed agenda particularly for open meetings.
6. Develop a Corporate calendar. Board and Member meetings. Deadlines for packages, key contract renewals etc.
7. Consider an Arrears By-law.  Better define process.

______________________________

Linda Gallant,  Director – Education

Key takeaway: Participation is not a co-op principle, BUILDING COMMUNITY IS. However, encouraging community involvement is important in a co-op as it helps
make it more democratic, spreads the work of managing the co-op and gives
members the opportunity to learn new skills.

What makes it hard for members to be involved: Group discussion identified
committees/projects may be stale, cliquish, unwelcoming (new members have to
attend 3-4 meetings before being allowed to join). Accessibility, be it language, notice and time of meetings, information on different committees and even
location (for people with disabilities) are all challenges at City Park. Limited time
of some Members has to be recognized and opportunities to only volunteer for a
day or two is a reality for some and should be encouraged.

Encouraging Community Involvement – Making it easier for members to be
involved: Group discussion identified that while City Park has a good number of
committee/projects and member events, a combination of better information on
these committees/projects and outreach to inform Members to let them know of
opportunities to volunteer ranging from 1 day help in an event, serving on a
committee/project and even on the Board of Directors.

Recommendations for consideration: Posting City Park’s website address boldly
on the lobby and laundry room information boards. Improve information on
website. Improve visibility (font size etc.) of postings on City Park’s information
boards. Consider need for an accessibility committee/project with a focus on
ways to facilitate participation in committee/projects, Board meetings and
Members meetings (Examples: finding ways to better link volunteer to help
someone with disability get to a meeting, consider offering free child care service
to help Members with children attend the Annual General Members Meeting or a
General Members Meeting)
__________________
Linda Gallant, Director – Education

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