Aspen Garden Estates

Condominium Newsletter September, 2015

www.aspengardenestates.com
SAY HELLO TO TRUDY!
Trudy Anderson is our
property manager with
KDM Management.
Our previous long-term
manager stepped away
from the industry, and the
board hopes that KDM is
able to assign Trudy to
our property for the long
haul.
All inquiries ought to be made through the
property manager. You may reach Trudy at
780-460-0444 Ext. 307 or via email
tanderson@kdmmgmt.com

PARKING CHANGES
Visitors may now register their vehicle license
plate numbers for 12 hours. The board hopes
this will reduce inconvenience for last-minute
and no-notice overnight guests of residents.
A vehicle may only be registered a maximum
of 10 times per month.
You can get 72-hour guest passes with at
least 48 hours notice via an email request to
tanderson@kdmmgmt.com.
Monthly rental stalls are in high demand.
There is a waitlist -- again available through
our property manager. Small covered and
uncovered half-size spaces for motorcycles
will also be available at reduced rates.
Motorcycles are not to be double-parked
behind cars, or on the cement walk-ways
under the carports.
DOING RENOVATIONS?
Please contact KDM with your renovation
plans BEFORE you begin. All plans and
contractors must be certified and must
receive approval of the Board. If necessary,
building water can be shut off on the second
Wednesday of each month.

BICYCLE STORAGE
There is plenty of room to store your bicycle
in our bike sheds. Please ensure your bike is
placed in one, and tagged with a name and
unit number.
Once a year,
the board takes
inventory and if
your bike is not
tagged, it will
be given to an
organization
that gives bikes
to the less
fortunate
children of Edmonton.
Storing bicycles on balconies, or chained to
anything but the bike racks, is prohibited by
the bylaws.

ELEVATORS
If you are moving, please contact KDM to
reserve the elevator. If you prop the door
open causing the door to be open longer than
it should, it damages the door sensors thus
requiring a service call.
Service calls = $$$$ = higher condo fees.
Important note: The MAIN elevator is never
to be used for moving as emergency
personnel may need it for emergencies
PEST CONTROL
Fall is when mice
historically have tried to
make their way into
Aspen Garden Estates.
Weve had a sighting, but dont panic. Being
proactive always helps, so place steel wool
around your plumbing pipes and entrance of
your unit deters mice from entering.

WELCOME TO THE MONEY PAGE

BUILDING OPERATIONS PERSONNEL
Aspen Garden
Estates is currently
without a building
operations
individual. Our
previous contractor
abruptly left this
summer, and the
board tasked our property manager to gather
proposals for service.

Balconies
The biggest capital project of the summer is
nearly complete: rebuilding of 20 balconies.

The board hopes to have this integral position

filled before winter preparations are required.
Keeping the mechanics of the complex
working in prime condition particularly
heating and plumbing is a top priority.

The board plans to rebuild more balconies on

a triaged basis next year.

CAPITAL PROJECTS (WHERE THE

RESERVE FUND MONEY IS GOING)
Its budget time for Aspen Garden Estates, so
heres a thumbnail sketch of whats going on
money-wise:
Professional management of projects
The board wants to protect the owners
investments as prudently as possible. Given
that the board are volunteers with limited time
and knowledge of building engineering
practices, we have opted to follow the advice
of nearly every property manager we have
spoken with: hire professionals.
The board will seek consultation and project
management/oversight from qualified firms on
major capital projects going forward. This will
protect owners by ensuring that:
A) Correct specifications for the job are
detailed by a specialist (usually an Engineer)
in the field;
B) A specialist in the field is on site to verify
the job is completed to the highest standard
for safety and longevity;
C) A third party is putting a stamp of approval,
and offering additional guarantee to the work
completed, thus another avenue to pursue if
things go sideways.

The construction caused a lot of

inconvenience to residents whose units were
fortunate enough (or unfortunate to have
required the work) to have the current goround of work completed, plus anyone whose
parking was displaced for construction
purposes.

Windows
Unit window replacement will continue on an
as-needed basis. Years ago, a previous
board opted to replace the sliding windows
when they fail structurally, rather than replace
because of better/newer technologies. The
board continues to believe in this approach.
Plumbing
Our reserve fund study points to a need to
replace plumbing systems starting this year.
Our previous building operations manager
raised concern of the hot water recirculation
line (it allows units not positioned next to the
boiler room to receive hot water in relatively
short time). The board has tasked the
property manager to find an engineer to guide
the decision-making and manage the project.
Part of the rehabilitation of the recirculation
lines could be the removal and replacement
of hallway ceilings on the third and first floors.
This could delay a much-delayed capital
project again: Carpets!
Carpeting
It is no secret that the carpeting in the
hallways throughout the complex are
appalling. The project has been delayed
multiple times, and the board is considering
getting it done at long last in the 2015/2016
fiscal year, but would like to co-ordinate it
after work which may be as destructive as
removing ceilings, is complete.

COMMUNITY
MOVING?
Please contact KDM to book the elevator. A key is available for the duration of your
move (deposit of $100.00 required; to be returned when key is returned) and makes it
much easier than trying to hold the door as it frantically beeps at you! Also, holding the
door makes it go wonky and that then requires a service call and that adds to our
condo fees!

BIRDS
We have several species of wild birds who reside with us at AGEbut they are
WILD. Please do NOT feed the birds. Bird feeders cause seeds to scatter which
attract rodents and creates weed problem and attract more birds.
NOISEY NEIGHBOURS
This summer saw an increase of complaints regarding noise. Warm weather allows
us to open up our patios and enjoy the beautiful scenery and fresh airHOWEVER,
this is community living so we ask everyone to respect your neighbours and reduce
the noise by 10:00pm. Any noise complaints should first be brought to the attention
of the police use the non-emergency number 780-423-4567
SWIMMING POOL
Children have been seen at the pool unsupervised. All children under the age of 16 MUST be
accompanied by an adult. There are no lifeguards and it would be extremely unfortunate if an
accident occurred.
To preserve the enjoyment of the swimming pool for all
owners and residents, please bear in mind:
Young children in diapers are not permitted in the pool.
We do not want to contaminate the pool whatsoever
because to correct contamination requires closing of the
facilities.
All users of the pool must take a cleansing shower before entering the water, including swim attire.
This means with soap. All users of the pool must also wear appropriate clothing, not consume
food or beverages in the pool area, and obey all other regulations posted in the facility.
LIVESTOCK AT LARGE
All animals living or visiting at Aspen Garden Estates need to be registered and
approved by the board. Dogs are not allowed on the premises, even visiting with
friends.
All animals must be kept under the owners control at all times. This means that
cats roaming free are in violation of the bylaws, and owners may be fined.

EVENTS and CLUBS

AQUA FITNESS: Mondays and Thursdays in the pool at 7pm! Please bring your own flotation
devices, if you have some i.e. aquafit dumbbells or noodles. Its wet and wild, great fun and
exercise!! Come out to meet and get to know your neighbours in a whole new way.
BOOK CLUB: please contact Ruth (780-462-4272) for more information. Weve been meeting for
more than 3 years and have read many interesting books.
Tuesday Tramps: Take advantage of our surroundings, the beautiful River Valley! This
happens every Tuesday at 6:30 pm providing the weather is cooperative. Meet at the front doors or
in the lobby and as Aerosmith sings, Walk This Way!
CRIBBAGE GAMES: Starting up again shortly on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm in the rec centre
CONDO BOARD MEETINGS
AGE Board meetings are normally held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
Board meeting minutes, once approved and edited in compliance with Albertas Personal
Information Protection Act, will be posted online in PDF format. Items for Board consideration must
be submitted in writing to either the property manager or a Board member at least one week prior
to a Board meeting. You may also slip a letter to the Boards attention under the door of the office
in the amenities building.
.
CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS
Your 2015/16 Board members are:
Lisa Givens
President
Ann Tryhuba
Secretary
Kevin Waddell
Vice President
Dennis Glass
Director 1
Elizabeth Joseph
Treasurer
Alan Elliott
Director 2

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFO

POLICE EMERGENCY
dial 911
NON-EMERGENCY POLICE (780) 423 4567 from a landline or #377 from a mobile device
KDM Management Inc.
Emergency Line:
780-460-0444 (24hrs)
(See Website: http://kdmmgmt.ca for more information)
Condominium Manager:
Trudy Anderson
E-mail:tanderson@kdmmgmt.ca
Phone:
780-460-0444 ext 307
Fax: 780-460-1280
Mail:
KDM Management Inc. #103, 205 Carnegie Dr. St. Albert, AB, T8N 5B2
WEBSITE AND BYLAWS
The AGE condominium bylaws are on our website at http://www.aspengardenestates.com
NEWSLETTERS
To receive this newsletter electronically, please e-mail your request to AGEnewsletter@gmail.com or download the most
recent copy from the website. Paper copies of the newsletter are available in the newsletter box in the main lobby.
Comments or suggestions welcome; just email the address above and well try to incorporate your ideas in the next one.