Capital Improvement Projects

How Do Capital Improvement Projects Get Approved?

My wife Cathy & I recently saw some of the docks in the Marina being torn down and became curious about how capital improvement projects like this come to be. We have only owned a home in Suissevale for two years; and after reading about the pending fee increase or assessment that is coming in the BOD meeting minutes, we are becoming concerned. Two years of ownership, and two rate increases. Is this business as usual??

We walked over to the remaining docks to check them out, walked on them, shook them, compared a wooden dock to an aluminum dock next to it, and there was very little difference, other than aesthetics. We decided that we should do some research on how this dock project came to be since BOD meeting minutes state that $68,000 is being spent to replace 15 docks. Who decides that the docks need replacement? How is a vendor selected to purchase and supply the docks?

During our research we came up with a few other projects that have been undertaken recently: Repaving Suissevale Ave and replacing the roof on the club house. We learned that these projects were put out to bid with multiple vendors, and after the proposals were reviewed, a vendor was chosen.

We decided that we would ask the BOD what processes were followed during the dock procurement & replacement; so, we filled out the new forms that are required to ask questions or request documents of the BOD and submitted them. We ultimately filled out and submitted two requests for information and answers to questions and did not get very much information in return. Based on the vague answers and lack of information provided, we are left to draw the following conclusions:

No professional opinions on safety from anyone not on or associated with the BOD (outside vendors) was solicited. We were told that the “pipes holding the docks were rusty” and that is why the docks were replaced. There was no formal request for proposal or bidding process done for the procurement of the docks. Questions such as why the rusted pipes were not just replaced, or can we get copies of the proposals that were submitted from vendors remain unanswered or unfulfilled.

We found this a little odd since other capital expense projects went through a proper request for proposal process. At this point we feel there does not appear to be consistent transparency and fiduciary oversight.

Before we get painted as “divisive malcontents”, we invite you over to introduce yourself, ask questions and review all the material we have collected on this matter. At that point you are free to draw your own conclusions.

Jim and Cathy Graham

40 Brenner Street

12/26/2019