CAI-MN - WINTER 2018 FINAL...Real Estate Services. Collective-ly, this team will operate under an overriding theme of ‘back to the basics’ to ensure the Chapter is working at peak

LIVINGFIAT LUX

Let There Be LightPREVENT WATER DAMAGE

Six Steps You Can Take

HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS | MANAGERS | BUSINESS PARTNERS

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WINTER 2018

OUR NEXT EVENT:2019 Expo

Friday, February 1 8:30AM - 4:00PM

DoubleTree BloomingtonRegister at www.cai-mn.com

EMBRACING WINTERHow to Get Your Hygge On

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MINNESOTA COMMUNITY LIVING 2

2018 ANNUAL PARTNERS

PLATINUMCapital Construction, LLC

Sela Roofi ng & Remodeling

GOLDAdvanced Irrigation, Inc.CertaPro Painters - Twin Cities East FirstService Residential Gassen CompanyHellmuth & Johnson Stinson Services, Inc.

TruSeal America, LLC

SILVERACIAll Ways DrainsAmerican Family Insurance - Jeff rey Mayhew Agency, Inc.Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, P.C.Community Advantage Criterium-Schimnowski EngineersNew Concepts Management Group, Inc.PCS ResidentialStrobel & Hanson, P.A.

BRONZEACS Asphalt Concrete Solutions Inc.Allied Blacktop CompanyAllstar ConstructionBartlett Tree ExpertsBloomington Security SolutionsCarlson & Associates, Ltd.Casey, Menden, Faust & Nelson, P.A. Clean Response, Inc.Elysian ConstructionGates General Contractors, Inc. Hoff man Weber ConstructionIrrigation By Design Inc. Minnesota Roadways

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

EditorialRachael [email protected]

EducationCandy [email protected]

Gala/Vision AwardsJoAnn Borden [email protected]

Golf TournamentJoel [email protected]

Legislative Action (LAC)Michael Klemmmklemm@hjlawfi rm.com

SocialMikalyn Kieff ermkieff er@sjjlawfi rm.com

Trade ShowTom Engblomthomas.engblom@mutualofomaha bank.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PresidentMatthew Drewes Phone [email protected]

President-ElectJoe Crawford, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Broker Phone [email protected]

TreasurerMary Felix, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, CIRMSPhone [email protected]

SecretaryKris Birch Phone [email protected]

DirectorsChristopher R. JonesPhone 952.941.4005cjones@hjlawfi rm.com

Josh ReamsPhone 952.224.4777 [email protected]

Michelle Stephans, RS Phone [email protected]

Larry Teien Phone [email protected]

Rob WelchFairway Hills of Chaska Homeowners Association

2019 EVENT CALENDAR

February 1: Expo

March 21-23: M-100

April 4: Educational Event

May 15-18: CAI Nat’l ConferenceOrlando, FL

August 19: Golf Tournament

September 5: BP Forum Educational Event

October 3: Law Seminar

December 5: Gala

REGISTER FOR EVENTS ONLINE AT WWW.CAI-MN.COM

Please direct CAI-MN inquires to:

Tim BromsExecutive DirectorP.O. Box 390181Edina, MN [email protected]

WINTER 2018 3 3

CONTENT

FROM THE OUTGOING PRESIDENTBy Matt Drewes, Shareholder of DeWitt Mackall Crounse & Moore S.C. | Attorneys

5

I N D E X O F A D V E R T I S E R S

ACI ............................................................................. 15

Advanced Irrigation, Inc. ...................................... 31

All Ways Drains ..................................................... 26

American Family Insurance - Jeff rey Mayhew Agency, Inc. ........................... 30

BEI ............................................................................. 14

Capital Construction, LLC .....................................4

Carlson & Associates, Ltd. ................................... 26

Casey, Menden, Faust & Nelson, P.A. .................. 15

CertaPro Painters - Twin Cities East ................ 24

Community Advantage ........................................ 15

Criterium-Schimnowski Engineers ..................... 26

FirstService Residential .........................................8

Gassen Company .................................................... 12

Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC .....................................8

Mutual Bank of Omaha .................................................31

New Concepts Management Group, Inc. ............. 26

PCS Residential ..................................................... 26

Reserve Advisors ................................................... 31

Sela Roofi ng & Remodeling ..................................6

Stinson Services, Inc. ............................................ 18

Strobel & Hanson, P.A. ......................................... 30

The Inspectors of Election ................................... 18

TruSeal America, LLC ............................................ 12

7

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PLANS, SCHEDULES AND BUDGETS DEADLINEBy Michael D. Klemm, Esq., Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC

9

EMBRACING WINTERBy Heidi Stinson of Stinson Services

10

FROM THE INCOMING PRESIDENTBy Joe Crawford, President of Crawford Management

SIX STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PRE-VENT (OR LESSEN) WATER DAMAGE TO YOUR PROPERTYBy Cian Chase, Director of Training at Paul Davis Restoration

16

COMMON WINTER INSURANCE RISKSBy Grant Herschberger of Marsh & McLennan Agency

19

2018 GALA EVENT HIGHLIGHTS20

13DO I HAVE A CONFLICT STYLE?By Patricia McGinnis and Madge S. Thorsen, Esq.

15 2019 ANNUAL PARTNER PROGRAM

25FIAT LUXBy Chuck Krumrie, Owner of Urbanwood, Inc.

27 2018 VISION AWARDS FINALISTS

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WINTER 2018 5

MINNESOTA COMMUNITY LIVING | VOLUME 39Published by Community Associations Institute — Minnesota Chapter, copyright 2018. All articles and paid advertising represent the opinions of authors and advertisers and not necessarily the opinion of either Minnesota Community Living or CAI–Minnesota Chapter. The information contained within should not be construed as a recommendation for any course of action regarding fi nancial, legal, accounting, or other professional services by the CAI–Minnesota Chapter, or by Minnesota Community Living, or its authors. Articles, letters to the editor, and advertising may be sent to the chapter at [email protected] or at CAI–MN Chapter, P.O. Box 390181, Edina, MN 55439. Please call the CAI-MN local offi ce at 612.504.0567 with advertising or sponsorship related questions.

Since 1979, CAI-MN (which stands for Community Asso-ciations Institute Minnesota)

has been an outstanding organiza-tion with a distinguished history of providing information, education, resources and personal connections for the homeowner volunteers who lead their community associations and the professionals who support them. The need for these efforts has never been greater. According to research CAI-MN accessed this year, I’m told that our fine state contains more than 7,500 home-owners associations, comprised of more than 600,000 homes. It has been my pleasure and privilege to serve as President of this Chapter for 2018.

The “2018” Board actually took office and had its first meeting right away in September 2017, and we hit the ground running. Among the plans we’ve carried out were to hold the first of two 2018 Business Partner forums in January (with a second in Septem-ber 2018, which will now become a new annual tradition). I be-lieve this has helped us to engage an even greater number of our members to support the Chapter as annual partners than the year before. We had record attendance at our annual trade show in Feb-ruary, with a great keynote speak-er, and carried that momentum to offering unique and informative programs throughout the year.

We reached out to every segment of the HOA industry – Business Partners, Managers and Home-owner Leaders. We were able to once again engage with CAI’s national office to offer training and education through their programs to help educate homeowner lead-ers, as well as property managers seeking accreditation to advance their knowledge and careers. It’s that diversity of involvement and outreach that makes CAI-MN such an invaluable organization. In addition to programs, more than 50 management professionals achieved accreditation in 2018, maintaining our foundation for an extremely strong management community in the Twin Cities area.

We also took time out to recognize those in our field who performed beyond expectations and celebrate their achievements. We received more than 50 nominations, which two panels of judges sifted through to find the eight Chapter members whose efforts earned them a pres-tigious Vision Award, which we presented at our first annual winter Gala in December. My congratula-tions to the winners – you certainly faced some tough competition!

On behalf of CAI-MN, I thank you for your support and look forward to another great year un-der the direction of President Joe Crawford, the Executive Commit-tee and Board of Directors. Have a great holiday season, everyone!

MATT DREWES,Shareholder

DeWitt Mackall Crounse & Moore S.C. | Attorneys

OUTGOING PRESIDENT

6 MINNESOTA COMMUNITY LIVING

WINTER 2018 7

JOSEPH CRAWFORD,CMCA, AMS, PCAM,

President

Crawford Management

INCOMING PRESIDENT

Growing up, my parents en-couraged me to be a part of something – whether it

was a team sport, an after-school job or the community. They wanted me to find a passion. Fast forward to December 2018 and my passion for my business and serving common interest com-munities (CICs) has given me the tremendous opportunity to serve as the 2019 President of CAI’s Minnesota Chapter.

CAI-MN plays a vital role in our industry and I am honored to serve in this leadership capacity. I feel passionate about the oppor-tunity to influence the continued success of the organization and our valued members over the course of this next year.

Our newly-appointed Board of Directors and Executive Com-mittee will work closely with Tim Broms, the Executive Director of CAI’s Minnesota Chapter, to con-tinually improve services through-out the year. Augmenting Tim’s efforts, the Chapter has engaged the finan-cial services of Scott Callahan of Casey, Menden, Faust & Nelson, P.A., as well as the marketing ser-vices of Cindy Hoeschen of BASE Real Estate Services. Collective-ly, this team will operate under an overriding theme of ‘back to

the basics’ to ensure the Chapter is working at peak on behalf of its members. Together with the various Committees, the team will focus on delivering relevant continuing education courses as well as affordable networking opportunities.

Additionally, Michael Klemm of Hellmuth & Johnson has assumed my prior role as Chair of the Leg-islative Action Committee (LAC). Michael will monitor legislation that impacts CICs and work with CAI-MN’s lobbyist to influence public policy decision makers regarding a broad spectrum of is-sues affecting CICs at a local, state and national level.

As we move ahead into 2019, I encourage you to take my par-ents’ message to heart. Make the important decision to get involved to support and promote the work of CAI-MN.

Whether it’s joining a Com-mittee, pursuing a professional designation through CAI, or simply attending events hosted by CAI-MN throughout the year, take advantage of the invaluable opportunity to further your pro-fessional development and that of our industry.

Don’t sit on the sidelines – the success of the Minnesota Chapter depends on your participation!

GREATPLACE TOWORK

JOIN OUR TEAMfsresidential.com/mn-hire-me

Shaun Zavadsky, PCAMVice President, Community Management2012, Hired as Association Manager2016, Promoted to Regional Director2018, Promoted to Vice President

Learn more: hjlawfirm.comON YOUR SIDE. AT YOUR SIDE.8050 West 78th Street, Edina, MN 55439 // t: (952) 941-4005 // f: (952) 941-2337

We anticipate what’s around the cornerFor more than 20 years, community associations across the Midwest have trusted Hellmuth

& Johnson to solve their problems both big and small. We set the standard for legal

representation in this area and proactively anticipate the needs and issues of our clients.

Additionally, with top attorneys in more than 20 other practice areas, you can trust that H&J

has you covered no matter what issues might come your way.


WINTER 2018 9

was created before August 1, 2017. However, it is import-ant that an association (i) make a preventative maintenance plan and maintenance schedule that are realistic, (ii) follow the preventative maintenance plan and maintenance sched-ule, and (iii) promptly amend the preventative maintenance plan or maintenance schedule if necessary.

If an association fails to follow its own preventative main-tenance plan or maintenance schedule, a court may deter-mine that such failure constitutes “lack of maintenance or failure to perform necessary repairs or replacement” and that any resulting damage to the common elements or any unit is the responsibility of the association, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 515B.3-107(a). This may affect the outcome of a warranty claim, a construction defect claim, or a dispute between an association and a unit owner related to maintenance of the common elements. The maintenance budget should be in an amount sufficient to fund the association’s obligations pursuant to the pre-ventative maintenance plan and maintenance schedule. The maintenance budget for each year should be incorporated into and made part of the association’s annual operating budget.

In regard to disclosure requirements, MCIOA does not specifically address the issue whether the preventative maintenance plan, maintenance schedule and maintenance budget should be included in (i) the disclosure statement in connection with the initial sale of a unit in a CIC created before August 1, 2017, or (ii) the resale disclosure certifi-cate in connection with the resale of any unit. If there is a question whether or not to disclose information that may be of interest to a purchaser, I generally recommend dis-closure. In this case, providing copies of the preventative maintenance plan, maintenance schedule and maintenance budget will assist the purchaser to make an informed deci-sion and reduce the risk of a claim alleging that a disclosure statement or resale disclosure certificate is incomplete without these documents. Michael D. Klemm is a partner in the law fi rm of Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC. He is an MSBA Certifi ed Real Property Law Specialist and chairman of CAI-MN’s Minnesota Legislative Action Committee.

Minnesota Statutes Chapter 515B, the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act (“MCIOA”), was amended in 2017 to establish new require-

ments regarding preventative maintenance plans, mainte-nance schedules and maintenance budgets. The specific requirements vary depending on the date that the common interest community (“CIC”) was created. This article is limited to the requirements that apply to CIC’s created before August 1, 2017.

If a CIC was created before August 1, 2017, then the asso-ciation’s board of directors must comply with the follow-ing requirements by January 1, 2019:

1. Prepare and approve a written preventative mainte-nance plan, maintenance schedule and maintenance budget for the common elements.

2. Provide all unit owners with a paper copy, electronic copy, or electronic access to the preventative main-tenance plan, the maintenance schedule, and any amendments or modifications to or replacements of the preventative maintenance plan and the maintenance schedule.

3. Follow the approved preventative maintenance plan, subject to amendment, modification or replacement from time to time.

MCIOA requires preventative maintenance plans for com-mon elements, but not for components of the units that the association is required to maintain. This means that the preventative maintenance plan for a typical condominium must include roofs, siding, and other exterior building sur-faces (which are part of the common elements in a typical condominium), but the preventative maintenance plan for a typical townhouse community need not include roofs, siding and other exterior building surfaces (which are part of the unit, not part of the common elements, in a typical townhouse community).

MCIOA does not provide information as to what is to be included in a “preventative maintenance plan,” “mainte-nance schedule” or “maintenance budget” for a CIC that

January 1 Deadline:Preventative Maintenance Plans, Schedules & Budgets

BY MICHAEL D. KLEMM


T he leaves have fallen off the trees; the days are shorter; we are seeing the sun less and less; and the chill, oh that chill, is in the air. For some of

you the cool air and anticipation of winter coming is an exciting time. For others, this time of year can be difficult and at times depressing. This time of year for myself has historically been hard. I love the summertime and all of the wonderful outdoor pastimes that go along with it. So I am writing this article to not only help you, the reader, with the transition to the cold, but also as a reminder to myself of all the possibilities winter has to offer.

Let me pause here for a moment and tell you about Hygge (/�hju��/ HEW-g� or /�hu��/ HOO-g�). Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment. To give you a better picture of Hygge, envision sitting in a lazy boy, warm wool socks comfortably snug around your cold feet, a cozy soft blanket, a steaming cup filled with your favorite warm beverage, and the warmth of a crackling fire. This is Hygge – and the thought of it actually gives me incredible comfort. I plan to embrace Hygge this winter season and here are the things that I am looking forward to:

Embracing Winter How to Get Your Hygge On

BY HEIDI STINSON

© istockphoto.com

WINTER 2018 11

Now with all of this being said, it is important that I touch on state of mind, attitude and outlook. Life as we all know is what you make it. If we embrace the uniqueness of the season and all it has to offer, we can celebrate it rather than complain about it. We are fortunate to live in Minnesota and we have until March 20th (the first day of Spring) before the green comes back.

So, how do you plan on getting your Hygge on this winter?

Heidi Stinson is with Stinson Services Inc., and a member of CAI-MN’s Editorial Committee.

Holiday Gatherings: Family, friends and loved ones gather to spend quality time together. Holiday celebration is in the air; the festive lights create a new landscape for our eyes to feast on; and the clean white snow blankets our communities giving us a fresh canvas for a couple of months.

Flannel, Fleece, and Cashmere: Who doesn’t love putting on their favorite fl annel shirt in the fall, dressing the bed with fl annel or fl eece sheets, or wrapping those cold toes up in warm soft wool. Embrace and enjoy these soft, thermal materials during the winter season.

A Cozy Fireplace: A warm crackling fi re not only sets the ambience, it almost does something for your soul. The heat along with the dancing fl ames creates a fantastic visual that creates peace and harmony within. And some good company enhances the experience.

Indoor Hobbies: If you have always wanted to learn to knit, build that model car, or even participate in some extreme organizing; this is the season for you. Get out and take that pottery class you’ve been talking about or take up yoga and increase your fl exibility.

Get Outside: Invest in some quality winter gear and go out and explore. Be the fi rst one to put your footprints in the snow. Build a snowman, have a snowball fi ght or make a snow angel. Take up cross-country skiing, ice fi shing or snowshoeing. Take advantage of these opportunities!

Conventions and Shows: This is the time of year the Home Show comes to Minneapolis as well as the Boat Show and Sportsmen’s Show. For a minimal fee, you can browse and dream about what your living space could be or see the cool gadgets that are hot in today’s market.

St. Paul Winter Carnival and Festival of Lights: Take in the St. Paul Winter Carnival or visit the Ice Castle in Stillwater. Rent a party bus or limo and make this an outing with friends and family. Serve hot chocolate and tour the neighborhoods with the best holiday lights on the way.

Vacation: We all know there is no place better than Minnesota in the summertime, but some do not feel that way in the winter. Take that trip somewhere warm to soak up the heat and allow your bones to defrost. The change of scenery may be just the boost you need to make it through the cold months.


Call TruSeal America today!

SEAL COATING ASPHALT CONCRETE

www.trusealamerica.comFREE ESTIMATES, BUDGETING & BIDDING

Thank you for working with us in 2018. Please enjoy this holiday season.

WINTER 2018 13

It may seem unusual to think about whether each of us has a “conflict style.” But research has shown that different styles or ways of dealing with interpersonal conflict do in-deed exist and each of us probably prefers a style (or two) depending on the circumstances. Understanding conflict styles can help everyone use their own tendencies and pref-erences most effectively; identify styles they see in others; and apply that knowledge to solving disputes better. Researchers describe five basic interpersonal conflict styles: avoiding, accommodating, collaborating, compromising, and competing. Some people facing a conflict will simply walk away, making a judgment that avoidance is the best strategy in that moment. Some will give in and say “yes” to whatever the other person wants, finding that accommodat-ing is more important than getting what they want. Some folks want to roll up their sleeves, find common ground and work to solve the problem through collaboration, given enough time and opportunity. Another option is compro-mise – one gives a little, the other gives a little. In the end, nobody wins or loses everything, everyone wins and loses something. Finally, competing is a tried and true strategy; it is used to “win” or to unilaterally command a situation. Styles are not inherently right or wrong; no one strategy is morally superior to another. It all depends on context.

So once you figure out the styles (simple tests are avail-able online to define your style), how will that help you when facing conflict? First, you can recognize what you want in the situation – e.g., do you need to win or would a compromise work for you? Second, you can learn to switch gears from your natural preferred style to another approach that you believe is more likely to lead to a satis-factory solution. Third, you can assess what style you are facing. For example, if you are working with an avoid-er – but really need their buy-in to some solution – you might decide engagement can best be achieved by using an accommodating response.

To effectively use this knowledge, find chances to practice. Guided role play and simulations are best, but you can also practice with friends or in a small dispute. Perhaps an annoying telemarketing call will give you a platform for exploring a new style – instead of hanging up as you

usually do (avoidant), maybe you engage the marketer (if human rather than robot!) by politely asking how to opt out of ever receiving such calls again (competitive). Work up from small disputes to using your new knowledge with co-workers, constituents, family and community.

By understanding conflict styles, you will gain a new tool for transforming conflicts into valuable opportunities.

CONFLICT CORNER

Q: What do you do about a Board member who acts like they know everything and are always right?

A: To reduce conflict with a person displaying such traits, use these five tips. First, Don’t Take it Personally. It is al-ways easy to feel targeted or defensive. Drop that! Remem-ber, even when it seems directed at you, it isn’t about you. Second, Engage this member by listening to them; often someone acting like a “know-it-all” is insecure and acts pushy to try to be heard. Third, set some Ground Rules, like “Let’s have a conversation together with everyone hav-ing a chance to speak up.” Fourth, Do Not Battle head to head – things are likely to bog down or escalate. Fifth, be kind but Direct and Candid; give honest feedback. “I appre-ciate your ideas, you always have some helpful thoughts. But I think we have to go with Patricia’s idea this time.”

Q: How can we encourage more fresh and engaging com-munications among community members?

A: Communication means newsletters and emails and such, but from a conflict resolution professional’s per-spective, communication is primarily about face-to-face engagement. Do your members get chances to just talk or exchange pleasantries, as if they were in a small town? Encourage such casual personal interactions! Have a com-munity water cooler (or a community fish tank or indoor green space!) where people gather and have opportunities for friendly exchanges. Brainstorm other ways of provid-ing informal public squares for “stopping by and saying hi” and then work up to more structured occasions. Find ways to encourage just plain talk!

Patricia McGinnis & Madge S. Th orsen, Esq., Mediators, Trainers, Facilitators.

Do I Have a Confl ict Style?

DO YOU HAVE CONCERNS REGARDING A CONFLICT IN YOUR HOA?Submit your questions via email to [email protected] and put “Confl ict Corner” in the subject line. Be sure to include your contact information.

Select questions and answers will be published in the next issue of Minnesota Community Living.


WINTER 2018 15

CAI-MN: Creating Exclusive Opportunities to Build Your Business & Our Industry

CAI-MN 2019 Annual Partner ProgramThe CAI-MN Annual Partner Program is intended to meet the growing needs of our industry professionals and busi-nesses. There is truly a place for every member company in this program. From one of our valued 2018 Annual Part-ners: “Over the last several years, CAI has been the source of many of our most trusted industry relationships.”

Why Participate?The program will provide you with continual exposure at CAI events throughout the year and enable you to reach your business goals by increasing your presence in the community association market.

The purpose of the Annual Partner Program is twofold. First, participating companies will receive tremendous ex-posure in their target market. This is one of the most direct forms of promotion, advertising, and networking available to companies in the community association industry. Sec-ond, the financial contributions of participating companies serve as a large part of the Chapter’s operating capital and demonstrate a high level of support for CAI-MN and the community association industry.

Partner Benefi tsChapter Partners receive an unparalleled list of benefits. Many of the benefits are tangible, such as advertising in each of our quarterly publications, Partner dollars to spend however you wish throughout the year, and special recog-nition as Chapter Partners for the entire year.

Many of the benefits come in the form of increased expo-sure and are perception-based. Recognition as a Chapter Partner means that your company will be listed on signage at events, listed in printed marketing materials, and offered repeated thanks and verbal recognition throughout the year. From another one of our valued 2018 Annual Part-ners: “Because of our involvement with CAI, we feel better connected and more informed.”

Benefi ts to CAI-MNThe Chapter receives tremendous financial support from our Chapter Partners and in turn, is better able to work for the betterment and continuous advancement of the com-munity association industry. Further, the increased revenue received from Chapter Partners enables committees to focus on the quality of the Chapter’s educational program-ming, networking events, and other member services.

Call Tim Broms, Chapter Executive Director, today for more details: 612.504.0567

7800 West 78th Street, Suite 450 – Edina, Minnesota 55439-2586

SCOTT CALLAHAN, [email protected]

952-345-1540

BRENDA [email protected]

952-345-1541

Your Trusted Industry

Experts For All of Your Association

Audit, Review and Tax Needs

Wintrust Community Advantage is a division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A., a Wintrust Community Bank.

YOUR TRUSTED INDUSTRY EXPERTS

3500 American Blvd. W., Ste. 450 Bloomington, MN 55431

847-304-5940 | [email protected]

ANTHONY DISTER, CMCA Vice President

PETER J. SANTANGELO, CMCAPresident

10285 89th Ave. NorthMaple Grove, MN 55369

[email protected]

HOA Division763.424.9191

671 Grupe StreetRoberts, WI 54023

In the world of water damage restoration, we see A LOT of wet buildings. In fact, at our offi ce in St. Paul, for every one fi re damage call we receive, we will get 20-30 calls for water damage! While some things are inev-itable, many of these incidents are preventable. Since listicles are so popular these days (thanks, Buzzfeed) and there are a lot of preventive items to cover, I have compiled the following list of six proactive steps you can take to prevent or lessen water damage to your property.

1. Sump pump maintenance. Many properties in Minnesota have a sump pump basket (or two!) in the basement. Those sump pump baskets should all have a working sump pump unit installed, and that unit should be checked regularly to ensure it is in working order. Sump pumps work much like a toilet fill valve in that they each have a “float” that rises with the water level and engages the sump pump when the water level gets too high, pumping away the excess water. I can’t tell you how many basement floods I have seen over the years that all started because the little float got stuck, which prevented the sump pump from ever turning on.

There is a unique mix of joy and frustration on our customers’ faces when we reach our hand down into the sump pump basket, jiggle the little float free from its stuck position, and the water in the basement immediately begins to be pumped away. Regular inspection and mainte-nance of these units can make all the difference.

Of course, those units could be in perfect work-ing order but won’t do a darn thing if the prop-erty loses power. That’s why every sump pump should have a…


2. Battery back-up for sump pumps. These are super simple and can make all the difference in cases of power loss. Think about how many times you have experienced a weather-related power loss. Now ask yourself, was it raining at the time? More often than not, power losses occur during major storms, which bring a TON of precipitation. The greatest sump pump in the world won’t help you if your property loses power. Battery back-ups are essentially a boat battery connected to your sump pump. When the unit detects a loss of electricity, the battery back-up begins supplying power to the sump pump, extending the life of the unit by 4-8 hours (usually enough time for the power company to get your neighborhood back on the grid).

3. Water alarms. Also known as water detectors or water sen-sors, these low-cost units function like a smoke detector – but for water leaks. They work by placing them in high-risk areas, such as near the water heater, air conditioner condensate line, washing machine or outside the sump pump basket. When water comes into contact with the unit, they send an alert with a loud beep or siren. They run on batteries, which can make it easy to place them in effective spots around the property.

Six Steps You Can Take to Prevent (or Lessen)

Water Damage to Your PropertyBY CIAN CHASE

WINTER 2018 17

One of the downsides is they have to physically come into contact with the water, meaning they have to be on the floor in order to have a chance of ever detecting a leak. The other drawback is they only work AFTER the damage has start-ed to occur, so they are less proactive and more reactive. (The damage that can be prevented by immediately alerting you to the water intrusion can still make a major difference in the cost of repairs.) Because you have to be within earshot of the alarm for the unit to work, they aren’t great for property owners and managers who are not present at the property constantly. However, they can be much more effective when paired with…

4. Flow meters. Internet-connected flow meters, such as the system offered by Pipeburst Pro (a company I have no affiliation with; I’m just a fan of their product) are a great example of how home automation technologies can change the way we manage our properties and control costs. Flow meters are installed directly to the water main and constantly monitor water usage throughout the day, every day of the week. They relay the water usage information to a web-based portal that the user can access. Once the user has an idea of their typical water needs on a given week or month, they can set a threshold for how much water they will allow before setting off an alert.

The flow meter can even be connected to a pow-ered shut-off valve so that when the water usage exceeds the pre-set threshold (such as when an ice maker or toilet supply line breaks), the sys-tem will automatically engage the shut-off valve, preventing additional water from entering the home. These systems can even be paired with other devices, such as water alarms!

5. Drain line inspections. It is usually not a question of “if,” but rather “when” the main drain line that connects your property to the city sewer system (or septic tank, for you country folks) will crack. When that crack occurs, if there is a tree with a root system that extends into your yard, those roots WILL find their way into that drain pipe. At that point, it is only a matter of time before those roots start

to swell and expand, filling the drain pipe like a clogged artery. Sooner or later, something will be flushed into your plumbing system that will not make it past those tree roots, and everything between that clog and your basement floor drain will come back up – and it probably won’t be into your toilet. Hiring a plumber to inspect your drain line and provide a video inspection can give you the proof you need to either rest easy or take further preventative measures to remove the root before your basement starts to smell like a Port-a-Potty at the end of a week-end-long music festival. (I have found goldfish in basements that have had a drain back up. Just think about that for a second…)

6. Emergency action planning. Do you know who to call if you have a fire sup-pression system (sprinkler) leak? What if your boiler goes out in January and your usual vendor is backed up? How about when a drunk driver accidentally drives through the front of your building and a major thunder/hail/snow storm is on its way? (We see about 1-2 of those every year.) How about if someone is cut and leaves blood behind in the lobby or elevator? (Those are more frequent that you might imagine.) Do you know the points in your foundation where water is most likely to enter? When emergencies happen, especially if it’s at 2:00 a.m., you don’t want to have to turn to Google or wait for a call back from your buddy who “knows a guy.”

Emergency action planning is a great way to en-sure you or your property manager, maintenance staff or caretaker have quick access to contacts they may need. Emergency action planning can also help to prevent damages from ever occurring by giving you an overview of your property’s areas of potential concern.

Hopefully these ideas can help you prevent or minimize damage in your own property. If you have questions or would like more information, please give Paul Davis Restoration of Greater St. Paul and Minneapolis a call!

Cian Chase, Director of Training, IICRC Certifi ed Master Water Restorer and Master Fire & Smoke Restorer, Paul Davis Restoration of Greater St. Paul and Minneapolis.

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WINTER 2018 19

• Have your attic inspected for proper roof ventilation and insulation

• Increase attic floor insulation• Have your roof professionally cleared of ice and snow if

build-up occurs

Slip and Fall: The cold, damp climate of winter in Minnesota can often result in the accumulation of ice on sidewalks, driveways and more. A slip and fall can end up being a very costly insurance claim and if it happens on your prop-erty, you can potentially be left on the hook for the injured party’s medical expenses.

• Shovel snow as soon as possible to prevent build-up• Make sure there is good lighting along pathways• Apply ice melt, salt, or sand as appropriate and necessary• Make sure there is appropriate drainage for walkways

and keep an eye on areas that tend to build up snow and ice

House Fires: Believe it or not, house fires are a very com-mon occurrence during the winter. In the dead of winter, people tend to do everything and anything they can to stay warm. While space heaters, electric blankets, and plenty of candles can make for a cozy winter atmosphere, it’s im-portant to be aware of the risks when using these items.

• Turn off space heaters when going to bed or leaving the room for extended periods of time

• Unplug electric blankets when not in use• Check cables and extension cords for fraying or wear

and tear• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that is

easily combustible• Don’t leave burning candles unattended

Don’t let an insurance claim ruin your holiday spirit. By following these safety tips, you can keep your friends and family warm, happy and most importantly – safe. Grant Herschberger is a Business Insurance Consultant with Marsh & McLennan Agency and a member of CAI-MN’s Editorial Committee.

Winter in Minnesota can be tough – dark days, cold weather, and plenty of shoveling and scraping. Add on the upcoming holidays and you’ve got

plenty to keep track of – the last thing you want to be doing during this season is worrying about an insurance claim. So without further ado, here are the common sources of insurance claims during the winter and some tips on how to prevent them.

Frozen Pipes: It’s common for people to do a lot of travel-ing during the holidays, so while you’re away from home it’s important to remember to keep your house protected. Frozen pipes are very common in frigid climates like Min-nesota, so taking the proper preventative steps will lower your risk of coming home to a leaky or burst pipe.

• Insulate pipes, especially those close to walls • Turn off water to exterior faucets and sprinkler systems• Keep heat at 55 degrees or higher when leaving for more

than a day or two• Drain your water system if leaving for an extended period

of time

Ice Dams: Ice dams form when warm air from the attic melts snow and ice on the top of the roof and then runs down to the gutters or edge of the roof and refreezes. This effect can result in the large accumulation of ice and snow, which can potentially be very damaging to your roof or any passers-by below. These insurance claims can be very costly, and due to the frequency of this loss in Minnesota, the deductibles typically aren’t very forgiving.

Common Winter Insurance RisksBY GRANT HERSCHBERGER

© istockphoto.com


What a night! The 2018 Gala was filled with recognition for some very well-deserving Vision Award winners as well as members that earned

designations from CAI during the past year. The Chapter also introduced its newly-elected Board Members for 2019 – three individuals that will bring fresh ideas on how to server our membership moving forward.

Special thanks to everyone that joined in making this spec-tacular evening such a success!

GALA & VISION AWARDS COMMITTEE:Jocelyn Alberts, CertaPro Ryan Arvola, Hoff man Weber ConstructionJoAnn Borden, Associa Minnesota (Committee Chair)Jacklyn Christian, Paul Davis RestorationMelissa Cushing, Gassen CompanyJessica Hamilton, FirstService ResidentialMikalyn Kieff er, Smith Jadin Johnson, PLLCNatalie Martynow, Sharper ManagementTerry Rauk, Allstar ConstructionMichelle Stephans, 24RestoreHeidi Stinson, Stinson Services

VISION AWARDS JUDGES:Kevin Bobb, Building Reserves, Inc.Kim Dahl, Gaughan CompaniesChristine Gnerer, Gassen CompanyFinn Jacobsen, Smith Jadin Johnson, PLLC Shane Lange, Go Get FRED, LLCNick Roell, Roell Painting CompanyJim Rosvold, Omega Property ManagementStacy Sheridan, New Concepts Management

2018 Gala Event Highlights

Photo by Heidi Stinson.

GALA SPONSORS:

REGAL Capital Construction, LLC

JUBILEEACI

CertaPro Painters - Twin Cities East

Clean Response, Inc.

Gassen Company

Go Get Fred, LLC

Hellmuth & Johnson

Hoff man Weber Construction

New Concepts Management

Sela Roofi ng & Remodeling

CELEBRATINGAll Ways Drains, Ltd.

Wintrust Community Advantage

SUPPORTINGGates General Contractors, Inc.

Gaughan Companies

Seacoast Commerce Bank

Strobel & Hanson

TruSeal America, LLC

PROGRAMFirstService Residential

REGISTRATION Associa Minnesota

APPETIZERS/SOCIAL HOURSela Roofi ng & Remodeling

PREMIUM TABLE Allstar Construction

Birch

Cedar Management

Paul Davis Restoration

WINTER 2018 21

Congratulations to New CAI Designees AAMC DESIGNATION

SARAH CRAWFORD Gaughan Companies

AMS DESIGNATION

NICOLE BATTLES Cities Management, Inc.

BRIAN BORCHARDT Association One

COLLEEN BROWN Associa Minnesota

MORRIGAN CRONEN Associa Minnesota

KEVIN CULLIGAN FirstService Residential

BENJAMIN DENSON FirstService Residential

BRIAN DROSKE FirstService Residential

ANNA DUNN Associa Minnesota

AMANDA GLADER Gaughan Companies

COLETTE HENDRIX FirstService Residential

GAYLE JOHNSON Association One

AMANDA KELZENBERG FirstService Residential

MEGAN KUCZ FirstService Residential

KRISTI MAAS Associa Minnesota

MICHAEL MATTSONCities Management, Inc.

JENNA MAZAL FirstService Residential

HEIDI REITMEIERINH Companies

BRIEANNA SALBACKA Sterling Realty and Management

KEVIN STEINER Associa Minnesota

CHARLES WAGNER FirstService Residential

DARCI WAGNER Cities Management, Inc.

DUSTIN WOLFF FirstService Residential

AMANDA ZENK FirstService Residential

CMCA DESIGNATION

RYAN ARVOLA Hoff man Weber Construction

MATTHEW BARKER FirstService Residential

ALLAN BARZEGAR FirstService Residential

SUNNIE BERGH FirstService Residential

SEAN CONERY Associa Minnesota

JOSHUA DAHL FirstService Residential

HANNAH FRAWLEY FirstService Residential

JOSHUA FUHRECK Bullseye Properties

WILLIAM GORES FirstService Residential

CODY GORSUCH Omega Property Management

SARA GORSUCH Omega Property Management

ERIC GRONLI Associa Minnesota

ALEXANDER HUSET Associa Minnesota

ERIC LEWIS Associa Minnesota

SARAH LOPSHIRE FirstService Residential

THERESA MARSH FirstService Residential

KATIE PRATER FirstService Residential

ALICE RUPPERT Associa Minnesota

MARSHALL SAUNDERS Kiva Management

PATRICK SIEDOW FirstService Residential DESAREE SIMON Association One

STEVEN SMITH Gassen Company, Inc. SHARI THOMAS Pathfi nder Village - St. Croix HOA

DARCI WAGNER Cities Management, Inc.

PCAM DESIGNATION

CHRISTOPHER BELLING Community Association Group

MICHELLE BOECK Cities Management, Inc. SHAUN ZAVADSKY FirstService Residential

22 MINNESOTA COMMUNITY LIVING 22 MINNESOTA COMMUNITY LIVING 22 Photos by Heidi Stinson.

FALL 2018 23WINTER 2018 23

Learn more: hjlawfirm.comON YOUR SIDE. AT YOUR SIDE.Edina, MN 55439 // t: (952) 941-4005 // f: (952) 941-2337

Short-term Rentals -- The Trends and ChallengesAlthough short term rental services like AirBNB and VRBO have become

familiar to most people, it is easy to forget that these services have existed

for only a few years. It can take years before a legal dispute reaches a state’s

highest level court. As a result, we are now beginning to see published court decisions emerge that address short term rentals. In just the last 2-3 years, there have been several

decisions with more appearing at an accelerating rate. Trends in these decisions include:

+ If an existing covenant (i.e., one that existed prior to short term rentals) is being used in an

attempt to prohibit short term rentals, then Courts determine that the prohibition is invalid.

+ Courts are requiring that, in order to prohibit short term rentals, covenants must be

amended to expressly define short term rentals as a prohibited use.

Although some courts are upholding general restrictions prohibiting commercial or transient use

of properties that are commonly found in association covenants, a far greater number of courts are

relying on a narrower interpretation, based on a general premise that use restrictions are disfavored

and are therefore strictly interpreted in favor of free and unrestricted use of the property. In sum,

if the covenants do not specifically reference a restriction on short term rentals like AirBNB, VRBO

and similar services, they are permitted, notwithstanding general prohibitions on commercial or

transient use.

Yes, if the Association has rulemaking

authority. Such rules could include

additional fees specific to short term

rental usage, so long as the fees

bear a reasonable relationship to the

reason for the fees.

Can associations regulate

short-term rentals?

Yes. City ordinances related to

short term rentals vary significantly

throughout Minnesota. Some cities

strictly prohibit short term rentals,

some allow them with appropriate

licensure, while others do not

regulate them at all.

To date, the Minnesota legislature

has not opted to adopt any state-

wide regulation of short term rentals.

Can a city prohibit or restrict

short-term rentals?

The information provided here does not constitute legal advice. For more information and counsel on short term rentals in your community, please contact Nancy Polomis or Joel Hilgendorf at Hellmuth & Johnson.


651-755-5407twincitieseast.certapro.comJake - [email protected] | Christine - [email protected]

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WINTER 2018 25

BY CHUCK KRUMRIE

Ah, the joy of the holiday season: the smell of goodies baking, schmaltzy music and pretty little lights to drive away the darkness. So enchanting

and so ubiquitous. I’m one of those people who enjoys lighting up the house for the holidays. I had about a dozen outlets installed on my porch years ago to handle the load.

Yet I look up and down my block and acknowledge that not everyone shares my enthusiasm for burning away the darkness. One needn’t be a Grinch: holiday lighting may simply not be one’s thing. To badly paraphrase Robert Frost, good lighting policy makes good neighbors. Given the increasing diversity found in Common Interest Communities (CICs), the concept of “neighbor” is a bit more intimate, thus the demand that common courtesy, policy or a combination thereof be in place to encourage good will among humans.

Each association is unique and has its own tolerance levels with regard to holiday decorations. At the core of any good policy are three considerations: Courtesy, Safety and Timeliness. Of course there is some overlap amongst these as bon homme knows no singular characteristic.

Courtesy takes many forms and isn’t difficult to apply or discern. In any given CIC, the neighbors may not care how crowded with lighted figures your porch or deck is. But then I remember the letter I had to send to a condo owner asking him to remove the dozen or so figures from his balcony. The association simply thought that was a bit much. No law against it, but the association’s policy enjoined its members to more modest balcony displays.

That’s important: the community sets standards for what it deems appropriate in displays. Since you all live together, there is a greater community sense of what is appropriate.

Lights out time is another aspect of courtesy. Maybe I really appreciate your display for its dazzle but maybe not so much when it’s shining through my window at 3:00 am. Humans are diurnal: we’re meant to sleep at night and work by day, so please be mindful of artificial light after-hours, especially if you have those loud LED lights!

Safety calls to remember that we’re putting electricity in close proximity to frozen water. I had a Frosty the Snowman display that kept popping my GFI. I called my electrician friend. He asked me if the power cord was covered by snow. Well, yeah. Well, knucklehead, electricity generates heat, which turns snow to water and is highly conductive of electricity. You’re shorting out Frosty and his pals.

Fiat LuxBe careful also of how much juice you should be pulling from any given outlet. There’s a reason that circuit breakers have their amperage listed on them. Most simple outlets are 15 amps, so are not designed to take a dozen extension cords. And speaking of extension cords, please place them carefully. You don’t want them getting tangled up in someone’s boot or snow-clearing machinery.

Timeliness means all good things must come to an end. Far more than the above two, timeliness is that which Holiday Decorations policies are built around. It’s fairly standard to have a window from around Thanksgiving through the second week in January for Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. With Halloween’s increasing popularity, it’s become prudent to address this as well. Often the second half of the month of October is fair game but not past the first week of November. Thanksgiving, Easter, Fourth of July, these holidays invite flags, not lights and figurines.

When crafting the Holiday Decorations portion of an Operating Policy, less is more. I am not suggesting that rules aren’t a good thing but they should be minimal, with an appeal to courtesy and common sense. Holidays are a time of celebration, after all. Again, with timeliness being the first among equals in a policy, someone who cannot resist making their home look like the Vegas Strip will, soon enough, have to unplug everything and store it away.

Again, living in a CIC presents its members with a greater challenge toward neighborliness. There really are very few hard and fast rules that I would suggest promulgating with respect to holiday decorations. (Perhaps no inflatable Santas on motorbikes. Then again, I don’t live where you do so perhaps that’s okay with the community.)

Holidays are an especial time for neighbors to come together and discuss how you want to see your community present itself and improve. You have all abrogated a bit of independence and personal expression to live where you do in order to maintain a community which puts forward a consistent aesthetic…directly impacting everyone’s property investment. Aside from that, you want members to feel at home in expressing themselves in these longest of nights.

One thing everyone can appreciate is a New Year’s wish: May you all enjoy the sunrise of the New Year. May you and your family come into the new year fresh and full of anticipation. May 2019 be a good year for you.

Chuck Krumrie, CMCA, is Broker and Owner of Urbanwood, Inc. in Minneapolis. Since 2005, Urbanwood has serviced smaller CICs in the Twin Cities metro area.


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WINTER 2018 27 27

2018 Vision Awards FinalistsCongratulations to CAI-MN members and HOAs showcased in the following pages for being selected as 2018 Vision Awards fi nalists and winners:

ANGELA ANDERSONPAUL DAVIS RESTORATION

In Angela’s 20 years in the restoration industry, she has helped grow her fi rm from 8 to more than 90 employees. She delivers outstanding work and clearly takes pride in what she does. Angela’s commitment to quality ser-vice is evidenced by her numerous certifi cations, including IICRC Fire and Water, GSR, Problem Solving, Eff ective Listening and Planning and Scheduling. Not only do Angela and her fi rm provide extraordinary care to people in their time of need but they deliver what they promise. Angela has a well-earned, great reputation in the restoration industry.

BUSINESS PARTNER – EXCELLENCE IN SERVICEWINNER:

SHANE LANGEGO GET FRED, LLC

Go Get FRED, a premier pool ven-dor, consistently knocks it out of the park. Professional, timely communi-cation, thorough follow-up, best prac-tices, emergency preparedness and a proactive approach are just a few of the reasons we rely on Shane and his team. Community managers rave about FRED and here is a specifi c ex-ample why: “When a board member complained about the pool signs be-ing faded and shabby, I reached out to FRED. It turns out they had already replaced them a few days prior for a nominal fee. The proactive approach is so appreciated!”

NICK ROELLROELL PAINTING COMPANY

Nick’s fi rm is our go-to contractor for painting projects across our portfolio and they do excellent work on proj-ects big and small. They refl ect well on our management company with their attention to detail and stellar communication. For larger projects, Roell creates and maintains a project blog providing homeowners with dai-ly updates. When vendor partners like Nick’s perform at such a high level, it fortifi es the trust our communities place in us. Roell provides support to our managers and sound guidance to our boards. When it is their project, we know it is going to go as planned.

BUSINESS PARTNER – COMMUNITY IMPACT

JUSTIN NOVATNEY PARSONS CONSTRUCTION INC.

Justin far exceeded my expectations in his handling of the claims our asso-ciation had as a result of a hail storm. He made sure the association received all funds from the insurance compa-ny according to their policies and his fi rm’s scope. Multiple homeowners complimented not only his work but his work ethic. Justin provides stel-lar communication and is my “go to” when I have an issue from a home-owner or association. His communi-cation is thorough but also expedient. I know his job isn’t easy, but his work ethic is amazing and deserves to be recognized.

WINNER:

NICK ROELLROELL PAINTING COMPANY

Our management fi rm is affi liated with Hearts and Hammers. We asked our vendor partners to help on a project and Nick was all over it. More than 15 painters and the executive team got the house into tip top shape. Nick’s team leveraged their project manage-ment expertise and had 20 people rowing in the same direction, resulting in a wonderfully orchestrated project and an exceedingly wonderful end result. They treated the project like it was the most important project of the year and there’s no doubt that the homeowner felt the same way!

TONY SMITHSMITH JADIN JOHNSON, PLLC

Tony has a unique ability to navigate a situation and articulate complicat-ed issues in a way that is understand-able. I have seen him diff use a dispute among homeowners by explaining the governing docs in a way that everyone could understand. Board and home-owner feedback was “thank you so much for explaining that to all of us, we were not aware of how this works and you saved us from having a much bigger issue.” He can take a compli-cated process and explain it in lay-man’s terms which helps associations prepare for realistic outcomes with no surprises.


JORDAN CHRISTOPHERSONGASSEN COMPANY

Six months into a new HOA assign-ment, Jordan guided the board through an insurance issue ultimately going from no proceeds beyond the deductible to a $924K payout. She also decreased delinquencies from $72K to $24K (66%) and helped the association get an $8K award from the city to upgrade their irrigation system with water effi cient heads and controllers.

Based on Jordan’s guidance, the HOA plans to update their reserve study in early 2019 to accommodate for capi-tal improvements completed in 2018.

Board members compliment Jor-dan’s proactive approach as well as her communication, follow through, knowledge and professionalism.

FINANCIAL IMPACTWINNER:

MIGUEL PARIONASHARPER MANAGEMENT

Six of Miguel’s properties did not have reserve studies. He engaged with each board to get their buy-in, over-saw completion of the reserve studies and helped implement within operat-ing budgets.

Miguel showed another board the value that a $50-$75 dues increase would bring to their cash fl ow man-agement and in turn helped the HOA get fi nancially healthy.

Not only has Miguel identifi ed auto contract renewals and negotiated new service contracts saving HOAs tens of thousands of dollars, he also complet-ed nearly $800K worth of projects in a short period of time and in creative ways (special assessments and loans).

LANCE STENDALOMEGA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

During the onboarding process with a new client, Lance identifi ed that there was potential hail damage to the property almost two years prior. The new client indicated that they had an inspection but no damage was found. Lance ordered a second inspection which identifi ed damage. A claim was fi led just under the two year deadline resulting in a $1.6M settlement.

This claim took roof and gutter re-placement out of the reserves and allowed the HOA to move forward with other capital improvements. The board and membership were thrilled.

Lance’s attention to detail during the insurance review process saved this HOA approximately $1.6M.

WINNER:

LAUREN CICHYGAUGHAN COMPANIES

Lauren began her career in the sum-mer of 2017 as an administrative assis-tant. Within 6 months she advanced to community management thanks to her motivation, dedication and hard work. She started out handling on-going large insurance claims and she trained out of senior manager over-sight in another 6 months.

Board feedback is that her communi-cation is superb, and they always feel informed. Due to her stellar commu-nication, owner calls and emails were drastically reduced. Lauren is not only diligent about follow-up but because she anticipates secondary questions and answers them before they are asked, she meets owner needs and expectations the fi rst time.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

DANIEL STEDMANGASSEN COMPANY

With only two years of industry expe-rience, Daniel exhibits traits of leaders with much more tenure. He guided an historic association through a unique and overdue restoration project. This required many meetings with ven-dors, board members and homeown-ers to address legal and architectural questions and concerns. There was discord between the board members and homeowners which Daniel suc-cessfully diff used while maintaining a calm, professional composure.

Client feedback consistently includes traits such as commitment, profes-sionalism, friendly customer service, timely communication, strategic ad-vice and thoughtful leadership. He is committed to his clients and to doing the right thing every time.

MATTHEW VITEKSHARPER MANAGEMENT

In his fi rst year as Assistant, Matthew stepped into the Manager role due to unforeseen circumstances. He then had a 15-property portfolio with many capital projects to be completed. At the same time, a roof failed years be-fore it was to be replaced. Matthew worked with the board, secured a loan and managed the roof replacement while developing a fi nancial plan to accelerate the payoff four years early without requiring a dues increase or special assessment.

He continually impresses board mem-bers with his excellent communication skills, positive “no fail” attitude, always going above and beyond, and an un-wavering work ethic. Client satisfac-tion is clearly a priority.

WINTER 2018 29

AMY KLEINSCHMIDTGASSEN COMPANY

Amy goes above and beyond to en-sure that her boards and the Gassen team have access to fi nancial knowl-edge and tools to make their decisions and their jobs easier. She is great at putting accounting terminology in layperson’s terms so fi nancial state-ments are understood by volunteer board members. She has conducted more than 50 separate board fi nan-cial training sessions. Sharing fi nancial knowledge with others is something she truly enjoys.

Board member feedback includes statements such as “Thank you for the excellent tutorial,” “You did a wonder-ful job of explaining…,” “I wonder if she gets paid enough??!!” and “The mem-bers liked the presentation and found It very useful.”

ABOVE AND BEYOND

CAROL SEVERSONASSOCIA MINNESOTA

Carol has a way of bringing parties to life taking us to Germany for Oktober-fest and back to the 20’s for Casino Night. Participation in these events has increased tremendously during her tenure. Our annual Independence Day event went from 200 attendees in 2016 to 898 in 2018. Casino Night had 75 participants in 2016 and 173 in 2018.

A dunk tank at the Independence Day event raised almost $200 for the Dis-abled Vets. She also makes sure that every child that sends a letter to Santa and drops it at the community center gets a personal reply.

Homeowners and board members praise Carol’s achievements.

WINNER:

NANCIE THOMNEW CONCEPTS MANAGEMENT

Nancie tries to save money for her HOAs wherever possible. She’ll pro-vide services not included in the contract, such as posting notices so boards don’t have to and tracking cur-rent rentals.

Nancie truly went above and beyond for an association in Eagan. Due to unforeseen circumstances, freshly planted fl owers could not be watered by the Landscaping Committee. The grounds crew contract didn’t cover watering and the HOA would have been charged by the vendor. To avoid additional expense, Nancie packed up her 1-year old and watered the plants herself!

She truly cares about her properties and their residents.

KARI ROSSGAUGHAN COMPANIES

Kari began managing Waters Edge in 2014, where she handled a multi- million-dollar construction defect lawsuit. It took several years deal-ing with lawyers, construction teams and boards to understand the scope of work needed, resolve the suit and have the work completed.

Kari also worked to reduce the HOA’s 45M gallon annual water consump-tion. She partnered with city, county, watershed, engineering and irrigation companies to convert all controllers to Smart Controllers, resulting in a 25% reduction in water usage. The system was also converted from city water to reuse, which has already saved sever-al million gallons of city water and the HOA a substantial amount of money.

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE

SAM NICHOLSSHARPER MANAGEMENT

Sam manages a portfolio of uniquely challenging properties, but they are all successful thanks to him. He is pro-fessional in everything he does: clear communication, attention to detail, attitude with vendors and customer service to homeowners. Sam treats all of his properties with the utmost pride and respect.

He recently completed a challenging 3-year, $7M remediation project. The board was recalled midway through the process and Sam had to revamp it with a new group. His steadfast ex-pertise and drive to do what needs to be done saved what could have been a disastrous situation. He is the model of a professional community manager.

WINNER:

STACY SHERIDANNEW CONCEPTS MANAGEMENT

Stacy took over an association that had been self-managed for 30 years. She was able to get painting and car-pentry repairs done on 15 buildings without special assessments, instead helping the HOA set up a small loan.

She helped collect over $10K in late dues from one owner without going to legal which allowed the HOA to get a landscaping project done that was severely needed.

Board feedback is glowing with com-pliments, such as “very professional,” “great rapport with the board,” “goes above and beyond for her HOAs,” and “full of integrity.” Stacy loves what she does – and it shows.


HERITAGE PARK

As volunteers, Heritage Park board members attend management meet-ings and training and encourage com-munication through seasonal news-letters, project management updates on the website and informational ses-sions regarding sensitive topics, such as special assessments. The board faced many challenges in 2017/2018 ranging from transitioning to a new management company, storm dam-age and insurance claim issues to completing multiple capital expen-diture projects. Through it all, they maintained phenomenal communica-tion, fi elding phone calls and emails from homeowners.

ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR (100+ UNITS)

WINNER:

STONEMILL FARMS

Stonemill Farms values community. The board is working with the city to revamp the irrigation system into a smart system which will reduce wa-ter consumption signifi cantly. Out-door lighting is also being converted to LED, further reducing the carbon footprint. This conversion is projected to pay for itself in 3-5 years.

A full-time event coordinator plans 13 major events each year as well as smaller get-togethers and camps for the younger set. Philanthropic events, such as Earth Day Clean Up, Toys for Tots and an annual 5K run, are sup-ported by the entire community.

WATERFORD PLACE

Waterford’s condominium association is in the midst of creating goals and a mission statement. Working proac-tively instead of reactively is a refresh-ing change to the way boards typical-ly operate.

The board has dealt with a challenging $6.4M hail damage project by com-municating regularly with residents, hiring an insurance claim coordinator and installing a command center to provide answers when needed. The board also increased transparency by sending an e-blast after every meet-ing, making homeowners feel more connected than ever.

BEARPATH

Bearpath hosts periodic events, such as golf tournaments and a Halloween haunted trail and costume party. What makes the community special is how often neighbors get together for bon-fi res or dinner and drinks at the club-house. Regular golf and tennis groups meet weekly. Large, lavish holiday din-ner parties are held at the clubhouse. A monthly magazine highlights home remodels, recent graduates, birth and death announcements, and includes an events calendar. Everything about this association exceeds expectations, evidenced by the fact that residents rarely leave.

OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY BUILDING BY AN ASSOCIATION

VILLAGE LOFTS ST ANTHONY FALLS

The Village Lofts board is cognizant of how building a strong community and coming together leads to a coopera-tive, satisfi ed and unifi ed community. They provide a generous social bud-get each year to host numerous great events! A weekly update features neighborhood happenings, meeting notices and alerts about units under construction so neighbors are pre-pared for noise. Village Lofts is a won-derful example of an association that is so much more than just a “building.” It truly is a wonderful neighborhood comprised of fun, energetic, caring neighbors who enjoy working togeth-er to build a great place to call home.

WINNER:

WATERS EDGE

This community’s irrigation system was built in phases. Upon completion, there were 23 controllers pulling from 23 sources all using potable water. Wa-ter bills reached $120K/season (45M gallons). The city, board, homeowners, watershed district and irrigation ven-dor worked together to fi nd a solution. Controllers were converted to Smart Controllers that utilize weather data to conserve water. The city and water-shed also suggested pulling from large storm water ponds. The city helped to fund the $500K investment. In 2018, 8 sources were converted reducing us-age by 4M gallons.

WINTER 2018 31

COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE, IRRIGATION & LANDSCAPING Your landscapes will determine the first impression when customers, tenants or facility users arrive at your location. Commercial services from Advanced Irrigation will give you the neat, green, professional-looking property you want people to see. Advanced Irrigation has a wide range of commercial lawn care service and landscape design including townhomes, apartments, schools and commercial buildings.

FOR A FREE ESTIMATE CALL 612-599-8675

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+ Maintenance + Fertilization

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For your reserve study proposal, contact Jacque Martin at (800) 221-9882 or visit reserveadvisors.com.

Our advanced reserve studies help you achieve a deeper engagement with your properties and a more

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Our advanced reserve studie

To use.

Pretty much everything.

Our remarkably simple reserve study system.

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How will you fund yournext association project?Get custom financing that’s perfect for yourbudget and your association. No depositrelationship required.

Let us find the financing that’s right for you.Call me today!

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Thomas Engblom, Ph.D, CMCA, AMS, PCAMVice President312-209-2623866-800-4656 [email protected]

mutualofomahabank.com Member FDICEqual Housing Lender

location

TBD

SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT STARTS WITH THE ESSENTIALS.This comprehensive community association management course provides a practical overview for new managers and an essential review for veteran managers. Successful completion of this course is the first step in obtaining a professional designation in community association management.ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

» Visit www.caionline.org/m100 to register for this course online. Register online four weeks ahead and receive a $25 discount.

m-100The Essentials of Community Association Management

MINNESOTA

March 21-23,2019

& EDUCATIONAL EVENT

2 0 1 9FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST

BLOOMINGTON DOUBLETREE

Keynote Speaker, Jeff Justice is an acclaimed motivational humorist, professional speaker, author and presentation skills coach. A top stand-up comedian and improvisational actor, he has developed programs that are high in content and big on laughs.

• 70+ Exhibitors • Networking Opportunities• A Nationally-Renowned & Hilariously Funny Speaker• Breakfast, Lunch & Happy Hour (1 Free Drink Ticket)• Door PrizesADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Visit www.cai-mn.com to register for the 2019 Expo online. »

Documents

CAI-MN - WINTER 2018 FINAL...Real Estate Services. Collective-ly, this team will operate under an overriding theme of ‘back to the basics’ to ensure the Chapter is working at peak