President’s Letter
Ugly Sweaters, Comfort & Joy
Festive tidings, neighbour!
Donned in my ugly Christmas sweater with hot chocolate in-hand, we enter our second holiday season with both sugar plums and Covid19 realities dancing in our heads.
As we await returned restrictions with the new variant, we ask that you follow provincial and municipal guidelines as they are announced — and continue to mask-up in hallways, stairwells and elevators (anywhere on our property where two-metre distancing in not possible).
We look forward to resuming our Holiday Open Haus when we can once again gather together safely.
2021 AGM. We thank all who prioritized attending the AGM on October 26 either in-person or online. We broke all previous attendance records and will reply even greater participation in next month’s Special Resolution vote. You will have received Simco’s apology note addressing their technology challenges and the resulting impact on the quality of our meeting. We have been assured that this will not happen again.
As presented by the auditor, our property remains in a great financial position. This Board has continued to take an active role in supporting the renegotiating of service contracts to ensure the property’s best interests.
Review Period for New Draft Bylaws ends December 31. New Draft Bylaws have been available on the Governance page on our website and in the Library on Condo Control since October. These will remain here until December 31 for your review and feedback prior to a Special Resolution vote will follow in January 2022. We have also included a summary of the changes for ease. Please email your bylaw related questions to redhausbylaws@gmail.com. Stay tuned for Special Resolution instructions and timelines in the early new year.
Operational Roles & Contact List. Kindly watch your inbox and front door for a directory connecting common tasks with the best contact person. This is intended to better clarify who-does-what and to also improve the efficiency and response time by our management team.
Open Windows = Bah Humbug. This is your seasonal reminder to close windows during cold spells, please. We’re re-sharing our resident plumbing company’s advise on how to avoid making a Scrooge of yourself (and your neighbours) with “5 Ways to Avoid Floods in Cold Weather.” Flood damage from burst radiator pipes is not only costly to you (and the Corporation) but presents a gross inconvenience for those living around you (generally below you).
We wish you a safe and festive holiday season with friends and family, or one of reflective solitude. I humbly raise my mug to you, our community that is Red Haus.
— Don McKenzie | President, Red Haus Board of Directors
Contact Directory
Your Guide to Faster Response Times & Resolutions
5 Ways to Avoid Unit Floods in Cold Weather
Reggin Technical Services Ltd.
As we see (and feel) the temperatures plummet, we’re re-sharing some easy tips from our property’s plumber (Reggin Technical Services Ltd.) to avoid untimely emergency calls. In recent years, our property insurance has been significantly impacted by residents who fail to follow these steps and in doing so, put their unit and surrounding units at risk due to costly flood damage.
Test & Test Again. Turn your thermostat all the way up, then off (just temporarily while completing test). Check if your radiant heater (along baseboard) comes on when the temperature is increased, and off when decreased (which takes about one minute). If there is no change, there could be an issue with the zone valve or thermostat.
Set & Forget at 17C. Always have your thermostat set at 17C or higher. If you travel or leave your condo for any period of time, never turn your heating off.
Listen closely. Do you hear excessive noice when your radiant heater is turned on. If yes, this can indicate failing or failed components.
Close Windows & Patio Doors. This is tremendously important and is repeatedly the primary reason for flood damage every winter— never, ever open windows below freezing. When left open, cold air can freeze the radiant pipes below and freeze them, causing water pipes to burst.
Have Easy Access to Plumber Contact. Provide your tenant(s) with a preferred contractor contact list, include a plumber in the event of emergencies. Please remember, plumbers fees and costs stemming from flood damage is the responsibility or the occupant and owner.
Psssst. Be sure to ask Santa for adequate Condo Insurance. If he won’t be bringing it… then be sure to ask your insurance company — both owners and renters require insurance, including flood damage.
REGGIN TECHNICAL SERVICES LTD.
Phone: (403) 287 2540
Disclaimer: Red Haus Corporation is not responsible for any related costs or outcomes resulting from services rendered by an owner or resident for inspection, repair or renovation services including Reggin Technical Services, its employees or its contractors.
Housekeeping
Real Trees = Naughty List
Due to extreme fire hazard, real Christmas trees are prohibited in your suite. Please know that fines will be enforced.
Masks Still Recommended
Please continue to wear your mask in common areas where two-metre distancing is not possible: hallways, stairwells and elevators. We appreciate your cooperation as danger of the new variant becomes more clear.
Bylaw Review Open Until
December 31
NEW Draft bylaws have been available for review since October on both the Governance page as well as on Condo Control. There is a summary of the changes provided for ease. They will remain posted for your review and comment until December 31. Email your bylaw related questions to redhausbylaws@gmail.com.
Required by law, our existing bylaws must now align with the new Condominium Property Act by Special Resolution vote in January 2022. This has been a lengthly, exhaustive and costly exercise to get us to this point, significantly delayed by COVID-19 restrictions. Now that we’re here, we will require 75% of Red Haus owners to ratify these updates by way of a Special Resolution. A Special Resolution requires approval of at least 75% of people entitled to vote and representing at least 75% of total unit factors. Stay tuned for voting details.
Wreaths May Not Face
Hallways, Ho! Ho! No!
Holiday wreaths may not be hung on the OUTSIDE of front doors. Inward-facing is totally fine.
Holiday Lights
Christmas lights may be strung from patio railings from December 1- January 15.
NOTE: Infraction fines will be issued for non-compliance.
Visitor Parking Passes
Visitor parking passes can be issued through the Onsite Concierge service through Condo Control.
NOTE: There is a 12-Night Per Month Limit for these passes.