Spring Clean at Red Haus
Greetings neighbours,
I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who attended our 2023 AGM (held on May 8), a review of the year’s operational and capital activities, as well as our financial position. Once minutes are completed, they will be made available on the Govenmance page and on Condo Control.
In the interim, I’d like to highlight some of the take aways, as well as the directives we’ve championed this year to enhance the quality of life, security, and financial stability of our community and Corporation.
The 2022 Board was re-elected in addition to welcoming two new volunteers, growing our Board from five to seven members. I attribute our collective success to the solidarity, diversity and relevant experience of this group. Greater bandwidth and depth of expertise will undoubtedly be of benefit to this community, and your investment.
Our directives generally fall into four categories, namely: operations, finance, communications and security.
First, from an operations perspective, the Board has reviewed all vender contracts this year to optimize value for day-to-day operations. This review has yielded a savings of $60,000 for the Corporation over last year’s spend.
Also of significance, following last year’s AGM, we passed necessary bylaw changes by way of Special Resolution vote. Had this vote not passed (which was certain had we not collected votes electronically), we were vulnerable to multiple $10,000 fines by the Province. To date, we are the only property in Calgary to achieve this through digital voting measures, thanks to the efforts of our communications consultant.
Secondly, from a financial perspective, in-spite of inflation and recessionary pressures, responsible fiscal management has made it unnecessary to increase condo fees for owners.
We’ve budgeted this year to update the resident’s lounge in the Club Haus. This has not been done since the building’s inception in 2007. We wish to remain competitive with other multi-residential complexes, but also enhance opportunities for residents to connect with other residents (through clubs) and to provide a polished space for personal and private events.
We invested in additional equipment in the gym to expand your options and elevate your at-home work outs.
Thirdly, for enhanced owner & resident communications, we’ve recently converted all necessary forms from printable PDFs to fillable electronic forms, which significantly eases the submission process.
We’ve also had to bring our forms and policies up-to-date to align with our revised bylaws. Visit the Forms page to update owner and tenant information. Also watch your inbox and mailbox for updated policy information.
We’ve produced six newsletters this past year, that serve to update owners and residents regarding capital and operational spends, bylaw infractions and property maintenance updates. This information is mirrored on memo boards and digital signage for your convenience and awareness.
Fourth and lastly, to further enhance security, we’ve upgraded our security software so that we might more easily identify trespassers, vandals and those failing to fob into the parkade.
It’s been a pleasure serving you and this community. We will endeavour, as always, to move this community forward in a safe, thoughtful and fiscally responsible manner.
As we transition into summer and enjoy more time outdoors — and on our patios — we ask that you take note of the spring cleaning reminders below as they relate to safety, respectful noise levels and common bylaw infractions.
— Don McKenzie | President, Red Haus Board of Directors
Spring Clean Check List
Preparing our patios and shared green space for collective enjoyment
Patio Furniture Do’s + Don’ts
Permitted on my patio…
Gas BBQs only
Bistro set and/or patio-intended furniture
Free-standing planters with saucers (to catch water)
Railing-hanging planters (inward-facing only)
Safe disposal of smoking material
Considerate noise levels 24/7
NOT permitted on my patio…
Propane BBQs or hybachis (extreme fire hazard)
String lights*
Bicycles or tricycles
Waste or recycling containers
Pee pads for pets
Bird feeders
Disposing cigarette butts off patio, onto green space
Anything attached to property siding or patio ceilings
*Exceptions for string lights are made during the holidays only
Feeding Birds is Not Permitted
Though kind and enjoyable, feeding birds from your patio or on common property invites costly nest and pest remediation. To date, pigeons have cost the Corporation literally thousands of dollars and we must do all we can to limit the damage they can cause. Smaller birds bring the bigger ones…
We must therefor strongly discourage bird feeders or bird feeding of any kind on your patio or on common property.
Thank you for your understanding and anticipated cooperation.
Considerate Patio Cleaning
We all take pride in our outdoor spaces. So as you clean your patio this spring and summer, we ask that you be extra mindful of the patios below you.
When mopping your patio, kindly refrain from pushing dirty water off the sides — unbeknownst to you, this soapy mess showers down on your neighbour’s space below, who would appreciate their tidy patio kept that way.
Patio Planter Reminders
As you begin to flex your green thumb and beautify your patio space, bylaws stipulate the following for planters:
- Planters and flower pots must be free standing. They may not be suspended from building siding;
- Railing planters are permitted, but must face inward (towards your unit). Damage caused to railings by planters will be the resident’s responsibility;
- Planters with saucers will minimize staining to your patio floor and will also catch water, that will otherwise spill onto the patio below. Kindly make every effort to ensure this doesn’t happen, so not to disturb neighbour’s property
If you Flick, we will Fine
Flicking cigarette butts from patios and building exits onto common property carries serve fines. Cameras and resident intel make it very simple to locate the source.
Not only is it considered littering, cigarettes also present a very real fire hazard to this community. With above-seasonal temperatures, fires are higher risk, so management will be paying closer attention.
Safe disposal of cigarettes (yours and your guests) is your responsibility. Thank you for your vigilance.
Green Space Clean-Up Underway
To welcome new growth and spring blooms, tending to property green space and garden beds has begun. The irrigation system has been blown-out, weeding and pruning is complete, we are topping up gravel and mulch areas, and replacing damaged grass from ice-melt and dog urine.
Here’s to picnics and taking time to spell the… lilac!
Upcoming Power Washing of Windows & Siding
Professional cleaning of siding and windows is scheduled for this month. Simco will be communicating dates, times and instructions, so please watch you inboxes.
On cleaning day, kindly ensure that windows are closed. Anything you don’t wish to get wet or damaged, please be sure to move inside. The cleaning company or Corporation is not responsible for damage caused to your personal property.
Patios are the owners/resident’s responsibility to remain clean and tidy. Unsightly or unsanitary patio spaces are subject to fines.
No Dogs on Garden Beds
With all the pathways and green space on Red Haus property, please refrain from allowing your dog(s) to trample property garden beds. Let’s protect the flowers.
Also, there are five dog waste stations located through the property. Dog owners are expected to use the biodegradable bags provided at each station (or your own). Please dispose of dog waste at one of these pet waste stations. Do not dispose of pet waste in other waste bins.
To minimize grass damage and odour at exists, we ask that dogs are lead (or carried) 20+ feet from doorways in consideration of fellow residents.
Bicycle Cage Access
A secure bicycle storage unit is located in the parkade for resident convenience and additional space.
Simply complete a Bicycle Cage Form HERE and return it to the Maintenance Supervisor. You will receive a bike tag and access information
Please be sure to lock the gate properly behind you for the protection of other’s property. (Change the numbers then clench the lock closed.)
Parking Stall Inspections
Parking stalls must be free of all debris and stains at all times. Storage of any kind is not permitted in front of your vehicle. Stalls are for vehicles only.
We will be conducting random parking stall inspections throughout May and June. Fines will be issued for non-compliance.
Forms are Now Digital
Put your pens and scanners away — hooray! Your Board has focused this year on simplifying the form submission process for owners and residents. Whether its registering your pet or parkade parking, booking a move, or green-lighting a renovation, forms can now be submitted through the Forms page. Please a take a moment to review and submit any forms that are out of date or have yet to be completed.
Forms may also be completed via Condo Control.
Condo Control for Service Requests + Complaints
We are asking owners and residents to lean into Condo Control to submit service requests and complaints. It provides access to a broader support team, an actionable paper trail, and trackable timeline. Condo Control is an extension of our management team — your digital concierge, so directing service requests and complaints there will ensure faster turnaround time. The Property Manager and Maintenance Supervisor will direct you here also.
Log into Condo Control here. Don’t have a password? Contact the Property Manager for access.