Residents Meeting 27th November
Hi,
Meeting went ahead on Monday night as planned, so thanks to those who attended and contributed. Discussion items as below – prepared in a rush, apologies for brevity and typos. Any questions let me know, anything you want raising that has not been already then let me know.
Pre-Agenda
· Guy Willman has now left Accent, and Sarah Smith, his replacement, attended the meeting along with Annette Elliot from Accent. Sarah will be involved with other developments in Leeds that Accent have secured, which means that she will be able to maintain a consistent focus and presence at City Island.
Police
· Sgt Howarth of Milgarth Police Station, along with two of his colleagues attended the meeting. He is keen to maintain the relationship with Tony, the concierge, and City Island Residents Group and intends to attend, or at least have another officer attend future meetings. So if you want anything raising, let us know or attend the next meeting yourself.
· If you are unhappy with any level of police service escalate to them on the number below.
· The police at Milgarth have a dedicated anti social behaviour officer. If you report it, they only require minimal evidence to enforce an ASBO. So, as reiterated at other times, if you are suffering from anti-social behaviour, do something about it by escalating via CIRG, Tony, or the police directly
· Hand held/handbag panic alarms are available from the police for about £1 each if anyone wants one
· The police are aggressively targeting low level crime such as rough sleepers, street drinkers, and beggars as these bring in other levels of crime such as drug dealing, robbery, and assaults. They advised that you should not be giving money to beggars, as this encourages them to the area.
· It was commented that we have a strong community spirit in City Island compared to a lot of other developments, so we should continue to use it to our advantage.
· The best way for the police to be effective is to work with the residents
· Close doors after you
· Challenge strangers entering behind you to see their access card
· Report anything and everything as the police work on intelligence, call 0113 2413056 and tell them about anything suspicious you know about or see.
· Finally, we need to put matters in perspective, apart from a couple of crimes that we all already know about, there have only been another 4 crimes reported around City Island in the last four months. There is very little crime around City Island compared to the rest of the city, and this is why crime seems very visible to us when it does happen.
Wellington Place Development
· MEPC, the development company have asked for comments on Wellington Place, the new development stretching from City Island all the way to town in between Whitehall Road and Wellington Street, have requested comments and feedback on the proposed plans. This is your chance to influence what happens, if you are interested in knowing more please look out for an email from Susan Ridge, a resident who has volunteered to run with this issue on behalf of City Island Residents, give her your input and support to see how we can influence this.
Security
· CCTV cameras at City Island are now all programmed to ‘roam’ properly, that is to scan areas instead of remaining static.
· There is now 24 hour security, and Tony is improving the quality of the guards understanding of the development and therefore their capabilities on an ongoing basis
Inappropriate Parking
· The council do not patrol parking 24 hours a day, and hence people still abuse the parking on Gotts Road. Unfortunately, Gotts Road is a public road and so we have no jurisdiction over it.
Underground Parking
· Situation has improved. People who shouldn’t be parking under there are not anymore. Penalty ticketing is working well.
Spare Parking Spaces
· The issue of renting out the spare parking spaces from Mayfair seems to be faltering, in so much as Mayfair (as usual) are ignoring Accents communications regarding the matter. No progress has been made since the last meeting, and as City Island II is due for completion in a years time, time is running out for the parking to be useful at all.
· However, some residents might not know that parking is available quite cheaply and with a 24 hour guard at the van rental place behind Majestic Wine Warehouse. Speak to Tony for more details, or wander around there and ask about it.
Car Park Barrier
· There was a one off issue where the barrier jammed on a Saturday. Tony was able to resolve this after a slight delay. The fault was caused by using the buttons to operate the barrier. Do not use the buttons as it will damage the barrier mechanism and we will be charged for repairs via our management fees.
· Issue was raised that the barrier is opened using a big metal thing that is left inside the entrance so that anyone on foot can get out. Whilst this is convenient it is not secure, so an action was put on Accent to investigate the installation of a swipe card exit as well as entrance. This way, only people who have cards would be able to exit the car park.
Car Park One way system or Convex Mirrors
· There are blind spots in the car park that has resulted in at least one collision. Action on Accent to perform a Site Survey Risk Assessment and install suitable mitigation mechanisms
Ongoing Saga of Window Cleaning
· Firstly, the original leases did not provide for any window cleaning at all other than communal areas, so ANY apartment cleaning is a bonus. That said it has been agreed that where it is not possible or it is dangerous to clean windows yourself, these would be covered. So, if you can reach it safely, it will not be cleaned for you.
· Accent now know where all the abseil points are and are having them tested on the 4th and 5th of December. Assuming they pass the safety test, there will be a full clean in January, including balcony glass.
Bin Areas
· There is a feral cat which may be responsible for pulling out food and rubbish from the bins.
· However, we live between two water ways, so vermin (or long tails as Tony calls them), are a possibility, so residents need to be responsible with rubbish too.
· We are going to have the bin areas painted, resurfaced, and have locks fitted to the doors so that the bin areas are not used as a thoroughfare. Action on Accent to progress.
· The bin areas are jet cleaned, and can be done so at short notice at Tony’s discretion, so if you think they are in an unacceptable state, let Tony know and if he agrees we will get them jet washed. Don’t forget everything costs us through management fees so it is not reasonable to expect them to be done every day or week.
Recycling
· Glass recycling is excellent and people are using it, but we still have not had any paper recycling. The problem was that there was nowhere to put them. I have agreed to contact the council to see if we can have paper recycling put outside by the glass recycling points. What would people’s views be on this? Valuable resource or an eyesore?
Canal Side Entrance
· Now secured by swipe card access.
· Lighting still on order. Action on Accent to chase.
Cleaning
· It was raised that lifts are only being wiped not cleaned properly. Action on Tony to raise with cleaners, Accent to raise with cleaning company.
· Also an Action on Accent to purchase and install mats for the foyer areas.
Maintenance
· Maintenance issues should be reported to Tony who should be able to resolve in a timely manner. Specific issues that have been raised
· High Pitched Noise from door entry systems is a known fault, and requires a code to be entered by security to reset them. If this happens and it is bothering you call the management suite, Action on Tony to assist and also teach the guards how to do it for out of hours problems
· Broken pipe outside Beringa Car Park entrance. Part on order. Action on Accent to chase
· Doors do not close properly in several of the entrances. Action on Accent / Tony to resolve
· Completion of communal areas/car park. Many people still feel these areas are not competed as they should be, Mayfair disagree. It was decided that we should get our local councillors involved as Mayfair seem to be acting with impunity and disdain on this and many other matters. Action on resident Sandra Hutchinson to progress.
Outstanding snagging
· Same impunity and disdain from Mayfair, people are completely ignored. If you have outstanding snagging issues you need to report them to Mayfair in writing and by recorded delivery within two years of the completion of your apartment. You can then apply to NHBC to mediate.
· Additionally, several owners are considering pooling together to file a legal action against Mayfair including the possibility of a full building inspection
Infrared Passive Lighting
· As per an earlier blog post and email (probably from the last meeting), this is still ongoing but yet again Mayfair are nor responding to give their permission to go ahead, so Accent have now drafted a letter stating if they do not hear from them, then the work will go ahead.
· When it does go ahead it will be done in phases over months.
Aesthetics
· Washing on balconies was raised as being unsightly and making the development look unsightly. It’s also a legal breach of your lease.
Notice Boards
· There are now (or will be soon) notice boards in the foyer of each building. Feel free to use them as you see fit, but be sensible. Tony has full rights to censor the content for anything he deems inappropriate, and remove it. If the notice boards are abused, they will be replaced with locking glass fronted ones.
Management Suite Email
· Accent are in the process getting email installed in the management suite so that we can contact Tony and the Security staff more easily.
Fire Safety
· Issues concerning fire safety were raised
· Fire doors wedged open. Action on Tony to incorporate closing of doors in his patrols and to ensure the security guards also do so.
· Risers are not sealed. Action in Accent to go to Mayfair and report back to CIRG by 1st January, after which Accent will go to the Fire department
Lighting
· All hall way lighting should now be operational.
Mail Shot to Lease Holders
· Accent have agreed to send a flier on our behalf to the leaseholders of City island. Up to now we have only been able to petition residents by flyers and so forth, as Accent could not release the names of the actual owners of the apartments due to data protection laws. We hope that by contacting the apartment owners we will get many more interested parties involved in City Island Residents Group. Action on resident Colin Brown to produce and provide flyer to Accent for inclusion in mail shot.
Meeting went ahead on Monday night as planned, so thanks to those who attended and contributed. Discussion items as below – prepared in a rush, apologies for brevity and typos. Any questions let me know, anything you want raising that has not been already then let me know.
Pre-Agenda
· Guy Willman has now left Accent, and Sarah Smith, his replacement, attended the meeting along with Annette Elliot from Accent. Sarah will be involved with other developments in Leeds that Accent have secured, which means that she will be able to maintain a consistent focus and presence at City Island.
Police
· Sgt Howarth of Milgarth Police Station, along with two of his colleagues attended the meeting. He is keen to maintain the relationship with Tony, the concierge, and City Island Residents Group and intends to attend, or at least have another officer attend future meetings. So if you want anything raising, let us know or attend the next meeting yourself.
· If you are unhappy with any level of police service escalate to them on the number below.
· The police at Milgarth have a dedicated anti social behaviour officer. If you report it, they only require minimal evidence to enforce an ASBO. So, as reiterated at other times, if you are suffering from anti-social behaviour, do something about it by escalating via CIRG, Tony, or the police directly
· Hand held/handbag panic alarms are available from the police for about £1 each if anyone wants one
· The police are aggressively targeting low level crime such as rough sleepers, street drinkers, and beggars as these bring in other levels of crime such as drug dealing, robbery, and assaults. They advised that you should not be giving money to beggars, as this encourages them to the area.
· It was commented that we have a strong community spirit in City Island compared to a lot of other developments, so we should continue to use it to our advantage.
· The best way for the police to be effective is to work with the residents
· Close doors after you
· Challenge strangers entering behind you to see their access card
· Report anything and everything as the police work on intelligence, call 0113 2413056 and tell them about anything suspicious you know about or see.
· Finally, we need to put matters in perspective, apart from a couple of crimes that we all already know about, there have only been another 4 crimes reported around City Island in the last four months. There is very little crime around City Island compared to the rest of the city, and this is why crime seems very visible to us when it does happen.
Wellington Place Development
· MEPC, the development company have asked for comments on Wellington Place, the new development stretching from City Island all the way to town in between Whitehall Road and Wellington Street, have requested comments and feedback on the proposed plans. This is your chance to influence what happens, if you are interested in knowing more please look out for an email from Susan Ridge, a resident who has volunteered to run with this issue on behalf of City Island Residents, give her your input and support to see how we can influence this.
Security
· CCTV cameras at City Island are now all programmed to ‘roam’ properly, that is to scan areas instead of remaining static.
· There is now 24 hour security, and Tony is improving the quality of the guards understanding of the development and therefore their capabilities on an ongoing basis
Inappropriate Parking
· The council do not patrol parking 24 hours a day, and hence people still abuse the parking on Gotts Road. Unfortunately, Gotts Road is a public road and so we have no jurisdiction over it.
Underground Parking
· Situation has improved. People who shouldn’t be parking under there are not anymore. Penalty ticketing is working well.
Spare Parking Spaces
· The issue of renting out the spare parking spaces from Mayfair seems to be faltering, in so much as Mayfair (as usual) are ignoring Accents communications regarding the matter. No progress has been made since the last meeting, and as City Island II is due for completion in a years time, time is running out for the parking to be useful at all.
· However, some residents might not know that parking is available quite cheaply and with a 24 hour guard at the van rental place behind Majestic Wine Warehouse. Speak to Tony for more details, or wander around there and ask about it.
Car Park Barrier
· There was a one off issue where the barrier jammed on a Saturday. Tony was able to resolve this after a slight delay. The fault was caused by using the buttons to operate the barrier. Do not use the buttons as it will damage the barrier mechanism and we will be charged for repairs via our management fees.
· Issue was raised that the barrier is opened using a big metal thing that is left inside the entrance so that anyone on foot can get out. Whilst this is convenient it is not secure, so an action was put on Accent to investigate the installation of a swipe card exit as well as entrance. This way, only people who have cards would be able to exit the car park.
Car Park One way system or Convex Mirrors
· There are blind spots in the car park that has resulted in at least one collision. Action on Accent to perform a Site Survey Risk Assessment and install suitable mitigation mechanisms
Ongoing Saga of Window Cleaning
· Firstly, the original leases did not provide for any window cleaning at all other than communal areas, so ANY apartment cleaning is a bonus. That said it has been agreed that where it is not possible or it is dangerous to clean windows yourself, these would be covered. So, if you can reach it safely, it will not be cleaned for you.
· Accent now know where all the abseil points are and are having them tested on the 4th and 5th of December. Assuming they pass the safety test, there will be a full clean in January, including balcony glass.
Bin Areas
· There is a feral cat which may be responsible for pulling out food and rubbish from the bins.
· However, we live between two water ways, so vermin (or long tails as Tony calls them), are a possibility, so residents need to be responsible with rubbish too.
· We are going to have the bin areas painted, resurfaced, and have locks fitted to the doors so that the bin areas are not used as a thoroughfare. Action on Accent to progress.
· The bin areas are jet cleaned, and can be done so at short notice at Tony’s discretion, so if you think they are in an unacceptable state, let Tony know and if he agrees we will get them jet washed. Don’t forget everything costs us through management fees so it is not reasonable to expect them to be done every day or week.
Recycling
· Glass recycling is excellent and people are using it, but we still have not had any paper recycling. The problem was that there was nowhere to put them. I have agreed to contact the council to see if we can have paper recycling put outside by the glass recycling points. What would people’s views be on this? Valuable resource or an eyesore?
Canal Side Entrance
· Now secured by swipe card access.
· Lighting still on order. Action on Accent to chase.
Cleaning
· It was raised that lifts are only being wiped not cleaned properly. Action on Tony to raise with cleaners, Accent to raise with cleaning company.
· Also an Action on Accent to purchase and install mats for the foyer areas.
Maintenance
· Maintenance issues should be reported to Tony who should be able to resolve in a timely manner. Specific issues that have been raised
· High Pitched Noise from door entry systems is a known fault, and requires a code to be entered by security to reset them. If this happens and it is bothering you call the management suite, Action on Tony to assist and also teach the guards how to do it for out of hours problems
· Broken pipe outside Beringa Car Park entrance. Part on order. Action on Accent to chase
· Doors do not close properly in several of the entrances. Action on Accent / Tony to resolve
· Completion of communal areas/car park. Many people still feel these areas are not competed as they should be, Mayfair disagree. It was decided that we should get our local councillors involved as Mayfair seem to be acting with impunity and disdain on this and many other matters. Action on resident Sandra Hutchinson to progress.
Outstanding snagging
· Same impunity and disdain from Mayfair, people are completely ignored. If you have outstanding snagging issues you need to report them to Mayfair in writing and by recorded delivery within two years of the completion of your apartment. You can then apply to NHBC to mediate.
· Additionally, several owners are considering pooling together to file a legal action against Mayfair including the possibility of a full building inspection
Infrared Passive Lighting
· As per an earlier blog post and email (probably from the last meeting), this is still ongoing but yet again Mayfair are nor responding to give their permission to go ahead, so Accent have now drafted a letter stating if they do not hear from them, then the work will go ahead.
· When it does go ahead it will be done in phases over months.
Aesthetics
· Washing on balconies was raised as being unsightly and making the development look unsightly. It’s also a legal breach of your lease.
Notice Boards
· There are now (or will be soon) notice boards in the foyer of each building. Feel free to use them as you see fit, but be sensible. Tony has full rights to censor the content for anything he deems inappropriate, and remove it. If the notice boards are abused, they will be replaced with locking glass fronted ones.
Management Suite Email
· Accent are in the process getting email installed in the management suite so that we can contact Tony and the Security staff more easily.
Fire Safety
· Issues concerning fire safety were raised
· Fire doors wedged open. Action on Tony to incorporate closing of doors in his patrols and to ensure the security guards also do so.
· Risers are not sealed. Action in Accent to go to Mayfair and report back to CIRG by 1st January, after which Accent will go to the Fire department
Lighting
· All hall way lighting should now be operational.
Mail Shot to Lease Holders
· Accent have agreed to send a flier on our behalf to the leaseholders of City island. Up to now we have only been able to petition residents by flyers and so forth, as Accent could not release the names of the actual owners of the apartments due to data protection laws. We hope that by contacting the apartment owners we will get many more interested parties involved in City Island Residents Group. Action on resident Colin Brown to produce and provide flyer to Accent for inclusion in mail shot.
posted by City Island Residents Group at 11:22 AM
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