June Newsletter

Dear Boardie,

Q. All we hear about is Covid, Covid, Covid. Isn’t there any other news in the building?

A. There’s plenty of other building news but the pandemic will still be with us by the time you read this.

COVID PROGRESS REPORT. At the time of this writing, we know of no person in the building who has caught Covid. That’s very good news, but not time to let down our guard against this highly contagious and deadly disease. Wash your hands 20 seconds as soon as you come home. Wash your hands immediately after returning from the Laundry Room. Wear a mask.

BUILDING MANAGER – Our dedicated Building Manager Joseph Arellano is now back full time, and we appreciate his daily troubleshooting. BUT please practice Social Distancing and do not enter his office. Stand no closer than his doorway to chat with him. Call or text him at 619.339.3490. The virus is no excuse to ignore a problem in your unit like a leaky toilet or hearing a sound that seems wrong. Call Joseph!

LAUNDRY ROOM – Try to be alone. If someone is folding their laundry, come back later. Sure it seems unfriendly, but this is the new friendly.

POOL – The new Covid pool rules are working. No more than about ten swimmers can occupy the pool area, NO GUESTS. Our lounges will be washed down twice a week. Please remember to limit your sunning to 2 hours so others can enjoy the pool too.

ELEVATORS – This Covid rule needs to be taken more seriously. This is a time to NOT do the polite thing and invite strangers to crowd into the elevators with you. This is the time for Social Distancing. Try to ride the elevator alone or with your partner or take the stairs. Please don’t take offence if the elevator stops on your floor and the riders inside hold up their hands in the Stop Sign – choosing to ride alone. Forgive them. They are just being safe.

MASKS – Please for the sake of your health and the health of others, wear a mask. A mask will also create barrier so you don’t inadvertently touch your nose or mouth (which is how the virus gets in). 

PIZZA DELIVERY – If possible, meet your delivery person in the lobby so that less strangers from outside are in our elevators and hallways.

BUDDY SYSTEM – We thank our volunteer Buddies who have been helping residents in various ways such as computer coaching over the phone, getting groceries for people, going to the post office, rolling up notices and putting them on 118 doors and posting notices on the laundry room bulletin boards. If you are sequestered and need a Buddy’s help, contact Buddy Coordinators Brandt Montgomery or Karyl Miller. 

OTHER BOARD NEWS:

ANNUAL MEETING - Due to uncertainty about the virus we were not able to schedule our normal June Annual Meeting and Board Elections. Elections and Annual Meeting are postponed till possibly August or September.

There are also new State rules governing HOA Elections (having nothing to do with the virus) that must be adopted by the board this year. You will be getting a special mailing informing you about the elections and inviting you to nominate yourself. The annual meeting will probably take place on computer using Zoom and you will be given a notice on to how to log on.

Incentives to vote: As usual, we are offering one free month ($450) dues to one lucky voter. So vote!

UPDATE - ROOF! FINALLY! Our new roof project will begin around June 15 and will go on for about two months. First the old roof will have to be removed. A trash tunnel will be set up going all the way down to the street. It will be noisy and dirty and we are sorry for the inconvenience. Due to the virus precautions, roofers will be wearing masks in the common areas, and will have their own portable toilet

Newsletter Written by Karyl Miller and Edited by Trish Mylet

Coronavirus Update

Dear Boardie,

Q. What is Pacific Tower doing to protect us against Covid 19?

A. Pacific Tower HOA is doing its best to keep you safe. Things change daily so it’s a good idea to check the lobby bulletin board for the most current info.

It’s possible some people in Pacific Tower will come down with this highly infectious disease. They might have a light case or a severe case but either way, we want to make sure we do everything so that they have a successful quarantine and that they do not infect others.

If you are healthy but out of an abundance of caution are sheltering in place that’s good. Remember to disinfect your door handles and wash your hands the minute you get back from the laundry room or getting your mail. Open the package at your door and remove the contents. Dispose of the box in the laundry room and wash your hands immediately.

If you have contracted Coronavirus we urge you not to leave your unit for any reason. Stay off the elevators, stay out of the hall and laundry rooms and don’t get your mail. If you do not have a friend or family to help you, Pacific Tower has instituted a Buddy System. We will help connect you to someone who can go get a few groceries, medicines and other essential supplies so you do not need to leave your unit and they will leave them at your doorstep.

BUDDY SYSTEM

If you want to volunteer to be a Buddy or you need an errand run by a Buddy, please call or text Karyl Miller or Brandt Montgomery They are the Buddy Organizers and connect people in need with a Buddy who can help. You don’t need to be sick to have a Buddy helper, for example if you are elderly or have an underlying medical condition. But if you are sick, we need to know ASAP.

BUILDING MANAGER - Joseph Arellano will be here Monday, Wednesday and Friday till 12 or as needed and can be reached every day by call or text from 8 to 5 at 619.339.3490.

ELEVATORS – Please honor the 6-foot Separation Rule. If the elevator is occupied, take the next one or take the stairs. Crowding in is very DANGEROUS.

SENIORS - Our most vulnerable residents need your help to isolate themselves.
If there is a senior on your floor knock on their door and ask if you can run an errand for them. Some don’t use computers. Give them your phone number. Find out if they have a family member helping them in emergencies.

GYM and REC room – CLOSED. Pool – is open and safe to use due to chlorine but gym bathrooms are closed. Lounges have been removed since they cannot be disinfected but you may bring your own beach chair. Please stay 6 feet apart and consider wearing a facemask.

PACKAGE DELIVERY – Delivery persons have touched hundreds of doors and packages every day. After you handle your package, break down the box, wash your hands and deposit it in the laundry room. After returning to your unit, wash your hands right away. Make a habit of washing your hands each time you enter your apartment.


PIZZA and TAKE-OUT DELIVERY – Please meet the delivery person in the lobby. We are trying to minimize contact with people who visit many people whenever it is practical. (Eating take-out food isn’t entirely safe either because fast food workers do not get a day off if they are sick.) After properly disposing of the containers, place food on your clean plates and zap it in the microwave.

LAUNDRY ROOMS - Try to be alone. If someone is in there, give them a few minutes and come back later. Wash your hands right after using the trash chute, the machines and touching the door handle.

TRADESMEN and CLEANING SERVICES – Must check in at the office. Contractors must pledge that if a worker is sick with a cold, they will send them home immediately.

STAFF – Maintenance staff is working at reduced hours to minimize interacting with others. Joseph will be working from 8:30 AM to 2 PM. Do not enter Joseph’s office. Marvin is not coming in at all but our janitorial service is coming here every day.

TOILETS – Use only toilet paper. Baby wipes, paper towels and rags will stuff the plumbing and it could easily back up into your bathtub! If you must use something other than toilet paper, put it in a zip lock bag and toss it in the garbage.

Newsletter Written by Karyl Miller and Edited by Trish Mylet

Pacific Tower Blog http://www.PacificTowerHOA.org

Pacific Tower FAQs 

 Dear Boardie, I forgot – what does FAQs mean?

A. Frequently Asked Questions. It’s impossible to know everything about the building, so here’s a handy updated list with new phone numbers and websites. Rules listed aren’t the ONLY rules, but these are the most often broken. Vendors and tradesmen listed are some we use but you are always free to choose your own.

Please visit our blog http://www.PacificTowerHOA.org for lots of helpful articles and downloads, including our Rules and Regulations and other forms. Please see, call or text on-site Building Manager Joseph Arellano, with any and all questions, no matter how trivial at 619.339.3490.

AFTER-HOURS BUILDING EMERGENCIES: Professional HOA Consultants - 619.430.0695

BALCONIES: No plants without plastic plates underneath them. No smoking, rugs, laundry/wetsuits, towels, storage, BBQs, decorative string lights.

CATWALK: No smoking, party-ing, loud yakking, running, noise, music, wet towels or doormats.

CONSTRUCTION: 8 AM to 5 PM Monday – Friday. Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM.

ELEVATOR RESERVATION FORM: Required for use of the elevator for delivery of furniture or removal of  remodeling debris etc. $50 per day.  Available on our blog, website or in the Lobby Office.

GARBAGE DISPOSALS: No Drano, Liquid Plumber, celery, artichokes, etc. Please use your common  sense or check the internet. And don’t forget to run lots of cold water while grinding.

HANDYMAN: West Coast Repairs (Doug Peters) 619.760.7975

KEYS: Your large square key opens the Front Lobby doors, Dumpster Room, Exterior stairway doors, Lower Garage Lobby Doors, Pool and Rec Room. You can get a second key for a deposit of $75. 

LOWER GARAGE GATE REMOTES are $35, available in the Lobby Office by check or money order.

LAUNDRY: You can use the machines on any floor.  Leave washer door open after using to prevent mold. Empty lint filter after using dryer. Do NOT prop open Laundry Room Doors by order of the Fire  Department.

LOBBY OFFICE HOURS: 8 AM to 5 PM weekdays. Call or text 619.339.3490.

LOCKSMITHS: IF the Lobby Office does NOT have your spare key you will need to call a locksmith. Never leave your spare key in your laundry room locker as they are easily broken into.

              Dup-a-Key 858.750.2224 (local in PB), Mike Grizzly Keys 858.444.0437.

MAID/CLEANING SERVICES: Please tell maids and cleaners not to throw boxes down the trash chute because boxes clog the chute.)

              Spanish: Por favor no tire cajas o bolletas por el ventedero dobasura.

              French: Ne pas jeter de boîtes dans la goulotte.

              *Please don’t shake mops or beat rugs on the catwalk or balconies.

              Spanish: No sacuda los trapeadores ni golpee las alfombras en la pasarela or balcones.

              French: Veuillez ne pas secouer les vadrouilles ni battre les tapis sur les podiums ou les balcons

              *Don’t dump water on or over the balcony.

              Spanish: No tirar el agua en el balcon.

              French: Ne jetez pas d’eau sur le balcon.

MOVING IN, OUT OR LARGE DELIVERIES: Absolutely forbidden on weekends and evenings.  The reason is because there is no staff here to unlock the lobby double doors or to lock down and pad the elevator. Violators may be fined $250, so please take a weekday off work for this purpose and always fill out an elevator reservation form.  For last-minute deliveries, text the office at 619.339.3490.

PARKING: You can rent out or swap your parking place only temporarily.  It is deeded to your unit.

PEST CONTROL: Dewey Pest 858.272.3611.

PETS: Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Anyone can download Pet Rules from               http://www.PacificTowerHOA.org

PLUMBERS: Report any plumbing question (sink, toilet or water where it shouldn’t be or even the  sound of dripping) to the Building Manger so he can see the problem before it gets worse.

JC Plumbing 619.477.5001, Emory 858.483.6880,  Ramona Pacific 619.439.1830

POOL: Hours 8 AM to 10 PM.  Don’t dive, smoke, shout, play loud music or have glass bottles or food.

RECYCLING BINS: For paper, plastic and washed and dried cans. No garbage or containers with food particles on them or smelly cat food cans. Flatten all cardboard boxes. Really large boxes should       be flattened and left in the upper garage next to the Dumpster Room doors.

REMODELING: Architectural Rules and forms are available in the Lobby Office and for download at http://www.PacificTowerHOA.org. Know the limits and get written permission from the              Board before making any revisions to your unit.

STREET PARKING: No parking 1^St Wednesday of the month, Wilbur St. (North side) 10 AM to 2 PM and Cass Street (West side) 7 AM to 10 AM. No Parking, 1^St Thursday of the month, Wilbur St, (South side) 10 AM to 2 PM Cass St. (East side) 7 AM to 10 AM.

TRASH CHUTE: No cardboard boxes of any kind, EVER!  No glass. Put garbage in a sealed plastic bag.

TV/CABLE: Free basic cable plus SHOWTIME and INTERNET from Spectrum comes with your unit.  If  you want AT&T, premium channels or hi-speed, you will have to contact them and pay for it.

WIFI: In the gym/RecRoom. 

CONTACT INFO: On-Site Maintenance Office, Joseph Arellano Cell 619.339.3490.  Land.  858.272.0860   Joseph.PTCA@gmail.com

Professional HOA Consultants (PHOAC) After- Hours 619.430.0695.

              PHOAC Daytime Non-emergency 619.229.0044

Community Association Manager (at PHOAC) Ryan Anaya 619.229.0044 Extension 20. Or Email ryan@phoac.com

Newsletter Written by Karyl Miller, Edited by Trish Mylet

                                                                       

CONTACT INFO

On-Site Maintenance Cell Phone (Joseph Arellano) 619.339.3490 – Call or Text

On-Site Maintenance Office Land Line - 858.272.0860

Professional HOA Consultants (PHOAC)-  619.229.0044

PHOAC Emergency After- Hours - 619.430.0695

Community Association Manager – Ryan Anaya 619.229.0044  ext. 20 Ryan@phoac.com

PHOAC Accounts Receivable - payments@phoac.com

HELP! MY BATHROOM WALLS ARE SWEATING!

Dear Boardie, every time I take a shower, my ceiling and walls become wet, even though I took great care to close the sliding shower door.

Q. Why is that?

A. Most obvious reason: Your vent is dirty.

Q.  Are you saying that box with little slats above my toilet is a vent?

A. Yes.

Q. How come it isn’t working?

A.  It’s dirty.

Q. What should I do?

A. Clean it.

Q: How?

A. Get a small ladder and a vacuum cleaner with a long hose. Or you can dig out that hand-held vacuum your sweet, romantic hubby gave you for Valentine’s Day.

Q. Any other ideas?

A. A broom is better than nothing.

A. Use a computer dust spray can.  

I’ve cleaned the vent and my walls are still wet after my shower! 

Q. How does the damn thing work?

A. The vent looks like a chimney inside. On top, on the roof is a fan which draws the dampness out of the vent chase.

Q. How can I test to see if my vent is drawing?

A. Place a Kleenex over the front and let go. If it stays, it’s GOOD, the vent it’s pulling air out.

Q. What if the Kleenex falls to the floor?

A. Make sure your windows and doors are closed and your stove vent is off. Test again.

Q. Why can’t I replace my old vent with an electronic fan vent?

A. Your 1973 vent is equipped with a Fire Safety mechanism. In case of fire, the vent will close, so the fire cannot travel from unit to unit.

A. Also, removing the vent face and peering inside the chase enables plumbers to get a view of the shower plumbing without tearing out the wall.

Q. Any other bright ideas?

A. Leave the bathroom door open a little when you shower, but in case you’re singing, remember to be considerate of others when belting out My Way. You are no Frank Sinatra.

                                    ***

Bye Bye Menas, Hello PHOAC

Your board has left Menas Realty and has signed up with Professional HOA Consultants. You have no doubt received a mailing from PHOAC with lots of info to give and asking for some info from you. If you did NOT get this package or you threw it out by accident, please call or email them to request another. You need to know where to send your monthly check.

Our new Community Manager at PHOAC is Ryan Anaya.

Email = Ryan@PHOAC.com or call Ryan at 619.229.0044

IT'S ALARMING

Imagine you’re in the shower belting out My Way at the top of your lungs, when suddenly you’re drowned out by a shrieking alarm. Womp! Womp! Womp!

DO YOU GUESS: This can’t be good?

BINGO: You would be right. It’s important to stay calm but not too calm because, Fire?

DO YOU: Finish the song? Or find a towel, fast?

STOP. THINK: Would I rather stay in my unit and die of smoke inhalation or be seen on Wilbur in my ratty pink bathrobe? Hard choice, admittedly.

BE PREPARED: Along with your family album, always have your best silk kimono within
reach in case you have to leave in a hurry.

KNOW THIS: Pacific Tower loves you and there are numerous ways it protects you in
case of fire.Obviously we’re the opposite of a woody log cabin.Concrete versus wood is
good.Also, there are censors all over the building connected to a fire detection computer
that’s also connected to the fire department.All our doors are fire-rated not to melt for two
hours.The FD inspects the property annually to make sure all is safe.Not only that…

FUN FACT: Your unit has TWO alarms – SMOKE AND FIRE! What’s the diff? That 5” white round plastic thing (probably over your bedroom door) is a smoke alarm. It’s not connected to the rest of the building. It’s yours.You can get one at Walmart for 18 bucks plus 9 Volt batteries or you can get the fancy-shmancy combo one that also includes a carbon monoxide detector (39 smackers).You’re required by our CC&Rs (AKA the building rules) to have at least one working smoke alarm (and reminded to swap out the batteries annually).

IF IT IS CHIRPING: It’s trying to tell you – I need new batteries ASAP!

HOW DOES MY SMOKE ALARM WORK?
EXAMPLE: Say you left a pot on the stove and went into the bedroom to binge watch a
Three Stooges Marathon.The Stooges aren’t as funny as you remembered and you nod
off.You wake up to a smoke-filled room and your smoke alarm is blaring.

GENIUS: You immediately trace the smoke back to your stove where your mac and
cheese has turned into black and sleaze.
DO: Turn stove off.
IMPORTANT: Do not let your kimono sleeves catch fire.You’ll never forgive yourself.
DO: Turn off and reset your alarm in case the I Love Lucy marathon has the same effect.
DON’T: Leave the building.Stay home, open the windows and have fun trying to rehab
that Revere Ware you just destroyed.

ALARM NUMBER TWO:

IN YOUR HALLWAY: There’s the 3” X 4” rectangular fire alarm. It goes off if there’s a fire anywhere in the common areas of the building like the garage, dumpster room, boiler room, laundry rooms, hallways, lobbies and storage rooms. It’s also connected to our local Fire Station #21, and they are no doubt, on their way the second after our alarm goes off. 

DO I STAY OR DO I GO? It’s not a bad idea to leave the building. It COULD be a false alarm, but why chance it? Skip the elevator and take the stairs down - you could use the exercise. Consider it an opportunity to:

• Get away from the deafening shrieking alarm.
• Meet your neighbors.
• Show off that silk kimono.
• See cute firemen.

Karyl Miller - Writer. Trish Mylet- Editor
http://www.PacificTowerHOA.org 

BALCONY BEAUTIFICATION

Dear Boardie,

Q. Why does the catwalk railing look shiny and new while mine looks dull and old?

SIMPLE ANSWER: Our cleaning staff cleans and shines the railing weekly whereas you rarely or possibly never have cleaned yours.

Q. Okay I admit it. It’s been years. Is there any hope for my balcony railing?

A. Yes!

LONG ANSWER:  All you have to do is A) clean your railing with soap and water. B) Rub lightly with soft steel wool. C) Shine with a soft cloth saturated with ZEP or WEIMAN Stainless Steel Polish. Yes, it smells uggy like WD40, but that smell will dissipate.

Q. What if I hate the smell of Eau de WD40?

A. Wear rubber gloves, a clothes pin on your nose and direct the spray into your soft cloth.

Q. What if I don’t have time to go to the hardware store to buy this?

Q. Why spend money if I only need a few spritzes?

A. Building Manager Joseph will lend you a can for ONE DAY or less.

Dear Boardie,

Once my railing is clean, my balcony floor will look dirtier than ever!

Q. What’s the easiest way to clean my #$^&*# textured balcony floor?

A. Wait for a rainstorm and while every balcony is wet, sweep with a stiff broom.

Q. What about when it’s dry?

LONG ANSWER: It’s important NOT to drip down on your neighbor, so do NOT throw a bucket of soapy water across your balcony (no matter how tempting). You’ve got to clean just like Cinderella: Get a bucket of soapy water and a scrub brush. Get down on your hands and knees and scrub a few feet at a time. (Wear headphones playing Lizzo if that makes you happy.) Sop up the water using the entire Society section of the San Diego Union Tribune. Then scrub a few feet more. Sop up the water using the entire Sports section. Repeat. Building Manager Joseph will lend you kneepads for one day if you ask him nicely.

Dear Boardie,

Q. Why are plants prohibited on balconies?

A. Plants are permitted AS LONG AS they have a plastic, non-porous

plate underneath.

Q. Why?

A. Despite the protective coating painted on top of your balcony, the concrete is porous. If water gets into the concrete – either from a plant, a wet rug or from a hole where the fencing meets the concrete, it can travel down to the rebar that holds up the structure. Once the rebar gets rusty, it eats the surrounding concrete, compromising the strength of your balcony. We want your balcony protected. If you spot a possible water intrusion, notify Joseph immediately.

                                         ***

VIOLATIONS

Dear Boardie,

Q. What if I see a violation happening - such as a person loading furniture into the elevator on a weekend? Should I find and tackle a Board member and  make them stop the crime?

A. No. Board members are not the building police (although they are probably more familiar with the rules than most). The Board has the task of evaluating and possibly issuing a fine AFTER an owner submits a written violation report of something they saw with their own eyes.

Q. How can I get a blank Violation report?

A. Ask the Building Manager or download a blank Violation Report from PacificTowerHOA.org.

Q. What if a renter sees a violation such as smoking on a balcony?

A. Renter would have to get the owner to make the report because only homeowners can report Violations.

                                   

                                                          ****

                                                                November  21,  2019

GOOD NEWS:

Between now and January 5 you may put holiday decorations

including lights on your balcony.

After that date, decorations and lights are NOT allowed.

BAD NEWS:

Amazon and other packages have recently been stolen from several unit doors. To ensure you get your packages, either require a signature or have them sent to a local Amazon or UPS pick-up location. If you get an email that your package has been delivered and it’s not at your front door, check the lobby. Seasonal delivery people have been known to dump and run.

MORE BAD NEWS:

An unlocked car was recently burglarized in our upper garage. Always lock your car and never have anything valuable showing on the seats.

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS:

Don’t you love watching hundreds of Santas running past our building? The famous Santa 5K and One Mile Run will be racing past us Saturday, December 14 around 9:15 AM.

Need more Christmas? The PB Holiday Parade begins at 1 PM starting on Haines and going west down Garnet, also December 14.

      

                                  WE’RE  BAAACK

After more than a year’s respite, your Pacific Tower monthly newsletter, along with our online blog, PacificTowerHOA.ORG are both happily back in action.  Our blog has all our old newsletters plus searchable helpful hints. Want to know about your toilet? Look it up. What to know what not to throw down your disposal? It’s all there! The blog also contains downloadable CC&Rs, Rules and Regulations, Pet Rules, forms for Violations, Elevator Reservations and other valuable info. Anyone can log on, no registration required.

We are committed to bringing you news about the building, more helpful hints and answers to your questions. 

Karyl Miller, writer  

Trish Mylet, editor

                             WHAT’S  WITH THE  &*%$@! LOBBY?

Dear Boardie,

QUESTION: What the #%&*! happened to our lobby?

ANSWER: The problem with the lobby is the roof.

EXPLAIN PLEASE: Both the lobby and the roof needed remodeling. After the Board interviewed lobby designers and architects and zeroed in on a design, we started with the most basic change in the lobby (raising the ceiling). By that time, the Board realized getting a new roof before the rainy season begins had to take precedent. Timing is everything.

BOTTOM LINE: It was a simple case of age before beauty.

QUESTION: When will the roof be finished?

BETTER QUESTION: When will the roof get started?

ANSWER: Hopefully by the time you read this the roof job will have commenced.

IS THAT A PROMISE? No.

WHY NOT? Not only do we have to completely remove the 1974 roof, we have to create a 2020 roof that meets new OSHA standards and Building Regulations.

FAIR WARNING: The roof job will take eight weeks and will be dirty and noisy. Free earplugs are available in the Lobby Office.

WHAT’S THE HOLD UP? Your Board, since committing to the task and educating themselves as to the best type of replacement roof and then finding the best contractors to do the job, have encountered more restrictions and regulations than a dog has fleas. Also, there are different inspectors for various parts of the roof, and surprise surprise, some agencies are understaffed. So before we even start, we have been forced to play the waiting game.

IS THE BOARD DUMB?

SHORT ANSWER: No.

LONG ANSWER: The six board members and your president are Pacific Tower owners, just like you. Dispite their busy lives, they are and have been amazingly generous with their time. These volunteers shoulder the great burden of making decisions that will affect all of us for years to come. They don’t take their duties lightly.

Both the roof and the lobby are huge headaches involving interviewing experts, surfing the web (to get an education about boring stuff such as types of roofs) and learning about (Ugh!) compliance codes for what was a modern building in 1974. They’re doing their best to improve the building. They should be thanked.

TRICK QUESTION: What if roof delays push us too close to the rainy season?

ANSWER: We’ll pull the ole’ switcheroo and finally get our beautiful lobby! And that’s a promise.

                                                             ***

September 2019 

Everything You Wanted to Know about Pacific Tower 

But Were Afraid to Ask 

Even people who have lived here years don’t know everything about the building, so here’s a handy list of facts you can save, plus a few cool phone numbers and websites. Rules listed aren’t the ONLY rules, but these are the most frequently misunderstood. Vendors and tradesmen listed are some we use but you are always free to choose your own.

Please visit our blog http://www.PacificTowerHOA.org for a free digital copy of our Rules and Regulations as well as other forms and helpful articles about the building. Download all our forms. Please see, call or text on-site Building Manager Joseph Arellano, with any and all questions, no matter how trivial at 619.339.3490.

AFTER-HOURS BUILDING EMERGENCIES: Menas Realty Emergency line 619.744.9883

BALCONIES: No smoking, rugs, laundry/wetsuits, towels, storage, BBQs, decorative string lights or
plants without plastic plates underneath them.

CATWALK: No smoking, party-ing, loud yakking, running, noise, music, wet towels, wetsuits, rugs.

CONSTRUCTION: 8 AM to 5 PM Monday –Friday. Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM.

ELEVATOR RESERVATION FORM: Required for use of the elevator for delivery of furniture or removal of remodeling debris etc. $50 per day. Available on our blog, website or in the Lobby Office.

GARBAGE DISPOSALS: No Drano, celery, artichokes, etc. and please run lots of cold water while grinding.

HANDYMAN: West Coast Repairs (Doug Peters) 619.760.7975

KEYS: Your large square key opens the Front Lobby doors, the Dumpster Room, The Exterior stairway doors, Lower Garage Lobby Doors, Pool and Rec Room. You can get a second key for a deposit of $75.

LOWER GARAGE GATE REMOTES are $35, available in the Lobby Office by check or money order.

LAUNDRY: You can use the machines on any floor. Leave washer door open after using to prevent mold. Empty lint filter after using dryer. Do NOT prop open Laundry Room Doors by order of the Fire Department.

LOBBY OFFICE HOURS: 8 AM to 5 PM weekdays. Call or text 619.339.3490.

LOCKSMITHS: If the Lobby Office does NOT have your spare key you will need to call a locksmith. Never leave your spare key in your laundry room locker as they are easily broken into.

Dup-a-Key 858.750.2224 (local in PB), Mike Grizzly Keys 858.444.0437.

MAID/CLEANING SERVICES: Please tell maids not to throw boxes down the trash chute. (Boxes clog the chute.)

Spanish: Por favor no tire cajas o bolletas por el ventedero dobasura.

French: Ne pas jeter de boîtes dans la goulotte.

Please don’t shake mops or beat rugs on the catwalk or balconies.

Spanish: No sacuda los trapeadores ni golpee las alfombras en la pasarela or balcones.

French: Veuillez ne pas secouer les vadrouilles ni battre les tapis sur les podiums ou les balcons

Don’t dump water on or over the balcony.

Spanish: No tirar el agua en el balcon.

French: Ne jetez pas d’eau sur le balcon.

MOVING IN, OUT OR LARGE DELIVERIES: Absolutely forbidden on weekends and evenings. The reason is because there is no staff here to unlock the lobby double doors or to lock down and pad the elevator. Violators may be fined $250, so please take a weekday off work for this purpose and always fill out an elevator reservation form. For last-minute deliveries, text the office at 619.339.3490.

PARKING: You can rent out or swap your parking place only temporarily. It is deeded to your unit.

PEST CONTROL: Dewey Pest 858.272.3611.

PETS: Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Anyone can download Pet Rules from http://www.PacificTowerHOA.org .

PLUMBERS: Report any plumbing question (sink, toilet, or water where it shouldn’t be) to the

Building Manger so he can see the problem before it gets worse.

JC Plumbing 619.477.5001, Emory 858.483.6880, THA 858.284.4753

POOL: Hours 8 AM to 10 PM. Don’t dive, smoke, shout, play loud music or have glass bottles or food.

RECYCLING BINS: For paper, plastic and washed and dried cans. No garbage or containers with food particles on them. Flatten all cardboard boxes. Really large boxes should be flattened and left in the upper garage next to the Dumpster Room doors.

REMODELING: Architectural Rules and forms are available in the Lobby Office and for download at http://www.PacificTowerHOA.org. Know the limits and get written permission from the Board before making revisions to your unit.

STREET PARKING: No parking 1St Wednesday of the month, Wilbur St. (North side) 10 AM to 2 PM and Cass Street (West side) 7 AM to 10 AM. No Parking, 1St Thursday of the month, Wilbur St, (South side) 10 AM to 2 PM Cass St. (East side) 7 AM to 10 AM.

TRASH CHUTE: No cardboard boxes of any kind, EVER! No glass. Put garbage in a sealed plastic bag.

TV/CABLE: Free basic cable plus SHOWTIME and INTERNET from Spectrum comes with your unit. If you want AT&T, premium channels or hi-speed, you will have to contact them and pay for it.

WIFI: In the gym/RecRoom.  Password is posted on the refrigerator so you can Tweet while you stay in shape.

CONTACT INFO: On-Site Maintenance Office, Joseph Arellano Cell 619.339.3490. Land. 858.272.0860 Joseph.PTCA@gmail.com

Menas Emergency After- Hours 619.744.9883. Menas Daytime Non-emergency 858.270.7870

Community Association Manager (at Menas) Aysen Erbil. Email aerbil@menas.com

The Landlord, The Renter and the HOA

90 days is the shortest lease Pacific Tower allows. Airbnb and all the others of its ilk are on our naughty list. Why? Because vacationers don’t know they’re not supposed to swim after 9 PM or hang their dripping wetsuits over the railing or smoke outside or party like it’s 1999!  We’re not a hotel. For most of us, this is our #1 and only Home Sweet Home. Bevis and Butthead think if they’re shelling out the big Benjamins to be here, they can do whatever do what they want. Wrong!

We have renters who have been Pacific Towerites since the Reagan era and newbies who just moved in. The number fluctuates, but out of 118 units we have around 40 renters. What rights do renters have? For instance, what if renter wants the HOA Board to take action because his upstairs neighbor is clog dancing on the concrete? The renter would have to ask his landlord to file a Violation Report with the HOA in his behalf. Renters are not invited to monthly Homeowners Meeting because they are not homeowners. Them’s the rules.

Let Us Know, Let Us Know…We hate being last to know that someone new moved in. How embarrassing, asking a stranger where they’re going and finding out they’ve been living here for two months. New tenants should check in asap by texting the Building Manager at 619.339.3490. Karyl will be happy to show renters which keys are which and give them a personal 4-digit intercom passcode. New renters should know they cannot move in on a weekend or during the evening. Reason why: there’s no PT Staff to unlock the wide lobby double doors, no one here to magically transform an elevator into a padded FREIGHT elevator and to lock it down. Lastly, the landlord is required to give us a copy of the lease.

If you’re a San Diego landlord and can maintain your unit yourself, good for you. If you’re an absentee landlord and your income property is a state away, you might need a property manager. The Building Manager can’t be expected to be your  property manager. Nuff said.

An absolutely free copy of our wonderful Rules & Regulations is just waiting for you to peruse. Please gaze upon its sumptuous list of Things You Can’t Do! It can be found on our website PacificTowerHOA.org. Happy reading!

No Sweat Exercise!

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

No Sweat Exercise!

All You Do is Sit!

Wanna start the New Year out by creating a band-new you? You HATE gyms? No prob!

With this exercise, you only have to lift a finger (well ten fingers, to be exact).

The exercise is brain only, with the goal to become MORE computer literate.

Wouldn’t it be great NOT to get frustrated because your basic computer knowledge is so limited?

Wouldn’t it be great NOT to have to grovel before your ungrateful kids and impatient grandkids for computer help? Don’t you hate calling Tech Support and being treated like a dummy?

San Diego Community College Continuing Education Spring 2018 FREE computer classes are starting. The North County Campus is brand new and beautiful and has parking right there for only $10 for the entire year. School is at 8355 Aero Drive, which is across the street from Montgomery Field.

EXAMPLE: Beginning and Intermediate WORD classes (3 Mondays) begin Feb 5, Feb 12, and Feb 26 from 1 to 5 pm.

There are many other computer classes, so search online http://www.sdce.edu/schedule#/computers

or call for their catalogue schedule of classes. Pacific Tower Lobby Office has a printed-out schedule for some of the Microsoft Classes. Just ask.

Looking for a computer class closer to home? Wesley Palms has FREE Computer Classes every Saturday at 9:30 AM.  2404 Loring, Pacific Beach.  Join for the year for $15.  You’ll thank yourself!

  

The Royal Flush

If you have a dog, the toilet is their favorite drinking fountain.

If you like to post nasty Tweets, the toilet is the ideal setting for this nefarious activity.

And of course, there’s the toilet’s main purpose: perusing the Victoria’s Secret Catalogue in private.

Short history of the toilet, per Google:

Hole in the ground, outhouse, the indoor flushing extravaganza! Yay!

At Pacific Tower our toilets originally used massive amounts of GPF or Gallons Per Flush.

Then politicians became enlightened and agreed it was important to reduce sewer flows and decrease the amount of potable water the City had to import, and the Water Conservation Movement was born.

In 1994 all toilets in California were required to switch to low-flow using only 1.6 GPF.

In 2017 all toilets in California were required to be only 1.28 GPF.

IN PACIFIC TOWER: If you bought or sold your unit between 1994 and 12.31.16, that transfer required your toilets be updated to 1.6 GPF either by the seller or the buyer.

If you bought or sold your unit in 2017, that transfer required replacement of your toilets to 1.28 GPF either by the seller or the buyer.

You have 90 days to comply with these state regulations, as stated in Pacific Tower CC&Rs.

How do you know if your toilet is compliant? Open the top of the tank. Most low-flow toilets in Pacific Tower use the Sloan Flushmate air-assisted device that makes a lot of noise and forces the water down (and with so little water in the tank, you need the device to make the brown go down. Otherwise you have to flush twice – which defeats the entire purpose). The sticker on the device states the GPF. (See photo)

Flushmaster Conversion info

Out-dated toilets use the familiar gravity system where there’s a rubber ball floating in a sea of water and chain that opens a hole that lets the water out of the bottom. These are antiques that use way too much water and are ineffective in a high-rise building.

In conclusion: If you care about the environment and you want to be compliant with the Pacific Tower CC&Rs, you need to check your toilet. If your toilet needs to be swapped out, the Building Manager can provide a list of several plumbers who can do the job.

Soon you will receive a special mailing regarding the Pacific Tower Water Conservation Policy and new Rules and Regulations concerning that policy.

Water Conservation Policy

The following was adopted by the Board at its meeting on November 21, 2017.

Pacific Tower Community Association

Board Meeting November 21, 2017

Report From Legal Committee

Re: Considerations for Water Usage

· WATER CONSERVATION – in Southern California – semi arid desert area – everyone needs to be aware and helpful as it is a major social and environmental issue.

· POLITICAL AGREEMENT – even the politicians have agreed by passing legislation to encourage and require conservation of water especially in the use of toilet flushing. The law says its purpose is to reduce sewer flows and decrease the use of imported potable water in the City.

· REDUCED STANDARD FOR USE - since 1994 the law has required installation of toilets that only use LESS water per flush

o From 1994 ……….only 1.6 gallons/per flush (gpf) until 12/31/2016

o From 2017 ……….only 1.28 gpf

· LEGAL OBLIGATION – State and local law since 1994 has created a legal obligation applicable upon the transfer of any unit in PTCA on the Seller or, if agreed, by the Buyer to install toilets that comply with the applicable usage standard. If not done by the Seller, escrow documents usually provide for the Buyer to assume that obligation. So the Buyer (new Owner) has the legal obligation to make the change in compliance with the law.

· NON-COMPLIANCE with the law- if the toilets in a transferred unit were not changed within 90 days then the unit is NOT IN COMPLIANCE with the law.

· VIOLATION of CC&Rs – Sec 16.3 states as follows:

Section 16.3. Violation of Law. Any violation of any state, municipal or-local-law, ordinance or regulation, pertaining to the ownership, occupation or use of the Project or any part thereof is hereby declared to be a violation of the Governing Documents and subject to any or all of the enforcement procedures set forth herein.

· PTCA CONCERNS – our Association has self interests to protect for the common welfare in assuring the integrity of the building by compliance with the LAW as well as its own economic benefits through lower expenses for water and the perceived value of the toilet upgrades in the Building.

· USAGE – in the region toilet flushing uses millions of gallons a day. In our building, “old toilets” that do not (or did not) comply with the applicable usage standard when last purchased may be using perhaps 5.6gpf or 3.6gpf instead of the standard of 1.6gpf (applicable for many years 1994 - 2016) or the new current standard of 1.28gpf. Every day – every time - those “old toilets” are flushing more than 4 times or almost 3 times the amount of water currently allowed as the desirable water conservation usage.

· PTCA COSTS – the cost of all the water in the building is an Association cost because it is not separately metered for each unit. Our regional water resource agencies try to limit usage through conservation efforts and must also increase costs in the cycle of supply / demand. Our assessments have had to cover INCREASING COSTS for the building water usage as follows;

o HOA Budget Year Amount Increase

o 2015 $44,400 $5,100

o 2016 $52,200 $7,800

o 2017 $61,600 $9,400

With non –compliant toilets our building is using more water than we should and we are facing increasing water rates. We are also subject to public criticism and adverse reputation as non-complying with public law.


· BOARD ACTIONS – when brought to its attention, an issue that involves enforcement of a clear provision of the CC&Rs (Sec 16.3), some actions by the Board may be expected as a matter of performing its duty. Perhaps the Board should consider the following program of steps to act in behalf of the general welfare of the Pacific Tower Community:


o Resolve to recognize the law and the benefits of enforcement to the Pacific Tower Community as a matter of urgency.

o Effectively communicate the requirements of the law -- PAST AND PRESENT -- to all member/ owners so there is no misunderstanding of the legal requirements by authorizing a newsletter and / or a general letter to all members.

o Within a 120 day grace period, request voluntary compliance of affected Unit Owners whose unit toilets do not comply with the standard applicable at the time of their purchase and require compliance with the current standard.

o After the 120 day grace period has ended, the Association may make an inspection of each toilet in a unit and require compliance as a condition of approving any Architectural Application for a Unit, or as a condition for making any unrelated entry into a unit for any reason requested by the Owner.

o If a Unit Owner needs such work to be done, the Association will provide the names of plumbing businesses that are familiar with the Building and are capable of completing the kind of work needed to comply with the applicable plumbing standards.

· CONFLICTS OF INTEREST – If it appears that a Board member has a unit with non-compliant toilet(s) and feels that any personal obligation to comply should affect a decision in behalf of the community interest, then that may be a matter of conflict of interest to be considered seriously.

· LEGAL COUNSEL – our counsel has provided the legislative history of the progressive efforts in the State and local laws to conserve water as they apply to the PTCA building since the 1994 Ordinance. Copies attached.

Addendum: Although the applicable law does not specify the use of an air assisted device with the required lower water volumes, their use is highly recommended by toilet manufacturers, toilet distributors, and all plumber organizations as a practical matter for an optimal flushing effect.
Tom Ward

The Drain You Clog May Be Your Own

Ever had that sinking feeling when you jam two dozen corn husks into your sink garbage disposal and it REBELS? It just grinds and grinds wimp-ily and you know it’s dead and YOU KILLED IT?

Newsflash: The HOA is NOT going to pay your plumbing bill. You dood it, you pay for it.  Save yourself some money by learning about the care and feeding of a garbage disposal.

Google: What Not to put down your Garbage Disposal or Disposer which is what the experts like to call it even though nobody else does. Or check the million YouTube videos on the same subject - (not as fun as funny cat videos but will save you mucho dinero in the long run.)

List of Nos

Drano or any caustic drain cleaners! This stuff totally wrecks the pipes and there’s a 100% chance you will STILL wind up calling a plumber.

Grease - solidifies inside your drain like plaque in your arteries and gives our pipes a heart attack.

Pasta and rice – uncooked expands with water, causes big clog-oramas.

Coffee grounds, apple cores, pits, and seeds get caught in the drain.

Eggshells – membrane can wrap around the blades.

Bones -  use your common sense.

List of Yesses

Cold water for at least 20-30 seconds before and after grinding food.

Liquids and soft foods, chopped foods.

Liquid dish soap.

Ice cubes  - grind lemon flavored cubes for a nice smell. Don’t you want a sweet-smelling disposal?

Use your common sense and if you have none, trust Google!

                                                             

KIDS!

           

August 24.  Home after an exhausting day at the office, I parked my carcass on my couch when the Lobby Door rang on my office cellphone.  “Can you buzz me in?  My mom’s visiting her friend and I don’t remember the number,” said a teen girl’s voice.

               “Who’s the friend?  What unit?”  I asked.

               “I don’t remember,” she said.

               Having been the mother of a juvenile delinquent, I was suspicious.  “Can you tell me something about the friend?  Do they have a dog?”

No dog. “What floor?”  I asked.

               There was a pause, then, “I just know where it is!”

               Call me cynical but I didn’t buy it, “I don’t know who you are, so I’m not letting you in,” and I hung up.

               About five minutes later I was enjoying my pre-dinner snooze when I hear screams.  “No!  Stop!  Don’t do it!  I don’t want you to die!”

               That got my attention.  I scramble out onto my balcony and there, dangling over the 12^th floor catwalk railing is a teenage boy doing his best Cirque du Soleil for the audience of six terrified teenage girls.  “Hey kid!”  I yell, “Get back over that railing NOW!”  I take this photo.  He climbs back.

Soon he’s scrambling away with his gaggle of female fans.  I pressed the button on my floor and hopped on the elevator with the young perps.  “What the hell were you thinking!” said the Mom voice coming out of my mouth.  No answer.  I pulled out my camera and started shooting video.  They instantly buried their faces in their phones.

               The voice of the Lobby Door Girl sing-songs, “Don’t you know it’s against the law to take videos of minors?”

               “DON’T YOU KNOW IT’S AGAINST THE LAW TO TRESSPASS!”  I barked.

               Soon we were in the lobby and they high tail it down Wilbur.

               I ran the security camera back.  Sure enough, just minutes before, they were calling me from the Lobby Phone. The girls went around trying the other lobby doors but the acrobat stayed behind trying every intercom button.  Soon, someone exited the building and the sly miscreant quickly tossed his backpack in the opening and motioned his rat pack in. 

               My reason for recounting this story is to warn you - if you see strangers in the outer lobby, please don’t let them in.

You might be saving a life!

Karyl Miller, Building Manager

Is Your Garage Remote Naughty or Nice?

See the photo below? If your remote has a number on it, you are good to go. If your remote is bad and does not have a number on it, please visit the Lobby Office for a free swap upgrade to nice. Thanks.

Fire Inspection

June 15 we had our building’s annual fire inspection and are happy to report we passed with flying colors and with only a few tiny corrections to be made. Important to note again and again, – even though Pacific Tower is solid concrete so that flames seem unlikely - smoke can kill you. Smoke is the reason all laundry room and hallway fire doors must be kept closed, so that if there is a fire, the smoke won’t travel through the building.

Cleanest Pipes in Town

The HOA would like to thank everyone for their wonderful cooperation in tackling the task of entering their units for Hydro Jetting the sink drain lines. People who were at work, out of the state, or had a dog all contacted us and helped make special arrangements.

Safe Storage

The Lobby Office now has an actual safe for storage of your keys, if you would like the Office to keep one for you in case of an emergency. It also stores remote codes in the safe for those who have keypads.

Bye Bye Bye

Someone is always moving in or out at Pac Tower and we’re sad to see anyone go (usually).  Typically moving takes place during working hours at the end of the month.  The itinerant person reserves the elevator to load up their worldly possessions and has a professional mover come to take them away.  We LIKE that person and are sorry to see them go.

However, that is not always the case.

WORST CASE SCENERIO: A person moves out without telling the Lobby Office in advance.  They don’t reserve the elevator.  They move out on a weekend (not allowed).They move out at night (not allowed).They move out DO-IT-YOURSELF style.  Allowed, but not always appreciated and below explains why!

Since it’s too late to call Goodwill, they jam their lava lamp, antique hope chest, rocking and wooden spinning wheel down our preciously small trash chute (which is for FOOD trash).  This sets off an ear-splitting cacophony and ultimately creates a Mt. Everest pile of junk in our dumpster that will quickly and easily block the entire trash chute – sometimes going all the way to the 12^th floor.  And on a weekend when there is no staff here to fix it!

Next, they use our gorgeous, brand new shopping carts to schlep their last incidentals to their car which is parked way down on Wilbur and Bayard.  Then they leave the cart on the curb for it to be adopted by its next owner, not Pac Tower.

So, owners or renters or owners who rent to people, please, we beg of you, please hear our cry when you kiss us good-bye.

Karyl Miller, Building Manager

Fire!

                      

Don’t you just hate it when you’ve given yourself permission to take a little well-deserved nap in the middle of the day (even though you hadn’t done anything all that tiring) and you’re 30 seconds into that deep, luscious daytime dreamland when the screeching fire alarm starts ceaselessly jack-hammering in one of your ears and out the other?

On April 15, I was just about to take a little Saturday snooze, when HONK, HONK!  HONK!  Since we had had our annual Fire Alarm testing just the day before, I assumed it was a false alarm.  Nevertheless, I scrambled downstairs to head off the Fire Department (who come automatically).

In the lobby I read the Fire Alarm Panel, (which I had just been taught how to read) assuming it would say “low battery” or something, but NO, it said the dreaded words “Boiler Room.”  Then I instantly remembered our shower was not that hot that AM.  OMG, I thought, “Did 2 and 2 make fire?”

Heart pounding, I grabbed my keys and ran toward the Boiler Room, smelling burning metal.  Hearing a roar and feeling the heat, I threw open the doors and saw actual flames coming out of the boiler.  I could already hear the fire trucks approaching, but in my panic, I called 911 anyway.  No law against making sure, just in case that siren I heard wasn’t headed elsewhere.  My next panic call was to John McLean, our former trusty Building Manager who is my constant mentor and moral support.  Like ex-presidents, only John knows the tremendous responsibility of running this building and he remains a loyal friend to Pac Tower.

While everyone milled about on the sidewalk, the Fire Department examined the building from head to toe, making sure we were out of danger.  An energetic female fire fighter didn’t hesitate to scale 12 flights of stairs (two stairs at a time, no less). It made me feel proud and old at the same time.

The plumbers came quickly, accessed the damage and by evening, had disassembled and hauled off chunks of the charred metal thing affectionately known as “our boiler.”  It served us many years but now it was time for new.

AND YOU THOUGHT, “TAKING A COLD SHOWER” WAS JUST AN EXPRESSION?

So now the heat was on to get a new boiler (because cold showers are considered a torture by the Geneva Convention).  We needed a new boiler STAT!  No surprise, you can’t get a giant, room-sized industrial-strength boiler at Home Depot.  No!  It’s a SPECIALTY!  It has to be ORDERED and ASSEMBLED and TRUCKED to San Diego from the exotic location of OXNARD!  A FORKLIFT is going to be involved!  AFTER that, the entire operation is going to have to be piped and connected and heated up.  

As we patiently waited for the undertaking to be over, all of us became more and more demoralized and disgusted with ourselves, as we smelled more and more like Mount Everest hikers.  Finally the day came when we could all enjoy (although separately!) the luxury of a soothing hot shower.  It was a good thing!  Yes the showers were imperfect, but a part was ordered and tweaking will have taken place by the time you read this – so SHOWER ON!

Karyl Miller,  Building Manager

It’s Getting Hot in Here! AGAIN?

Just as we were putting this newsletter to sleep Tuesday May 9 at 6:30 PM, Beep!  Beep!  Beep!  - Our fire alarm went off – AGAIN!  Our wonderful fire fighters from Engine 21 put it out  - a very small dumpster fire in no time.  Did someone toss out a still-lit cigarette in there?  So please remember this if you’re throwing things down the chute:

1.     Make sure your trash is NOT on fire.

2.     NEVER leave your laundry room door open. Propping open or hooking your laundry room door open creates a genuine fire danger.  Staff will shut every laundry room door every day but we need you to do it too whenever your neighbor ignores this rule.  Thank you.

Five New Shopping Carts

               Guess what?  We got FIVE beautiful, brand new shopping carts!  They say “Pacific Tower” on their bright red sides, and “Return to Lower Lobby” on their handles (because that’s what we want you to do).  We want to keep most of the unused carts down there (and not all over the neighborhood).  These carts are for taking our groceries from our cars to our units, NOT for contractors to fill with debris or to use as mini moving vans when you move out. ‘Nuff said.