Page 19 - New York Cooperator February 2019

COOPERATOR.COM THE COOPERATOR — FEBRUARY 2019 19 THE COOPERATOR EXPO 2019 WHERE BUILDINGS MEET SERVICES YOUR BOARD’S ATTENDANCE IS NOT REQUIRED. BUT IT SHOULD BE. NEW YORK HILTON MIDTOWN — THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 9–4:30 FREE REGISTRATION: COOPEXPO.COM from one unit and travelling to another,” tion to alter – or maintain – any portion says Benjamin J. Rooney, a shareholder of the property visible to other owners with law firm Keay & Costello in Whea- ton, Illinois. “This is less of a concern in the high-rise condominium association suburban associations, which oftentimes is ultimately responsible for more main- consist of free-standing single-family tenance than some other types of com- homes on larger lots. But on the flip munity associations, it also results in the side, suburban community associations board having more control over the por- comprised of single-family residences or tions of the property visible to the public, townhomes frequently require the own- ers to maintain exterior portions of those homes. That can create problems should they fail or refuse to perform this mainte- nance, thus creating an eyesore which the ally multiple reasons why managing an board must then address. “In a high-rise,” he continues, “owners be extremely difficult. But those reasons do not typically have the right or obliga- or the public. While this may mean that which can lead to fewer problems.” What a Handful This may not come as a relief to man- agers the world over, but there are actu- association in either city or suburb can vary, based on location. “Disputes over management quality of life. In other places you still operations are equally balanced have daylight when you get out of work; between city and suburbs,” says you have time for this or that.” Barnett. “However, I do see a lot more city condos opting for life is all bad. “You encounter all walks of self-management, just given the life, which I enjoy,” he notes. “I have Jew- fact that they tend to be smaller. ish residents, Russians, Germans… every- When there are disputes among one from around the world living here. two- or three-unit associations, That diversity factor. And the money is I see more instances involving good! I’m not going to get paid the salary derivative claims, because it just I get paid here outside of the city. Every- becomes a standoff situation. I thing has its cost. You want more money, think that just boils down to the you sacrifice your family time; you want housing options that are avail- able. “And with a lack of formal management company, you have munity association – neighbors investing issues with informal operation, in a larger residence, and an elected board and people paying bills as they tasked with making decisions on behalf of come in, rather than doing so the collective – there are plenty of simi- pursuant to a budget and as- sessing and collecting common ciations lie. expenses. So, in the usually city- based smaller – i.e., under five- unit – associations, there’s more the same, whether you’re talking about of a chance that they’ll be self- managed and need to deal with U.S.A.,” says Ronald A. Sher, a partner all of the hurdles that come with with the law firm of Himmelfarb & Sher that.” Some managers will tell commitment toward the betterment of its you that the aforementioned hustle and property and residents is a constant.” bustle of city life is no joke – and is, in fact, exhausting. “It’s chaos,” says Pedro ing weather, which is its own challenge Foley, General Manager of The Courts at sometimes – there is no fabled town South Beach in Miami. “The city is chaos. where running a community association That’s the only word that I can use. I live is a cakewalk, just as there is no specific 19 miles from the association at which I enclave wherein maintaining a residence work. It takes me two hours to get here, is necessarily a hell. A board’s priorities each way. And the working environment must be a constant, regardless of its sur- is non-stop. I’ll get in at 9 a.m. and some- times won’t have the opportunity to sit react may depend on location, but its mo- down at my desk until 1 p.m. By the time tivation should be to protect and improve I get home at 7, my kid is near ready to upon the investment of the community. go to sleep, as is my wife, who works for an international company. It really affects Of course, Foley isn’t saying that city to be home more, you get less money.” Common Bonds Of course, given the nature of the com- larities regardless of where different asso- “The fiduciary duties and fiscal respon- sibilities of a board anywhere are exactly 5th Avenue in Manhattan or Main Street in White Plains, New York. “The board’s So for better or worse – and exclud- roundings. To what the board may need n Mike Odenthal is a staff writer/reporter with The Cooperator. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM