Page 4 - NY Cooperator July 2019

4 THE COOPERATOR —JULY 2019 COOPERATOR.COM Industry Pulse Insurance Addressing New York State Mandated Sexual Harassment Training New York State has enacted several signif- icant measures regarding sexual harassment in the workplace. Effective October 9, 2018, all New York State employers are required to adopt a written sexual harassment preven- tion policy and institute annual anti-harass- ment training for all employees. Insurance firm Mackoul Risk Solutions provides a low-cost solution to educate your employees on sexual harassment. For $300 per building per year, the firm pro- vides training for the employees and board members who have direct interaction with those employees. Mandated training pro- vided for property management firms as well. For more information, contact Rebecca Scandaliato at 516-279-1215, or email at rscandaliato@mackoul.com. Law & Legislation NY AG Announces Settlement With LI Developer for Entering Into Sales Contracts at Prices Above Those Disclosed in Offering Plan In a press release sent out by her office, New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced a settlement with Bayport Meadow Estates, LLC and Demetrius A. Tsunis requiring them to lower sales pric- es on four units for a total of $60,000 and imposing a $15,000 penalty for violating the Martin Act by entering into sales contracts at prices above those disclosed in the offer- ing plan. The developer and Tsunis have also agreed to implement appropriate policies and procedures to ensure that no other units in this condominium or units in any of their other projects are offered at inflated prices. “New Yorkers have a right to know the maximum price a developer can ask for a condominium so they can make an informed decision about one of the potentially largest purchases in their lives,” said James. Under New York law, a condominium’s offering plan must, among other things, identify the maximum price a developer can ask for a condominium unit. Disclosing such information is crucial for purchasers, as it allows purchasers to know the maximum legal asking price for a condominium unit and prevents price gouging. Here, however, the developer entered into several contracts in excess of these maximum prices, accord- ing to the attorney general’s office. In the settlement, Bayport Meadows Estates and Tsunis admitted that they violat- ed New York law by marketing and entering into sales contracts at sales prices higher than the maximum legal price for condominium units located in the Bayport Meadow Estates project. Three People in Charge of Application Process at Brooklyn Co-op Indicted Three officials responsible for the applica- tion process for purchasing Mitchell Lama co-ops in Coney Island were indicted for allegedly accepting bribes from applicants who wanted to buy into affordable housing. The 78-count indictment was announced on May 21 by the office of Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez in a press release. Among the charges were grand larceny, con- spiracy and forgery. The three officials for the Luna Park Housing Corporation, a Mitchell-Lama complex, are accused of collecting $874,000 in bribes from ineligible applicants in a scheme that involved 18 apartments. The defendants were identified by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office as Anna Treybich, Irina Zeltser and Karina Andriyan, all from Coney Island. The indictment stated that between 2013 and 2016, the three defendants conspired “to steal and sell the rights to purchase” the Luna Park apartments that were originally intended for working families to buy afford- able cooperative housing. The fair market value for the 18 apartments involved in the transactions was $5 million. The district attorney’s office said that Treybich, Zeltser and Andriyan allegedly abused their positions by accepting bribes ranging between $10,000 and $120,000 from the applicants. In exchange for bribes, the three allegedly prepared and sent in falsi- fied documents that favored the ineligible applicants to the New York City Housing Preservation and Development Department for final approval. NBC New York reported that informa- tion on the defendants’ attorneys was not available at the time. Metro Management, Luna Park’s management company, did not respond to a request for comment. Transactions Anthony Bourdain’s Former Home Goes Under Contract for $3.3M An Upper East Side home that once belonged to the late chef Anthony Bourdain and his estranged wife Ottavia Busia is reported to be under contract for $3.3 mil- lion. According to the New York Post, the house was originally listed for the asking price of $3.7 million last September. Among the highlights of the Parts Unknown star’s condo includes a chef’s kitchen and “a flexible spread with space for up to five bedrooms.” The couple paid $3.35 million for the condo in 2014; it’s believed Bourdain took his own life in France in June 2018. Central Park Tower to List Sales The new 179-unit Central Park Tower is ready for its closeup. Mansion Global report- ed on the new condo tower that is reputed to be the tallest residential skyscraper in America at 131 stories. Listings for the proj- ect, spearheaded by developer Extell, were expected to be announced on May 21—from a two-bedroom/two-bathroom unit going for $6.9 million to an aerie on the 112th floor for $63 million. A rooftop pool, four-poster bed cabanas, and a lounge area are among the building’s shared amenities. SoHo Loft Used on MTV’s The Real World Goes on the Market A huge loft in SoHo that served as the setting of the first season of the MTV reality series The Real World has been listed for $7.5 million, according to Curbed. The co-op at 565 Broadway was the home of seven strang- ers who were filmed for the show back in 1992. Since the series, the apartment underwent renovations by its owners Edwina Sandys and her late husband Richard Kaplan—gone is the spiral staircase, but the Corinthian columns remain. Currently, the apartment contains five bedrooms, a 2,500-square-foot great room, and two bathrooms. According to the New York Post, the Kaplans purchased the co-op in 1995 for $950,000; it was avail- able in 2015 for $9.5 million before the listing was later removed. Community Associations CAI Launches HOAResources.com Community Associations Institute (CAI) has launched HOAResources.com, a new digital media brand produced by the non- profit organization, according to a press release. The news site engages in critical discus- sions of key issues arising within the com- munity association housing model—includ- ing open communication between residents and association leaders, a commitment to transparency in governance, dedicated vol- unteers, and adherence to best practices for association governance and management. Many of these time-tested best practices are showcased on this site, often including free, downloadable documents for readers. “We know that most community associa- tions function very well, thanks to the skills and dedication of homeowner leaders, com- munity managers, and others who provide professional services to associations. We also know that all communities do not operate as well as they should,” says CAI President Thomas Skiba. “We’re never happy when we see a community in the news for the wrong reasons, but it’s reassuring to know that struggling communities are the exception to the rule. Through this new digital platform, CAI will continue to work with our members and other stakeholders to help Americans build and sustain better communities.” Visit: www.HOAResources.com. n CAL EN D AR July 2019 PULSE/CALENDAR Every Tuesday NYC DOB: Homeowners Night Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens or Staten Island Borough Office 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. If you are a homeowner, tenant, small business owner or building manager, we encourage you to visit your local borough office where Department of Buildings staff can answer your questions and provide the information you need. Permits, con- struction codes, zoning regulations, sign offs, cer- tificates of occupancy, place of assembly, equip- ment installations, violations, and civil penalties are just a few of the things we can assist you with. Our plan examiners, inspectors and staff are here to help you build and live safely in New York City – no appointment needed. Wed., July 17, 2019 CNYC: Onboarding New Board Members Location to be announced 7:00 p.m. Newly-elected board members need solid instruction and training to understand their roles and fiduciary duties. Operating a co-op or condo involves many of the same responsibilities as any other business, yet board members are volunteers who may not have experience in such mat- ters. A proactive approach to onboarding new members sets the tone and positions the entire board for success. Management companies are an important partner in empowering new board members and helping them learn the ropes. Management Executive Dan Wurtzel will walk participants through best practices of onboarding new members .There is no fee for representatives of CNYC, FNYHC, CAI, CCC and ARC member cooperatives and condominiums to attend this session; others are welcome at a fee of $50 if paid in advance or $75 at the door. Advance reserva- tions are required. Call CNYC at (212) 496-7400 or send e-mail to workshops@CNYC.coop to reserve your place. Tuesday, July 23, 2019 NJ Homeland Security’s Active Shooter Training - South New Jersey Apartment Association 104 Interchange Plaza, Suite 201, Monroe Township, NJ 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. This seminar will provide managers, owners and onsite staff with ideas and information that they can use until law enforcement arrives in the event of an active shooter situation. Topics will include: definition of an active shooter, reviewing past cases, law enforcement response, and manage- ment responsibilities. For information, visit www.njaa.com. Monday, July 29, 2019 REBNY’s Annual Golf & Tennis Outing North Shore Country Club Glen Head, NY 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Player’s Information: Golf Tournament, $500 includes breakfast, lunch, reception and din- ner; Tennis Tournament, $400 includes break- fast, lunch, reception and dinner; All Day/No Tournament, $350 includes lunch, reception and dinner; Dinner Only with cocktails, $250. For information, visit www.rebny.com.