Submitted by Sarah Reimer and Richard Harrison, Unofficial Board Reporters
Hello everyone,
Now that we’re all settling in to the longer-term effects of COVID-19 and the country’s response to it, we want to keep as many members as informed and as current as possible. So, you may get messages twice since we will be posting on Facebook as well as sending emails.
Until further notice, or in case of emergency, Andrea will be working from home. Board members will be her hands in the office- sending required documents etc in order to facilitate successful remote working arrangements. Phone calls to the office will be forwarded to her during business hours, and she’ll respond to messages left outside business hours at her earliest convenience. Emails are still a great way to communicate with her and the board.
For now, and in the near future, only emergency maintenance requests will be fulfilled upon request; they will be forwarded to Dale to protect both him and you from exposure to multiple service providers. When requesting emergency maintenance, please indicate whether you or any family members are ill. Obviously, if you are ill, further measures to ensure everyone's safety will need to be enforced, but repairs can still be completed. Non- emergency requests can still be made and will be collected for handling later.
Lastly, we know everyone is hurting financially. As has been spoken of in the news and already posted on Facebook, there are several programs being rolled out by various levels of government to offset the consequences of quarantine, but the future remains uncertain.
If you are in need because of a change of circumstances and you need immediate support, please note that members can apply for a short-term (3- month) housing charge subsidy at any time under current policies; if it turns out that people’s needs extend beyond that time, we will revisit the our subsidy policy and procedure in response.
We are continuing to explore alternatives to face-to-face meetings. We’ve been advised that votes taken online are considered valid. Originally, the board had postponed the budget meeting until March 29, but beg your understanding if further extensions are required. We will do our utmost to ensure that proper 10 days' notice is still given.
As of today, the City has closed all playgrounds to the public. Our playground has been open to the public as well, so we will post a sign indicating that it, too, is closed in the same way. However, it is the Co-op’s, so it remains open to be used at your discretion and with the need for physical distancing in mind.
We will update you as things develop. Stay well, and stay safe.
Sarah Reimer and Richard Harrison
Unofficial Board Reporters