Monthly billing statement for September

"Dear homeowner, We have been notified that you have not received the monthly billing statement for September. Please be informed that Condo Properties outsources this service and have made them aware of the problem. They will be mailing out a new statement. If you happen to get both, please disregard the other. These statements are intended to be a reminder and convenience to pay your monthly dues. In the future, if you dont receive or misplace the statement, you can mail your check seperately (with name and unit number on check). The dues are due on the first (1st) of each month and delinquent after the fifteenth (15th). We will give a grace period for this month. We appologize for any inconveneince this has caused. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns."

Richard A. Monson

8880 Benson Ave. #114
Montclair, CA 91763
909-931-7441 office
626-786-1568 cell
909-931-0591 fax

Inky's Loft Cafe is finally open

Well, it took us quite a bit longer than we had hoped, but Inky's Loft Cafe is finally open. We specialize in freshly made sandwiches, salads, soups, tacos, and burritos, and are very proud that Gavina Coffee's are our sole supplier for the coffee/ espresso bar. Currently the hours are from 6:00 am until 4:00 pm, but are subject to change as we see what demand dictates.

Please stop in for a Cappucino, Latte, or try one of our frozen drinks for an afternoon cool-down. We promise that our meats, cheeses, vegetables, and pastries will be fresh, and always served with a smile. Hope to see you soon.

Lee & Inna Rabun
Inky's Loft Cafe(213) 229-0073

VERY IMPORTANT! DWC HEARING

THIS MONDAY JUNE 11, 2:30PM, City Hall- 200 N. Spring Street, Room 1050 (enter from North Main Street)

I do hope you all make the best effort you can to attend. There is power in numbers, and even showing up and signing your name and listening is VERY IMPORTANTso that the City knows LTL is interested in the future of our property, and that wewant the City to consider how the DWC project will affect US.

FELLOW LTL RESIDENTS OR HOMEOWNERS:

The Downtown Women's Center project will move forward with plans you do not knowabout and possibly would not approve of unless you participate at this hearing. The city is asking us for our concerns, and they WANT to hear our constructive commentsabout the impact this project could have on our day to day lives or our property investment.

Regardless of whether you are in favor of this project moving next door or not, which you are free to voice at this hearing, there are other issues that we can havean impact on if the DWC becomes our neighbor. The following actions are options in expressing yourself:

1. Attend the hearing.
2. Attend and speak at the hearing.
3. If planning on attending or speaking, and would like to share information and focus concerns with fellow LTL residents, THERE WILL BE A CASUAL GET TOGETHER WITH REFRESHMENTS ON THIS SUNDAY FROM 4-6PM BY THE POOL.

Please stop by if you are free,or you can call me, Annie Dudek (#406, 323-309-0282) if you can't make it but want more information.

4. If you can do none of the above, you can send a letter and WHICH MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE THIS MONDAY MORNING to: Office of Zoning Administration 7th Floor 200 N. Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

DWC Hearing

hello everyone! i just wanted to inform you that as of friday 5/25/07 the city council approved the dwc's proposed plans for the building next door at 434 south san pedro. there will be a hearing for public comment next monday 6/11/07 in city hall at 2:30 pm room 1050.

i've asked vladi to post the notice on the LTL blog, and am asking people to attend thehearing which is slated for public comment. it outlines the general use of space, but most interesting to LTL, the notice also outlines a request for additional floor space to include (but may not be limited to) a community room and outdoor deck. there's also a request for general retail space on the ground floor. and there's a question of the number of permanent versus temporary residential beds being made available to applicants to the center, as well as general parking which will also be made available.

the plan is on file and available to interested parties at the office of the zoning commission 200 northspring street 7th floor, between the hours of 7:30am-4:00 pm monday-friday. the number to call is 213-978-1318 for viewing availability. although the plan has been initially approved by thecity council, the zoning commission, which is conducting this hearing, is amenable to the concerns of the community. and, as the dwc's closest neighbor and most directly impacted one, LTL should voice its' individual and collective concerns regarding the proposed construction. this is the most critical and significant time that we can address the city, and through our comments, possibly modify existing dwc plans on file, or at least remind the dwc of our concernsand involve us in it's planning process.

if few people from the proposed impacted neighborhood appear at this hearing, then the commission will determine that the community accepts the submitted plans of the dwc and act accordingly. the general community has theright and obligation to make it's voice heard. please attend ifyou're able. interested parties who wish to have written comments as part of the public record should address them directly to the office of the zoning administration at the above address. i'm unsure whether the commission will allow anyone to directly address them as they conduct this hearing, but one can also add this request as part of thesubmitted written comments.

people can also contact council woman jan perry and the community redevelopment agency with their comments. hope to see you there! anyone also wishing to read the article aboutthe dwc on page 7 in this week's downtown news should visit their siteat www.downtownnews.com.

jan @ little tokyo lofts

DWC Hearing

Notice of public hearing to property owners

PLACE:
Los Angeles City Hall
200 North Spring Street, Room 1050
Los Angeles, CA 90012

TIME:
Monday, June 11, at 2.30 pm

APPLICANT:
Downtown Women's Center

We have a new management company

Last night at the HOA meeting we met Richard Monson, owner of Condo Properties, the new management company that is replacing LB.
In the link section of this blog you can find the link to CP website.

HOA Meeting

Wednesday May 16th
7pm
Unit 103
Be there!

Wednesday Meeting

there will be an Emergency HOA meeting on Wed May 2nd at 7pm in room 103 (sales office)

Trees on San Pedro St

Hi all - I've contacted LA about planting trees on our street. The sidewalks are city property so they are the ones in charge of planting. I've submitted an order for them to plant, but they said they are backlogged about 3-6 months. So we may not see trees for up to a year. My contact: Irma Garcia, told me to touch bases within 3 months to see what the status of our request is. See you all at the HOA meeting.

LTL - HOA meeting minutes. March 21, 2007

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jan Dyek
Suzy Bramzon
Eryn Schon

BOARD MEMBERS NOT PRESENT:
Jonathon Hammer
Pauline Chan

MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVES:
Selma Nalbant
LB Property Management

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:10pm.

OPEN FORUM
Unit 519 – Homeowner inquired on why there were cars parked in the alley.
Unit 406 – Homeowner had a concern about the gates slamming shut; he feels it is a nuisance. The Board said they will look in to this. This Homeowner also inquired on when the mesh will be placed in the dog park. The Board informed him that this is in process.
Unit 102 – This homeowner proposed more cameras in the parking area as well as another intercom by the pool area and bottom floors. Selma is to look in to getting proposals.
Unit 319 – Homeowner had a concern about the building that is being built next to the complex. Board informed the homeowners this was going to be a commercial building. Homeowner also would like the trash to be picked up at a later time, the current trash pick up time is 7:00 am and this disturbs he homeowner. Selma is to call and ask Trash Company to come at a later time. Homeowner also inquired on a recycling bin. Board informed the homeowners that a recycling program through the city is going to start in May.
Unit 610 – Homeowner inquired about the status of the Laundry room.
The Board informed the homeowners a gym is in the process of being built. An informal vote was taken and all homeowners present voted in favor of a gym.
Unit 313 – Homeowner inquired on planting some trees around the building. The board suggested to start a committee, homeowner is to call Selma to set this up.
Unit 530 – Homeowner feels that the 24 hours a day lighting in the parking structure is too costly, this should be reduced. Selma informed the homeowner that due to liability reasons the association needs to keep the lights on for that period of time. The board suggested looking in to energy saver lights.
Unit 401 – Homeowner reported that the elevator light is out.
Unit 612 – homeowner inquired on why the elevator is so slow. Selma reported that the elevator is working properly and is properly permitted.
Selma reported that any extra beatification to the building that is not in the budget may be subject to a special assessment.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The February 21, 2007 minutes were read and approved.

REVIEW OF FINANCIALS
Eryn Schon reported that as of March 21, 2007 the operation account has a balance of $106,607.90, the reserve account has a balance of
$67,503.91 for a total of $176,298.81.
Eryn also reported that a lien will be placed if there is no compliance with regard to delinquent collections.

OLD BUISNESS
Selma reported on the new insurance company for the HOA. If you need the declaration page please contact her at the office.
Selma also reported that LB Property Management has the capability for auto draft, if you are interested please contact her at the office.
Jeanne McDonald (HOA Attorney) reported that Sprint the current lessee of the cell cite on the roof, would like to renegotiate their contract for less money a month. Due to the many cell cites they have in the area the need is not as much in demand. Unison another company would like to offer the association a large sum of money upfront to be able to lease the roof to whomever they choose. Discussion was held amongst the homeowners and all concurred that the association should not give up ownership of the roof top to Unison. Suzy made a motion to stop negotiations with Unison and Eryn seconded the motions. Motion carried.

NEW BUISNESS
Suzy reported on the Mills Act. The Mills Act provides a property owner a break on their property taxes as long as restoration to the building is kept. The Mills Act is not applicable for HOA's so the association is not eligible.
Suzy reported the board is looking in to becoming a local monument, more research is being done.

Suzy reported that in a condo conversion it takes up to a year to breakdown the property taxes for each homeowner. The first year tax is paid by the developer. The bills that the homeowners are receiving are not the property tax bill but the supplemental tax bill.
It was reported that additional parking spaced can be purchased and deeded to you. If you are interested please go to the sales office to inquire. Parking spaces range from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the size and location.
Guest parking will be revisited by the Board and the charges will be discussed.
A couple of additional bike racks will be placed at the building. It was noted that there are bikes that are abandoned on the current bike rack. The Board will look in to how to correct this situation.
Brett and Josephine have been retained by the HOA to be on site managers. Please still contact Selma of LB Property Management on all HOA Issues.
A proposal for $1,667 for the installation of new 17 inch monitors for the security company. The board would like to see more proposals.
Selma reported a homeowner had called to inform her about the slow drainage problem. Two other homeowners concurred with this. Selma is to get proposals on Hydro flushing the pipes.

ADJOURNMENT – The meeting was adjourned at 8:49pm. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 7:00 PM.

HOA Meeting

March 21st @ 7pm in the Sales office at LTL.

March 4th - LA Marathon - We're surrounded!

Jack just emailed me about the marathon. Heads up:

Maybe something for the blog....

I don't know how many people are following the blog but I was just online for the LA Marathon and realized we're pretty much surrounded on Sunday. Getting in and out of the area may be tricky for anyone who may have to work, or have play plans.

I was on www.lamarathon.com

Anyway, just an FYI for anyone who may not know we're surrounded by the route.

Later

Jack H. 206

Click here to view the course map.

Rich, Young and Highly Educated

Study Says New Wave of Downtowners Have Money, and Are Ready to Spend

by Jon Regardie

Executive Editor

How real is the Downtown Los Angeles residential boom? Real enough to account for a 21% population increase in two years, according to a local business group. Even more significantly, the median income in new Downtown households is just a shade under $100,000, making it one of the most affluent communities in Los Angeles County. And while it's hard to say if the average Downtowner is smarter than other Angelenos, Downtown residents are on the whole well-educated, as more than three-quarters of them have a college degree.

On Tuesday morning, the Downtown Center Business Improvement District released the results of an expansive survey designed to paint a portrait of the thousands of residents who have streamed into the community since the passage of the adaptive reuse ordinance in 1999. The two-part study included the "Downtown Los Angeles Market Report," which detailed the entire area, and the "2006 Demographic Study of New Downtown Residents," which provided information on those who came to the community in the wake of the condominium and apartment building boom.

"The basic bottom line is this is phenomenally good news for Downtown Los Angeles and therefore for the region, because we are spurring so much economic activity that ripples out over every neighborhood that is adjacent and well beyond in terms of tax revenues, employment, and business tax revenues that are created by this economic growth in Downtown," said Carol Schatz, president and CEO of the DCBID. The study, prepared by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp., found that:

• An estimated 28,878 people live Downtown, and that there are 9,431 market rate residences and 9,568 affordably priced units. A similar DCBID study released in early 2005 found that 23,894 residents lived in the area, marking a 21% population increase.

• The median income of households in the new buildings is $99,600, a 3% climb from the 2004 figure of $96,300.

• Downtown residents are investing in the community, with 30.2% of area inhabitants buying condominiums. Two years ago, 18% of the respondents had purchased units.

• More than three out of four Downtowners have at least an undergraduate degree, and 28% of the local populace has a graduate or professional degree.

• The median age of new Downtown residents is 31, and more than 60% of area inhabitants are single. Slightly more than half, 53.5%, are male, and 46.5% are female.

• Of the new area inhabitants, 24.3% left the Westside for Downtown. More than half of the residents, 55.1%, also work in Downtown.

• Pets have found their way into the urban landscape, as 18% of the new households have dogs and 13.5% have cats.

• The residential rise is leading to an across-the-board boost, as the number of businesses based in Downtown climbed 8.5% in the last two years, from 11,559 to 12,545. These businesses generated $1.7 billion in sales taxes in 2006, a 7% climb over the previous year.

The study was based on surveys mailed to 5,400 residents of Downtown Los Angeles buildings that have opened since 1999. The response rate was higher than 17%, said Schatz. Jack Kyser, chief economist and senior vice president of the LAEDC, said that the study shows that Downtown has the type of affluent market that many retailers seek, even if they're not yet aware that it exists in Downtown. "The residents have a lot of disposable income. The people who work in Downtown have a lot of disposable income," he said.

http://www.downtownnews.com/

William Bratton - Chef of Police

Here is the mailing address for Chief Bratton. If you could post it on the blog and encourage everyone to write in, that would be great.
I'm going to get a letter together on behalf of Hammer Ventures as well:


William J. Bratton
Chief Of Police
Los Angeles Police Department
150 North Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Hi
Suzy passed along Chief Brattons address..... So that we could write or contact him as individuals about keeping the extra police force on skid row and how valuable it is to cleaning up this area. There has been pressure to reassign the extra forces that were put here in fall to help clean up skid row to the heavy gang areas. Lets let them know that we are here, care and want our streets patrolled.
Thanks
Eryn

Last night meeting

Thanks to who was able to make it last night.
It was a good start.

Topic to follow up:
Downtown Women Center
HOA
Recycling

Tonights Quick Meeting

If it's still raining outside, and I fear it will be. Let's meet on the 3rd floor lounge. It will be bright and dry.

Letter received today from Hammer Ventures

Good afternoon Bill,

Let me introduce myself, I am Suzy Bramzon, the project manager for the developer of Little Tokyo Lofts. It is my understanding that you are organizing a meet and greet for the residents at LTL and to brief them on an upcoming meeting regarding the Downtown Women’s Shelter. I would like to you to know that the developer is moving up the first HOA meeting to this Friday, February 1. You should be getting a notice today. We are currently gathering as much information as we can regarding the recent developments involving the relocation of the Downtown Women’s Center which we will share with the residents at the meeting on Friday. I am reaching out to you about this because it may be best top postpone your meeting until Friday. Everyone’s time is valuable and I would hate to take up too much of the residents’ time.

Thanks and feel free to contact me should you have any questions or concerns.

Suzy Bramzon
Hammer Ventures*

www.hammerventures.com

3760 Convoy Street

Suite 332
San Diego, CA 92111
P – 858.751.0739
F – 858.751.0747
bramzon@hammerventures.com

Homeowners meeting

Tuesday Jan. 30th at 8.pm in the pool area.

Bill left a flyer inside our mail box to set up a meeting, exchange contact info, and prepere
any concerns we have before our meeting with the management company and the Downtown
womens center.

women's shelter issue

this is the e-mail response I got from estela lopez. She is really wonderful, Matt (my boyfriend) spoke with her this morning following my receiving this e-mail, and she wants LTL to be a part of a meeting with the DWC Feb 5. Please see the post on the bulletin board on the 2nd floor regarding this.


annie, i am the director of the Central CIty East Assn. James Doizaki kindly shared your concerns about the Downtown Womens' Center (DWC) moving next door to you. there was a public hearing at the Community Redevelopment Agency last week, which i found out about just a few days in advance...and quite by accident. i immediately contacted your HOA management office. they had their attorney contact me. i gave her all the information and she said she would be there to speak on behalf of the owners of LT Lofts. but no one came. i was the only person there to speak out against the grossly inadequate public outreach by the DWC on this project. the DWC had a long list of people there to speak in support. the project received the green light to move forward. nevertheless, the DWC staff has been directed by the city council office to meet with me and provide me with information on their design and operations plan for the new location. they have indicated that i can invite whomever i wish to this meeting. would you like to come? it is on Monday, Feb. 5 at 2pm at their existing location on Los Angeles Street. My contact info is below.

Estela Lopez, Executive Director
Central City East Association
725 S. Crocker Street
Los Angeles, CA 90021

tel. 213-228-8484 ext. 12
fax. 213-228-8488
elopez@centralcityeast.org

Here we are...

Hello everyone,
I decided to open a blog so it will be much easier to keep everybody updated.

History...
Last Saturday a few people (Loft owners) had a brief conversation complaining about the conduct
of the Management Company and the high cost of HOA.

A few emails have been already sent...

Eryn wrote:

Just thought I would update you all.
I had a lovely chat with Tony in the sales office tonight about HOA and the Management Company...... He explained that they are aware of the problems and are putting pressure on them to get there act together..... Ray is no longer responsible for our building and they ( the sales team ) are exploring other options for the Management of our building.
Tony explained to me that normally in situations like ours the management company is responsible for calling the first HOA meeting and setting up the HOA when enough of the unit are sold, etc......
Because we have had so many problems with our management company this is a huge concern.
As for setting up a meeting of our own and trying to include all the buyers getting a list of people is a bit tricky.
The sales office is by law is not at liberty to distribute the names and contact info of the owners at LTL. And because on new conversions it take about a year to get information on the owners of the building through the state property directory this is not an option. I am talking with Tony and Angela about how as concerned property owners we might proceed .... I am waiting for them to get back to me.
Tony gave me a copy of the draft for LTL which has all the laws and procedures of the building.....I believe everyone recieved one on CD when they closed. ( I can't access mine because a mac won't read it).... So I will look through the hard copy for the exact protocol on starting the HOA... Some one mentioned when 51% of the building had been sold or 6 months after the first sale the HOA s supposed to be activated... We need to find that in writing so we can move forward...
If any one knows exactly where it is let me know.
As, for getting people together I think we should start with the people that we know or have meet since we have been here.... word of mouth, get an email add it to the list and we will just start communicating about what is going on. If some one wants to initiate a gathering one evening, go for it with the few people that we have who want to be involved in taking care of our building.
A quick note on that..... There are a few people who rent and they have no weight in the HOA or in helping us move forward with our concerns about the management company.
Just to keep it simple they don't need to be get involved at this time.
The sales team is great, are aware of our concerns and seems to be ready to help us sort this out. This is very cool because it is not in their responsibility. So, I will keep you all posted on what the sales team gets back to me on in the next few days or so.

We thought it could be a good idea write a letter to slip under doors of other loft owners in order to inform them about what we are doing...

Anne wrote:

Here is a draft of a letter to slip under doors, take a look at it if you have time and let mw know any changes that should be made. I offered my e-mail address, but if any of you feels super organized e-mail wise, maybe another address would be better? Matt reminded me that the builders are owners, too, and should get a copy of this letter.

Below the letter Anne wrote:

DEAR FELLOW LTL HOMEOWNER,


A few loft owners have had problems with the person assigned to us at LB Properties, (the management company assigned by the Builders for our building.)
We are slipping this note under your door to inquire about your interest in making sure we have a manager and Management Company who are attentive to us and our building. Some issues that seem to have been neglected by LBP are things like billing for HOA dues (even though it might seem nice not to have to pay now, we’ll pay later if this money is not collected or is mismanaged!) and prompt and polite return of phone calls and e-mails regarding maintenance.

If you, as an owner, have had any problem with LB management and would like to have an informal meeting to discuss what we can do, send an e-mail to annedudek@mac.com and we’ll figure out a time for the concerned owners to meet in person.