Reports from residents on experiences, history, community, ideas

2025 Annual Meeting - President's Report

Vote to Complete EV Charging Infrastructure

Ballard Alliance Residential Engagement Meeting - June 13, 2024

Metropole Security Analysis - April 2024

EV Charging at Canal Station South Condominium - April 2024

Safety Information - March 2024

Safety in Metropole - March 2024

Falling Shelves - June 2023

New Bike Racks Installed May 2021

Who Shovels the Snow??? February 2021

Nearby Car Break-Ins - October 2020

Water Leaks Downstream from You - September 2019

Making Recyclables Acceptable - December 2018

Safely Dispose of Medicine - October 2018

2025 Annual Meeting

March 26, 2025

President’s Report

By John Ashenhurst

After eighteen years service to the Metropole association and community, Phyllis Carney is resigning to pursue other interests. One of the reasons Yvonne and I decided to come to Metropole was our confidence in Phyllis who we’d known from Orcas Island. Thank you Phyllis!

And thanks to Fred Wehman for his year of service, especially with the EV Charging project. Barry Friedle left the Board last year but true to his promise has continued to help the building function smoothly in a myriad of ways.

And thanks to Linda Kocir at CWD Group who was fairly new to helping Metropole last year and is now a seasoned right hand to Metropole. With a dearth of Board meeting minutes-taking volunteers after Martin’s retirement last year, Lynda provided them for a fee then was replaced by Chris using AI helper software and now Leigh is taking over.

Last year at the annual meeting I described the dilemma Metropole faced: Resound Energy had installed some EV charging infrastructure but going further, that is installing Level 2 charging outlets, would be expensive and perhaps not possible because the building has inadequate power. After making a Board visit to Canal Station condos to look at the work Zorko Electric had done there and having Zorko in to see if we could install a new meter to power 30 Level 1 outlets, and further finding that Seattle City Light would contribute $15,000 toward the effort, we got a commitment from SCL and engaged Zorko, with 14 of our 30 owners signing up for outlets. The service is now live. The City says we have to install bollards to protect the new EV infrastructure in the garage and we’re in the process of claiming our $15,000 SCL incentive.

After having an intruder in the building last spring we asked SPD for security advice and two ideas seemed especially relevant: better lighting over the garage pedestrian exit and visibility outward from the exit door. Barry had lightning installed and we’ve acquired a large diameter inexpensive peephole we’ll be installing soon as an outward visibility experiment. After finding that our DoorKing access system needed housekeeping because it had no space for new names, Lynda and Kevin at CWD Group cleaned it up and we’re now in good shape. We also had a problem with someone sleeping some days in our lobby door alcove and when having Praetorian Security repeatedly eject but not discourage him, Barry and John installed a crowd-control fence section to close off the alcove and that’s kept sleepers out.

This last year we found ourselves frustrated with some of our service providers, especially regarding fire safety and ventilations systems. Guardian Security hadn’t been checking our systems often enough and when they did hadn’t properly reported the results or fixes to SFD who then came to the building and cited us. We switched to Pacific Fire Security who has been responsive and less expensive. Haloday-Parks, our ventilation systems provider hadn’t repaired our garage fan, so we’ve switched to lower-priced, and more responsive PSR Mechanical..

Recently an intermittent garage ceiling leak tormented Chris’s tenant Ryan. McLeod Construction came out to look and pointed to a failing seal between the sidewalk and dumpster pad as a likely source. We’re going to test that hypothesis shortly. When remodeling, the nail salon created a leak to the P1 garage level below and the proprietor fixed it and replaced the soaked fiberglass ceiling insulation. One of the basement sump pumps failed and we had to call in an emergency plumber. Our hallway heat failed this winter and replacing the thermostat batteries did the trick.

We found and fixed two mislabeled water stack shut-off valves, had a noisy brake repaired on the garage door, had a dislodged elevator ceiling panel reset, reinstalled a dumpster caster, had dryer vents cleaned, windows washed, carpeting cleaned, and roof anchors tested.

Barry continues to pressure wash our sidewalk, turned around a ceiling exit sign that was pointing the wrong direction, and manages the trash and recycling dumpsters. Barry and Leigh found problems with seven emergency lights and had them replaced. Barry and Dave have worked on cleaning and painting over building graffiti and replacing standpipe covers.

We’ve had members suggest we find more ways to make use of our rooftop deck but we haven’t made much progress. There is some interest in acquiring air conditioning/heating mini-splits for units. Members have suggested we support a building services information exchange and also add resident interviews to our newsletter.

Now more than two years into responding to emergencies and member and building needs, I’m beginning to get a sense of things and I’ve been thinking about how we can capture what Barry, Dave, Nancy, Phyllis and others have come to know. Otherwise as people leave the building, voluntarily or under duress, those coming on duty will have to learn the drill all over again. Maybe there’s a better way. I have some ideas.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me and/or Barry.

Now for Chris on Finance and Nancy on landscaping.

Thanks.

Vote to Complete EV Charging Infrastructure

November 5, 2024

Dear Metropole Homeowner,

Two years ago the Metropole Board proposed and the Membership approved a $38,381.67 investment in new garage level infrastructure to facilitate installation of EV charging outlets. That project was paid for by special assessment. The infrastructure did not include a power source or provision for EV power distribution, management, and metering to allow member usage billing. After much study, the Board has approved completing the infrastructure so that members, as they choose, can have an EV charging outlet installed. This infrastructure completion project is subject to Member approval.

The project will cost $12,258.15 (Zorko Electric $10,581 plus $1,095.75 tax and Seattle City Light $581.40) and paid for by temporarily borrowing that amount from reserves ($12,258.15/31 or $395.42 for each unit and the commercial space). No special assessment will be required. As a Member has an outlet installed, they will replenish the reserves by $395.42. Once the EV infrastructure is complete, Members will be able to order their outlet in Member groups of five or more, for approximately $1,500 each plus tax plus their $395.42 reserve replenishment payment.

Currently, for 2025, Seattle City Light has an incentive program that will pay Metropole up to $15,000 for outlet installations (not including tax or Metropole reserves replenishment). To qualify for a subsidy you must have an outlet installed and begin using an EV garaged in your parking space within five years. Please notify the Board immediately if you want to be considered for this incentive program. In order to reserve its rebate for 2025, Metropole must make application well before the end of the year. By the end of 2025, participating Members will pay their outlet installation taxes and their reserve replenishment fee, and whatever part of the outlet cost not covered by the SCL incentive. 

Level 1 outlets look like the 120volt, 20amp outlets you have in your condo though these will have lockable covers. EV Level 1 charging rates vary by make, model, and battery system. As an example, a 2023 Chevy Bolt (range 259 miles), recharges on a Level 1 outlet at 4 miles per hour, so overnight would recover 48 miles of range or if unused for two days would recover 192 miles. The Bolt would cost about $3 to drive 100 miles compared to an average gas car cost of about $13 (30 mpg at $4 per gallon).

Metropole will pay SCL for the building’s EV power usage and then re-bill members in proportion to their usage shown on their individual meters. Meters will be read twice annually and payment due at billing. A Chevy Bolt driven 5000 miles per year would result in two $75 bills. 

An EV infrastructure project ratification meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 7pm in the lobby of Metropole. Per Section 8.8 and 8.3 of the Declaration, the plan and its budget will be considered ratified, and will take effect November 18, 2024, unless rejected by 51% of the total residential ownership.

Thank you for your consideration of the enclosed material. Please feel free to submit any questions to metropole@cwdgroup.com if you cannot attend and have questions about the project budget, or other matters relating to Metropole Condominiums.

For the Metropole Board of Directors, 

Lynda Kocir

Ballard Alliance Residential Engagement Meeting, June 13, 2024

By Nancy Kuta

Therese and I attended the Ballard Alliance Residential Engagement Meeting today at Ballard Commons.  We learned residents may call Praetorian Security at 253-250-9737 to report disturbances by the building or for intruders. We recommend that this number be posted on the bulletin board for residents.  Ballard Alliance is working with the city on a Safety Ambassador program which will have uniformed people roving the Ballard neighborhood 8 hrs a day from Wednesday to Sunday.  The Safety Ambassadors are not armed (unlike Praetorian Security) and can help with safety concerns in the neighborhood.  

SPD Officer Mike Cruz mentioned the entire North Precinct (from north of the Ship Canal to 145 St and from the Sound to Lk Washington) has a low number of officers available to respond to 911 calls.  Calls are triaged for shootings, intruders, etc., and property crimes are of lesser importance.  Crime Prevention Coordinator Katelyn Yep suggested lights, planters and bollards to discourage people from sleeping in front of the Metropole.  She provides Security Assessments which I believe the Metropole has already done. 

One Condo Manager lamented residents have allowed intruders to tailgate into the building garage, or gave them entrance through the lobby door. Recommendations suggested were signs to remind residents to not allow this action to occur when entering or exiting the building.  

Another was to levy fines on residents who don’t follow the policy. A third, and many felt helpful suggestion was to provide residents with a “script” about why they can’t allow an unknown person into the building.  Ex. “I’m sorry but we’re having security issues and you’ll need to use your code or access card to enter the building.”

Finally, the Smart 911 program was explained.  It is a service supported by the SPD and King County provided because many callers no longer have land lines which identify their location.  Smart911 is free and anyone can register.  If a person calls 911, the call taker will see the safety information you have provided about your family and household.  

Additional questions included the status of vacant building and graffiti.  Wyatt of BIA explained they are working with the city to have owners secure the buildings to prevent fires and erase the graffiti. Wyatt suggested people file concerns through the city’s Find It Fix It app.  The more complaints that are entered, the faster the city acts.  

METROPOLE SECURITY ANALYSIS:  April 10, 2024

 METROPOLE SECURITY ANALYSIS:  April 10, 2024

Reported by Leigh Boelman

Guests: Katelyn Yep, SPD Crime Prevention Coordinator and Officer Cruzan

Attending:  Board President John A. and Board Members Phyllis C, Leigh B, Fred W.

The walk-through was facilitated by Wyatt Hoffman at Ballard Alliance and scheduled by John after the recent intruder incident to address potential building security weaknesses and determine “best practices” when an incident occurs.  Katelyn stated that the “weakest part of building security is the residents” but that residents need to do “what makes them feel safe” and some will NOT feel comfortable confronting strangers.  She also noted that residents will allow friends/family to wait in the lobby and not all unknown people are a threat.  911 should be utilized in emergency situations.  The following locations were discussed by the Board representatives and SPD during the property tour and the following suggestions were made:

Lobby

Glass Front Doors/Windows:  The tempered glass on doors/windows will shatter if hit with force.  One fix is to adhere clear “security film” which will at least delay entrance by intruders by containing the pieces of glass.  (Opaque and translucent versions are also available so that it is harder to see the interior lobby from outside.). Phyllis suggested that Cressy Door might be a source for film application.

Inside Door Pulls:

We could put handles on the interior of the front doors so they could be pulled closed rather than wait for the closer mechanism when a resident is inside and concerned about someone outside the door, however forcing the closer could break it.

Outside Front Door

The area immediately west of the front door, often utilized by sleeping transients, was discussed.  Katelyn suggested heavy cement planters (rather than a huge boulder!) but added that they can become a receptacle for trash/discarded needles.  Bright, LED lights with “dusk to dawn” sensors could be added to discourage loitering.  The lights could be in “shrouded” fixtures to avoid annoying our neighbors with bright lights.  Katelyn noted that the “camera” above the call box should either be functional or be removed.  She thinks that having something false gives the impression that there may be other security measures that are also artificial. 

Garage

The garage door was opened to double-check the time it took to close, which Katelyn felt was appropriate (it didn’t close too slowly).  She appreciated the signage about waiting for the garage door to fully close.

Katelyn and Officer Cruzan strongly encouraged adding a “fish-eye” lens peephole in the pedestrian garage entrance door so that before a resident inside opens the door they could see if someone was loitering outside. Also recommended was the installation of a mirror at the top of the garage stairwell so that someone approaching the bottom of the stairwell could see into the corner at the top of the stairwell. 

Residential Floors/Elevator

The SPD representatives liked the locked metal gates on the two stairwells and commented that in their experience most buildings didn’t have them. They also liked the fact that the operation of the elevator requires a fob or card.

24th Ave outside entrance

A peephole might be relevant here as well as lighting between the metal door and sidewalk gate.

Note:  Salt&Sugar is welcome to schedule an individual security visit. 

Action Items:

Check lights outside all doors—functioning?

Check emergency lighting in stairwells (used during outages—batteries?)

EV Charging at Canal Station South Condominium

EV Charging at Canal Station South Condominium

By John Ashenhurst

April 6, 2024

Canal Station South Condominium (CSSC), 5440 Leary Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107, www.canalstation.org, 206-706-4503, csmanager@canalstation.org

Late afternoon on April 6, 2024, Leigh Boelman (#26, Board), Steve Anderson (#64), and John Ashenhurst (#43, Board), invited by Brian Houdyshell, CSSC Facility Manager, and led by Richard Reese, CSSC Board member, toured the CSSC underground garage to see how CSSC was going about providing EV charging. John had met Brian at a Ballard Alliance Residential Engagement meeting on March 21st.

CSSC has 169 living units and perhaps 300 assigned parking spaces.

In 2019, wanting to provide EV charging to its members, the CSSC Board hired Zorko Electric (zorkoelectric.com, 888-485-1113, info@zorkoelectric.com, PO Box 100, Duvall, WA 98109) to suggest and implement a plan.

Zorko monitored CSSC’s common area power ($300 fee?) and found that CSSC had enough excess common area capacity to provide one 120v/20amp electrical outlet for each living unit (Level 1 charging).

The Board proposed to its membership that CSSC have Zorko install conduit and electrical panel infrastructure to support the potential of providing one electrical outlet for each living unit, the Zorko expense to be funded out of building reserves, to be repaid, in part, as members opted to have outlets installed. Each installed outlet would be metered and members would pay $2.50 per month plus the cost of electricity they used, payable semi-annually. The membership approved the plan and Zorko got busy.

Zorko charged CSSC $120,000 to install the infrastructure and CSSC paid the fee out of its reserves. Whenever a member has an outlet installed, the member is charged about $1750, $715 as a reserve recovery fee going to CSSC and the balance a Zorko installation fee for running wire in the conduits, providing a meter and an outlet at the member’s parking space.

So far about 40 charging outlets have been installed in the CSSC garage. Zorko considers it practical to install outlets only when at least five members commit to installation, so from time to time the Board invites applications from members and contracts for the work with Zorko when at least five members apply.

Richard Reese has a Tesla which he drives to his job at Boeing Field every workday. He reports that it takes about five hours to recharge his car after his commute. He estimates that he pays $100 twice a year to CSSC for the power he consumes. When he drives longer distances that deplete the battery more than can be recharged overnight he uses a public Level 3 charging station.

Safety in Metropole

By Cheryl Deboise (#62) March 24, 2024

Justin & I met early this week to discuss safety, and here are the notes from that meeting.  We also talked to a couple of other residents.  Justin plans to reach out to CWD for some advice, and I reached out to Praetorian (although was out of town, so I'll call back this week) to review our suggestions and get their input.

Here are the notes I took from our discussion today about safety improvements at the Metropole:

• The garage may be the highest risk area of potential entrance to the building.  If someone is able to follow a resident into the garage, they can take the elevator to the lobby. 

• add cameras at each building entrance to provide visibility into how people get into the building. provide board members access to camera footage - this will require recording device and internet connection.  The recordings would only be viewed by a board member when an issue occurs to prevent residents feeling like their privacy is being violated.

• Consider adding a large sign on the floor of the exit from the garage to make it easier to remind residents on their way out of the garage to wait until the garage door closes before moving onto 57th street.

• Note on suggestion of adding handles to the inside of the doors in the lobby to allow residents to pull the doors closed behind them, since it sometimes takes a longer time to close

  • found out that the magnetic closer on the doors may be broken if there is a handle on the inside that is pulled. The design of the doors is not meant to have the doors pulled.  It can break the magnetic closure, which can cost up to $20k to replace

• Explore potential to have the garage door and lobby entrance / exit door close more quickly to limit risk of people following a resident in

• Consider putting a planter, or other structure in the alcove next to the building entrance to help deter people from camping / sleeping in that area

• place placards in key areas (lobby, elevator) to encourage residents to call Praetorian at 253-250-9737

• Encourage all residents to put this number in their phones, and take their phones, keys and fobs with them when they leave the building

• Should a resident encounter someone suspicious in the lobby they should consider the following steps:

  • don't confront the person

  • call Praetorian and ask that they come to the building to assist

  • Consider calling 911 if the situation warrants

  • Enter the building using your key using one of the other entrance doors

  • if possible, walk to the mezzanine level before calling the elevator to go to your unit

  • consider going to another public area while waiting for the police or Praetorian (might go to QFC)

• If you are in the lobby when someone enters, do what you can to deescalate the situation (don't yell or be aggressive towards the intruder) 

• Be aware of your position in the lobby and work to get into a position where you can exit safely

• Don't try to get past someone and in the elevator where you could be trapped and the person could enter the elevator with you

• When you are in a safe place - call one of the board members and/or someone else in the building to support alerting other residents

• Don't use the garage door opener to walk into the garage, as this will leave a lengthy time that could allow you into the garage

• Create a method to share resident photos with others in the building to support ability to identify other residents

• Create more opportunities for resident gathering to promote community and hopefully increase feeling of mutual accountability

• I also suggest we consider an alert system where residents could sign up for alerts if an incident occurs so we could alert others to not go into the lobby (for example) until Praetorian shows up. Justin is going to check with CWD about potential forms and/or advice for residents to get this type of alert in place.

Cheryl

February 15, 2021 by Nancy Kuta

Who Shovels the Snow???

In Seattle, homeowners are responsible for shoveling the sidewalks in front of their homes. Since the Metropole does not have an onsite custodian, residents step up to accomplish this task. Many thanks to Jeff Hutchinson, Barry Friedel and anyone else who took the initiative to keep the walk cleared. I’m sure many of our local residents and those who use the bus stop appreciated their efforts.

October 6, 2020

Nearby Car Break-ins

There’s been reports on the social media site, Nextdoor, about 2 car break-ins which happened this past weekend. In both instances, car windows were broken and items stolen. These happened on NW 56th st and 17Ave NW in a “secure garage” and NW 56th st and 24th Ave NW at a business garage. While the residential floors of our building have enhanced security, the garage is vulnerable to people getting into the garage by following cars entering or exiting the garage. Please be sure to stop and wait for the garage door to close before proceeding when entering or leaving the building.

September 26, 2019 by Nancy Kuta

Water Leaks Downstream From You

We’ve had a couple of water leaks from various appliances that use water such as water heaters and dishwashers.  The residents below the units that had water leaks endured some difficult situations. This is costly to the owner and also the Association for the time and money spent to repair the damage.

Besides water heaters, owners and residents should check other appliances such as garbage disposals which can rust on the bottom causing water leakage.  Likewise, hoses to ice makers, washing machines, and dish washers can leak and cause damage without being obvious to the resident. What can you do? Check hoses by pulling out the appliances and taking a look, and replace if over 10 years old.  Since the building was built nearly 15 years ago, more appliances are failing.  Be aware and proactive!

December 19, 2018 by Nancy Kuta

Making Recyclables Acceptable

Finding markets for Seattle recyclables has been in the news because China is limiting the amount of recyclable material it will accept.  I subscribe to a list serve by Owen, a young boy dedicated to picking up recyclable materials in the Ballard neighborhood. It’s called Owen’s List. Recently Owen and his family visited the South Seattle Recycling center and learned a few things about how to make Seattle recyclable material more acceptable.  I thought I’d share them.

1. Plastic film causes MAJOR problems because it gums up the machinery even though workers pre-sort from the single waste stream.  This includes plastic bags, dry cleaning bags, outer plastic wrap from toilet paper and other products, Amazon air pillows, etc.  This material should be in the GARBAGE not recycling.

2. No food in recycling is very important.  If containers aren’t rinsed out, mold grows.  By the time the recycled material arrives at the purchaser, the entire bale can be rejected and shipped back if there is a moldy smell.  This increases costs for the Seattle Public Utility which are passed on to us.

3. Plastic bottles (longer than an index finger and with their lids on) can be recycled but need to be clean. Separate plastic lids such as from yogurt containers, should be 3 inches in diameter.  Smaller ones gum up the recycling operation and can shut down the entire line.

If you have questions about food/compost, recycling, or garbage, feel free to contact me in unit 25.

October 12, 2018  by Nancy Kuta

Safely Dispose of Medicine

Outdated prescriptions or other medications should be disposed of safely and not discarded in the regular garbage. Here is a link to places in Seattle which accept medications in their original container.

https://medtakebackwashington.org

In addition, you can visit the Ballard Library and ask for a pre-paid mail envelope in which you can place 8 oz. of medications in their original container.  Drop the envelope in the mailbox and it will be delivered directly to the facility for disposal.  Is there anything our public libraries don’t do??