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Dear Neighbor, The day after last Thursday’s regular Board meeting, FirstService sent a notice announcing that the pool will be closed for at least four months starting March 2nd. We believe owners deserve to know the rest of the story because this closure highlights several concerns we’ve raised in past emails. |
The “Immediate” Repair That Took 6 Months |
Back on July 24, 2025, the Board approved a $21,730 contract with Concrete Science Inc. (CSI) to investigate leaks and assess the structural condition of the pool and adjacent beam. CSI issued a draft report on November 20, 2025, and a final version on January 13, 2026. There was no explanation for the unusually long delay. Both versions included the same recommendation: “This cracked section of the beam needs immediate repair.” At the February 26th meeting, President Michelle Dunton called the word “immediate” ambiguous. We disagree. In a moderate earthquake, sloshing pool water could increase stress on that beam. Steven raised this concern in emails to the Office on January 23 and 28, asking why FirstService never sought clarification from CSI if they truly found the language unclear. FirstService never responded. Now, six months after CSI’s inspection, the pool is finally being closed. That delay put resident safety and the Association’s insurance coverage at unnecessary risk. |
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If anything compromises the garage structure or gets it red tagged, the impact on residents could be devastating. |
Years of Ignored Leaks and Deferred Repairs |
For years, FirstService ignored leaks under the pool. Instead of addressing them, in 2023 FirstService and then-President Ketki Shah covered the area with a giant tarp. And kept it covered even after residents with parking spaces under the pool raised concerns at multiple meetings. Meanwhile, they and President Dunton pursued non-essential, reserve-funded upgrades. This pattern of deferring critical repairs while prioritizing cosmetic projects has real costs: in resident life safety, in insurance risk, and in property values. |
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Putting aside the obvious effort to avoid fixing leaks, this makes the property look even more dilapidated. |
Secret Contracts and Lack of Transparency |
The CSI contract was approved in an executive session, not in open session. According to the July 24, 2025 minutes, the only public description was: “A Concrete Science, Inc. proposal in the amount of $21,730.” We believe this kind of secrecy — especially for high-cost, safety-related work — undermines transparency and denies owners the opportunity to ask questions or offer input. It also prevents directors from fulfilling their fiduciary and oversight duties. |
Illegal Discharge of Pool Water |
On March 3, 2026, approximately 40,000 gallons of chlorinated pool water were discharged into the Bay via the Pierce Street storm drains. This violates Albany Municipal Code §15-4.7, which prohibits such discharges. The proper method is to connect to the sanitary sewer system, a correction FirstService has been advised to make for years. Steven requested this topic be agendized in October and November 2020. FirstService and then-President Ketki Shah refused. The penalties for this violation include fines up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. This is not just a legal issue; it’s a matter of environmental responsibility and our community reputation. |
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A management company with 950+ HOAs and 200,000+ units in California should not ignore the law. |
A Pattern of Avoidable Risk and Cost |
This situation illustrates a broader pattern: - Delayed response to life-safety issues
- Lack of transparency in contract approvals
- Disregard for environmental regulations
- Failure to act on owner and director concerns
- Misplaced priorities (e.g., reducing pool hours instead of fixing structural risks)
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