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Dear *|FNAME|*, The day after last month's regular board meeting on February 26th, 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 have 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.” Apparently, some people think the word "immediate" is subjective since the building is old. 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 did not seek clarification from CSI if they thought the language was unclear. FirstService never responded. Six months after CSI’s inspection, the pool was finally closed. We think that the delay put resident safety and the Association’s insurance coverage at unnecessary risk. |
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If anything compromises the garage structure or causes it to be red-tagged, the impact on residents could be immense. |
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 effort to avoid fixing leaks, this practice makes the property look even more dilapidated. |
Where are those leaks coming from? Rather than maintaining the pool deck coating in a timely manner as cracks formed and caulking separated, the board focused on other non-essential upgrades. That resulted in a decision to replace the entire deck at a cost of at least $91,568, with a minimum 5-month shutdown during the peak-use period. Our hot water boilers and pressure valves failed for the same reason; deferred maintenance. Timely maintenance is always less expensive than premature replacement when components fail, which drives up dues and lowers property values. The pool deck replacement contract was approved in September 2025 — why did it take over six months just to start the project? |
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Why wasn't deck replacement started in the fall, rather than springtime? Doing extensive pool work in the spring maximizes resident hardship. |
Pool Replastering: No Evidence of Leaks |
The pool shell was fully replastered in 2015 after CSI identified leaks around the drain area. The shell currently has three coats of waterproofing. In its 2026 report, CSI did not find leaks in the shell and did not recommend replastering. The Board still approved a $3,000 study by American Leak Detection at the February 26th meeting to “prove out” leaks. It was to be completed before draining the pool. That study was never performed. Pool plaster can last 15 years when water chemistry is properly maintained. Given that CSI did not identify leaks nor recommend replastering, it is unclear why FirstService advised the Board to approve $67,000 to replaster the pool. If the primary motivation was to change the tile and coping colors, that should have been clearly stated. |
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When the pool was replastered in 2015, 3 coats of permacote waterproofing were applied. Leak checking would have revealed leaks around plumbing and fixture seals. |
Secret Contracts and Lack of Transparency |
The CSI contract was approved in an executive session, not in an 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, Gateview dumped approximately 45,000 gallons of chlorinated pool water into San Francisco Bay via Pierce Street storm drains. This violates Albany Municipal Code §15-4.7, which prohibits such discharges. The proper method is to connect the pool drain to the sanitary sewer system, a correction FirstService has been advised to make for years. Steven requested this agenda topic in both October and November 2020. FirstService's manager and then-President Ketki Shah refused to allow it. 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 is a matter of environmental responsibility and our community's reputation. |
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A management company with 950+ HOAs and 200,000+ units in California alone should not ignore regulations or advise its clients to be a scofflaw. |
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)
- Unnecessary hardship for residents
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