The Mayor of San Francisco, London Breed announced today that the City and County of San Francisco have extended the mandatory travel quarantine and stay safer at home health orders.
“As cases surge and regional ICU bed capacity continues to fall, San Francisco extends the requirement that those traveling into San Francisco from outside of the Bay Area quarantine for 10 days and extends the local Stay Safer at Home order.
The front desk will call all owners before their January reservation is canceled.
In March 2020 the Suites closed to guests, following the mandate imposed by the mayor of San Francisco on all hotels, lodges, short-term rentals, and timeshares. Then, in September, the Suites was permitted to reopen, with strict safety protocols and reduced occupancy. Now, we are closed again, effective December 6, ordered to do so by the mayor in response to alarming increases in infection rates combined with a serious reduction in available ICU spaces in the city.
As before, we remain in operation with a skeleton staff, to maintain and protect the facility and to answer calls, to cancel and rebook reservations, and to prepare for the eventual resumption of full operations. We learned when the facility was closed to guests for seven months that it needs continuous attention, especially when unoccupied, lest major systems such as plumbing and electrical fail due to inactivity. We also realized that the task of running the Suites is ongoing, whether we are accommodating guests or not, from scheduling and completing repairs to preparing for upcoming elections.
For example, during the time the Suites was closed, decorative grillwork was placed at the Powell Street entrance, providing more security to an area increasingly vulnerable to intrusions. (A planned gate for the Pine Street entrance is currently under review by the city.) The Board Room’s wallpaper, which last year had been damaged by a water leak, was replaced. A new, more powerful wifi system was installed. A second bannister was added to the stairwell between the fourth floor and roof. And, equally significant, protective plexiglass barriers were erected at the front desk to ensure that our staff and guests are safe during interactions.
General Manager Cynthia Reid has been working closely with the staff to ensure they understand the importance of following the health guidelines, whether they are at the Suites or at home. She has also continued the business of the Association, monitoring sales of shares, conducting auctions and adoptions, preparing the budget, anticipating future projects, and maintaining contact with the Board.
We are fortunate that we have such a loyal, dedicated staff who are committed to performing their duties to the highest professional standards, even when doing so might risk their health and perhaps their lives. And on behalf of the Board, I would like to thank the on-site staff for their diligence and commitment to the Suites during these very difficult and dangerous times. Also, to thank the staff staying at home but promising to follow the recommended health and safety guidelines as we eagerly await their return to work.
The Board has also been busy during these past nine months. As you know, the long anticipated and once-delayed election for revised bylaws is currently in process, and you should have received by this time your voting packet and ballot. These revised bylaws define and describe us much more accurately than the current version, which under the strictures of California’s Davis-Stirling Act governing HOAs inappropriately places us in the same category as condominiums and corporate timeshares. I urge you to read the letter from the Suites’ attorney Wayne Louvier summarizing the positive changes in the new bylaws which will unbind us from Davis-Stirling and allow us to function more efficiently and independently, especially with respect to elections.
The deadline for returning your ballot is Saturday, January 9, 2021. Please complete your ballot soon, and send it to The Inspector of Elections, signed on the pre-paid envelope that we have provided. The Inspector of Elections, with whom we’ve contracted to conduct this election, will show the ballot count via Zoom on January 9.
As a reminder, you may access the “refreshed” San Francisco Suites website to read the latest information on the pandemic from the Mayor’s Office and the San Francisco Department of Health as well as the current and past editions of the Board meetings’ minutes, the General Manager’s News, and President’s Letters.
I wish you all good health and happiness in the coming year. I know I speak for everyone at San Francisco Suites – staff, management, and the Board – when I say that we look forward to seeing you once again at “your home away from home.”
General General General San Francisco Suites (SFS)—Board of Directors (BOD) General Meeting—November 7, 2020 DRAFT
President Bellah called the meeting to order via Zoom 11:03 AM and asked for introductions. President Geoffrey Bellah, Vice-President Tom Weber, Secretary Linda Banner, Treasurer Jeff Reichel, Member-at-Large Jo Ann Trembath, and General Manager Cynthia Reid were present. (Owner Sue Josselyn later joined the meeting at 11:15 AM.)
It was determined there was a quorum to hold the meeting and, with no owners present at the time, that we could dispense with the Owner’s Forum.
In his President’s Report President Bellah mentioned that the bylaws election conducted by The Ballot Box had to be aborted due to “difficulties with their process.” Fortunately, it had not cost the Association anything, with The Ballot Box absorbing all costs. After consulting with our attorney and based on his recommendation, we have now contracted with The Inspector of Elections agency to conduct the rescheduled bylaws election on January 9, 2021. General Manager Reid read a letter to the Board submitted by owners Jim and Cynthia White regarding the restated bylaws in which they complain of the proposed new terms and term limits for Board directors. After correcting two errors in the letter, Bellah asked the Board to consider revising the restated bylaws to conform with the original intentions of Directors Weber and Trembath: the new terms being three years but the term limits being two, not three consecutive terms. Weber moved so, Trembath seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Bellah reminded the Board that the annual meeting is scheduled for March 2021 at which time three Board positions will become open, those currently held by Weber, Trembath, and Reichel. The elections in March will be subject to the new election procedures outlined in the restated bylaws if they are approved in January.
President Bellah made a motion to accept the minutes of the August 15, 2020, meeting. The motion was seconded by Vice-President Weber. After some discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer Reichel gave the Treasurer’s Report. He stated that the Association is “OK” financially; however, he also saw some justification for the anticipated increase in the 2021 annual assessment, partly due to the loss of revenues during the Suites’ six-month closure and partly due to the expense of several major maintenance/repair projects that came up unexpectedly during that time. Vice-President Weber asked Treasurer Reichel about the PPP loan forgiveness process. Reichel mentioned that forgiveness should not be a problem as we will be able to meet all the conditions, i.e., having applied most of the loan to funding salaries and employee benefits. Weber mentioned that our building is “old” and it will continue to deteriorate, so there will always be additional expenses to maintain it, such as the elevator.
General Manager’s Report—General Manager Reid stated that currently there are 16 Association-owned Parlors. At the August Adopt-a-Share Auction the 4 available Parlors were, not surprisingly, not adopted. Reid suggested that we hold a “special” auction in December 2020 to sell these 4 Parlor Shares. In this proposed Holiday Auction, new owners would be responsible for the closing costs as well as the 2021 annual assessment. Reid recommended a low starting bid. Vice-President Weber made a motion to accept the Holiday Auction Program as outlined by General Manager Reid, with a starting bid at $100, Trembath seconded the motion, and after some discussion, it passed unanimously. President Bellah made a motion to accept the 2021 budget and the $51 increase in the annual assessment to $1372 per unit. This budget includes a 4% increase for Operations and 3% for Reserves. Treasurer Reichel recommended that the Reserve increase should be about 5% each year after this coming year. However, because we have had reduced use of the Suites this year, it would be OK to get by with a smaller amount for this year. General Manager Reid mentioned that the Suites has maintained its desirability in spite of the pandemic shutdown, and that she has prospective owners (especially from the Napa area) waiting to buy into the Association. Member-at-Large Trembath seconded President Bellah’s motion and after some discussion, it passed unanimously. General Manager Reid mentioned that the window and door grill project at the Powell Street entrance was complete; however, the proposed gate on Pine Street was not approved by SF Department of Public Works. Reid will complete some more paperwork and re-apply for approval. General Manager Reid also noted the recently installed and upgraded Wifi system at the Suites. Reid reminded everyone of the 25% limit for occupancy at San Francisco restaurants, hotels, timeshares, which we are following. Additionally, General Manager Reid mentioned that a new second banister from the 4th floor to the roof has been installed, that the Pine Street and Powell Street door knobs have been replaced to more firmly and securely lock, making the Suites safer, and preventing any more unwelcome intruders.
President Bellah introduced the Employee of the Quarter, Gloria Soto.
Old Business: General Manager Reid mentioned that the wallpaper installation had been completed in the Board Room. Needless to say, there were some “issues” to be addressed, such as the dry rot behind the old wallpaper.
New Business: General Manager Reid mentioned the need to comply with the San Francisco’s mandate to install a digital fire alarm system by July 2021, which might cost up to $80K. Vice-President Weber mentioned that he will help General Manager Reid with this project. Additionally, our webmaster Bill Patterson has recommended that the Suites’ website be updated: more attractive, simpler to use, more features. President Bellah made a motion to approve this expense, Weber seconded the motion, and after some discussion it passed unanimously.
President Bellah brought up Forward Planning, which includes the proposed remodel and refurbishment of the Board Room in 2021. He suggested postponing this matter until March, 2021, given the uncertainty generated by the pandemic and the two Association elections. General Manager Reid thanked President Bellah for “being available” for consultation with her and with the attorney during the bylaws revision process, and Bellah replied that he considers the newly restated bylaws to be more appropriate and accessible than the older ones which seemed more suited to condominiums and corporation-controlled timeshares. President Bellah made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:20 PM, Vice-President Weber seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
We have just received a directive from the Mayor of San Francisco that the Suites will need to close to guests effective Sunday, December 6 for four weeks. This order applies to all hotels, inns, B&B’s and guest houses, with exceptions only for people whose stay is essential, not for leisure.
The Front Desk staff has been calling owners and guests who have reservations in December thru January 4 to let them know that their stay has to be canceled.
The good news is that due to the staff and owners following the rigorous cleaning protocols and precautions, that were provided by the San Francisco Department of Health, SF Hotel Council and the CDC, there has not been one incident of a staff or guest contacting the virus at the Suites during the last eight months.
Let’s hope the four week lockdown slows the spread of the virus, and serves to protect the health and lives of all our staff and guests.
Please find the SFS November Board Meeting minutes at the link below
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to welcoming you back to your “home away from home” in January 2021.
Warmest wishes, Cynthia Reid General Manager San Francisco Suites
We have just received a directive from the Mayor of San Francisco that the Suites will need to close to guests effective Sunday, December 6 for four weeks. This order applies to all hotels, inns, B&B’s and guest houses, with exceptions only for people whose stay is essential, not for leisure.
The Front Desk staff has been calling owners and guests who have reservations in December thru January 4 to let them know that their stay has to be cancelled.
The good news is that due to the staff and owners following the rigorous cleaning protocols and precautions, that were provided by the San Francisco Department of Health, SF Hotel Council and the CDC, there has not been one incident of a staff or guest contacting the virus at the Suites during the last eight months.
Let’s hope the four week lockdown slows the spread of the virus, and serves to protect the health and lives of all our staff and guests.
Please find the SFS November Board Meeting minutes at the link below
Click on this link to see a calculator that can be used to find out the date 270 days out from today or any other date. There is also a calculator that you can use to see the number of days between two dates. Hopefully, this will aid in figuring out future reservations.
