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Board Meeting Report – March 25, 2026 (Part 1)

Posted on April 2, 2026April 3, 2026 by Ken
🇺🇸 English | 🇪🇸 Español

🔎 Key Takeaways

⚠️ Critical Elevator Risk
Only 1 of 3 elevators is working, with no immediate repair underway — risking a total outage.
⏳ Delay Over Action
The board is prioritizing contracts and legal strategy instead of fixing an elevator now.
📄 Misleading Information
Statements about board certification compliance were not accurate.
⚖️ Broken Process & Accountability
Rules are applied inconsistently, and key promises — like the Town Hall — remain unfulfilled.

There were approximately 23 residents in attendance at the March 25 board meeting.

Three board members attended in person — Olena Biletska, Doris Salazar, and Jose Massuh. Notably, Mr. Massuh left within the first 30 minutes and did not return. The remaining two members, Christian Bagshaw and Julius Barbat, attended by phone.

“Town Hall” Announcement — But Where Is It?

Ms. Biletska opened by announcing a “Town Hall” meeting to discuss the upcoming implosion of the former Mandarin hotel and allow owner questions. She also suggested this would prevent this meeting from running excessively long.

Here’s the issue:

  • She stated the meeting would be next week (now?) with a 7:00 PM start “for convenience.”
  • Yet, regular board meetings are not scheduled at this more convenient time?

Even more concerning — as of today, 11 days before the implosion, this meeting has not been scheduled.


Rules for Some, Not for Others

Meeting Agenda

The agenda clearly states: “OWNERS ONLY.”

In the past, non-owners have been removed from meetings at the request of Ms. Biletska.

Yet at this meeting:

  • A non-owner — Ydais “Toty” Laya, President of Isola Condo and a friend of the Board President — was present.

Why are rules enforced selectively?


Board Certification — Misrepresentation

When asked about required board certification classes:

  • Ms. Biletska stated all members had completed them.

This was not true.

  • Christian Bagshaw completed the course the following day.
  • Others had only taken the class earlier that same day — explaining why certificates were not posted on our website.

These certifications are not optional — they are required to ensure board members understand their responsibilities. The class should not be taken as an obligation but an opportunity to learn to serve your community.

Misrepresenting compliance is a serious concern.


Elevator Crisis — A Risk Being Ignored

We are currently operating with:

  • 1 working elevator out of 3 in the main bank
  • One elevator down for 5 months
  • Another down for 2 weeks so far

Despite this, no immediate repair action has been taken.

What we were told:

  • The board is unhappy with current vendor TKE
  • Both elevators need new cables:
    • TKE cost: ~$50,000 each
    • Other vendors: ~$30,000–$34,000 (with claimed lifetime guarantees)

The board issued a 30-day cancellation notice to TKE in mid-December 2025.

Yet the contract has not been terminated.  Why?


The Bigger Concern

Multiple residents urged immediate repair of at least one elevator to avoid a total outage.  This was met with head shaking.

Instead, the board is pursuing:

  • Contract termination
  • Hiring a new vendor
  • Legal review of contracts
  • Then scheduling repairs

Estimated timeline from the board to repair: 4+ weeks (Aggressively fast)

That leaves the building relying on a single elevator until then.

If that elevator fails, the building could be left with none.


Important Context

  • Since January 2024, the fire department has responded 16 times to rescue residents trapped in elevators.
  • The elevators were refurbished by TKE in 2016–2017 using their own proprietary parts.

This complicates switching vendors quickly.


A More Practical Approach?

Regardless of vendor disputes, the priority should be simple:

Fix one elevator immediately.  Use any vendor!

Vendor transitions and legal strategies should not come at the expense of basic building operations and resident needs.


Consultant Approved — Lawsuit Preparation

The board voted to hire a consultant to:

  • Inspect elevators
  • Document deficiencies
  • The goal to support a potential lawsuit against TKE

Cost ranges from 3 bids: $4,230 to $9,423
Lowest bidder selected, work to begin immediately.


Elevator 3 out of service
While writing this post, that one working elevator went out of service

Coming Next…

This portion covered a lot — but we’re just getting started.

Part 2 will cover:

👉 The board president’s initial response when asked about $500,000 in past-due debt

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