Hello Omni Building Goers, 

I hope that this message finds you and all of your relations are healthy, warm, and resilient during this tumultuous time. Given all the moving parts with the building, I thought I would send a recap and update email early. There will likely be a part 2 of this email at the end of the month. Please note that relevant dates are highlighted in yellow!

Recaps and Reminders
  1. Trash protocol: The bins have been going out full every Monday and Thursday afternoon/evening. I am anticipating a slow down in the next two week or so. However, the trash room has been reorganized to support overflow trash. There is a section above the receptacles as well as below the electronic waste section in the corner where items can be left. If they are in those areas they can promptly be added the next time the bins become available. 
    1. Please refrain from leaving trash in front of the door
    2. Cardboard boxes should be broken down and put inside of the bins. CALLI has had to take on the task of breaking down other peoples recycling on multiple occasions and that takes away from our regular responsibilities. If access to a box cutter is needed please let me know.
    3. Our team has been cleaning up the entryhall to make it a usable space for meetings and events. Moving forward I want to discourage items being dumped in the entryhall. Any items that groups wish to have discarded should be placed in the trash room. If placement in the trash room poses an issue because it is a bulk item, folks should reach out to me directly to make alternative arrangements. 
  2. Leaks: We have had a few days of heavy rain and a few small leakes have been reported. All of the locations I have investigated are directly above a vent which doesn't fall under the new roof installations scope. If anyone comes across a leak or water dripping, I highly encourage photos of the location to be taken, and recommend angling the camera to show the ceiling. If it is a sustained drip, short videos would also be helpful to see. Thank you to those who have been reporting thus far. 
  3. Tool room: CALLI is encouraging Omni Commons representatives and individuals that have personal items in the tool room to make arrangements to remove/relocate the items in the next two weeks. After February 21st, we will be changing the lock on the tool room door. This will make it easier for us to manage the building, reconfigure and secure the space, and inventory check/purchase the necessary tools and hardware for ongoing repairs and maintenance in the building. 
    1. Throughout the building clearing process, I have/will continue to relocate items that are clearly labeled to a group in the groups (lessees) dedicated space or the back foyer storage. 
    2. Although we will be changing the locks on the tool room, that doesn't mean that resources left behind wouldn't be made available to groups upon request. If there is a need to use the key cutter or a large vacuum please just let me know. A more formal checkout system can be implemented, but for now I think it is fine to keep informal.  
    3. If there are items such as the steel husky storage/workbench that an owner wants to claim, but prefers to let us use for building purposes, I would still like to be made aware so that I can document ownership and  make arrangements with that person directly. CALLI would gladly utilize items currently in the tool room that are relevant to building repairs. We would just like to have some autonomy over the space and are trying to proactively avoid future disputes and claims over personal items.
What's New & Updates:
  1. Locked storage: I added a lock for the black cabinet in the back foyer storage. If groups have costly office supplies, tools, or other shared equipment, I encourage you to place those items in the locked cabinet vs the open metal storage. I will send out the combination code to building designees we have on file. However, if others would like access they can reach out to me directly. If a security/access breach happens with the cabinet and items go missing or non permitted individuals are given the combination, let me know as soon as possible and I can promptly switch out the locks. 
  2. Entryhall floor cleaning: Some of you may have seen or noticed that our handyperson (Don Luis) cleaned most of the entryhall floor this week. Next week we would like to do another cleaning and floor polishing of the entire area. Effective February 13th, the Free Store will be temporarily relocated to the back corner of the entryhall to allow for proper cleaning of the front of the entryhall and floor polishing. Please prepare for the free store to be in the alternative location for at least 1 week but possibly 2 weeks depending on further maintenance and repair issues that arise upon further inspection of the area. 
  3. Interior doors project wall inspection: CALLI will be inspecting the framing inside the walls of locations where interior doors are being contemplated. Don Luis will be cutting into wall paneling and drywall on February 7th. Portions of the wall will be left open for further building inspection and determinations on next steps. Please anticipate that the back hallway will be in an active renovation project for the next few weeks. Steps will be taken to place temporary covering on the opening, but please discourage anyone from tampering with the opening.
  4. Building exterior siding project: CALLI has escalated the process for identifying a company to come and repair/replace the exterior wooden boards of the building. This is the next large building (capital) improvement we will be working to address. Some folks may have seen wide gaps along the back Sudoroom wall just below the ceiling. This does not have to do with the roof, but instead is a result of the badly damaged wood boards sticking out from the side of the building that have needed serious repair for the last 10 years. Don Luis was able to do some temporary patch work ahead of the heavy rain, but this will be another large project that will hopefully strengthen the longevity of the building.
As always if questions, thoughts, ideas or concerns come up please do not hesitate to reach out.

Take care,


--
A Throwback Reflection & Remedy In This Moment: So that the weight of this country does not crush you


Valerie Jameson (she/ella)

Property Manager - 4799 Shattuck Avenue

Collective Action & Land Liberation Institute (CALLI) 

CALLI Website

East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative

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