Carin’s Corner
by
Carin Rosengren | CAI-MN Communications Committee Chair
Board of Directors President Gene Sullivan Phone 952.922.2500 gene@ncmgi.com
Putting a Spotlight on Solar
P
roducing renewable energy is viewed by many to be an unassuming, admirable goal. Unfortunately though, achieving green results can mean the egregious erection of specialized equipment, installed on rooftops and tall structures, looking anything but uniform and standing out like a hammered thumb within an association community.
when the topic of solar-energy installations is in the spotlight:
What if your Board of Directors had no choice but to allow it? That is the case in 25 states where laws exist to restrict the ability of community associations to decide for themselves whether to allow the installation and use of solar-energy devices. Fortunately in Minnesota, similar legislation was defeated in 2014, but that doesn’t mean it is gone for good.
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It is easy to understand that one person’s view of a beautiful, sleek energy source is another’s view of an angled and conspicuous eyesore; however, the sun-collecting panels create a slippery slope when it comes to assigning responsibility for maintenance, insurance, property values and aesthetics. The issues vary just slightly when considering townhomes vs. condominiums, where individuals do not own the roofs over their heads. Those living in a townhome own the building and thus the roof, but the association has responsibility to maintain it. This edition of Minnesota Community Living takes an in-depth look at some of the issues that pop up
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Michael Klemm writes about the recent, proposed Minnesota legislation and its importance among priorities for the national Community Associations Institute (CAI) In his look at “The Solar Issue,” Matt Drewes offers the viewpoint and general considerations of an attorney with practice in insurance and construction disputes Michael Haugen is a property and casualty claims specialist, contributing in his article a discussion on responsibilities, deductibles and the decision-making process
I hope you will take a closer look with us at solar energy and its potential to impact community associations. If you have a story to share or comments on one or more of the articles inside, we want to hear it. Please send a “Letter to the Editor” to me via email (we’d love to have “Letters to the Editor” be a regular feature, but it has to start somewhere): crosengren@kellerpm.com.
Vice-President Joel Starks, CMCA Phone 952.698.2053 joel@sharpermanagement.com Treasurer Halo Stafford, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Phone 952.944.2237 edenplacemgr@pinnaclefamily.com Secretary Nancy Polomis, Esq. Phone 952.941.4005 npolomis@hjlawfirm.com Directors JoAnn Borden, CMCA, AMS, PCA Phone 763.746.1196 jborden@developcommunity.com Matthew Drewes Phone 952.835.7000 mdrewes@tn-law.com Joseph Fadell Phone 952.392.9208 fadell.joseph@gmail.com Russ Lis, CMCA, AMS Phone 612.805.6111 rlis@reconstructionsolutionsgroup.com Crystal Pingel, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Phone 952.277.2703 Crystal.Pingel@fsresidential.com
Thank you for your participation! In short, all ideas, articles, contacts, photos and submissions are welcome. Please peruse the outline of topics and themes for 2015. And please, don’t wait until September if you have an idea for October, as the magazine deadline is about 60 days before publication. So, start thinking, start writing, start an email to me with your ideas, and help us make 2015 a groundbreaking year for an improved Minnesota Community Living.
Jim Rezek Phone 763-424-9984 jimrezek@comcast.net Michelle Stephans, RS Phone 763.754.5500 michelle@reserveadvisors.com
Committee Chairs Communications Chair
Carin Rosengren Phone 952.432.3722 CRosengren@kellerpm.com
Charitable Outreach Committee Chair
Cliff Kurth Phone 763.248.1047 Minnesota 3cliff@aemn.co
Education Committee Chair Nigel Mendez Phone 651.287.8640 nmendez@carlsonassoc.com
Golf Tournament Chair Kris Birch Phone 651.481.9180 krisbirch@birchlawn.net
Communit y Living
Legislative Action Chair John Dorgan Phone 612.721.4116 jrd@jdorganlaw.com
Membership Chair
Janice Pyka Phone 612.801.1229 janicepyka@gmail.com
Social Committee
Jenna Wright Phone 303.547.7848 jwright@bensonpc.com
Trade Show Committee Chair Michele Ramler Phone 763.231.9809 mramler@cedarmanagement.com
Vision Awards Chair Shaun Zavadsky, CMCA Phone 952.277.2786 shaun.zavadsky@fsresidential.com