Renovations on the way for library, and more

GRF BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

Remodeled pharmacy, EV stations and food distributions to come

by Ruth Osborn

communications director

The Golden Rain Foundation Board of Directors deferred a report on the 1.8-acre site, approved several capital projects and tweaked policy revisions in a marathon 3.5-hour meeting Oct. 24 in Clubhouse 4.

Among the highlights was a report by Victoria Batistelli, the director of group operations at Optum, who told the board that the new pharmacy is now undergoing an extensive remodel. It is expected to open at the beginning of the year and will have expanded food sales.

The grocery area will be separate from the pharmacy and may not be added until shortly after the pharmacy opens. Optum has not yet secured a grocery supplier but is working on it.

The other big news is that the LW Library, which has an inventory of about 40,200 materials, will get a $110,618 facelift, the first in 20 years, at the beginning of 2024.

A couple of board members questioned if the renovation is urgently needed.

“We need to maintain this particular facility,” said GRF Director Janet Isom representing Mutual 16, citing its worn look and its universal popularity among residents.

GRF Vice President William Thompson from Mutual 5 agreed: “This is a reserve expenditure. Reserve expenditure is money that has already been saved for this purpose. By not spending it for this purpose, we haven’t saved any money because this is the only thing this money can be spent on. It is spending money that shareholders in the past have already saved for this purpose.”

The library will be closed for at least six weeks while the renovation project is carried out. An exact start date has not been determined, but the project should start before the end of this year and go through most, if not all, of January.

To efficiently repaint and recarpet the library, the shelves and library collection must be removed from building. A specialized library moving service, Penn Corporate Relocation Services, has been selected to perform this task. Penn has assisted the County of Orange with many of its library renovation projects. Penn will ensure that all library materials are packed and stored in a way that they can easily be restored to the same exact shelves they were taken from once the painting and carpeting is complete. This will dramatically decrease the project’s duration.

Residents will be notified of the closure. The library loans an average of 3,000 books and media a month, and many depend on it: “I can’t do without our wonderful library for six weeks,” said GRF Director Maureen Habel of Mutual 3.

To that end, plans are being made to establish a small satellite lending library in Clubhouse 3 during the renovation. This will give residents continued access to new and popular books and media. A selection of periodicals and daily newspapers will also be available for reading onsite. Services such as faxing, copying, printing, and public computers will not be available during the renovations. Patrons will still be asked to return their items to the book drops or in-person at the temporary location by the items’ due dates.

Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the GRF Board awarded contracts in the amounts of $11,900 to Hutton Painting for repainting the interior and exteriors of the library and Friends of Library buildings; $44,825 award to Cornerstone Flooring for replacing both buildings’ floors; and $43,837 to Penn to remove and reinstall library inventory, adding a 10% contingency of $10,056 for a total cost not to exceed $110,618. This money comes from reserve funding, meaning it has been earmarked for this project.

The library is one of the most popular amenities in LW. In 2023, it averaged 3,600 users a month and 190 unique computer users who are on the computers about 500 times each month.

In other meeting highlights: SCE Easement

Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the board approved a request from Southern California Edison for a 10-foot easement on Trust Property at the alley next to Canoe Brook to install an anchor for a utility pole.

Lions Club Food Distribution Upon the recommendation of the Member Services Committee, the board approved Project Food Boxes to be distributed and sold on Trust property.

While lower-income residents can receive similar produce for free under a statesponsored program, this Seal Beach Lions Club program will be open to all Leisure World residents. The proposed program would let residents purchase a 12-pound box with 3-4 vegetables and 1-2 fruit items for $10 at a central Leisure World site. The distribution site is yet to be determined.

Project Food Box is a nonprofit created by the Costa Mesa-based SunTerra Produce Traders, which will assemble, pack and deliver the produce to Leisure World each month. Volunteers from the Seal Beach Lions Club will collect cash for the produce from purchasers and reimburse Project Food Box.

Sun Terra Produce Traders reports that it sources, packs and distributes the boxes “to communities in need, such as food banks and faith-based organizations.” The Lions Club will receive no income from the program.

The food is donated, and Project Food Box will collect $10 to cover the cost of the food box, and the labor and service charges to assemble, pack and deliver the produce.

There are no anticipated costs for GRF, nor will GRF receive any revenue from the program. Cash payments will be collected by the Lions Club and reimbursed to Project Food Box. The sponsors indicate that both Project Food Box and the Seal Beach Lions Club maintain comprehensive liability insurance.

Renovation of Former CH 2 Woodshop

Despite a recommendation by the Member Services Committee, the board voted against renovating the portion of Clubhouse 2 that once housed the wood shop. The board opted instead to use the area to temporarily store the LW Library’s 40,000-plus-item inventory during the library’s renovation.

The board declined to authorize a $129,800 contract to create a card room until the best use of the space can be more specifically determined.

Executive Director Jessica Sedgwick told the board she was working with a group that is interested in leasing the room in 2024.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the GRF Board awarded a contract to Control Engineering for the service carts electric vehicle charging station plan check package at the service maintenance yard for a cost not to exceed $10,770 from capital funding.

In July, the board approved the design/engineering for charging the new electric service carts for the Service Maintenance Department. Control Engineering is the same consultant who provided design/ engineering for the new woodshop at Clubhouse 1. After an investigation, the company found that a lack of available power necessitated further study to complete the design. Control Engineering has provided a proposal to undertake the final engineering work needed to request proposals for the project’s construction.

The stations will be inside the gated yard with an activated security system to protect them.

Replace CH 2 HVAC System Upon the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the board voted to award a contract to Greenwood Heating and Air to replace a HVAC unit in Clubhouse 2 at a cost not to exceed $9,475 in reserve funding.

Replace 2 Kilns in CH 4

Upon the recommendation of the Member Services Committee, the board approved replacing two kilns at Clubhouse 4 at a cost not to exceed $4,687.01 with a 10% contingency from reserve funds.

Two kilns used for glass and metal work in the lapidary studio were critically damaged by power disruptions. A specialized service technician determined that power upgrades to Clubhouse 4 were necessary to operate the replacement kilns, an upgrade that was found to be cost-prohibitive.

The Physical Property and Recreation departments worked together to resolve the power issues, paving the way for installation of the replacement kilns.

Insurance Verification Fee for Paid Instructors The board rejected a motion to amend insurance requirements to define paid club instructors conducting business on GRF Trust property as independent contractors. Independent contractors working in LW are required to pay a $150 fee to recover staff time needed to verify they have met insurance requirements to work in LW.

The fee was subsequently discussed at two committee meetings after shareholders questioned it. The GRF Administration Committee added the item to the Oct. 24 GRF Board agenda. The board voted to remove club instructors from the category of vendors and refund the fee to the 11 instructors who paid it Governing Documents

The GRF Board amended governing documents related to GRF Election of Officers, Organization of the Board, the renaming of amenity fees to Trust Property Use Fees, and the Consolidated Fee Schedule.

1.8-Acre Ad Hoc Committee Report The board tabled a final report until a future meeting.

Project Food Box will allow residents to purchase a 12-pound box of fresh produce for $10.

Library Manager Taylor Greene

Emma DiMaggio