Coupla things

[Paul Block]

1.  We agreed to terminate Evolve, the plant tending service in order to save money.  Have we assigned the plant service to someone else?

2.  At the last meeting I agreed to approach Tross, through Tim Miller, with our desire for them to deal better with snow and ice removal, and that the hourly rate for that be at the lowest Tross labor category rate, as opposed to the highest.

I intend to follow that up with Tim today or tomorrow, and would just like to reaffirm that the Board wants me to do this.  

If the Board desires me to do that, I will send you the intended asks before I approach time.

Please let me know if you want me to continue by responding to this email, and including any aspects of the agreement you want me to deal with.

-paul

[Joe Mack]

Re 1. I thought we were going to buy artificial plants

Re 2. I’m fine with you moving forward but I thought Tim explained the higher rates were because they were on weekend. Perhaps one of your ‘asks’ is that they keep to rate agreed to regardless what say?

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[DIANA DREW-FLEMING]

1.  Agree with Joe, unless the  “live” plants belong to us.  In which case, several unit owners volunteered to maintain plants.

2.  Also remember conversation as Joe stated.  I would like to know from Tim if Tross will come in the event of snow or ice without us calling.  That would put us in a priority position.

Diana

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On Jan 26, 2026, at 11:36 AM, Joe Mack <jmmc...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Paul Block]

Joe (et al), the plants are there until we buy artificial ones, so someone should water them..  Kiva is no longer a member at the wholesale plant place, so we have to find a different source...Michael's?

So to follow up[ there, shall I start a search for artificial plants, or is this someone else wants to do?

Regarding the snow removal: my plan would require the lowest rate personnel.  If it's on weekend or holiday, and overtime rates apply, my request would be that Tross still assign the lowest rate people.  The other part of my "negotiation" would be that they do all walkable concrete in and around the Vaux, and not do a half job.

I assume this can all come with email agreements and that we don't need to rewrite our contract.

I also want to make sure we have alternatives.

-paul

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[Paul Block]

Gotcha, Diana.  The plants and pots belong to us, so I guess we need volunteers until artificial plants are acquired.  

I will include Tross coming as soon as practicable, with or without our request, and include spreading melter on the ice.

I still need confirmation that the Board wants me to do this.

-p

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[Joe Mack]

I copy Kyle on this. Kyle would  the Social Committee like to take on the watering of the plants in the lobby? It’s not a big job but needs to be done on a schedule.

Paul, I support your direction on Tross

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[Tim Ackley]

1. Yes, we agreed to terminate Evolve. The last (it should be the last) invoice processed was dated 11/1/25 for $155.40. It was paid on 11/14/25. By now, I would think that they should have removed any plants and planters that are theirs. Going forward, the plan is for us to maintain our plants ourselves. No replacement service.

2. The last snow removal provided by Tross was for service on 1/12-1/14 of 2024. An invoice dated 2/6/24 for $1,659.00 was processed and paid. The invoice did not display an hourly rate nor the number of hours worked. I would like to see Tross bid for the work providing the level of detail provided by ProGrass. Doing so should provide us with what we need to conduct an apples-to-apples comparison.

Tim

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Tim Ackley

2335 NW Raleigh Street Unit 139

Portland, Oregon 97210

 

Cell: 480-694-7059

Email: tim.ack...@gmail.com

On Mon, Jan 26, 2026 at 11:31 AM Paul Block <bloc...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Paul Block]

Thanks, Tim.  I will include your thoughts in my Tim/Tross conversation.

We own the pots.  I'm assuming, and will work on the assumption, we bought and own the plants as well.  We do own the pots.

-paul

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[DIANA DREW-FLEMING]

Agree with Tim re Tross.  Also, I am thinking we keep going with the plants we have for the time being.  No neeed to buy silk if the current plants still look good.

Diana

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 26, 2026, at 12:36 PM, Paul Block <bloc...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Joe Mack]

Kyle tells me that she has spoken to Darlene in the past and that the Landscaping and Social Committees will take on the watering. 

I include both Kyle and Darlene on his email.

thanks

Joe

On Mon, Jan 26, 2026 at 12:29 PM Tim Ackley <tim.ack...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Tim Ackley]

P.S. Regarding the plants ... Yes, we agreed to purchase some artificial plants. We budgeted for them. One suggestion was for Darlene and perhaps Susan A. to search for purchase options. If we have live plants to water on a regular schedule, I support anyone who has necessary knowledge and is willing to take on the task.

Tim

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Tim Ackley

2335 NW Raleigh Street Unit 139

Portland, Oregon 97210

 

Cell: 480-694-7059

Email: tim.ack...@gmail.com

On Mon, Jan 26, 2026 at 12:29 PM Tim Ackley <tim.ack...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Paul Block]

I agree on trying to keep the plants...for at least as long as they are looking good.  Joe is approaching Kyle on watering them.   The orchids need a different kind of attention if we keep them.  The blooms are about gone.  So long as we are experimenting with keeping the other 4 plants,   I may look for a regular plant to replace them....though TJ sells that kind of orchid for less than 20 bucks.  Maybe I'll buy one...or two.

-paul

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