EV Charging Expansion @ The Vaux

[wor...@finitearts.com]

Another thought . . .

 

The Vaux currently houses between half a dozen and 7-8 electric vehicles. From my knowledge of local condos and apartments, this total is way on the low side. In spite of the current drag on EV sales, I expect them to continue to take a larger and larger share of the market.

 

I would like to see us make provision to charge these vehicles -- and others to come -- here in our garage by installing a charger that could be used by any EV owner @ The Vaux.

 

Here are some of the points to think about (for an agenda item in May):

 

* The basic infrastructure is already in place in our west end electrical room. A supplementary breaker box was installed back in the day when Mantiri / Schneider and the Barwoods rigged up our private chargers.

 

* The obvious spot for a charger is in the west end loading area.

 

* ChargePoint (and other vendors) can set up chargers that automatically bill, automatically limit sessions, and charge rates set by our Association

 

* The cost for a charger installation is something like $9,000 in current dollars divided into 3 elements:

            > the charging unit

            > a cell=hone repeater for auto billing (charging companies think Wi-Fi is insecure)

            > 150 feet of conduit to bring power to the charger

 

* We can get a return on our investment:

            > Mantiri/Schneider and the Barwoods paid a fee of $1,000 to the Association to get into the system

                        - we can require the same or similar fees

            > The Association can set rates that contain a surcharge and make money on actual usage

            > Over time the system will pay for itself.

 

* Our bylaws say we can't spend more than X on capital improvements in a year without an owner vote

            > CPI adjustment tells us that in 2025 X = $7,900

            > If we do this, I, Hal, pledge to cover any overage above that number.

 

The first step (for the agenda item in May) is to engage a consultant to lay out the whole package and its real costs.

 

Please remember the 2014 Oregon statute that requires condos to "accommodate" EV charging if formally asked to do so by an EV owner. I would like to forestall any such request.

 

As always -- what do you think?

 

-- Hal

[Joe Mack]

My concern is that we are no sooner through with the discussion about prioritizing and the need to stay within budget than we entertain an out of budget item. I will support this with the caveat that it is paid off within two years and we have a plan to make that happen… it makes sense though I suspect Tesla sales are endangered. Fair?

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[wor...@finitearts.com]

I know —

 

It’s not budgeted. It’s a capital improvement, not a very big one, and the money bin is totally different from our reserve fund. This item does not impact our budget since there are no current claims on money for improvements.

 

Worth thinking about . . . ?

 

— Hal

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[Joe Mack]

absolutely worth thinking (and talking) about. Just trying to keep the 3-legged stool level... and role model a behavior to stay within (or below) budgets. Especially in these times when financial security is threatened for so many.  

thanks

Joe

PS - I need to understand the 'capital improvements fund' better. Is it fiscally funded every year? What is the criteria to use it?  My bad for having these questions now but I'll close my knowledge gap ASAP.

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[wor...@finitearts.com]

This can’t happen right away for the reasons you cite.  But I think it’s an important amenity as EVs proliferate, one of the very few The Vaux can offer in what is becoming a competitive housing market.  — H

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