Meeting attendance (9 persons in attendance)

VKROC = Vista Kiara Residents Owners Committee

TVMS = Triomphe Vista Management Sdn Bhd

Item 1:        Update on Petition against development between Vista Kiara and Lanai Kiara

·         Danny Ee, Ong chee Howe and Lee Po Shing attended the hearing with DBKL on 30 March 2002. DBKL were very friendly and the meeting was informative with the developer also present. Lanai Kiara had also submitted a formal complaint but no representative attended the meeting. Ms Ellah from TVMSB was also present

·         The developer’s plan is to have a road centrally down the middle of the plot with each side having a bungalow at the entrance and eight semi-detached houses thereafter. The condominium is planned on the side nearest Block B of Vista Kiara with a swimming pool towards Lanai Kiara side. The condominium units are all duplex units with each unit more than 2000 sq ft. There will be four units per floor but since the floors are staggered, only two units accessed per floor. The plans cater for two parking spaces per unit plus a 20% extra for visitors, but there was some contention since the developer count included back to back parking for the landed units.

·         DBKL Master Plan also includes building a 100 foot highway between Plaza Mont Kiara and the back of Vista Kiara and Lanai Kiara. This highway would connect Segambut to the Penchala Link and replace Jalan 1/61A as the major connection. DBKL believes this will address the traffic congestion problem in front of Garden International School since traffic from Segambut area will use the new highway

·         DBKL will now consider the submitted plans along with the concerns raised. They will either approve the project as it stands or else request the developer to resubmit with some changes. DBKL also highlighted two points: for units selling at RM 750,000, the developer must provide for three parking bays per unit, and the minimum setback (distance between fencing and building) is 20 feet - more if the neighbouring building is tall such as a condominium

Item 2:        Update on 2^nd VKROC quarterly meeting with TVMSB and Asia Quest

·         On 6 April 2002, we had our 2^nd meeting with the management office and the developer. We are still waiting for the minutes of the meeting from the management office.

·         Overall the meeting was constructive and progress was made. We discussed the points raised in the meeting, and for the sake of brevity we won’t type in all the points here. Instead, if any resident wishes to find out more details, they can either contact one of the members present or view the minutes once they are prepared.

Item 3:        Laman Suria construction

·         Following last month’s meeting we have written formally to Sunrise to complain about the noise and light from Laman Suria construction beyond the official working hours.

·         Sunrise seems to have listened to some extent and improved but we understand that there are still instances of work proceeding beyond 6pm on Mon-Sat and activity still on Sundays. In order to be more effective in lodging complaints (we understand that DBKL has tried to make spot checks but somehow been unable to catch Laman Suria whilst at fault), we will keep a log as to what time the large floodlights are left on in the evening. We will create this log for the next one or two weeks and officially complain to DBKL thereafter

·         If any resident wishes to complain directly, they can also contact the DBKL hotline at 4022-0033

Item 4:        Water Filter

·         At the 2^nd quarterly VKROC meeting, the management office informed us they have received approval from the developer to proceed and use the sinking fund to pay for the installation of water filters. At the meeting, we were informed that the filters should be installed in two to three weeks. We trust that TVMS has completed the appropriate evaluation and assessment on the various quotations in order to select the most suitable contractor. We look forward to having clean water

Item 5:        Security

·         Overall, the members present were reasonably satisfied with the current security at Vista Kiara

·         However, we note that there have been a few instances of problems with parking.

·         The first incident is when a visitor had obtained a visitor tag from the guardhouse but since all of the designated visitor parking bays were occupied (presumably some bays being occupied by our own residents), he decided to park in front of the TNB substation beside block B. His car was subsequently clamped and a row ensued. VKROC feels that TVMSB should be more lenient to genuine visitors who have tried to conform with our rules and we should try to be visitor friendly. At the same time, VKROC feel strongly that stern action should be taken against residents who park in visitor bays.

·         A second incident was when a visitor without a visitor tag decided to park in the residents car park. The driver involved had the short-sightedness to park across two car parking bays. Both owners complained since they could no longer park in their bays and even though a notice was put on the car requesting the driver to move the car, the car remained there for almost three days. In the end, the offending car ended up being clamped twice after both owners complained! We feel that in this instance the clamping is appropriate and justified since the driver was informed as well as parking in the residents car parking bays

·         To reduce such incidents re-occurring, we suggest that visitors are properly informed of where they can and cannot park – e.g. maybe use the back of the visitor tag plate to display a map and highlight parking bays as well as rules

·         Also, we suggest that TVMSB stress the importance that guards screen all visitors and note down the unit they are visiting so that the drivers can be informed if they are parking inappropriately and have a chance to move their car before clamping. It may also be useful to number each of the visitor tags for quicker and easier tracking of visitors

·         Finally, we note that there may be a problem with guards being unable to contact some of the units because the intercom has not been switched on to ring for incoming calls. We suggest that TVMSB put up a notice informing all residents, some of whom are new, to check that the tab on their phones is in the up position so that they can be contacted

Item 6:        Termite update

·         We appreciate the prompt action taken by TVMSB in dealing with this problem. We understand that the pest control company has checked all the trees in Vista Kiara compound and treated the appropriate trees

·         We also understand that one of the units in Block B had a problem with rats eating into the air conditioning plumbing. As discussed in the 2^nd VKROC meeting, we recommend that TVMSB thoroughly treat all common facilities especially rats to prevent a recurrence. We remind all residents that the treatment of pests within their units remains the responsibility of the residents themselves

Item 7:        Other matters

·         We recognize and appreciate the efforts of TVMSB in dealing with almost all of the points raised in last month’s meeting. Some outstanding points:

·         The label for one of the recycling bin says “plastic”. Is this bin for “Cans and plastic” (as suggested by the pictures) or just plastic bottles (as indicated in the label)?

·         The doors in car park A have been latched open but the doors in car park B remain closed. Can TVMSB follow up and decide if the car park doors there can also be latched open for easier access?

·         Notices which have been put up besides the lifts have been removed, as recommended. However, the notices in Block A informing residents that their Astro reception my be interrupted has been put up since 19 April and is no longer relevant. Can TVMSB remove accordingly?

·         At the 2^nd VKROC meeting, we brought up the possibility of linking the intercom system from each unit to enable the access doors at the ground floor to be opened. Any progress on this matter?

·         Some new points raised

·         We notice that sometimes big plastic bags containing recycle items are placed besides the recycling bins. This is not a problem if it is a one-off incident, but if all residents do this, then it may become an eye-sore. We suggest that the recycling bins not be locked so that residents can open the main lid and deposit the bag with contents into the bins itself

·         The gas pipes in the refuse area of most floors as well as near the children’s play area appears to be rusty. Does this pose a potential hazard? If so, we suggest that the pipes on all floors be inspected and if necessary repainted/rewrapped?

·         One of the residents brought up his concerns regarding the open drain with gratings not being thoroughly cleaned. Can TVMSB look into this matter?

·         The doors for the auxiliary services such as electricity and telephone lines at each floor is often unlocked. This is clearly more convenient for meter reading and inspection but poses a target for tampering and vandalism. Can TVMSB make sure that these doors be properly closed?

·         We understand that a new telecommunication transponder has been installed on top of Block A for 013 users. Is this true, and if so , how much revenue are we getting for this?

Item 8:        Next meeting (usually held on the last Saturday of the month)

·         Next months meeting will be on 25 May 2002.

·         Besides addressing the usual updates, we will have a main topic for discussion: How to use the sinking fund to beautify Vista Kiara Condominium. Areas for consideration include (but not limited to) general appearance such as painting of condominiums, lift interior materials and walls, poolside facilities, children’s play area (indoors and outdoors), relocation of basketball nets, repair of tennis courts, gymnasium equipment. As ever, all residents and owners welcome to attend this meeting and put forward their suggestions or opinions.