November 7, 2024
The Board of Directors held its meeting no. (7/3/2024) on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 5:00 pm at the headquarters of the Riffa Views Company, and issued its decisions according to the items below: 1. Approval of Meeting Minutes No. 6/3/2024 held on September 24, 2024 The Board approved the previous meeting minutes. 2. Monthly Report from the Association Manager for September 2024 The Association Manager presented the monthly report for September 2024, and members raised some comments that were addressed by the Association Manager. 3. Contract Renewal with Security Solution Company The Chairman clarified that he had met with the representatives of Security Solution, the security services provider at Riffa Views, on October 1, 2024, with several Board members present. During the meeting, the renewal of the current contract with the company for 3 years was discussed, and the Board had asked the company to submit a competitive offer in the association’s best interest. Following this, the Association Manager presented the company's proposal, noting that the company had shown notable improvement in key performance indicators. After discussion, the Board made the following decision: Approval to renew the current contract with Security Solution, the security services provider at Riffa Views, for a period of 3 years starting from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027, and assigned the Association Manager to prepare the new contract. 4. Contract Renewal with ENOVA Infrastructure Maintenance Company The Chairman reported that a meeting was held with the representatives of ENOVA, the infrastructure maintenance service provider, on September 30, 2024, with several Board members present. The renewal of the current contract for 3 years was discussed, and the Board had asked the company to submit a competitive offer in the association’s best interest. Following this, the Association Manager presented the company's proposal, highlighting that the increased monthly costs were due to an increase in the workforce by 2 employees to cover the required scope of work. The Association Manager also referred to the company’s performance report for the past two years, which had been presented at Board Meeting No. 6/3/2024 on September 24, 2024, and recommended renewing the contract with the company due to their excellent performance in key indicators. The Association Manager further emphasized that ENOVA had proven its reliability and flexibility in meeting all maintenance requirements at Riffa Views. The company’s team had demonstrated competence in handling electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems (MEP) issues, ensuring the desired level of satisfaction. Additionally, the company supervised all additional works on-site and received a rating of 87% for their recent tender, covering all technical and financial aspects. After the discussion, the Board made the following decision: Approval to renew the current contract with ENOVA, the infrastructure maintenance service provider at Riffa Views, for 3 years starting from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027, and assigned the Association Manager to prepare the new contract. The Association Manager was also tasked with coordinating with ENOVA to get a better offer for the unit maintenance services at Riffa Views, as the current cost is not competitive for the residents. 5. Presentation of the Rainwater Drainage Management Execution Plan The Board reviewed the execution plan for rainwater drainage management, which included all ongoing projects to improve and develop the infrastructure aimed at enhancing efforts to manage the effects of heavy rainfall. The plan included the following projects: 1. Construction of 3 rainwater collection channels by the Ministry of Works: The Ministry plans to build 3 channels with a total length of 350 meters, designed to accommodate approximately 3,500 cubic meters of water. 2. Cleaning road drainage outlets: All 606 road drains in the internal streets of Riffa Views will be cleaned. 3. Cleaning rainwater collection pits: 9 water pits direct rainwater, and over time, they accumulate reeds and other vegetation, blocking the pipes. 4. Cleaning and improving drainage outlets to the lagoons: There are 4 outlets in the Lagoon and Oasis areas that direct water from the roads to the lagoons and open areas. 5. Controlling Lagoon water levels: Daily water production ranges from 1,400 to 2,600 cubic meters from the sewage treatment plant (STP) and 5,000 cubic meters from the reverse osmosis (RO) plant, with weather forecasts monitored to control production to allow space for rainwater. 6. Installation of concrete barriers along Road 96 from the Lagoon and Garden areas: These barriers, extending up to 620 meters, will prevent rainwater from flowing into Riffa Views. 7. Improving the existing earth berm along the boundary wall of Road 96: The berm will be reshaped and compacted using water to maximize strength. 8. Improvement of the boundary wall at Lagoon Area: 15 panels of the wall have been improved to prevent water intrusion into Riffa Views. 9. Security fencing at Riffa Views: Several gaps in the boundary fence caused by last season's rains have been filled to prevent stray animals. 10. Land embankment at Riffa Views: 5 vacant plots in the Lagoon area were enclosed to prevent the flow of water and mud during heavy rainfall. 11. Rainwater pumping stations: 5 stations equipped with underground pipes to pump accumulated rainwater. 12. Construction of rainwater storage tanks: 5 tanks have been built in areas prone to rainwater accumulation to increase capacity and facilitate future maintenance. 13. Creation of rainwater drainage outlet in the Oasis Area: A drainage channel was added near O-044 unit to divert water from the street to the nearby lagoon. After discussion, the Board commended the efforts of the Association Manager in overseeing these projects, which will help mitigate the impact of heavy rains. The Board requested the following actions from the Association Manager: - Add a temporary rainwater pumping station at the intersection of Roads 4317 and 4308. - Prepare a comprehensive report to be presented at the next periodic meeting for Riffa Views residents. 6. Memorandum of Cooperation between the Association and Bahrain International Golf Company for Irrigation Water Management In accordance with Article 44 of Resolution No. 1/2020 on the regulation of owners’ associations in joint properties, concerning the disclosure of conflicts of interest, Mr. Abdullah Ahmed Kamal, Vice Chairman of the Board, requested to refrain from participating in the discussion and voting on this item due to a conflict of interest stemming from his work at the asset management company. The Board approved his request. The Board then discussed the final draft of the memorandum of understanding between Bahrain International Golf Company and the Riffa Views Owners Association, which outlines the terms and conditions for operating and maintaining irrigation water facilities, and the cost of water consumption by the association. The Association Manager presented the report, covering the following: - The STP plant has a maximum capacity of 3,600 cubic meters per day, but it has not reached even 50% of this capacity due to the low wastewater output from residential units, Riffa Views International School, Royal Golf Club, Riffa Palms Complex, and A'ali, with the average daily treated water (TSE) in 2023 being about 1,509 cubic meters. - The average daily consumption in 2023 was about 2,094 cubic meters, reaching up to 2,800 cubic meters during the summer months. This leads to a daily shortfall of 585 to 1,480 cubic meters, which is supplied either from the RO desalination plant owned by the Bahrain International Golf Company or from external sources via tankers. To address the shortage of treated water (TSE), two options were considered: - Option 1: Supply of treated water from the Askar Wastewater Treatment Plant at a cost of 750 Bahraini fils per cubic meter. - Option 2: Supply of water from the RO desalination plant at a cost of 175 fils per cubic meter for up to 1,500 cubic meters, with 750 fils per cubic meter for additional consumption. Association Manager's Opinion: - Option 1 is considered too expensive, with logistical challenges and a maximum capacity of only 300 cubic meters per day, which does not meet the association's needs. - Option 2 is more cost-effective and provides a continuous water supply without logistical issues, with water lines already connected to the lagoons. The Board approved the recommendation to proceed with Option 2 for water supply from the RO desalination plant and to contract with Naduki Trading Company for processing sewage from the Al Areen area for 3 years starting from October 1, 2024. 7. Output from the First Social Meeting for Riffa Views Residents on October 28, 2024 The Association Manager presented a report on the feedback and inquiries raised by Riffa Views residents during the first social meeting held on October 28, 2024, at the Royal Golf Club. The Board tasked the Association Manager with studying these points and providing their opinion, which included: 1. Enhance the reserve fund for the association, limiting expenditures to necessary projects. 2. Increase the electrical load on power stations due to additional construction requests. 3. Requests for improvements to the L-10 communal garden. 4. Request to plant trees along the main walkway from the Lagoon Mosque to L-10 communal garden. 5. Inquiries about the approval of the master plan for Riffa Views. 6. Establishment of building standards and specifications for Riffa Views and ensuring residents' adherence. 7. Improvement of vehicle entry control at main gates. 8. Request to change security barriers to a more flexible type to prevent recurring accidents. 9. Solutions to address rats and stray dogs. 10. Execution of impactful projects that do not incur high costs. 11. Discuss potential collaboration with A'ali Hospital, especially in emergencies. 12. Setting a timeline for reporting the achievement of key performance indicators in the strategic plan. 13. Investigating the possibility of creating a sports and social hub for children in one of the parks. 14. Complaints about street closures without prior announcements due to concrete mixing trucks. 15. Complaints regarding increased dog waste in the communal garden near the Lagoon Mosque. 16. Improving traffic signage to enhance traffic flow. 17. The absence of a uniform standard for children's playground equipment in communal garden. 18. Increased demand for parking spaces in front of unit L-231 due to the conversion of current parking spaces into real estate. 8. Sub-Committees' Roles and Responsibilities (Social and Agricultural Committees) The Board discussed the roles and duties of the sub-committees within the Board, emphasizing the need for introductory meetings for the Social and Cultural Committee and the Agricultural Committee. 9. Requests from Association Members to be Presented to the Board The Board discussed several requests from association members and took the necessary action on them. The Board also discussed complaints received from several owners and residents regarding the Halloween celebration held on October 31, 2024, which caused disturbances and noise that affected the residents. After discussion, the Board instructed the Association Manager to send a notice to residents to inform them of the complaints and urge them to avoid activities that could disrupt the peaceful environment of Riffa Views. 10. Any Other Business Under this item, the Board discussed the following topics: 1. Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Transfer of Fixed Assets from RV Real Estate to the Association The Board reviewed the memorandum of understanding regarding the transfer of fixed assets from RV Real Estate to the association, following the main transfer agreement (MTA) signed by the association on July 20, 2023. The Association Manager informed the Board that, following the establishment of the association in 2020, the association’s accounting books were separated from RV Real Estate, and all assets and liabilities were transferred to the association’s books, excluding the fixed assets like the STP plant. After discussion, the Board assigned the Vice Chairman to review the memorandum and provide their opinion. 2. Board Members' Bonuses for the First Half of the First Year of the 2024-2026 Term The Board reviewed the attendance and participation report of the Board of Directors in the periodic meetings from April 27, 2024, to October 27, 2024. Based on the association’s regulations, the Board approved the payment of bonuses to the Board members for this period. The meeting ended at 7:15 p.m.