| From the President - Please vote in the Straw Poll |
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Fellow Co-Owners,
Major League Baseball (MLB) is considering plans that call for some or all teams to play the entire season in Arizona. Marriott has taken a proactive approach by engaging with MLB in preliminary discussions about hosting one or possibly two teams and their staffs. If MLB decides to play in Arizona, they will insist that hotels hosting baseball teams be closed to other guests. For Marriott to be able to assure a team exclusive use of Camelback Inn, it would be necessary for Limited Partners to approve an amendment to the Partnership Agreement that would suspend our rights to stay at Camelback during the time a baseball team occupies the hotel.
On April 24 the General Partner (GP) emailed Limited Partners a Straw Poll Ballot. I have heard from several partners, including Board Members, who have expressed their support. Among the reasons:
• A YES vote gives Marriott and the GP a reasonable basis for investing further time and effort.
• There is no commitment required by partners at this time - any change to the documents would require formal approval later on.
• Limited Partners would still have 28 vacation days per unit - they just could not stay at the Inn during the 2020 baseball season if the plan is ultimately approved.
• Most of the baseball season is in the summer when owner-occupancy is typically low.
• Baseball team business, if accepted, would provide much needed revenue when the Inn would otherwise suffer extremely low occupancy.
If you haven't had the chance, please send in your vote by 8:00 p.m. tonight. Then let's root for baseball in Arizona, a plan that could also help many of the Camelback Associates get back to work.
At the Board Meeting on April 20, Paige Lund, our General Manager (GM), was asked what local Co-Owners can do to help. Paige encouraged those of us who live nearby to pay a visit to the Inn, have coffee at Starbucks and say hello to the Associates who are keeping the Resort going. If you are able, please make that visit, thank our great staff, treat yourself to a take-out meal from Rita's and please let everyone know that we are all looking forward to being together again soon.
The picture above comes to us from GM Paige Lund with a note - Wanted to share something that one of our associates did to keep the heart movement going. Rachel Herman cut out every heart and wrote the name of every associate on a heart. She then came up with the amazing poem that lives on the big heart in the middle. As our Camelback family returns, each person will remove their heart and once all the hearts are removed we will know that our family is whole again! Stay well - Paige
Wishing everyone a speedy and safe return.
David C. Bartholomew
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| Titanium Elite Status Letter Agreement |
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As mentioned in a previous email communication, Marriott has signed a letter agreement confirming that Co-Owners will continue to receive Titanium Elite Level or equivalent status for the life of the program. The letter will be posted on the website shortly. Our thanks to Marriott for this tangible recognition of our extraordinary partnership.
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| Reducing and Deferring Costs During the COVID-19 Emergency |
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The Board is committed to keeping costs at a minimum. In this connection we have:
• Eliminated travel costs until the Inn returns to normal operations.
• Instituted controls to ensure that legal services are kept to a minimum.
• Deferred negotiations with Marriott regarding the encroachment issues.
• Continued efforts to reduce insurance premiums.
Marriott and the GP have previously announced steps they have taken to reduce costs, including deferral of all but emergency Capital Expenditures. Among the major projects deferred until 2021 are the purchase of new Jackrabbit Pool Furniture and renovation of the Fitness Room.
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| Highlights of the April 20, 2020 Board Meeting |
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More than 25 Co-Owners joined the meeting by telephone or computer connection. Among the highlights:
• Updates for GM Paige Lund including the possibility of hosting an MLB team
• GP updates
• Discussion of timetable for decisions regarding planned October Meetings
Minutes are in process and will be considered for approval at the next board meeting.
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| Attending Board Meetings |
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Co-Owners may attend board meetings via the Join.Me application, and the notice and agenda for board meetings includes instructions for attending via Join.Me. Please be aware that it is best to attend via your computer or smart phone. If you want to attend via phone (i.e., calling into the meeting), please do not also connect via your computer, as it makes for a poor connection and causes static.
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| Next Board Meeting Set for June 8, 2020 |
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The next meeting was set for Monday, June 8, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Arizona Time. Look for the email Notice and Agenda including call-in and computer connection instructions the week of May 25.
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| Plans for the October 10, 2020 Annual Meeting |
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At this point, the Board has not changed the scheduled dates of the Annual Meeting Events that are planned for October 8-10, 2020. If the MLB plan is approved, the date will probably need to be changed, possibly to November. Baseball or no baseball, an in-person Annual Meeting may or may not be practicable due to COVID-19 considerations, including Co-Owners' ability to travel. We expect to know much more by June 8, when the Board will hold its next meeting.
In an effort to streamline communications regarding the Annual Meeting, beginning this year the meeting packet will be sent only via email to all co-owners who have an email account shown on the CBI website. Packets will continue to be sent via U.S. mail to the few Co-owners who do not use email.
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| Minutes for Recent Board Meetings Are Posted on the Web |
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To read the minutes of Board Meetings held in January, February, and March, 2020, visit the Meetings and Events page - Board of Directors and click the corresponding links.
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| About Reciprocal Properties and Hotel Openings |
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In order to protect the Partnership's financial condition, the GP has suspended the Reciprocal Exchange Program. When the Inn is able to generate revenue sufficient to support the program, the GP will make a determination and advise Limited Partners as to when payment for reciprocal stays can resume. When the program is re-started, the Communications Committee will again post a full and updated listing of Reciprocal Properties on the website and we will alert you about changes regarding participating properties as well as planned hotel openings and re-openings.
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| Important Dates in 2020 |
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May 31 Last day to guarantee vacation use of your unit for 2020-2021 Prime Season
June 8 Board of Directors Meeting
July 15 Deadline to File 2019 Tax Returns
Aug 20 Board of Directors Meeting
Sep 8 Expected time for distribution of Annual Meeting Materials
Oct 8-10 Annual Meeting Events (Subject to change)
Best wishes to all in our Camelback family to stay healthy and safe.
Betsy Heath, Chair of Communications Committee
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Marriott Resort Hotel Condominium - Camelback Inn
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