If you can crumble a piece of asbestos containing material in your hands, it is friable. Nonfriable asbestos is tightly bound into a material, such as in an asbestos floor tile, and can only be broken up by using tools. If disturbed, friable asbestos can get into the air and be inhaled. Asbestos is widely believed…
As we enter the October/November election phase of this year, Members of Congress have returned to their home districts to campaign for reelection. Prior to leaving Capitol Hill, they passed a stopgap spending measure to fund the government until they return after the election. Some additional items were included in the funding measure, although the measure avoids controversial provisions such as addressing the U.S. Postal Service’s plan to close 82 facilities nationwide in 2015.
There remains some possibility of postal reform passing in the lame duck session of Congress, after the elections. However, that is increasingly unlikely . . .
AUSPL members who own post offices in coastal states abutting the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico must not forget that hurricane season is fast approaching. Coverage under the AUSPL Insurance Program may be limited if a storm is “Named” by the National Weather Service (e.g. “Arthur” or “Josephine”). The AUSPL Insurance Program does…
A new, mandatory “Conflict of Interest Certification” form, intended to spot potential conflict of interest, must accompany each lease renewal and/or new lease negotiation, plus at any change of ownership. All landlords must sign the form, effective March 2014. A potential conflict of interest occurs if a landlord is also one of the following: 1.…
By AUSPL Member Maureen Goldsmith The second annual Hill Day in Washington, D.C., was held June 11-12, 2014. Maureen Goldsmith and her daughter, Kyra, attended along with dozens of fellow lessors and certain AUSPL board members and staff. Attendees met with Congressional staff to discuss pending postal reform legislation. Maureen shares her experiences below. Thank…
On June 11-12, 2014, dozens of AUSPL members, along with certain board members and AUSPL staff attended the second annual Hill Day in Washington, D.C., to discuss pending postal reform legislation and the value of the leasing program to USPS with key members of Congress. The Congressional staff actually writes the bills and will get…
Clearly, the most important thing lessors can do to safeguard their postal investment is to read and understand their lease. We cannot emphasize it enough. Every day, AUSPL members call us with questions about their post office building. We always ask them what the lease says about the item in question. For example, CBRE, which…
We are excited to welcome Mark Karolczyk as Director of Operations at AUSPL headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mark, a practicing real estate attorney for more than 30 years, brings a wealth of experience in postal leasing and lease negotiation. “Mark has a long history of successfully dealing with USPS leases, and brings a higher level…
For owners of post office properties, potential risks of environmental liability relating to real estate portfolios may not have been a concern historically. However, in the context of widespread changes occurring within the Postal Service, it has become increasingly important for owners to properly implement and manage environmental due diligence policies and procedures with respect…
The Office of Inspector General is tasked with ensuring efficiency, accountability, and integrity in the U.S. Postal Service. It’s mission is to help maintain confidence in the mail and postal system as well as improve the USPS bottom line. The OIG uses audits and investigations to help protect the integrity of the Postal Service. Read…