MINUTES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FEBRUARY 26, 2009

ST. MARTIN’S CHURCH

DAVIS, CALIFORNIA

 

Present:

Members of the Board:

The Rt. Rev. Barrie Beisner, The Rev. Cookie Clark, Terry Strike, Lynn Hill, Jim Sargent, Miles Snyder, Lynn Zender, Charles Mack (Chancellor), Tom Ewart (Treasurer)

 

Staff:

Jenifer Campo, Bobbi Davis, the Rev. Canon Britt Olson, Rick Harrison Smith, Cassie Bangerter

 

Absent: Rebecca Freie

 

I.          Lynn Zender called the meeting to order with prayer at 10:00 a.m. 

 

II.         The meeting opened with meditation led by Jim Sargent, reading from The Seven Whispers, by Christina Baldwin.

 

III        Minutes from December 3, 2008 and December 19, 2008 were approved. (Snyder, Sargent MSC)  

 

IV        The Rev. Ed Howell was nominated to serve in the board vacancy through 2009 (Clark, Mack) and approved by the Board.

 

V         The Rev. Richard Yale presented arguments in favor of retaining Maidu Meadow and Las Cascadas along with suggestions for its use in outreach to the community.  He recommended forming a consortium from the congregations in the area to oversee and maintain the properties for two years.  Decision(s) regarding these properties will be taken up by the Board of Directors at their April meeting.

 

VI        The Rev. Nordon Winger and Steve Mershon presented a proposal on behalf of St. Augustine’s, Rocklin.  They propose to give ¼ acre of land to the Maria Montessori Charter Academy in exchange for a 50% reduction in the rent on school buildings which will be used by the church.  A motion was made and carried to approve the proposal  (Snyder, Ewart MSC).  A second motion added a clause stipulating that the property will revert to St. Augustine’s if the school fails within the 5-year period that the buildings are needed by St. Augustine’s.

 

VII       Board Working Groups

·         Apportionment presented a written report

·         2007 Audit will be complete by April 30 Board meeting

·         Congregational audits are going forward

 

 

 

 

 

VIII      Financial Reports

·         Year End Finance Report – Cassie Bangerter reported that year-end expenses came in below budget by $302,169.   This variance reflects savings in insurance costs, discontinuation of the Missionary, and staffing vacancies.

 

·         Year to Date Financial Reports – The Board agreed that it would be acceptable to only explain variances of $1,000 AND 10%. 

 

·         Little Portion Hermitage –Fr. Leo Joseph has requested that the Diocese pay for 1) a $2,000 special assessment to upgrade the water system, and 2) an estimated $1,800 for road grading.  The Board moved to approve the expenditures for maintenance, and to take them out of General Reserves rather than current apportionment income.   (Hill, Mack MSC)  The Board then directed that expenses associated with Little Portion Hermitage should be classified as Specialized Ministries for now. 

 

·         Las Cascadas Rental Unit – Bobbi Davis reported that the unit at 98 Gamble Road in Berry Creek is in substandard condition and needs a minimum of $15k in repairs to bring it up to code.  Terminating the lease and leaving the property vacant raises the risk of vandalism, squatters, and the potential of injury to trespassers.    The risks associated with leaving a tenant in the unit without correcting the deficiencies include injury and complaints.  Repairs would be costly and could lead to unanticipated additional costs for a dwelling which is probably not worthy of investment.  A motion was made to table the discussion until the April Board meeting (Sargent, Clark MSC); in the meantime, the Board authorized the COO to get a firm bid from a contractor on the cost of repairs. 

 

·         A detailed budget for the Berry Creek properties was submitted in order to assist the Board in developing a long range plan for the property.  The budget shows that the $15,000 allotted for annual upkeep on Berry Creek is inadequate and should be at least $26,000.

 

·         A Properties Committee was formed and consists of the Rev. Ed Howell and Lynn Hill.  Rick Harrison Smith suggested they contact Dick Baxter to join this committee.   Britt asked that properties committee give some support to churches and to develop lists of contractors for churches.

 

·         A Personnel Committee was formed with members Charles Mack and the Rev. Phil Reinheimer.  Cookie Clark asked the Personnel Committee to review clergy salary ranges and how they are determined.  

 

·         Annex – The annex next door to the Diocesan Office needs improvements.  A  motion was made and carried to allocate up to $10k from the Provincial Travel budget for improvements to the annex. (Sargent, Hill MSC)

 

IX        Bishop’s Report – Topics included a report on the 2009 Diocesan Council retreat; a need to look at the structure of the Diocese in light of the diocesan vision; our relationship with Honduras and the renewal of our 5-year commitment to be taken  up at Convention 2009; Executive Council’s elimination of the .7% line item in the next triennial budget; fall Deanery Convocations; 100th anniversary of the Transfiguration Chapel at St. Nicholas in Tahoe City.  In response to discussion surrounding the management of parochial mission St. Andrew’s in Monte Rio, the Board stated that it is not their intent to add new Diocesan missions at this time, and they ask that all such requests go directly to Bishop Beisner.

 

X          Canon’s Report – Grass Valley, Redwood Cluster, and Tahoe City are close to calling individuals for their open positions.  Roseville has completed their parish profile for their search process. Sutter Creek has not yet begun their search process, they are working with their interim priest. 

 

XI        Search Processes

·         Communications – Jim Sargent reported that from 40 resumes, 10 applicants were interviewed and two finalists will meet with the Bishop on April 3.

·         YAYA – The Rev. Cliff Haggenjos reported that the transition team is looking at how to do Youth and Young Adult Ministry in a different way.  They will present their full report to the Diocesan Council at their May meeting.

 

 

XII       Congregational Leadership Conferences have replaced Treasurer/Vestry Workshops and are meant to include congregational leaders other than just Vestry members.  A report on their success will be given at the next Board meeting.

 

XIII      Board Goals for 2009 center on issues of property, structure, budget, apportionment and stewardship.

 

XIV      Episcopal Community Services fundraiser will be at a winery near Plymouth on May 30 from 3:00 until 6:00.

 

XV       Petaluma update – Chancellor Charles Mack reported that the California Supreme Court, in reference to Pasadena,  has upheld the right of a general church to enforce its governing documents against property held in trust by a disaffiliating local congregation.  In response, the Defendants in our suit have dismissed their motions attacking our pleadings and have opened settlement discussions.

 

The  meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. 

 

Next meeting: Thursday, April 30 from 10 until 3 at Maidu Meadows.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Jenifer Campo