April 2025 General Meeting Minutes

Agenda

• Introduce Any New Potential Members
• Approve March Meeting Minutes
• Spring Plant Purchase (Delivered May 3rd)
• Treasurer's Report
• Community and Member Plot Assignments [see Documents]
• April Live Music Series
• May Live Music Series
• Open Garden Day Event (June 14/15)
• Make Music New York (June 21st)
• Update on the Rat Proofing the Remaining Back Fence Project
• Where to Put the New Outdoor Furniture
• Trash Rules Update
• Circular Pit Wall Repair Project
• Agenda for the Next Meeting

In Attendance

• Gina Healy (E)
• Connor Davis (E)
• Karl Semancik (E)
• Ross Daisomont (E)
• Rochelle Pashkin (V)
• Elizabeth Bermudez (V)
• Evan Ressegger (V)
• Jackie McKenna (K)
• Teo Fleming
• Franchesea

[E: Executive Body, V: Voting, K: Key]

Meeting commenced at 6:40pm.

Introduce Any New Potential Members

We have two new Sprouts who are interested in joining the garden. Teo, who helped out with the concrete project, and Franchesea, who is interested in starting to volunteer.

Approve March Meeting Minutes

Connor moved that the organization approve the March 2025 Meeting Minutes.
The motion was adopted without objection.

Spring Plant Purchase (Delivered May 3rd)

Last month, the budget of $150 was approved for the plant purchase, which we have placed. These community plants are available for everyone to plant. They are to be delivered on May 3rd. Al has more details on what was ordered. Some members also contributed their own money to purchase plants for their plots at a discounted rate.

Treasurer's Report

The garden did well collecting dues from all members last month, raising $850. The pitchfork approved at the previous meeting was purchased for $65.

Community and Member Plot Assignments

We renew member plots each year in April. Current plot holders from 2024 are:

• Plot 1: Karl / Vacant
• Plot 2: Al / Vacant
• Plot 3: Connor / Gina
• Plot 4: Liz / Ross
• Plot 5: Rochelle / Vacant

Connor moved that the organization renew existing plots from 2024.
The motion was adopted.

Connor moved that the organization allocate Member Plot 5 to Rochelle and Evan.
The motion was adopted.

Connor moved that the organization allocate Community Plots E11, E12, and E14 to Jackie.
The motion was adopted.

April Live Music Series

At the previous meeting, the event was approved for April 19th; however, the LUNGS Spring Awakening event will be held on April 26th. The main feature of this event is a tour that includes the gardens east of Avenue B. Karl thinks that if we have the event an hour later, we can reduce the chance of musicians being late. Gina shared that she is open to new talent for the event. Gina will arrange musicians. Karl plans to pick up the permit. Evan plans to connect with Jackie on picking up pizza. Rochelle to donate bottled water.

Gina moved that the organization reschedule the Live Music Series from April 19th to April 26th.
The motion was adopted.

Karl moved that the organization reschedule the Live Music Series from 2 - 6 pm to 3 - 7 pm.
The motion was adopted.

May Live Music Series

Gina suggests that the May music event be held on Sunday, May 18th, or Sunday, May 25th, as she is unavailable on Saturdays this May. Karl asked about hosting an acoustic event, as the permit costs $45. Gina expressed concern that guests would not be able to hear the music without amplification. Ross has friends who might be interested in a quieter acoustic set. Karl expressed that a Sunday event is less of an event, as people in the neighborhood are less active on Sundays. Karl suggests moving the event time, if it's on a Sunday, to 1-5 pm to match the atmosphere, but Gina says musicians are not reliable before 2 pm. Connor shared that every Saturday in May has a plant pickup, making the garden space unpredictable. Ross shared that he could set up the PA in Gina and Connor’s absence, but there were concerns about noise, given that Gina usually monitors the musicians. After the discussion, a few options remain: skip the May event to focus on the June event, host the event on Sunday, where Gina can be in attendance, or consider a Saturday event that is acoustic only.

Karl moved that the organization postpone May’s Live Music Series indefinitely.
The motion was adopted. 

Open Garden Day Event (June 14/15)

All gardens in the city are encouraged to be open through an event coordinated by the GreenThumb. Gina would like a different day in June for the music event, so she recommends inviting the community in to plant.

Connor moved that the organization host an event around planting for Open Garden Day.
The motion was adopted without objection.

Make Music New York (June 21st)

Gina recommends participating in the Make Music New York event. It is a festival of events hosted in public spaces across all five boroughs of the city. If we host in our garden, we can bring new musicians in through that organization. Gina shared that there is no cost, and no one gets paid. Consider this a part of our Live Music Series for June. Also, Saturday, June 21, is the Summer Solstice.

Gina moved that the organization participate in the Make Music New York event on June 21st.
The motion was adopted.

Update on the Rat Proofing the Remaining Back Fence Project

Ross shared that the concrete was poured two weeks ago. Karl shared that Ross pushed for this to be done and that this is an achievement. There were no issues with spilled or wasted concrete. The project also had a budget of $400, but it was accomplished using only $200. Next, wire mesh and the green privacy cover will be attached to the back fence, completing the rat mitigation efforts at the perimeters of the garden.

Where to Put the New Outdoor Furniture

The new outdoor furniture discussed at the previous meeting has settled into a space next to Rochelle’s plot. Karl proposed to move this discussion to the May meeting, when the meeting is in the garden. Liz suggests deconstructing some of the pieces and using them throughout the garden as decoration. Dominique has expressed outside the meeting that she wants to keep the pieces that are not used.

Ross moved that the organization keep the couch in its current spot next to Rochelle’s plot.
The motion was adopted.

Trash Rules Update

Recently, the city's composting program became mandatory. The GreenThumb tells us that most garbage that comes from a garden should be compostable, like leaves, branches, and soil. The garden has clear bags for the compostable items under the potting table behind the white plastic shelves. Connor will rearrange the garbage cans to account for composting. Connor shared that anyone can go to him to learn how garbage should be taken to the curb. The GreenThumb warned us that we would get violations for improperly sorted garbage.

Circular Pit Wall Repair Project

Ross wants to repair the circular pit wall. He proposes cutting two pieces of wood, connecting them with a PVC pipe, and filling the crack with concrete with chicken wire for support. After the concrete dries, he would put bricks in front of it. Currently, it has a crack and will look better. He says he wants to move the seating project forward, as the crack has been preventing progress there. Ross estimates the maximum cost would be $30 and require 4 hours of work. Rochelle has concerns about whether filling cement damages the overall structure, or if it can withstand an earthquake or flood. Ross is confident it will not be an issue. Karl expresses that Ross' solution does not holistically fix the issue with the circular pit project. Liz and Karl shared the concern that Ross’ plan is not developed enough to be approved. They also express that Al should be present at the meeting to weigh in, given that he planned the overall circular pit project.

Ross moved that the organization approve the Circular Pit Wall Repair Project and allocate $30 for materials. Liz moved to postpone the motion until the next meeting. The motion to postpone was adopted.

Agenda for the Next Meeting

Connor moved that the organization include the following items on the agenda for the May meeting:

• Spring Planting Results
• Explore Musician Compensation
• Open Garden Day Event (June 14/15)
• Make Music New York (June 21st)
• Circular Pit Wall Repair Project
• Reallocating Garden Lumber

The motion was adopted without objection.

Meeting adjourned at 7:57 pm.

Our next meeting will be held on Monday, May 12th, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., starting promptly at 6:30 p.m.