Draft August 2025 General Meeting Minutes
Agenda
- Introduce New Potential Members
- Approve June Meeting Minutes
- July Meeting Minutes Postponed
- Review of July Live Music Series
- August Live Music Series
- September Live Music Series
- Treasurer's Report for May - July 2025
- Proper Fire Hydrant Use
- Exterminator
- Concrete Cylinder Project Progress
- Circular Pit Deck Refinishing Project Progress
- Musician Travel Compensation
- Revisit plans regarding improving the brick walkway
- MLT Financial Sponsorship
- Elopement Ceremony
- Agenda for the Next Meeting
In Attendance
- Albert Waks (E)
- Gina Healy (E)
- Connor Davis (E)
- Ross Daisomont (E)
- Dominique Kalata (V)
- Karl Semancik (E)
- Evan Ressegger (V)
- Teo Fleming (K)
- Cameron Feather
- Samantha Berezow
[E: Executive Body, V: Voting, K: Key]
Meeting commenced at 6:30 pm at 418 E 11th St, New York, NY 10009.
Introduce New Potential Members
Cameron and Samantha attend their first garden meeting and are interested in pursuing membership.
Approve June Meeting Minutes
Connor moved that the organization approve the June 2025 Meeting Minutes.
The motion was adopted without objection.
July Meeting Minutes Postponed
The meeting minutes from last month have not been drafted yet. We will approve them at the next meeting.
Al moved that the organization postpone the approval of the July 2025 Meeting Minutes.
The motion to postpone was adopted without objection.
Review of July Live Music Series
This event went well. Given the rushed equipment setup, next time we should aim to arrive and prepare within an hour and a half before the music starts. Before the event ended, all the pizza had been eaten, leaving none for the last musicians who performed.
August Live Music Series
We need water and ice to be ready before the event. Ross will pick up the water. Rochelle needs to call it in. Dominique can get free ice by 2 pm. We need to make an effort to save the pizza for later musicians. We should remember to pass around the donation box. Should we have someone sit out front and welcome people in like we have in previous years? Karl will get the permit. Evan will call in pizza. They also provide paper plates and napkins.
September Live Music Series
Gina will coordinate with Charles from LUNGS so that we participate in this year’s Harvest Arts Festival.
Gina moved that the organization hold September’s Live Music Series on Saturday, September 27th, from 3 to 7 pm.
The motion was adopted.
Treasurer's Report for May - July 2025
Net positive driven by a large donation and a new garden member.
Karl moved that the organization approve the quarterly treasurer’s report and submit it to the MLT.
The motion was adopted.
Proper Fire Hydrant Use
The internal stem snapped on our hydrant while closing it, and the fire department came and turned it off from the street valve. We did nothing wrong, but this serves as a good reminder to be careful with the hydrant, as it can take a while to be fixed if it breaks. Do not open the hydrant more than two turns. Do not forcefully thread the adapter; the threads are already partially damaged. If you need a refresher on the procedure, don’t hesitate to ask.
Exterminator
We haven’t had a visit at all this year, because some of the junk in the back of the garden has been blocking bait boxes. Since it’s been drastically cleaned up, we plan on having someone out this week. This expense is already approved under the 2025 budget.
Concrete Cylinder Project Progress
We are making good progress. Since we are reusing recycled Co-Ed concrete electrical conduit, this project could have a positive impact on our image.
Circular Pit Deck Refinishing Project Progress
Because the deck was assembled with screws a few years ago, it has proven difficult to remove the boards from the deck. We will likely be unable to seal the joists under the deck. We have already used the planer and sander on the boards.
Musician Travel Compensation
No one has utilized it yet, but it is nice to offer it. Leave it in place; we can re-evaluate it next year. Expanding this budget further would require grant funds, which is often a good winter activity.
Karl moved that the organization continue the musician travel compensation budget of $30/event until next year’s annual budget is approved.
The motion was adopted.
Revisit plans regarding improving the brick walkway
Rochelle has issues with loose and uneven brick, so the pathway needs re-seating and leveling. We need a plan on how to address this. Ross volunteers but needs help. Can Rochelle point out specific areas that need the most work?
MLT Financial Sponsorship
The committee has been making progress. The garden’s comments are going to the Manhattan Land Trust to draft a revised version.
Elopement Ceremony
Someone reached out asking if they could have a small wedding ceremony with fewer than six people. They propose Friday, October 10th, from 4 to 6:30 pm. It will be a closed event, and we should limit the number of garden members present to keep it intimate. They offered to donate to the garden.
Agenda for the Next Meeting
Connor moved that the organization include the following items on the agenda for the September meeting:
- Suggested Donations Language
- August Live Music Series
- September Live Music Series
- October Live Music Series
- October 31st Event
- Exterminator
- Brick Path Leveling
- MLT Financial Sponsorship
- Concrete Cylinder Project Progress
- Circular Pit Deck Refinishing Project Progress
The motion was adopted without objection.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Our next meeting will be held on Monday, September 8th, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, starting promptly at 6:30 pm.