June 2024 General Meeting Minutes

Agenda

• Approve May Meeting Minutes
• Treasurer's Report - Approve Budget & Spending Policies
• Adjust Posted Open Hours
• Update on Neighbor's Scaffolding
• Garden Music Equipment
• Next Live Music Event
• Rain Barrel Netting
• Evan as a New Member (Key)
• Buried Hydrant Hookup Hose Project
• Rat Proofing the Remaining Back Fence Project
• Tree Trimmer
• Mosquito Dunks
• Agenda for the Next Meeting

In Attendance

• Connor (E) 
• Al (E)
• Ross (E)
• Karl (E)
• Iris (E)
• Dominique (V) 
• Liz (V)
• Evan

Meeting commenced at 6:37pm.

Approve May Meeting Minutes

Connor moved that the organization approve the May Member Meeting Minutes.
The motion was adopted.

Treasurer's Report - Approve Budget & Spending Policies

Karl and Connor will soon meet to discuss the electric bill payment process. We had $73.50 in expenses from the music event. This month did not generate many donations. The main ways we fund the garden are dues and music events. Karl explains the budget he drafted. We have two types of spending: non-discretionary and discretionary.  Non-discretionary spending includes our power bill, pest control, and dues to the MLT. Discretionary spending is everything else; we will still vote on these things. The exterminator will come in April,  June, and August.

Karl moved that the organization approve the non-discretionary spending for 2024 of $900.
The motion was adopted.

Adjust Posted Open Hours

Connor moved that the organization adjust its open hours to Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The motion was adopted.

Update on Neighbor's Scaffolding

The scaffolding should be completed by July. Christine, the building's landlord, donated $1000 to the garden. The contractor told Ross that the scaffolding is predicted to come down by the second week of July. Ross is in communication with the landlord Christine, the owner of the building and the contractor.

Garden Music Equipment

Ross was able to get speakers donated from the church before Sharon moved. He keeps bringing his microphones, cables, and other equipment to the music events. He recently found a good deal on some new music equipment.

Ross moved that the organization purchase 3 microphones, 3 mic stands, and 3 cables for $131.20.
The motion was adopted.

Next Live Music Event

Ross thinks the music event should always be on the same Saturday each month. Gina is not present to discuss this, but we contacted her via text. We have run into the issue of musicians being late to their sets. We should always recommend that the musicians arrive 30 minutes before their set, and if they are late, that will be subtracted from their set time.

Ross moved that the organization secure the second Saturday of the month from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the 11th Street Community Garden Garden Music Series. After discussion, Ross moved to amend the motion by striking “second” and inserting “third.” The amendment was adopted. Connor moved to postpone the motion indefinitely.
The motion to postpone indefinitely was adopted.

Ross moved that the organization hold the July music series on the third Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. Connor moved to postpone the motion until the end of the meeting.
The motion to postpone was adopted.

At the end of the meeting, the postponed motion to hold the July music series on the third Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. was taken up.
After further discussion, the motion was adopted.

Rain Barrel Netting

Ross has purchased nets to cover the top opening of the rain barrels. This will prevent insects (mainly mosquitos) and other foreign bodies from entering our garden water supply. Ross also purchased solar-powered, motion-sensor lights to prevent people from tripping on the walkway when the sun goes down. They have already been installed.

Ross moved that the organization reimburse Ross $15, covering half of the cost of the netting and motion-sensor lights.
The motion was defeated.

Evan as a New Member (Key)

Evan has volunteered and logged 10 hours of work, exceeding the required 8. In two days, she will attend our Membership Orientation and learn to open the garden.

Connor moved that the organization accept Evan Ressegger as a New Member.
The motion was adopted.

Buried Hydrant Hookup Hose Project

A hose connecting the hydrant to the rain barrels will be hidden along the garden's ivy vine wall and behind the shed. The garden does not need to provide funding; Connor and Ross have purchased the needed materials.

Connor moved that the organization carry out the Buried Hydrant Hookup Hose Project project as documented.
The motion was adopted.

Rat Proofing the Remaining Back Fence Project

To finish the remaining 10 feet of the concrete block in the back of the garden, which will also act as a means of rat-proofing the garden, it will take three days to have the remaining concrete delivered, poured, and dried. It is predicted to be finished by the end of June. The total budgeted cost is $400. Concrete will not be purchased until the work days are properly scheduled so the concrete is not ruined by rain. Karl has concerns that we may be spending too much, having just established a budget.

Ross moved that the organization carry out the Rat Proofing the Remaining Back Fence project as documented. Karl moved to postpone the motion until the next meeting. The motion to postpone was defeated.
The motion was adopted.

Tree Trimmer

We need to trim a lot of the trees in the back. Ross thinks we should get a trimmer longer than 50 feet. Dominique offers to loan the garden her 12-foot tree trimmer. We can also request the Green Guerillas buy a tree trimmer as a part of their tool library program.

Ross moved that the organization purchase a tree trimmer. Connor moved to postpone until the next meeting.
The motion to postpone was adopted.

Mosquito Dunks

These brown discs, which resemble hockey pucks, are placed in standing water to kill mosquito eggs. They are safe for plants and people. They are in the rain barrels and the watering can filling basket. Please do not throw them away as they should prevent mosquitos.

Agenda for the Next Meeting

Iris moved that the organization include the following items on the agenda for the July general meeting:

• Mosquito Candles
• Update on the Scaffolding 
• Tree Trimmer

The motion was adopted.

Connor moved to adjourn the meeting.
The motion was adopted.

Meeting adjourned at 7:49pm.

Our next meeting will be held on Monday, July 8th, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., starting promptly at 6:30 p.m.