March 2025 General Meeting Minutes

Agenda

• Approve October Meeting Minutes
• Renew Memberships & Redistribute Keys
• Jackie as a New Member
• PJ as a New Member
• Approve 2025 Budget
• April Live Music Series
• Buying a Soil Turner for Less than $70 (Liz)
• Spring Plant Purchase (Due April 4th)
• Update on the Rat Proofing the Remaining Back Fence Project
• Where to Put the New Outdoor Furniture
• Clean-Up Day

In Attendance

• Albert Waks
• Elizabeth Bermudez
• Connor Davis
• Ross Daisomont
• Iris Sewell
• Dominique Kalata
• Karl Semancik
• Jas Kaur
• Evan Ressegger
• Jackie McKenna
• PJ Gormley

Meeting commenced at 6:45pm.

Approve October Meeting Minutes

Connor moved that the organization approve the October 2024 Meeting Minutes.
The motion was adopted without objection.

Renew Memberships & Redistribute Keys

Six members automatically renewed their membership by fulfilling their requirements. The remaining members need a vote to continue for another year. More details on membership renewal are included in a meeting document. The garden keys have been changed and given to those who have paid their dues.

Connor moved that the organization renew Rochelle Pashkin’s Full Membership.
The motion was adopted.

Connor moved that the organization renew Iris Sewell’s Full Membership.
The motion was adopted.

Connor moved that the organization renew Karl Semancik’s Full Membership.
The motion was adopted.

Connor moved that the organization renew Jas Kaur’s Full Membership.
The motion was adopted.

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

Connor moved that the organization renew Nour Mousa’s Key Membership.
The motion was defeated.

Connor moved that the organization renew Ramy Saad’s Key Membership.
The motion was defeated.

Jackie as a New Member

Jackie has achieved the 8 hours required to become a member. She has been helping Ross with his project.

Ross moved that the organization accept Jackie McKenna as a New Member.
The motion was adopted.

PJ as a New Member

PJ has achieved the 8 hours required to become a member. He has helped sweep and clean the garden.

Connor moved that the organization accept Patrick Gormley as a New Member.
The motion was adopted.

Approve 2025 Budget

Projected: $900 in Dues, $600 from music events, $400 from donations. Required expenses: MLT dues in May, Power Bill, Pest Control. Optional expenses: Plant Purchase, Sound Permits, Membership Event, Supplies. Currently, we have around $3500 in the bank.

Ross moved that the organization adopt the Draft 2025 Budget as documented.
The motion was adopted.

April Live Music Series

April 22nd is Earth Day. It would be nice to have an event around that time. Ross is going to work with Gina to put together an event. If Gina is unable to, Ross will plan it. On the subject of sound, we will have a decibel meter. We will have a permit. There will be no full drum set, and an effort will be made to prevent long stretches of repetitive sound.

Ross moved that the organization hold April’s Live Music Series on Saturday, April 19th from 2:00 to 6:00 pm.
The motion was adopted.

Buying a Soil Turner for Less than $70

There are some areas that need the soil turned. A 45-inch turner would be ideal. The tool can be used in the future. Ross found one with a fiberglass handle for $40 that will be more weather-resistant. Liz will select one or two tools for purchase.

Liz moved that the organization purchase one or two soil turners totalling less than $70.
The motion was adopted.

Spring Plant Purchase (Due April 4th)

From Grow NYC. We have a budget of $150 for community areas. Members can also contribute their own money if they like for extra plants. The order form and descriptions are included in the meeting documents.

Al moved that the organization delegate the purchase of the spring planting budget to the Operations and Maintenance committee.
The motion was adopted.

Update on the Rat Proofing the Remaining Back Fence Project

Jackie and Ross have finished most of the preparations for the project. They are going to continue the project as the weather gets warmer. It should be finished by the first week of April. 

Where to Put the New Outdoor Furniture

It was proposed to only keep the two smaller pieces. Some are thinking of placing them in the back since there is more space. We need to clean up the garden before we are sure what we can do with them.

Al moved that the organization remove the undesired pieces of the outdoor couch.
The motion was tabled until the next meeting without objection.

Clean-Up Day

We need to have a clean-up day after Ross’ project is complete so that it is clean before the music event in April. It shouldn't be too close to the event, and it gives people time to plan to attend.

Connor moved that the organization have a work day for winter clean up on April 5th.
The motion was adopted.

Adjournment

Connor moved to adjourn the meeting.
The motion was adopted without objection.

Meeting adjourned at 7:34 pm.

Our next meeting will be held on Monday, April 14th, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., starting promptly at 6:30 p.m.