May 2025 General Meeting Minutes
Agenda
- Introduce Any New Potential Members
- Approve April Meeting Minutes
- Spring Planting Results
- Treasurer's Report - Feb to April
- MLT Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement
- May Live Music Series Results
- Open Garden Day Event (June 14/15)
- Make Music New York (June 21st)
- New Lounge Chair
- Explore Musician Compensation
- Circular Pit Wall Repair Project
- Reallocating Garden Lumber
- Al Reimbursement Request
- Agenda for the Next Meeting
In Attendance
- Connor Davis (E)
- Iris Sewell (E)
- Al Waks (E)
- Gina Healy (E)
- Ross Daisomont (E)
- Karl Semancik (E)
- Dominique Kalata (V)
- Jas Kaur (E)
- Jackie McKenna (K)
- Maggie Hwang
- Jennifer Lu
- Anne Johnson
[E: Executive Body, V: Voting, K: Key]
Meeting commenced at 6:45 pm at 422 E 11th St, New York, NY 10009.
Introduce Any New Potential Members
We welcome three potential members. Jen came by two weeks ago for planting day and thought everyone was friendly. Maggie lives next door and enjoys hearing our live music, so she decided to stop by. Anne also lives next door and looks down into the garden from her window, and she is looking for more ways to be involved in the community.
Approve April Meeting Minutes
Connor moved that the organization approve the April 2025 Meeting Minutes.
The motion was adopted without objection.
Spring Planting Results
We received $150 worth of plants and covered the whole garden from front to back with 160 individual flowers. There were 17 combined volunteer hours, and two new volunteers were involved. We received more plants last Saturday and will receive more this Saturday too.
Treasurer's Report - Feb to April
We did a great job collecting the dues, and our donation box income was fair. However, given that we spent some money on the concrete project, we are a little behind the overall budget.
Karl moved that the organization approve the quarterly treasurer’s report and submit it to the MLT.
The motion was adopted.
MLT Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement
We have a bank account through the Manhattan Land Trust (MLT). Today, no unified document explains the relationship between the garden and the land trust account. Recently, the MLT has adopted a Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement (FSA) that details things more formally. We must sign an agreement to continue using the bank account long-term and benefit from the MLT's 501(c)(3) status. The agreement states the MLT would charge a 10% fee on all garden income, along with the mandatory $100/year dues. With 2025’s budgeted income of $1,900, the fee would be $190, totalling $290/year to the MLT. It would help cover credit card fees, accounting & tax-related costs, insurance, and support the organization that aids in the growth of all 14 MLT gardens. They have provided a document that elaborates more on the purpose of the fee. Dominique would like more time for the members to review this document before we agree, and suggests alternative fiscal sponsors or the incorporation of the garden. At this time, only Karl and Connor have reviewed the agreement.
Dominique moved that the organization postpone the MLT Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement until the next meeting.
The motion was adopted.
May Live Music Series Results
Overall, it was a successful day. We started almost on time, so we should shoot for better timing in the future. Unfortunately, the donation box was not prioritized. No one passed around the box, so only $4 was raised that day. We need to do better next time. The owner of Tompkins Square Bagels offered to donate bagels to us for the next event. We have had issues with complaints in the past, and now have a decibel reader to stay under a certain number (also using personal discretion). The decibel reader read a high number at one point in the day. Gina told Ross that the sound was too loud and must be turned down, but she says he was not as cooperative as a member should be. After the warning, the police came, saw our permit, and left without saying anything. The music is great when it is loud; however, this is simply not the place for it. We are a community garden, and our neighbors are a part of our community. Ultimately, we must respect our neighbors. We also must respect the parameters these permits hold over us.
Gina moved that the organization have a 60-second sound check before each musician uses amplified music to ensure it is within the decibel limit.
The motion was adopted.
Open Garden Day Event (June 14/15)
Across the city, all gardens are expected to be open and usually have an event. We agreed at the last meeting that it would be planting-related, not a music event. We should shoot to do something for kids. Some ideas mentioned were giving away small tomato seedlings, sidewalk chalk, tie-dye, and drawing. Karl and Ross want to plan Saturday, and Dominique wants to plan another event Sunday morning. We will coordinate the details for the garden newsletter by the end of the month.
Make Music New York (June 21st)
Gina has previously participated as an artist in this event. As we agreed at the last meeting, she signed us up as hosts. A bunch of people have reached out to play. The event organizer will provide us with the permit for this event, so the garden should not need to worry about that. We are usually allowed four hours to play, which will run like a typical garden music event.
Gina moved that the organization approve the Make Music New York event on June 21st from 3 to 7 pm to serve as our June Live Music Series.
The motion was adopted.
New Lounge Chair
Dominique found a new place for the smaller lounge chair she had brought into the garden. It now lives in the Circular Pit until the bench is repaired.
Explore Musician Compensation
Other gardens pay musicians to participate in music days. When Gina has been looking into grants, she has realized that you need to have money to get money. We also don't have enough regarding education and working with kids, as the grants want to see. Connor suggested covering reasonable transportation costs to legitimise us and show respect to musicians. This would just be an experiment for musicians who ask for it and would be at Gina’s discretion.
Gina moved that the organization set aside $30 in the budget for each music event for transportation expenses, which will be divided amongst musicians on a need basis.
The motion was adopted.
Circular Pit Wall Repair Project
Ross and Al worked together and submitted details for the repair, which has a total budget of $115. That includes $45 for a chain hoist that will be sold after construction. A work day will be proposed by the end of the month and included in the Newsletter. We will need volunteers for the workday.
Karl moved that the organization approve the Circular Pit Wall Repair Project as documented with a budget of $115.
The motion was adopted.
Reallocating Garden Lumber
There has been no progress on this item.
Karl moved that the organization table the subject of garden lumber.
The motion was adopted.
Al Reimbursement Request
Al requests funds for the materials he used to paint the new donation box. He did not get these expenses approved before purchase, as is required. He says he will not do it again. Ross commented that the items could have been purchased at a cheaper price.
Karl moved that the organization reimburse Al $42.51 for supplies.
The motion was adopted.
Agenda for the Next Meeting
Connor moved that the organization include the following items on the agenda for the May meeting:
- Open Garden Day Event (June 14/15)
- Make Music New York (June 21st)
- MLT Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement
- Circular Pit Wall Repair Project Progress
- July Live Music Series
- August Live Music Series
- Re-evaluate Musician Travel Compensation
The motion was adopted without objection.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Our next meeting will be held on Monday, June 9th, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, starting promptly at 6:30 pm.