October 2024 General Meeting Minutes

Agenda

• Introduce Any New Potential Members
• Approve September Meeting Minutes
• Update on the Rat Proofing the Remaining Back Fence Project
• October Live Music Series
• Folding Ladder
• Replacement of Wall Flood Lights
• Election of Executive Body
• Donation Box Replacement
• Rochelle’s Peonies Replacement
• Complaint about Ross’ Music Event
• Composting Bin
• Next Meeting in March

In Attendance

• Ross
• Rochelle
• Al
• Connor
• Gina
• Liz
• Iris
• Evan
• Dominique
• Jackie (First Meeting)
• PJ (First Meeting)

Meeting commenced at 6:36pm.

Introduce Any New Potential Members

Jackie recently moved to the neighborhood. She likes to garden and D.I.Y. projects. She found the garden while exploring the city one day and talked to Connor about joining. P.J. came to the garden during the LUNGS festival. P.J. was involved with community gardens in Asheville, North Carolina. He was involved in composting, masonry, brickwork, and community outreach.

Approve September Meeting Minutes

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

Update on the Rat Proofing the Remaining Back Fence Project

Ross is still looking to solidify the date to continue the rat proofing project. The project needs to be scheduled before mid-November, before it gets too cold. The project will take two days. Dirt needs to be dug up, a foundation base needs to be made, and then concrete needs to be poured and hardened. 

October Live Music Series

At the time of our meeting, the October Music Event is projected to have good weather; however, days before, the weather was predicting rain for Saturday. We will only be able to know for sure the day before. Ross has volunteered to pick up the free pizza from Posto. Evan has volunteered to call them to get the order made. For next year's music events, we should consider making a banner for Posto in order to show them our appreciation. Ross has volunteered to make a banner of some sort for this October. We are going to get hot cider and other fall-themed treats for the music event. 

Gina moved that the organization allocate a budget of $20 for the October Music Event.
The motion was adopted.

Folding Ladder

We need to get a ladder because we need to fix the colored and non colored lights that are on the back wall. When the scaffolding was being taken down, two of the light bulbs and one of the fixtures were broken. Ross spoke with Larry, and he is willing to donate $500 to the garden with the caveat that garden members will fix the lights. The ladder Ross would like to get extends far out and also turns into an “A” ladder. This ladder is estimated to cost $133, including free delivery. The ladder will be used for other fall projects, including, but not limited to, cleaning gutters and trimming trees. 

Ross moved that the organization allocate a budget of $150 to spend on a ladder.
The motion was adopted.

Replacing the Wall Flood Lights

We used to have single-colored lights. Ross has proposed we purchase two light bulbs that can change colors. 

Ross moved that the organization allocate a budget of $35 to spend on multi-color LED lights.
The motion was adopted.

Election of Executive Body

October is the time when the executive body is elected for the Garden. Currently, we have: 

• Connor as the Chair
• Iris as the Secretary
• Karl as the Treasurer
• Al as Operations and Maintenance Committee Head
• Ross as Special Project Committee Head
• Gina as Events Committee Head
• Jas as Membership Committee Head

Connor moved that the organization re-elect the executive body elected for another year.
The motion was adopted.

Donation Box Replacement

Al donated an old toolbox that can be used as a replacement for the current donation box we have. Al’s toolbox is waterproof and lockable. Ross plans to put a mailbox slot in the side.

Connor moved that the organization replace the donation box with Al’s donated toolbox.
The motion was adopted.

Rochelle's Peonies Replacement

When the scaffolding was being taken down, Rochelle's peonies were trampled. These peonies were very special to Rochelle as they were propagated, and it is very difficult to propagate them. Ross has researched places to purchase peonies and has found a vendor that has a nice breed. It is $80 for six peonies. When you open an account with the flower vendor, we also receive a 20% discount because it would be our first purchase from this vendor. Including the tax exemption, the peonies are estimated to cost $78. 

Ross moved that the organization allocate a budget of $90 to spend on peonies.
The motion was adopted.

Complaint About Ross’ Music Event 

Ross held a music event on Saturday, October 5th. The music event was a success. There were lots of musicians and people walking in and out of the garden. The garden acquired a permit for the event. In the middle of the event, the police came, saw the permit the garden had received, and left without speaking to any garden members. The music event continued. 

The day after the event, the MLT received an email complaint about the music event. A neighbor said that, despite having their windows closed, they still felt the music was unreasonably loud. Because this email was sent to the MLT, it will be handled by the MLT itself. 

Dominique recommended we provide them a link to our mailing list where we can let them know when we will be having events so they can plan accordingly. Ross suggested that we have a designated contact for every music event. This person's phone number could be included in the response so that if the music is too loud in the future, they can reach out to said contact person and they can lower the music. Jackie recommended that we hand out flyers to the surrounding buildings days before the event, letting them know we will be playing music. Connor said that this is not possible because it is illegal to put flyers on private property without permission from the building, but we can put fliers on community bulletin boards.

Connor purchased a decibel reader. Each permit has a different decibel limit. It is important to stay within that permit’s restrictions. If we receive too many complaints, it is a possibility that we will be denied permits in the future. The MLT also has the option to deny our permits. The permits also specify that they are revocable at any time. It is important to not push the volume.

Gina noted that the music was louder than usual at the October 5th event. As much fun as loud music can be, we are a community garden and it is important for us to have music at a reasonable volume. Gina believes the culprit of the noise was due to the drums. Garden members also need to be the “bad guy” and tell the musicians when they need to lower the volume.

Composting Bin

Ross has been looking into acquiring a compost bin. Buildings can receive a free composting bin from the city if they are a residential building with more than 10 tennants. Ross is looking into if there are any exceptions. DSNY would pick up the compost. Ross estimates we might need to wait until the beginning of 2025 to hear if we qualify. 

Next Meeting in March

Winter is coming up, meaning that monthly meetings are no longer required. Volunteer and open hours will be tallied in March to renew memberships. Members who do not have their hours will have their memberships voted on in March.

Adjournment

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.

Our next meeting will be held on Monday, March 10th, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., starting promptly at 6:30 p.m.