Vestry Minutes
June 15, 2010
Sue led worship in the Chapel. The meeting was called to order at 6:52 p.m. in the Guild Room.
Members present: Carol Barker, Kathy Carlson, Sue Ferron, Simon Frost, Dennis Bartz, Greg Michael, George Packer, Kathie Clark, Hakob Jambazian (guest), and Annelie Rugg.
Minutes Annelie Rugg
May Minutes were accepted as amended.
Pledges remain pretty close to plan. Holiday receipts are at 68% (nice!). Expenses have been less than planned (also nice!). Currently have a surplus of $5,000.
Stained Glass Kathie Clark and Hakob Jambazian
A stained glass design to replace the frosted window behind the altar was presented for the Vestry’s review and approval. A committee formed at Rand’s request (Sue Ferron, Boude, Mike Adams, Hakob and Kathie Clark) has chosen and is recommending the design that was presented. The source for the image: Isaiah passage – “God almighty, Prince of Peace”. Should tie in with the side windows. Christ figure should not look specific, so each can see whatever image comes to mind. Also in the image: trinity (3 circles near top), the star of light, arms outstretched like the eucharist, the base of the red figure will shoot upward from the top of the minister’s head (windows start at about hip height). You want to mask traffic, so Hakob proposes a sort of matte. This will darken the image slightly but block the view of traffic passing behind the window. Proposed lighting: bolted directly on the border areas of the image, and also some indirect lighting attached elsewhere. Lighting consultant recommends installing the window, then trying out a variety of lights and bulbs. Questions were asked about how such a large window is supported (heavily reinforced); colors (especially near the bottom) are meant to pick up the color theme in the side windows; ensuring that the wall can support the window (may need a brace from the peak to the south wall for earthquake safety).
Funding: A significant donation ($5700) has already been given. Costs: about $18,750 for Hakob; lighting rough estimate $2-3,000 (very ballpark); Installation about $600. TOTAL: $22,350. To be raised: ~$18,000. Could divide up the 75 ft.2 surface of the window and people could purchase square-foot parcels. But also need to make donations of any amount welcome.
Two ideas for how to proceed: (1) Hakob could do a full-size cartoon and tape it to the glass to display for a while (a month?) to get a feel for it and consider contributing. (2) Mount a poster-size rendition on sturdy board and provide donation sheets where people could sign up to donate and write a check, also request a dedication (to be written into a stained glass memorial book).
Kathie proposes writing a memo to Rand to deliver the design (in one of the two forms above) on July 4th and, if he approves it, he could contact Hakob and they could take it forward (Kathie will be out of town). If work gets started in July, could possibly be installed as early as September. Certainly by Christmas (maybe dedication could be on Christ the King, which is the last Sunday before Advent). Everyone agrees it’s important to let Rand approve the design and no announcements should go out until he makes them.
In addition, Karen Van Den Brink made some stolls for the priests that match the side windows. Kathie would like to present them on July 4th. Bev and Lee Ford are also celebrating their 50th anniversary on the 4th and would like to celebrate a renewal of vows that day, as well. We can present the stolls at the passing of the peace that day.
Vestry has voted in favor of the current design, subject to approval of the rector.
Delegates to Diocesan Convention Carol
We’re allotted 6 delegates and 2 alternates (not counting Father Rand). Takes place Dec. 2-3, 2010 in Riverside. Guest speaker is Jim Wallace. Chuck and Inez Wathen have volunteered, as have Kendall Childs and Stu Finke. George Packer volunteers. Still need another delegate and two alternates. Need to know in the next month.
Stewardship
Kendall has put notes in the bulletin asking people to pay up front.
Facilities George / Dennis
Gardner: budget is $6920, with $1750 spent (because sprinklers have been fixed and we’ve had rain later into the year). Carpet cleaning budget is $750 and we’ve spent $400. Repairs and maintenance budget $10,000, have spent $3459 as of June 1. Trash removal budget is $2694 and we’ve spent $889. (Rates are down from last year because of Dauna Packer’s efforts – thank you!.) Pest control budget is $2610 and we’ve spent $849. Operating supplies budget is $2400 and we’ve spent $2152 (note this is very front-loaded). Security budget is $1944 and we’ve spent $586. Custodial services budget is $9360 and we’ve spent $3900. TOTAL budget: $36,678. TOTAL expenses to date: $13,985.
Utilities. Electrical budget is $20,500 and we’ve spent $4,301. Water budget is $20,000 and we’ve spent $2,810 to June 1. Gas budget is $1500 and we’ve spent $839.51 (lower charges due, in part, to havog turned off gas where appliances aren’t being used). UTILITIES: $42,000. Spent: $7422.
Bad news #1: Air conditioner in kitchen died. Three bids to replace are between $5,000 and $7,200. But the upper two bids include some duct work that the lower bid doesn’t. George will clarify the bids and whether duct replacement is needed by this week. Food pantry is willing to contribute (maybe half). Vestry agrees this must be replaced and George should move on it as soon as possible.
Bad news #2: Drain to street backed up last week into the Nursery bathroom and the men’s room. George got someone out to scope and pressure clean at cost of $750. Plumber says we need to put a midway cleanout in to facilitate future scoping. Should go In the grassy area and be bi-directional.
June 12th work party was a success. Next one is Saturday, August 28th.
Middle office painting and carpet cleaning now estimated at $700, which Roseanne says we have the money for. Vestry approved this.
Nursery and preschool carpet cleaning will cost $200 and was approved by the Vestry. Hoping to get the carpets cleaned on the same day for slightly lower charge.
Bridge Club is requesting their alarm code to be authorized for the kitchen alarm box (already have a key and alarm code to the Taylor Hall) so they can handle things when they mistakenly set off the alarm. Vestry approves this with condition of a sign being placed on the inside doors to the kitchen saying the kitchen is alarmed. George will have the signs made.
Elevator inspector has identified exceptions. Dennis will respond so we can remain compliant.
The church got a letter from the Serrania Homeowners Association complaining about gophers. Dennis will reply, explaining that we’re using the same pest service as they are, so take it up with the pest company.
Katherine wants to replace the current mailboxes to provide more slots for more than just Vestry.
As of June 12th, we may or may not be compliant with our wireless microphones because they cannot be in the 700MHZ band. Maybe have to replace them if we’re not compliant.
Welcoming Church George
We continue to get the nametags out. We have volunteers in the 8am service to get them out. Also redoing the monument out front. First thing done is that the hedge has been taken out to give more room around it.
Discussed how to remind or inform people about some of the etiquette (e.g., not walking down the middle aisle during the sermon). Suggestion to place a sign during the sermon in the middle aisle saying “Please use side aisles”.
Publicity George
George found out that you can get a 30-day permit from the city to hang signs on the street lights. You have to arrange with an authorized company to hang/take down the banners (and they also can make the banners). Each banner is 3 ft. x 8 ft. (double-sided); wholesale cost is $7.50 per to produce. George is going to get two prices. Probably $3-4,000 to do 50-60 light poles. Will need 7 weeks lead time.
Around the room
Bells concert was amazing and attracted a new family (neighbor of Kathy Carlson’s) to the church. George will get a third bid on the bathrooms from Annelie’s contact. The bid for the Food Pantry to the UTO was not submitted, and we weren’t informed about the results, so Lynn was very upset. George has a grant into BofA for neighborhood improvements for $200k, but won’t hear until October. Bruin Resource Center looking for host families for UCLA students who are former foster children. Annelie will find out more and put info in Peace Prints and the Bulletin. Greg still planning the NCD survey for July. Sue has taken on the “library project”. Simon sent instructions for the iChange survey. Bev and Lee Ford have asked to have both champagne and non-champagne punch for their 50th anniversary celebration.
Bible Study George and Annelie
We weren’t able to complete Lesson 2 of “Gospel in Life”; to be continued next month. All subsequent discussion leadership assignments will be postponed by a month.
Closing Prayer Carol
Meeting adjourned at 9:05pm.