ST. JOSEPH PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES
DECEMBER 10, 2006
Attending: John Benca, Charles Dolan, Max Guerrera, Pete Konenkamp, Marty Ledenham, Monica Kucher Mueller, Rosemary Risse, Todd Story, John Timmons, Terry Trotochaud, Hank Wright and Father David McGuinness.
Excused Absences: Evelyn Tejada.
The meeting was opened with a prayer. The minutes were reviewed and approved.
Pete reported on the Athens Clarke County Commissioners Meeting held Dec 6th. The Commissioners approved our land request with an extended 75 foot buffer. Pete will write thank you letters from the Parish Council to all nine of the Commissioners for their support. He acknowledged Elton Dolson and Kathy Hoard especially for their dilgent efforts in our behalf.
Pete also reported on the Capital Campaign. He said that Frank Milward reported that by Dec 31st pledges were anticipated to be $2.7 million. They are presently $2,632,000. Guidance and Giving’s target was $3 million.
Pete made a motion that the Parish Council recommend to Father that we give him our support to purchase the property. Terry Trotochaud seconded the motion reiterating that the purchase is an appreciated asset. John Timmons reminded the council that there has been no discussion of integral value regarding the present site. The Council voted and approved the motion unanimously with one abstention. All agreed that this was a positive first step and that the building process would be slow with limited borrowing to avoid debt but with assurance of quality structures.
Pete distributed copies of a Memorandum of Understanding proposed by the Holly Hills Neighborhood. Corrections were made and it was recommended that the Parish Council send the letter to the Archdiocese for their approval. One item from the neighborhood was a recommendation to consult with the River Basin Center at the Institute of Ecology at UGA, who have already agreed to assess flood plain and water runoff management of the property. Pete said that he would pursue this after the property is purchased.
John Timmons agreed to re-write this memorandum and forward it to the Archdiocese.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Planning/Steering: John Benca said that there is hesitancy on the part of some of the steering committee due to lack of a strategic plan. John drafted a document, “A Strategic Development Plan”, to better-define our direction and he presented the guide to the council. He requested input in order to complete the draft and have it serve as our “vision statement”.
Site/Architect, Capital Campaign, Finance: discussed previously.
Communications: Pete said that there is a draft press release prepared for the announcement of the purchase. History of the family of seller Henry Daniels will be included.
Nominations: Charles Dolan will arrange for bulletin announcements for parish council nominations to fill the upcoming four vacancies. These will be posted before the New Year and will address the deadline of Feb 28,2007.
Maintenance: no report.
Liturgy: Rosemary said that the Elijah Cup has been shared with parishioners from all the masses in the past 6weeks. She requested assistance with setting up the Christmas decorations on Dec 19th after the 8:30 am mass.
Hispanics: Evelyn not present. She had presented a list of requests including that there be Spanish translations for the Penance Service. Father and the Parish Council approved the translation.
School: Monica said that the Parish Verifications forms are complete. She said that 90 families out of the 300 school families have not responded to the Capital Campaign. Todd asked about the status of Ms. Bankston’s temporary position as principal. Father responded that her position is valid for two years but since she is non-Catholic the procedure is to continue to advertise.
Welcoming: no report.
Terry asked Father if he would be interested in getting an Italian Nativity Scene from Gilbert Milner with Athens Antiques through Merianne Rogers. It is a $9000 value and could be sold for $1000. The council and Father were very interested.
Father said that he is still interviewing for a Business Manager.
Rosemary, on behalf of the collection counters, thanked Terry Trotochaud for the purchase orders he provided.
The meeting was closed with a prayer. Pete announced that the next meeting will be January 14th at 7:30.
Submitted by Marty Ledenham