ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
SUNDAY JUNE 11,2006
Attending: Father David McGuiness,Maxine Guerrera, John Timmons,Todd Story, Pete Konenkamp, Rosemary Risse, Evelyn Tejada, John Benca, Marty Ledenham, Terry Trotochaud, Hank Wright, Monica Kucher Mueller and Charles Dolan.
Pete opened the meeting with the Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
Minutes from May were reviewed, corrected and approved.
The election of new officers was completed with the following results: Marty Ledenham, Secretary; John Benca, Vice President; Pete Konenkamp, President.
Prior to Committee assignments, the liaison role of the Parish Council members was clarified for the new members. The liaison representatives are to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the parish council with no voting privileges. Attendance to all the committee meetings are not required. The focus is to be on optimal communication between the parish council and all committees.
Committee Liaisons volunteered as follows: Terry Trotochaud, Finance; John Timmons, Planning and Steering; Marty Ledenham, Capital Campaign; Todd Story, Maintenance; Pete Konenkamp, Communications; Evelyn Tejada, Latinos; and Monica Kucher Mueller, School Advisory Board, pending Father’s approval. ( The Advisory Board is to be reconstituted in late summer.)
Max recommended that we add a Welcoming Committee to our parish groups. She presented a written proposal (attached) including the goals and the job descriptions. This was approved by all. She will be our liaison for that new committee. Committee members will be Melanie Starks who she had contacted and parish council member Hank Wright who volunteered. She will call Linda Mitchell who had expressed interest in the past and plans to solicit others to form the committee. She recommended that our website include this new committee and its purpose. Father David passed out several ‘Welcome Packets’ that he had gathered from various archdiocesan parishes as examples of what we plan to distribute to new members.
Planning / Steering: John Timmons reported that there was a meeting last week with two archdiocesan representatives. A request for a special use permit from Athens Clarke County planning on the Epps Bridge property has been tabled. Modifications are being made to the site plan to meet requirements of both Clarke and Oconee counties. The permit request should be resubmitted in 30 days. Oconee County Planning will consider a special use permit for a bridge crossing McNutt’s Creek at a meeting in August.
Architect: John Benca elaborated on the above as well as boring issues as obstacles to our meeting the contract deadline of Sept 1. They plan to have the contract extended in order to allow time to get the approval from Clarke County .
He added that the committee is moving from a concept design to the master plan to include school, parish hall, gym etc. A traffic study is needed to address the ‘traffic island’ and a power pole on Epps Bridge. The boring is planned for this coming week and Father David has been in touch with the owner and his attorney to alert them to the day that the multiple site borings will take place. Father continues to pursue negotiations for the 5-acre site.
Capital Campaign: There was no report. The next meeting will be June 21st. Referring to last month’s report by Sue, Hank asked how we could expect to get more monies if the Guidance and Giving anticipated only 3.5 to 4 million dollars. Father reported that the church can seek grants for the building of the school but not for the church.
Communications: Pete reported that there were about 20-25 people present at the Neighborhood meeting held at Iris Place on June 4th. Charles Porter presented modifications to the site plan at that time. Pete reported a very favorable response from the neighbors to our proposed move. It was decided that an Open House meeting for the parish would be scheduled after the present unresolved issues have been addressed. John will communicate this to the Steering committee at their meeting tomorrow night. Pete said that there would be a newsletter posted on June 25th and that the FAQ’s will be updated.
Maintenance: Todd said there was nothing to report.
Finance: No report.
Liturgy: Rosemary announced that the ‘Elijah Cup’ will begin in August. Different parishioners will take the Eucharistic Chalice to their home and pray for vocations. She said that the committee will invite Mary Beth Casso to the next Liturgy Committee as representative of the Social Committee.
Latinos: Evelyn said that they were to have a meeting last week but plan to wait until our new priest, Father Refugio, can join them. She said that there will be an Hispanic Charismatic Renewal retreat for members of St. Joseph’s at the Holy Spirit Monastery in Conyers the weekend of the Eucharistic Congress in Atlanta. There are 40 members signed up and all are covered by money raised by the group except for one member. Max suggested that the parish council contribute to this retreatant’s tuition. John made a motion to this end and it was approved. Father Dayro’s farewell reception scheduled for Monday June 19th was announced. Musicians that wish to play on this evening should communicate with Mary Beth Casso who is planning the party. Pinewood South Trailor Park has been sold and our trailor is on the commercial property. There is no further information on this subject at this time.
OLD BUSINESS
Pete asked for a vote on the modifications to the Bylaws that clarified the nomination/election process. The modifications were approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Father David expressed concern about having the church doors unlocked late at night after he has locked them. He emphasized the need for increased communication and accountability within the parish. New locks and a more limited key access would help ensure safety within the church. He announced that there would be a meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss and plan for improved parish management. There remain openings for a youth director, bookkeeper and housekeeper. Tom Rocks has agreed to return for two to three months to update the bookkeeping.
Pete announced that the next parish council meeting will be on July 9th at 7:30.
Father David closed the meeting with a prayer.
Submitted by Marty Ledenham