HAYWARD COMMUNITY GARDENS
Meeting Minutes
December 21, 2004
(Happy Solstice!)
Present:
Stacie Chun, Sandy Frost, Fred Hempel, Kendra Johnson, Sheila McClellan, John Quintero, John Swarr
1. Cards for Vern, Rosemarie.
Old Business:
1.
Licensed software for new office computer?
Internet Access.
New computer currently has licensed copy of Windows… John Q. motions we make eventual goal to get all licensed software. More urgently right now is anti-virus software. Stacie will transfer files from old computer to new after holidays, set up the new computer, and install a new copy of Norton anti-virus. She will also sign us up for internet access through copper.net.
New Business:
2. Review SFF grant; discuss strategy for moving forward
Concern: Juan Ortiz and Jose Romero are essential to garden management. JQ and others concerned that their time must be formally valued also, before new staff are hired. JQ proposes stipends of $50/mo to each. If Juan doesn’t return from Mexico, a replacement will need to be found. Ricardo is on Op board and cannot be paid stipend as long as he remains on board. $100/mo total in garden mgmt stipends approved by admin committee, to be paid from general funds (plot fees; not grant money). Job descriptions and contracts will be drafted / signed / posted quarterly. Approval needed at next Operations Committee meeting.
3. Hiring/Payroll/Insurance for GtG position
Pay: Out of $8,000 specified in SFF grant for employee wages, maybe $7,000 available for pay (after employer taxes and payroll service). With that, we could afford to pay $10/hr, 16 hrs/week, for about 43 weeks (or 10 + months).
Hiring: Hiring committee necessary, to include admin and op board members, plus an “uninterested” member if possible, and to include a chair. Sheila motions that Fred be chair, JQ seconds, all approve. Kendra agrees to sit on committee. JQ will recruit Op. board member, Juvenal Torres. Fred will invite friend Ben, from UC, to join. All approve. Stacie motions that hiring committee have authority to recruit and hire Grow the Garden project coordinator. All approve.
Recruiting: Buy ad. on Craigslist. Fred volunteers and will be reimbursed by HCG. Kendra will post at Merritt College and write brief ad for Sheila to post in Hayward Review. All applications will be due the third week in January.
4. January 22 and February 5 grant meetings.
Social Services grant meeting Sat. Jan 22, 9:30 am. JQ, Kendra, and/or Stacie will attend. CDBG grant meeting Sat. Feb. 5, TBA. JQ will attend, others who are able.
5. Report on compost toilet
City has approved Ben Jordan’s proposal; Jordan says the $500 consulting fee should cover him through permitting process. Not much money left from field supplies fund in ‘04-’05 grant, but compost toilet is reimburseable. Sheila raises idea of Waste Management grant for construction of toilet. (Apps usually due Jan). Sheila to pursue.
6. Memberships
John proposes joining the American Community Gardening Association. Stacie motions that we join if membership under $100. All approve. If over, discussion should come back to admin committee. Other organizations to look into joining: Eco-Farm? Others? Having these ties looks good and builds organizational soundness.
7. Progress report, July – Dec.
Still needed to comply with grant agreement: Outreach, including formation of outreach subcommittee.
8. Financial report
Right now, we have $7,200 of grant left. Greenhouse money from “
9. Workshop/Fundraiser/Event ideas
Spring plant sale fundraiser? Sandy to chair committee. Include public garden tour, featuring cross-section of exceptional plots in the gardens? Could look more like a festival—mariachi band, food, etc. Other fundraiser ideas: garlic braids, other crafts.
10. Sandy- Hayward Farmers’ Markets; Kaiser market
Should HCG consider attending other farmers’ markets? Focus on improving consistency, presence, sales at Hayward Market first?
11. Farmers’ Market report
April – September, 2004: Earned $1,199.18.