Citizens for Fairfax Community June Meeting Minutes

HEADLINES:
We examined, at length, the two most viable-looking options for a community center location: (1) purchasing, repairing, and upgrading the Baptist building and (2) building a new facility on land that the Town may purchase in the near future. Comparing the two possibilities is very difficult, with strong advantages of differing kinds on both sides of the ledger. For example: the desire to rehabilitate (possibly even save) an important town landmark (the Baptist bldg.) vs. the lower cost of new construction.

It seemed evident that more homework, discussion, and thinking is needed before a formal Board decision can be made. However, we took an unofficial straw poll to find out which way folks were leaning. The consensus strongly favored the Baptist building. One idea –to make an offer on the Baptist bldg, but keep the new construction idea in mind for the future– seemed, unofficially, like our most likely course of action. At our next meeting, we hope to make a final decision and discuss specifics.

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In attendance: Susie Posner,* Barb Duval,* Peggy Gilbert, Wayne Sweet, Sally Sweet, Mark Sustic, Art Webb, Suzanne Chamberlain, Elizabeth Griffin,* Mark Hunziker,* Katrina Antonovich, Amanda Duling,* Mary Taylor,* Trevor Russell,* Ann Lemieux, Bob Ertl
(* indicates Board-members)

Reports, discussion, and actions on agenda items:
▪   The minutes of the 3/23/10 and 5/25/10 meetings were approved. (moved by Mark, seconded by Barb)
▪   Because she has moved away from Fairfax, Melissa Beerworth has tendered her resignation from the Board. The Board accepted the resignation (moved by Mary, seconded by Liz) and thanks Melissa for her past support.
▪   Mark reviewed the high points and answered questions regarding the two most viable-looking options for a community center location: (1) purchasing, repairing, and upgrading the Baptist building and (2) building a new facility on land that the Town may purchase in the near future.
Comparing the two possibilities is very difficult, with strong advantages of differing kinds on both sides of the ledger. For example: the desire to rehabilitate (possibly even save) an important town landmark vs. the lower cost of new construction. It was also pointed out that there are several important considerations that we could nail down better with more research. For example: exactly which kinds of community center activities would be most likely to help support the operating costs? –And which building would work better for those activities?
It seemed evident that more homework, discussion, and thinking is needed before a formal Board decision can be made. However, we took an unofficial straw poll to find out which way folks were leaning. A few Board members were “on the fence,” equally drawn to both options. More than half of the rest (both Board members and non-) favored the Baptist bldg. Several others agreed that we should commit to the Baptist bldg; but suggested that we also think of the new construction idea as a possible add-on second location for the community center facilities –down the road. With this scenario, we could save some renovation costs of the Baptist bldg. because we wouldn’t need to try as hard to have it accommodate as many uses as possible. We could possibly then add a modest second facility, sometime in the future, when and if the additional demands become evident. Noone in the room suggested that we abandon the idea of purchasing and using the Baptist bldg. in favor of the new construction option.
The idea to make an offer on the Baptist bldg, but keep the new construction idea in mind for the future; seemed, unofficially, like our most likely course of action. At our next meeting, we hope to make a final decision and discuss specifics of the purchase offer we’ll make.

New business:
▪   Katrina told us that it has been an increasing challenge for her to know how her role as the Town’s Director of Parks and Recreation does and does not mesh with her role as an interested supporter of CFC’s activities. The difficulty seems to stem from the as-yet undefined future melding between the Town Rec. Dept. interests and activities and the similar ones of CFC. What, if any, official ties should there be between the two entities? How can we best coordinate those aspects of the two that will be run separately? This clearly is an area that we need to sort out soon.

Meeting adjourned: 8:20 PM (moved by Trevor, seconded by Liz)

Next Meeting: Tues, July 27, 6:30 PM at the Hunzikers’ home. This will be a closed working session of the Board, as we expect to be discussing confidential issues such as a purchase offer.

Agenda in brief:
▪   Decision re Baptist bldg & new facility
▪   Details of purchase offer
▪   Possible Town-CFC relationships
▪   Initiate capital campaign planning

Respectfully submitted,
Mark Hunziker, Secretary