Attending: Bob Penny, Jean LaValley, Caroline Kingsbury, Jen Hebert, Gretchen Harsch, Paul Warwick, Chris Burkhart, Edie Norton, Monica Aebly, Jolie Cole
Jean facilitated the first half and Bob facilitated the second half. The agenda was reviewed (copies of the agenda will be with the hard copies of these minutes).
Jen reviewed the work that was done by the Space Committee on the possibilities of making the Hall more user-friendly. The primary issues considered were heat and access. Heating with a “garage space” heater is technically doable. Gas would have to be run up to this room, and this would have to be approved by the owners of the building and permits would need to be obtained. It would cost $2 –3,000. Also, plastic window covers could be made, which would help with heat. Stair lifts: Currently the chair is broken, but is probably fixable. Another chair could be put in for the upper stairs, and would cost about $2,000. Permits would be required for this project. More research needs to be done on this topic.
Paul asked about putting baseboard heat in this room. Jean responds that this is still on the table. Bob brought up that the electrical panel is no longer being made and would probably have to be changed, which would be costly.
Gretchen reported on the realities of the real estate market, and passed out a results list of the Space Committee searches. Gretchen said they looked at or called approximately 25 places). About five listings were for sale, and about 15 to lease. Most of the rentals were more than 2,000 square feet, and were mostly triple-net leases (as we have here) and most did not include utilities. The prices ranged from about $2,000 to $3,000 per month, without utilities. Many could not considered because of lack of parking, and many did not have good access. There were cheaper options, but they were far out in the county.
The purchase options were mostly not workable because there was not enough parking, and many of the spaces had more than one story. Gretchen went over the details of many of the possibilities. Jean pointed out that even spaces that would work would cost from two to three times as much as we are paying now.
Monica reviewed some of the realities of buying a space. She talked to loan officers at Horizon and Northwest Bank and found that commercial loans are different than private ones. The banks want a minimum of 20% down, so a $300,000 space would then require $60,000 down. We would also pay an “origination fee” (for doing the loan) – about 1%. The loan would have to be re-financed after 10 years. Currently, the interest on a three- year fixed loan is 6.75% and a five-year fixed rate is 7.5%. On the three-year plan, principle, mortgage and taxes would be $1,672 per month, not including utilities. Monica noted that after the initial down payment, we would be paying approximately the same as owners as for our current lease options.
Bob gave us an updated financial report (copies available on the entrance-way table). Bob notes that our expenses about doubled when we moved here, and that our income jumped to meet our expenses. We’re ahead this year, so far, over our approved budget. We currently have 55 paying members. This is a concern because dues are about 97% of our income. Bob summarized that a concerted effort is needed to increase dues-paying people using the Hall. Chris suggested that all the groups address this issue. Jean pointed out that there was not really been guidance from the Board in this area, and that this support is needed. Paul suggested that there is an attitudinal problem and that we need to change this attitude. Bob pointed out that we have a really good financial foundation in place in that we pay our bills, our bookkeeping is solid; he feels that we can work from this tangible resource. Jean suggested that we will eventually have to think about fundraising – if nothing else, there is the impermanence of this very building to consider. Edie pointed out that there is a traditional resistance to money issues in our groups, likely based on the traditional Buddhist teaching of the Dharma being offered freely. Paul adds that this is all part of the path –contributing to the circumstances that provide for the path.
Jean went over the BDH case statement with the attendees (copies are available on the entrance-way table). A case statement is also called an “elevator statement” – the information that could be given in a minute or two to people who don’t know about the Dharma Hall.
The next agenda item was looking at a series of questions that were formulated for the groups to answer concerning their attitudes and relationship toward our physical space. This includes non-affiliated users and the morning group. It is hoped that within the next two months, the groups will go over these questions, formulate answers, and we will come together again at an open meeting to discuss what the groups (and individuals) have arrived at. Guidance for these discussions will be provided after the Board meeting April 28th.
All the questions were reviewed and several people made editing suggestions that were noted. The Space Committee will meet again in a couple of weeks and formulate the final questionnaire. The questions will be presented to each of the groups in the month of May, and the groups will each give a written reply. There will be packets of information for the facilitators of this process. Sometime in June, we will come back in an open meeting like this one, with members of the Space Committee and Board members. The organization for this to happen was decided:
Caroline suggested that an ad be put in newspaper(s) asking if there might be a landlord who was sympathetic to our space needs, and perhaps give us a better deal than the mainstream pieces of real estate found thus far. It was agreed that although this is a good idea, we need a better idea of what our financial base is before we move on that.
All agreed it was a very productive meeting and Jean adjourned it a little before noon.