Board Meeting Minutes - July, 2022
Vista Las Palmas Neighborhood Organization Board Meeting
July 14, 2022
4:00PM - 5:30PM
Attendees (by Zoom):
Kevin Comer (KC), Kermit Ferrer (KF), Steve Orr (SO), Gustav Swanson (GS), Patsy Marino (PM), Joe Vassallo (JV)
1. 7th Board member recruitment – All
Bonnie Ruttan spoke with Bruce Frasier (Cam Sur) about joining the board. KF has reached out to him. KC suggests contacting Stephen King (Coronet Cir). PM talked with Kristy (& Felton) McMillan for board (possibly in Nov) & home tour.
2. June Treasury Report – Kevin
KC old (compromised by fraud) Chase acct was closed. KF reports all VLPNO funds were transferred back to VLPNO. KC/KF verified that there was no co-mingling of funds, as KF’s funds were transferred out first, leaving the account temporarily for the exclusive use of VLPNO until a new account could be established.
JV asked about how we record membership payments and track renewals. KC explained how it’s all in Quickbooks. KF is working on tracking membership renewals. There was discussion about several new member payments and some prospective ones.
3. Banking:
See above: Closed out OLD Chase Account & transferred funds back to NEW Chase Account after temporary ”safe keeping” in KF’s account - KC & KF
KF kept account clean and fully documented for transparency. The reason for the money shuffle was to protect the organization’s assets duing the period that the original Chase account was compromised. The board felt that the money would be safer in KF’s account than the new Chase account that was set-up because the new Chase account seemed to be linked to the old account and there was concern fake checks presented to the old account would get somehow transferred to the new account.
4. Fundraising/Donations -All
A. Still need to establish a Board member owner who will administer this program
B. VLPNO Classification: Agreed to make VLPNO a 501(c)(3)
JV recommended Eve Fromberg as an attorney with extensive not-for-profit experience. SO had an existing relationship with Eve, so he setup a free telephone consultation. A board call took place with Eve.
Net result: Proper conversion from 501©4 to 501©3 would be a bigger task for VLPNO than originally anticipated. Attorney’s fees (estimates from Eve F.) $2500 + state/fed filings ($800) + accounting firm fees ($?).
KC: GBQ would probably charge $5k for this; they donated their limited services in the last year. Market accounting firm estimate is $6K+.
PM suggests we table this until post MW2023 due to costs and complexity. Full board in agreement.
C. Desert AIDS Memorial – Update reported.
D. Complete donations to PS Animal Shelter = $10k; LGBT Center = $5k
Don’s request for the LGBT Center was for 10k, we offered 5k due to state of economy and possibly limited VLPNO funds due to other TBD donations – but we would strongly consider another $5k donation in Nov based on expected future ticket sales in early Nov. Our fiscal year ends Nov 30. PM suggests we marshal neighbors as volunteers (day of service events) to add an experiential component to our donors’ financial contributions to the org. Entire board loved the idea.
KC: Will talk with Scott and Robert about expanding the pet parade to become a bigger event with sponsorships, and a recognition event for our donation. PM discussed the staging of donation(s)/events: 1st donation event in Sep?, volunteer/service date in Oct?, pet parade/2nd donation event in Dec?
E. Other opportunities/organizations?
Sanctuary. KC confirmed that the opportunity was not broad enough appeal throughout our community – limited number of people helped by their org; only 6-7? However, 3 different VLPNO members had requested Sanctuary be considered. Board acknowledged need to be respectful and have good with communication requestors. Perhaps we could make a smaller donation.
ModCom. KC suggests they have access to many other funding sources, our money could be inconsequential. KF: we need to donate to something around historic preservation. KC: PS Preservation Foundation is a possibility. PM will research preservation orgs and bring forth suggestions.
F. Review Program Guidelines – KC
KC: all board members have submitted feedback (PM pending).
There was extensive discussion of the proposed sponsorship plan/guidelines. The decision is to remove actual names and only use examples. Also, it was agreed that we would continue to present sponsorship opportunity to prior sponsors first to renew at the same sponsorship level.
5. MW2023
A. Full force recruitment of homes
-Currently have 1 home (982 Tuxedo Cir – JV contacted Susan & Alan)
-Need a minimum of 6 homes BY AUG 1
-Tour is 2/18/23
-707 W Stevens. JV ask Len Handeland & Byron Hancock, 1965 contemporary
-1189 Rose – Christy & Felton. PM is following up.
-One Las Palmas – PM suggests and KC offered to ask them.
-997 Tuxedo Cir. JV will ask Susan Missner (982 Tuxedo) for Cousin’s info –
-SO: Home on Rose. Was on tour 5+ years ago – KF will check records
-KC: Evelyn has 2 acme homes that are candidates
-PM: has 3 leads on High St. – 3 recent sales
-KF: will ask Trixie Hotel
-We need to communicate Status via email next week Thursday 7/21/22 3-3:30pm. JV to send Zoom invite for MW2023 home tour update.
B. Schedule: Next milestones
----June 30th: Budget
----June 30th: Sponsorship Program Approval - Begin recruitment
----Aug 15th: Submit Event Form to MW
----Aug 30th: Complete house curation with MW
-Budget will be presented next month by KC
-Sponsorship Program Update: KC is working on the plan
6. One PS Highlights - Gustav/Steve
SO: It was a Zoom meeting. Back to in person in Aug. PS Brown Bag Lunches start again in Sep. Lisa Middleton reported hiring 3 new police officers and more admin support for them. 6 more fire fighters about to be hired. Oct modernism tours confirmed. North-end Navigation Center was approved. GS: noted that neighborhoods take turns presenting info about their neighborhood at each OnePS meeting. Old Las Palmas is coming up soon. VLP – not sure where we are in the list.
7. Communication - Website Updates & Newsletter - Gustav
8. Other Board Member Updates
Parking Lot:
VLPNO Classification: New registration of Fictitious business: VLPNO (?) schedule and make it a 501(c)(3)
Annual Social Calendar/Budgets 2022 - Patsy (on vacation)
Neighborhood Safety - PSPD participation in future Social? Webcast?