RWC Meeting November 17, 2015

RWC Meeting November 17, 2015

Annual Philanthropic Meeting Featuring Lindsay Contreras from SAFE Austin and Voting on Disbursement of Funds

At the home of Stacey Shapiro at 3809 Pickwick Lane.

Catherine Scott called the meeting to order. The notes from last meeting are available on the website. The next meeting will be the annual Christmas Party at the home of Kathleen Shapiro's home at 2806 Hatley Drive on Tuesday, December 1.

Wendi Hundley updated members about CTMRA and the Mopac Expansion and asked for volunteers to collect signatures ahead of the November 20 Public Comment Deadline. She directed members to Smartmopac.com for more information.  

Catherine Scott introduced Lindsay Contreras from SAFE Austin, which is a recent merger between Safe Place and Austin Children’s Shelter. This year RWC donated toiletries for children staying at the Kelly White Emergency Shelter which serves youths ages 12-22.

President Marissa Mireur noted that Marnie Fitzgerald had volunteered to be Hospitality Chair this year but her position on the board needed to be voted on.  Marissa made a motion to confirm her seat on the board. Kelly Dixon seconded. All in favored. Measure passes. Marnie noted that anyone who wants to bring food to meetings can bring them, but no official plan for members to refreshments is made.

Treasurer Nicole Julian reported $24,120.59 in our savings account. Following standard procedure, RWC will keep $7,000 in the bank as a buffer, which makes $17,120.59 available for disbursement.

Marissa reads mission statement to remind members of the mission of RWC and then re-reads summaries of the 7 proposals on the table:

1. $12,000 for the replacement of a pergola behind City Hall that has previously been torn down.

2.  The Parks and Recreation Commission asked for $8,000 to replace a retaining wall behind City Hall measuring 150ft by 3ft. Four bids have been received on each project.

3. Replacement of a dying Mexican Plum Tree between the Pool and fields with a piece of sculpture. The Commission asks for $10,000. 

4. Replacement of the fitness equipment near the upper playground, which would cost between $9-11,000.

5. The Commission noted the need for a park bench near the upper park. They recommended RWC donate one at a cost of $1,100, which was rejected.

6. The City Council asks $1,000 for a Rollingwood Police Department Appreciation Day, perhaps featuring lunch and commendations.

7. The President spoke on behalf of the City, who has requested funds to replace the City’s uncomfortable folding chairs. A total of 30 chairs are needed to replace the 28 current ones. Replacement will cost between $1,500-3,000.

Proposals 3 and 4 were withdrawn because they hadn’t been proposed to city council yet.

Flo Macklin stated her preference for Proposal 2, which will repair the retention wall behind City Hall that is eroding. She believes it save all Rollingwood tax-payers money. Several members including Wendi Hundley and Roxanne McKee noted that much of the City’s budget this year will be spent repairing the rock wall near the lower playground that has been subject to much erosion after the late summer rains. Two estimates have been received for $140,000 and $190,000.

Members decided that the pergola in Proposal 1 is a want, but fixing the retaining wall near city hall in Proposal 2 is a need. Because the playground wall repair is such a large project, it will eat up much of the City’s budget. Therefore, RWC will table Proposal 1 until next year.

Flo Macklin makes a motion to approve Proposal 7 to spend $3,000 to purchase folding chairs for City Hall and Shanthi Jayakumar seconds it. Marnie Fitzgerald makes a motion to amend the motion to limit budget for the chairs to $2,000. Leah Paulo seconds it.  Twenty-one are in favor of the amendment. New motion is made to limit spending up to $2,000 on chairs with members in 23 in favor 2 opposed. Motion passes and RWC will spend $2,000 on new chairs for City Hall.

Up next is Proposal 6 which is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Becky Combes makes a motion, Flo Macklin seconds. Christi Savarece notes that RWC might expected to do it every year, but the motion passes.

Shanthi Jaykumar makes a in favor of Proposal 2 Roxanne McKee seconds it. Twenty members are in favor of the motion with 2 opposed and several abstaining. Motion passes.  In total, members voted to donate $11,000, leaving $13,120.59 in the account.

The meeting is adjourned.

Minutes Submitted by Kelly Dixon

Approved by Marissa Mireur