St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church | Vestry Meeting Minutes | July 21, 2020
Vestry Members Present
Joe DeuPree, Rector’s Warden
Michael Legacy, Vestry’s Warden
Andrew Besterman
Kathy Carson
Todd Frary
Steven Lee
Pamala Gilliland
Jack McCroskey
John Van Buskirk
Staff Present
Allen Junek, Seminarian
Officers Present
Mike Gsell, Treasurer
Paul McCright, Clerk
Rusty Rippamonti, Vice Chancellor
Summary
These minutes contain the following Vestry actions:
- Motion to accept the financial reports for May and June.
- Motion to place excess furniture items owned by the Church on Nextdoor for sale.
Note: We are unable to meet in person due to the Covid-19 common sense physical distancing restrictions placed by authorities of the government and church.
Narrative
1. OPENING PRAYER-Rector’s Warden
2. CALL TO ORDER
The vestry meeting was called to order on Zoom at 7:03 p.m. with prayer by Joe DeuPree. The following agenda was covered during the meeting.
3. SHARED THOUGHTS
Each person had the opportunity to offer up details concerning their lives.
4. MINI RETREAT – GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Members and ex-officio members participated in a retreat event called “Getting to Know Each Other” giving each one an opportunity to share some information about themselves.
5. PREVIOUS MINUTES-Clerk
The minutes of the Vestry Meeting held on June 16, 2020 were approved in online voting. 8 YEA, 1 not voting.
6. FINANCIAL REPORTS-Treasurer
Mike Gsell reported on the Church Finances.
For the month of May we had a net loss of $1,840 across all funds while June had a net gain of $4,884. This brings the YTD loss down to $13,908.
- Pledge income continues to be above budget: $4,448 higher than budget for the first half of the year.
- Building Use Donations are $4,560 below budget YTD as we continue to miss out on the income from the outside groups who utilize our space.
- With reduced use of our physical space we have been able to remain under budget in several utility areas for the first half of the year:
o Electricity $2,434 below budget
o Telephone/Internet – $809 below budget
o Water/Sewer – $467 under budget
o Natural Gas – $225 under budget - With positive performance in both May (+$8,936) and June (+$5,161) the endowment fund loss for the first half of 2020 has been reduced to $5,082.
Mike recommended St. Thomas not apply for forgiveness on the PPG loans at this time until we see how the year works out.
Motion to accept the financial reports as presented.
Moved by: Kathy Carson
Seconded by: Michael Legacy
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
7. WARDEN REPORTS-DeuPree & Legacy
Rector’s Warden, Joe DeuPree:
- Fr. Christopher in on vacation in Austin for two weeks.
- Fr. Christopher has moved back into his office at the Church while his residence is being renovated.
- Please let Fr. Christopher know when you will be in the Church building.
- Lambda AA will not re-enter the building until at least Aug. 1.
- In preparation for Lambda’s return, the main entrance on the north and the parish hall outside doors have been re-keyed. New keys will be given to all Vestry members when we re-occupy the building.
- A number of furniture items that were in the Rector’s office are for sale. These items are in the Nursery. Joe would like to get rid of the items, either to sell within the parish or to a consignment situation. Steven suggested we put the items on Nextdoor for sale.
Motion to place all these items on Nextdoor.
Moved by: Steven Lee
Seconded by: Todd Frary
Motion passed unanimously by show of hands.
- The Audit Committee chaired by Alberto has worked for a couple of Saturdays to verify Church records. They will present a report at next month’s Vestry meeting.
- The Endowment Fund has grown over the past two months.
- The Stewardship Committee has met twice and is working on a dynamite stewardship campaign for this year.
Vestry’s Warden, Michael Legacy:
- A reinspection of the fire panel due by the fire marshal has been requested. New fire code regulations meant that the company had to readjust one item and add another circuit above the narthex. There were two issues to resolve on the fire inspection that fell to us. Adding a ceiling tile in the fire panel closet and installing a bar behind the organ to prevent it being used as an exit as per fire code regulations. Those items have been repaired and a reinspection requested.
- A rats’ nest near the top of the espalier on the gardenside wall of the Parish Hall has been removed and traps have been placed in service.
- Church cleaning costs will be $400 less per month until we get back into use of the entire building.
- We have paid for the Endure spray for the interior of the building, which was needed prior to any re-occupation.
- We are working to improve the new video system, including adding a new extender to improve Wifi. Another video camera will be placed in the Parish Hall.
- A lawn-mower was stolen from the garden shed. No damage was caused to the building. About $300 will be needed to replace it. Money can be taken from the Garden Fund. Joe suggested we put a coded keypad locking device on the shed, cost about $300. This was generally agreed to by the members.
- Steven noted that we continue to have our produce stolen. Kathy asked if we should reconsider adding a fence. Half the distance is already fenced by our neighbors. Money is available in the Garden Fund. Joe asked Steven to get 3 bids to present to the Vestry for the fence work. The fence will be a tall chain link.
- Thanks to the work of the Garden Committee, we have donated 67 pounds of produce.
8. CLOSING PRAYER
Joe DeuPree led the group in the Lord’s Prayer.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, August 18, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Respectfully submitted,
Paul McCright, Clerk
