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Riverton Community Housing |
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, May 10, 2000
The meeting
was called to order by new president Peter at 5:30 pm
Minutes from
previous meeting and Budget information were approved by the board.
An update
concerning the new acquisition was given by Gary.
He explained
that the purchase agreement had been adjusted due to the city process, and that the
purchase is being finalized. He added that
the numbers look good but measures are being taken to reduce risk.
A public
hearing will be held concerning the bond portion of the agreement.
The
personnel situation is still being coordinated. The
old property manager will not stay but some employees will.
Gary will meet with them.
Valerie and
Gary reported that meetings with neighborhood associations went well. There are some
concerns that large immigrant populations might be displaced by the cooperative only policy,
but the neighborhood is welcoming and receptive overall.
Will Shapira
was introduced by Valerie.
Will is a
consultant for a consortium whose purpose is to serve its members according to their
communication needs. Riverton is accepting
his services (the #2 option offered by him) at $750/yr in order to expand communications
and P.R. capabilities.
He will
provide Riverton with positive publicity, anticipation of liabilities, and contingency
plans in general and with regard to the new acquisition. Valerie noted that his services
will allow Riverton to address the issue of external communications and will be valuable
in annual reporting.
Gary noted
the importance of such services relative to Riverton’s greater community visibility
because of the new acquisition.
Sensitivities
regarding the new acquisition and questions about employees for it were discussed.
Mr. Shapira
also spoke concerning the other projects he had worked on and was currently monitoring.
Leaseholder
limits for the new acquisition were also discussed, and Marshall Co-op residents’
questions were directed to the end of the meeting.
Co-op
Reports were heard from Peter and Mike and from Sara.
Chateau Report-Mike and Peter
informed the board that beer would be served at the upcoming annual Moondeck party but
that hard liquor would not.
A barbecue
will also be held, and each Chateau resident would be allowed 3 guests.
Marcy Park Report- Sara informed the board that Marcy Park had passed its cat
policy with high deposits as a compromise. She
also mentioned that capital improvement projects were being pursued.
Marshall Report- Valerie reported that concerns from the residents were apparent
but that few calls had been received. General
dissatisfaction with services is a big problem there.
Bushes are being planted around the building and a meeting space is being created.
The
Strategic Plan was updated and reviewed.
President
Peter went over each task.
Some tasks
were assigned to be worked on or dealt with next month.
Several Plan
items were re-dated and cued for emphasis.
Several new
agendas items were suggested, including growth assessment and new co-op creation process
documentation.
Board
development and recruitment was discussed, and will also be discussed next month. Of
importance were discussion of new board member orientations and possible orientation and
training options.
Peter
discussed new business.
Riverton may
need a central meeting place other than that at the Chateau as Riverton and Chateau boards
grow and in light of the new acquisition.
Riverton may
need to create a conference utility for use by all boards.
New office
space may also be needed. New office space
should be considered and the office space for the new acquisition should be evaluated.
Marshall
Co-op members asked questions and voiced concerns.
Of greatest
concern to the members was the fact that no co-op counsel will be formed before
non-cooperative residents’ leases terminate, and that these individuals’ leases will
not be renewed by Riverton. They are
concerned that residents have no control over grandfathering and leasehold limits for
current residents.
They are
also concerned and confused about maintenance problems.
The board
responded by restating Riverton’s mission to provide housing for only cooperatives. Non-cooperatives will have to move out of the building
in August.
New Meeting
Dates were set.
Next Board
Meeting: 6/14/00
Meeting
Adjourned at 7:00 pm.