BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
DATE: March 25, 2014
PLACE: Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE: BRECA Steering Committee Meeting
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Lori Christensen
Kelly Cohen
Gay Jones
Rene Hamlin
Stan Mofjeld
Jim Morgan
Rick Sloan
Mary Ann Winters
1. Welcome from Chair Gay Jones
Gay Jones noted that the agenda was truncated due to lack of access to bathrooms after 8:00 pm due to construction work.
2. Minutes of February 25, 2014
Several edits were proposed to the draft minutes of February 25, 2014. Lori Christensen made a motion to adopt the edited draft minutes. Mary Ann Winters seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
3. Reports
a. Treasurer’s Report
There was no treasurer’s report.
b. CORPAC
Gay Jones reported that there are 9 positions with 4 vacancies on the Cordova Planning and Advisory Council (CORPAC). Applicants from Rosemont and the BRECA area are needed.
c. Cal Am
Joe O’Connor noted that he has been trying to set up a meeting between BRECA and others and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Office of Ratepayer Advocates (ORA). Various dates were discussed. The CPUC public hearing on the California American (Cal Am) General Rate Case request will be on May 12 in Rancho Cordova.
4. Old Business
a. Mini-restoration
Gay Jones reported that there were about two dozen people who came out to do the “mini-restoration” at the Mayhew Drain area. A watering contractor also has helped with initial watering.
b. BRECA General Meeting
The BRECA Community General Meeting is scheduled for April 22, 2014. Guests include Supervisor Don Nottoli, and representatives from County Planning, the Sheriff’s East Side, and County Code Enforcement. It was agreed that having a representative from the ORA (see item 3c) would not work well. Jim Morgan reviewed the budget for past Community General Meetings and the proposed budget from the Budget Committee. In particular, the budget for refreshments etc. was set at $50 to $70. There will be a mailing to the whole BRECA area. Dates for completing various actions were established.
c. Planning for the Easter Egg Hunt
The BRECA Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for April 12, 2014, starting at 10 am. Rene Hamlin stated that people are donating money to help finance the event. There will be a BRECA membership mailer. Dates for various actions were established.
d. Budget
Rene Hamlin stated that BRECA is going to have a budget deficit unless changes are made to revenue or expenses. A handout from the Budget Committee was distributed that presented four (4) budgets: (A) core, (B) core+5, (C) core with reduced expenses and increased income, and (D) core+5 with reduced expenses and increased income.
Jim Morgan pointed out that a strict “business as usual” for BRECA would be in between the A and B alternatives on the handouts. Rene Hamlin pointed out that the C and D budget alternatives require increased income.
A number of suggestions were made to increase income or reduce expenses.
It was agreed to put a PayPal link on the BRECA website to facilitate donations.
Rene Hamlin suggested that the increased income could be achieved if the Steering Committee adopted a “give or get” policy for Steering Committee members. For example, if 6 members each gave or got $100, this would be $600 total, which is the proposed revenue increase in the C and D budget proposals. Lori Christensen stated that she is not comfortable with this, as she already gives more than the minimum dues and it would deter people from serving on the Steering Committee.
It was suggested that dues be raised. Jim Morgan stated that this would not raise much money because many people already give more than the minimum. A better approach is to get people to join at $10 and ask for more money when they renew their membership.
Andrea White stated that she would like to get money from businesses for sponsorship of the Easter Egg Hunt.
Joe O’Connor stated that BRECA could save money on postage if it was designated as a non-profit by the Post Office. One would need BRECA’s articles of incorporation, an IRS letter certifying 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 status, and another document. It was pointed out that BRECA has not been recognized as a Federal 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 organization. Rene Hamlin stated that doing this would cost $800 and take about 6 months.
Bonnie Domeny suggested putting together a membership or fundraising committee.
Rick Sloan suggested having a community garage sale with the proceeds going to BRECA.
Gay Jones suggested that the invitation to the Community General Meeting could be distributed door to door, as BRECA used to do with other flyers.
There was a robust discussion of which budget alternative or variation of alternatives to adopt. It was agreed that BRECA should adopt a budget as a guiding document. It was pointed out that BRECA has sufficient money in the bank that it is not necessary to balance the budget this year, but some progress on reducing the deficit needs to be made. It was agreed that the reduced expenditures on specific items in alternatives C and D were appropriate. There was a consensus on eliminating the Save the American River Association (SARA) dues and the ice cream social from alternatives B and D. Gay Jones made a motion to adopt a hybrid of alternatives B and D, with the income assumption in B, the reduced expenses in D, and elimination of SARA dues and the ice cream social from D. Rene Hamlin suggested adding a policy of working to increase fundraising in general. Jim Morgan seconded Gay’s motion with Rene’s amendment. The motion was adopted unanimously. (See Attachment.)
5. New Business
a. From the Floor
There was no new business from the floor.
6. Meeting adjourned.
The next meeting will be a Community General Meeting on Tuesday, April 22 at the Rancho Cordova Library.
Attachment: Approved 2014 BRECA Budget
| Approved Budget | 2014 |
|---|---|
| Descriptions | Core+3, Reduced Expenses (1) |
| Income | |
| Dues & Contributions | 1,450 |
| Total Cash Income | 1,450 |
| In kind (2) | 125 |
| Total Income | 1,575 |
| Expenses | |
| Membership renewasl | 135 |
| Steering Committee elections | 131 |
| Meeting date/locations mailer | 52 |
| CA Statement of Information | |
| Community General Meeting | 875 |
| Membership Newsletter | 169 |
| Picnic | 209 |
| Website | 72 |
| Mini Restoration | 100 |
| Cal Am Meeting | 61 |
| Easter Egg hunt | 123 |
| Holiday party | 47 |
| Total Cash Expenses | 1,974 |
| In kind (2) | 125 |
| Total Expenses | 2,099 |
| Balance (income - expenses) | -524 |
| Notes | |
| (1) Reduced expenses for Community General Meeting, Picnic, and Holiday Party compared to estimates from previous years. | |
| (2) In kind income and expense from exchange of ad in newsletter for use of mailbox at Bradshaw pack and ship. | |