Discussion: Last few meetings were informal idea-gathering sessions, looking at possibilities with general discussion. Participants toured space in building. Starting with this meeting, we begin to be more formal with an agenda and minutes recorded and linked to our community blog http://lyle-wa.blogspot.com/ and posted on the OLESS blog: http://lyleschoolbuilding.blogspot.com/.
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Agenda item: Results of School District Meeting & Survey
Discussion: School sent out survey in their newsletter. About 60 returned. 38 responders wanted to convert/remodel the building and turn it into a community use. Lots of good comments received back with survey. Results were distributed with the agenda.
VVern reports on building status at monthly school board. Electric bill has been transferred from school to Vern. Once we get tax exempt status, will be put in that entity’s name, expected in a month or so. A break-off committee has filed for 401 c corporation that we will work under. It will be an umbrella for all the Klickitat communities needing a non-profit to operate, however we will be able to manage our own funds through the non-profit entity.
We will need a business plan – for future agendas. We are working with school district to have a lease agreement for building – will be long term, example 99 years. If ownership remains with school, will it be exempt from property tax? Still need to resolve green space and skate board park, specifically who maintains and carries liability insurance.
We will also need to define the relationship with the Twin Bridges Museum. If and activity is for profit (example classes that one pays for), can it be held in this building?
Next school board meeting is July 23 – need to start hashing out a lease agreement. We will need a person who is versed contracts. Juliet Pouillon volunteered an attorney friend to review any agreements.
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Agenda item: Email from Senator Jim Honeyford
Discussion:
Barb Sexton approached our WA state senator about our community center. He suggested that we present to the “Heritage Caucus” in Olympia to request funding. Vern and Barb are exploring this option. Bickelton presented to this group to request funds for their Carousel Museum through this fund. His email was attached to the agenda.
Agenda item: Financial report
Discussion: Collected $311 in donations so far. Electric bill was $85.44 so have enough to pay for a few more months.
Water bill: $328.09 – school will pay water bill for foreseeable future.
At the last Community Council, Terry Mills requested KPUD to pay water bill through the community’s water billing. KPUD can have it added to individual water bills for Lyle residents. Would amount to about a dollar a month to each bill. Need a way to ask community to show there is support. Ideas discussed: door-to-door survey, put on community council agenda for a vote, petition, survey in KPUD bill. Lisa Conway recommended pointing out that we need to water to keep green space green and we are fortunate to be able to water it, unlike White Salmon!
Bob Hansen suggested a petition to be signed at August 14 Community Celebration. Glenda Lovejoy suggested putting it on blog. Terry Mills suggested having community vote at Community Council meeting. Lori Hull expressed concern that if we take over water bill that school board may not maintain (mow) green space. School still uses green space for sports. Goal is that we create a win-win situation with the school and town.
Vern noted that one reason water bill is so high is that the sprinkler timer does not work properly and often runs too long. Would like to see how we can fix it to control costs for the school.
Conclusions: We will explore doing several or all of the suggested items to document community support for distributing water cost across the residents. Horizons Steering Team will include it as part of the door-to-door survey to be conducted prior to August 13.
Action items:
Put on city council agenda - Barbara Sexton
Determine survey plan - Vern Harpole
Meet with person who run irrigation system for school to see how to fix timer and reduce water bill -Vern, Marc and Kevin Conway
Agenda item: Yard & Building Clean Up
Discussion: Thanks to Lisa Conway for weed (puncture vine) removal party this past Saturday and for working with county to continue to remove noxious weeks.
A giant blackberry vine is crawling into girls’ bathroom. All agreed to remove. Discussion on how… Do a work party. May get school or county to chemically treat. Marc Dinnerstein volunteered to bring back hoe to remove.
Work party this Saturday, July 18 at 9:00!
Action items
Work party Saturday at 9:00 – blackberry removal & weed eating - Roger, Vern, Norm, Dan, Mark, Jack & anyone else who can come
Paint chalkboard with black board paint on Saturday - Juliet, Mildred & Harry, other volunteers
Clean up room vacated by ESD on Saturday- Marcia & other volunteers
Agenda item: Possible Uses for Building
Discussion: Several uses and activities have been identified and requested.
Make a Wi-Fi Hot Spot: Bob Hansen called Gorge.net to get Wi-Fi in building. Would cost $36/month for just internet. For $56/month could have unlimited telephone and internet. This is a residential fee. Is it possible to connect with school’s Wi-Fi? May have legal issues. Vern and Bob will research more options.
Rose at Lyle Café wants to hold Jazzercise class. HeadStart wants to have classes. Mindy requested to have Tourism Advisory meeting next month. Bob looking into having some board meetings. Horizons Steering Team is meeting there now.
Agenda item: Horizons Community Celebration August 14th
Discussion: Will start fund raising at this event. Lyle Hotel, Tap Room, Country Café will each receive $250 to put together a meal for us. Juliet to explore setting up a wine tasting in connection with this event. Perhaps can have it set up in the Tap Room outdoor garden.
Action items
Discuss with local wine makers on how can support the event - Juliet Pouillon
Plan celebration - Lyle Horizon’s Steering Team
Agenda item: Officers for OLESS
Discussion: Numerous official positions and committees needed as we move forward– will identify required positions and appoint at next meeting, August 3. Possible positions and committee chairs include:
§ Chair
§ Treasurer
§ Secretary
§ Building Renovation Chair
§ Operations Manager Chair
§ Fundraising Chair
§ Furnishing Chair
§ Publicity Chair
Oren Johnson stated it was important to emphasis that this is the Lyle Community ACTIVITY Center, to distinguish it from the Lion’s Community Center.
Ideas for communicating next meeting and community party: flyers, sandwich board, Enterprise, To The Point, signs, school sign board, etc. Important to get word out to the community on what is going on.
Action items:
Contact artist on how to paint building - Lisa Conway
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Next Meeting Scheduled:
August 3 at 7:00 PM at Old Lyle Elementary School
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Attendees:
