MINUTES---BISHOP’S COMMITTEE
May 11, 2009
6 p.m.
Present: Sandy Hodges, Don Gray, Tom Peterson, Fielding Reiner, Betsy Stephenson, David Greene, Marie McShane.
Absent: Thomas Sumners and Frana Keith
Also present: Liz Manning, Joe McShane, and Vicar Tommy Bye.
1. The meeting was called to order with a prayer and a Scripture reading after 6 PM.
2. Minutes: The minutes of the April 2009 meeting were approved.
3. The Committee discussed the recent report from the Facilities Group which recommended an expansion of the Parish Hall in two phases. These phases would add 3,888 square feet to the Hall. Based on an estimated cost of $125/square foot, the expected cost would total $486,000. At present, the Church has close to $275,000 in its Building Fund. The Committee discussed drawing $250,000 from this account and then raising another $250,000 to pay for the addition.
The increased square footage would provide sacristy space, larger meeting space, offices for the Vicar and assistant and Youth/Children Sunday school space and nursery space. Phase 2 would involve the Children's Sunday School, Youth Sunday School room and nursery room, while the rest would be part of Phase 1. It was pointed out that the expansion would also be helpful with funerals, weddings, and community events. A columbarium wall was featured on the drawing to be located on the southeast corner of the Hall expansion, but it was suggested that such a wall be incorporated into the Walk of the Cross path.
Tom Peterson suggested that the planned storage spec might be too small. Betsy Stephenson suggested that the plan should include some recreational equipment for children. Marie McShane suggested that gray water might be able to drain onto the ground to lessen the use of the septic tank and field and that the expansion should be a one-level expansion (other than outdoor steps). She also pointed out that any expansion should be aesthetically pleasing with the existing church and the community. Tom Peterson added that we should determine whether the expansion would require an upgrade to the septic system and added that the location of any expansion of the septic tank and field should be determined to make certain that it would not interfere with the expansion’s footprint on the grounds. Don Gray offered to contact Blanco County in an attempt to learn about any septic requirements that the expansion might involve and to report back to the Committee on this by June 1. Both Tom and Marie pointed out that construction costs might be at a low ebb at present due to the economy and might increase soon. Liz Manning and Sandy Hodges offered to visit the Episcopal Church in Wimberley to see if that church offers any ideas.
The following motion was approved by unanimous vote, with the motion made by Marie McShane and seconded by Tom Peterson:
“ It is agreed that the Bishop’s Committee likes the plan suggested by the Facilities Group and desires to proceed with it, subject to 1) discussing the financial feasibility of the proposed expansion with the Finance Committee and 2) approval by the Diocese’s architectural committee. If items 1 and 2 are satisfactorily resolved, then the concept would be taken to the congregation for their input”.