Meeting called to order at 6:11 P.M. by Sheri Barker

Members present

Lay Leadership:  Bob Lechner, Diane Wages, Sheri Barker, Sherri Coughlin, and Rachael Perez

Ministers: Pastor Dan Cole and Pastor Alicia Saenz

Absent:  Freddie Lacarra, Michael Marquez

Guests

Dick Bolin

Opening Prayer

Devotion and Prayer led by Pastor Alicia

Action Items

  • June 22, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes were reviewed by Council members.    

Motion:  Approve to the June 22, 2020 minutes.  Motion by Diane W.., second by Bob L.  Unanimously approved.

  • Tower Point Information:

Submitted requested documents including (RFI) Request for Information.

7/6/20 signed Letter of Intent Addendum 1 with Tower Point

7/15/20 Tower Point and Dick Bolin Site Inspection

7/17/20 Signed and Submitted Letter to Verizon for an Assignment of Lease

delivery date for Verizon assignment letter 7/22/20.

            Next steps:

  • Awaiting the next Draft of Easement Agreement for Review and Further discussion.
  • Close of Transaction: Check from Tower Point paid directly to St. Mark’s Mortgage Company, Mission Investment Fund, to pay off Church Mortgage.

▪           Treasurer Diane Wages reviewed the April Financial reports with Council.  

Motion:  Approve the Financial Report as presented.  Motion by Sheri B.   and seconded by Alicia.  Unanimously approved.

Reports:

  • Pastor Dan
  • Pastor Dan is continuing devotions, prayers, phone calls, and sermons
  • Pastor Alicia
  • Pastor Alicia is planning worship services
  • Keep connections with people
  • Planning additional St. Mark’s property improvement projects – removing shrubs, etc.
  • Checking on people to make sure they have enough food  

Property Committee

  • Bob L. spoke to a company that installs solar panels. St. Mark’s would need approximately 75 Panels which would cost $79,000. The church would own, not lease these 75 panels at $443.00 per month until they are paid off.  We currently pay approximately $800/month for electricity due to refrigerators and freezers in Project Hand and kitchen.  If we apply the monthly electricity payment to the purchase of solar panels, we would be able to pay off the panels in 6-10 years.  The company offers a deferred 16-month payment plan. Diane W. suggested that we look at other solar companies, obtain written proposals with warranties, submit to the Property Committee, then the Council can review it all before making any decisions.

Leadership Development:  

Read the Roller Coaster of Change

            ⁃           Focus on the Power of Prayer – Trust in God – Go to the Need

            ⁃           Next steps for Council:  Follow up with everyone – how can we better care                         for our members?

What have we learned during these past two months?

  • We are anxious to get back to church
  • We ARE the church – Christ to each other
  • Our connection with the Holy Spirit
  • Phone calls have increased member connection and caring

New Business:

  • Bookkeeping:
  • Bookkeeper resignation given – 2-week notice- by the 2nd week in August, the bookkeeper will no longer be at St. Marks. Reviewing alternate sources of Bookkeeping.  Jim Biddle’s significant other, Gertrude Stein has a successful bookkeeping office in Chula Vista and they are reviewing St. Marks current accounting information. We will get an estimate of what our monthly Accounting fees would be for Gertrude’s office to take over St. Mark’s bookkeeping service offsite. Possibly come by once a week to pick up mail and bills at St. Marks.
  • Other Ministry Uses of Property
  • Lee Wagenblast would like to use St. Mark’s Kitchen each Monday night with a small group to prepare Meals for the Homeless. Lee will take the prepared meals to National City for distribution.

The council suggested that clear expectations be set of proper use of all kitchen supplies, and cleaning of the kitchen after each use. The council also suggested that Lee W. also supply St. Mark’s with insurance.  Sheri will follow up with Lee to ensure that expectations are clear.

  • Lee Wagenblast also has a Diaper Ministry and needs a room to store all the Diaper donations. He would like to use one of our rooms for this. The Council believes the best room for this would be the Sunday School Office.     

Motion:  Approve the Use of St. Mark’s Kitchen to Lee Wagonblast and his group.  Motion by Bob L.   and seconded by Sherri C.  Unanimously approved.

  • Maintenance
  • Mice problem
  • Replace broken toilet- Member in Spanish ministry can replace the toilet- without a service fee.
  • Compressor on Refrigerator is going out in the Kitchen.  Pastor Alicia is asking a member of the Spanish ministry to check it out.

Sheri Barker closed the meeting with Prayer.

Meeting adjourned at 8:04 P.M.

Next Council meeting will be Monday Aug 24, 2020 6:00 – 8:00 PM via Zoom

Submitted by Rachael Perez, Secretary