Meeting called to order and opened with prayer at 7:05 P.M. by outgoing President Nancy Dreesen.

Members present

Raidel Cubero, Bob Lechner, Pastor Alicia Saenz, Diane Wages, Skip Knudsen, Pastor Karin Boye, and Sherri Coughlin.

(Gabby Gutierrez is temporarily excused from Council meetings while serving on the Transition Team)

Guests:  Nancy Dreesen, Dave Barker

Action Items

  • Nancy D. conducted election of officers:

Motion was made (Sherri C.) and seconded (Diane W.) to nominate and elect Bob Lechner  as President, and unanimously approved.

Motion was made (Sherri C.) and seconded (Diane W.) to nominate and elect Raidel Cubero to continue as Vice President, and unanimously approved.

Motion was made (Skip K.) and seconded (Raidel C.) to nominate and elect Sherri Coughlin as Secretary, and unanimously approved.

  • Minutes of the January Council meeting were read and corrected.

Motion was made (Skip K.) and seconded (Raidel C.) to accept the Minutes of the January 15 Council Meeting, as amended, and  unanimously approved.

  • Treasurer, Diane Wages, distributed and presented the Financial Report for January.   Bob L. read a statement from Marcia Salvestrini, on behalf of the Legacy Committee, and gave it to Diane W.

Motion was made (Bob L.) and seconded (Raidel C.), to accept the January Financial report, and unanimously approved.

  • Discussion was held on appointing someone to fill Barb Atwood’s remaining term on Council, which ends on December 31, 2019.   No decision was made, but Council will consider on whether to fill the position or leave it open for now.
  • Discussion was also held on appointing a person to fill Gabby Gutierrez’s position on Council while she is serving on the Transition Team.    Pastor Alicia advised she would look for a member of the San Marcos service to fill in for Gabby.

Pastor’s Reports

  • Pastor Karin –  Asked for feedback from Council Members.  

    • Skip brought up discussions he has been part of with congregation members to replace the U.S. Flag in the courtyard.
    • Pastor Karin informed Council that Parochial reports to ELCA and the Synod are out, and this activity has not been done in several years.
    • Our Visitation Pastor, Pastor Kate, now has 6 Members who are being actively visited.
    • Pastor Karin has met with the Legacy Committee.   On March 17th, a workshop will be conducted by Lisa Higgenbottom, and the Committee.
    • She had Esmerelda contact Lloyd’s Pest Control and set up dates for tenting.  This is scheduled for February 26-28.
    • Margaret Gaullard (Organist) has quit.  She will be here on March 3rd. Dan (Organist) has also quit and taken a position with another church.
    • She discussed recognizing Nancy and Billy Cox for their service on Council.
    • Pastor Karin reported that she has started meeting with the Transition Team and that Eric has decided not to serve on the Committee.   Council will need to appoint a replacement member.
  • Pastor Alicia
    • Discussed Bible studies for the Hispanic Service.
    • She also advised Council that there may be more children in Sunday school than Melissa can handle.  Volunteers are needed.
    • Annual Easter egg hunt is scheduled for Saturday, April 20th.

Other Reports/Items

  • Dave Barker reported on a plumbing issue in the Men’s restroom located by Jacobsen Hall.   After having it looked at, it turned out to be a bigger problem than originally thought. It is going to be a large expense, and an assessment will need to be made.
  • It was brought up that signatories need to be changed on our checking account at Union Bank.

Motion was made (Pastor Karin) and seconded (Raidel C.),  to appoint Skip Knudsen, Sherri Coughlin, and Diane Wages as signatories for the Checking Account at Union Bank, and unanimously approved.

  • Pastor Alicia reviewed the info she had on ordering chairs and tables for J. Hall.  Discussed ordering them from Costco. It was decided that Esmerelda will email Council Members with recommendations on where to order, upon review.
  • Discussion was held on plans for the 65th Anniversary celebration being held on Sunday, March 3rd.   Dora (Hispanic Service) is in charge of Decorations. Volunteers are still needed to clean and set up the Hall on Saturday, the 2nd.   Bob L. has a list of volunteers for various tasks.
  • “Council Member” badges were distributed to Members.
  • Pastor Karin asked Council if they were interested in holding a retreat.   She suggested the retreat be held at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Mission Valley for a half day on a Saturday.   Discussion was held and a date will be decided, possibly in May.
  • Pastor  Karin also reported that the Korean Ministry is asking for additional space for a Women’s Bible Study Group.   Discussion followed.
  • Further discussion was held on adding a member to the Transition Team.

Motion was made (Pastor Karin) and seconded (Raidel) to appoint Francisco Lizarraga to the Transition Team, and unanimously approved.

  • Pastor Karin advised Council that there is a workshop being held at Chapman University on March 16th from 9-3 and asked if anyone from Council was interested in attending.   Discussion followed.
  • Discussion was held on forming an updated Personnel Committee.    To be decided at next Council Meeting.

Pastor Alicia closed the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.

Meeting adjourned at 8:47 P.M.

Submitted by S. Coughlin, Secretary