MILL-GREEN BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
MILL-GREEN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
BUILDING COMMITTEE
MEETING 26
MAY 12, 2010
The Mill-Green United Methodist Church Building Committee met on May 12, 2010 at 6:30pm at the new church site along Rt. 254.
Attending the meeting were: Saundra Lewis, Taryn Verstraeten, T.R. Hardic, Joe Steiner, Nick Kindt, Don Bangs, Dean Kelchner, Bill Berger, Derl Derr and Bob Watts
We met with Andy Keister from the Larson Design Group. Andy went over the benefits of having a site concept plan. He said that we could get a better feel for site cost, identify where on the property various features would be logically located, use the plan to get a ballpark cost estimate from contractors and use it to get feedback from the borough and county planning commission. Further the site concept plan will provide a visual that the congregation can relate to as we seek their involvement and financing.
We shared with Andy some of the features that we might want to have on the new church site. These included a multipurpose church worship center, parking, utility building, pavilion, bocce ball court, softball field, pond, community garden, walk/jog path, volleyball court, outdoor worship location and perhaps someday a parsonage.
Andy will return soon with a cost estimate of what the site concept plan might cost. If we approve of it, the Building Committee would have two or three meetings with Andy Keister to consider our needs and how they might fit on the property. The idea is to have a more structured, planned approach to the development of the campus over the years and to invest some funds up front on a concept plan to save money later with a plan that would help avoid mistakes.
The meeting moved to the Millville church building around 7pm and continued.
We discussed the site plan and it was pointed out that we might need to get Trustee and congregational approval to have the site concept plan process move forward and expend funds to pay for it.
It was decided that Bill Berger would become the new Chair of the Building Committee. Lance Diehl has served as the Chair since the inception of the Building Committee. Lance has agreed to continue on the Building Committee and to take an active role in the Finance Subcommittee of the Building Committee.
It was noted that the Fought home next to the new church campus entryway may be up for sheriff's sale for tax delinquency. We investigated this possibility last fall when the property was listed for sheriff's sale, but then a family member decided pay the outstanding debt and keep it. Derl Derr will seek to get clarification and updated information on the possibility that this property may be sold.
It was suggested that the new church site be referred to as our "Campus For Christ". We will check with Dick Leonard to see what approvals may be needed for this. Perhaps the congregation could vote this name for our church site at the June 27 worship service and meeting at the new church site. This may also be a time when we could get congregational approval for the Larson Design Group site concept proposal.
The renaming of the Mill-Green United Methodist Church was discussed briefly. Saundra Lewis made the point that as small United Methodist churches in the area close in the years ahead, that we don't want to have a name that seems to suggest that the folks from these other area church, outside Millville or Greenwood, would not be welcome at our church. It was mentioned that there may be some wording in the Merger Agreement regarding the renaming of the church and we will check with Dick Leonard on this matter.
Dean Kelchner on behalf of the Finance Subcommittee said that on June 27 at the worship service to be held on the new church campus there will be a presentation on the financing of the land purchase. The aim of this presentation will be to show the savings that can be accrued by paying off the land costs as soon as possible. The subcommittee has in mind a three year payoff goal for the approximately $200,000 debt.
Alternative ways of fundraising to pay off the land purchase debt were discussed. The point was made that while our congregation has not generally held many fundraisers that it was appropriate for a land purchase or building campaign while perhaps not necessary or appropriate for general operating fund needs. Some people will prefer to work on a fundraiser who may not be able to give many dollars directly to the Land/Building financial needs.
No capital campaign will be run for the land purchase costs. After we pay off the land and are prepared to move forward with a building, at that point a Capital Campaign will be needed. The experience of the Watsontown United Methodist Church in successfully using an outside agency to run the capital campaign was noted.
It was decided that the Finance Subcommittee needs to expand the number of people serving in this capacity. We should look beyond the present Building Committee for people who want to serve the church in this way.
Building Fund envelopes have been ordered for folks who want to give through this vehicle.
Bob Watts, Secretary
Mill-Green United Methodist Church Building Committee |
