Minutes of All Co-op Meeting
Tilsner Artist Cooperative
7:00 PM on 11/20/13
38 people were present at the meeting, representing 32 households, 2 by valid proxy. As there are 4 vacancies presently, (66-4=62) divided by 2 = 31 + (1) = 32 to have a Quorum. As we have 32 households represented, we have Quorum demonstrating a 52% participation rate.
Units Not Represented at the Meeting: 30 (4 being vacant)
The meeting was called to order by the President, Deneen Gannon at 7:02. The sign in sheet was passed around.
Ruthie Lund Answers Questions about recent Facebook Postings
The floor was opened for any member to ask Ruthie about any of the issues discussed in the Facebook postings of the past week(s). No one took this opportunity. Ruthie was asked to talk about her position as Chair of the Management Committee. She shared the long list of responsibilities which consist of the following: Recommend the hire and fire of the management agent, to recommend the hire and fire of the on site manager, to work with the management agent and site manager to implement co-op policies, to create policy regarding payment of monthly housing charges, Distribution of Keys, Keeping of Pets, Storage, Participation in the Cooperative, Cleanliness of the Cooperative, Use of Common Items, Noise, Special Events, Storage of Hazardous materials, and other issues related to the management of the Cooperative. Recommend the hire and fire of the Caretaker. On average these duties require a minimum of 10 hours a week of Ruthies time. Daily she walks and inspects the building a couple of times a day, reviewing the common areas wood room, garbage room, atrium’s, looking for anything broken, dumped or not functioning as intended, gets reported to the management. She also works as a liaison between the Board and the management agent.
The issue of Transfers was brought up and clarification sought regarding how to go about making a transfer internally here at the Tilsner? There is an application that an interested party must fill out. The charge/fee for a transfer is $50., which is not charged until and unless a Transfer is actually made. The check is kept on file. An individual is not able to transfer until they have lived here for 1 year. The application is dated and stamped so that in the case of multiple individuals having an interest in a unit, then everyone having an interest in the available unit is notified by our management agent in two ways, by a letter, and phone call or email, stating that the unit is available and asking the individual(s) if they are still interested in consideration for transfer. The management agent waits 10 days to hear back from those individuals. If no one responds, then the open unit is advertized to the remainder of the community for a period of 7 days. If we still do not respond, then the unit is advertised and marketed to the public. When multiple people are interested in a unit, there is a point system that is utilized to assist in determining who gets the unit.
There was a question asking if there was a policy regarding new refrigerators and floors refinished in turned units. Ruthie answered that there was not a policy currently but that once we are finished with negotiations around the master lease, that the Management Committee would focus on pushing for having units upgraded as they are turned.
Questions regarding the Elevator Lease Addendum were also taken at this time. The Elevator Lease Addendum (ELA) is an informational document that states at some point in the near future the elevator is going to need to be replaced and when it is replaced it is expected to be out for three to six months. When first written, the ELA, had language in the last paragraph of the document which many found offensive. Based on this, we asked TCHDC to revisit the last paragraph and amend it. They did, by removing it entirely. At annual recertification, each tenant will be asked to sign this document as part of their lease.
Another issue involving the ELA deals with a dispute around the term “reasonable accommodation” and what would TCHDC be willing to make to residents when the elevator goes out. Currently, the lawyers from TCHDC and a lawyer representing two residents living in the building are in discussions about this definition. Once those discussions have concluded, the Elevator Lease Addendum may be updated again.
John Peters Discusses his pet snake with Residents
The owners of the building have expressed some concern over the presence of Frank, John’s snake, living in the building, so John is here to introduce you to his snake. Frank is a 3 foot long Ball Python who lives in a locked terrarium. He currently resides at Oakview Montessori School, courtesy of Glen Jones who teaches there, as an educational pet. Frank is not venomous, he is a constrictor, and eats small to medium freshly killed rodents. He could be dangerous to animals the size of gerbils, hamsters or kittens. The snake is 15 years old and he has been here for many years. What does the city of St. Paul require? Answer: Permit signed by management, owner or association president.
We passed out a Snake Opinion Poll:
Are you comfortable with a pet snake in the building?
Yes 25 No 4
Board Elections
Two individuals are interested in joining the Board, Amy Bell and Matt Whitcomb. There are 2 Member at Large positions open. The Secretary’s position is open and the Treasurer’s position is open. Motion made by Kirk Sklar: to re-elect Amelia Gluba to a 2 year term as Treasurer, re-elect Jennifer Dorris to a 2 year term as Secretary, Elect Lorene McIntosh, Interim Member at Large officially to a 1 year term as Member at Large, Elect Amy Bell to a 1 year term as Member at Large, Elect Matt Whitcomb to a 1 year term as Member at Large, and Elect Kirk Sklar as an assistant to the Treasurer or Secretary in an advisory role to the Board. The motion was seconded by Ruthie Lund and hands raised and counted, no abstentions, and passed unanimously. 30 Yes, 2 Proxies.
New Board Membership
Deneen Gannon, President
Ruthie Lund, Vice President
Jennifer Dorris, Secretary
Amelia Gluba, Treasurer
Lorene McIntosh, Member at Large
Amy Bell, Member at Large
Matt Whitcomb, Member at Large
Kirk Sklar, Assistant to the Treasurer or Secretary
Tilsner Facebook Page
The consensus of the group at the Board meeting was to keep the Facebook page as a forum just for residents of the Tilsner. We would set up a “likes” page for our extended community / Tilsner alumni who could stay in communication with us via this format. The owners are concerned with our publicity and are in support of this move. Moving forward we hope to have the “likes” page as a public promotional page where individuals can post their artistic endeavors links etc.
The private page, for handling private, internal affairs only. Over the next few weeks these pages will be developed and implemented.
Discussion followed around how to best utilize this tool and future development of a Public Affairs Committee. Motion made by Joel Thingvall : Take Facebook page and make it Closed, Establish a Secondary “Likes” Page, Administrators initially will be Board members. Seconded by Mike Savage. Hands raised and counted, 23 yes, No abstentions, 1 nay.
Review of Current Tilsner Committees
Outreach: Chair: Kirsten Levinsen (508)
Construction: Chair(s) David Koepplin(104) & Jason Christianson (102)
Selections: Chair: Jennifer Dorris (302)
Management: Chair: Ruthie Lund (102)
Gardening: Open
A motion was made by Amy Bell to nominate Laurel Cazin to the Management Chair position. No second was made. Laurel accepted the nomination and a vote was called. Hands raised, 17 yes, no abstentions, no nays.
A motion was made by Kirk Sklar to nominate Mike Savage to the Conciliations Chair position that was vacant and seconded by Ruthie Lund. Hands raised, 15 yes, no abstentions, no nays.
Construction Committee asks the Co-op not to dump furniture or combustibles in the Free Pile.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Submitted by Jennifer Dorris, Secretary 11/23/13
Tilsner Artist Cooperative
7:00 PM on 11/20/13
38 people were present at the meeting, representing 32 households, 2 by valid proxy. As there are 4 vacancies presently, (66-4=62) divided by 2 = 31 + (1) = 32 to have a Quorum. As we have 32 households represented, we have Quorum demonstrating a 52% participation rate.
Units Not Represented at the Meeting: 30 (4 being vacant)
The meeting was called to order by the President, Deneen Gannon at 7:02. The sign in sheet was passed around.
Ruthie Lund Answers Questions about recent Facebook Postings
The floor was opened for any member to ask Ruthie about any of the issues discussed in the Facebook postings of the past week(s). No one took this opportunity. Ruthie was asked to talk about her position as Chair of the Management Committee. She shared the long list of responsibilities which consist of the following: Recommend the hire and fire of the management agent, to recommend the hire and fire of the on site manager, to work with the management agent and site manager to implement co-op policies, to create policy regarding payment of monthly housing charges, Distribution of Keys, Keeping of Pets, Storage, Participation in the Cooperative, Cleanliness of the Cooperative, Use of Common Items, Noise, Special Events, Storage of Hazardous materials, and other issues related to the management of the Cooperative. Recommend the hire and fire of the Caretaker. On average these duties require a minimum of 10 hours a week of Ruthies time. Daily she walks and inspects the building a couple of times a day, reviewing the common areas wood room, garbage room, atrium’s, looking for anything broken, dumped or not functioning as intended, gets reported to the management. She also works as a liaison between the Board and the management agent.
The issue of Transfers was brought up and clarification sought regarding how to go about making a transfer internally here at the Tilsner? There is an application that an interested party must fill out. The charge/fee for a transfer is $50., which is not charged until and unless a Transfer is actually made. The check is kept on file. An individual is not able to transfer until they have lived here for 1 year. The application is dated and stamped so that in the case of multiple individuals having an interest in a unit, then everyone having an interest in the available unit is notified by our management agent in two ways, by a letter, and phone call or email, stating that the unit is available and asking the individual(s) if they are still interested in consideration for transfer. The management agent waits 10 days to hear back from those individuals. If no one responds, then the open unit is advertized to the remainder of the community for a period of 7 days. If we still do not respond, then the unit is advertised and marketed to the public. When multiple people are interested in a unit, there is a point system that is utilized to assist in determining who gets the unit.
There was a question asking if there was a policy regarding new refrigerators and floors refinished in turned units. Ruthie answered that there was not a policy currently but that once we are finished with negotiations around the master lease, that the Management Committee would focus on pushing for having units upgraded as they are turned.
Questions regarding the Elevator Lease Addendum were also taken at this time. The Elevator Lease Addendum (ELA) is an informational document that states at some point in the near future the elevator is going to need to be replaced and when it is replaced it is expected to be out for three to six months. When first written, the ELA, had language in the last paragraph of the document which many found offensive. Based on this, we asked TCHDC to revisit the last paragraph and amend it. They did, by removing it entirely. At annual recertification, each tenant will be asked to sign this document as part of their lease.
Another issue involving the ELA deals with a dispute around the term “reasonable accommodation” and what would TCHDC be willing to make to residents when the elevator goes out. Currently, the lawyers from TCHDC and a lawyer representing two residents living in the building are in discussions about this definition. Once those discussions have concluded, the Elevator Lease Addendum may be updated again.
John Peters Discusses his pet snake with Residents
The owners of the building have expressed some concern over the presence of Frank, John’s snake, living in the building, so John is here to introduce you to his snake. Frank is a 3 foot long Ball Python who lives in a locked terrarium. He currently resides at Oakview Montessori School, courtesy of Glen Jones who teaches there, as an educational pet. Frank is not venomous, he is a constrictor, and eats small to medium freshly killed rodents. He could be dangerous to animals the size of gerbils, hamsters or kittens. The snake is 15 years old and he has been here for many years. What does the city of St. Paul require? Answer: Permit signed by management, owner or association president.
We passed out a Snake Opinion Poll:
Are you comfortable with a pet snake in the building?
Yes 25 No 4
Board Elections
Two individuals are interested in joining the Board, Amy Bell and Matt Whitcomb. There are 2 Member at Large positions open. The Secretary’s position is open and the Treasurer’s position is open. Motion made by Kirk Sklar: to re-elect Amelia Gluba to a 2 year term as Treasurer, re-elect Jennifer Dorris to a 2 year term as Secretary, Elect Lorene McIntosh, Interim Member at Large officially to a 1 year term as Member at Large, Elect Amy Bell to a 1 year term as Member at Large, Elect Matt Whitcomb to a 1 year term as Member at Large, and Elect Kirk Sklar as an assistant to the Treasurer or Secretary in an advisory role to the Board. The motion was seconded by Ruthie Lund and hands raised and counted, no abstentions, and passed unanimously. 30 Yes, 2 Proxies.
New Board Membership
Deneen Gannon, President
Ruthie Lund, Vice President
Jennifer Dorris, Secretary
Amelia Gluba, Treasurer
Lorene McIntosh, Member at Large
Amy Bell, Member at Large
Matt Whitcomb, Member at Large
Kirk Sklar, Assistant to the Treasurer or Secretary
Tilsner Facebook Page
The consensus of the group at the Board meeting was to keep the Facebook page as a forum just for residents of the Tilsner. We would set up a “likes” page for our extended community / Tilsner alumni who could stay in communication with us via this format. The owners are concerned with our publicity and are in support of this move. Moving forward we hope to have the “likes” page as a public promotional page where individuals can post their artistic endeavors links etc.
The private page, for handling private, internal affairs only. Over the next few weeks these pages will be developed and implemented.
Discussion followed around how to best utilize this tool and future development of a Public Affairs Committee. Motion made by Joel Thingvall : Take Facebook page and make it Closed, Establish a Secondary “Likes” Page, Administrators initially will be Board members. Seconded by Mike Savage. Hands raised and counted, 23 yes, No abstentions, 1 nay.
Review of Current Tilsner Committees
Outreach: Chair: Kirsten Levinsen (508)
Construction: Chair(s) David Koepplin(104) & Jason Christianson (102)
Selections: Chair: Jennifer Dorris (302)
Management: Chair: Ruthie Lund (102)
Gardening: Open
A motion was made by Amy Bell to nominate Laurel Cazin to the Management Chair position. No second was made. Laurel accepted the nomination and a vote was called. Hands raised, 17 yes, no abstentions, no nays.
A motion was made by Kirk Sklar to nominate Mike Savage to the Conciliations Chair position that was vacant and seconded by Ruthie Lund. Hands raised, 15 yes, no abstentions, no nays.
Construction Committee asks the Co-op not to dump furniture or combustibles in the Free Pile.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Submitted by Jennifer Dorris, Secretary 11/23/13