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| 725 Pine St. Winnetka, Illinois 60093 847-441-3400 |
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Councilors present: John Bausch, Steve Dyer, Georgie Geraghty, Susan Gillette, Chris Hurley, Heidi Law, Will McLean, Peggy McNamara, Jodie Stewart and Sarah Woodburn. Councilors absent: Kimberly Brya, Betsy Holden and Steve Huels. Others present: Tom Temple and Bonnie Winn. Pastors and Staff present: Joseph Shank, Connie Stewart, Jenny Gleichauf and Floy Schrage.
Preliminary Matters: Steve Dyer, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Interim Associate Pastor Connie Stewart offered the opening prayer after which the cares and concerns of the congregation were shared. A motion to approve the November 14, 2006 Council minutes was made by John Bausch, seconded by Jodie Stewart. Motion to approve was unanimous. Will McLean, Treasurer, called attention to the Variance Report ending November 30, 2006 that shows a current YTD negative position of $22,147.57. To date pledges for the year are running behind. However, the good news is that many people wait until the end of the year to pay off their pledges so it is a little early to know exactly how this year will end financially. Councilors were reminded that any outstanding expenses incurred by their respective groups need to be submitted before the end of the calendar year for payment. BusinessThe Treasurer then gave an update on the 2007 Canvass. During the last two weeks a push was made bringing in $100,000.00 in pledges. But, we are still shy of last year’s pledges by 135. 78 pledges from last year have yet to come in, including 18 leadership pledges. Canvass will shut down for Christmas, to resume and wrap up in January. The Capital Campaign will start up again in March. Will reported that the Budget Committee has met twice. Members have been asked to come back with a flat budget and also one that reflects a 10% decrease. The one largest budget item is personnel. More work will be required and the committee will have to make some hard calls as they consider what options are available to produce a balanced budget. One discussion point in flux at this point is the amount dedicated to mission outreach. Historically this amount has usually been 10% of the budget. The next meeting of the committee will take place in January. The proposal of the Sanctuary Renewal Design/Construction Committee regarding the replacement of the floor in the sanctuary in conjunction with the current Sanctuary Renewal project, was presented, followed by discussion. Tom Temple (Financial Management) and Bonnie Winn (Building and Grounds Chair) were present to answer questions regarding the project. The recommendation of the Design/Construction Committee calls for replacement of the current floor (installed in l936) with Slate –both very durable and aesthetically pleasing. A less expensive option considered by the committee was a VCT tile floor. A discussion regarding whether to approve the installation of a slate floor at a cost of $200,000.00 or a VCT floor at the cost of $150,000.00 followed. At issue was the cost of replacing the floor and how that cost would be covered. In researching the issue of funding the cost, it came to the attention of the committee that we have a designated, yet unrestricted fund as part of the CIR called the Heritage Trust. This trust is a designated fund for the purposes of repair or refurbishment to the building and grounds. Currently there is $164,458.00 in this fund. Since there are no restrictions as to leaving monies in the fund for future use, it would be possible to use this fund to cover the majority of the cost of the floor replacement. (Over the years this fund has remained green, replenished by gifts from members of the congregation. It has also been used in the past to fund other projects.) It was moved by Jodie Stewart, seconded by Will McLean, that Council accept the recommendation of the Design/Construction Committee to replace the current sanctuary floor with slate in May 2007. Further discussion concerning the issue of funding followed. Jodie called the question and a vote followed. There were 7votes in favor of the motion and 3 votes in opposition to the motion. Three Council members were absent. After a further explanation of the Heritage Fund by Bonnie Winn, it was moved by Jodie Stewart, seconded by Georgie Geraghty, that the issue of funding the cost of the floor replacement be sent back to the Financial Management Committee for consideration. Motion was approved unanimously. The Chair reminded Councilors that the choice of each Group’s representative to the 2007 Nominating Committee needs to be made by January 9, 2007 since this Committee needs to be finalized before the February Council meeting. Also, suggestions for the four “at large” members of the Nominating Committee should be available for consideration at the January Council Meeting. Susan Gillette, Vice Chair, reported that the Executive Committee has scheduled an off-site planning session in January with an outside consultant. Steve Dyer asked if Council would like to hold a similar session in February. If so, please let him know by e-mail as to willingness and time. Closing Items The Chair reported that an up-date on the Pastoral Search Committee will be presented at the January 2007 Council meeting. He also asked that Council members read the Pastors’ reports. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. after a closing prayer by Pastor Shank. Respectfully submitted, Peggy McNamara, Clerk
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