Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Tim Bushnell at 7:03 p.m.
Attendees
Tim Bushnell Father Thomas Moylan, LC
Laurie Bushnell Shawn Gilbert
Ray Boris Charlotte Boris
Gloria Lopez Donna Macia
Ron Dailey Jim Fullerton
Lee Canzano Vince Canzano
Heidi Giroux Wayne Blazek
Vincent Bejarano Jill Blazek
Invocation
Father Thomas Moylan opened the meeting with a prayer.
Agenda Review
Tim Bushnell went through the agenda.
2-11-09 Minutes
Tim asked for a motion to approve the February 11, 2009 minutes, and the minutes were approved.
Old Business
All complete.
Finance
Wayne Blazek reported on the Finance Committee’s vision for a new church and debt reduction.
New Church
The Finance Committee has had discussions of a new church. They had hoped a committee could be formed in FY 2009-2010 to begin exploring the Diocese requirements for a church and start looking for architects, engineers, and space requirements. The current projections of a new church would be somewhere in the range of $5 million. A dollar amount has not been set yet for possible engineering expenses.
Debt Reduction
There is $280,000 remaining to be paid on the San Juan Diego Center and $200,000 remaining on the Rectory. These facilities have balloon payments, and at maturity (7 years from now), a $134,000 lump sum payment will be due. Every year the committee has to budget additional funds to pay off the balloon loans. The committee would like to raise awareness as to how much debt the parish has, and will have a debt tree sign made indicating the total debt to hopefully inspire parishioners to continue to pay it off. They have also suggested selling more bricks.
Other items in the Finance Committee Plan
Lighting, striping, widening the driveway, and replacement chairs for the church. Lighting is a high priority at a cost of $30 to $35K. Lights were quoted a couple of times, but were tabled and will have to be requoted. The committee is hoping to move forward on the lighting in FY Q4. About 100 chairs are needed to replace the black chairs on the sides in Church. Chair samples are being explored, but there is no commitment to purchase yet. Price range on the chairs is about $100 to $140 each. The Finance Committee will get Parish Council input. The committee would like to make a plea to parishioners to help pay for chairs and perhaps could get recognition on the pew plaque.
Good news: plate collection projections are on track despite a downturn in the economy. Parishioners are remaining committed to supporting the church
Bad news: spending is outpacing income. The Preschool is paying for its own, but is not exceeding.
New Business
New/Renovated Church
Tim reported that a top Parish Council topic was the need for a new church.
New Church
Tim contacted three parishes to get their input on a new church building process. Certain milestones have to be met: 30% in cash, 30% in guaranteed pledges, and the Diocese will loan the rest. It likely takes about five years to build the financial threshold set by the Diocese to begin building. In terms of cost, the Immaculate Conception parish “shell” was $6 million. The Cottonwood parish was $6 million, and by the time it is done, it will be $6.5 million. The church in Surprise cost $9 million. First step is a feasibility study that costs between $10 to $25K dollars to get an estimate as to what the parish can afford, then give the go ahead to say what fund raising activities need to take place. Separate committees are formed to raise money and a committee to structure the church. Tim also talked to MidFirst Bank who owns the property to the east. They have plans to build a bank, but are open to selling 2.5 acres of their land.
Renovations
Ron Dailey mentioned another alternative is to expand the church that we have now to the north and the west sides. The main entrance to the church would enter from the garden. A renovation would at least double the seating capacity. An estimate would be about $1 to $1.5 million at 3 to 4 months construction time. The roof on our church also has some serious problems, and if it is not repaired very soon, there is a possibility of major damage during the monsoon season.
Some other suggestions:
Display nice architectural drawings for parishioners to see.
Rent a tent and chairs during construction phase.
Use another temporary location (gymnasium) until building phase is complete.
Come up with a long-term plan for the parish; the true capital plan for the church.
Option if the parish stays here: construct a church with a balcony and a two story parking structure.
Tim asks for a general direction to go in, and the thought process would be to get more detail on a renovated church. The Diocese makes the final call as to what future expansion should be. Discussion closed for now; to be continued.
Holy Week/Easter Schedule
Two masses on Holy Thursday: English at 5:30 p.m. and Spanish at 7:30 p.m.
Two services on Good Friday: English at 2:30 p.m. and Spanish at 4:30 p.m.; bilingual living stations of the cross at 6:30 p.m.
Easter Vigil at sunset; exact time to be determined; no regular Saturday 5:00 p.m. Mass
Easter Day: 6:00 a.m. English Sunrise in the front garden; 7:00 a.m. Spanish; 8:30 a.m. English; 10:00 a.m. Spanish; 11;30 a.m. English; 1:00 p.m. Spanish; no 5:00 p.m. English Mass.
Approximately 15 Youth Missionary families coming for Holy Week.
Next Parish Council Meeting
Tim would like the Parish Council put together a vision/mission statement; would like to put on the next agenda. There will be no April Parish Council meeting because it falls during Holy Week.
Other Business
Additional Driveway & Driveway to the Loop Road
Ray Boris can start the process to put in a driveway on 205th Place; Council gave approval to proceed. The parish would have to pay for the costs, which would be approximately $10K. Legally, the Town couldn’t stop a driveway from being put in, but the neighboring homeowner’s association could give resistance. Ray could also get a temporary permit to access the Ellsworth Loop road, and again, the parish would pay for materials. Council also gave approval to proceed, pending the cost for materials. Ray also reported that the conduit out in front on Ocotillo Road is for electrical posts; a sidewalk and a light pole is to be put in by the Town of Queen Creek. The Town also said they will finish the landscaping, and it should be complete in two months.
Additional Office Space
Discussion about additional office space; one recommendation was to get a professional opinion about reconfiguring space. Ron said an office architect is putting together a tentative plan of all offices, conference room, and multiple use rooms. Ron will bring the drawings to the next meeting.
