Revised 2-22-2005

ALL SOULS COMMUNITY CHURCH OF WEST MICHIGAN

BOARD OF TRUSTEES SPECIAL MEETING WITH SITE COMMITTEE

February 2, 2005

Members present: Mike Arents, Gordon Arnold, John Belaski, Sue Belaski, Dennis Benoit, Roger Gilles, David Maxam, Jackie Vines, Ursula Williams, the Rev. Dr. Brent Smith. Guests: Chad Coffman, Pat Smith

Absent: Dan Schneider, Jen Schpiro, Herman Sullivan

    1. Pros and Cons of the 3020 Lake Michigan Drive Property

          Because our offer of $350,000 to the Prince of Peace Board was negotiated to a current offer of $375,000, verbally accepted, Board members discussed the following lists of pros and cons, cons first:

           

           

Pro Con
  • Available almost immediately.
  • Accessible by nearby expressway.
  • In Grand Rapids.
  • Great-looking, flexible and functional RE space (good for attraction and retention).
  • Good parking.
  • Good playground space.
  • 24/7 availability for church activities.
  • Two worship services would fit into our "program church" model.
  • Good visibility along the "academic corridor" on the way to GVSU (good for recruiting).
  • Tasteful sanctuary.
  • Expandable sanctuary (short-term via windows opening to Social Hall, long-term via new construction).
  • Fairly nice Social Hall.
  • Readily/inexpensively available furnishings, organ, choir robes, etc.
  • Nice minister’s office and receptionist’s office.
  • 10-acre site may have resale/redevelopment opportunities.
  • Current congregation wants property to remain a church and is willing to negotiate land contract or other terms.
  • UUA loan support a possibility.
  • Residential zoning.
  • Current relationship and rental terms with Aquinas Jarecki Center may be tenuous (need to check out).
  • Successful occupation of the property strengthens called minister proposal.
  • Current accepted offer of $375,000 is manageable.

 
  • Current ASCC budget cannot afford $650,000 price tag (mortgage plus maintenance estimated at $4,800/month, more than 10 times our current monthly expenditure).
  • Sanctuary holds only 130, offering no elbow room for growth. (Two Sunday worship services could be offered; however, this could strain our fledgling congregation’s growing community spirit).
  • Building exterior is unattractive, not spiritually uplifting or architecturally appealing.
  • Cheap slab construction, leaky roof, and vinyl siding may equal lots of possibly expensive maintenance and upkeep.
  • Sloping hole of a site.
  • Modest kitchen.
  • Enough bathrooms?
  • No sanitary sewer (septic tank)
  • Not easily expandable
  • Question about the neighborhood: could growth of congregation come from that area?
  • Property needs a lot of TLC.
  • Needs sign
  • Roof needs repair
  • Far West Side
  • Asbestos?
  • Moveable doors in large RE room barely functional
   
    1. Current Tentative Agreement

      Board members reviewed the current offer: $375k purchase price, $40k down, 6 percent land contract, 12 months interest only payments ($1,675 - adding utilities and maintenance expense would bring payments to $2,500/month), $2,000/month thereafter, conventional financing to be sought in 3 – 5 years.

      The Capital Campaign begun January 23 has brought in $101,000 as of today’s date; some of the total represents gifts, some investment. This sum will allow for the $40k down payment, plus a two-year guarantee of monthly payments and funds for immediate needs such as a sign.

    2. Inspections

      The following inspections must be scheduled: plumbing, HVAC, electrical, structural (including roof), environmental (within 7 days after Effective Date of Agreement). We will also need a Title Search. Dave Maxam will list inspections needed and get an "Inspector General" volunteer from the Site Committee. Linda Mohney was suggested as a possible candidate. Pat Smith, our in-house legal expert, suggested that we get the inspections done before signing the agreement. She also pointed out that "Effective Date of Agreement" can be any date we want.

    3. Next Steps

      All Souls will make a $1,000 deposit. The agreement witl be subject to Board of Trustees approval within 7 days of Buy/Sell execution. We need to come to agreement on equipment and property. Although we have asked for all contents unless specifically excluded by the seller in writing, they want us to list what we want. In any case, we will gather at Prince of Peace Sunday after church with digital cameras and do a room-by-room inventory. Prince of Peace has also asked for a copy of our 2005 budget showing building-related expenses; Mike will get that to them through our realtor, George Bera.

    4. Capital Campaign

      Mike is working on getting leadership for our capital campaign, and hopes to have a chair designated by the end of the week. Dennis and Chad will come up with the terms for investors. Although some have said "no interest required," others have made statements like, "10 years at a fair rate." Once our capital campaign is completed, we will be eligible for a UUA First Home Grant of up to 10 percent of the amount raised, up to $25,000.

    5. Action

          John Belaski moved that the Board of Trustees proceed with the purchase of 3020 Lake Michigan Drive; Dave Maxam seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VII. Closing Words – from the Rev. Dr. Brent Smith: "Behold I create a new heaven and a new earth."

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Jackie Vines, Board Secretary

All Souls Community Church of West Michigan