April 28th AGM Recap
Hello Neighbors!
Once a year we call on the membership to take part in Community Council democratic processes such as Board elections, fiscal reporting, and this year, amendments to the Bylaws for the first time in nineteen years! We also reminded everyone that the Council is not very representative of the neighborhood. There are thousands of residents in Fremont and only dozens of Council members. With more members we could give Fremont a representative voice. More neighbors, more members, join today!
View the meeting Livestream on Facebook
Staff for CM Dan Strauss led Comp Plan Discussions
CM Strauss had a death in the family and was unable to attend, but his office was well represented by Anthony Rodriguez (Policy Advisor), Chief of Staff Jesse Franz, and Emma Barnes, Interim District Director (Joel Raphael is on leave). The exercise was mapping zoning areas in the proposed Upper Fremont Neighborhood Center. Maximum density is already set; people made suggestions on where they would like to move the zones around for higher zoning in some areas and less in others.
Bylaws Amendments
Sophie led the process of amending the bylaws. There were seven proposed amendments, presented one by one, with much discussion along the way in a very participatory process! No. 7 in particular, requiring 2/3 board approval for Board endorsements rather than a simple quorum, generated a lot of discussion. There was talk of having a membership vote rather than just a board vote for endorsements (these are other than political endorsements, which are not allowed by a 501(c)3 entity). It was pointed out that membership numbers are very low and not representative of Fremont as a whole, giving any endorsement very little weight; and that nearly half of the members are on the Board. The change makes endorsements more difficult than the current rule allows.
After discussion, each proposed change was put up for a vote. It was suggested to vote “no” if you want changes, and propose the changes later if the vote passes. Votes were presented as “Motion approved as presented, second, discussion? Yea or nay voice vote, members hold up their green post-it for yea counts. Each of the seven amendments passed, with a minority of dissenting votes on 1 and 7 and the rest with consensus. The amendments are reposted below.
"Each membership shall have one vote." CHANGE TO → "Each membership shall have one vote (household memberships entitle each adult in the household to one vote)."
"The Board may create other offices and may select officers from its membership to fill the same. [and/or modify duties of general officers?]" CHANGE TO → "The Board may create other offices, select officers from its membership to fill the same, and modify duties of general officers as needed, provided they do not conflict with other bylaw responsibilities."
"EXPENDITURES OF $1000 OR MORE: Expenditures of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) or more may not be approved at the same board meeting as initiated" CHANGE TO → "EXPENDITURES OF $3,000 OR MORE: Expenditures of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) or more may not be approved at the same board meeting as initiated"
“The Board may vote between regular meetings by electronic means (e.g. email or video-conference) to approve urgent issues requiring action before the next regularly scheduled FNC meeting or to react to action items from a preceding meeting such as the approval of a letter or endorsement.” CHANGE TO → “The Board may vote between regular meetings by electronic means to approve urgent issues requiring action before the next regularly scheduled FNC meeting or to react to action items from a preceding meeting such as the approval of a letter or endorsement. Electronic votes shall require a majority of the full Board of Directors unless otherwise specified in these bylaws and all Board members must be given notice and an opportunity to respond.”
"These bylaws may be amended by a majority of voting members at the annual membership meeting upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors. Public notice of any proposed bylaws revision shall be included with the notice of the annual meeting." CHANGE TO → "These bylaws may be amended by a majority of voting members at the annual membership meeting upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors. Public notice of any proposed bylaws revision shall be included with the notice of the annual meeting. These bylaws may also be amended at any regular monthly meeting, provided that at least thirty (30) days’ public notice of the proposed amendment has been given to members. Amendments under this provision shall require a 2/3 vote of the voting members present."
Add a new section under ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS:"SECTION 8: BOARD MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES Members of the Board of Directors are expected to actively participate in the work of the Council. Each Board member shall take on at least one role, duty, or area of responsibility in support of the Council’s activities, which may include serving as an officer, chairing or serving on a committee, coordinating a project, or representing the Council in community matters. Specific duties may be assigned by the President or the Board of Directors."
Add a new section under ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS:"SECTION 9: PUBLIC POSITIONS AND ENDORSEMENTS The Fremont Neighborhood Council may take positions, make endorsements, or issue public statements regarding matters affecting the Fremont community only when authorized by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. All Board members must be given notice of the vote and an opportunity to participate, including by electronic means if they are unable to attend in person. The Council shall not participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office, consistent with its status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.”
Board Election
Board members who retired in the past year were thanked for their service, including Cindy Krafft, Tawny Bates, and Alyson Teeter who was present in her final meeting as a board member. Board member nominees must 1. Consent to serve; and 2. Have attended at least two Board business meetings during the past year. Board members re-elected were Colleen Kaminski, Timothy Kitchen, Simone Childs, Lydia Heard, Evgeny Burlyaev, Audrey Livermore, Brandon Shimko, Kelin Christi, Steve Rubstello, Caroline Sayre, and Sophia Wagner.
Announcements
Evgeny, Membership report: We are a little ahead of this point last year on dues, but a little behind on number of members.
Simone, Financial Recap: Report on community project payments (Trolls Knoll, 46th St. Mural, Rocket lighting), operating expenses, total expenditures, and Money Market account balance.
Matt on Fremont Fridays: Free community music and arts festival. A few more venues, two all ages stages this year, people can bring their kids. Bouncy house, face painting, youth installations. Community block bracelet gets discounts at different businesses, which will activate the whole block every day of the week. Anyone wants to get involved, any business in the area, ask. We lower the music at 10pm to keep neighbors happy. FremontFriday.com, we are a non-profit status this year. June 26 to Sept 11, every Friday, 5pm to 2am.
Board Business
May meeting is set, agenda and slides, SDOT Stone Way improvements and the Ballroom site developer presenting. Kelin will chair.
Board coffee chat is May 13th.
June meeting: Community Center theme. Aly will email Nathan at the Abbey. Is Adobe’s meeting space a community space? Aly will ask Brandi. Update from Ed at the PNA: they won’t know until the last minute. What about someone from Parks about a Community Center? Evgeny will try to find a contact in Parks. No one is confirmed for June yet; it is after Solstice, FIFA is happening, will be chaotic. We can pivot to something fun if needed.
Brandon reported on requirements and costs for an outdoor Movie Night and they are extensive. Many ideas and grant opportunities were discussed, as well as the best time.
Leo reported on the de-accessioning of some public art from Trolls Knoll, the concrete mushrooms which were repeatedly damaged by vandals. They will be available for public purchase. New metal mushroom sculptures will replace them.
March minutes approved.
