June 10, 2024

Geyserville Community Foundation

Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, June 10, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

Geyserville Oriental Hall

Call to Order 5:35 PM, John, Martin, Kyle, David, Stacey, Paul, Julia, Anna, Lisa

Guests: Paul Bernier, Gretchen Crebs, Walter Keiser, Kathy Zunino

Approval of Agenda Anna 1st, 2nd by Stacey

Approval Minutes Kyle 1st, Anna 2nd

Reports

Treasurer – Paul, total account amount $40,825.15. Sculpture “Blind Faith” sold GCF receives a 10% donation. Year-end appeal of 2023 $13, 705 and $1272 from 2022 = $15,160 to be distributed. Geyserville Pastoral Fund, La Familia Sana, The Geyserville Boys & Girls Club, & The Redwood Empire Food Bank $3240.00 Each

Paul got sworn into GAV/MAC, representing GCF.

Bryce Jones has asked GAV/MAC for 23 items. He is looking for signage, lighting and parking funds

Mural Restoration; Charlie Penn is the owner of the building, Art Terano is willing to put $2000 towards restoration, an anonymous donor is willing to contribute $25,000.

Corner Lot; Art Terano had his lawyer look at the agreement GCF lawyer revised. John and Dave felt the agreement at this time looks good. Danielle at Santa Rosa Plaza has not returned phone calls regarding “The Hand” art donation.

John gave a presentation to the Vineyard Club. He talked about the demographics and poverty level in the Geyserville community. He is meeting with them tomorrow and is going to ask for their mailing list, where they actually get their mail sent. Many houses in the Vineyard Club are second homes

New Business: Presentation on behalf of Odd Fellows, by Walter Kieser, he is officially the consultant of the “Hall Association”. He has done this type of real estate transactions for years. The order on how things need to happen are as follows.

!) First work on clearing the tittle first and fore most.

2) Get Design & Engineering phase to close. A set of drawings have been submitted to Oliver & Company. We know this building will cost more than it will generate in income.

3) When we look at what it will produce in income and what we need. We look at how we can close the funding gap.

Non-profit ownership means we can apply for federal/state grants

No property taxes for a non-profit

If the building is registered as a historical building, investors receive a tax break for investing in the project.

Charitable donations- a non -profit can bring in funds

The Odd Fellows project needs a non-profit to work with the restoration, they are just trying to see what non-profit would best suit everyone. If the GCF takes on this project we would have to change our bylaws to add on the preservation of historical buildings. This building could be instrumental to keeping “Odd Fellows” in Geyserville. We are only dealing with a Building permit not a Use permit. Odd Fellows has been working on this restoration for the past 12 years. At this moment they are waiting for the Grand Lodge to free the tittle of the building.

How are we paying for all this?

We need commitments from all partiers. Will GCF be the non-profit?

Tenant needs to commit to a long- term lease, and management of the building.

We are moving forward but we need to get things in order to keep it going. Oliver & Company has experience in this construction and may be willing to help with financial support. In his business Oliver & company has a certain percentage just for non-profits. If nothing is done, the building could be sold, and we won’t have any say in how it is used. We do not know the form of the partnership at this point. When the property owner is ready and the owner transfers title to the non-profit, a long- term lease would be set up for the tenant. Contract for insurance, indemnification, and risk management GCF needs to take title with all the protections and terms and deed restrictions. If they are the non-profit taking on this project. Costs to the non-profit can be funded by the project. We don’t know if the non-profit will hold title or will transfer title to a possible LLC.

The Historical Society is very committed to preserving Geyserville. They are supportive of The Odd Fellows, but at this time they are currently in the process of finishing their 501C 3.

David : For the foundation what are the mission and values? What is the risk prospective for the GCF? Legal liability, uncertainties of the work plan, construction contracts, legal costs, audits, financial planning, look at possibilities to mitigate risks. Is this a community asset? What role would the community have? What else could this building be used for, for the good of Geyserville?

Paul Bernier is meeting with the Grand Lodge in July, they are coming in November and hopefully contingency on the title can be signed off and cleared.

Other 501C3 will be looked at to see if they are more capable and/or prepare for this project.

Private Vs. Public: if the building is owned by the county, can we ask property owners to pay more with a tax/bond measure?

Motion to Adjourn: 7:36 PM, Stacey 1st, Anna 2nd, All in favor

Next Meeting August 5, 2024, 6:00 PM