ACM minutes Sunday February 26, 2023

Topics: confict support, conservation easement, north garden/farmette

Proposal: Designate the Wacoho Farmette, a.k.a. the North Garden, as a Committee and Prolong Use of Farmette without Need for Renewal

Present: Lynda (co-fac), Jorge, Robyn, Vicky, Mike (fac), Kerry, Linda, Laura, Scott, Kay (notes), Gerome, Isabelle, Ben, Mary, Alex, Amy, Marina, Vinnie

3:00-5:00 p.m., common house sitting room and on-line

Sang happy birthday for the ten birthdays this month: Hollis, Amalie, Kerry, Vinnie, Ben, Renee, Kay, Eliza, Scott, and Kellie.

Conflict Support

Laura described an exercise, Nonviolent Communication Dance Floor, and cards listing needs and feelings.

Conservation Easement

Hans came to the potluck and talked about his plans for the conservation easement.  It's moving forward.  He no longer plans to include Wasatch Commons's garden areas.  Phase I is the land that Shad has been farming, south of us, from Utah St to Cheyenne St.  It will be turned over to Wasatch Community Gardens.  Scott is representing Hans as his agent.

Proposal to Make the North Field Garden a Committee

Presented by Alex.  Other members include Alex, Robin, Vicky, Laura, Amy, Cheryl, Coleen, Beth, Kellie, Renae, Lauren.

The policy as of 2020 is that the north garden renews its request to use the space every two years.

Requesting to be a committee and entitled to a budget and to have use of the space indefinitely.  To be known as The Farmette.

Clarifying questions.

Q. Does the anticipated funding provided by the community include providing water, and how does it affect the east garden? A. "It has nothing to do with the east garden."

Q. What is the drawback of a yearly request?  A. No other area is subject to a requirement to request continuation of the same use. The north garden group would feel more secure in their work to improve the soil without having to make a yearly request.  The time spent writing a proposal could be spent on garden work.

Q. This is basically a continuation of what has been happening, not anything new?  A. The north garden would officially be a committee not a club, and not have to ask permission every year or every other year.  No changes otherwise.

We changed the use of this land by consensus when it became a garden, and we can change the use again by consensus.

5 min break

As a new resident, found it of great value in community building and relationships.  Very meaningful to have access to the produce being shared.

The north garden gives opportunities to people who don't have the strength or time or finances to have a garden bed of their own, and they don't have to have sole responsibility.  It's also valuable to have the east garden opportunity to make all the decisions for oneself and not need to socialize.

Concerned that one being a committee would be justification for treating the gardens differently. A few people are saying the east garden but not the north garden should pay for water.  Charging anyone for water use in a common area (garden, laundry, etc.) would require a proposal. Should a hobby be a line item on the HOA fees? The north field garden got off to a rocky start with somebody spending community money and not being accountable for it.  The history causes apprehension.

To be discussed at next ACM.

Committee Reports

First Saturday in May, May 6, will be Annual Cohousing Day and open house for Coleen and Beth's place.  Start cleaning up around the community, porches, etc.

Maintenance. Meeting 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 6:00 in common house.  If you know of something that needs maintenance, let us know and/or come to the meeting.

Civility. Using comments from ACM round robin on civility.

Landscape.  When the snow melts will do a walk-through. Clean up, find a new home for things or take them to the dump.  Revisit old landscape plan and create a new one.

Safety and Security.  Will be scheduling a meeting.

Announcements

Laura's sister will be in the upstairs guest room.

Reminder:  Check the calendar for reservations before you use the guest rooms.

Birthday cake at potluck.

Emailed 3/5/2023.