St. Paul Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Minutes
December 18, 2006

Present: Pr. Eastman, Jim Baumgardner, Charlie Boone, Carlo D’Agostino, Mark Demich, Kevin Dixon, Patty Fess, Ann Holmstrom, Lisa Jackson (late), Bob Miller, Gayle Meskimen, Nick Poulos
Visitor: Matt Sons

Kevin Dixon called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Devotions: Charlie Boone

Treasurer’s Report
Ann Holmstrom presented the November financials. For November there was an increase in General Operating and a decrease in BOB. The mortgage will be under $100,000 by 2007. We have a surplus income for 2006 due to three reasons: no Associate Pastor salary, a gift from St. Michael’s, and capital gains from stock. Bob Miller moved to approve the November Treasurer’s Report, Patty Fess seconded and the report was approved.

Approve Agenda
Bob Miller added and action item to approve a security system. Mark Demich moved to approve the agenda as amended and Gayle Meskimen seconded. The amended agenda was approved.

Approve November Minutes
There were no additions or corrections to the minutes. Jim Baumgardner moved to approve the November minutes and Mark Demich seconded. The November minutes were approved.

Reports and Information

1. Matt Sons presented a packet of information to the Council to inform the members about the chartering of a Cub Scout Pack at St. Paul. The packet included a volunteer application with information, a fact sheet on Lutheran congregations and the Scouting program, and a reprinted article that mentions a Lutheran church that is a charter home to a Boy Scout organization and has recently installed a Pastor that is gay. After a brief discussion Nick Poulos, Lisa Jackson, Matt Sons and Pr. Eastman formed an ad hoc committee to research and bring more information to the Council. Matt will renew the charter for the pack with another church for 2007 and would like a decision on St. Paul’s willingness to charter the pack by the end of May, 2007.
   
2. Kevin Dixon gave an update on the Strategic Plan. There has been some feedback on the release of the plan and there are different levels of information existing among the congregation. Kevin will print a summary of the Strategic Plan along with an explanatory letter to come out in the January Acts. Mark Demich volunteered to work-up a schedule of different opportunities for the congregation to educate themselves about the plan. The Council is hoping to have the education process completed by May.
   

1. Carlo D’Agostino moved to recommend Bob Miller to the congregation as the Council representative for the Nominating Committee. Mark Demich seconded and the motion passed.
   
2. Bob Miller moved to approve the draft of the June 4, 2006 Congregational Meeting Minutes to be recommended for approval at the January 21, 2007 Congregational Meeting. The motion was seconded and approved.
   
3. Gayle Meskimen moved to approve Jim Cahalan, Jr. as an additional member to the Call Committee. Mark Demich seconded and the motion passed.
   
4. Charlie Boone presented the proposed 2007 budget for St. Paul. He asked for and received direction from the Council to finalize the budget that Council will vote to recommend to the Congregation in January.
   
5. Mark Demich moved to approve the proposed January 21, 2007 Congregational Meeting Agenda. Lisa Jackson seconded and the proposed agenda was approved.
   
6. Bob Miller presented three options for a security system for the church building. After explanations of the systems it was decided to go with a system that could secure three doors with monitoring capability from five locations. Additionally there would be fire door holding magnets installed on the fire doors to hold them open but release in the case of fire. Nick Poulos moved to approve spending up to $15,500 for the security system and fire door magnets. Lisa Jackson seconded and the motion passed with two members abstaining.
   

1. Call Committee interviewed a candidate for the Associate Pastor position. The interview was positive and they are moving forward to hear the candidate preach. Two more candidate names are expected from the Synod.
   
2. Carlo D’Agostino met with the Witness team and it was agreed that the Justice team is to be rolled into the Witness team for the present time.
   
3. Lisa Jackson reported, the youth group was recognized for their fundraising efforts by the Mosaic Initiative on World Aids Day, December first.
   
4. Bob Miller was asking for direction on whether to install a half-door or windows for the nursery. It was recommended to install a glass door with a corner mirror for viewing and safety of the nursery.