ST. MICHAEL PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

Minutes of the Regular Meeting

July 28, 2009

In  attendance:  Father Jim King, Deacon Merle Runck, Len Grantner, Mike Gunkel, Mary Manchester, Richard Marks, John Metz, Sandi Miller, Joe Paris, and Al Peterson

Absent:  Evelyn Andrews, Marilyn Scherer

The meeting was opened with a prayer at 6:00 p.m.

The minutes of the June 23, 2009 meeting were reviewed and approved as written.

Guest

Dave Madone was introduced to provide information to the members with respect to the purchase of a property at 1031 North 10th Street.  He provided a great deal of information.  This property would be purchased with the intention of building a rectory on the land in the future.  A discussion followed.  Overall, the members agree that this is a good investment. 

Old Business

---Parish Picnic:

Al received a bid from City Market for 400 people:

1,000 Chicken pieces (1/2 fried l/2 BBQ):$559.00

Potato Salad:                 $ 90.93

BBQ Beans:                  $149.90

Cole Slaw:             $ 99.60

Cookies:                $ 62.82

                    $963.15

With chips, total cost of food approximately $1000

Mary contacted Big Burger World:  The prices have not changed from last year with BBQ Beef Sandwiches $2.75 each and Hot Dogs $1.75 each.  The cost for sandwiches alone for 400 people would be over $1,000.  Total food cost last year was over $1400. 

It was decided that we will go with City Market for this year’s picnic.  Al will contact Rod Symons about the best way to set up the serving lines.

-Paper products, balloons, eating utensils, 55 gallon trash bags and condiments will be furnished

-“Giggles” the Clown will be contacted

-Trucks available to carry tables and chairs to the park

-Len will contact the Knights to provide beverages

-Need to check that our school kitchen has sufficient serving utensils

-Need to find someone to organize the youth/oversee games

--Fall Workshop

The Parish Pastoral Council Fall Workshop and lunch will be held at the Canon Coffee Café on Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Pastoral Committee Reports

Parish Life -- Committee does not meet during the summer.

Evangelization – Mike reported that, although there was no formal meeting in July, the committee members did set up booth at last weekend’s Fiddlers on the Arkansas.  Other than the rain, everything went well.

Christian Formation –

▪ Committee met on June 17th. Becky Church announced that her family will be leaving the state at the end of July.    She will be sorely missed.

▪The Mission trip to Gallup, NM was very well managed and enjoyable.  Six students participated. 

▪Both youth and elementary students will be on the same schedule this school year with the same three weeks on and one week off.

▪Elementary Religious Education program has sent out surveys to parents in order to evaluate last year’s program.  The surveys were to be returned by July 19th.

▪Registration information and calendar will be sent to each elementary student’s family by the first of August to help facilitate the registration process.  Registration will be on August 30, 31 and September 5, 6.

Communications –

John Metz has taken on the task of revitalizing the Communications Committee which has not been active for some time.

▪John reported that he has made contact with Joanne Pearring, Editor of the Diocesan newspaper, The Chronicle of Catholic Life.  They discussed article topics, submission deadlines, format for photographs, length of articles, etc. 

▪He has also contacted Rolly Kuhlmann who has agreed to take photographs for submission to the Chronicle and other publications.

▪an article and picture of the Risen Christ statue in the Meditation Garden will be submitted for the September issue of the Chronicle.

▪John spoke with Honey Moschetti, member of the previous Communications Committee, to learn what worked and what didn’t. 

▪John has contact names for the Pueblo Chieftain and Daily Record.

▪some ideas for future articles: -Vacation Bible School –Parish Picnic -Supper club -Blessing of the Animals -possible bulletin insert for Advent and Lent -additional youth coverage; articles written by youth for peers or news items on the parish web site.

John encourages submission/suggestions for articles of general interest.  John may be contacted at jmetz61103@aol.com or 275-6044.

Administration –

The Budget Committee has provided the Financial Overview (July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009) for review by parishioners.  Len Grantner gave a detailed report on the parish finances.  Father Jim addressed this in last week’s bulletin.  With the “space” between Parish income and Parish expenditures narrowing every year, Father may wish to create a Stewardship Committee.   If anyone has questions, he will be glad to discuss them.       

Maintenance –

▪Gary Cornella will be invited to the next Maintenance Committee meeting to discuss repairs and

improvements to the exterior of the rectory.

▪Sidewalk on the west side of 11th street from corner on College to the rectory driveway is in need of replacement.  City offers 50% match for sidewalk replacement.  The city will pay 100% for curb and gutter replacement.  They will pay 50% of the cost of a 4 ft. sidewalk plus 100% of the additional foot to make a 5-foot wide sidewalk, now required by city code.  The additional width will require the sprinkler system to be moved back 1 foot from its present location.  Estimated cost for moving sprinklers is $900.

▪Dave Madone and Father Jim are working with Klein Construction on the punch list of items that need to be done before final payment is made.  Most items have been addressed.  Still need to resolve the problem with the high intensity lights.  Klein proposes to warranty all the high intensity fixtures for a period of two years and to replace any defective fixtures during that time.  St. Michael’s counter offer is that if ten more high intensity fixtures become defective, Klein must replace all fixtures.  Estimated cost to replace all is $12,000.

▪The stamped concrete in the prayer garden has been repaired.

▪Light bulbs in the church seem to have a shorter life span than we were originally led to believe.  They are also expensive and hard to replace.  We are considering entering into a maintenance agreement with Territory Electric to replace burned out bulbs at periodic intervals.

▪The bronze statue of the Risen Christ is now in place in the prayer garden.  A flood light will be installed to illuminate the statue at night.

▪A toxic substance was discovered leaking from a steel beam above the sanctuary near the altar.  Klein Construction is trying to determine the source and cause.

▪Upper windows in gymnasium need replacement.  Quoted cost is $6100.

▪Window coverings for Room 107 have arrived.  Quoted cost for covering and installation is $988. 

▪Repairs are often and difficult on the old sprinkler system for the school lawn.  The system may need replacement in the near future.

▪A decision needs to be made about what to do with the supplies and equipment for the closed pre-school.

▪Johnny’s Plumbing will be contacted for an estimate for replacement of the old plumbing fixtures in the school.

▪The swamp coolers in the gymnasium have been replaced.

Worship – There was no meeting in July.

Youth – No report

New Business

Loss of Youth Activities Coordinator – The loss of Becky Church will probably require having to split the responsibilities.  One would oversee the middle school and pre-confirmation high school students.  The other would coordinate activities and direct Confirmation education. 

Open Forum

Joe Paris requested that changes be made to Article 5, sections 4 and 5 regarding the election of new parish council members.  Mary will submit revisions to the committee for review at the next meeting. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. with a prayer.  Next meeting will be August 25th.

Mike Gunkel will provide prayers and refreshments.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mike Gunkel for Evelyn Andrews, Recording Secretary