Board Meeting Minutes - June, 2022

Vista Las Palmas Neighborhood Organization Board Meeting
6/16/22
4:00PM - 5:30PM
Location: Zoom
Attendees: Kevin Comer, Kermit Ferrer(present), Patsy Marino (vacation), Steve Orr(present), Gustav Swanson(present), Joe Vassallo (present)

Agenda:
1. 7th Board member recruitment – All

Gustav: discussed opportunity with Maria H

2. May Treasury Report – KC summarized the financial report. Our finances are good, but there is a big issue with fraudulent checks being presented on our old Chase account. JV discovered picture with actual checking account detail in picture posted on Animal Shelter facebook page. Image has been removed or account info obscured.

3. Banking: Plan is to close out OLD Chase Account and transfer funds into NEW Chase Account. KC has concerns about Chase linking old and new accounts. May need to safeguard our funds in a 3rd account until we can be assured new account at Chase has a firewall between old account - KC & KF

4. Fundraising/Donations -All
KF: Still need to establish a Board member owner

KF: Donation Form is finalized and approved for use by entire board. 3 requests in process: DAP/AIDS Memorial (our due diligence has led us to ask to have our funds escrowed until a certain level of funding – to prevent funds from being used by DAP for purposes other than AIDS Memorial Sculpture)
PS Animal Shelter, Bonnie Rattan (2 yeas: KC,JV), SO&GS verbally approved. Don Zuidemo (Fair Cir) champion: 5k earmarked. KC: Tie the celebration event to Dec/Holiday Pet Parade. Recommends $10k level funding. Use as a recruiting event for neighborhood pet fans.
LGBT Center/Community Foodbank was discussed.

KF wants to spend available funds by November, our fiscal year end. We should have a balance of $15k for other opportunities. SO wants to submit donation request for Martha’s Kitchen. GS wants to champion a donation to PS ModCom.

The board unanimously agreed to hold off on a public call for donation requests until we can work on clarifying the process and identify the amount of funds that are remaining after current commitments.

B. Board has agreed to make VLPNO a 501(c)(3) to allow for tax-deductible contributions.

Joe recommended Eve Fromberg as consulting attorney with Not-For-Profit experience. SO has existing relationship with her and will open dialog.

C. KC will finalize Process/Program to review and approve charitable organizations as well as contribution amounts.

D. Desert AIDS Memorial – Update was provided. Issue of escrowing donation amount was discussed.

Mark Ware (Dry Falls) may host a follow-on event.

E. Current opportunities/organizations under review for donations were discussed: PS Animal Shelter, LGBT Center, Others

F. Fundraising - All

G. VLPNO Classification

JV suggests opening a dialog with Eve Fromberg-Edelstein. SO has worked with her. SO will initiate a dialog.

Gustav spoke with someone about the City’s original recommendation to setup NORGs as 501c4, and he asks if the city have liability to help us transition?

H. 501©3/4 Program Administration – Board discussed the need for both pofessional legal and accounting assistance.

5. MW2023

One Palm Springs is holding a $65/6 homes tour in October.

6. MW2023 We need to begin recruitment of 6-7 homes.
982 tuxedo cir – susan & alan missner. JV will introduce KF to review schedule.

810 n rose – JV confirmed not available in Feb 2023.

KF made many requests of neighbors, but no takers yet

7. MW2023 Budget needs to be proposed and approved.

8. MW2023 Sponsorship Program Update
KC has a proposal, sent to KF

KF will edit and forward to all

9. One PS Highlights – Gustav

SO/GS: Lisa Middleton wasn’t there. COD has 2 vacancies on the board. Homeless Navigation Center (late 2023 opening) in Gateway Highlands. City will approve that budget by July 30. Justin Clifton indicated there’s ample funds even if recession comes. 

250k traffic calming grant. Sunmor neighborhood spoke about MW2022 

SO : water limitations – level 2. We need to forward on the key info wrt this.

10. Communication - Website Updates & Newsletter – Gustav

KF sent approval to send email updates to the neighborhood on upcoming VLPNO Social and One PS

11. Other Board Member Updates

12. Parking Lot:
A. VLPNO Classification: New registration of Fictitious business: VLPNO (?) schedule and make it a 501(c)(3)

B. Annual Social Calendar/Budgets 2022 - Patsy (on vacation)

C. Neighborhood Safety - PSPD participation in future Social? Webcast?

Next meeting 7/14/22