Irene Stewart, Suzette Reiss, Laurie Ullman, Peter Young, Sherry Smith, Mark Sisson, Beth Peterson
Excused: Donya VanBuren
Irene called the meeting to order at 7:05.
Minutes from July 26 and July 28 were tabled until distributed.
Suzette reported on references she had interviewed for Chuck Thomas and Tom Samuels (architects) and Bill Kelly (builder).
Beth reported on references she had interviewed for NE Custom Modular.
Discussion of those reports, and the reports from July 26 ensued. Each member of the Building Team had the opportunity to voice their opinions. It was noted that the vetting process suggested by Xavier before his resignation has been carried out. Included in that discussion was a brief exchange about how many proposals to present to the Board of Trustees. The BT decided that the “3 proposal” strategy would suffice: one architect/builder team, one engineered construction firm and one architect (with a builder to be determined.)
The Team then held a round table discussion to determine our preferences. It was decided to suggest the following:
-NE Custom Modular (engineered construction)
-Marren/Gorman (architect/builder team)
-Tom Samuels (architect)
-Chuck Thomas (architect) note: with 8 members of the team, a tie ensued with regards to choosing an architect’s proposal. It was decided that the Team would present two architects’ proposals and let the Board of Trustees make the final commitment.
Beth noted that the 5th Principle of Universalist Unitarianism (the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large) requires the BT, the Board of Trustees and the membership to objectively examine multiple options, though the BT, as charged by the Trustees and the membership, can narrow, with proper investigations, those options to the best suited.
There was a brief discussion of perceived sexism against Ms. Mohrman. It was noted that as a welcoming congregation, it should be carefully guarded against in our discussions, and in discussions with the membership as a whole.
There was a discussion about how to present the proposals to the Trustees. A “special session” was suggested and Peter, as the BT liaison to the Board, will canvass the Trustees and set a date. The Team appointed Mark to make the presentation to the Board of Trustees, though the entire Team was encouraged to attend that meeting.
Mark motioned and Peter seconded to adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55