The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on January 16, 2018 at 6:30 pm. Present were members David Edmonson, The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander, The Reverend Mark Riley, Pat Dennehey, Senior Warden Bob Harper, Mary Pat-Croft, Rosemary Hobart, Whiting Chisman Jr., Bill Brown, Duncan Garnett , and Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope.
The Reverend Mark Riley opened with Scripture reading from the Gospel of Mark and the beginning of Jesus’s Ministry.
Senior Warden Bob Harper opened the Vestry Meeting with prayer.
Check In and Absences
Treasurer’s Report
Linda Curtis reported the following Treasurer Report:
- St. John’s ended the year on a positive note with a budget surplus of $16,077.
- The Finance Committee put forth a motion that Vestry use $11,000 of that surplus to pay off the Diocesan Debt and remove that line item from the budget. This motion was seconded by Bill Brown. Vote on the recommendation passed.
- The 2018 Budget was discussed with the following changes:
- The Mary Williams Trust and Endowment have agreed to pay for most property related expenses, insurance, and utilities.
- Staff will get a 1.8% cost of living raise. Some staff members have not had a raise in 4 years.
- To help cover medical insurance expense for 2 of the staff the PFAF line item was increased.
- Many expenses have been trimmed to more closely align with actual spending.
The Finance Committee motioned that the Vestry adopt the 2018 Budget. Whiting Chisman Jr. seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Minutes were reviewed. Whiting Chisman Jr. made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Bill Brown. Motion passed.
Rector’s Report
Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander reported the following:
- St. John’s Annual meeting is coming up on the 21st of January. Ruth Simmons, Stephen Rous, and Lloyd Thomas have been submitted for nomination to Vestry.
- The Vestry will be saying good bye David Edmonson, Mary Pat-Croft and Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope.
- The Bishop will be coming to St. John’s on April 8th 2018 for Confirmation.
- Darlene Jackson has been hired for the new Communication position. She is a member of St. Cyprians Episcopal Church and comes highly recommended.
- Possible need to have more non Vestry members on Finance Committee.
Assistant Rector’s Report
Reverend Mark Riley reported the following:
- Looking forward to St. John’s involvement with Habitat for Humanity. Looking at a May-June timeline for starting of house. Shawnee from Habitat for Humanity will be here on the 28th to make a presentation during Formation time and at the Coffee Hour after the service.
Junior Warden Report
Junior Warden Bettyrene reported the following:
- Normal Maintenance attended to.
- Plumber repaired toilet in Men’s Restroom in Sunday School wing.
- Work being scheduled with E.T. Lawson on splitting HVAC system in the Hoffman House.
- Addressed concerns from inspection by Fire Department. This included installation of new smoke detectors, updating fire alarm panel in Music Suite, steam cleaning stove hood in kitchen, acquiring proper paper work for fire extinguisher and sprinkler system inspection. All this information is being kept in red notebook in copy room.
- ACES was called out to check HVAC system in church. System was working then went down and a technician came out and found nothing really wrong. There is a part missing which will be replaced under warranty as well as a sensor needed in the humidifier unit. A maintenance service agreement is being purchased for twice a year service to the system. This agreement will cost $2850.00.
- Discussion about Nights Welcome. Vestry will serve dinner on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Menu is meatloaf, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, and brownies ala mode.
Senior Warden Report
Senior Warden Bob Harper reported the following:
- Minutes from November 2017 Vestry Meeting had not been approved at the beginning of meeting. Bill Brown made a motion to approve the minutes and Whiting Chisman Jr. seconded the motion. Vote was called and minutes were approved.
- Whiting Chisman Jr. gave an update on the upcoming Parish House Renovations. The lowest bidder was from Cape Construction with a bid in the neighborhood of $688,000.00. Duncan Garnettt had first review of contract, but passed it over to church attorney Larry Cumming for further review. Concern from Rosemary Hobart and several other Vestry members over the lack of requirement of a performance bond and a payment bond, also on the qualifications of this contractor to handle a job of this size. It was noted in the contract that the contractor had liability insurance, but not any sub-contractors. This will be looked into further. The Vestry of St. John’s Church will be named as an additional insurer at no extra cost. If this Contract should somehow not be able to be completed the Mary Williams Trust will still make sure the job gets done as they are the one providing the monies for these repairs. It was also brought up that if the attorney, Larry Cumming, thought this contract was a risk then he would stop it. A motion was made by Whiting Chisman Jr. that the Vestry authorize the Senior Warden to enter into a contract with Cape Construction for the repairs and maintenance of the roofs of the Parish House along with painting with the consent of Attorney Larry Cumming. Duncan Garnettt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Vestry Liaison Reports
No reports submitted
New Business
Senior Warden led us in Compline.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm
Submitted by Patrick Dennehey, Registrer