Board Meeting - 12/18/2023
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
Monday, December 18, 2023
6:00pm @ VCCS - SPAR Office & Google Meet
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Kelly Lezama at 6:02 pm.
Present: Board Attendance
Kelly Lezama (President), AJ Rodriguez (Vice President), Mallik Singareddy (Treasurer), Ryan McFarland (Secretary), Tim Hope, Bryant Shumaker, Annie Howe, Tyler Grant, Daniel Ashworth Jr., John Shermetaro, Alison Blitch, Kattie Derringer, Pam Batts-Brown
Absent: Jason Hardwick, Margie Viss
Guests: Bill Hoff; Sarah Nichols, Rachelle Miller (sworn in), Kenny Logsdon (sworn in)
Staff: Michael Haskins, Meghan Waters, Mandie Marron
Motions:
- Consent agenda and November meeting minutes (Approved)
- E-vote Ratification: Motion to accept the board resolution as presented. 2024 COJ Neighborhoods Matching Grant Board Resolution Aye: Annie, Alison, Daniel, Mallik, Tyler, AJ, Katie, Margie, Ryan, Pam - APPROVED
- E-vote Ratification: Motion to provide a one time year end performance bonus of $6,000 to the Executive Director for 2023. Aye: Tyler, Alison, John, Pam, Kelly, AJ, Daniel, Ryan, Annie, Katie, Margie - APPROVED
- E-vote Ratification: Motion to increase the Executive Director salary to 88,200 ($75,000 base salary & $13,200 health care stipend) in the 2024 budget. Aye: Kelly, Tyler, Alison, Pam, AJ, Daniel, Ryan, Annie, Katie, Margie; Recommend to table motion till after 2023 Q4 finances are known: John, Mallik - APPROVED
- Investment Strategy / Endowment tabled motion (old business) Approved
- Move to enter into endowment with community foundation per the terms of the agreement circulated by email
-
EC Elections - nominations
- President - AJ and John
- Vice - Katie and Tyler
- Treasurer - Mallik
- Secretary - Margie and Ryan
- Elections held, tallied by Tim Hope - John, Tyler, Mallik, Ryan
- Swearing in of new Directors and Officer Installation
Meeting Adjourned: 6:58 pm
Board Meeting - 11/20/2023
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 20, 2023
6:00pm @ VCCS - SPAR Office & Google Meet
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Kelly Lezama at 6:03 pm.
Present: Board Attendance
Kelly Lezama (President), Mallik Singareddy (Treasurer), Ryan McFarland (Secretary), Annie Howe, Tyler Grant, Daniel Ashworth Jr., John Shermetaro, Jason Hardwick, Alison Blitch, Kattie Derringer, Margie Viss, Pam Batts-Brown
Absent: Tim Hope, Bryant Shumaker, , AJ Rodriguez (Vice President)
Guests: Bill Hoff
Staff: Michael Haskins, Meghan Waters
Motions:
- Consent agenda and October meeting minutes (Approved)
- Ratify E vote: Motion - Groundwork Jax is applying for the FY2023 NOAA Transformational Habitat and Restoration Coastal Resilience Grant - Letter of Support request - APPROVED
- Joyce Holbrook Award
- Letter of Support for PUD pending changes discussed - 1839 N Main Street (Food Hall) Letter of Support APPROVED
- Transition of SPAR finances - Finance - Can complete on 11/21
- 2024 proposed budget - APPROVED
- SPAR Endowment - Motion for SPAR to consider an endowment by December 2024 (tabled)
- Cancel Board Meeting on 12/18? (No)
Meeting Adjourned: 7:57
Board Meeting - 10/23/2023
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
Monday, October 23, 2023
6:00pm @ VCCS - SPAR Office & Google Meet
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Kelly Lezama at 6:02 pm.
Present: Board Attendance
Kelly Lezama (President) Mallik Singareddy (Treasurer), Ryan McFarland (Secretary), AJ Rodriguez (Vice President), Annie Howe, Tyler Grant, Daniel Ashworth Jr., Bryant Shumaker, John Shermetaro, Jason Hardwick, Alison Blitch, Kattie Derringer
Absent: Pam Batts-Brown, Tim Hope, Margie Viss
Guests: Bill Hoff, Shawneese Harris, Todd Hollinghead
Staff: Michael Haskins, Mandie Marron
Motions:
- Consent agenda and September meeting minutes (Approved)
- Motion to Letter of Support request - Karpeles Rehab (Approved)
- Karpeles Grand Letter of Support - Mallik Singareddy (Nay)
- Motion to advance Election Slate of Candidates - Rachelle Miller and Kenny Logsdon (Approved)
- Motion to restrict SPAR email to Staff, Board, and current contractors beginning January 1, 2024 (Approved)
Meeting Adjourned: 7:03
Board Meeting - 9/18/2023
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
Monday, September 18, 2023
6:00pm @ VCCS - SPAR Office & Google Meet
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Kelly Lezama at 6:00 pm.
Present: Board Attendance
Kelly Lezama (President) Mallik Singareddy (Treasurer), Ryan McFarland (Secretary), Tyler Grant, Daniel Ashworth Jr., Bryant Shumaker, Pam Batts-Brown, Tim Hope, John Shermetaro, Jason Hardwick, Alison Blitch, Margie Viss
Absent: AJ Rodriguez (Vice President), Annie Howe
Guests: Bill Hoff, Lloyd Downing, Tony Debellis, Jordan Lacy
Staff: Michael Haskins, Mandie Marron
Motions:
- Consent agenda and August meeting minutes (Approved)
- Holiday Society - Request approval for $10,000 from Holiday Society designated funds to purchase snowflake decorations from HolidayLights.com Inc. (approved)
- Holiday Society - Request approval to designate $3000 in SPAR SPAR Operating funds to Holiday Society designated funds with the understanding that the next $3000 in donations to the Holiday Society will be designated to SPAR operating funds. (approved)
- Letter of Support request - Groundwork Jacksonville is again applying for a Reconnecting Neighborhoods and Communities grant with the JTA and City of Jacksonville to secure funding for the Emerald Trail. (approved)
- Governance - Strategic Plan Discussion/heads up - costs associated with plan revamp - 5K for year 2023/2024; 5k for year 2024/2025 - AJ (no vote)
- Motion to write letter and send Michael Haskins to the code enforcement meeting to speak on SPARs behalf regarding CRIC - 43 East 4th Street discussion - Code Enforcement meeting on 9/19 @ 10am
Meeting Adjourned: 7:53
Board Meeting - 8/21/2023
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
Monday, August 21, 2023
6:00pm @ VCCS - SPAR Office & Google Meet
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Kelly Lezama at 6:02 pm.
Present: Board Attendance
Kelly Lezama (President) Mallik Singareddy (Treasurer), Ryan McFarland (Secretary), Tyler Grant, Daniel Ashworth Jr., Katie Derringer, Bryant Shumaker, Pam Batts-Brown, Tim Hope, John Shermetaro, Annie Howe, Jason Hardwick, Alison Blitch
Absent: AJ Rodriguez (Vice President), Margie Viss
Guests: Bill Hoff, Todd Hollinghead
Staff: Michael Haskins, Mandie Marron, Meghan Waters
Motions:
Consent agenda and May meeting minutes (Approved)
- Consent agenda and May meeting minutes (Approved)
- E-Vote ratification: 1217 Walnut Street letter of support to reflect that it should now be addressed to City Council rather than Historic Preservation and should reference the City Council ordinance number rather than the HPC application number: APPROVED 7/17/23 via email (Daniel, Katie, Margie, Annie, Tyler, John, Pam, Mallik, Kelly) (Approved)
- Motion to Update DEI policy - SPAR’s DEI statement is not in line with the City of Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance and does not include gender identity.
Current SPAR DEI language: " Springfield Preservation and Revitalization values diversity and inclusion and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation in the administration or implementation of its programs and activities or in hiring or volunteer recruitment."
Recommended SPAR DEI language: "Springfield Preservation and Revitalization is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We embrace and encourage differences and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, marital status, or familial status that make our neighborhood unique. SPAR prioritizes creating a welcoming community and values a concerted, organized effort to develop strategies which make our programs, activities, hiring, and volunteer recruitment more accessible and inclusive." (Approved)
- Bethel Baptist letter of support - to apply for grant applications for church renovation project (Approved)
- Finance - Move 50k from Operating at Wells Fargo to Money Market to stay under FDIC limit (Approved)
- Finance - Motion to have finance committee approval to move money between operating accounts (Vystar, Wells Fargo, and Money Market cash accounts) (Approved)
Meeting Adjourned: 7:12
Board Meeting - 6/26/2023
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
Monday, June 26, 2023
6:00pm @ VCCS - SPAR Office & Google Meet
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Kelly Lezama at 6:01 pm.
Present: Board Attendance
Kelly Lezama (President) AJ Rodriguez (Vice President), Mallik Singareddy (Treasurer), Ryan McFarland (Secretary), Margie Viss, Tyler Grant, Daniel Ashworth Jr., Katie Derringer, Bryant Shumaker, Pam Batts-Brown, Tim Hope, Alison Blitch, John Shermetaro
Absent: Annie Howe, Jason Hardwick, Ben Alcorn
Guests: Samantha Frank, Bill Hoff
Staff: Michael Haskins, Mandie Marron, Meghan Waters
Motions:
- Consent agenda and May meeting minutes APPROVED
- Ratify E-Vote: Motion to send the attached letter as drafted to COJ planning staff regarding the 27 E. 7th St. PUD (application number L-5811-23C, tracking number L-5811). - APPROVED via email vote on 5/25/23 (Jason, Pam, John, Ben, AJ, Tyler, Mallik, Annie, Kelly, Alison, Daniel, Margie voted in favor)
- Ratify E-Vote: Motion to send the attached letter of Support for the REHAB bill (Ordinance 2023-0316) to City Council. (Kelly, Jason, Daniel, John, Ben, Margie, Annie, Tyler, Bryant, Ryan, Alison - via text voted in favor; AJ, Katie, Mallik voted against)
- Motion to accept the letter of board resignation from Ben Alcorn as presented. APPROVED
- Motion to approve the as presented by the Finance Committee. APPROVED
- Motion to approve the as presented by the Finance Committee. APPROVED
- Motion to create TAP Taskforce APPROVED
Meeting Adjourned: 7:28
Board Meeting - 5/22/2023
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING AGENDA
Monday, May 22, 2023
6:00pm @ VCCS - SPAR Office & Google Meet
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Kelly Lezama at 6:01 pm.
Present: Board Attendance
Kelly Lezama (President) AJ Rodriguez (Vice President), Mallik Singareddy (Treasurer), Ryan McFarland (Secretary), Alison Blitch, Margie Viss, Tyler Grant, Daniel Ashworth Jr., Katie Derringer, Bryant Shumaker, Pam Batts-Brown, Jason Hardwick, Ben Alcorn, Tim Hope
Absent: Annie Howe, John Shermetaro
Guests: Todd Hollinghead, Bill Hoff
Staff: Michael Haskins, Mandie Marron
Motions:
1. 27 W 7th - PUD - write letter (tabled)
2. VOTE: Motion to write a letter of opposition of the demolition of 1926 Perry St (denied)
3. VOTE: Motion to write a Letter of Support for the Florida Humanities’ grant program with FSCJ. (approved)
4. VOTE: Motion to write a Letter of Support for the Historic Landmarking of 1217 Walnut St. for HPC. (approved)
5. VOTE: Motion to create a restricted line item in the Operating budget for Player Funds relating to the July 4th East/Westside baseball game to include player fees and player recruited team/equipment sponsorships. Will exclude beer sales and event sponsorships. (approved)
6. VOTE: Motion to approve the CSGP Corporate Resolution form indicating the Executive Director, Mike Haskins, as the authorized official for SPAR. (approved)
7. VOTE: Motion to approve debit cards for President (Kelly Lezama) and ED (Mike Haskins) (approved)
8. VOTE: Motion to approve President (Kelly Lezama) and Treasurer (Mallik Singareddy) full authorization for: (approved)
- Wells Fargo operating
- Wells Fargo restricted - SAMBA
- Wells Fargo restricted - CSGP
9. VOTE: Motion to approve President (Kelly Lezama), Treasurer (Mallik Singareddy), and Executive Director (Mike Haskins) as authorized signatories for checks: (approved)
- Wells Fargo operating
- Wells Fargo restricted - SAMBA
- Wells Fargo restricted - CSGP
10. VOTE: Motion to move Wells Fargo restricted - security account to Wells Fargo operating account and close Wells Fargo restricted - security account (approved)
Board Meeting - 4/17/2023
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING AGENDA
Monday, April 17, 2023
6:00pm @ VCCS - SPAR Office & Google Meet
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Vice-President, AJ Rodriguez, at 6:02 pm.
Present: Board Attendance
AJ Rodriguez (Vice President), Mallik Singareddy (Treasurer), Ryan McFarland (Secretary), Alison Blitch, Annie Howe, Tyler Grant, Daniel Ashworth Jr., Katie Derringer, Bryant Shumaker, Pam Batts-Brown, Tim Hope
Absent: Margie Viss, Ben Alcorn, Jason Hardwick, John Shermetaro, Kelly Lezama
Guests: Todd Hollinghead, Blake Duffy
Staff: Michael Haskins, Mandie Marron, Meghan Waters
MOTIONS:
- Motion to accept the Consent Agenda & March Board meeting minutes as presented: APPROVED
- Motion to grow board to 18 members (made by AJ Rodriguez/Governance) VOTED DOWN BY ALL
- Motion to adjourn meeting at 7:06 pm.
Board Meeting - 3/20/2023
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
March 20, 2023
6:00pm @ VCCS - SPAR Office & Google Meet
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President, Kelly Lezama, at 6:02 pm.
Present: Board Attendance
Kelly Lezama (President), AJ Rodriguez (Vice President), Mallik Singareddy (Treasurer), Ryan McFarland (Secretary), Alison Blitch, Annie Howe, Margie Viss, Tyler Grant, Daniel Ashworth Jr., John Shermetaro, Bryant Shumaker, Katie Derringer, Tim Hope
Absent: Pam Batts-Brown, Ben Alcorn, Jason Hardwick
Guests: Todd Hollinghead, Mike
Staff: Mandie Marron, Meghan Waters
MOTIONS:
- Motion to accept the Consent Agenda & February Board meeting minutes as presented: APPROVED
- Motion to pull old business motion to take a stance to oppose the proposed duplex on zero E 4th St alley because it is in opposition to the overlay off the table by Tim Hope. Pulled from table and then voted down unanimously.
- Motion to write a Statement of Facts letter for 1628 Walnut St property as presented on the drive. Motion made by Kelly Lezama. Yea: Kelly Lezama, AJ Rodriguez, Mallik Singareddy, Alison Blitch, Annie Howe, Margie Viss, Daniel Ashworth Jr., John Shermetaro, Bryan Shumaker, Katie Derringer Nay: Tyler Grant, Ryan McFarland APPROVED
-
Tim Hope moves to issue letter to oppose demolition of 1217 Walnut to permitting department and push to CRIC to determine how to designate as contributing. Tim Splits motion.
- Issue letter to oppose demolition of 1217 Walnut to permitting department. APPROVED
- Push to CRIC to determine how to designate as a contributing structure Yea: Kelly Lezama, AJ Rodriguez, Mallik Singareddy, Alison Blitch, Annie Howe, Margie Viss, Daniel Ashworth Jr., Bryan Shumaker, Katie Derringer, Tyler Grant, Ryan McFarlandall Nay: John Shermetaro
- Motion to adjourn meeting at 7:30 pm.
Board Meeting - 2/27/2023
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
Monday, February 27, 2023
6:00pm @ VCCS - SPAR Office & Google Meet
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President, Kelly Lezama, at 6:03 pm.
Present: Board Attendance
Kelly Lezama (President), AJ Rodriguez (Vice President), Mallik Singareddy (Treasurer), Ryan McFarland (Secretary), Jason Hardwick, Pam Batts-Brown, Ben Alcorn, Tyler Grant, Alison Blitch, Daniel Ashworth Jr., John Shermetaro (V), Bryant Shumaker (V)
Absent: Katie Derringer, Annie Howe, Tim Hope
Guests: Todd Hollinghead, Margie Viss
Staff: Mandie Marron, Meghan Waters
MOTIONS (Motion Log):
1. Board of Director appointments / Installation - Margie Viss (1st term) & Pam Batts Brown (2nd term) APPROVED
2. CCB - Facade Grant Criteria review: Verbiage Recommendations (Amended by McFarland)
- Your project must meet all Historic Preservation Commission guidelines and must NOT damage any existing historic facade or make structural change
- You must submit a narrative description of the proposed change
- Please attach a copy of your approved Certificate of Appropriateness “COA” for your proposed work if required
3. Motion to adjourn meeting at 6:51 pm.