Windsor Park Community Gardens
Meeting Minutes 8/4/05

Attendees:
Ruth Marie, Linda, Tom, James, Selwyn, Mohan, Elizabeth, Sandy (pastor at Messiah Lutheran), Ken (first time)

Popcorn and ice-water were provided by Sandy

Location:
Messiah Lutheran Church

Topics Discussed:
Water and Electricity
Work day on Saturday
Review of Keep Austin Beautiful grant
Timeline

Water and Electricity
Tom and Mohan reported on their meeting with Jim Teasdale of the Austin Housing Authority. Mr. Teasdale is going to research the cost of putting a meter in for us at the Gaston Place Apartments which are run by the city housing authority. They may be willing to help us a little with the cost. Mohan reported on his conversation with Dick Peterson of the Green Builders program. Having the city put in a separate line for us would be very expensive and there aren't any city programs to help us with that. We may be able to get $500 - $1000 from the city to help with rain water collection. The group feels that Gaston Place is still our best option for city water and that rain water collection is a high priority for the long term.

The group discussed the pros and cons of getting a permit to run electricity.

If you are interested in serving on the Utilities Committee, contact Tom at alouwishus@sbcglobal.net


Work Day on Saturday
On Saturday Aug 6, 2005, beginning at 9:00 a.m. we will do as much as possible of the following:
Build staging area for compost
Build compost bins
Build prototype beds
Stake out design

We made a shopping list and James volunteered to go to Home Depot and get the stuff (probably wants to use his new truck) Tom will bring some tools.


KAB Grant
We are behind schedule on the timeline we provided to Keep Austin Beautiful. Some of our priorities have changed. We are assuming if we spend the money to accomplish our highest priorities that we will be complying in spirit with the grant and it won't be a problem.

Timeline
Elizabeth passed out sticky notes with tasks written on them. We placed and re-placed them on a long table until we felt they were in the order in which they should be accomplished. Here are the results: (Items on the same line are to be accomplished more or less concurrently.)

ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED
finish articles of association
complete site design

TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER 2005
1. Build compost bins, stake out design, build prototype beds
2. Form commitees, vote in officers
3. Finalize water supply source, solarize pods 1 and 2 (to kill the bremuda grass)
4. Build sheltered potting tables for pods 1 and 2, finalize lease with AMC, build raised beds for pods 1 and 2, create pods 1 and 2, procure small rain barrels for pods 1 and 2
5. Plant compost crop
6. Get wired for electricity
7. Create logo
8. Lay water pipes, build shed, build kiosk, research tree selections, make garden sign
9. Install rain gutters, procure large rain barrels, install rain barrels, install solar pump, lay granite paths

TO BE COMPLETED IN JANUARY / 06
Lay drip irrigation, plant trees, plant vines and shrubs

TO BE COMPLETED AT SOME AS YET UNDETERMINED TIME IN THE FUTURE
1. build pavillion, build chicken coop
2. install purple martin house
3. build pergola at garden entrance
4. build labyrinth, bing in bee hives, install bat house, create ponds
5. build greenhouse