Fifth Annual Meeting
Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Inc.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Center for Hellenic Studies Paideia
1) Call to Order and Welcome
President Philip Lodewick called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.
2) Public Comment
There was no public comment.
3) Approval of Minutes from Annual Meeting – June 7, 2005
Dennison Nash noted a correction to the June 7, 2005 minutes. He said that he had actually said that the reception by the development team to looking at various public transportation options was “favorable.” Betsy Paterson made a motion to approve the minutes from the June 7, 2005 Annual Meeting. Bruce Clouette seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
4) Annual Review of the Program and the Year Ahead
Mr. Lodewick gave an overview of the accomplishments of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership in the last year and the plans for the future.
5) Approval of Changes to Bylaws
Steve Bacon, a member of the Partnership Nominating Committee, and Lee Cole-Chu, the Partnership’s attorney, presented the proposed changes to the Partnership’s Bylaws. Mr. Bacon said the Board of Directors had approved the changes at its March Board meeting for consideration by the full membership at the Annual Meeting.
Tom Callahan made a motion to approve the proposed changes to the Bylaws. Iris Kinnard seconded the motion.
Al Hawkins made a motion to divide the question to separate the proposed changes to Article VI, Section 2 of the Bylaws for separate consideration from the remaining proposed changes. Philip Lodewick seconded the motion.
Mr. Hawkins expressed concern about the proposed change to the Bylaws that would require committee members to be members of the Partnership. Mr. Hawkins said that some people might have chosen to not become members of the Partnership to avoid conflict of interest issues, i.e., members of the Planning and Zoning Commission. He expressed concern that the proposed change to the Bylaws may inhibit participation by various individuals who have chosen not to become members of the Partnership.
~over~
Mr. Clouette asked the Partnership Nominating Committee about its rationale behind the change. Mr. Bacon said that monetary support is important for the Partnership, but perhaps even more so is to show a strong indication of individual support. Nominating Chair Philip Lodewick said that if a person is making decisions and taking action on a Partnership issue, it is appropriate for them to be a member of the Partnership.
The motion to divide the question was passed on a 18-17 vote.
The rest of the proposed Bylaws changes were approved unanimously by a voice vote.
Mr. Bacon said that the proposed change to Article VI, Section 2 was now under discussion. Lon Hultgren asked how many committee members were not members of the Partnership. Partnership Executive Director Cynthia van Zelm said she believed it was three out of 51. George Jones asked about how the public participates in meetings. Mr. Bacon said that public comment is included on all the committee and Board meeting agendas. Mr. Clouette said it could be expected that ad hoc committees could include non-members.
Mr. Bacon asked for a motion to approve the proposed change to Article VI, Section 2, which reads, “All committees shall consist of not less than three members, and no more than twelve members, who shall be members of the Partnership but need not be members of the Board of Directors.” The motion was made and seconded. The motion was approved by a voice vote.
6) Election of Directors to the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Inc., Board of Directors
Mr. Lodewick reported that the Nominating Committee was nominating Janet Jones and Phil Spak to three-year terms on the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Inc. Board of Directors. Mr. Lodewick asked if there were any nominations from the Floor. Hearing none, Betsy Paterson made a motion to elect Janet Jones and Phil Spak to terms on the Board of Directors until June 30, 2009. Ms. Kinnard seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
7) Volunteer of the Year
Finance and Administration Chair Tom Callahan recognized John Barry, Peter Millman, Kristin Schwab, and Beverly Sims and Bill Okeson as the Partnership’s Volunteers of the Year. He expressed thanks to the group for their dedication and hard work.
8) Other
Ms. Paterson announced that the Festival on the Green will be held as part of a Celebrate Mansfield weekend. There will be fireworks on Saturday, September 16 with a picnic and bands at Mansfield Hollow Dam, and the Festival on Sunday, September 17 from 12 pm to 5 pm. There will be food, music, art, the children’s parade, the Farmer’s Market, among other events. Ms. Paterson also asked for sponsorships for the Festival.
9) Adjourn
A motion was made by Betsy Treiber and seconded by Ms. Kinnard to adjourn. The motion was approved and the Annual Meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM.