Observations from the Architects Mountain View Open House I am grateful for any opportunity members have to provide input into how their community spends their money. I was also grateful that the Architects who suggested the meetings were willing to listen to some very heart felt pleas for one approach or another. Some may not have noticed it, but there were also several volunteer Board members who gave up their time to attend the meetings. In my estimation there were about 40 or so people (out of 38,000 members) there and some came and left shortly after they came. The portion I attended had members speaking out. I had the opportunity to speak with several members privately and listen to their concerns. Overall, nothing but generalities were discussed and one left with the impression that the architects were going to design something and present it to the Board. I made two small contributions to the meeting. First, in response to the question concerning what values should be reflected at Mountainview I wrote that we should use our written Mission, Vision and Values Statement. Makes sense to me since it is already written. Secondly, I spoke privately with one of the Architects about whether they had considered a master plan for all our aging facilities as part of the Mountainview facility renovation. You know, the kind of plan that every Parks and Recreation department in America does BEFORE THEY BUILD BIG STUFF. The young gentlemen indicated they had discussed such a thing but were not contracted to provide those types of services. I also asked basically the same question during the open Mic session and received basically the same response: yes that is a great idea but we are only being contracted to design something at Mountain View. My takeaways from the meeting are: · RCSC is in a hurry to spend lots of money building something somewhere · Exactly what that something is, is still a mystery but we know it will include something at Mountainview. Now to my sales pitch to end this endless loop we are in. I am encouraging all members to attend the March 11 Annual Members Meeting in person or by proxy at 5:00 in the Sun Dial Auditorium. If there is a quorum you will be entitled to vote on amendments to the Bylaws. I am part of a group working on proposed Bylaw amendments to give members the right to vote (have the final say) on a Master Plan. I will post a summary explanation of motion soon. I hope to see you at the meeting.
I went, I listened, I filled out two cards. But I still am perplexed how ANYTHING can be done at Mountain View Recreation Center (not just the PAC) until they get a thorough structural, engineering, etc. report. So I find what they are doing premature. The architects told me that they expect to deliver their report about the above within the next week; too soon for the Board meeting but in time for the February Exchange and the February meeting. I will be waiting to hear the results of the study from the BOD or the GM. As John stated, regardless of anything to do with Mountain View, the most important thing to know is to either attend the Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday, March 11th in person or sign a proxy if you feel you will not be able to attend. Registration begins at 5 pm and if you aren't in line by 6 pm, you will not be allowed to enter. You have to bring your membership card (with the picture). No privileged card members can attend. If you want to be heard in this community, this is your opportunity to do so. It is one of only two ways to be heard!
