From what i saw, i left shortly before 8:30, the meeting went pretty well. It sounded like it may have gotten a little rocky after i left, but i'll have to wait to watch the video. I thought the presenters (long range planning committee member's, not board members or management) did a good job. They need to tighten it up a bit, but for a first run at it, nicely done. Clearly the most popular topic of the three was the Mountain View renovation. It stands to reason in that it was held at Fairway, just three quarters of a mile from MV. It's also the topic that has been the most neglected. The center needs some help. I would add quickly, but in today's world of building permits and architectural drawings, don't get too excited about rebuilding anything much before 2025. Having sat through most of the SAC meetings, i was disappointed so many of members of that committee felt compelled to sell the plan they wanted. My problem is and always has been how much i know about the inner workings and the games that get played. For the casual observer, it all looks and feels like the real deal. And, to be fair, it's pretty close. The problem is and always will be for me when everyone says compromise is essential, that should mean everyone. In this case, i doesn't. More later.
I have just finished watching the first Town Hall Meeting. Here are some of my observations: When the Line Dance Club, to which I belong, needs to vacate Sun Dial due to Board meetings, could they find an alternate time during the afternoon? Or perhaps the Board meetings could be held elsewhere since Members don't fill up the entire space at Sun Dial? The new plans for MV were even new to the SAC presenters so it was difficult for them to explain exactly what the plans entailed and how they differed. I liked the architect's idea of having zones for various activities at MV. Plan M, which is named for the architect, increased the pickleball courts to 17, eight of which would be covered for now and could be enclosed and air conditioned later when more funds are available. Plan B didn't seem to have much supporting detail with it and what looked like a rudimentary site drawing. I am left wondering when and where Plan B came about. There were misleading statements about 100 people that would be using the PAC when we all know that various clubs would use it and many others would attend performances. Personally, having a community without a place to enjoy plays and concerts is equal to having a library without books. We need to have a broad range of opportunities. Kudos to the Players Club and other performing groups to make concessions on what they desire so the MV plan could move forward. These were just my observations. I was under the impression that the Town Hall meetings were going to include information from the Budget and Finance Committee, Long Range Planning, and a presentation about the 5 year plan. I must have been mistaken because this meeting was strictly about Mountain View.
