TCT Minutes, Dec 2, 2013

PRESENT: John, Blaine, Lisa, Neal, Patricia, Vince (Facilitator), Alan (Note taker)

ITEMS DISCUSSED:

1. Bank account,
2. Reports on visits to TC3 and TC4
3. Planning commission meeting
4. Possible other sites.
5. Possible outreach suggestions.
6. Bethlehem Lutheran

FINANCIAL: Patricia announced we now have a credit union account and checks. She and Blaine opened an account for us in our name.

VISITS TO TC3 AND TC4: Colin and Harry visited TC3 and TC4, and Patricia accompanied them. (TC3 and TC4 are long-established tent cities in Seattle). It was a very productive visit. They were impressed with their organizing. Both TC4 and TC3 are well organized. They say it takess between 5 to 6 thousand dollars to run.

We discussed what we could learn from them. For example, the costs of solid waste collection and the possibility of recycling, which could reduce those costs. TC4 did not have recycling, and not having it raised their solid-waste collection costs.

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING: Next city planning commission meeting is on December 18^th. We will send representatives.

POSSIBLE OUTREACH SUGGESTIONS: We discussed mechanisms for donations for food. Many in the community make food donations, as well as other kinds of donations. Some organizations who often make donations are Food Not Bombs, Foxhole (Military Surplus). John asked about how cooking is handled. Neal mentioned we won’t have open fire. We will have food storage facilities and a microwave. Community members can bring hot food. Patricia told us that we might have community members make individual mess kits to give to new residents as they come in. Then each resident would be responsible for his/her dishwashing, and we could avoid some extra red tape from the health department. We also discussed having shields or barriers up to delineate perimeter of housing area to protect both the privacy of the residents, as well as the privacy of nearby neighborhoods. Harry was impressed with the fencing material that TC4 used.

We talked about power supply. Patricia will check with TPU about the price of setting up electrical wire. John suggested seeing if TPU would donate wire that we can take from site to site. John had a lot of constructive ideas about having our own wire that we could take when we move the encampment.

POSSIBLE OTHER SITES: We also discussed setting up a nonprofit so people could make donations and declare them on their taxes. We might be able to get some churches to form a nonsectarian organization to accept donations on our behalf.

We discussed future and alternative sites. The questioned what “church control” of a property means came up. If a church rents a property, is that control? Several attendees said they believed this constitutes “church control.” We also dDiscussed the possibility of religious schools offering us sites. We are still trying to get information on liability and insurance, especially how insurance companies may react to a “hold harmless” statement.

It is becoming clearer and clearer that we need a way to keep track of these many activities. Neal said he will set up a google.doc spreadsheet for assigning people to outreach for things like donations.

BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN: John, from Bethlehem Lutheran, attended our meeting and had many practical suggestions. We agreed that when Bethlehem Lutheran has their meeting to decide whether to host us. Patricia and Neal will be representing us at that meeting. John personally supports the idea and says that it is being favorably viewed by the church governing board.

Next meeting: Dec 16, 2013, 4 to 5:30 PM

Respectfully submitted: Alan OldStudent