Members present:
Laura Travis, Robert O. Jones, David Newton, Norma Anderson, Gerry Heroux, A. J. Crenca, Jim Pfeiffer, Eric Suggs, Steve Durkee, Manny Vales, Erminio Pinque, Keith Munslow

Members absent:
Lucie Searle; Sean Daly, Alan Addison, Bob Arellano, John Kelly, Jay Coogan

Staff present:
Bert Crenca, Sheri van Antwerp

(1) Laura Travis explained that Lucie could not attend due to work commitments, and she called the meeting to order.

David Newton pointed out that Lane Myer's name was spelled wrong in the minutes of 1998/10/21, and other board members noted that the motion in Section 5 was seconded by Eric Suggs. On a motion by Norma Anderson, seconded by Jim Pfeiffer, the board unanimously

VOTED to approve the minutes of the meetings of 1997/10/21 and 1997/11/11, as corrected.

(3) Financial Committee

(4) Director's and Staff Report

Bert reported that two development proposals were submitted to the city: one by AS220 and one by Buff Chace. The Chace proposal includes a restaurant on the ground floor (the use for the space preferred by the city) but no particulars on who/what/how. The Mayor indicated reluctance to show a preference for either party and wants the competitors to reach a compromise. In that spirit, a meeting was held on Saturday 12/06 attended by Lucie Searle, Steve Durkee, Bert Crenca, Shawn Wallace, Buff Chace, Rob Levy, Mark Lerman, and Peter Bramante, representing AS220, Trinity Rep & Conservatory, Perishable, and Groundwerx. Discussion focussed on the space needs of all these organizations, and the possibility of acquiring additional real estate-for example, the Harkness-Licht Building (194 Washington St) with its adjacent lot on Aborn St. Pursuit of such a project would entail a joint capital campaign encompassing all four organizations. Buff Chace also suggested the possibility of forming a management company to oversee the real estate operations of the aforementioned groups.

Laura relayed a statement from Lucie reminding the board to focus on AS220's goals, i.e. (1) to pay off our debt; (2) to create an endowment; and (3) to provide more space for Perishable and Groundwerx.

Robert O. expressed concern that the Lederer-Packard was going to take a lot of effort and still not provide the square footage needed by AS220 and its tenants. Bert remarked that real-estate development was not AS220's purpose or mission, and he was reluctant to add another building to the equation. Steve Durkee opined that we could not afford to get mixed up in a project that required that a lot of elements be resolved or coordinated before proceeding, because we have needs that have to be addressed immediately, which elicited general agreement. No one appeared especially enthusiastic about the proposal for joint property management, and there was no unanimous opinion on the efficacy of a joint capital campaign with Trinity.

Bert noted that there would probably be a PRA meeting in December, and the board would have to be ready to move ahead or step aside by then. The board postponed making any final decision on how to proceed, in favor of holding a special meeting if needed.

(B) Fools Ball

Bert reported that we still didn't have a space lined up for the banquet, and that, based on the success of Shawn and Jill's wedding reception, Sheri and Shawn were in favor of holding the banquet at AS220. Laura Travis, Steve Durkee, and Robert O. objected strenuously to this proposal on the grounds of difficulty with logistics, ambience, and marketing. After suggestions to investigate Subterra Gallery and the Alice Building, Erminio offered the Big Nazo studio as a locale, an offer enthusiastically accepted by the board.

(C) Needs Report

Staff presented a brief report on space and staffing needs and physical plant improvements (see copy). The chief element was a proposal to create a new full-time staff position for someone to administer programming and planning. This would integrate two currently separate but closely related tasks, and free Shawn to concentrate on accounting and computer operations and Sheri to focus on development. The board generally agreed that this seemed like a good idea, but there was no apparent way to fund the position.

(D) Old Business

In response to Robert O.'s query, Bert reported that no one was interested in renting the proposed two-room suite on the third floor for the amount stipulated by the board, and that for the present the space would remain as two separate units.

(E) Other Business

Bert reminded the board about the upcoming Christmas party at Sholes Hillsgrove Country Club, and the Smoking Jackets CD release party at AS220 on 12/21 at 9:30.

(5) Adjournment

VOTED to adjourn the meeting.

Recorded and submitted by

Robert Owen Jones
Secretary