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2025 Meeting Minutes

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June 12, 2025

Holmes Run Community Garden Advisory Meeting Minutes
Date: June 12, 2025
Location: Google Meet
Attendees: Derek Walker, Tiffany Finegan, Sissy Walker, Amy Feinberg
New Member Introduced: John 

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1. Meeting Platform & Tools

  • Discussion: Derek and Tiffany discussed the benefits of using Google Meet over Zoom, highlighting the ease of access and auto-invite calendar integration.

  • Notes: Tiffany is exploring video platforms for her work and recommended Google Meet. She also introduced a note-taking AI tool, Otter, to summarize meetings.

2. Communication Improvements

  • Email Notifications:

    • Derek suggested using clearer subject lines in meeting invitations.

    • Sissy proposed supplementing email invites with text messages for better reach.

    • Tiffany agreed and will explore automation options to streamline invites via both platforms.

3. Otter AI Integration

  • Tiffany explained how Otter summarizes meetings automatically and can be edited after the fact.

  • Amy noted she received an Otter-generated email but not the main invite. Tiffany will investigate the issue.

4. Community Engagement Idea

  • Sissy proposed a weekly happy hour event with treats and lawn chairs to foster social connections within the garden.

5. Contact Information Updates

  • There was a discussion about collecting up-to-date phone numbers for members. It was noted that Jen may be able to coordinate this effort.

6. New Member Welcome

  • John, a gardener on Plot 24, was introduced and welcomed to the group.

7. Action Items

  • Tiffany Finegan – Update email subject lines to clearly indicate meeting details.

  • Tiffany Finegan – Explore automation to send meeting invites via both email and text.

  • Tiffany Finegan & Amy Feinberg – Schedule a follow-up call to troubleshoot Otter integration.

July 8, 2025

Holmes Run Community Garden Advisory Meeting Minutes

Date: July 8th, 2025

Location: Google Meet

Attendees: Derek Walker, Tiffany Finegan, Sissy Walker, Jen Lee, Barb Carrol, Joan Branch, Peter Joseph

 

Meeting Overview:

The Holmes Run Community Garden Advisory Board met to discuss key maintenance issues, upcoming events, community concerns, and communication strategies. Topics included mulch delivery, mowing requests, pest control education, water usage, and social engagement.

 

Discussion Highlights:

 

​1. Mulch & Mowing

  • Issue: Current lack of wood chips.

  • Update: The city plans to level the mulch pile area with stone dust.

  • Action: Use the city’s 311 system for future mowing requests.

  • Note: City mowed areas along fence and road.​

 

2. Wood Chip Delivery

  • Suggestion: Request large chip delivery. Use temporary signs to direct placement away from plots 1 & 7.

  • Follow-up: Wait until the city levels the area before proceeding.​

 

3. Social Events

  • Proposal: Friday social time for community-building.

  • Tentative Date: July 25 (weather-dependent).

  • Decision: Finalize based on forecast closer to date.​

 

4. Safe Pest Control

  • Suggested Products: Neem oil, BT, homemade insecticidal soaps.

  • Resources: Share educational videos and recipes.

  • Goal: Educate gardeners and reduce use of harmful chemicals.​

 

5. Communication & Outreach

  • Website: New garden website announced.

  • Meetings: Transition from Zoom to Google Meet.

  • Social Media: Proposal to create a public Facebook page for broader outreach.​

 

6. Yard Waste & Equipment

  • Update: City handles overfilled dumpsters on schedule.

  • Wheelbarrow Skeleton: Consider refurbishing into a decorative planter.​​

 

7. Water Usage Concerns

  • Issue: Woman observed turning on all faucets, wasting water.

  • Plan:

    • Remind gardeners faucets are for member use only.

    • Report continued misuse via non-emergency police line.

    • Monitor faucets and check for broken spigot extender.​

 

Action Items:

  • Email all gardeners: Reinforce that faucets are for gardener use only; discourage non-members from turning them on.

  • 311 Report: Submit request to fix broken spigot extender.

  • Friday Social: Tentatively plan for July 25; confirm based on weather.

  • Educational Materials: Share safe insect control info with gardeners (products + DIY options).

  • Temporary Signage: Prepare signs to direct wood chip delivery and cover wire grass once city levels area.

  • Follow Up on Wheelbarrow Planter: Refurbish and display in garden.

August 12, 2025

Holmes Run Community Garden – Advisory Meeting Minutes
Date: August 12, 2025, 6:00pm
Location: Google Meet
Recorder: Prepared by Tiffany Finegan

 

1. Call to Order & Welcome

The meeting opened with greetings and a discussion of the extreme heat affecting the region

 

2. Attendance

  • Present: Tiffany Finegan, Jen Lee, Barbara Carroll, Jimmy (new member, Plot 11), and Sissy & Derek Walker

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3. Key Discussion Items

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3.1 Weather & Garden Conditions

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  • Extreme heat noted in the Northeast.

  • Plot 20 identified as potentially abandoned; responsibility for maintenance is unclear.

  • Members reminded to remove vines and wiregrass from fences to prevent damage.
     

3.2 City Gravel Work & Wood Chip Area

  • City completed leveling and adding gravel to the wood chip storage area.

  • Positive feedback on the improvement and added usability of the space.

  • Reminder: wood chips should not be dumped on gravel paths.

  • Signs will possibly be posted to indicate proper placement of wood chips.

  • Derek to schedule the next wood chip delivery once gravel work is complete.
     

3.3 Tools & Equipment Security

  • Concerns raised about stolen or missing tools, including a donated push lawn mower, a paintbrush, and tools from individual plots.

  • Suggested labeling any “free” items to avoid confusion.

  • Discussion on potential ways to secure tools and limit access to non-gardeners.
     

3.4 Monitoring & Cleanup

  • Next monitoring session is scheduled for September 27, 2025.

  • Potential cleanup day proposed for September or October.

  • The latest deadline to remove vines and wiregrass from fences and paths is November 30, 2025.
     

3.5 Pest Prevention

  • Reminder to avoid standing water in plots and common areas to prevent mosquito breeding.

  • Members are encouraged to use mosquito dunks if necessary.
     

3.6 Bulletin Board Update

  • Tiffany Finegan will update the bulletin board with August information.

  • A backing will be added to improve board stability.

  • Jen Lee to unlock the bulletin board for Tiffany.

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4. Action Items

 

Update bulletin board with August postings

Tiffany Finegan

ASAP

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Post signs directing where wood chips should be placed

TBD

Before next delivery

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Schedule wood chip delivery

Derek

After gravel work completion

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Ensure wood chips are placed in correct areas

Derek

At time of delivery

 

5. Adjournment

The meeting concluded with thanks to the new members and reminders to:

  • Keep paths clear
     

  • Remove vines from fences
     

  • Maintain shared tools and equipment responsibly

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