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Zion Cemetery February 2023 Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Zion Cemetery Preservation & Maintenance Society Board Meeting
February 16th, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Fred Hearns called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. on February 16th, 2023
Board Members Present:
Reva Iman
Fred Hearns
Leroy Moore
Reverend Byron Pressley
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion for approval for November 2022 minutes was made by Leroy Moore, seconded by Reva Iman.
Motion passed unanimously.
A motion for approval for December 2022 minutes was made by Leroy Moore, seconded by Reverend Byron Pressley. Motion passed unanimously.
A motion for approval for January 2023 minutes was made by Leroy Moore, seconded by Reva Iman.
Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chase Harrison is running for City Council, District 1. He has been consulting with Reva Iman regarding the two properties' parcels. Mr. Harrison and Reva interviewed with the Florida Sentinel trying to make the public aware of what is going on. He is here to support Zion and bring awareness.
OLD BUSINESS
I. Annual Meeting
I. Leroy Moore made a motion to extend a new 3-year term to Fred Hearns, Reva Iman, and Reverend Byron Pressley. Reverend Byron Pressley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
II. Update on Meeting request with Mayor
I. There is no update at this time.
III. Update on NEA Grant with the City of Tampa I. Leroy Moore spoke with Robin Nigh. She is organizing a meeting with Karyn Olivier, the artist who will conceptualize her vision for what the public art installation would look like. They will submit a proposal to the Board.
IV. Update on Private Property Acquisitions
I. There is no update at this time.
Minutes of Zion Cemetery Preservation & Maintenance Society Board Meeting
V. Update on Fundraising Committee and need to appoint a new committee chair
I. Currently, we do not have a committee chair. Will reappoint a chair in the upcoming meetings.
Former Florida State Senator Janet Cruz was online and stated she will be happy to be a part of the committee once we move forward with a chair.
VI. Update on Funding and Grant Prospects
I. Most grants require site control. Currently, we do not have ownership, there are still two parcels owned by two different private owners. Until there is some sort of partnership or contract made for sale, then we won't qualify for many grant opportunities.
VII. Update on Historic Marker Installation
I. The City of Tampa has the Marker in storage. A discussion took place with Reva Iman, Fred Hearns, Leroy Moore, and the City's Historic Monument Committee. The committee controls all Historic Markers, the wording, placement, planning, ceremonies, etc. The issue the board is facing is Location. The Historic Monument Committee decided where the Marker would go, without consulting the Board. The Historic Monument Committee wants to place the Marker away from the site, on Lake Avenue. The best place the Marker should be placed is on Florida Avenue because of visibility. Leroy Moore shared a map. Zion members on the call with the City Monument committee objected to the location and made it clear we would not support a location remote from the actual Zion site.
VIII. Tampa City Council address by Vice-President, Reva Iman
I. Reva Iman attended Tampa City Council Meeting asking for assistance and finding a solution to bringing all the property owners together under one umbrella. Reva Iman also offered tours as well.
IX. Follow up with City Council Members
I. Will follow up at the next board meeting.
X. By Laws Report and Recommendations
I. The markup version was sent to the board to review. There are some major recommended changes to the By-Laws.
II. Reverend Byron Pressley made a motion to proceed with the Amended changes, Reva Iman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
XI. Letter from former Board Member, Yvette Lewis
I. The letter will be sent to the board to review before there is any discussion.
NOTICES AND UPDATES
The next Board meeting is scheduled for March 16th, 2023
Minutes of Zion Cemetery Preservation & Maintenance Society Board Meeting
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no objections. Meeting adjourned at 5:54 PM.