MINUTES
Orinda Horsemans’ Association
Board of Directors Meeting
October 15, 2019
Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 19:03 at Lisa McLaughlin’s home. Full board present.
Attendees
Lisa McLaughlin, Bob Reid, Diane Livoti, Michael Bowen, Alix Quay, Wakean McLean, Sally Weare and
members Kate Razo, Cheryl Fulton and Kim Zvik. Member Kate Razo arrived at 19:00, Cheryl Fulton
arrived 19:07. Member Kim Zvik arrived 19:27.
1. Approval of Minutes
LM outlined new agenda for meeting. Item 2(b)(ii) tabled by unanimous consent.
2. Consent-Standing Items
a. The board approved the membership meeting minutes without change.
b. Review of planning grid:
i. Fall Work Party to be organized by Caitilin Evans approved: Priorities include Taj
paining, fencing repairs, firebreak cleanup and invasive removal. Eddie Reiter’s
suggestions acknowledged;
ii. Tabled
iii. BR reported out on work hours;
iv. Tabled
v. DL reported new keys issued for PO Box. Copies provided to President and
Treasurer. NOTE: OLD KEYS WILL NO LONGER WORK.
c. Herd moves outlined. Herd in Pond through end of October, thence to Upper Sullivan.
Not an in-hand move.
3. BR outlined need to have executive decision-making capacity by board for administrative or
minor actions between board meetings. BR will report back at next meeting with proposal.
Proposal may necessitate rule changes.
4. Membership Issues
a. Pugliese Family Proprietary Membership: DL moved, MB second unanimous vote to end
probationary period and welcome the Pugliese Family as new proprietary members. A
discussion ensued about need for greater board transparency on membership
processing and oversight of mentor program to set new members up for success at OHA
and to ensure collegial and productive probationary periods. A suggestion was made
that the probationary period include a six month “check in with both mentor and new
member to ensure smooth transition into OHA. LM will report back with proposed
improvements to process.
b. DL proposed that for financial and administrative reasons, refunds for departing
members ought not, except in the case of the death of a horse, include refund for last
six months of membership if member vacates >three (?) months into a six-month
membership period. DL will return with formal proposal to board.
Orinda Horsemans’ Association
Board of Directors Meeting
October 15, 2019
Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 19:03 at Lisa McLaughlin’s home. Full board present.
Attendees
Lisa McLaughlin, Bob Reid, Diane Livoti, Michael Bowen, Alix Quay, Wakean McLean, Sally Weare and
members Kate Razo, Cheryl Fulton and Kim Zvik. Member Kate Razo arrived at 19:00, Cheryl Fulton
arrived 19:07. Member Kim Zvik arrived 19:27.
1. Approval of Minutes
LM outlined new agenda for meeting. Item 2(b)(ii) tabled by unanimous consent.
2. Consent-Standing Items
a. The board approved the membership meeting minutes without change.
b. Review of planning grid:
i. Fall Work Party to be organized by Caitilin Evans approved: Priorities include Taj
paining, fencing repairs, firebreak cleanup and invasive removal. Eddie Reiter’s
suggestions acknowledged;
ii. Tabled
iii. BR reported out on work hours;
iv. Tabled
v. DL reported new keys issued for PO Box. Copies provided to President and
Treasurer. NOTE: OLD KEYS WILL NO LONGER WORK.
c. Herd moves outlined. Herd in Pond through end of October, thence to Upper Sullivan.
Not an in-hand move.
3. BR outlined need to have executive decision-making capacity by board for administrative or
minor actions between board meetings. BR will report back at next meeting with proposal.
Proposal may necessitate rule changes.
4. Membership Issues
a. Pugliese Family Proprietary Membership: DL moved, MB second unanimous vote to end
probationary period and welcome the Pugliese Family as new proprietary members. A
discussion ensued about need for greater board transparency on membership
processing and oversight of mentor program to set new members up for success at OHA
and to ensure collegial and productive probationary periods. A suggestion was made
that the probationary period include a six month “check in with both mentor and new
member to ensure smooth transition into OHA. LM will report back with proposed
improvements to process.
b. DL proposed that for financial and administrative reasons, refunds for departing
members ought not, except in the case of the death of a horse, include refund for last
six months of membership if member vacates >three (?) months into a six-month
membership period. DL will return with formal proposal to board.
c.. LM will reach out to Associate Members to determine payment status. Board will
establish a board liaison for Associate Members in 2019-2020.
d. Member CF recounted and sought board intervention regarding an incident wherein
another member sought but did not receive a formal Temporary Restraining Order
against CF. The TRO would have barred CF from the Annual Membership Meeting and
from the OHA Pasture indefinitely. CF presented a packet of information to the board to
support her claim. The member was invited to address the board, but declined on
advice of counsel. DL thanked CF and asked whether CF felt that she had conducted
herself pursuant to the OHH Code of Conduct. CF stated she had. CF asked that minutes
reflect the TRO. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, and its potential to unfairly bias
the membership or offend or embarrass the other member, the board tabled all
discussion and mention of the other party for discussion in Executive Session.
5. EBMUD Report
a. Capital Improvements
i. Taj repair needs discussed (sanding, borate, painting at fall work party): Wakean
will gather and tally receipts for next board meeting.
ii. Doug and Sally leading Lower Pasture Trough repair project.
b. Proposed capital improvements
i. WM reports that EBMUD supportive in concept of installed hay structures such
as those built by Redwood Rangers on their Moraga pasture. WM and Fred Goff
successfully scavenged Pressure Treated Redwood (PTR) planks so wood supply
likely adequate. DL proposed that November meeting be dedicated fully to the
Annual Grazing Plan (AGP) and capital improvements discussion. (NOTE: Under
terms of OHA’s lease, OHA receives a lease discount of up to 50% of lease for
approved Capital Improvements (CI) under AGP).
6. Treasurer’s Report
a. Deferred
b. 990 Filed
c. DL will send Insurance Certificate (liability) to EBMUD
d. Budget under development – item tabled
e. Dues for current year shifted on Planning Grid (PG) to January Meeting
7. BR presented work hours report from him and Marina. High earners this year were: Heather
Pineda (160-hours), Lisa McLaughlin at 80.5 hours and Caitilin Swan at 79 hours. Board noted that
more detail is needed in order to report full breadth of hours to EBMUD. Board decided to grant
members a three-month grace period to make up 2018-2019 work hours by physical labor at the
pasture, after which they are obligated to buy out remaining unfulfilled hours at $15/hour.
8. LM provided a brief update on the Orinda Firebreak Project and the perimeter fencing.
9. Board discussed technical challenges at Pond Trough caused by pawing and subsequent break of
float system, recent attempt to guard float with wood structure and general preference of LM for
cooperative, consensual decision-making on repair or installation of infrastructure.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 21:15 PM.
10. Executive Session
The board met in executive session.
establish a board liaison for Associate Members in 2019-2020.
d. Member CF recounted and sought board intervention regarding an incident wherein
another member sought but did not receive a formal Temporary Restraining Order
against CF. The TRO would have barred CF from the Annual Membership Meeting and
from the OHA Pasture indefinitely. CF presented a packet of information to the board to
support her claim. The member was invited to address the board, but declined on
advice of counsel. DL thanked CF and asked whether CF felt that she had conducted
herself pursuant to the OHH Code of Conduct. CF stated she had. CF asked that minutes
reflect the TRO. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, and its potential to unfairly bias
the membership or offend or embarrass the other member, the board tabled all
discussion and mention of the other party for discussion in Executive Session.
5. EBMUD Report
a. Capital Improvements
i. Taj repair needs discussed (sanding, borate, painting at fall work party): Wakean
will gather and tally receipts for next board meeting.
ii. Doug and Sally leading Lower Pasture Trough repair project.
b. Proposed capital improvements
i. WM reports that EBMUD supportive in concept of installed hay structures such
as those built by Redwood Rangers on their Moraga pasture. WM and Fred Goff
successfully scavenged Pressure Treated Redwood (PTR) planks so wood supply
likely adequate. DL proposed that November meeting be dedicated fully to the
Annual Grazing Plan (AGP) and capital improvements discussion. (NOTE: Under
terms of OHA’s lease, OHA receives a lease discount of up to 50% of lease for
approved Capital Improvements (CI) under AGP).
6. Treasurer’s Report
a. Deferred
b. 990 Filed
c. DL will send Insurance Certificate (liability) to EBMUD
d. Budget under development – item tabled
e. Dues for current year shifted on Planning Grid (PG) to January Meeting
7. BR presented work hours report from him and Marina. High earners this year were: Heather
Pineda (160-hours), Lisa McLaughlin at 80.5 hours and Caitilin Swan at 79 hours. Board noted that
more detail is needed in order to report full breadth of hours to EBMUD. Board decided to grant
members a three-month grace period to make up 2018-2019 work hours by physical labor at the
pasture, after which they are obligated to buy out remaining unfulfilled hours at $15/hour.
8. LM provided a brief update on the Orinda Firebreak Project and the perimeter fencing.
9. Board discussed technical challenges at Pond Trough caused by pawing and subsequent break of
float system, recent attempt to guard float with wood structure and general preference of LM for
cooperative, consensual decision-making on repair or installation of infrastructure.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 21:15 PM.
10. Executive Session
The board met in executive session.
