St. Mary of Lourdes/St. James

Planning Advisory Committee

Minutes of February 12, 2003

The meeting was called to order by Gary Loertscher at 7:05 p.m. Members present were: Gary Loertscher, Ray and Ann Legris, Carla Wolf, Tim Blair, Joe Donlin, Jerry Jansen, Doug Waelti, Kay Parish, Yogi Brown, Jerry Richardson, Gary Ziegler, Teri Nolden, John Buscemi, Barb Wachter, Bob Hoffman, Joe Stadelman, Gerard Rabas, Ken Klink, and Jim Kniffin.

Minutes of the January 29, 2003 meeting were accepted.

Short discussion of the pattern of parishes combining. Kk shared a Catholic Harold article about 4 parishes combining in Milwaukee.

Two teams visited a number of parishes on Saturday, February 8^th. Teri Nolden, Jerry Richardson, and Joe Stadelman visited St. Maria Goretti, St. Alberts, and St. Dennis. Bob Hoffman, Jerry Remy, and Ann and Ray Legris visited St. Williams and St. Mary’s (Milton). Some of the main points presented by the two teams include:

St. Maria Goretti

- liked semi-circular seating; flexibility allowing overflow from church into church hall; nice finish materials

- concerns about narrowness of gathering place; small place of honor; no side chapel; small parish hall; light bulb changing difficult; space too monumental

- ideas included videotaping of parish meetings; neighborhood and parish surveys; generation of printed material

St. Dennis

- liked gathering space and its proximity to side chapel and parish hall

- concerns about lack of natural light; finish materials have cold effect

St. Alberts

- liked bright, spacious, and inviting gathering space; portable seating in front; open altar; altar on wheels in side chapel; full kitchen; good storage; simple, stunning décor; gathering area can act as overflow area; can build on in three directions; columnade concept on sides

- concerns about baptismal pool; proximity of choir space and tabernacle

St. Williams

- liked natural light; gathering area; storage; arts and crafts (prairie style); natural wood décor; seating arrangement; parking close to entrance

- concerns about wood warping by baptismal pool; morning and afternoon sun in eyes

St. Mary’s (Milton)

- liked décor and feeling of church

- concerns about limitations of physical space

Jerry Rabas presented a summary of quotations from land survey companies. Jenkins Survey and Design, Inc. submitted low bid of $3,585.00 and has done the work.

Discussion of the advisability of completing a Title Search for our existing property.

Joe Stadelman presented the preliminary site plan:

- slope of property possibly conducive to entry at two levels

- recommend purchase of additional two acres

- east end is low and will stay natural; handle storm water

- 3 parking lots with capacities of 85, 80, and 120 stalls

- build on higher ground toward west end of property

- proposed main entrance from Frederick Street; two access/exit sites on

Hwy CC.

John Buscemi let a discussion seeking input on “general image of the new building”;

- semicircular seating, but not wrapped around too far

- sloped floor (possible impact on lower story)

- need for church, parish hall, side chapel, and gathering space to be integrated to flow into each other

- priority on natural lighting, prairie style (arts and crafts), wood to enrich and soften space, focus on traditional and classic styling for interior and exterior

The next Planning Advisory Committee meeting will be on Sunday, March 16, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.