Friends of the Joaquin Moraga Adobe

III. Reviewed last month’s Minutes and activities

IV. Discussed future formal status of group and the need to perhaps engage the services of an attorney, particularly as we look to achieve 501(c)(3) status. This will be required if we are to seek tax free donations. Carl Weber will check with the Orinda Historical Society regarding other 501(c)(3) filings.

V. Website: Kent Long has registered a website (www.moragaadobe.org or www.moragaadobe.com ) and already has considerable content on the site. To date, Kent’s out-of-pocket investment in the site is $25. Discussed possible links to the Joaquin Moraga Adobe website from Orinda and Moraga City and Historical Society websites. Kent will pursue Orinda links while Ron Louis will pursue Moraga links. Future features on the Joaquin Moraga site may include a ‘Donation’ and ‘Comments’ link.

VI. Purpose Statement and Characterization:

a. The group discussed a variety of ‘Purpose Statements’ including “The Friends of the Joaquin Moraga Adobe are dedicated to preserving this important landmark and working to provide community access to the building and grounds” as currently appears on the website along with other stated goals of ‘education’ ‘historical research’, but emphasizing the ‘preservation’ and ‘access’ features of our mission. A final and formal statement will be crafted at our next meeting.

b. We need to better identify the age and characterization of the Adobe relative to other similar landmarks in California and the Bay region. The only possible older site is the Alvarado Adobe in Monterey reportedly built before the Moraga Adobe.

Carl Weber will investigate the categorization of the Moraga Adobe as a California State Historic Landmark and the protections afforded the Adobe through this recognition (e.g. building walls only, entire building, expanded site) and any restrictions imposed on future development of the site. Some of this will be dictated by the outcome of a Request for Proposal (RFP) that the City of Orinda has issued to environmental and archaeological research firms for the purpose of determining the status and restrictions on development of the site. The outcome of this RFP and scope completion is estimated to be 6 months to 1 year.

c. Once we are better established we can seek support and publicity through local media outlets such as ‘Contra Costa Times’ and KPIX’s ‘Eye on the Bay’.

VII. Other Resource Assistance: We discussed the value of securing support from the Contra Costa Historical Society. The contacts there are Mary-Ellen Jones and Lucille Irish.

VIII. Site Development: Current developers, represented by Michael Olsen and John French, have been cooperative in recent discussions in the interests of preserving the site. The development consists of 22 acres and 16 home sites, the Adobe being one of them. We will arrange a near-term tour of the site for all group members that are interested, perhaps two scheduled visits to accommodate members’ schedules.

IX. Officer Nominations: The Group nominated the following Board and By-Law Committee Members:

a. Chairperson – Kent Long

b. Vice Chairperson / Publicity – Jeff Boero

c. Treasurer – Karen Beck

d. Secretary – Connie Boero

e. Publicity Assistant – Vera Kochan

f. Research – Elsie Mastick

g. Board Members

i. SB Master

ii. Ron Louis

h. By-Laws Committee

i. Bobbie Landers

ii. Flo Weber

iii. Leasa Raya

X. By-Laws: Al Dessayer will obtain a copy of the By-Laws from the Moraga Historical Society for our use in developing our own.

XI. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM. The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 13, 7:30 PM at Bobbie Landers’ home, 25 La Cuesta, Orinda.