response 26 of 64:

Jan 19 05:56 UTC 2000

I agree with Mary.

response 28 of 64:

Jan 19 17:43 UTC 2000

IIRC, a fair amount of our discussion concerned the exact text of that 
particular clause in the lease.  Would it be appropriate to post that 
text here?

response 30 of 64:

Jan 19 19:46 UTC 2000

D'oh!  Well, I'll look for it when I get home, then.  :)

response 32 of 64:

Jan 19 21:50 UTC 2000

That's:
        /usr/local/grexdoc/archives/lease/lease.pumpkin2
Here's the relevant portion:

2       TERM,  Terms of this lease shall be for a time commencing the
        1st day of June, 1999 and continuing through the 31st day of
        May, 2000.

        OPTION:  Providing Tenant has not been in default of this lease,
        Tenant shall have the option of five 1yr. Lease extensions at
        a 5% increase in rent per year.  Said option may be cancelled with
        a written ninety (90) day notice at the discretion of either
        Landlord or Tenant.

The "ninety (90)" was changed to "one hundred twenty (120)" in the final
signed version.  The question was whether the lease automatically extends
itself if we say nothing.

response 34 of 64:

Jan 20 03:26 UTC 2000

Strictly speaking, this clause is poorly worded because it does not specify
the default state if no communication is made.  

Logically, the default state (and the basis of my position in the vote) is
that we pick up the option.  The only *action* specified is for cancellation.
Since it is not our intention to cancel, then logically, no action is called
for.

In our discussion, there were fears voiced, which appeared to be based on
misunderstanding of the history, and which, in the course of discusion, led
to temporary phrasing of a proposal which could be construed as underhanded
in intent.  After discussion of the potential impact of this appearance, the
wording was changed.  Pardon my excess of commas.  In my head I associate them
with pauses in the way i might speak the words, even though they may not be
entirely proper if so placed in the written form.

I think it is both logical and appropriate for us to pursue the establishment
of contact with whomever is responsible for managing the property we rent.
The comments I made in the meeting in regard to this issue were, I think, more
in response to the fears expressed than based on solid thinking.  Ultimately,
however, I believe that we did adopt the correct and appropriate course of
action.  We did not rule out any attempt to contact the management.

Mary, since you have been the point person on this, I am perfectly pleased
to have you continue to be, unless you wish otherwise.  Therefore, I leave
the contact issue up to your judgement, unless anyone objects, in which case
we can have them flayed for expressing such poor taste as to challenge your
good judgement.  ;)

response 36 of 64:

Jan 20 14:13 UTC 2000

As I recall, the main reason I voted the way I did is because I was 
under the impression that what we were talking about was whether or not 
to contact the *management company* about the lease renewal.  That 
didn't seem like a particularly important or useful thing to do to me.  
Contacting the *owner* and asking about the management company, as well 
as informally stating our intention of continuing the lease, seems like 
a much better idea to me.  

response 38 of 64:

Jan 20 17:12 UTC 2000

I've thought this over and now feel that contacting the owner as
described in #35 is the right thing to do.

response 40 of 64:

Jan 21 11:31 UTC 2000

I'll telephone the owner today.

response 42 of 64:

Jan 22 23:11 UTC 2000

FWIW, you've got my support.

response 44 of 64:

Jan 24 23:56 UTC 2000

I was able to reach both the owner and our new property manager
today.  Both were pleased to hear we are happy with our space.
Both thanked us for calling to find out how this renewal worked.

The property manager said, "It would be best" to let him know, each year,
of our intention to stay and take the option to renew.  We could just send
a memo, by U.S. mail, that he'll keep with our lease.  I said I'd send
this year's off in tomorrow's mail. 

I took the opportunity to tell him a little about Grex, why this space
works well for us, and about our non-profit mission.  (Thanks, Jan.)  He
seemed interested and somewhat amazed we get by on donations.  I wouldn't
be surprised if he dropped in to see how our community works. 

So, unless something weird happens, we are fine for another year.

I'll send mail to baff with the new address for the rent checks
and telephone numbers to reach the management company both during
business hours and for emergencies, after hours.

response 46 of 64:

Jan 25 00:51 UTC 2000

You're welcome.

response 48 of 64:

Jan 25 15:58 UTC 2000

Thankyou very much, Mary!!!  :)