Minutes of the business meeting
of November 6, 2009
I. The business meeting was called to order at 6:37 PM by President Ron Hartman.
Members attending: President Ron Hartman, Vice-president Steve Grenot, Secretary Reed Ostrander, Members Chip Borona, Banks Edwards, Marian Johnson, Bill Little, Bob Murphy, Jackie Nelson.
A. Announcements
1. Please pay for the Toys for Tots train sets you subscribed for. Each set is $32.00 payable to Treasurer Dennis McDermott.
B. Minutes of the previous meeting of October 6, 2009 were read by Secretary Reed Ostrander.
1. The minutes were corrected as follows:
a. Part I.A.: change “$30.00 per set” to $32.00 per set. In the second sentence omit the phrase “or Marion directly”.
2. Bill moved acceptance as corrected and seconded by Bob.
a. The minutes were accepted as corrected.
C. There was no treasurer’s report.
D. Old Business
1. We ran about 78 hours at the Interstate Fair.
a. We collected about $7.00 in donations.
b. Set up and tear down went very well and the revised fiddle yard was a great help to running. Some yard tracks and wiring may need modification. Yard tracks need to have some old inaccurate numbers removed.
2. We still need to move the AC unit in Marie’s shed to her house.
3. The holiday dinner will be at Zeas’ restaurant between Gregory and Chase Streets in Pensacola on December 12. Please inform Steve if you wish to attend before Nov. 14.
E. New Business
1. The Fairhope train show information is in. The show will be in the old elementary school location. Dates are 19 March to 21 March, 2010. Set up on the 19th.
a. Reed moved we attend and Chip seconded the motion.
1) The motion passed
b. The following members agreed to go:
1) Bill - set up and Saturday;
2) Bob - all days;
3) Banks - Set up and Saturday;
4) Chip - all days;
5) Reed - all days;
6) Ron - all days.
2. Reed has updated the Club history. It will appear on the new circular and application form.
3. Bob moved (seconded by Bill) that we upgrade the Digitrax system with the new UR92 receivers that work with the new 402D throttles. The new receivers and throttles allow direct addressing (acquire or program) motive power without plugging into a U or base unit and add a number of direct function options (total of 29). Older DT400 throttles can be updated with a new chip
a. The motion passed.
4. Ron made a motion to convert to Anderson plugs. These are much cheaper and should reduce poor contact problems with the Cinch-Jones plugs now in use. They will cost about 34˘ each set. This compares to about $7.00 per set for Cinch-Jones plugs.
a. The motion was tabled to the next meeting.
5. Nominations for officers:
a. Bob moved that the officers of 2009 be reelected if they will serve. Seconded by Banks.
b. The motion passed.
c. The new officers will assume their duties at the first meeting in January 2010.
d. The officers for 2010 will be:
1) President Ron Hartman
2) Vice-president Steve Grenot
3) Treasurer Dennis McDermott
4) Secretary Reed Ostrander
6. Bob moved that we have a short course in using the Digitrax system for the members. The motion was seconded by Chip. Dave Ramirez volunteered to teach the course.
a. The motion passed.
7. Steve noted that with the new roof on Marie’s outbuilding it now could be used for run or work sessions. It was also suggested that the Club build a simple around the room layout for members to run on.
a. It was noted that it would be best to keep such a layout simple and without scenery.
a. Banks moved to table this discussion until the January meeting.
F. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM.
Respectfully Submitted by
D. Reed Ostrander
Secretary
PMRC HO Division