The meeting for May 2006 was called to order on May 5th by Club President Earl Blanchette at 1 PM. The next business meeting is scheduled for June 3rd and the next run day will be May 20th.

The minutes for April 2006 were introduced; motion to accept as read was made by Mike Cleveland, and seconded by Wiley Starnes. The motion passed.

The treasurer’s report for May 2006 was presented by Dan Ladd who explained the work about to be performed at the depot.  Dan explained that the Operating and Building Fund accounts will be combined to facilitate paying the depot renovation expenses.

Old Business

Kennedy Gauger requests that members use the Yahoo Group site, or it will be eliminated. Yahoo’s new policy is “No use, You lose”.

The funds solicitation letter was shared with the membership. If anyone knows of individuals, groups, businesses, and the like, who may wish to donate, please see Mike Cleveland.  Mike also reported that 149 tables for the Train Show were sold as of today’s meeting.

Earl also mentioned that a member’s commitment to purchasing $30 worth of pre-sale tickets to the Train Show is strictly voluntary.

New Business

Dan explained the proposed building expenses for the siding, windows, and HVAC system. Trim samples were available in the meeting room. A motion was made to proceed with all renovations as deemed appropriate and start work within the next two weeks. Joe Pyland seconded, and the motion carried.

Dan Ladd was appointed coordinator to work with Santa Fe Museum staff to see that they schedule their train festival either the weekend before or after our Train Show.

Joe Pyland requested two additional electrical outlets. Ed Neill will check with the contractor.

Noel Cowling needs volunteers to help with the push-carts. Please see him after the meeting.

Neil Locke presented a sample badge he intends to present to members for their personal use while at the Depot during Business and Run Days to help identify each of us. They will include names. We hope to have these in the next two weeks. They will be at no cost to members.

Joe Pyland will conduct a clinic on the application of dry transfer decals immediately following meeting.

Bob Alston mentioned that the National Model Railroading Lone Star Region convention is scheduled for 2007 in Round Rock at the Wingate Hotel Conference Room. Membership in the NMRA and LSR is required, but this will be a gala affair.

The meeting was called to order by Club President Earl Blanchette on April 1st at 1 PM.

The minutes for March were introduced; a motion to accept as read was made by Mike Cleveland and seconded by Earl Blanchette. The motion passed.

The Treasurer’s report was presented. As of this meeting, we have sold 120 tables for the 2006 Train Show. Betty Neill requested a meeting of the Finance Committee following adjournment.

Old Business

Kennedy read a draft letter for membership’s approval soliciting donations to the club.  Mike Cleveland explained a few points. Ed Neill and Ed Underwood added comments. Keith Hartberg suggested adding contributors’ names to the web site as recognition, subject to contributor’s concurrence. Mike Cleveland made a motion to publish the letter as drafted; Keith Hartberg seconded. The motion carried.

The Temple 125th Birthday bash is coming the weekend of April 8th & 9th. Pat Dye is still making changes to operation. The Carnival will open on Thursday. The Museum will open at 10 AM. The club can be open at any time. We have been requested to close at 4:30 PM on Saturday to support the scheduled band performance.

There will be no parking anywhere near the Depot during the weekend. Shuttle service will be provided from the Temple High School and Mayborn Center to the Santa Fe Depot parking lot every 20 minutes.

Keith Hartberg made a motion to change Run Day from the 3rd Saturday to the 2nd Saturday to coincide with the festivities. Howard Bell seconded and the motion carried. There will be a preliminary meeting at the ATSF Depot at 6:30 PM Thursday for planning.

Our deepest appreciation goes out to Mike and Laurie Cleveland for their generosity in allowing us to use their printer. It will be maintained in the file room. See Earl, Betty, or Bill Lancaster for key. Remember to post to the usage sheet.

Ed Neill gave a brief presentation on the Temple City Council’s unanimous approval of our request for a 15-year lease extension. Ed suggested acquiring tenant’s enhancement insurance through our insurance carrier for our protection at an additional annual cost.

Ed then explained our renovation priorities, as he sees them:

1. Install a new HVAC to the replace current system upstairs and possibly replace the downstairs system with the current model.
2. Refurbish the interior.
3. Replace windows.
4. Add insulation.

Ed made a motion to move ahead and authorize Club President Earl Blanchette to sign the authorization and lease agreement with City, to which Ed Underwood seconded. The motion carried.

New Business

School kids will be in the area Wednesday at 10 AM both at our Depot and the Museum.

The meeting adjourned at 2:05 PM.

The meeting was called to order March 4th at 1 PM by Club President Earl Blanchette.

The minutes from February were introduced; a motion to accept as read was made by Joe Pyland and seconded by Bill Lancaster. The minutes were accepted.

The Treasurer’s Report was presented, explained, and accepted.

Old Business

Yahoo Groups was selected and Kennedy Gauger will be the moderator for the club message forums. A handout was available to club members. Kennedy gave a brief explanation about who will be able to access the groups. Joe Pyland explained what the groups were all about.

Mike Cleveland presented a draft letter to be used for the purpose of accepting donations. Suggestions were made to word smith and fine tune the letter. It was decided that more discussion was needed at a later meeting.

Pat Dye of the Museum needs to know if we will have volunteers to man and run the hand cars for the Temple 125th Aniv in April 2006. It was decided to finalize plans for this event at the April business meeting.

New Business

Librarian Bill Lancaster is editing and cataloging slides for your viewing pleasure.

Mike Cleveland expressed his opinion that we should develop an orientation packet for new members that would aid assigned “mentors” in introducing new members to how the club functions. He also asked if we should establish an age limit for unsupervised operations.  He suggested forming operating protocols for each scale. A brief discussion ensued – some scales may need more stringent limits. The club by-laws do not address this topic. Earl will do more research and report at a later meeting.

Bill Lancaster reported on upcoming field trips for local schools as Spring approaches. Some will be visiting Wednesday, March 8th. Carol with the Santa Fe Depot is looking for volunteers to man and operate the hand cars.

Mike Cleveland proposed that the club purchase a printer to be used for train show activities, club functions, and related reports. Kennedy Gauger made a motion which was seconded by Paul Otis to purchase a printer. The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 2:25 PM.

The meeting was called to order at 1:05 PM on January 14th by newly elected Club President Earl Blanchette.

Earl read the minutes for November. Betty Neill made a motion to accept the minutes as read, and Joe Pyland seconded. The motion carried.

The Treasurer’s report for November and December 2005 were distributed to the membership. The report was accepted.

Old Business

Betty requested a motion from the floor to appoint Dan Ladd as Assistant Treasurer so he can be added to the signature card at the bank. Joe Pyland motioned, and Bill Lancaster seconded. The motion passed.  Dan Ladd will be the Assistant Treasurer.

A memoriam was sent on behalf of the club to the Hierzig family and we received a card of thanks. Former member James West donated a 3-D puzzle of New York City. Bill Lancaster indicated that the Temple Library had expressed an interest in the same for display. Ed Neill made a motion to donate the puzzle, and Wiley Starnes seconded. The motion passed.

The budget for CY 2006 was distributed to the membership. Members of the Budget Committee were Bill Lancaster, N Scale; Mike Cleveland, HO;  Wiley Stearnes, O; and the committee was chaired by Betty Neill, Club Treasurer.

Discussions on utility usage ensued. A motion was made to add a lock to the fuse box by Wiley Starnes. The motion was seconded and passed.  Another discussion centered on the increasing cost of utilities. It was suggested that the budget be amended to include these costs.  A motion was made by Joe Pyland to table further budget considerations pending a review in 90 days. The motion was seconded and passed. The budget as presented by the Committee and with the inclusion of the two motions was approved.

New Business

An Ad Hoc committee was formed to examine the proposal for a lease renewal of the Depot. The committee will be chaired by Ed Neill and members Bruce Koehler, Dan Ladd, Bill Lancaster and Bob Alston.

Bill Lancaster made a motion to name the Club Library the Dieter Hierzig Library in honor of Dieter’s long and arduous hours. The motion was seconded and carried.

Mike Cleveland made a proposal to try and have quarterly field trips to visit other member’s home layouts.

Bill Lancaster offered his N Scale layout to the club for the 2006 raffle layout, gratis! It will need motive power and rolling stock. The club accepted this generous gift.

The club’s historic layout is in need of workers. See Dan Ladd on how you can help out.

Mike Cleveland reminded the club that clinics are to be held on each workday effective with February’s business and work meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 2:45PM.