Category Archives: Meeting Minutes

Refunds Made for Cancelled 2008 Train Show

 

The meeting for October 2008 was called to order October 4th in the historic Moody Depot by Club President Wiley Starnes at 10:47.

The minutes for September’s 2008 business meeting were presented. Trace Bowen made a motion to accept the minutes as read and Joe Pyland seconded. The motion passed. The Special Meeting minutes for September 2008 were also presented. Joe Pyland made a motion to accept the minutes as read and Trace Bowen seconded. The motion passed.

The Treasurer’s report was submitted and read. The 2008 Train Show Financial Report was submitted and read.

Old Business

By-Laws – The attorney working on this project has been sick and the board is still waiting to receive these.

Building Committee – Ed Neill had nothing to report.

Library – Bill Lancaster had nothing to report.

Inventory Committee – Betty Neill had nothing to report.

Clinics – Mike Cleveland had nothing to report.

Train Show – Dan Ladd that all of the vendor table fees have been refunded except for four vendors pending correct current address information. He also said that any club members seeking a refund for pre-sale tickets should see him.Noel Cowling volunteered to serve as co-chair for the 2009 Train Show Committee.Next year’s show is scheduled for September 19-20, 2009.

Baylor Show – Ron Miller met with the Mayborn Museum on October 1st. They have space for a 12×40 foot HO Layout, a 12×44 foot N Scale Layout, 22×32 O Scale Layout, and a 24×48 G Scale Layout. There is also some space for the Kiddie Layout and a small Z Scale Layout.

The plan is to load up on November 20-21 and then begin setting up on November 24th at 09:00 at the Mayborn Museum on the Waco Campus. Daily running will begin on November 29th for three weeks with tear down starting on December 22nd. Please contact Ron if you are available to assist with setup, teardown, and/or daily operations.

Noel Cowling reminded everyone of the two Santa Fe facility tours. He has eleven people signed up for the November 8th tour and twelve people signed up for the November 22nd tour. The club has to provide its own transportation and only three vehicles can be used per tour. Participants will meet at the North end of the BNSF yards at 09:00 on the tour days. If you have any questions, call Noel.

New Business

Nancy and Joseph Lathrop and their sons Benjamin and Timothy submitted their application for membership. Benjamin models in HO.

The results of the September Special Meeting ballot were announced. There were twenty-four votes for, one against, and one spoiled ballot. The proposed changed to the Articles of Incorporation passed. The club will pursue 501(c)(3) status.

The Texas Association of Downtowns will be meeting in Temple on Wednesday, November 12th. Approximately 75 attendees would like to visit the club from 1-4 PM. See Wiley Starnes if you can help operate layouts for this special open house.

Craig Lancaster had a heart attack but has quickly recovered.

The deadline for RRHM Railfan Weekend Registration has been extended to October 9th. Anyone interested in helping out with the CentraMod open house portion of the weekend on Saturday, October 11th from 12-2 PM should see Dan Ladd.

Bob Winter said he has the Beverly and Allen Flenge’s old model railroad equipment. Anyone interested in these items should contact Bob.

Wiley Starnes asked for anyone interested in serving on the Board of Directors to see him.

Ron Miller reported that Reliant Energy contacted his church about signing a two-year contract for electricity with no demand charge. With the approval of the Board of Directors, Ron signed CentraMod up for the same two-year plan which amounts to 11.8 cents/kwh with no demand charge. There is a 60-day period in which to cancel the contract after receiving the first bill.

Ed Neill said he would research how much it would cost to add directors and officers liability coverage to the club insurance policy.

Joe Pyland made a motion to adjourn and Mike Ross seconded. The club adjourned at 12:04.

Temple Mall Display a Success

The meeting for September 2008 was called to order September 6th by Club President Wiley Starnes at 11:00.

The minutes for August 2008 were presented. Betty Neill noted one correction to be made under Old Business – Train Show: Earl Blanchette’s name was misspelled Early Blanchette. Joe Pyland made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected and Bill Lancaster seconded. The motion passed.

The Treasurer’s report was submitted and read.

Old Business

Temple Mall Display – Bill Lancaster thanked those who participated in the Temple Mall showing during the weekends of August 30-31 September 6-7, 2008. Thanks also went out to Homer Martin who sold raffle layout tickets at the depot on Run Day. Betty Neill said she has pre-sale tickets for those that want them.

Raffle Layout – Mike Ross reported that the layout is 99% complete and ready for the show.

Train Show – Jim Bush Show handed out the schedule and list of duties. Be sure to refer all questions to personnel at the information table to preclude any potential misunderstanding. Ron Miller asked for help loading/unloading at the Mayborn Center and Depot at 9:00 AM on September 19th.

Noel Cowling reminded everyone of the Santa Fe facility tours in October and November.

New Business

Wiley Starnes has directed a reduction in AC usage in order to try and stay within the budgeted amount for electricity.

The RR&HM has requested the club’s participation again this year with the operation of a Christmas layout. Any conflict with the Baylor Museum activities will have to be resolved. Noel Cowling made a motion to make this a club activity and it was seconded by Bradley Linda. The motion passed.

The club Christmas dinner will be held December 4th from 7-9PM. Bradley Linda made a motion to conduct the December business meeting at this dinner. Joe Pyland seconded and the motion passed.

See Ron Miller if you can operate layouts at the Baylor Mayborn Museum in December.

Bill Lancaster was asked to run trains at an Assisted Living/Nursing Home on September 11th.

Wiley Starnes asked for names of members who would like to serve on the Board of Directors.

Betty Neill reported that the Mayborn Civic Center may raise their facility rent. If a contract for 2009 is signed immediately following this year’s show, we may be able to rent at the 2008 rate. Bradley Linda made a motion to contract as early as possible and Bruce Koehler seconded. The motion passed.

The depot cleanup will be conducted on September 13th at 9:00 AM.

Joe Pyland made a motion to adjourn. The club adjourned at 12:00.

Train Show Preparations Coming to a Close

The meeting for August 2008 was called to order August 2nd by Club President Wiley Starnes at 10:28.

The minutes for July 2008 were presented. Bill Lancaster made a motion to accept the minutes as read and Mike Hitzfelder seconded. The motion passed.

The Treasurer’s report was submitted and read.

Old Business

Temple Mall Display – Bill Lancaster reported that he now knows where the display space will be, but is unable to measure the space until August 18th. The space is close to Dillards and Payless Shoes. The Mall will promote the display on their website, Marquee, and in the newspaper. The display will run the last two weekends of August to sell raffle tickets and train show tickets.

Building Committee – Ed Neill said the committee will mount four small oscillating fans on the walls back in the freight house area by the HO layout.

Inventory Committee – Betty Neill said she needed one representative for each of the scales to help keep her current on additions and deletions from the recently completed club inventory. The following volunteered: Bill Lancaster (N Scale), Bradley Linda (HO Scale), and Wiley Starnes (O Scale).

Clinics – Mike Cleveland said to see him if anyone is interested in giving a clinic in October.

Raffle Layout – Mike Ross reported that he needs throttles or the parts to go with the power supply he has on hand. Jim Moody painted the scenic divider and it looks great.

Train Show – Jim Bush mentioned that he will have a meeting with everyone on the train show work schedule after next month’s business meeting. Ed Neill said he had pre-sale tickets available and to see him if you are interested. Betty Neill said she had purchased the train show awards and they had doubled in price over the last time she had purchased them.

Digitrax Equipment Club Purchase – The order has been placed. Ron Miller will pick up these items in Dallas when they come in.

The club received a donation of N Scale equipment and a layout. Unfortunately, the club lacks the space to display the layout. Bill Lancaster made a motion for the layout to be donated to the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum. Joe Pyland seconded and the motion passed.

Baylor University – The modular groups will resume work on modules in preparation for the Baylor and Waco Train shows the week of August 11th. See Ron Miller if you are interested in participating.

New Business

Dan Ladd reminded everyone of the RRHM railfan event planned for October 10-11 that will cost club members $40/person.

Wiley Starnes reported that Frank Harlan is recovering from surgery.

Wiley Starnes reminded everyone to remember to keep the depot aisles clear.

Wiley Starnes announced there will be a special meeting held on September 6th in conjunction with the regular business meeting. He would also like the board members to meet at 1300 on August 16th to review the revised bylaws which are still at the law office.

Wiley Starnes mentioned Raymond’s Country Kitchen in Lorena, TX as a potential location for a club Christmas party. It would be a convenient location for those participating in the Baylor show and on the way home from the Baylor show for Temple and Killeen area based club members. Joe Pyland made a motion to have the party at Raymond’s on December 4th from 6-9 PM. Earl Blanchette seconded and the motion passed. There will be a White Elephant gift exchange with a $10 maximum value on gifts.

Ed and Betty Neill donated a 35 cup coffee maker to the club.

Joe Pyland made a motion for the HO group to open the club on the second, fourth, and fifth weekends of August and run the A/C. Dick Copeland seconded and the motion passed.

Bill Lancaster made a motion for the second Saturday in September to be a clubhouse cleanup day before the train show. Ed Neill seconded and the motion passed. Cleaning supplies will be provided.

Bradley Linda made a motion to adjourn. Rick James seconded and the club adjourned at 11:31.

Club to Display at Temple Mall in August

he meeting for July 2008 was called to order July 5th by Club President Wiley Starnes at 10:30.

The minutes for June 2008 were presented. Bradley Linda made a motion to accept the minutes as read and Mike Ross seconded. The motion passed.

The Treasurer’s report was submitted and read.

Old Business

Last months electricity bill was discussed. Running the A/C on the additional days scheduled last month used 5x as much electricity and resulted in a 25% increase in the total bill. Bradley Linda made a motion to allow for the A/C to be run for club events such and work and run days with prior approval granted at the business meeting. Mike Hitzfelder seconded and the motion passed.

The membership discussed having a facility use fee to offset electricity costs.

Raffle Layout – Mike Ross had nothing to report. Dave Krauss suggested that the club use some other description for the raffle tickets.

Building Committee – Ed Neill had nothing new to report.

Inventory Committee – Betty Neill was pleased to announce that inventory was complete.

Mike Cleveland spoke twice with a Troy Anderson from TXU re: electricity bill. Troy reported that TXU does not offer “Time of Day” use rates anymore. The club on average pays .15/kwh which is on an unsecured rate that can change at any time. Troy said he could lock the club into a .10/kwh rate. However, if the club were to do so, the club would be charged an additional .40-.45/kwh wire delivery charge that isn’t locked in. It appears the current situation is the best for now.

Bylaws Committee – Wiley Starnes asked the Board to meet with this committee after the business meeting.

Betty Neill made a motion to send two tickets per CPA partner to the firm that filed the club’s Form 990 in appreciation. Mike Hitzfelder seconded and the motion passed.

Train Show – Jim Bush was not present to report. Ed Neill said he had pre-sale tickets available and to see him if you are interested.

Bill Lancaster met with the Temple Mall and they will have a display space but he doesn’t know how large or where it will be. Noel Cowling made a motion to display on the weekends of August 23rd and August 30th to sell raffle tickets and train show tickets. Bradley Linda seconded and the motion passed.

Baylor University – Ron Miller said the modular groups have been working on modules in preparation for the Baylor and Waco Train shows. He had work schedules available. See Ron if you are interested in participating.

New Business

Dan Ladd said the RRHM has created a railfan event planned for October 10-11. It will include a tour of the BNSF facilities. The cost will be $40/person. The RRHM will be publicizing and running the event. The RRHM wants to make a tour of the club part of the event. Joe Pyland made a motion for this to be a club event. Trace Bowen seconded and the motion passed.

Bradley Linda suggested riding a steam train instead of having a Christmas party this year. He will investigate pricing.

Mike Hitzfelder asked about adding ceiling or tilt fans to the depot. Joe Pyland asked the Building Committee to look into a solution and present at the next business meeting.

Trace Bowen said a widow from Sun City wanted to donate her husband’s N Scale collection to a permanent club.

Bradley Linda made a motion to adjourn. Randy Hiersig seconded and the club adjourned at 11:33.

Train Camps to Be Hosted in June

The meeting for June 2008 was called to order June 7th by Club President Wiley Starnes at 10:35.

The minutes for May 2008 were presented. Ed Neill made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected and Eric Boswell seconded. The motion passed.

The Treasurer’s report was submitted and read.

Old Business

Train Show – The security contract for the show has been received. Jim Bush had nothing new to report. The membership will need to decide by the August business meeting if the price for tables will be raised for the 2009 show. Bill Lancaster is checking with the Temple Mall on a display space. Betty Neill will be ordering awards this next week.

Building Committee – Ed Neill had nothing new to report.

Inventory Committee –Betty Neill said this was going well. She needs to meet with N Scale after the meeting.

Mike Cleveland is investigating a longer term contract for electricity to see if that will reduce the club’s utility costs.

Baylor – Ron Miller will be meeting with the modular groups to find out what modules could be used for this display.

Train Camps – Dan Ladd is setting up for a train camp on June 11 at 10 AM for ten children. The RRHM summer train camp is scheduled for June 17.

New Business

Bradley Linda said the HO Scale group wants to do a fundraiser for purchasing signaling and CTC for the HO layout. Bradley made a motion that the HO Scale group be able to raise funds for a signaling system for the HO permanent layout. Steffon Norris seconded and the motion passed.

The HO Scale group has decided to combine their DCC purchases with those of the N Scale group as a Digitrax club purchase.

Noel Cowling said that someone has offered to donate $100,000 to the Belton RR. Noel offered to volunteer as a club representative.

Jim Bush asked the membership in general to move any items they might have stored underneath the HO layout in preparation for additional scenery work.

Ed Neill mentioned he is working with the City of Temple to get a marker for the club depot.

Dan Ladd reported that the club had received a copy of the Temple Chamber of Commerce Community Profile and Business Referral Guide.

Ed Neill made a motion to adjourn. Jim Bush seconded and the club adjourned at 11:22.