APPROVED 02/21/2010 BY MEMBERS

Location: Ely Yount’s and Windy Benigno’s home.

Attendance: Members Steve Anderson, John Cameron, Scott Crites, Stan Crites, David Mrsny, Henry Nipper, Richard Ralston, Harvey Swanger, Ely Yount.

President Scott Crites called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.

Report: Treasurer Richard Ralston reported a bank balance of $214.72 reflecting partial collection of member’s dues for 2010. His report was accepted unanimously.

Old Business:

1. The operating schedule at the Great Train Expo in Council Bluffs was reported to be: January 29, set up between 12 noon and 7 PM; days of operation are January 30-31st from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. Exhibitors can be admitted as early as 7:00 AM on January 30. Scott Crites distributed the layout plan including the new bridge to connect with the Des Moines N-Trak group. Harvey Swanger reported that the Des Moines group would be setting up at noon on January 29th, and he agreed to tow the club trailer to the museum in time to meet the group.

2. The “Bridge to Des Moines” is still being constructed. Track and the connecting wiring will be finished starting Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM at Ely Yount’s house at 2305 King Drive, Papillion, NE. The wiring will include the capability to provide a power drop in the bridge if needed. Scott Crites will provide the additional track.

3. John Sanderhoff has resigned from the club and requested refund of his 2010 dues and his share of trailer ownership. The club accepted John’s resignation with regret.

4. Harvey Swanger moved, seconded by Henry Nipper, to raise club dues to $30.00 per annum beginning for 2010. After discussion, which centered on the additional costs of continuing to develop the club’s DCC capabilities, as well as other operational costs, the motion passed unanimously.

5. Harvey Swanger moved, seconded by Henry Nipper to raise student member dues from $5.00 per annum to $10.00. After discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

6. Stan Crites moved, seconded by Ely Yount, to raise the initiation fee for joining the club to $40.00, to include first year dues and the information packet described in the By-Laws.

New Business:

1. Harvey Swanger requested approval to investigate the purchase of a spare tire for the club’s trailer. This was approved unanimously. We also discussed the need for a jack to use if the spare is needed. Henry Nipper will provide a bottle-jack, and Stan Crites will provide a handle, as Henry’s jack does not have a handle.

2. Harvey Swanger reported initial contact with Barb Lundquist of the Western Heritage Division of the NMRA regarding the Burke High School meet on April 24-25. It was agreed unanimously that the club would participate and offer to bring a modular layout that would be between 20x40 feet and the “UP Museum-size”.

Henry Nipper discussed the Western Heritage Division’s difficulties with their n-scale modular layout with the idea that there may be potential to work with the Division in that area. Harvey agreed to attend a meeting of the Division in February along with Henry. Steve Anderson also indicated that he would attend as well. Henry Nipper will email the schedule for the meeting to the club members.

3. The idea of using transparent plastic guards for each module to minimize damage by observers was met with enthusiasm from members. Dave Mrsny volunteered to present alternatives at the next meeting, including the idea of attaching an aluminum molding that would permit easy insertion of the guard at the time of setup and removal at the time of teardown. The members seemed to appreciate the idea that the guards would render obsolete the milk jugs, pipe and rope barrier currently in use.

4. The Lincoln Area Model Railroad Club show at the Lancaster Event Center on February 20-21^st was discussed. While club participation as exhibitors is not scheduled, several members planned to meet for breakfast on February 20^th and to attend as a group. The meet will be at the Lancaster Event Center, 4100 North 84^th Street, Lincoln. Hours are 9-5 on Saturday 2/20 and 10-4 on Sunday 2/21. The breakfast location will be emailed and posted on the club’s website.

5. Elections for President and Road Superintendent were conducted. Scott Crites was re-elected unanimously, without opposition, as President, and Harvey Swanger was re-elected unanimously, without opposition, as Road Superintendent.

6. Harvey Swanger raised the possibility of using Facebook in addition to, or instead of, the club’s website. He and Henry Nipper are to look into the possibility of a club Facebook site and report to the club next meeting. Meanwhile, the club agreed to support the club’s website for an additional year.

Next meeting: February 21^,2010 1:00 PM at Richard Ralston’s residence. Details to be posted on the club’s website.

Next operating session: Great Train Expo, 1 Arena Way, Mid America Center (MAC), Council Bluffs, IA, January 30-31, 2010. Operating hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Setup: January 29, 2010, Noon-7 PM.

Keep the dates open: Western Heritage Division, NMRA. Meet at Burke High School, 120^th & Dodge Streets, Omaha, NE. April 24-25, 2010. Possible operating session will be confirmed at a later date.

Adjournment: 3:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Henry Nipper

Acting Secretary

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