03/10/08

Omaha N-Trak

Meeting Minutes

Opening:

The regular meeting of Omaha N-Trak was called to order at 2:00 PM on 4 March, 2007 at Harvey Swangers by Scott Crites, President.

Present:

A.        Approval of Agenda

The agenda was unanimously approved as distributed.

B.        Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved as distributed.

C.                 Treasurers Report

Scott Crites gave the report on Richard Ralston’s behalf.

D.        Open Issues

We talked about what we want to get out of the web site. In its present location we do not have a presence on the World Wide Web.  You will not find it without the address and there is a 10 meg space limitation.  Scott Crites researched and recommended http://www.hostmysite.com/ as an alternative.  For an annual fee of $130.00 we would have omahantrak.org registered and have 2 gig of space.  Motion was made, seconded and approved to try it for a year and see how it goes.  Mike Hoskins will work with Scott to migrate before the next meeting.

We discussed the need for definitive module standards for the club.  Jim Zellmer volunteered to work with Ely Yount to put a guide together for club module standards.  Recommendations will be presented at the next meeting.

Dillard is going to continue to work the bugs out of the bridge module.

E.         New Business

Scott Crites brought up that the By Laws define the position of Road Superintendent “is responsible for inspecting and approving the module of all club members for club operations”.  This position has not been filled but is needed.  Two names were brought forwarded, Harvey Swanger and Ely Yount.  Scott will verify that Ely is willing to serve when he returns on the 12^th and we will vote at the next meeting.  After the position has been filled, we will have a week-end at Harvey’s house to certify all club modules.

In the near future, we will be planning a week-end clean out of Scott’s father in-laws garage.  After the clean out we will be able to store our yard and corner modules there.

A discussion was held with respect to the inside yard.  Does the club benefit from its infrequent use based on the amount of time required to set up, haul and store?  Bill Dodge offered that the improper care in the past had rendered it to its current state.  He feels it can be restored and is beneficial.  It was tabled for future consideration following an inspection.

If the club is going to continue to run at least one line as DCC it needs to invest in a command module.  Stan Crites will gather some info on DCC systems to share options with the group at the next meeting.

It seems as though the public liked the fact that we ran multiple trains on one track of the layout when we were at the last show.  It was discussed that we need to have people watch what they are doing a little closer.  When your train comes to a stop, you need to pass that information on to the others who are operating on that same track or hit the stop button.

We would like to give a big welcome to three new members to the club:

Al Nordmeir                 John Sanderhoff                        Peter Todd

Adjournment:

Meeting was adjourned at 3:20 PM by Scott Crites.  The next general meeting will be held at 2:00 PM on April 22, 2007 at Harvey Swanger’s.

Minutes submitted by:   Harvey Swanger, Secretary

Approved by:   Scott Crites, President