Mike takes notes while Jerry & Bob lead the annual election meeting
President Bob opened the special Saturday annual election meeting at 12:48 pm.
17 members present.
Treasurer’s report -- Kevin:
We have $15,309.77 in the bank, with Accounts Receivable of $1,250.00, which are dues (14 members).
Accounts Payable are $0.
The club has a total of 64 members, including life members. Have a slightly new count as we’re now counting family memberships as only one member.
Last year’s Caboose expansion expenses were slightly under forecast, and that amount carries over to this year.
We’re now just halfway through the expansion project (18 months), with 18 months to go. This does not include the replacement of all the remaining wood ties with plastic ties.
RR Maintenance expenses for this year so far are $0.
Bob commented. We’re starting to get our detailed 2022 finance plans together, so if anybody has comments regarding our projects or expenses or new suggestions, let Bob or a board member know. We will pull together the estimate for continuing the replacement of the old wood ties this year. We need an accurate measurement of the amount to be done and an accurate inventory of stuff on hand. Board will meet mid Feb. to set a budget and plan.
Project Status Reports --
Caboose Circle: Switch Stands in Caboose Loop: Tom and Carl have installed two regular stands, and the next will be a remote unit.
New yards & siding: Kevin. The yards near the caboose, the tunnel, riding arena, etc. are ready to be worked on. They need grading and base rock. Track panels will be built on a per order basis henceforth. We have enough of the new ties prepared to last us for a few weeks of panel building. Bill and Mike will address final tweaking of the new sliding Miter Saw and Routing process.
Tie production & Saw setup improvements. - Mike. Bruce installed the new saw in record time with an elevated setup that works well. We are able to cut 3 ties at a time, and precise length can be adjusted by shimming fairly well. We are looking at the setup so that it can be adjusted to compensate for any movement. The vacuum dust collection system will also be improved once the kitchen project is finished. On the router station we are looking at ways to reduce the fuzzy edges on the routed slots.
Little Buildings: Great to have Ron back.
High Bridge tie replacement: No report
Station Kitchen upgrade: Bruce, Mike, Randy and Russ. We’re making progress, getting down to the top alignment and installation. Bruce added the handles to the cupboards and doors. One 8’ long section of the Formica top arrived badly bowed, which Bruce returned and reordered. New counter top should be here in early February. Once installed, Bob and Dee will clean up the excess detritus in the station house.
Gritty Gravel Building: Bruce, Tom, Carl. Bolts are in, concrete poured, Tom working on the design, will get a material list together after the design is complete. The building wall nearer to the lake will be 4’ high (same as Ron Schmitt car barn). Building is 30’ long. There will be two 30’ tracks for consists and one 16’ track for the gravel cars.
Brakes for club engine. Bill is experimenting with options. Brandon said at Train Mountain he had a caboose with an air compressor and brakes, which you could actuate with a remote controller. They used it as a parking brake also. Bill will think about it and see if it might be proportionally controllable.
Speeder control unit fix. Bruce: Now down, part shipped, but who knows when. Will that fix the mechanical problem that caused it to break in the first place? Don’t know. Newer PC boards are updated technology over the one being replaced.
Signage: Carl. Sign sheet metal just arrived, so Russ can proceed.
Air compressor leaks: Ken Fixed 12 leaks which reduced frequency of restart time from once every 12 minutes to 23 minutes; improved, but it still leaks. The leak exploration holes have been filled for safety. We will get going on again when the weather is better, perhaps abandon the old lines, rent a mini excavator and rerun the lines through a sleeve which would facilitate maintenance and prevent damage. Tom suggested putting a small compressor near the switches across the road. It was felt that you still had to get power across the road, and a compressor in the loading area might be noisy.
Safety and protocol –
Covid: Bill. All members and guests must be able to show proof of full vaccination, or documentation of having recovered from covid with proof of viral test within the previous 90 days or a Negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of visiting the ranch. Fully vaccinated means at least 2 weeks after your second dose of an approved vaccine. These rules apply to all ages. As the rules change, the ranch will adjust the protocol. See the web site (here) for the latest requirements.
Track Safety:
Bill. The Rabbit Flat berm safety project needs to be expedited. We will get 150 full sized ties for this and other future projects. We’ll schedule transportation with Brandon. Then design and installation will commence.
Bob. Feather River Bridge is very narrow. We should look at how to resolve this.
Track Maintenance Orange blocks. Like Train Mountain, we now have marker blocks for all engineers to use. If your engine or consist has a problem along the ROW, drop one of these blocks close to the problem area – even if there are already blocks there. More blocks indicates higher priority. They will be stored in a box near the loading area in the main yard. Thanks for David Luce for creating these.
If anyone has other safety concerns, please let a Board Member know.
Miscellaneous –
Bill sent his year end report to the family re our progress in 2021 which was well received. Denise sent her thanks, and enjoyed being part of the Gold Spike ceremony
Car storage: Bob. People have been moving unused rolling stock engines out so that others who have been waiting for space, or have newly acquired stuff can have their trains onsite. We are temporarily allowing some 1-½” stock to reside in Engine House 2 (normally used for 2-1/2”) while we continue resolving the current storage issues with unused equipment.
Bruce: We could buy 3 Fat guys cars with brakes from RMI for $3,500 each- but for reliability, change to 2-½” couplers.
The Club is considering buying another engine.
New Shirts: Bruce. New Polo shirt samples are in. One is all cotton, the second is a 50-50 blend. Large and extra large sizes not available due to supply chain issues. Will do a heavy washer test (3x) to see how the logo paint stays on for the cotton and 50/50 shirts. Price is currently high, we will see what a volume purchase will do for us to reduce the cost per shirt.
Event planning: Our 2022 joint meet with GG will be August 27th 28th. We have confirmation from both GGLS & SVLS.
Annual officer Elections: Standing for office are: Mike Ward Secretary, Kevin Hayashi Treasurer, Bob Silverstein President, Bruce Swanson Member at Large. The 5th member is appointed by the family, Bill Boller. Bob asked if any others wished to run. None came forth and these candidates were elected by acclamation.
Bob closed the meeting at 1:29 pm.