Called to order at 7:00 pm by President Mark Schmaltz
Members present 25
Review of the Minutes of the April meeting – no corrections or changes requested.
Motion to approve by: Dave Kingma
Seconded by: Dick Cowan
Vote: Carried
Financial Report: Presented by Dan McLaren. No questions or comments made.
Membership was reported at a total of 94 which is 28 less than last year.
Motion to accept by: Lee Frederickson
Seconded by: Dick Cowan
Vote: Carried
Old Business:
Danny Osborn reported on the KRAM banquet that was held on April 9 at Tommy Branns. Seemed like a good time was had by all that attended. Mark thanked Danny and Roz for their efforts making this event happen.
Ben Lopez reported planning for Ryder’s display for 28th Street Cruse is yet to come.
Lopez updated the group on contact with the Vets home – they will have only the small bus which means only 17 Vets will be joining us in September.
Mark is trying to get this event on the District 7 web site calendar but having trouble…
Swap Shop update by George Orphan – $100 check to AMA to get the event listed in the magazine. The Treasurer will get the check to George ASAP. Fliers are ready and on the move.
Kalamazoo Air Zoo static display is scheduled for May 28, 2011.
Tabled item from March was the request of Charles Rencurrel for direction on continuing or ceasing the effort of giving postcards to the hobby shops to encourage new hobbyists to seek out the flying clubs for membership and training. Do we want to continue the effort?
After a review of the prior presentation for those members that were not present at the last meeting, a discussion was had relative to the pros and cons of the process. It was decided that a lot of effort was spent last year for a net gain of possibly 4 new AMA/club members. It was felt that our club tri fold in the hobby shops is as effective, if not more effective than the post card program. The motion to continue the program was soundly defeated.
Jim Heist – report out that partial rolls of road construction mat are not available. His contact did offer to order for us at cost if we so desired. Jim was going to check on pricing for use in the start up area.
Jim Heist / Dave Pierce – Dave got quotes of $1250 and $450 for runway rolling. Jim’s contact offered to do the job for $20 per hour. Jim was authorized by vote to spend up to $200 to have his contact roll the field on Wednesday (4/13) or as soon as possible.
Mark Schmaltz / Lee Frederickson/Dan McLaren – met with land owner about reduction of field to the north and increase to the east and west. Land owner had no problem with the proposal and just asked that the field be staked so he knew what grass to turn under and where not to plant corps. Dan McLaren will stake the 100 feet to the north that we are giving up and likewise stake the 100 feet to the east and the 32 feet to the west that we will pick up in the glide path / roll out area.
Mark Schmaltz – reported that when we met with the land owner that they gave us a glimpse of the future. Their plan is to add another milking barn on the front section of the property the flying field is on in the near future. Phase one would be a building to the east and slightly north of the field this summer. Also included would be a covered “gray water” retention pond to the north of the field (just at the crest of the hill). Phase two, probably next summer, would be a second building to the south of the first. They see no problem with the cows and planes! We will just have to wait until the buildings are up to see if we have any problems with cows and barns… The only impediment to flying this summer may be a few days when they are improving the road.
New Business:
Memorial Fly In – June 11 – planning has begun. Ben Lopez will have a sign up sheet at the next meeting.
Fence repair was discussed. It was decided that we would use the same material for the flight line fence but purchase stronger poles so the fence will not sag as it currently does. Also, the number of openings in the fence in front of the stones will be reduced to one to improve the safety effectiveness of the fence. Mark Schmaltz volunteered to accomplish this task. He was authorized by vote to spend up to $400 to upgrade the poles and replace the flight line fence and any R&R needed on the parking lot fence.
AMA request to contact reps in Washington concerning the pending legislation concerning the FAA effort to regulate the hobby resulted in more than 80,000 letters sent to elected representatives in the first three weeks! The Senate has passed an amendment that exempts modeling from the regulation. The House has yet to act on the bill.
Dave Pierce reported he had made a presentation to Cub Scouts in his area. It was well received and he enjoyed doing it. He has some prepared materials available if anyone else has a group presentation to make or would like him to make.
AMA letter to the club reported: “We have received your 2011 Leader Club Currency Report and confirmation of your continuing Gold Leader Club status.”
Dave Kingma gave an impassioned plea to return to the process of applying weed killer to the field in order to keep it as nice as possible. The commercial supplier previously did the field for $500. Dan McLaren made a motion to authorize Dave to engage the supplier for not to exceed $400 (since the field is going to be 100 feet narrower than it used to be). The motion was seconded by
Dave Kingma pointed out the poor condition of the wind sock and asked permission to purchase a new one. Mark approved the purchase of two wind socks for approx. $80 total.
Allen Simpson passed out a “Warped Wings” flyer for their Breakfast and Open Fun Fly for Saturday, August 6, 2011.
Nik Zinsli reported the Tulip City club is having fun fly events on July 16 and September 10.
Nik Zinsli reported the web site advertising has generated $60 to date. Remember, just click on the advertising banner and you generate income. No need to buy anything!
50/50 was won by Roger Ausema for the second month in a row. And for the second month in a row, he donated his winnings ($14) to the club! Thanks Roger!
Next meeting: May 3, 2011 at 7:00pm at the school
Motion to adjourn: 7:58 pm
Motion by: Dick Cowan
Seconded by: Dave Pierce
Respectively Submitted
Dan McLaren
Secretary / Treasurer
