Friends of Southern Nevada Railway, Inc.

Membership Meeting

 

3 December, 2009

 

According to Article V, Section 1, of the By-Laws a quorum was present to conduct FNSR business.

Chuck Brandt called the meeting to order at 9:00AM.

Motion to approve the minutes of the November meeting by Bonnie Himka, Seconded by Garold Osborne. Unanimously approved.

Treasurer report:

 With Bob Freedman working on the Santa Train, Chuck Brandt announced that our bank balance as of 1 November was $7,242.10 plus $11,500 in a CD account from the dissolution of So. NV chapter of NRHS. November income was $1311.41 and expenses were $525.76. Ending bank balance was $8027.75.   

Income Details:			Expense Details:
Memberships	$575.00		Merchant Fees	$44.32
Donations	$20.00		Water for Sale	$22.93
Water sales	$ 82.00		Miscellaneous	$233.71
#97 Revenue Other credits	$400.00 $244.41		Postage Printing 503 Car renovation RPO car	$44.00 $63.46 $81.70 35.64
TOTAL	$1311.41		TOTAL	$525.76

 

Standing Committee reports

Training – Tony Bond announced training classes for safety and various positions starting on Saturday, January 9 continuing into Sunday, January 10 if necessary. “Hands-on” training classes for specific equipment will happen at a later date.

 

Restoration – Carl Friedrichs reported that the  RPO work is essentially complete, save for the incorporation of a few mannequins for effect. A chair was donated for use in the car by Don Kyle.

 

Carl suggested that the next projects, to be headed by Jack Corrick, would include cosmetic restoration of the Heber Creeper steam locomotive in the yard and the Dinky in the display area.

 

Greg Corbin expressed concern that the next project on the schedule for funding is the restoration of the 1855 locomotive and that starting other projects might interfere with completion of that project in a timely manner.

Membership – No report. New member Leon Ganter was introduced to everyone.

Old Business

Santa train preparations have been proceeding and will be competed with the decoration of the train at the conclusion of this meeting. The 503 open air car has been completed and is ready for use on the “Yuletime Express” train to the boneyard.

 

New Business

There was no board meeting today.

There will be no membership meeting in January since the museum and train rides are closed until February. The next membership meeting will be on February 4, 2010 at 10:00 am.

Most volunteer memberships are expiring at the end of December. Membership renewal dues should be paid to Roger Himka or Chuck Brandt by the end of the year.

Safety classes will be held during January as discussed in the Training Committee report.

Open Discussion

Greg Corbin:

Reported that presale ticket sales for Santa Trains were better than last year and that the event will likely exceed capacity again as last year.

 

TTOS will again set up displays and food service in the shop area.

 

Old Time Fiddlers will perform in the shop area on both Saturdays of the event.

 

New “Yuletime Express” train to the boneyard will carry more passengers than was possible with the #97 last year.

 

Expressed a general “Thanks” to all who have helped with all the preparations to get everything ready for the Santa Train event this year.

 

New, larger restrooms (in addition to the existing restrooms) are in the design stage with a planned bid date of March 1, 2010. Construction is expected to take approximately 60 days and should be completed in time for the 2010 summer season.

 

New name badges have been prepared for all volunteers with the new museum logo. Everyone should make sure they have a new badge.

 

Another 3% budget cut for all state agencies is possible. The governor is expected to call a special session of the legislature early in 2010.

 

Tony Bond announced a 9:00 am all-crew meeting on the first Saturday of the Santa trains in the 603 car. Operating crew should report by 8:30am each day to bring the train to the depot. All other crew should be on site by 8:45 am.

 

Jack Corrick pointed out that we all need to keep a constant vigil on kids and parents near the tracks as many times kids will bolt away from their parents beyond the safety lines.

 

Roger Himka announced that a second PA system and microphone has been added to the 603 closet for use as a backup, not to be powered up at the same time as the 601 PA system.

 

Leon Ganter reported that the wheel chair lift has been malfunctioning and needs attention. Mike Travaglia said he would look into it.

 

 

There being no further discussions, Bonnie Himka moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Tony Bond. Unanimously approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 AM after which the Santa Train decorating team began their tasks.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Roger West, Secretary