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boardmeetingagenda:2014-12-18

Board Meeting for December 18, 2014

Minutes

Meeting Time: 6:30pm
Location: Lenox, Meeting Room

  • All members are welcome to attend, and non-board members can join the conversation when invited.
  • DanJ indicated he would not be able to attend this meeting and gave his proxy to JoeR.
  • Tiffany indicated that she needed to leave at 08:30

Legal/Financial

06:38 - Treasurer's Report (November)

  • Joe completed both the October and November reports for the BOD to review
  • The group agreed to review them via email next week before publishing them for members
  • Dan planned to help create reports in the future using Mint.com
  • Mint.com was having trouble accessing some of our accounts, the group made a note to have Dan review them next week
  • ACTION ITEM FOR BOD: Review Oct and Nov Treasurer’s Reports prior to publishing for members next week

06:40 - Building ownership/purchasing shares report progress

  • (continued from last meeting, suggested by JoeR)
  • Tom received and shared a CMA report from the realtor with the BOD via email
  • Tom indicated that a full CMA report would cost money, the BOD would review whether one is desired in the future but not at this time
  • Tom and Joe indicated that they have been discussing ways that MoMI could possibly buy the building from MMIG and what financing options are available
  • Tom said one approach would be to arrange a mortgage in which MMIG would act as a bank and MoMI would make mortgage payments
  • This approach may cost about $5,000 for registration and paperwork, but it would protect both MoMI and MMIG should disaster strike either group
  • Tom and Joe noted that current interest rates are good
  • The BOD generally agreed that Tom and Joe should keep exploring mortgages and other options
  • Lance asked Tom and Joe for an analysis that shows projections of revenue and expenses so we can see what effect mortgage payments would have on MoMI accounts
  • Lance would also like to compare 10, 20, and 30 year mortgages costs if we use our savings versus we don’t
  • Lance suggested we determine how many members would be needed to support a 10, 20, or 30 year mortgage
  • Joe believed the minimum limit would be about 120 members for bills and a mortgage payment each month and noted we could always pay the mortgage off faster if desired
  • Adrian asked that income from storage and vault rentals be determined also so it could be figured with and without it, Brant agreed that any assumptions should be clearly stated
  • More details will be provided in a future report to members
  • The BOD has always planned to prepare a report for members prior to asking for a vote to determine if MoMI wants to purchase the building from MMIG
  • ACTION ITEMS FOR JOE AND TOM: Continue researching ways that MoMI could buy the building if the members decide to do so

06:44 - Non-profit, 501c3 status

  • (continued from last meeting, update from TomG)
  • CPA dropped off paper work Thursday, 12/11/14
  • Tom indicated that the applications and check have been mailed to the IRS, we should expect 3-4 months before we’re approved
  • Tom noted we may get a letter from the IRS acknowledging they received our application
  • Tom noted that the IRS or our CPA may request our 2014 finances to aid in the application process, this would consist of monthly expenses and revenues

06:45 - Quicken, accounting software progress

  • (continued from last meeting)
  • Lance asked if anyone was interested in writing a set of requirements or criteria for the software, but got little response
  • Lance offered to start writing a framework for the prize, but he would need input from others
  • Joe offered to review what Lance writes, but he doesn’t know what is needed
  • Lance said we could plan to announce the prize formally starting Jan 1st
  • ACTION ITEMS FOR LANCE AND JOE: Write and review requirements for software to talk between Quicken and our access control database prior to publishing to members on Jan 1, 2015

06:47 - General wiring expenses

  • Tom indicated that electrical power drops have been requested in a few areas
  • Some locations like the Wood Shop and the Meeting Room Conference Table have been requested by members
  • Other places like near the pinball machine or in the Metal Shop are needed to better comply with city ordinances and building code
  • Tom indicated that we have the wire but need conduit and fittings, which he believes will cost no more than $100
  • VOTE: A maximum of $100 for conduit and fittings was unanimously approved by the BOD
  • Adrian suggested that the BOD set up an “Infrastructure Improvement” fund of roughly $1,000 annually so that MMIG can make regular upgrades and repairs to the building without having to approach the BOD each time something comes up
  • Tom did not object to Adrian’s suggestion, but said he would prefer to ask the BOD for funding on an item-by-item basis so that people are regularly aware of what work is being done and how much is being spent; he believed it was better for transparency
  • Lance added that he would like to see more budgeting and planning in the future and that every year he expects MoMI to take on more planning
  • ACTION ITEM FOR TOM: Work on wiring for general outlets in areas mentioned

06:47 - Red Dragon CNC wiring expenses

  • Tom indicated that the Red Dragon Vertical CNC Machining Center needs a dedicated outlet and that will require approximately 300 feet of heavy gauge wire (#6) and conduit; three-phase power at 60 amps per phase
  • Joe asked what power requirements were for the Kuka, but Tom said it wasn’t compatible
  • Tom estimates the worst case cost would be $300 for the wire, conduit and breakers. Tom is working on scrounging material to reduce the cost
  • Joe asked if plastic conduit could be used instead of metal; Joe has surplus plastic conduit at home
  • Tiffany asked if Red Dragon or any other CNC projects have received funding from the BOD
  • Tom and Joe indicated that so far they have paid all the costs out of pocket themselves
  • VOTE: A maximum of $300 for wiring, conduit, and breakers was unanimously approved by the BOD with the understanding that Tom and Joe would consider plastic conduit where feasible
  • ACTION ITEMS FOR JOE AND TOM: Work on wiring for Red Dragon CNC

Policies and Procedures

07:00 - Should board members be allowed to be Area Champions?

  • Lance asked that the BOD discuss potential for conflicts of interest when a Board Member is also an Area Champion
  • Lance cited a recent discussion on the BOD mailing list did not believe it was appropriate for someone who is both an Area Champion and a Board Member to cast a vote that benefited their area directly
  • Lance explained that Board Members should abstain from votes in which they may have a conflict of interest; Board Members have a responsibility not to practice favoritism
  • Brant, Joe, Tom and Tiffany briefly discussed the email thread in question; Tiffany voted against relocating the Jewelry Area and cited that as Facilities/Operations Director and also a Jewelry Area Champion, she had the authority to make that decision and would not abstain
  • Lance indicated that he decided to give up his Laser Cutter Area Championship when he joined the BOD, that way someone else could fill the role and give it the proper attention
  • Tiffany indicated that she doesn’t use the Jewelry Area often, but that she started it and took on the Area Championship when no one else wanted it
  • Tiffany offered to step down as Jewelry Area Champion
  • Lance suggested Tiffany offer the role to others if she has obligations
  • Lance indicated that he has never seen the list of Area Champions on the wiki as a set of roles that others could take over
  • Brant suggested that some areas could have more than two Area Champions if the interest exists, but others objected and said two Champions seem to work best
  • Vishal supported an idea Tom had proposed via email previously for Primary and Secondary Area Champions, that Tom’s idea may help manage decision-making
  • Lance and Tiffany asked if the draft proposal for duties/responsibilities of Area Champions should include a stipulation for keeping Board Members from also being Area Champions or vice versa
  • Vishal said he would like to keep that stipulation separate from the idea of a Primary/Secondary Area Champion arrangement
  • Tom said the group will have a hard time banning board members from being Area Champions, Adrian and Tiffany agreed
  • Adrian speculated that the people most invested in an Area have a higher probability of also being a Board Member
  • Brant indicated that Dan has previously said he’d rather be Forge Area Champion than an At-Large Board Member
  • No votes were taken on this topic at this time

Check on progress of Building Topics/Projects

07:07 - Snow Removal

  • (continued from last meeting, update from Adrian)
  • East Wisconsin Services Quote
    • Snow removal and salt after on walks $40.
    • Salt walks only $25.
    • Snow removal and salt after on the lot and alley $35.
    • Salt lot only $20.
  • No responses from:
    • John Liebl Jr & Son Landscpg
    • Bree's Snow Plowing & Svc Inc
    • Hauke's Snow Removal Svc
    • Chucks Prolandscapes LLC (Not servicing Bay view at this time.)
  • Joe asked if the quote we received we $75 per event
  • Adrian said he would ask for clarification
  • Adrian indicated that for snow falls 1” or greater, they would shovel or plow, but for less than 1” they would salt only
  • It was assumed that salting would also be done with snow falls 1” or greater, but it was not clear, Adrian agreed to ask about that also
  • VOTE: Hiring of East Wisconsin Services as a snow plow service was unanimously approved by the BOD.
  • ACTION ITEM FOR ADRIAN: Get clarification from snow removal company and hire them to handle our property

07:11 - Outstanding Member Storage Questions

  • Liisa F's golf cart email on 10/9/14
    • Not yet measured and invoiced for floor space
    • Sent us an extra $10 with October dues
    • Just recently contacted us, she has moved to Michigan and will pick up her stuff soon
    • Should we charge her for the previous months she was occupying floor space? Let it go?
    • VOTE: The BOD unanimously agreed not to pursue floor rental fees for previous months.
  • Ben H's abandoned pallet email on 12/14/14
    • Lapsed member
    • Plans to come get this stuff this week
  • Tiffany indicated that Ben also has a cart
  • Joe noted that Ben renewed his membership, but that Ben said he doesn’t know how long he will remain a member due to other obligations
  • Joe said that Ben told him he plans to remove his property just in case he lapses or leaves in the future
  • Someone commented that Ben’s cart was nice and he must have put a lot of work into it

07:16 - Storage Inventory Update

  • (continued from last meeting, update from Tiffany)
  • Brant indicated in the meeting agenda that an inventory needs to be taken so we can identify lapsed members and clear space for current ones
  • Lance asked Tiffany when an inventory of member storage could be completed
  • Tiffany indicated that Brant was helping start it and it could be done soon
  • Tiffany noted that Brant had also asked about a deadline last week
  • Tom asked how often member inventory should be done
  • Tiffany suggested quarterly and that a team of people could help
  • Tom indicated that Tiffany previously promised she would do it every month but that an inventory hadn’t been done in six months
  • Tiffany disagreed
  • Tiffany, Tom, and Brant argued for several minutes
  • Tom asked why Tiffany took on the position if she didn’t have time for it
  • Tiffany indicated she was doing more than previous Facilities Directors
  • Tom said that doing slightly more than the last person to fill the role was not good enough and not what she had promised
  • Brant indicated that he has been very patient with Tiffany and has spent more time working with her than any other member, however attempts to improve communication have not been successful
  • Brant complained that Tiffany regularly ignores email and tasks aren’t completed in a timely fashion
  • Tiffany indicated she’s often busy with work or school and doesn’t check her email as often as other Board Members, but that it shouldn’t matter
  • Brant cited past emails where Tiffany said she would complete tasks after Power Wheels races, Maker Faires, or exams but didn’t
  • Tiffany said any member that has requested storage has received it
  • Tom indicated that two members told him they were asked to wait up to a month for storage by Tiffany because she was not available
  • Brant cited that lapsed members have left behind items that take up space that other members want to use
  • Brant looked over the pallet storage last week and found some members that had been lapsed for 6 months
  • Lance asked Tiffany how long it would take to complete an inventory of member storage
  • Tiffany replied that four people could do it in one day
  • Tiffany cited that Joe hadn’t produced some Treasurer’s Reports on time and we hadn’t called him out like we had her
  • Lance asked about managing red parking tickets
  • Tiffany said she has been waiting for members to be lapsed one whole month before ticketing their storage
  • Tom and Lance agreed that a red ticket should immediately go on lapsed member property and not wait a month before ticketing it, however the property should not be moved until the red ticket expires
  • Lance noted that without searching through invoices he cannot identify what storage spaces are available
  • Lance believes he should be able to walk through the space and identify available storage
  • Adrian suggested that the Treasurer provide the Facilities Director with a list of lapsed members every month
  • Joe indicated that he already posts a list of lapsed members to the BOD mailing list every month
  • Brant asked Tiffany when her classes resume
  • Tiffany said she starts back at school in mid-January
  • Tiffany offered to come in on Christmas to take inventory
  • Lance said that wasn’t necessary, just that it get done in a timely manner
  • Tiffany said there may be fewer people and it may be easier for her to complete an inventory over Christmas
  • Tom, Brant, Lance, and Tiffany agreed to a Jan 1 deadline to complete member storage inventory
  • Lance indicated that red parking tickets might act as a good reminder to reach out to lapsed members
  • Joe noted that almost 70% of the membership does not pay dues before the 1st of the month and that about 25 people lapse each month but only 10 come back and reapply
  • Joe and Lance agreed we can start putting red parking tickets on member storage as of the 7th when invoices expire
  • No votes were taken on this topic at this time
  • ACTION ITEM FOR TIFFANY: Complete member storage inventory by Jan 1, 2015, ask for help as needed

07:31 - Proposed East/West Room Changes

  • Tiffany reminded the group that she needed to leave at 08:30
  • Brant asked if we are planning to enlarge the Jewelry Area?
  • Tiffany said she would like to see the Jewelry Area moved closer to the Forge Area as they both share tools and the anvil
  • Tiffany also said they use the forge to anneal things
  • Adrian asked if the majority of the Casting Area is storage and not workspace
  • Tom said he was concerned about casting sand getting on the East Room floor
  • Tiffany said the sand bucket is on wheels
  • Bret indicated the Casting Area needs space for the sand muller
  • Bret said he had no preference which room the Casting Area was located in, but that the West Room would be ideal since it is dirty
  • Tom indicated that if sand is stored in the East Room, someone will eventually pack molds in the East Room
  • Tiffany said that the East Room is already dirty
  • Lance asked Joe if the Plasma Cutter could be relocated and the Casting Area put in its place
  • Joe said the Plasma Cutter is already in a good place as it needs access to water, a compressed air line, and the power outlets at the welders
  • Joe noted the Plasma Cutter could be running this or next month and he’s worked on the drive pods and electronics last week
  • Tiffany suggested merging the Jewelry, Casting, and Forge Areas
  • Bret said he had no preference if the areas were merged or not
  • Bret, Tiffany, and Tom discussed rearranging the black wire shelving into an L-shape
  • Tiffany noted that ferrous and non-ferrous tools could be labeled to keep them separate
  • 07:35 - Lance and Tom asked when the watch supplies would be moved into the Jewelry Area
  • Charles indicated that the BOD should consult Matt J, but they would likely be moved by Jan 7, 2015
  • Tiffany indicated that the Jewelry Area was only planning on dedicating one bench to the watch parts
  • Charles rolled a furniture dolly with four brown cabinets, approximately three foot square and five feet high, into the room and indicated this was equivalent to the amount of space the watch parts would occupy
  • Tom asked Charles to offer up the empty cabinets and drawers as they become available
  • Charles suggested that a lottery process be used to keep things fair; interested parties would place their names in a hat for each cabinet unit and each cabinet unit would have a separate drawing
  • Tom asked if Charles would conduct the lottery and take responsibility for getting rid of the cabinets
  • Charles agreed he would
  • Tiffany asked if the Kuka computer could be moved into the Kuka Enclosure
  • Tom replied that the Kuka computer has been located outside of the Enclosure to minimize its exposure to dust
  • Tiffany said Matt J is now a 3-D Printer Area Champion and is also helping Steve P with the 4×8 CNC Router
  • 07:43 - Joe said he knew of at least two people who don’t want to use the Jewelry Area because of noise and dirt from adjacent areas
  • Tiffany indicated that the Jewelry Area is not set up for doing beading work and suggested that we be sure to distinguish between fine metal work and beading
  • Tiffany said that beading is already done by people in the Craft Lab
  • Tom agreed with Tiffany and said that we don’t to find an additional area for bead work
  • Steve P mentioned that some people may prefer to use the Meeting Room or Craft Lab because it’s warmer in winter
  • 07:46 - Tom suggested that since the Cold Saw uses coolant and produces metal shavings, it should be located in the Metal Shop and by that logic the Metal Brake and Hydraulic Press should go in the East Room because they do not
  • Lance observed that once the 4×8 CNC Router is finished and moves into the Wood Shop, it will free up a lot of space in the Metal Shop Area
  • Vishal said he would like to see more workspace in the island area
  • Tiffany noted that there already is plenty of space but it is often cluttered and not cleaned up
  • Lance asked if we were ready to vote on these area changes
  • Tom indicated he didn’t think the L-shaped wire rack shelving layout would work due to other items that need to be accounted for including the Kuka computer
  • Tom asked if the Kuka should be removed from the building
  • Lance said he felt the Kuka was useful still and could do more than we’ve seen so far
  • Joe believed the Kuka has the articulation to mill 3-D objects, but lacked the brains to do all the movement needed; it can only do one 2-D plane operation at a time as he understood it
  • Matt N joined the discussion and said the machine works, adding it is the only CNC project out in the West Room that works currently
  • Lance said he didn’t think it had an end affector currently, no spindle
  • Matt said he can mill stuff currently
  • Lance and Matt agreed to meet on Dec 22 or 23, 2014 to mill parts and demonstrate the Kuka’s capabilities, specifically a sphere on a stick
  • Tiffany asked if the Kuka can be used for non-CNC stuff
  • Matt N indicated that the repetition or cycles were not the issue, it’s any impact or jerking
  • Adam C said he would like to use the Kuka for Magnetag testing
  • Tiffany asked if there is a way for people who want to use the Kuka, how to approach doing so
  • Lance noted that the expectations what a completed project is have not changed; two trainers able to train others and wiki documentation
  • Lance said that we should only consider the Kuka’s usefulness after it has been completed
  • 07:54 - Bret asked what sorts of things the Kuka can mill
  • Tom said the Kuka cannot mill metal, but it can do foam
  • Tom said milling a sphere will indicate that it can do things other machines cannot
  • Bret said the barrier to make something on the Kuka seems larger than other tools
  • Bret asked if the Kuka break down who would pay for parts
  • Lance said he doesn’t want to discuss getting rid of the Kuka without seeing it work first
  • 07:57 - Tom asked who could champion merging the Jewelry and Casting Areas
  • Tiffany asked how quickly this needed to occur
  • Adrian offered to champion this rearranging
  • Tiffany said she would send an email out tonight on the matter
  • Tom noted that the Kuka computer is actually on loan to us so we should try to protect it from unusual wear
  • VOTE: Merging the Jewelry and Casting Areas was unanimously approved by the BOD
  • ACTION ITEM FOR ADRIAN: Work on merging Casting and Jewelry Areas
  • ACTION ITEM FOR TIFFANY: Send out email regarding the merger
  • ACTION ITEM FOR CHARLES: Determine how to give empty watch part cabinets away to those who are interested by Jan 7, 2015
  • Tom asked if we should move the metal brake and arbor press into the East Room
  • Lance clarified and said this would effectively expand the Metal Shop into the East Room
  • Tom offered to take the 20-ton hydraulic press home if it would help, he noted it leaks and needs repairs
  • Tiffany asked if the 4×8 CNC Router should be moved into the East Room
  • Joe replied that it’s too wide, won’t fit through the doors
  • Tiffany indicated she’d like to give the Metal Shop more room, maybe move an existing table out of the fire aisle
  • Tom noted the Red Dragon should be pulled out away from the wall to allow access to the power tool shelving
  • Tiffany suggested moving the power tools into the East Room, possibly into Matt’s old area
  • Tom suggested moving the power tools into the Metal Shop Area of the West Room, around the column near the metal scrap rack
  • Tom noted there are two 20-amp circuits on that column
  • Tiffany asked if this should be done during the next Space Improvement Day and the group seemed to agree
  • Tom estimated the power tools would take about an hour to move
  • Bret asked that the Jewelry and Casting Areas be merged during that time as well
  • Tiffany noted that we still need a metal scrap rack solution
  • Tom replied that anyone could come up with a solution, but since no one has to date that it likely won’t happen
  • Lance suggested we back the power tool shelving up to the metal scrap rack and Tom agreed
  • Tiffany said there are a lot of overlap in tools that are used by various areas, but that some tools in the Jewelry Area should be kept separate
  • Tiffany noted the fine metal pliers should not be used on hard steel and that marking the tools was necessary
  • Tom asked who has the keys to the cabinets in the Jewelry Area and Tiffany said she was working with Matt J to maybe rekey or get a combination lock for them
  • VOTE: Moving the power tools to the column in the Metal Shop was unanimously approved by the BOD
  • ACTION ITEM: Move power tools shelving to column in Metal Shop

08:15 - Electronics Lab Supply Request

  • Adam C requested reimbursement for some supplies he would like to buy
  • Adam said he may bring in some pick & place supplies
  • Tom indicated that he has two pick & place machines he could bring in; one of them is a manual machine that fits on a table top and the other is larger and would need floor space
  • Tiffany asked if it would make sense to rearrange computers in the Electronics Lab to make room for this new equipment, people seemed to agree
  • Brant mentioned that Matt is setting up a new CAD workstation between Tom’s desk and the couch
  • Vishal and others suggested replacing the computer by the Wash Sink Room doors with Matt’s new CAD PC as the current one is underpowered anyway
  • VOTE: Bringing in the small, table-top pick & place machine for the Electronics Lab was unanimously approved by the BOD
  • Adam requested $100-200 for supplies and the BOD asked for a list of items prior to approving the purchase
  • ACTION ITEM FOR ADAM: Send BOD a list of supplies he wants for the Electronics Lab (This has been received from Adam)
  • Tom and Lance also mentioned the Electronics Lab needs a donation box, Adam said OK
  • Tom and Lance noted that donations are generally used for supplies and consumables, BOD matching funds with member donations is used for new tools and equipment

08:20 - Check on progress of Member/Space Projects

08:20 - Floor sweeper

  • Tiffany asked that the floor sweeper be discussed
  • Tom said he has some manual push sweepers he could bring in
  • Tom noted that his brother’s company may be interested in buying the floor sweeper from us
  • Tom asked if it was OK for him to get an offer from them
  • Tom asked if he could bring it to their workshop to try out
  • VOTE: Getting an offer to sell the floor sweeper was unanimously approved by the BOD
  • ACTION ITEM: Tom to follow up with the BOD once an offer is received

08:23 - Jason's laser cutter

  • Tom noted that he thought Jason was already planning to remove it
  • Tom, Lance, and Tiffany discussed if it should be red tagged
  • Tiffany offered to email Jason about removing it
  • Brant agreed to put a red tag on it
  • Lance did not think we needed a vote on the topic since it was part of the regular red ticket process
  • ACTION ITEM: Tiffany to email Jason to remove his 40-watt laser cutter (This email has been sent)
  • ACTION ITEM: Brant to red ticket the laser cutter (Brant did not complete this before it was removed)
  • UPDATE: 40 watt laser cutter has been removed by Jason

08:24 - Book scanner

  • Tom asked if anyone is still working on the book scanner in the Craft Lab Storage Room
  • The BOD agreed it should be red tagged
  • The book scanner is believed to be Ron B’s
  • Either Ron should remove it or it could be placed on the Hack Rack
  • Joe noted it used a lot of washers for counter weights and we should salvage those
  • Tiffany asked what to do if Ron offers to put it on the Hack Rack
  • ACTION ITEM: Tiffany to email Ron about removing his book scanner (This email has been sent)

08:25 - Large format plotters

  • Tiffany said Steve is the new area champion of the large printer area
  • Steve indicated that the printers can do only vector black and white so far, not reliable color printing
  • Lance suggested the Craft Lab could use a large format printer to produce fabric patterns at 1:1 scale
  • Steve indicated that there is a new photo printer and that a full set of replacement cartridges would cost $300
  • Steve suggested calling an actual printer repair technician for a service call to determine how useful it is
  • Tom said we could probably get prints made cheaper than buying ink
  • Tom suggested selling the photo printer as is, but Steve didn’t agree
  • Tiffany suggested it may be useful for photographers and maybe other members would help chip in for cartridges
  • Steve replied that he wasn’t sure it would work even with the cartridges replaced
  • Tom asked if we really need two large format printers and if we could get along with just one
  • Lance noted that we have a lot of other stuff we should prioritize first including getting rid of crates of junk to make space available

08:31 - Temporary Vault Hallway Overflow Storage

  • Lance asked about Matt’s old area and the junk that is stored there
  • Tiffany said she may have missed Lance’s email on that and asked if he could please resend it to her
  • Lance and Tiffany unclear on where long material storage and temporary vault hallway overflow storage should go
  • Lance suggested vault overflow items only receive tags or labels to distinguish them from other items instead of being placed in a specific location
  • Tom said he thinks we need to limit it and not let it spread throughout the East Room
  • Vishal said we didn’t have any more long term storage
  • Joe asked about long term storage and said he thought it would cost $1 per square foot
  • Tiffany explained the vault hallway long term storage was limited to 10 foot wide strips of floor space but despite having enough square footage, we ran out of portions with usable dimensions

08:34 - Impound Lot Area

  • Tiffany said the Impound Lot should be ready to go
  • Tom asked what should be done with the scrap wood doors, could they be chopped up
  • Tom said the doors are particle board cores with veneers
  • Tom said he would post a message tonight to the member’s only mailing list to see if anyone wants them, then trash them if not
  • ACTION ITEM: Tom to email about the member’s only mailing list about getting rid of the wooden doors (This email has been sent)

—-

08:36 - Check on progress of Member/Space Projects

4x8 CNC Plasma Cutter

  • Joe gave an update earlier
  • Joe said the Plasma Cutter is already in a good place as it needs access to water, a compressed air line, and the power outlets at the welders
  • Joe noted the Plasma Cutter could be running this or next month and he’s worked on the drive pods and electronics last week

4x8 CNC Router

  • Steve P gave a brief update
  • Steve said he was shooting for mid-January, before he starts school again on Jan 23, 2015

Filing Cabinets

  • Tiffany asked if DL would want the filing cabinets for the pottery area
  • No one was certain, would need to ask

Storage

  • Tom asked if we want to look out for more lockers at auctions
  • Lance and Tiffany agreed that we the current lockers vary too greatly in size and shape
  • Tom and Joe said they have other racking available elsewhere and could get more pallet racking that matches what we currently have if needed
  • Tiffany expressed interest in the matching racking and said we should get it if we could
  • Tom asked if there was a budget available for the racking
  • Tom estimated that upright members would cost $30 and another $30 per set of rails
  • Tom estimated the first racking section would cost $120 in parts and $90 for each additional section, likely $200-300 total for three sections
  • Lance said we don’t have the space currently for three sections
  • Tom said we could revise the aisle boundaries
  • Tiffany said one more shelving section was always planned
  • Lance said he preferred more grey shelving and not pallet racks
  • Tom noted it has been hard to find 3 foot deep shelving at auctions
  • Tom suggested we buy plywood and angle iron and just make our own shelves
  • Tiffany left the meeting at 08:41

08:42 - Kuka

  • Matt gave an update earlier
  • Matt and Lance to meet this next week to demonstrate Kuka’s milling capabilities
  • Lance said that stepped or roughing passes will not be the same as milling a 3-D object

08:46 - Misty Field" project update

  • DavidH was not present
  • Project was completed before Thanksgiving and has been moved out

08:46 - Red Dragon" RA-1F Vertical Mill update

  • (continued from last meeting, Tom gave update)
  • See vote regarding wire earlier
  • Tom mentioned there is some bearing noise so they will be doing more testing
  • Tom said Mach3 code is running on the machine
  • There was some brief discussion on linux and other volunteers helping code
  • Lance asked when two trainers and the wiki would be ready
  • Steve said he was working on a tool chain
  • Joe and Tom can run it currently
  • An instruction book with photos will be posted on the machine itself soon
  • Steve said he isn’t sure, tool chain may or may not work right out CamBam
  • Tom did not have a timeline yet, will try to choose one by next BOD meeting
  • Lance was OK that progress was being made and the obstacles are known

Cold Saw

  • (continued from last meeting, Tom gave update)
  • An update was given earlier
  • Tom said it will be ready to use by the end of the year
  • Tom said the cooling system will be the last piece and the pump will be replaced

Induction Furnace

  • (continued from last meeting, Tom gave update)
  • Tom said he does not plan to have any time until next year and he will yield to whatever the BOD wants to do
  • Lance and Brant said they were OK with waiting to determine the
  • Tom said we could consider possibly moving casting operations to his building in Oak Creek
  • Bret noted that Bill W had said the carbon casting does not have smoke or fumes
  • Bret said we could switch to resin bonded sand which smells less than petra bond
  • Bret thinks foam and sand are our biggest odor issues
  • Our operation is small scale compared to other groups
  • The process may take a little longer with resin bonded sand
  • Tom said we could use a small 4’x4’ space to do ceramic shell with wax burn outs
  • Tom said the induction furnace might mitigate some smoke and fumes, but not much
  • Lance said the neighbor has been mostly concerned about metal fumes and have legitimate concerns we should address
  • Joe suggested we melt metal off site to burn off impurities and then bring ingots back to use at our building
  • Joe and Lance also suggested buying raw materials rather than recycling to avoid unknown fumes and impurities
  • Lance wondered about the cost of raw materials
  • Tom said the problem in Milwaukee is that local ingots are huge and hard to cut up
  • Adrian asked about our conversations with the neighbors and sharing MSDS sheets
  • Adrian asked if galvanized metals are the issue
  • Tom said we don’t weld galvanized steel and we remind people regularly not to do so
  • Bret said the only metals we cast in have been aluminum, copper, and bronze with most of it being aluminum
  • Tom and Joe noted we have not been casting the last several weeks and Lance should ask if there have been any issues even without us casting
  • Adrian, Tom, and Joe asked Lance if it would help to give the neighbors 48 hours notice before casting pours
  • Also if finding a day of the week or particular time would work better for the neighbors
  • Joe and Tom agreed we should proactive about our processes and change things without waiting to be asked

09:09 - New equipment/donations

New Green Vacuum Former

  • Steve asked to move the vacuum former into the large format printer area
  • No one objected
  • Lance wondered if starting a plastics lab would be a good idea

Machine shop desk/tooling space request progress

  • This was not discussed at this time

Impound Lot

  • Lance suggested we get pallet racking for the Impound Lot
  • Everyone seemed to agree general member storage is in short supply
  • Joe thinks we have too many pallets and we could convert some to hack rack space
  • Brant said he would oppose using member storage for more hack rack and thought Tiffany would likely agree
  • Lance suggested we table this discussion until an inventory of member storage has been taken, other agreed
  • Tom was concerned that decisions would be subjective at best and he opposed that
  • Tom suggested that both current hack racks be made into member shelves and we build 18” shelving along the long dimension of the impound lot
  • Vishal asked how often the hack racks are used, everyone agreed it was almost daily

09:16 - Topics from any members who are present

  • Charles brought up a concern about the tone of the conversation earlier, called it shameful
  • Charles felt that Lance should keep the meeting more contained and respectful
  • Charles indicated he didn’t want to self-appoint himself as a morality officer, but felt he needed to say something

Meeting ended at 09:22


Original Board Agenda for December 18, 2014

Minutes

Meeting Time: 6:30pm
Location: Lenox, Meeting Room

  • All members are welcome to attend, and non-board members can join the conversation when invited.
  • DanJ indicated he would not be able to attend this meeting and gave his proxy to JoeR.

Legal/Financial

Treasurer's Report (November)

  • Dan planned to help create one using Mint.com

Building ownership/purchasing shares report progress

  • (continued from last meeting, suggested by JoeR)
  • Tom has received and shared a CMA report from the realtor

Non-profit, 501c3 status

  • (continued from last meeting, update from TomG)
  • CPA dropped off paper work Thursday, 12/11/14

Quicken, accounting software progress

  • (continued from last meeting)
  • When can we announce the prize for coding/API work?
  • Have we set the requirements for the prize?

Wiring expenses

  • Wiring drops: Wood shop, Conference Table, Pinball machine, Metal shop. We have wire but need conduit and fittings - $100 budget
  • Red Dragon - Worst case is $300 wire and breaker. Tom is working on scrounging for a better price.

...

Policies and Procedures

Should board members be allowed to be Area Champions?

Check on progress of Building Topics/Projects

Snow Removal

  • (continued from last meeting, update from Adrian)
  • East Wisconsin Services Quote
    • Snow removal and salt after on walks $40.
    • Salt walks only $25.
    • Snow removal and salt after on the lot and alley $35.
    • Salt lot only $20.
  • No responses from:
    • John Liebl Jr & Son Landscpg
    • Bree's Snow Plowing & Svc Inc
    • Hauke's Snow Removal Svc
    • Chucks Prolandscapes LLC (Not servicing Bay view at this time.)

Outstanding Member Storage Questions

  • Liisa F's golf cart email on 10/9/14
    • Not yet measured and invoiced for floor space
    • Sent us an extra $10 with October dues
    • Just recently contacted us, she has moved to Michigan and will pick up her stuff soon
    • Should we charge her for the previous months she was occupying floor space? Let it go?
  • Ben H's abandoned pallet email on 12/14/14
    • Lapsed member
    • Plans to come get this stuff this week

Storage Inventory Update

  • (continued from last meeting, update from Tiffany)
  • Inventory needs to be taken so we can identify lapsed members and clear space for current ones
  • Dates/goals?

**Space Planning/Management**

  • Many topics below may impact each other
  • BOD should discuss them holistically

Proposed East/West Room Changes

  • Refer to emails on BOD mailing list
  • Tom spoke with Metal Shop Area Champions and proposed the following:
    • Move machines that do not create chips or use coolant out of the Metal Shop
    • Put the cold saw next to the double drill press so its table can double as in in-feed table for the saw. This might require moving the Bridgeport over but could also make a permanent home for Joe's band saw.
    • Joe's saw could be next to the drill press table and get pulled straight out for cutting then put back when done.
  • Tom's suggestions:
    • Where to put the hydraulic press and brake:
      • Move them into the east room, just inside the door in the are of the materials rack.
      • Move the jewelry are into the east room (Matt's old area) and use the current jewelry area.
    • Should the Red Dragon CNC be pulled out away from the power tools?
  • Discussion on Jewelry Area
    • Reasons to keep it in West Room
      • Access to metal shop and forge tools (Tiffany, JonH)
      • Access to gas line, JonH just recently brought in a torch, but hasn't asked Tom to install a new gas line yet, Dan told Jon adding/moving a gas line would be difficult (Tiffany, JonH, Tom)
      • Most female-friendly workshop in the West Room, encourages women to work in there (Tiffany)
      • Operations Director wants it there (Tiffany)
      • Was told the Jewelry Area was being expanded, so it wouldn't need to move (JonH,Tiffany)
      • Better ventilation (JonH)
    • Reasons to move it to East Room
      • Running out of space, especially with watch parts coming in soon, would need to relocate Casting Area (Tiffany,JonH)
      • Potentially cleaner, quieter (Brant)
      • Potentially cleaner, but not a great concern to him (JonH)
      • Thought it had better lighting possibly, but it's the same as West Room (JonH)
      • Separates it from the West Room but yet get the members closer to it, since some of the Jewelry work still needs to use the tools in the west room it would encourage forays into the west room, thus slowly integrating and welcoming some members into the other west room areas. (Lance)
      • It gives the opportunity to use two walls for posters/signs and/or other jewelry related items. (Lance)
  • Discussion on Casting Area
    • Reasons to keep it in West Room
      • Access to garage door, casting operations are typically performed outside (Lance)
      • Tools and supplies are heavier than Jewelry Area, less distance is less work to transport (Lance)
      • Sand casting is dirty and should be kept with machines that make chips/dust (Tom)
      • Jewelry casting is just as dirty as other casting; jewelry and casting should be kept together (Tom)
      • Cooling molds out-gas and stink. Oil sands smell, keep it in the vented room. (Tom)
      • The furnace and sand molds are heavy and can be delicate - the shorter distance they move the better. (Tom)
    • Reasons to move it to East Room
      • Doesn't get used as often, only pulled out a few times each month (Tiffany)
      • Bret and DanJ agreed it was worthwhile to move (Tiffany)
      • Allows Jewelry Area to expand (JonH)
      • Better access to existing gas line (JonH)

Temporary Vault Hallway Overflow Storage

  • Last meeting we voted to allow members that were displaced by reorganizing the floor rental spaces to occupy a space in the East Room we designate as “Temporary Vault Hallway Overflow Storage”
  • Brant emailed 4 people on 12/5/14 to let them know vault hallway is full
  • David S. reminded the BOD that he and Mike D'Amico share a CNC cart instead of shelves, their cart has always been considered a substitution regular free storage
  • Do we need to update any invoices?
    • We shouldn't have to as anyone moved into the vault hallway didn't see a rate change

Impound Lot Area

  • Confirm location in East Room?
  • Tiffany said the induction furnace needs to be relocated first, Tom is there a plan or timeframe for that?
  • Signage needed? Maybe something on the floor? Ceiling? Both?

Relocating Watch Parts

  • Confirm the plan is to move them from East Room to Jewelry Area
  • Progress?
  • Dates/goals?
  • Who to talk to?

Long Storage Proposal

  • (continued from last meeting, update from Lance/Tiffany)
  • Confirm location in East Room?
  • Lance is working on this, took measurements first week of the month
  • What is needed?

Electric Kiln

  • Brant/Tom working to add exhaust fan in pottery area, will not be installed before Christmas
  • David A. asked DL/others if the kiln could be moved to the welding area so it could be used with the existing exhaust fan in the mean time
  • Several members helped move Tom's kiln from the pottery area to the welding area on Tuesday, 12/9

Lockers Moved

  • (continued from last meeting, update from Tiffany)
  • Several members helped move lockers on Tuesday, 12/9
  • Charles' request to remove doors from beige, square lockers and use for motor storage/hack rack
  • DL's request to use up to half of the beige, square lockers to store pottery projects/works in progress
  • Still not sure what to do with filing cabinets, although Jon H requested one for jewelry area storage
  • Still not sure what to do with 2 sets of white lockers that remain in the Vault Hallway

...

Check on progress of Member/Space Projects

4x8 CNC Plasma Cutter

  • (continued from last meeting, ask JoeR)
  • No deadline given at last meeting

4x8 CNC Router

  • (continued from last meeting, ask SteveP)
  • No deadline given at last meeting
  • Is Steve working towards 1/1/15? Confirm?

Kuka

  • (continued from last meeting, ask MattN)
  • Matt said last meeting that Kuka would be ready for 1/1/15
  • Motor drive acquired yet?
  • Any news on a different spindle?

"Misty Field" project update

  • (continued from last meeting, update from DavidH)
  • Should be finished by now, please confirm?

"Red Dragon" RA-1F Vertical Mill update

  • (continued from last meeting, Tom gave update)
  • When will it be ready for use?

Cold Saw

  • (continued from last meeting, Tom gave update)
  • Tom mentioned in an email that it will be ready by the end of this week
  • Where is it being located? See East Room discussions above

Induction Furnace

  • (continued from last meeting, Tom gave update)
  • Last meeting Tom said this is on hold until the previous two are finished
  • Tom expects to start working on it in December, see above storage discussions

Large format plotters

  • Status? Who is working on this?
  • (continued from last meeting, ? gave update)

Floor sweeper

  • Sell and use something smaller?

Kuka

  • Is it time to give up on it?

Jason's laser cutter

  • Wasn't it supposed to leave?

Book scanner

  • Is anyone working on it?

New equipment/donations

Machine shop desk/tooling space request progress

  • (continued from last meeting, ask Tiffany)
  • This will go in the Vault hallway once lockers are moved
  • Are we ready to move this?

...

Events

...

Any topics from members who are present

...

Meeting ending time noted

boardmeetingagenda/2014-12-18.txt · Last modified: 2014/12/24 07:50 by nilesstonne