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boardmeetingagenda:2022-06-16

Milwaukee Makerspace Board of Directors Meeting - June 16th, 2022

Agenda

Introduction

Jeff calls meeting to order at 7 p.m.

Attendance

Present

Jeff, Mike T., Marcus, Carl, Alden, Collin (Jon Drayna took minutes for Bill)

Absent

Bill, excused;

Guests

Steve P., Hapto, Tom K., Karen, Dan J., Tony, Faith, Jake, Mariah.

Previous Minutes

https://wiki.milwaukeemakerspace.org/boardmeetingagenda/2022-05-26

Date wrong, April, SB May. Unanimously approved with correction.

Current Financial Projections

Treasurer Report posted: 2022-06_report.pdf Collin notes large reimbursement for glass fusing. “Life is Good.” – Collin. Member count now over 500, need to upgrade Wild Apricot, which is a notable expense.

Ongoing Business

Maker Faire Milwaukee

Marcus talked to them. They will not ask for any direct support from us in light of us bailing them out last year. Call for makers open. MMS would like to exhibit.

Space Improvement Day

Norwich, June 26. Jeff will do food.

Membership Engagement

  • Message being developed by Tony W to ask members not using their storage space to move out to allow other members have storage access. Tony: Still in process. Tony is able to get data, so progress.

Event Proposal

   Carl presents proposal that he and Charlie and Hapto worked up. See detailed description in document on BOD has been shared folder on Google Docs. 

 Carl: Two reasons: Foster leadership; encourages growth of membership, especially when open to outsiders.
 Proposed $100 per month for materials

 Carl presents application form and survey that reside on Google Drive.
 
 Board will review proposal and make determination within two weeks so membership notification can be sent regarding expenditure of more than $600, for potential action at next board meeting.

Membership Signup Materials

Postcard is nice, but reverse dates, Hapto sent revised to designer. Carl will update brochure, can open on Adobe Illustrator and update. Jeff will review for content, invite other Board members to do as well.

Will add cameras to entrances, powder coating area.

Area Champion access to CC video

Review session being planned so all Board members can review. Bring up at Area Champion's Round-table? Jeff will do.

Pre-Planned Discussions

* Wild Apricot Upgrade: Carl will send email.

* Hapto mural reimbursement, pending

* Kyle: Carl spoke to Kyle about bad treatment of other members, Kyle training members on band saw even though Kyle is not approved trainer. Board discusses giving Kyle a warning. Carl questions issuing a warning without giving accused person a chance to answer for himself. Question: Is warning a tribunal process? Noted warning means bad behavior is documented. Noted with 400 members it may be impractical to spend too much board time on individual cases. Also noted timely feedback is best. Also noted when board members confront members on issues, at least two board members should be present. Others note Kyle is generally trying to help, but he does not communicate or go through proper channels. Some noted warnings should be not a huge deal and should be promptly issued. Result: Kyle be warned against training another member when not an approved trainer. Five ayes, no nays. Marcus excused.

New Topics

Group discussed creating list of talking points to make sure certain things are covered on tours. Carl will spearhead this and video scrips.

Rental of floor space - Dan J
  1. Propose that - at a minimum - we raise the cost of shop floor space (east and west rooms) at Norwich to $1.10/sqft, beginning in October, 2022. This will give current tenants 3 months of notice if they wish to vacate or downsize. All other spaces will remain at their current prices.
  2. This is due to supply and demand, we're just about exhausted on shop floor space in the building now, and Dan is still getting regular inquiries.
  3. We're actually cheaper than local self storage places. They are closer to $1.50-2.00/sqft
  4. Other changes we may want to explore:
    1. Raising cost further after 1 year of occupancy: This would encourage temporary projects while discouraging permanent private workshops.
    2. Limiting members to no more than 250sqft of shop floor space per member. This was the original intent, we waived the restriction early on in the opening when MV needed whatever rental income it could get. This would require downsizing or grandfathering Chris T, Damon G, Tom G, Marquette SAE, and Bob T.
  5. Suggestion: The BOD should really consider renting some project floor space in Lenox again. I think you've got about 400sqft in the East room you could carve up for temporary projects. Make it $1.50/sqft because of the scarcity, and you'll probably still fill it.

Much discussion about favoring members who are active, discouraging cold storage. Suggested raising rates for those who rent more than a certain square footage threshold, sort of like tax brackets.

Dan may call tenants' meeting.

Board generally favorable, but wants to consider and explore, will be revisited. Will send email to membership.

Electrical / Plumbing Buildouts - Dan J
  1. Due to the most recent visits by St. Francis building inspector, we've had to do many thousands of dollars of additional, unplanned construction at Norwich to maintain code compliance.
    1. Areas affected have been the electrical wiring, primarily in the woodshop, and the plumbing in the pottery area.
    2. Both mechanical systems were added as tenant improvements after the initial building opening.
    3. So far MV has absorbed the costs up to this point, we are no longer able to do so.
      1. $1327 in fines/permitting for the dust collector.
    4. We do not have a total yet for the recently completed work, but are expecting it could be on the order of several thousand dollars.
    5. Electrician says we still saved money overall, after he had to fix our volunteer work.
    6. BOD should plan to discuss a bill for repairs from MV at the next meeting.

Not an action item.

Member Topics

  1. Jake: Will show Joe letter and he can send it or have MS send to company.
  1. Carl: Use something other than Google groups. Carl suggests Discord for Board internal communications. Will test with pottery area. Suggests main communication remain the same.
  1. Mariah wants to become screen printing area champ. No response from existing area champ, Hal. Board favorable. Make Hal co-champ. Carl moves, Alden seconds, five ayes, no nays.
  1. Mask mandates: Continue at public meetings? Mike moves to remove mandate, Collin seconds. Discussion ensued. Will do as online Board vote so all board members can participate.

Close

boardmeetingagenda/2022-06-16.txt · Last modified: 2022/06/17 04:11 by jondrayna