Milwaukee Makerspace Wiki

Milwaukee Makerspace Board of Directors Meeting - 6 p.m. Nov 16, 2023

Introduction

Dan J calls this meeting to order at 6:08 pm

Attendance

BOD

• Dan J
• Geoff L (remotely)
• Anna K
• Sarah D
• Hannah S
• Stefan B
• Bill R (remotely)

Guests

• Tony W
• Rick M
• Secretary participated remotely, do not have comprehensive list of guests.

Review and approval of Previous Minutes

• Approved unanimously.

Current Financial Projections

• Available on the WIKI
• 11/1/23: 611 members (all time high).

Agenda items

• Expansion of Norwich Metal Finishing (powder coating) area into space ceded by Claire - Stefan B
  • Cost: $37.00/month
  • Dan and Stefan recuse themselves from vote
  • Anna K calls for vote; Bill 2nds
  • Vote: Unanimous 5-0

• Decommissioning the Lenox Forge - Dan J
  • Lenox Forge has not been used for >1 calendar year.
  • Bring equipment to Norwich
  • No cost to MakerSpace
  • No member input when requested at BOD meeting.
  • Action item: Sarah D to write up to inform members of forge being moved.

• Relocation and expansion of Bicycle Repair area to Vault Hallway by exterior door (by paint room) or in current Lenox forge area - Stefan B
  • Vault hallway: Easy enter/exit building through a wide exterior door; don't have to roll bikes through other areas.
  • Request space where people can work collaboratively
  • Dan J calls for vote ; Sarah 2nd
  • Vote: Yes: 5 No: 1 (Geoff); Stefan B abstained (Area Champion)

• Move forklift to west room? - Sarah D
  • Place where bicycle repair is currently; by Lenox garage door.
  • Dan J call for vote; Sarah D second
  • Vote: Unanimous YES: 7-0

• Review final proposal for rental rate changes at Makers Village (Norwich) building - Dan J
  • For members that rent private space
  • Dan J sent draft to all BOD
  • Discussed at last BOD meeting
  • Dan J will send out new rental rates to the entire membership in the next 24 to 48 hours and will post on the WIKI.
  • New rates Effective 3/1/24
  • No additional rate changes for one calendar year thereafter.

• Add Kathy A as Stained Glass co-champion. - Requested by Tim E and Bill C - Dan J
• Call for vote: Dan J; 2nd Stefan B
• Vote: Unanimous YES: 7-0

General discussion

• It's like pulling teeth getting existing members to participate in Tuesday meetings. Do we want to slow them down, hold them less frequently? -Dan J.
  • To be more pointed. I'm thinking about just not showing up for some of them. I'm not required to be there, and I don't want to.
  • I'd like to believe the organization will pick up my slack, but I don't think it will.
    • Discussion: hold 2 member meetings per month?
      • Beginning 1/1/24?
      • No decision until next BOD meeting
      • Discussion generally supported
        • Tuesday of week one: member meeting at LENOX
        • Tuesday of week two: mini SID; will continue to have major SID on last Saturday or Sunday of the month
        • Tuesday of week three: member meeting at NORWICH
        • Tuesday of week four: BOD meeting
        • Tuesday of week five, when applicable: no meetings
      • BOD will continue discussion and invite member input.

• Raymond as co-laser champ? -Hapto
  • Vote: Unanimous YES: 7-0

• Through holes in Norwich wall? -Hapto
  • No funds needed.
  • On “to do” list

• Re-open/re-launch community development fund (both internal and external communities) with edits to entire membership -Hapto
  • General discussion by BOD
  • Inform members that funds are available
  • They should submit a proposal to the BOD to access funds
  • Previously: allowed up to $100/month; up to $1,200/year
  • ACTION ITEM: Sarah D will send out draft of proposal to be discussed at next BOD meeting.

• Do we want a first aid replenishment service? Also Norwich bathrooms? (member request) - Hapto
  • Facilities committee to be formed to address these issues as well as:
    • purchase of safety glasses, ear plugs etc.
    • Bottom line: members must provide what they personally need to be safe (e.g. eye and ear protection)
  • Mike (I missed his last initial) volunteered to take stock of each 1st aid kit and restock missing items

• What is general funds for anyway? -Hapto
  • Mortgage, taxes, utilities, insurance and other general/non-area expenses
  • Clear definition will make future decision making easier
  • Geoff L: quick books installation will better help identify dollars per area (in and out flow)

• David Arnold casting area funding ask? -Hapto
  • Request for $2,407 for safety equipment (PPE) and ceramic cooling rack for future pours
    • E.G.: Face shields for helmets, Leather leggings
    • Pallet racking
    • Ceramic racking: for cooling after pours (most BOD members agree this should come from area funds)
    • Expect a lifespan of PPE ~10 years
    • BOD recommends support/focus only on PPE and pallet racking: new budget is $1,131
      • Request for selection of sizes of PPE
      • 50% match? Loan from MMS?
      • David states areas plans for 4 pours/yr; each pour costs ~$3,000
        • ~25 to 30 members participate in each pour
      • Sarah H calls for vote; Dan J seconds
        • General funds for PPE and pallet racking: $1,131
        • ACTION ITEM: since funding request exceeds $500, Sarah D will send message to the membership on funds request.
        • BOD will vote after 1 week.

• Revised 3d printing camera plan -Mike Tarnowski
  • For members to track their 3D remotely; assessable for all members via QR code
  • No audio, no zoom, no recording
  • Camera will only show the print that it is pointed at
  • Will replace the time-lapse bot
  • Thank you Mike - go forward with camera plan

Meeting adjourns at 8:30 PM.