Milwaukee Makerspace Wiki

Milwaukee Makerspace Board of Directors Meeting - 6 p.m. Jan 23, 2024

Introduction

Dan J calls this meeting to order at 6:09 pm

Attendance

BOD

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

Guests

• Bill W
• Tony W
• Tim E
• Cindy
• Preston
• Maya
• Mike T
• Tim C
• Rick M
• Kathy A
• Jon D
• Gaylon

Review and approval of Previous Minutes

• Approved unanimous

Current Financial Projections

• Available on the WIKI

Agenda items

• Discuss PPE update (first aid kit updates)
  • Funds were approved, update of progress?
    • Request for a first aid kit for the casting area with materials for burns.
      • David Arnold will work with Tim C, Dan J and Mike H

• Member Survey update - Gary Hollander
  • Presentation of results and recommendations from the ad hoc committee.
    • A few highlights
      • Overall response rate: 51%
      • Value Scale: overall members rated importance of MMS in their lives at 80 on a 100 point scale.
      • 25% are unsure how to get trained on tools
    • Results will be placed on the WIKI
  • Recommendations to the BOD:
    • To be posted on the WIKI
    • It provides an in-depth look at opportunities to change/adapt as we grow.
  • The BOD requested and the ad hoc committee will stay in place to present the World Cafe results at the February BOD meeting.

• Member's large printer was damaged at Norwich: Sarah D
  • Dan J will look for replacement printer
  • The other large printer in the Norwich is not currently working and was placed in up for grabs
    • Vote was 6-1 to remove the non-working printer

• Norwich paint room update
• Need electrical permit and permit for the paint room
• NO spray painting or use of VOC paints is allowed in the Norwich – go to Lenox
• NO exceptions for any projects/members

• Ceramics Area Expansion
  • Additional cost: ~$500 for 2×120@ 20 amp cord drop (tabled until quote is obtained)
  • Do not have estimates. Tabled until February meeting.

• Discuss MMS taking over administration of Pallet Rack Rental Space at Norwich
  • This shifts income of ~$200/month from MV to MMS at the current occupancy rate.
  • The lease will need to be updated, MV is willing to do this whenever MMS requests.
    • Effective 2/1/23
    • 6-0 voted yes to have MMS take over admin; one abstention

• Discuss charging for overnight use of tables at Lenox/Norwich
  • Tabled until February

• Discuss removal of Lenox Vault 17
  • Tabled until February

• Request for clarification of rules and policies around members teaching paid classes at MMS - Lauren Newby
• Postponed at Lauren's Request until February meeting.
  • Are members allowed to receive payment for teaching a class using public areas and tools?
  • Should there be a fee/percentage kickback to MMS or the area?
  • Will it prevent members from using the shop?
  • Should we limit the frequency of classes one member can teach, or total number of classes in an area?
  • Should we restrict all classes to a certain time / day of week?
  • Should we require members teaching classes to carry their own liability insurance?
  • Are non-members allowed to take paid classes?

• Should MMS buy out the remainder of the Mortgage for the Lenox Building? - Dan Jonke, at the request of Geoff Landrum
  • MMS Currently owes a remaining balance of $123,764 on the Lenox Building
  • At the present rate of payoff, there are 4 years left on the Mortgage.
  • If we pay off the mortgage before February 26th, we will save $12,322.81 in future interest payments.
  • We currently have approximately $244,000 cash available.
  • Of this approximately $123,000 is NOT committed to either area funds or our emergency 6 month operating reserve.
  • If we pay off the mortgage our 6 month operating reserve drops to only $47,500, because we no longer need to factor in the required mortgage payments.
  • Thus paying off the mortgage will still leave us with about $120,000 cash on hand, and about $15,000 in uncommitted funds.
  • The BOD voted 7-0 to send out a communication to the membership outlining the background on paying off the mortgage. The membership will be given a binary vote (pay off the mortgage – do not pay off the mortgage).

• Establish an ad hoc Membership Committee focused on new member orientation – Anna K
  • Proposal: Committee sponsored by 2 At-Large-BOD-Members – Anna and Stefan
    • Will be communicated to membership to seek members.

• Communications request to purchase stickers, new member brochure, trifold brochure for community outreach & post cards. Additionally, purchase a photo printer
  • Total proposed budget $2,500
    • BOD discussion:
      • Do not print the post cards
      • The “fun stickers” will be sold to the members
    • Sarah D will send out communication to membership
      • Updated budget is $1,500 plus shipping and taxes

General discussion

Meeting adjourns at 8:34 PM.