==== Minutes for September 11, 2012 ==== * Regular Items * Treasurer's report * $1170 in bank * 19 full members, no associates * Previous rent was $892.50 * Rent is now $997.50 * Insurance is ~$375/yr * Total monthly income is $950/mo @ 19 members * No outstanding membership fees * Reports on Committees * Door security * Now running on a Raspberry Pi * TODO: Put all components onto a PCB * TODO: Web interface for managing keys and logs * Still don't have Kyle's fob back, but it is deactivated * We will select somebody to go get it from him * Mike still doesn't have a keyfob * Bergo has an extra fob, so he'll give his to Mike until we get things sorted out * Workshop Committee * Classes * Electronics class (James): Not available until after October * PCB fabrication class (Al): 5 or 6 members already signed up. Scheduled for Sept 29th. * Home-buying class (Paul): 5 members expressed interest. Scheduled for Oct 10th. * New tools pledges: no news * Open house review * Very quiet * No new members * Not enough advertising done this time * T-shirts * Have not spoken to Steve * Bergo emailed him, but no reply * Paul will get Bergo Steve's number to contact him * Special items * Changes to lease * No reply from Curtis on the status of the lease * They are appealing the tax increase with the city * This month's rent we paid with the additional occupancy cost added * Other options for the space * Location on 442 44th St: * The space is 36'x24' overall, with the back area being 23'x24' and the front office being about 12'x16' * Direct entry * Overhead door * Locked compound with 2-3 cars parking available * Price is $792 (rent) + $209.95 (occupancy) = $1001.95 + GST = $1052.05 per month, plus utilities (gas, electrical, shared water) * Estimating $1200/mo incl. util. * Advantages to moving: * Direct entry * Ground floor * Overhead doors * Able to do welding * Safer neighborhood * Landlord more amenable to making modifications to the space * Disadvantages: * Not close to downtown * No night time bus service * More expensive * Taxes likely to increase (but how much?) * Capital cost required to prepare new space * Needs to be decided on right away because others have already expressed interest in it * Going to see it at 8:30pm * Other options are possibly the Easy Pawn or above Money Express, though Albert expressed that these would not be immediate options, but potentially for when more space is required. * Park(ing) day * 10AM - midnight, Friday Sept 21 * They offered us a spot right out front * Curtis will bring robots * We have a few people willing to help out in the evening * Viewing of 442 44th St. E.: * All present members went to view the 44th St building. * After review of the building, a vote to move to the new building was unanimously in favor, contingent on not being locked into a lease with the Two Twenty and coming up with a plan to increase our income to meet the added costs. * Present members pledged to donate additional funds, in amounts each volunteered, to meet the added costs, with the expectation that a membership drive will be held to increase membership and eliminate the need for continuing support. * An informal tally was taken of pledges from those present and it was over the $300 necessary to make up the additional monthly costs needed in the foreseeable future. * Based on this, we expressed our intentions to the landlord of 442 44th St E and agreed to confirm with him on Wednesday, Sept 12, contingent on our lease with the Two Twenty and receiving an example of utility costs from another tenant. * If we are able to go ahead with moving out of the Two Twenty, we will not be participating in the Park(ing) Day events.