Crestline Soaring Society

Crestline Soaring Society
Semi-Annual General Meeting November 8, 2008
Minutes

In attendance:
Board Members: Alan Crouse, Mike Zeller, Mike Blakely, John Wright, Ken Howells, Dianne McKenzie, Megret Olewiler and 22 members of the club

The meeting was called to order at 5:03.

The minutes from the April 12, 2008 meeting were accepted as submitted.

Site Coordinator Dianne McKenzie requested that December 20th be the Annual Christmas Toy Drive. The motion was passed.

The Web Master, Ken Howells, shared that all the past problems with the website were overcome. Dan DeWeese’s camera on the cell tower currently has too small of bandwidth to make it easily usable. The gentleman that is responsible for the cell tower is helpful and open to our use of the tower. It is suggested that if bandwidth becomes available our weather station and camera be moved from the Ball house to the tower because the tower is higher and in ‘cleaner’ air. There would be no problems working our equipment into the tower as there is already Internet and probably back up power. The question was raised if the wind talker should be moved also. It was agreed that it should be moved if possible.

Ken Howells made a motion that we have a camera on site at the LZ especially focusing on the storage container. It was seconded by Dusty Rhodes. John Wright said he would donate an IR camera system but it would need constant electricity. We need to find a camera system that would not be affected by the power source being inconsistent. The motion was passed to install a camera of some kind.

Treasurer Mike Blakely reported that we have 209 current members. Our bank balance is healthy. The balance sheet and bank statements are available if anyone would like to look them over.

John Wright, Activities Director, reports that the 2 summer events were extremely successful; the Andy Jackson/Rob Kells Memorial Fly In being the largest event ever at the flight park. He would like to hold an event on December 13 for all club members to go on a day flying trip (previously announced in his blog on the CSS website). The destination will be determined closer to the date and depend on the flying conditions of that day.

Alan Crouse, President, reported on the recent letter writing campaign - over 250 letters were written to the San Bernardino City Planning commission requesting that the homes in the new development be place to allow for a safe landing approach. The Environmental Impact Report dismissed these letters as insignificant. On November 5th the Planning Commission had its final meeting on the University Hills housing development. The CSS had 5 representatives attend the meeting. Alan, Rob, Ken and Megret spoke in opposition to the development being accepted without changes made to allow for an approach to the landing zone that would be free of homes. Three of the commissioners were very friendly to the club’s concerns and voted against the development progressing to the next step. The other 4 commissioners voted to let it pass. Even commissioners voting for the project voiced support for continued operations at the airpark and have offered to assist.

There will be a conference call the week of November 10 with the DWR. There is a meeting of the City Council on November 17th for a final approval of the development as it is. The pubic is allowed to speak at this meeting. Our club has good support from the city in making sure we keep our park open and our landing approach safe. Alan and several others will attend this meeting.

Megret made a motion that we have a contest to make a 3 minute movie showing the joy of free flight at the Andy Jackson Memorial Park, especially the landings. Dusty seconded the motion. Discussion brought a change to the motion that we eliminate the contest and just request David Aldridge to make a film for us. The change motion was accepted, and the original motion was changed and passed. Megret and David will work on having a movie before the City Council meeting on November 17.

Mike Hilberath from the Elsinore Hang Gliding Association (EHGA) gave a report on the legal situation of the club and financial needs that it now has. After getting input from multiple sources they would like to appeal the recent judge’s ruling. They need funds to pay the court fees. The club’s membership has dwindled seriously with people flying the site but not joining the club. Mike Blakely made a motion that the CSS donate up to $1000 to the Elsinore Club. Ken Howells seconded the motion. John Wright suggested the motion be amended to our club donating up to $1000 in matching funds on memberships. This was agreed upon and the amended original motion passed. Memberships at the club renew on January 1. To date they have had 10 members so the CSS will immediately write a check to the EHGA for $450.

Mike invites all the members of the CSS to also join EHGA and to come to Elsinore for the Annual Turkey Meet on November 29.

Mike reported that Bruce Carr is in recovery from his in-flight stroke. He is unable to move his right side. The degree of motion recovery that he will be able to gain is still unknown.

Nominating Committee for 2009 Board Members: a new committee is needed. Megret volunteered to oversee the committee.

Site Etiquette: During the past season some serious issues were raised about educating the users of the flight park on the etiquette rules of the club. Due to the pressing nature of the housing development the etiquette issues were dropped after a flyer was made up, passed out to attendees of the memorial fly in, and posted on the shed. John Wright motioned that we have the president, vice president and treasurer be the committee that sets the rules and makes up the discipline actions for breaking of the rules. Jonathan seconded the motion. Jonathan shared that this was something the Sylmar club had to do and it was a good thing; it brought order to chaos. The motion was amended to have the three officers develop a proposal on site rules to be voted on by the membership with the Spring ballot.
Amended motion was approved.

Rob McKenzie thanked Alan Crouse for his good work in taking the lead in working on the housing development issues. There were many agreeable comments from those in attendance, both from the Board Members and the Club Members in attendance.

The meeting was closed at 6:15

Respectfully submitted,
Megret Olewiler.