A regular meeting of members/directors of The Western Michigan Society for Industrial Heritage was held at 7:00 pm, at Coopersville Farm Museum, Coopersville, Michigan on 16 June 2003, pursuant to notice mailed 11 June 2003, to the membership.

1. The meeting was opened by president Hanenburg at 7:00 pm.
   Roll call was taken. Members present: Duane Bowman, Tom Chubinski, Philip Cok, Fred Florshinger, Ed Hanenburg, Ross Osterhart, Carl J. Sinke, and Cindy Timmerman. Eight members present constitutes a quorum (5 required).
2. Notice of the meeting and agenda was reviewed.
   Upon motion made (C. Timmerman), seconded (F. Florshinger), and approved, the agenda for the meeting was was passed as presented.
3. Approval of minutes
   Minutes of the previous meetings of 17 February and 21 April 2003 were presented for approval.
   Upon motion made (F. Florshinger), seconded (T. Chubinski), and approved, the minutes for the February and April meetings were approved as presented.
4. Treasure's Report
   Treasurer Cok presented an itemized balance sheet as of June 16, 2003. The balance sheet reflected one check written to Mark-Pack, Inc. for $34.93 for purchase of a check cancellation stamp that was approved at the 21 April 2003 meeting. Y-T-D income includes interest income of $3.52 and membership dues income of $200. Current Money Market account balance stands at $824.36. There was one outstanding individual annual (IA) membership dues invoice for $20 for which a check was presented at the meeting. Upon motion made (T. Chubinski), seconded (Ed Hanenburg), and approved, the treasurer's report was accepted as presented.
5. Membership Update
   Sec. Cok presented a membership roster which shows 13 (voting) members (11 individual, 2 family). Member Fred Florshinger presented Sec./Treas. Cok a money order for Ind. Annual membership for C&M Railway volunteer, David S. Cornelius.
   Upon motion made (P. Cok), seconded (C. Timmerman) and unanimously approved, the membership of Mr. Cornelius was accepted.
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6. Handicap Car Project
   A). Fred Florshinger paid for two rooms in GR and one plane ticket to GR to get two Amtrack inspectors to Coopersville to look at the Walcott coach, the Du Pilka PRR coach and the Ray Kammer coach candidates. A written report was not available but Fred reported verbally on the inspections by the two Amtrack inspectors.
   A.1).The Walcott coach was dismissed as unsuitable due to structural problems and body rust.
   A.2) Inspectors indicated concern about the possible presence of environmental contaminants in the PRR coach. Inspectors felt the cost to renovate would run in the range of $80,000 to $100,000 as expected (and presently budgeted). Friction bearings would confine the coach to C&M tracks (not approved for Amtrack use).
   A.3). The Stainless Steel clad coach, I.D. RPCX#1504, owned by Ray Kammer has visible rust on the sills and internal frame members. This could be further inspected and repaired by removing the stainless steel cladding. The wheel trucks, generator and mechanical plant appear to be sound. Inspectors thought the price was fair for the condition of the coach. Fred reported the roller bearing trucks with the COT&S rating alone have an estimated valued of $30,000 although it would be expensive to purchase and part out.
   Members felt that depending on the condition of the structural steel underneath the stainless steel cladding, "…can throw a lot of money" at the Kammer coach.
   A.4) Fred suggested the blue and yellow, Winkle baggage car (parked alongside the hardware) could have windows cut into it as a viable alternative vehicle.
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   B.1). Sec. Cok presented a report from West Shore Services which detailed the renovation of the PRR car. The report included project parameters, a detailed budget, and a four phase implementation plan to proceed as funding becomes available. Jeff Du Pilka indicated this is a complete project quote that would result in first class renovation and decoration suitable for dinner train use. The budget includes Clock Conversions installation of a handicap lift, and aluminum door and one set of wheel chair tiedowns. A complete handicap restroom is included. The budget includes renovation of the six existing sleeper berths including mechanics and upholstery. Jeff also indicated the paint quoted is high-quality automotive type paint similar to that used on the C&M diesel locomotive. The final budget for renovations includes contingency funds and totalled $90,932.21 for renovations. The complete report dated June 16, 2003 is attached as part of these minutes. At this time President Hanenburg excused himself to attend a city planning commission meeting and Sec./Treas. Cok assumed chair of the meeting.
   
   B.2) Member discussion on the proposed budget followed. F. Florshinger pointed out the lack of a generator in the budget and reported that, as the C&M supervisor, the present C&M generator would not have sufficient capacity to power this car if used in conjunction with all the other cars currently in use or under renovation. He estimated a generator would cost an additional $15,000. He also indicated that the friction bearings would prevent the car from leaving C&M tracks for future promotional purposes. Carl Sinke noted that all the existing C&M coaches have friction bearings similar to the PRR coach and "Friction bearings are not an issue we need to be concerned with at present, that’s a long way down the road." Carl suggested we get an opinion on the capacity of the current C&M generator. Russ Osterhart asked about the cost of roller bearing trucks - estimated at $10,000. Additional discussion concluded there were areas in the proposed budget where cost savings could be found in material choices and work-in-kind donations.
   Fred Florshinger made a motion that, The Industrial Heritage Society accept the Du Pilka's offer to sell the PRR coach, La Reine, to the Society and adopt it as our Handicap Accessible Project Car. The motion was seconded by Tom Chubinski. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
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7. Fundraising/Grants
   Members discussed the possibility of applying for a T21 Grant. This is a federal transportation grant which is disbursed through the state. Application must be made by a local municipality and would have to be initiated by the City. Cindy and Phil agreed to contact city manager, Steve Patrick about the feasibility of such an application and to pursue local representatives for their assistance.
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8. Member Comments
   By-laws: Sec./Treasurer Cok reported on a meeting with Attorney Larry Lemmen regarding revising the Society by-laws. C. Timmerman and Sec. Cok to review the by-laws for suggested changes and present them to Mr. Lemmen for review and comment.
   Menasha Paper: Sec. Cok reported on further correspondence about details of this endeavor with West Shore Services. Jeff' Du Pilka's comments were that this was a project initiated prior to his installation as president of the railroad. He was cleaning up the project with an attempt to benefit the Industrial Heritage Society. The project is complete, three hopper cars have been removed from Menasha property. Two have been scrapped and the third is on C&M property and is intended to become the property of the Industrial Heritage Society. The Society can then lease it back to the C&M Railway. Jeff indicated the money was paid directly to West Shore Services and after expenses, the Industrial Heritage Society should net $250 to $300. A letter detailing the project was enroute to the Society.
   Society members discussed the amount of the stated "donation" by Menasha and generally agreed to recognize only the net amount received as a reportable donation. The issue was tabled until the final details are received from West Shore Services.
   C. Sinke – The Handicap Project budget quote should be subject to objective review.
   Carl will pursue fundraising sources.
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   F. Florshinger – Any work done on the PRR Handicap project should be under a contractural agreement detailing arrangements.
   Fred will pursue a review of the proposed West Shore Services budget with an employee of the St. Louis Railcar company who will be vacationing in the area.
   Tom Chubinski and R. Osterhart – Suggested the payoff for the purchase of the PRR car from the Du Pilka's be a top priority to make a clear delineation between the purchase and the renovation work.
   C. Timmerman – Suggested Sec. Cok draft a letter to the Du Pilka's regarding the intent to purchase the PRR Coach according to the approved motion and work with Ed Hanenburg to draft a purchase agreement.
9. Upon motion made (M. Chubinski), seconded (R. Osterhart) and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 pm.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Industrial Heritage Society membership is Monday, 21 July 2003. The meeting will be held at the Coopersville Farm Museum, 375 Main St., Coopersville Michigan at 7:00 pm. All members are encouraged to attend.

Dated this _1st_ day of __July_, 2003 Philip J Cok, Secretary

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