(NOTE: Minutes presented here are paraphrased summaries of discussions and comments of meeting participants. Only statements with quotation marks represent exact quotes. Content and phrasing of the Minutes is subject to final approval by the board of directors.)

Board members present:
Wendell Goodwin
Eric Hadder
Tom Paradis
Jerry Snow
With Club members present

Meeting called to order at 8:10pm, Club facility, Coconino County Fairgrounds.

1. General Announcements
 Paradis noted that the Club will have to purchase a new combination lock for the gate, since the old one is missing.  For security reasons, the Board will change the combination of the lock on the side of the building by the time of the annual meeting. New combination has yet to be decided.  The annual Holiday Pot Luck will be hosted by Curtis and Cathy Deibel on December 14, 2002 from 3-6pm.  Deibel asked that club and family members RSVP and let them know what dessert everyone will bring.  The annual meeting of the Club will be held at the Flagstaff Public Library on the last Tuesday of January, probably starting at 7pm, since the library closes at 9, and the club must start leaving by 8:30.

2. Other Announcements
 Snow announced that a friend of his is interested in paying one or more individuals to help him construct benchwork for his layout. If anyone is interested, contact Jerry Snow for details. Snow will email an announcement to everyone about the opportunity.

3. Discussion of DCC Proposal by DCC Committee
     DCC committee presented their proposal to the Board and other club members present. John Lovely explained three “phases” for eventual DCC enhancement for HO layout. Phase 1: DCC command “booster” in place of orange cab, supplemented by materials listed in DCC proposal. Phase 2: Fully isolated DC and DCC capability, so only one mode is operational at one time. Further enhancements will be made to the initial DCC investment; Phase 3: A post-DCC phase, unclear at the moment regarding what this will entail. Phase 1 can be completed during FY2003, Phase 2 can begin FY2004.  Phase 1 equipment will hook up easily, and the committee recommends that club members eventually purchase their own DT400 throttle to use at the club.  The proposal still includes three total throttles for purchase by the club.
     Bruce Petrarca: Clarified some extra costs not mentioned on current proposal: Freight shipping, approximately $30, sales tax of 6.4%, and the power supply, $30 (club cost). Proposal was amended to include these costs.  Petrarca will create an order form for club members to order their own DCC equipment if desired.  Club members will pay the Flagstaff Model Railroad Club, and the Club will in turn pay Petrarca for both the club and private DCC equipment.  Petrarca will ship one bulk order for this go-around including club and personal equipment.  Club members will receive the same 40% discount.
     Paradis: Club will discuss details about partially funding decoders and/or other DCC equipment for club members during FY2004. This will encourage club members to get involved with DCC and to help out with expenses.  Details will be worked out at future meetings.
     Petrarca explained how the DCC booster and throttles will be hooked up during Phase 1; the group discussed the capabilities of the Super Chief command station.
     Hadder inquired about the risks of allowing DC and DCC to be operated simultaneously. Petrarca and others clarified that there is the risk that someone will try to use both DC and DCC without properly setting the layout controls for one or the other systems, in which case a major electrical problem could occur, damaging the DCC and DC systems.  A strong educational plan needs to be in place to be sure that club members understand both systems and how to operate them.  Either During or before Phase 2, a master switch will be installed to select DC or DCC.  Until then, the club will have to use caution.
 Hadder asked about the advantages of Digitrax over Lenz. Petrarca and others commented that Digitrax handles potential short circuits the best, is an expandable system and easy to wire and understand. Other advantages were discussed by club members.

4. Vote by Board of Directors
     Paradis asked for a motion by the board to vote on the DCC proposal as amended (see above). Snow made the motion. Hadder seconded.
     Discussion: Hadder questioned availability of funds to purchase materials in proposal as stated. Paradis and Snow confirmed that the current budget will easily allow for the purchase, but the Board will decide which funds will be used from which budget allocations at or before the annual meeting.  The Club will then decide whether or not to allocate these funds when they vote for the project at the annual meeting.
     Paradis called for vote by the Board for proposal as amended. Vote was unanimous in favor, 4-0, with board member Gallagher’s submission of a proxy vote. Goodwin did not vote due to conflict of interest as DCC committee member, as specified in the Bylaws and Club Proposal Guidelines.

Meeting adjourned: 8:50pm

End of Minutes.