Xavier Pruneda called the meeting to order at 6:55 P.M.
The officers present were: Xavier Pruneda, President; John Pief, Vice-President; Roy Parks, Treasurer; Cliff Colyer, Secretary; and Rick Michelena, Safety Officer and Field Marshall.
Twenty-four members were present at the meeting. Xavier read the minutes from the May 2008 meeting. They were accepted. Roy Parks gave the financial report, which was also accepted.
The Tejas Assoc. has received a $5000.00 grant from AMA, which is to be applied to the development of our new field. The AMA requires that we spend at least $50,000.00 on developing the field. As of this date we have received 1892 loads of dirt and have raised the runway, pilot area, and the u-control area an average of 3.25 ft. We have also incurred an expense for the use of land leveling equipment. The final cost of this completed phase has not been completely totaled yet. To satisfy the grant, we must file a progress report to AMA in 6 months.
We have purchased an aluminum shade structure that will be constructed on Saturday June 7th around 11am. The structure will measure 18’ wide x 41’ long x 7’ high.
October 18th is the target date for our San Juan air show. The city of San Juan is already making plans for its advertising and misc. arrangements.
Xavier wants the members to start thinking about going to Bomber Field in September.
The Laredo club is still working on the organization of their air show in August.
Gary Danford reported on water availability for the field. Burt has located a water tank for $500.00 and another one that may be free. He is to follow up on the free one and advise the leadership committee. The landowner north of us has consented to our placement of a water line across his property. The water district will supply water for $20 to $30 a year. This would pay for 1 foot of water needed to cover 1 acre of ground. We still in need of a price for the tie-in at the stand pipe. The meter will cost about $300.00, and the 2” pipe will cost about $1000.00. The total cost of getting water to the field runs about $3000.00. We would then have to tackle the water distribution problem at our field. Xavier stated that we have to submit these plans to the Army Corp of Engineers, EPA, and The Water Boundary Commission. Another possibility would be to pump the water from the standpipe to the field as needed and when available.
John Pief presented a plan for our shading needs. We have purchased an 18’ X 41’ shelter costing $2100.00. If we get another one we can place them about 20’ to 40’ apart. We can install bleachers and a radio impound area between them. We can also build an awning over the gap between the shelters. We would then have an 82’ shelter with bleachers in the middle. We now have a bid of $2400.00 to seed a 40’ X 500’ strip of grass on the runway, and the company will guarantee 70% growth. If we install our own watering system then the price of the grass would drop to $1200. Another option is a 19 ml. plastic covering that comes in 12’ wide roles. This covering creates a low maintenance runway. This material can be glued together and is easy to repair. Another club has been using this material for the past 7 years. Our cost would be about $4700.00. He also proposed a pilot stations that would cost about $30.00 apiece.
Xavier announced that as a temporary or possibly a permanent measure, a rental port-a-potty would be ordered. We can also build our own at a later date.
Rick Michelena suggested we use oil on the runway. This would be a low maintenance solution. Xavier is familiar with that type of oil and will check into the cost.
Xavier recommended that we look into fencing off the east end of the property, in order to stop the horses and 4 wheelers from entering the property. This can destroy our facility. We are also going to try to convert lower south side of the property into visitor parking. He is also going to get the last piles of dirt leveled off and try to get the city to pick up the piles of trash for us. The city has promised to do this. Please stay alert and use caution when walking out in the brush, as reports of members seeing snakes have been submitted.
Danny Galeana reported that we had 1800 visitors to our web site last month. We are running 1800 to 2000 visits a month. People visiting our web site are from Canada, USA and Mexico. None from across the Atlantic as he could see, but Jim Marshall said maybe he could generate some interest from there. Xavier wants Danny to start putting more pictures on our web site.
Kevin Lee is looking for people to help teach 16 schoolteachers to fly radio-controlled airplanes. They will be using park flyers. Kevin will furnish planes and accessories. This training session would span over several days. Please contact him if you can help.
Our meeting was adjourned at 8:10 P.M.
Cliff Coyer-Secretary |
