MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
FLUSHING AREA MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER, FLUSHING
JULY 20, 2013
Present: Robert Tischbein, Larry Krieg, Hugh Gurney, Kay Chase, John Langdon, Kathleen Newell, Jim Wallington, Jim Hinkins, Rosemary Horvath, Don Monteith
Also Present: Richard Pekarek, Dan Platz, Charles Merckel, Jeanie Merckel, Kaz Fujita, Andrew Kent, Don Westcott, Jared Becker, Steve T. Sobel, Robert Patterson, Larry Sobczak, Mary Wilson, Don Wilson
Call to Order: Chairman Tischbein called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. The roll was called and a quorum was ascertained.
Agenda: After review, Langdon moved approval of the agenda. The motion was seconded by Hinkins and approved by the members of the Executive Committee present.
Minutes: Gurney asked for a review of the minutes of the meetings in Vicksburg on June 15, 2013. Wallington moved approval of the Executive Committee minutes. The motion was seconded by Krieg and approved by the members of the Executive Committee present.
Langdon then moved acceptance of the Monthly Membership Meeting minutes of June 15, 2013. The motion was seconded by Wallington and approved by the members of the Executive Committee present.
Treasurer’s Report: Langdon reviewed the Treasurer’s Report as submitted by Treasurer Dave Randall. As of June 30, 2013, MARP had $29,681.18 in its checking account at Chase. Included in this amount is $17,141.26 of Pratt Fund proceeds awaiting investment in the Vanguard Index Fund. Randall is available by cell phone to answer any questions.
Langdon noted that MARP has received in July another $3,000 grant from Trans4m, which will be shown on the July 31, 2013 report.
Sobel moved acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report. His motion was seconded by Krieg and approved by the MARP members present.
Resident Agent: As he is now a resident of Texas, Randall can no longer serve as Resident Agent. Langdon asked if Gurney would be willing to accept the assignment. He agreed. Monteith then moved that Gurney be designated as Resident Agent for MARP. The motion was seconded by Krieg and approved by the members of the Executive Committee present.
Support for Ypsilanti Heritage Festival: Krieg reported that Ypsilanti City Manager Ralph Lang has been working to have some of the MI Train commuter equipment on display adjacent to the Ypsilanti Freight House on August 16, 17 & 18 as part of the annual Ypsilanti Heritage Festival. This equipment has been refurbished by Great Lakes Central Railroad under contract with MDOT for use on both the proposed Howell-Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor-Detroit commuter routes. Ypsilanti would be a major stop of the Ann Arbor-Detroit line. MDOT will cover the cost of bringing the train to Ypsilanti and moving it back to Owosso, but expects the community to cover other expenses including fencing to keep spectators away from active railroad tracks, an ADA accessible ramp from the Freight House to the train and diesel fuel while the train is idling in Ypsilanti.
The total cost to the city will be around $20,000. Krieg asked if MARP could provide $1,000 from its Trans4m grant to support the display of the commuter equipment in Ypsilanti.
Langdon reported that there would be $1,000 from the Trans4m grant available in support of the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival.
Outreach Manager: Langdon moved to appoint Chuck Merckel as Outreach Manager. Chairman Tischbein has been covering this position as well as his duties as Chair for several years now. The motion was seconded by Gurney and approved by the members of the Executive Committee present. Merckel was welcomed as the new Outreach Manager.
Adjournment: The Executive Committee adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted: Accepted:
Hugh D. Gurney Robert Tischbein
Secretary Chair