Board Meeting Minutes
Tucson Rifle Club meeting minutes for November 15th, 2007 @ Diamondback
Old Business:
The Club By-laws and Operational Procedures are be updated. (The O&P due their critical nature are amendable at any time by the board of directors). They, and the By-laws are being updated, corrected and reorganized. Maury has undertaken this endeavor and is circulating the results of the work to board members and other interested parties (read: Match Directors, etc.). Voting on By-law changes are after 90 day notification and acted on at the Annual Meeting.
BP training – Problem is that BP is reserving range time and then not showing up. This will be corrected by them acting on a formal use agreement (similar to procedures for Ben Avery Range) that they submit. Nominal fee for no-show days is $30 charge.
Match Directors have been notified of conflicts. All conflicts are to be resolved by the December meeting. Calendar for 2008 will be released at that time. Go to the TRC website for latest and greatest information.
Annual Meeting will be held at the Range on December 2nd at about noon. The Election of Club Officers will take place at that time.
New Business:
RM’s would like to procure a Brass Rake to police range brass. Cost for such a machine is about $400 some odd dollars. Motion made to procure said machine not to exceed $500 – Passed.
With the passing of Gordon Blohm who is taking over his MD activities?
Ron Calderon will cover the BPCR Silhouette responsibilities and Jeffrey Blohm will take over the Lever Action Silhouette matches.
Re-visit the membership fees – We determined to maintain the annual raises to the range personnel and thus (along with other reasons) we must increase our annual membership fee rate structure. Mid-year analysis suggest we increase membership fees to $40 for individual and $45 for family.
And expense review suggests we raise the Match Fee from $4 to $5 per person.
Ruby Fox, Olympic pistol medal winner resides in Phoenix and wishes to initiate the Ruby Fox Scholarships for Junior Shooters to be awarded to Arizona High School Juniors and Seniors, and college student who participate in shooting competitions. The annual stipend (individual award) will be $1K/awardee.
MOTION TO ADJOURN.
TRC meeting minutes for October 18th, 2007 @ G&F
Range work discussion –
- East berm constructed not to G&F (self imposed) specifications. Word from G&F is that this effort was a quick ‘temporary’ installation to enhance projectile retention issue. No restrictions (verbal statement) on this range but minimum target range are 200 meters.
Calendar – Range use calendar for 2008 will be released in December. Day to day reservations will continue to be handled by RM’s in the Range Office.
- TRC is scheduled to hold the State Pistol Silhouette Match over the 5th weekend in March 2008. It will include IHMSA/NRA Field/Hunter Pistol and (1st time) Airgun disciplines’.
Creedmoor Match to be held in Phoenix this year. Expect 150 to 200 entries. TRC to support three rifle teams at $60/team entered for an anticipated expenditure of $180. Motion – Passed.
OLD BUSINESS:
- By-laws need vetting by RSO’s and RM’s for consistency and clarity. Re-write and rearrange will be undertaken by Maury. Separation and demarcation between issues that belong in the By-laws versus the Range Operations and Procedures will be corrected.
Chris make note that CBP (BP training) is using the range on a more or less regular basis. (A Sgt. McKenna is the training leader.) There have been issues were they reserve the Action & HP ranges and then fail to show up. (This is a violation of Range O&P rules.)
NEW BUSINESS:
- Calendar check is underway. John has panel on TRC website for this examination/inspection by Match Directors. Any conflict issues should be worked out or corrected by the December meeting where the specific range date & time reservations for 2008 will be settled. It is also suggested that match directors generate wording for the TRC calendar website to introduce and explain their matches to the interested viewer to the TRC website.
- Monthly Meeting location for 2008 might be moved to a central location in Tucson. Suggest that we meet a the Police Substation located at 22nd Street & Alvernon (NW corner) and move the meetings to the third Wednesday’s of the month. There will be an announcement of this change at the Annual Meeting which will be held on the first Sunday of December at the Range (Dec. 2nd).
Adjourned
TRC meeting minutes of September 20th, 2007 @ Diamondback
OLD BUSINESS:
- Range alterations - Larry offers condensed discussion of G&F range rework plans – East Berm is first (and only) thing to be undertaken this year. Beginning Oct 9th thru the 16th.
Long range plan is to ‘Straighten all Firing lines to agree with first three ranges (from E to W). / DPS has sublease on 5.5 acres. /CBP (DHS) needs Action range short bays and long bay for weapons qualifications. /DPS needs long bay for rifle qualification. / Action range needs engineering submitted to BLM for patent approval to formalize their “existence”. /G&F will have ‘Master Plan’ generated for vetting Mid-November.
Q? – Will the data be available in AutoCAP or GIS data? And will it be available to us?
CBP must generate a ‘User Agreement’ with G&F for their anticipated training work at TRC. /This includes M-F use of Action range(s); TASC and 1000 yard facilities.
Persons in contact with TRC to date are: Agent McKenna / Bob Miller – Firearms Instructor / Dan Springer (out of CA) is admin for this group and wishes to place 2 - 28’ connex storage containers on the range. Location TBD but will be directed by RM on duty at the time.
We need to work out a payment plan for CBP – anticipate a monthly talley of day to day users (trainees) and send them an invoice for those totals and payment by check to TRC.
- Report of Nominating Committee – The following persons are willing to stand for election to the respective TRC governing board positions:
Larry Novak – President
Jim Bertrand – Vice-President
Treasurer – May Warren
Secretary – Maury Krupp
Executive Officer – Mandy Peery
Safety Officer – Howard Huggins or John Luiten
Action Director – Bob Cade
Pistol Director – Bruce Wright
Rifle Director – Ron Calderone
NEW BUSINESS:
- Need TRC By-laws updated … This to be done in next few months and voted upon at 2008 annual meeting. Operations & Proceedures may be altered or updated in any necessary timely fashion.
- CBP connex placement will be coordinated by Bruce via Range land line 822-5189 or alternate cell phone 603-7891
August 2007 Missing
TRC meeting minutes for
Gerald Perry (Regional Supervisor for Arizona Game & Fish Department) in attendance and gives update from the perspective of his office about the recent interactions of G&F with TRC. Including some postulations on the requests from DHS and their appendages.
He says G&F is seeking State G&F Commission money be directed to TRC. Anthony Chavez (Phx office) is working range safety upgrades (Department equipment; operators; fuel, etc) as soon as funding is located. Gerry says NRA funding is in question due to some follow-up closure report (paperwork) that TRC has not completed. (TRC is certain the required ‘final report’ was submitted to NRA but they lost said paperwork. And it wouldn’t be the first time this has happened our experience, just ask any director of any match sanctioned by NRA.)
Last input from TRC was in the timeframe of 1994 to 1997 via ‘Representation of range plans to B&F Dept., included a ’10 year plan’ … Gerry will send a copy of that to May.
The latest (unsolicited) input from TRC was the 2003 Range Improvement Plan.
Also discussed was the irritation of a G&F employee (week ending 23 June) who wished to use the 500 meter range to sight in a rifle and was forbidden to do so and was vituperated by office personnel as to the root reason for said refusal of range use. … That is the G&F letter of March, 2007 shutting down that range! Our position was explained to Mr. Perry and he will attend to updating the G&F officer about the reasons for his less than friendly dealings with the Range office personnel.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Range map (illustration) for office showing needed upgrades to justify increase in fees.
- Insurance for TRC BOD members – in place IAW Alan.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Accident Injury report of Tractor roll event – need to formally file incident report to labor office and insurance for coverage of any injury (Lyle).
- Repair bill for tractor was $22K. (ouch) … paid by MW … IAW Alan.
- Burglary on the DPS range (shed) and other buildings – reported to PCSD.
- Failure of group shooters to comply with range rules and RM admonishments (on or about 30 June, 2007) – Clarification of adjacent range use activities are to be made and enforced. Directives; warnings and cautions of RM’s to be strictly adhered to.
Standing Rule: 1K range matches that are fired from 600 yards and forward of that line are compatible with adjacent shooting activity. To be anal-retentive with any real or perceived safety issue: Pit changes are to be coordinated with (&w/ full cooperation and compliance of Action range activities) adjacent range cease fires.
- Suggest that issues with Range and G&F efforts to be resolved via Range Improvement Committee actions.
- (MK) Donation to Cecil Rico (supporting Junior HP shooter Tyler Rico going to Nationals) of $100 to defray costs of his attendance at Camp Perry; request we repeat last years indulgence. Much discussion of how sad shape the TRC exchequer is. Motion to donate $100 for
- (MK) Money request for Team TRC High Power to shoot in Rumbold Team Match for a $70 reimbursement. More discussion of how sad our money level is. Motion made to fund … seconded … vote: Passed.
- (MW) Money request for Junior shooters from May (via Ron_C) to the tune of $170.
More discussion of how broke we are. Motion made … seconded, … vote: Passed
- (JL) Discussion of our financial situation and what measures we can implement to recover. Motion that we halt any dispensing of discretionary TRC funding until our financial situation recovers to our comfortable level. Motion made … seconded, … vote: Passed.
- (LN) As it is now, no formal or informal interchange has been initiated between BP/DHS and DPS. However, rumors abound but one is false … DPS (via Bud Clark) has NO INTENTION of abandoning their range location at TRC. They will maintain their sub-lease agreement with G&F. The upgrades to that range to support the expected BPC needs are not to the introductory discussion stage at this time.
At this time the speculated engagement of BPC/DHS to fund any upgrades of the range to support their stated ‘critical’ training needs are not even to the telephone contact stage.
It might be that the promised expenditure of $98K to fund dirt work, etc. got noticed and thus will not be a handshake agreement between TRC; G&F and DHS. Stand-by for panic in the not too distant future.
Motion to Adjourn.
June 2007 Missing
OLD BUSINESS:
- Move gat to control access to Action ranges when 1000 line is in operation – Done
- Golf Cart replacement – Purchase of Deere range vehicle has been consummated, dealer is to service a high idle issue in the near future.
- (RC) Wish to open 500 meter range for hunter sight in activities for the months from September to December during hunting season and heavy demands for folks who need to get sight settings to and beyond 200 meters. Suggest we arrange to ‘monitor’ shooters on the weekends and have active oversight IAW G&F guidelines. Maintain projectile catchment on property and no rounds are directed toward the east boundary of the property. Perhaps utilize Hunter Education volunteers or other experienced shooters to act as line monitors/safety personnel. Ron will get list of folks who are willing to do this.
- Patches – TRC patches supply is running low and we need more. Last order of 250 took about two years to deplete. Suggest we order the minimum of 250 again & continue their availability for purchase in Range Office. Motion- Passed
NEW BUSINESS:
- Lewis Peery reports that G&F was surprised at the reaction to their letter outlining various range safety issues. The closing and alterations to range operations was taken very seriously and not well received by the shooting public and membership. Lewis is working up a schedule and task list to get G&F to agree to go forth and get the ranges back to full utilization.
- (BO) Seeing that our financial expenditures will increase to meet the requirements of the G&F edicts … perhaps we need to raise membership fees. Suggest we raise them $10 next year. New fee structure will be $40/year for individual and $50/year for family. Motion – Passed
- Who is TRC point of contact? Lewis Peery is first POC with G&F Dept.
Anthony Chavez is State Range Director with Dana Yost is his Supervisor.
- (BW) Rumors abound in the local area about the condition of our Range. Suggest we get the word out that we are running some ranges under certain restrictions but we ARE OPEN for business. We should generate a flyer to that effect and get them to the gun shops and gun stores in the greater
- (LN) Bob Jensen has many leftover primers (LG & SM Pistol only) that he’s offering to the club for sale as a possible fund raising or membership special offer. Suggested price is $5.50 to $6/1000. He has between 4 to 5 million primers in storage at Ralph Longs facility. This amounts to between 800 to 1000 ‘sleeves’ of primers. Larry will collect orders and make arrangements with Bob for interested parties. (Caution – full loading densities are suggested for these Russian manufactured primers) Many members in attendance were interested in the offer.
- Marlys Duchene has been elected as the 2008 Arizona State Pistol Director for the State Association.
- The 2008 State Smallbore Silhouette Pistol match will be held at TRC.
- Mandy Peery was elected to the ASAR&PA board to serve as the Southern Arizona Regional Representative.
- (BO) Bill suggest to keep the range improvement needs in the consciousness of the public that we put up a large Range Map in the Office to show everyone what is going on. Lewis said he’d take on the issue.
Motion to Adjourn.
TRC meeting for 19 April 2007 (@ G&F Offices)
OLD BUSINESS:
(AS) IAW implications in the letter from G&F of
(AS) Move shooting positions down to the floor of the Public range. Need overhead cover.
This realignment applies (perhaps) to the Black powder ranges also (?).
Care of Pistol Silhouette range – Damage to targets and gongs is a simmering problem. Perhaps we need to regulate use more closely? Remote cameras to monitor range use?
(LN) Golf Cart replacement – Invest in ‘Green’s Keeper’ type machinery. Must haul light loads and be capable of pulling at low speeds the range trailer. Al/Lewis will look into possible replacement equipment.
(RC) Reminder – We are sponsoring the State Smallbore Rifle Silhouette Championships May 18th & 19th.
NEW BUSINESS:
(BW) Charges for non-member shooters at ‘special’ events to cover clean-up and maintenance costs. Motion to charge an initial $25 fee for ‘special events’ is to be instituted. Motion – Passed.
(LP) BorderTown has moved it date to
(MW) State Association meeting – May to get bodies to fill a table. TRC will fund the table for those members attending.
(MK) Karl Kasardas needs reimbursement for the $100 match entry fees he fronted for the Tucson Rifle Clubs’ Rifle Team. Motion- Passed
March 2007 Missing
Attendance: Jim Bertrand, Larry Novak, Maury Krupp, Lewis Peery, Mandy Flores, Ron A Calderone, Bruce Wright, Joseph & Marlys Duchene, Chet Brown, Lyle Neff, Chris Martinez, May Warren, Al Speert.
OLD BUSINESS:
Match Conflicts: There is a conflict between a new lever action rifle match to be held on the Pistol Silhouette (a new oxymoron) on the second Saturday which might conflict with range preparation activities of the Night Shoot. Gordon Blohm is promoting the lever gun match and will be contacted by Larry Novak (Night Shoot, MD) to see if the times of the matches can be scheduled to NOT overlap. I.e. the lever gun match activities are over by noon to allow downrange prep for the night shoot.
Safety issues are (and have been) uncoordinated shooting on the 1K range, the Action ranges, and the Pistol Silhouette range. The concern of the Action range falling within a 45 degree ‘danger fan’ of the 1K firing line was noted in the recent range inspection by Game & Fish officers. The safety of down range activities (such as target setting) on the PSR with respect to projectiles and fragments from shooting on the Action range short bays was noted. And possible dangers to folks on the short lines of the 1K range and pit change activities with respect to the
We anticipate a letter to address the intra-range safety issue from G&F in the coming weeks. Their concern is with the Action range area falling within a 45 degree ‘danger fan’ of the 1K firing line. Our previous fix of allowing only supervised simultaneous matches from that firing point may be regarded as insufficient.
G&F also voiced concern of allowing parking & camping on the area within the 1K range proper. (This may concert RV and other vehicles parking behind the 600 yard line.) Anthony Chavez of G&F will try to attend the next TRC meeting (at Diamondback) and perhaps clarify the overall range congestion and safety issues.
Golf cart replacement – Lyle reports that a ‘good used’ cart will run upwards of $4K. Al says he has been perusing the classified ads and found numerous offerings at less than half of the price from a golf cart dealer. Jim_B offered to pay the club a little more than the trade in price offered by the dealer ($255).
1K range gate – gate is installed and painted. It is in close proximity of the range-in-use safety flag pole. We may need an additional gate to close off vehicle access to the Action range if the conflict is deemed too foreboding by G&F.
NEW BUSINESS:
There is an upcoming Friend's of the NRA Dinner to be held at the Desert Diamond sponsored by the Santa Cruze Valley group. It has been the practice in the past that TRC purchases a table for those members who wish to attend. The date of the Dinner is March 24th. In the past there are 8 places available and Ron Calderone is the POC to get first choice of seating. Motion made and passed to purchase the seating.
TRC monthly meeting minutes for January 18, 2007
OLD BUSINESS:
Conflicts on latest revision of Range Calendar (i.e. regularly scheduled matches) … Mandy is working the issue.
State Small-bore Rifle Silhouette Championships in May 19 &20th Match Director Ron needs $1000 front money. Motion to approve; Seconded; Motion Passed.
No dumping issue at range and Upgrade plan of electrical and water for camping areas. Tabled – We’ll wait and see what comes from the upcoming G&F range inspection due by the end of the month.
Care of
Range gate is to segregate members and non-members from unrestricted (read: unsupervised) access to more distant ranges.
Final Report on 200 yard firing line rehabilitation. The project began end of September and was completed end of December. $2300 budget was slightly overrun with the grand total amounting to $2,575. Next issue with the High Power range is to be the 600 yard firing line. It needs similar rebuilding as was accomplished on the 200 line.
NEW BUSINESS:
(ln) Range golf cart is dying. Needs rebuild or replacement. Contact Kachina Golf Cart on N. Oracle. It is where we bought the present machine. Perhaps we can buy a used one for under $1K; or perhaps purchase a 4 wheeled ATV with trailer hitch. Lyle will investigate.
(mw) Donation for Special Olympics of
(mw) Match reports are not being filled out completely and correctly. We need to revise the form so it is more easily interpreted and filled out. We should also collect certain data on match participants such as gender and status as juniors or seniors. These demographics are useful when we generate grant applications. May will work on a new form and get it passed around for ideas/improvements.
(mk) The high power shooters are looking for sponsorship of 4 teams at the upcoming Washington’s Birthday Match to be held on18 Feb. Fee/team is $80 so total would be $320 for 4 TRC teams. And one team for the Service Rifle Team matches ($40). Grand total sponsorship (reimbursement) will be $360. Motion made; seconded and passed.
Gate on the 1000 yard range access road. Post has been purchased. Need to drill hole and cement post into ground. (lyle)
Cowboy match on the 2nd Saturday of the month is requested to return to TRC. This match conflicts with the Night Shoot activities that get started at noon in the winter months. 4th Saturday is also occupied with a Practical Tactical match (Bill_O’s match).
(lp) Speed limit at range is not being observed or followed. Perhaps we should in stall speed bumps? All in attendance consider this an acceptable idea so the plan to install bumps should be initiated.
Shooting fee on sign ($6/shooter/day) has been blacked out on the sign. This should be re-painted to indicate the proper fee. Fee applies to non-members.
Member behavior – A member was shooting holes in a steel gong target on the Action range and did damage to said target. The target has been ‘holed’ pervious to this ‘event’.
Al will contact the party in question and get that persons understanding of the event. These soft steel targets can only be shot with ‘cowboy’ energy level cartridges and firearms.
Game & Fish – Upcoming range inspection will involve the Facilities the Buildings the Electrical & Water. The inspection is an annual assessment that G&F performs on property under their control. This inspection will be scheduled before February.
Anthony Chavez (State Range Director) will likely lead the inspection team with some G&F engineering members.
Border Patrol is looking to establish a training facility at TRC. They may pursue a ‘sub-lease’ agreement with G&F. (Similar to DPS and the DPS range). BP needs a 50 yard pistol and a 100 yard carbine range. They might install this on the western edge of the range property proper and fire west into that ridge.
