Cincinnati Cycle Club, Inc.

 

Minutes of Annual Meeting of Members

 

January 26, 2008

 

The members of the Cincinnati Cycle Club, Inc. met at Raffel’s Banquet Hall in Evendale, Ohio.  The meeting was called to order by the president, Kevin Armstrong, at 8:15 pm.  He welcomed 84 members and declared a quorum.

 

County Commissioner David Pepper -- Glenn Talaska introduced the first speaker, Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper.  Mr. Pepper outlined some of his plans for the county, including the encouragement of cycling, extension of the bike trails, and the promotion of cycling to improve the environment and quality of life.  As a cyclist, Mr. Pepper wants to promote a bike-friendly political agenda.  He pointed out that CCC members can help to advance that agenda through advocacy with local officials.  He believes that qualifying Cincinnati as an LAB Bicycle Friendly Community would help attract and keep young adults in this area. 

 

OBF Chair Chuck Smith -- Kevin then introduced Chuck Smith, Chairman of the Ohio Bicycle Federation.  Mr. Smith encouraged Ohio residents to purchase the “Share the Road” license plates.  The 1,800 sold last year generated $9,000 for printing Ohio’s bike safety booklets.

 

Mr. Smith summarized pending legislation (HB 390) to update Ohio’s cycling laws.  Among other changes, it would allow cyclists to treat a traffic light as a one-way stop sign if the electronic vehicle detector fails to detect a bicycle.  It would also specify adequate clearance distances for vehicles passing slower vehicle.  It would clarify that cyclists do not need to stay dangerously close to the right edge of the road.  Chuck asked for CCC’s endorsement of HB 390.

 

Action – Irvin Lewin moved that Cincinnati Cycle Club, Inc. go on record as endorsing the passage of HB 390 by the state legislature.  The motion was seconded.  Q Benedikt expressed his concerns about the proposed modification of the “far right rule.”  Following discussion, Irvin’s motion was passed.

 

KBBC Commissioner Ralph Mitchell – Kevin congratulated our Northern Kentucky Cluster Leader, Ralph Mitchell, on being appointed by Governor Fletcher to a 4-year term on the Kentucky Bicycle and Bikeway Commission.  Ralph reported that Newport is working toward recognition by LAB as a Bicycle Friendly Community.  State Senator Stine intends to introduce legislation to require that every road project in Kentucky be designed to facilitate bicycle traffic.  Kentucky’s uniform vehicle code is being rewritten to include bicycles.  Ralph reported that 3,000 Share the Road license tags were sold last year, raising $30,000 for bicycle education.  A 22-mile multi-use trail is being planned around the CVG airport.  Free breakfasts will be served on the Purple People bridge during Bike to Work Week next May.

 

Minutes – The Secretary, Ron Benedict, moved that the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on December 2, 2006, having previously been distributed to all members, be approved.  The motion was seconded and passed.

 

Treasurer’s Report and Audit – The Treasurer, Steve Wegener, reported that the Club is in good financial condition with a current balance of $56,165. 

 

Kevin reported that the Audit Committee, chaired by Vice President John Chester, reviewed the Club’s books and records and found everything to be in good order.  John was unable to attend this meeting because of his mother’s health.  However, Kevin offered to provide a copy of the audit report to anyone interested. 

 

Elections – The nominees for the following positions were elected by acclamation:

 

President                                             Kevin Armstrong

Vice President                                     John Chester

Secretary                                             Ron Benedict

Treasurer                                             Steve Wegener

Communications Director                   Lloyd Shadley

Membership Director                          Joe Bohlen

National Rides Director                      Bill Menrath

Safety & Education Director              Glenn Talaska

Brown County Cluster                        Michael Hart

Campbell County Cluster                   Jackie Hansen & Mike Sullivan

Eastern Hills Cluster                           Scott Goldsmith

Firecrackers Cluster                            Laura Couch, Dan Hermann, Vincent Lieu & Jim                                                                 Thiry

Little Miami Cluster                            Irvin Lewin

Northern Kentucky Cluster                Ralph Mitchell & Ron Smith

Oakley Hyde Park Cluster                  Dan Mocsny

Spokes in Motion Cluster                   Scott Ebbing & Cindy Male

Westchester Wheelman Cluster          Walt Fick & Jimmy Rogers

 

Pete Engel and Dave Riemenschneider were nominated for the position of Cluster Director.  Dave was elected by written ballot.

 

Bylaws – Ron Benedict briefly reviewed the various changes that the Board of Trustees approved for the Code of Regulations (“bylaws”).  These were set forth in the November/December 2007 edition of the BikeWriter and the Board recommended that they be approved by the general membership at this meeting. 

 

Action -- Ron moved that the Code of Regulations be amended and restated as recommended by the Board of Trustees.  The motion was seconded and approved.  A copy of the amended and restated Code of Regulations will be attached as an apendix to these minutes and published on the Club’s website.

 

Awards – Don Burrell reported that CCC members rode 52,240 commuter miles in 2007.  Both this and the number of participants (35) were new records for CCC.  However, members of the Dayton Cycling Club reported over 82,000 miles, so DCC will retain the Commuter Challenge trophy.  Don estimated that CCC and DCC members have commuted more than one million miles and saved more than 30 tons of pollution since starting the competition in 1995.  Over the past five years, George Marketos leads our Club with more than 21,600 miles, while Amy Immerman leads CCC’s women with over 8,800 miles.  Amy has been bicycle commuting for more than 30 years.  Don presented special CCC bicycle commuter jerseys to George and Amy.

 

Walt Fick presented the Brevet de Randonneur Cycliste award to Carrie Schneider.  Walt reminded everyone that the purpose of the award is to encourage members to achieve personal riding goals and render service to the Club.

 

Kevin announced that the Board of Trustees approved the following annual awards for outstanding service to the Club:

 

Barry Rosenfeld Award         Don Burrell

Cluster Award                                    Ralph Mitchell

National Rides Award                        Bruce Fields & Jennifer Johnson

 

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Kevin presented plaques of appreciation to Dave Robinson for his service as Registrar for our national rides, Kathleen Putman as retiring editor of the BikeWriter, and Scott Goodfellow and Jim Katenkamp upon their retirement from the Board. 

 

Kevin thanked Bruce Rocklin for his service as our web master and Jeni Roosen for accepting the job of editor of the BikeWriter.

 

Following the distribution of numerous door prizes, Ron Benedict moved that the meeting be adjourned.  The motion was seconded and approved.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:13 pm.

 

Ron Benedict, Secretary