The board meeting was called to order by President William Shaffer at 10:05 am.

The invocation was then given by 1st Vice President Don Bradley.

President Shaffer began the meeting by thanking everyone for their attendance. He further stated that everyone on the board would be essential in making the February meeting a success and hoped that with this being a code change year that we would have a good turn out in February. He further stated that the questions from Indiana for the code panel were important and to please get them to Ed Johnson as quickly as possible.

Secretary Rick Spitaels then did the Roll Call of Officers with James Ochs, Edward Johnson, David Schofield, Charley Weber and Charles Swathwood being absent.

A motion was then made by Allen Lengacher to accept the minutes of the previous meeting as printed. The motion was seconded by Don Bradley and was accepted with a unanimous vote.

Treasurer Rick Spitaels then gave the Treasurers report. President Shaffer reminded everyone that there had been a motion at the last Board Meeting to purchase a power point projector and that it had not yet been purchased and that it would take around $3,500 out of the accounts when it did occur. John Weesner then asked why we had three different accounts and Treas. Spitaels stated that it was a requirement of the credit union. Don Bradley then made a motion to accept the Treasurers report as printed. The motion was seconded by Fred Davis and passed with a unanimous vote.

Western Section Representative Bud Wheeler then gave the Western Section Report. Bud stated that he was on the Auditing  Committee for the Western Section and that they found the books in good order. Bud further stated that the Board of Directors meeting was held  on Sunday and that the report from Jim Carpenter of the International Office stated that they had lost $100,000 in the previous year. Bud further stated that the dues payment to the Chapters from the IO was late and that they hoped to get it out in the next few weeks. Bud further stated that although the IO lost $100,000 last year they were already $100,000 ahead for this year. Bud then stated that the IO and NFPA worked together on the code analysis books. Bud also stated that IAEI wrote the code analysis book and then charged the NFPA 50% of the development cost. Bud said that the IAEI and NFPA then shared the printing costs of the first 70,000 books. Bud further stated that the IAEI sold twice as many  2002 code analysis then the NFPA. Bud stated that the NFPA has dropped out of the joint IAEI/NFPA Inspectors  certification program. Bud said that there had been only 78 people to take the test in the first year. Bud stated that a minimum of 100 people are necessary to establish a grading scale. Bud stated that as of now the Certification program is dead but that the IAEI is still trying to work something out. Bud went on to say that the Western Section Membership is 16,491 individuals as of June 30th of 2004 with 9827 Associate Members and 5703 Inspector Members. The IO had lost members when they increased the dues but made more money with less members because of the increase. Bud stated that you could now renew your dues and become a member on line. The IO hopes to get the turn around time from them receiving your application until you get your card and info to 3 days. Bud stated that the state of West Virginia has applied to get their own IAEI Division as they are part of the Ohio chapter now and hope to eventually get their own  chapter. Bud stated that Dave Williams of the Michigan Chapter had applied to be a Code Making Panel member and that the Western Section accepted him and entered him into the pool.  Bud stated that the Western Section meeting next September will be in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Bud stated that the attendance for the Western Section meeting was 327 members and 104 guests and 30 display booths.

Hotel Committee Chairman Jack Douthit then gave his Committee Report. Jack reported that everything was in order and that we would be getting the same rate as last year on our rooms, which was $70.00. Jack then asked if anyone wanted anything different for this year and that he would get it taken care of. No one had anything they wanted changed so the meeting moved on.

Entertainment Committee Chairman Jack Douthit then gave his report. Jack stated that we would have the group from Purdue entertain us again. After some discussion it was decided that the Chapter would feed the entertainers and that we would have a cash bar starting at 6:30, we will  eat at seven and they could perform at eight. Jack then stated that the cost would be a $500.00 donation to the University. Which was the same price as last year. Secretary Spitaels stated that he would give Jack the check today.

Dave Stalf then gave his report on the information he had acquired about Glenn Zeissness. Dave presented a draft that he had prepared but stated that he needed information from the Chapter on Glenn’s participation in the chapter and years of service and the like. Dave went on to say that he had two magazine articles in which Glenn was either  featured or mentioned. Everyone accepted Dave’s draft without any changes. Secretary Spitaels stated that he would start researching the records he had and get whatever information he could find to Dave to insert into the text.

At this time the meeting moved onto the February Meeting agenda. Bud Wheeler stated that he thought that the way the Western Section did their agenda worked well with alternating code analysis and code questions at every session. Bud then went on to give a list of who was hoping to attend and those planning to attend. Those planning to attend were Al Manche, Bud Swathwood subject to health, Charlie Eldridge, Mike Forister, and Mike Johnston. Phil Cox was undecided on participating. Phil Simmons is unavailable. Tom Lichtenstein from UL and Walter Koessel were hoping to attend but have to wait to hear from their offices for confirmation on expense budgets for the coming year. After some discussion it was decided to alternate code analysis and code questions every session. Secretary Spitaels then stated that he wanted to leave the first session after lunch for any vendor that wanted to make a short presentation. Al Nadon then brought up that we could also use this time for Associate recognition and thought that a naming of names and a thank you from the chapter President would be a nice gesture. Everyone was in agreement that this would be great way to show our appreciation to the Associate members in attendance. It was decided to continue the Inspectors Caucus at 10:00 am followed by a short Board meeting before breaking at 12:00 for lunch and to start registration.     

Discussion then turned to the menus with Best Western representative Sheri Karl. After very little discussion it was decided to stay with the menus of last year with pastries and coffee in the mornings, soda and cookies for afternoon breaks, salad and sandwiches for the luncheon, and for the dinner garden salad, a relish tray with dip, apple salad, pasta salad, and the entrees being roast beef, baked white fish, and roast pork with side items of glazed baby carrots, red skin potatoes with garlic and parsley, and green beans. Dessert is to be peach cobbler and ice cream.

Discussion then turned to the rooms for the meeting. It was decided to have a hospitality room for the ladies Wednesday afternoon, all day Thursday, and Friday morning. The meeting room for the Association to be the same as last year with tables set up for 40 to 60 participants on Wednesday and  Friday and tables set up for 80 to 100 participants on Thursday.

Bud Wheeler then asked if we had a luncheon speaker. President Shaffer stated that we would not know for sure until after the coming election. President Shaffer then asked Jack Douthit to start thinking about a local individual to speak in case of a change in Indianapolis politics.

Secretary Spitaels then turned the meeting to registration fees. After much discussion Dave Stalf stated that he thought that it was very important that the participants take something home other than a piece of paper with questions. John Weesner then stated that if we give a code and analysis book with our registration that he would give grant money to cover both books for grant eligible individuals. John also stated that we should make sure that it was indicated on the registration form that the participants were receiving a code book and an analysis book a $115.00 value. Secretary Spitaels stated that that would not be a problem. After further discussion it was decided to keep the 1 year free membership for the 3 day attendees but drop the $50.00 additional deal that was available for the 1 day attendees. It was decided that the books would not be included in the vendor fees. After much discussion Alan Nadon brought a motion to the floor to add an additional amount of $85.00 across the board for registration fees. The motion was seconded by Warren Goodrich and passed with a unanimous vote.

A motion was then made by Alan Nadon to delete the late registration column on the registration forms and install a line stating that there would be a $20.00 extra fee for registrations received after January 21. The Motion was seconded by Bud Wheeler and passed with a unanimous vote.

It was decided not to change the sponsor prices but to put a footnote stating that the sponsorship fees do not include the 2005 code and analysis books.

Secretary Spitaels opened discussion on the mailing that will go out with the registration forms. Everyone accepted the printed model with just a change of adding that the registration fees include the books.

Bud Wheeler then brought before the board the fact that the IO would like the chapters to pay for the hotel room, registration and food when IO members attend the chapter meetings. Secretary Spitaels commented that since Bud had said that the new Western Section President would probably be unable to attend our meeting and since the custom is to give him a complimentary registration and room that it would come out about even this year but could be an issue on other years. After some discussion Bud made a motion to pay for Mike Johnston’s hotel room and meals while attending the February meeting. Fred Davis seconded the motion and it passed with a unanimous vote.

The meeting then turned to the Power Point report. Secretary Spitaels stated that Chairman Ed Johnson had e-mailed him stating that he would be unable to attend this meeting and that he hoped to have the Power Point bought by December.

Membership Committee Chairman Don Bradley then gave his report. Don started by saying that he was feeling better with the information he was getting from the IO about membership.  Don stated that the IO had finally purged their files of deceased and unpaid individuals. Don stated that our membership has increased from 249 members to 259 members during this year. Bud Wheeler then added that the IO was working on maybe going to a 3 year registration but they were having a hard time trying to figure out how to do dues distribution.

Education Committee report was tabled due to chairman Charley Weber’s absence.

Code clearing report was tabled due to chairman Ed Johnson’s absence.

By Laws Committee Chairman Warren Goodrich then began his report. Warren began by stating that the committee was submitting the following requirements for dedicating an annual meeting to a deceased member. The deceased needs to have served a minimum of 5 years as an Officer on the Indiana Chapter’s Board of Directors or have been an active Indiana Chapter member for 10 years or have served in an extraordinary way as determined by the Board of Directors. Warren stated that the intent of these requirements is to be able to answer someone if they inquire why their family member or friend didn’t have a meeting dedicated to their memory. Al Nadon then made a motion to accept the guidelines submitted by the By Law Committee. Don Bradley seconded the motion and the motion passed with a unanimous vote. 

Fire and Safety Committee Chairman Alan Nadon passed out copies of Articles from the Tom Henry newsletter and had nothing more to report.

John Weesner then gave his report from the State. John stated that the first hearing on the new IRC would be on December 15, 2004 with the second hearing February 1, 2005 and hoping to get it to the Governor by April 1, 2005 with enforcement starting 90 days after the Secretary of State receives it. John then stated that he had contracted Brent Snyder to teach and that the State would be holding classes regionally to help local jurisdictions  get up to date on the changes. John further stated that the only requirement for the regional jurisdiction would be to supply the room to hold the classes. John also stated that the state was hoping to hold these classes for free. John went on to state that he would hope to start enforcing the 2005 Indiana Electrical Code 30 days after the Secretary of State receives it because there are less major changes in that code which would have enforcement starting at or around August 1, 2005. John further stated that he would give grant money for electrical classes if the local jurisdictions wanted to give electrical classes after August 1 but John reminded everyone that the grant would be for eligible people (Inspectors) only. 

Warren Goodrich then reported that he was very surprised at the amount of use that the website was getting. Warren then stated that if there was anyone who didn’t have the Indiana website address to e-mail him and he would get it to them. Warren then asked if anyone had any complaints or changes that they would like to have made to the website. Everyone was more than pleased and no changes were offered. Bud Wheeler then asked if we would be able to post the questions and answers on the website after the February meeting. Warren stated that that would not be a problem just to  have the code panelists bring the questions and answers on discs.

With no one having any further business Dave Soderquist then made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Jack Douthit and passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 2:25 pm.