Town Hall June 3rd, 2022

Welcome

• Town Hall Agenda

• Thank you for your continued support of MakerLabs

• This year we celebrate our 8th Birthday

Member Feedback Results

Thank you to everyone who submitted responses and suggestion for solutions. Here are some common points that were brough up during the survey, and actions we will be taking.

• Open up the Lounge to make it more welcoming

  • We are going to relocate the MakerStore to the current Fabrication office so it is still accessible but out of the way

• Laser doesn't cut through materials all the time. There should be more frequent maintenance of the machine.

  • Routine maintenance has been increased to twice a week since the beginning of this year

  • Please be careful using the laser. Running it into the edges or the bed into the head will throw it out of alignment and effect the way it cuts for other members

  • Run a test cut when possible, especially when using non-standard material. The settings on the board are just guidelines.

• It would be nice that a discount is offerent to members when they sign up for a class.

  • Discounts have always been available for safety & orientation classes. Members receive $30 off regular class prices.

• It would be great to have a listing of members of MakerLabs and their businesses at the front desk so when visitors come by they know they're in the right place

  • We can do this. Email us if you would like to have your business listed on a sign at the front desk.

• It would be nice to have some pumice soad vailabot to wash off tough stains from hand like paint, oils, grease, etc.

  • "Fast Orange" Soap has been purchase and is available at the kitchen sink and downstairs bathrooms

• Since the door handle has been removed due to the break-in , members have had to use the little door hook as a foot handle to open the door. It was already tricky to open the door even with a regular handle when we have to cart things in.

  • The foot handle works best when you push in first, and then pull. We will be leaving this set-up as-is to deter future break-ins.

• There is a mouse problem

  • Westside Pest Control started service in March

  • We have not seen any noticeable difference

  • We have changed their schedule to once every three months instead of once a month

  • It is everyone's responsibility to make the space an undesireable place to live

    • Do not throw food waste in the garbages

    • Food waste can be put in the compost that is located in the freezer or disposed of directly in the food waste bin in the west loading bay

    • Any food or corn based packaging must be kept in sealed plastic containers.

• There is still a lot of clutter

  • We have been actively cleaning up the clutter

  • In February, we had 2,000 sq ft of clutter and are now down to 1,000 sq ft

  • Junk is coming out of the wall and the gallery space is being used as a temporary holding area until it leaes the building forever

Space and Tool Upgrades / Updates

• New Ceramics Lab is up and Running

  • Members can take either Ceramics 101 (handbuilding) or Ceramics 102 (wheel throwing) to gain access to the space

  • Members must purchase their own clay directly through MakerLabs at $50/bag. This includes all firing and use of glazes.

• Machining Lab is up and Running

  • Manual Mill (class coming soon)

  • Metal Lathe (class available)

  • CNC Tormach Metal Milling Machine (CNC Router 101 is a pre-requisite as well as completing 3 projects indpendently on the CNC Router)

Education

• Classes being offered by members:

  • Evelyn - Book Nook Diorama Workshop

  • Lesley - Cutting Board Workshop

  • Darla - Paint Pouring Night

• Applications are open for Tools for Women.

• Monthly Women's Maker Meet-up is back

Program Updates

• New Woodworking Residency starting in July

  • Includes 2 months of membership

  • Studio space

  • All materials to build a side table with sliding drawer are included in the cost

  • All WoodLab classes

  • Platform to share / exhibit work

  • Instructor and MakerLabs Guidance & Support to help execute your projects

• Electronics Meet-up

  • Happening on the first Thursday of the month

  • Hosted by Will

  • Come meet others with an interest in electronics, share ideas, and work on projects collaboratively

Policy Changes and Reminders

• Rates going up July 1st

  • Regular Membership - $180/month

  • Extended Hours add-on - $70/month

  • Short Term Storage - $1.75/sq ft

  • Legacy Studio Rates will be brought up to current rates

  • TFW Residency increasing to $550

• Concierge Service

  • If leaving packages for clients for pick-up at the front desk

  • Members must send an email for every package they leave for clients to pick-up

  • Members with more than 5 pick-ups a month will receive an invoice for $30 + tax at the end of the month

• Awen Haus payments can now be processed at the front desk

• Tuck Shop / MakerStore purchases over $5 must be paid for immediately at the Front desk

• 3D printers must now be booked ot use

  • Can be booked through the Tool Booking page online

  • Printing is $2/hr + GST, with a minimum $5 charge

  • Can be settled at the front desk or self reported

• WoodLab reminders

  • Please clean up after yourself after each tool you use

  • Please start cleaning up no later than 8:45pm each day, unless you have 24 hour access membership

Staffing Changes

We have a few new staff in the past several months.

• Dean - Assistant

• Reza - Fabrication

• Darla - Front Desk Associate

• Kathryn - Facilities Coordinator

We are currently looking for another Front Desk Associate and Instructors for MIG & TIG welding

Q & A

• Can you guarantee with the clutter clean up that no more clutter will enter the building?

  • No. That is something you'll have to take up with Derek

• What is happening with the large panel saw in the WoodLab?

  • It will be up and running soon

  • It will be available for members to use after taking a specific class

  • Members must get approval from MakerLabs to take the class and must be experienced woodworking. It is at MakerLabs' discretion to determine who is eligible to take the class and gain access to that saw.