President Bernie Zelazny called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM in 204 ACR Bldg on the Sul Ross Campus.  There were 8 people present. Jim Walker discussed the new lighting ordinance.

       As you know, the City Council unanimously passed our lighting ordinance on May 23, 2000.  The ordinance becomes effective on June 23, 2000; it applies to the City of Alpine and areas within 1 mile of the city limits.  The full text is available on our BBAS web site, and I will have paper copies at the next meeting.

Here are some of the principal provisions of the ordinance:

Existing lights are grandfathered, EXCEPT:

• Pole-mounted floodlights must be reaimed so their beams tilt no more than 20 deg from the vertical (see diagrams at end of Lighting Inventory).

• Lights illuminating billboards and buildings must be adjusted to minimize the light escaping above or around the objects illuminated.

• Wallpacks, where possible, must be adjusted to minimize the light.

• Any required adjustments must be completed by November 23, 2000. A fine of $25.00 per day may be levied for noncompliance.

• Except for sports lighting, all fixtures having outputs greater than 1,800 lumens (the output of a 100-W incandescent bulb) must be full cutoff fixtures.

• Complaints of light trespass will be evaluated by the City; appropriate steps will be taken to reduce unwanted light from public or private sources.

• NEW mercury vapor fixtures are prohibited.

• Large lighting projects using 100,000 lumens or more must file a Lighting Plan for approval by the City Planning and Zoning Board.

• Levels of illumination are specified for parking areas, entry areas, service stations and sales lots;  for areas not specified, the Planning and Zoning Board will set appropriate levels of illumination upon request based on guidelines of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.

PLEASE KEEP THIS INVENTORY and refer to it if you see any NEW lights installed after June 23, 2000, that are NOT full cutoff fixtures, or if you see any NEW mercury vapor lights, which are prohibited (lights are listed by category - Businesses, Residences, etc. -  and street address).  We will need everyone's help in identifying any NEW lights that are prohibited under our ordinance.  If you find any such lights, please call or email Jim Walker, 364-2467 or jwalker@brooksdata.net.

NOTE:  This inventory lists those overhead floodlights and wallpacks requiring adjustment under the Alpine Lighting Ordinance.  Under Section 3 A (1), the axis of illumination of floodlights mounted overhead shall be adjusted to an angle not more than 20 degrees from the vertical (see attached Exhibits 1 and 2).  Under Section 3 A (3), wallpacks shall be adjusted where possible to minimize the amount of light emitted above the horizontal; many wallpacks cannot be adjusted in this way.

       The business meeting took place after the above program.  Secretary Jim Walker moved the acceptance of the minutes for the May meeting as printed in the May Newsletter.

       Treasurer Betty Grimm gave the following report:

        As we approach the solar maximum, Earth's atmosphere is "puffed up" like a marshmallow over a campfire, leading to extra drag on Earth-orbiting satellites.  Because of increasing solar flares, we can also expect increased auroras, possibly visible as far south as Alpine.  If you're out and about late at night, look to the north.

        I was fortunate to assist Doug McCombs in pouring his concrete slab for his own observatory.
I enjoyed the change of pace.
        The pad is 8' x 17', 5' of which will not be covered by the building.  A roll-off roof to provide a lower horizon is the plan.
        The skies in this area promise many good nights of observing.  Further details will be forthcoming as the project continues.

If we have not yet received your dues, then please use the convenient envelope addressed to our treasurer that is included with this copy of your Newsletter.

Betty Lou Grimm, Treasurer
Big Bend Astronomical Society, Inc.
1001 N 2nd Street, Apt F-22
Alpine, TX 79830