Minutes of April 17, 2008           (back)   (home)

TOWN OF LIBERTY GROVE. GILLS ROCK STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING. THURSDAY April 17, 2008. At the Town Hall, the meeting was properly noticed.

  Agenda: 1. Call to order                             

                2. Roll call

                3. Adopt agenda     

                4. Approve minutes—March 13           

5. Approximate valuation of properties identified in project

                6. JJR presentation on progress

                7. JJR discussion with committee members

                8. Direction for future activity

                9. Public input

              10. Future meetings

              11. Adjourn

Chairman Jay Blossom called the meeting to order at 5:34 PM. Also attending: Committee members Dan Schwarz, Jim Creed, Geoff Gialdini, Frank Weber, newly appointed MaryKay Shumway and Clerk/Administrator Kalms. 6 citizens were present. Absent: Robert Jones, Paul Wilde. Bruce Lunde and Chris Boldt of JJR also attended.

Shumway/Creed to adopt the agenda. Carried 6-0.

Blossom moved, Shumway second to use tax roll listings to get market valuation of the targeted parcels for the next meeting. Carried 6-0.  

JJR presentation. Bruce Lunde comments: The committee consensus is to recommend plan “B” phased out to 98 slips total; this means $10.3 million to full build out; net annual revenue is estimated at $415,000(seasonal & transient slips, fuel, parking, storage, ramp fees); this would support $3.8 million of debt(with 80% of the $415,000 toward debt payoff), utilizing a special revenue bond. Steps to take now are: 1. adopt a plan; 2. select a project “champion” from the Town to accompany JJR when approaching various funding entities; 3. work with a financial consultant to analyze Town finances; 4. make contacts for appropriations funding. When asked about the joint “A/B” concept, Lunde said that the JJR design department could not make it work. Chris Halbur of DNR says “B” makes the lines much cleaner; the Town will need an outdoor recreational plan. The Egg Harbor project’s needs and schedules are different from Liberty Grove’s; the Town will be going after Waterways money in ’09 or ’10, after Egg Harbor has applied. The Sister Bay waterfront project is not eligible for Waterways funding. The Town will do a memorandum of understanding.

Chris Boldt comments:  Dave Obey from Wisconsin is Chairman of the Federal Appropriations Committee. Areas for consideration:  Board approves project; preplan with various agencies; grant programs with 50-75% match; appropriations; the Ashland project he was associated with took 3 years to complete the funding; the Gills Rock plan with all its elements will raise eyebrows; will need permits and the land with a preliminary design to get Waterways commitment. Appropriations can be the biggest piece of the pie; in 3 to 6 months we would have an idea of the funding we could get. Appraisals are based on the current use, not what could be done with the property. DNR needs two appraisals: the first takes 12 weeks, and the second takes another 12 weeks.

Committee comments: consider other expenses of the Town and engineering fees; feel have decided that Concept “B” is a good plan. Creed moved, Weber second to recommend concept “B” to the Town Board. Discussion:  Gialdini would like to see a cost analysis. Shumway agrees with “B”—the committee was to look at: a harbor of refuge, economic development, preserving the historic fishing village. Blossom does not want an urban feel—he would like to see some proposed architecture for a future meeting. The motion then carried 6-0.

For the time being, Kalms will be the project “champion” and attend the Waterways Commission meeting on May 13 to introduce, with JJR representatives, the Gills Rock concept.

The timeline/schedule will be revised by JJR.

Public input. Harvey Stahl asked if the $415,000 income was based on full occupancy. Lunde said yes, close to full. Stahl asked how we could prove the project is profitable. Boldt said the Town is not supposed to make a profit, but provide for public needs and facilities. Frank Forkert said he is heartened by what has happened tonight; Gills Rock can capitalize on a harbor of refuge, commercial fishing, charter fishing and its natural beauty; it can have a positive impact on the total community; it is a “wonderful project”.

Shumway/Creed to adjourn. Carried 6-0. 8:18 PM.