Minutes of Jan. 31, 2008         (back)   (home)

Gills Rock Steering Committee

Minutes of the meeting of January 31, 2008

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jay Blossom at 5:34 pm.  Present were Jay Blossom, Jim Creed, Geoff Gialdini, Dan Schwarz, Robert Jones.  Frank Weber arrived 10 minutes later.  Paul Wilde was absent. Also present: Wm. Casey, Town chairman.

Moved and second to adopt agenda.  Passed 5-0.

Moved and second to approve minutes of Nov.1, 2007.  Passed 5-0.

JJR supplied a report of the meeting with the design committee.  It also had 2 diagrams of possible marinas.  In the report JJR said that Waterways funding would probably go down from an expected 80% to 50% because of budget cuts on the new State budget.  This is where funding for breakwater, ramps, etc. comes from.  The DNR Stewardship fund will have plenty of money.  This is what is used to purchase land.  In any event funding will be tight.

The design committee, Schwarz and Gialdini felt that JJR wasn’t ready.  They seemed to have a different attitude because of the possible funding issues.  They felt that JJR showed a concern for how they would be paid.

Mr. Casey spoke on what he feels is necessary to have to present to the Town Board and also the public.  He reminded this committee that this still has to be voted on by the electors.  He suggested that the group choose an option to move forward with.  Along with the design we need some idea of income and expense as well as grant money that would apply.  He also reminded the group that when the Sister Bay Marina was being developed it was a hard sell to the community but it has turned out to provide good income for the Marina and the Village.  He also reminded the committee that when JJR was chosen one of the things they prided themselves on was the knowledge of State funding.  In their report of the meeting with the design committee they asked whether the finance sub-committee has been looking into funding.  This should be something that JJR handles.

Janet Johnson said that she felt the committee should move forward with selecting a design so that JJR can begin their final design and cost analysis.  She said that it seemed logical that JJR couldn’t provide a financial plan or look for funding without a design to work with.  Also, if there was plenty of money in land acquisition we should be looking at securing the land necessary for the project this year and possibly holding back on some of the components of the project.  Example: build the marina portion and begin to have revenue coming in and then work on the parks, museum, etc.

The committee looked at two drawings supplied by JJR.  One of them showed the break wall starting further south than the other.  The thought was to keep some space available for a beach.  Frank Forkert reminded the group that any sand placed in that location would eventually wash out and create havoc with the water levels in the marina.  Moved and seconded to ask JJR to give them the costs of doing diagram A as is and also diagram A with the break wall moved to the furthest north point.  Passed 6-0.

The next meeting of the committee is set for February 21, 2008 at 5:30pm.

Moved and second to adjourn at 6:55 pm.  Passed 6-0.