Minutes of Nov. 1, 2007           (back)   (home)

TOWN OF LIBERTY GROVE.  GILLS ROCK STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 1, 2007.  The meeting was properly noticed.

 

Agenda:           

            1. Call to order

            2. Roll call

            3. Adopt agenda

            4. Approve minutes—September 25                  

5. Public input

6. Design of Gills Rock facility

                 A. Project progress—JJR engineers

                 B. Design subcommittee—report/comments

             7. Future meeting dates

             8. Adjourn

 

 

Chairman Jay Blossom called the meeting to order at 5:39pm.  Present were Geoff Gialdini, Dan Schwarz, Paul Wilde and Jim Creed.  Frank Weber, Robert Jones were absent.  Janet Johnson was present as were 10 visitors.  Also present were Nate Novak, Bill Patek of JJR and Mike Swinghamer and Val Schute of River Architects.

 

Creed/Wilde to adopt agenda.  Passed 5-0

Creed/Gialdini to approve minutes of Sept. 25, 2007.  Passed 5-0

 

Public input – Jay Blossom asked that public input take place after the presentation hoping that some of their questions may be answered.

 

Project progress – Nate and Bill of JJR presented the revised site elements for the project.  As the committee looked at the list there were some additions.  They wanted to look at adding dockage along the break wall.  Also possibly egress for small vessels out the north end of the marina.  They would like to see the launch ramp increase to 4 or 5.  Also trailer parking space has flooded in the past.  This may have to be changed.  The committee reconfirmed that they had agreed that the marina should have somewhere from 50 to 100 slips including 4 to 6 charter fishing slips.  Also that one building be used for many different things.

 

The committee also felt that looking at Cottage Road is very important.  It exits onto Hwy 42 right where the marina will be and safety is a concern.  They felt that it is important for this site to be multi-purpose.  Green space, meetings, travel lift, coast guard and maybe even a beach area.  JJR will combine the elements listed with the new ideas presented this evening.  Dan and Geoff will be involved with this process.

 

Geoff wants the DNR contacted before the design meeting in Madison.  He feels we need to get a definite answer on whether a single or double break wall and other items discussed fall under the state funding that we are looking at.  If one or the other does not receive funding there is no sense even talking about it.  Dan also wants a “business plan” before we move forward.  He is more comfortable working this way.  It was pointed out that a design has to be formulated before you know the amount of revenue you will be generating and that a “business plan” and design actually run parallel with each other.

 

Val and Mike from River Architects gave an overview of their company and what they have been charged to do by JJR.  River Architects have experience in historic preservation and also community based projects.  They are strictly architects and do not have engineers on staff.  They met with the Maritime Museum people on the 1st and got a feel for their needs in a museum at the marina location.  Val & Mike stressed the need for a living and working museum to keep people interested.  Their experience with museums has been that one that doesn’t change doesn’t keep people coming back.  A museum is passive and the fishing village makes it interactive.  After their meeting they are wondering whether 6000 sq. feet is enough space.  They also reminded the committee when it comes time to plan for the museum that the old methods of learning don’t really exist and learning has become fast paced.  The Maritime Museum has expressed the fact that they don’t have any money to contribute and little staff. 

 

Carol – She is in favor of a museum and feels there is built in traffic.  She is concerned about people having to cross the highway.  She feels it is a dangerous situation.

 

Sherry Schwarz – She is worried about noise and light pollution.  She is also concerned about the pollution of the water in the bay from the increase in number of boats.  She suggested an ordinance to control noise and light pollution.

 

Dan thinks that addressing environmental issues such as noise and lighting is important in the design stage.  It is also important with JJR.  Using an undercover fish cleaning station is one thing to address environmental problems.

 

Paul Wilde wanted to know how you decide to go from 2 launch ramps to 4 ramps.  JJR explained that it is decided by the design of the marina and the need for the ramps.  The group decided on between 50 and 100 slips so that is where we will begin.

 

Jeff Weborg suggested that we keep the charter fishing and commercial fishing at one end of the marina.  Mr. Sauer thought that a single break wall would work best to harbor boats in bad weather.  It appeared that it offered more space.

 

Creed moved/Wilde second to send the program inventory to Madison with JJR and have Dan Schwarz and Geoff Gialdini meet with them in Madison to work on the final design.  Passed 5-0.

 

The next meeting of the steering committee will be on January 10, 2008 at 5:30pm.

 

Wilde moved/Creed second to adjourn.  Passed 5-0.  Adjourn at 7:13pm