A Board Meeting of the Raritan Yacht Club was called to order at 20:00 on March 11, 2008.

 

1.     Roll Call

 

 

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

Commodore Dennis Meichel

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VC Allan Jacobs

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RC Ann Myer

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara Booz

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Buzbee

X

X

O

O

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dennis Driscoll

X

O

X

O

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Erdreich

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PC Dave Frizell

X

X

O

X

O

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen Guidi

X

X

X

X

O

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Jedziniak

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob Kennedy

X

X

O

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PC Vicky Jo Neiner

X

O

O

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob Searfoss

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doug Stryker

X

X

O

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dave Steward

X

O

X

O

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

x = present, o = absent

 

2.     The February meeting minutes were approved with two changes.  Item 6b, second paragraph, last sentence: position on the mooring list is based on seniority, not on years on the list, according to the Mooring Rules.  Item 9 should include: k. Vicky recommended the petition for the Special Meeting be honored.

 

3.     PC Jim Woller presented the Financial Report.  Excess Revenues over Expenses YTD at February 29, 2008 were $27,833, and the cash balance was $157,967.  At this time last year, the cash balance was $81,360.

 

4.     Ann Myer presented the Rear Commodore’s Report.

 

a.     Work parties commenced on March 1st, and 14 people volunteered.  Some of the work included, digging for the electrical box, replacing the floats on the North Float (almost completed), and power washing the deck.  Two ladies polished the trophies (many of them were found to be broken).  With inclement weather affecting outdoor projects, Ann questioned whether there was indoor work to be done.

b.     The cost for the pumpout increased, but without the timer and pedestal, the price would be about $9800.  A letter of intent was signed for this system, but no deposit was made.  Bob Morrison is checking out a system from another company, located in California.

c.     Ann met with the Princeton Sailing Team concerning a contribution from them to help with the cost of pilings.  The pilings are probably ok for another year.  The Princeton group noted that they cannot give a lump sum, but they agreed to a rent increase.  They currently pay $1500 per year, which is no change from the original contract from about ten years ago.  Ann will request an increase to $3000 per year, and if it is rejected, will return to the Board.  Ann suggested that the Club open the RYC facilities to the Princeton Sailing Team more than it currently does.  Vicky recommended that if this is done, there should be supervision by a Club member.

d.     On April 5th and 6th, the Princeton Sailing Team will hold their major regatta at RYC.  The Club has an event scheduled in the Grill room on April 5th.  The New Member Mixer is April 6th.  If the Mixer is held in the Surf room, the Princeton group could use the Grill room.  There will be about 60 people present for the regatta.  Ann will arrange with the Galley to provide soup and sandwiches for the group.

e.     Ann requested that RYC host the Mallory Cup semifinals for US Sailing.  The current plan is for the racers to provide their own boats.  Insurance is provided by NJYRA.  At most, there will be six boats, each with four crew.  They will use the Club floats and race boat.  A motion was passed to accept the proposal.

f.      Ann reported that the mooring field was reestablished to include the Special Anchorage, up to the Federal Channel.  A request to the Coast Guard was made, but not yet granted, to include the northern limit up to Smith Street.  No additional moorings may be placed to the west, but it may be possible to decrease the size of the designated cable area.  Clarification is needed as to whether three of the City’s moorings are affected.  The City is not aware of this.  A letter should be sent to Mayor Vas to notify the City and the Port Authority.  About 9-10 boats will have to move, and 14-16 will have to reposition.  Each boat owner should be notified with a certified letter.  The outer moorings will not be commissioned for summer use, and must be removed by May 1st.  Boats that have to be repositioned may be placed on their moorings in order to determine whether their swinging radius extends beyond the limit of the Federal Channel.  If so, they must be moved by June 1st.  There was a discussion as to whether the members with moorings or the entire membership should pay for the cost of moving the moorings.  It was noted that if only members with moorings paid, it would be considered a fee, whereas, if all members paid, it would be considered an assessment.  Ordinarily, the members would be advised of a fee, but the special circumstances and timing require that the Board proceed without delay.  A motion passed unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Finance Committee as stated in their handout.  The recommendation is to raise the launch fee by $80 for this year only.  All members in the mooring field will be billed in increments, $40 for the first quarter, $20 for the next, and $20 for the last.

 

5.     Al Jacobs presented the Vice Commodore’s Report.

 

a.     Al distributed handouts, “Overview of the February 2008 Entertainment Survey Results”, “2008 Entertainment Schedule as of 3/10/2008”, and “Survey Report”, which detailed the results of the survey.

b.     Second Saturdays are well attended, but difficult for the Galley.  Another concern is how to fund the entertainment.  Al made a motion that the Galley serves a limited menu with a fixed price sufficient to offset the cost of entertainment.  After discussion, the motion passed.

c.     Vicky suggested RYC institute a Closing Day Event.  Al will forward the idea to the Entertainment Committee.

d.     Al distributed a handout, “Grill Room Decorating Committee Preliminary Plan”.  The plan was focused on long range changes; but short term improvements are needed before Opening Day.  Vicky, Ann, and Barbara, who are members of the Entertainment Committee, will contact PC Agnes Cashman to schedule a meeting.  If none is scheduled, Al will call a meeting.

e.     The Galley Report was prepared as an email and distributed as a handout.  Carol is looking for suggestions for a venue for Wednesday nights.  If anyone has ideas, email them to Al and he will forward them to Carol.  A suggestion was made to serve a full menu until 7 p.m. and follow it with grilled items.

f.      Al distributed a handout, “Public Access Adoption and Concurrent Proposal Fact Sheet”, which describes rules from the NJDEP regarding access to the shoreline.  It may not affect private clubs.  Dennis will call a meeting of the Government Liaison Committee to address the issue.  The Asbury Park Press, which has been covering this topic, may be a source of information.

g.     A $3000 computer expense in the budget handout provided by Jim probably refers to the cost of the Bar software.  The Galley also purchased software and hardware.  The plan for the POS terminals is to locate two in the Grill room and one in the Surf room.  They will be ready by April 1st.

 

6.     Dennis Meichel stated that items from the Commodore’s Report had already been discussed.

 

7.     Committee Reports

 

a.     Quotes for refurbishing the exterior of the House were received; the committee hasn’t met to discuss them.  The plan is to present the results to the Board at the April meeting.

 

8.     Old Business.

 

a.     The permits were registered and recorded with the County Clerk's office.  They are "official" now.  In completion of their engineering contract, McClarin will provide one set of plans by the end of next week.  A question arose as to why there is only a single set of plans, since the membership approved two concepts, with or without the wave attenuation system.  The question will be addressed outside of the meeting.

b.     The Service Award should be for overall service to RYC and be open to any member of the Club, including Ladies Auxiliary and Juniors.  It should be restricted to members or spouses.  The nomination process should consist of recommendations from the membership to the Commodore by a specified date.  The Commodore will collect the recommendations and present them to the Board for their final decision.

c.     Folders for each committee have been set up on the Club computer.  There is also a folder for job descriptions.  The descriptions should follow a format.  They should be completed by year's end.

 

9.     New Business.

 

a.     A Special Meeting, requested by a petition of the members, is scheduled for April 16, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.  An update of the mooring field issues and recommended By Laws changes will be presented, also.  Several changes to the By Laws were suggested and discussed.  Motions were passed to recommend a change in the starting time of the Annual Meeting from 8:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and an increase the number of members necessary to submit a petition from 15 to 35.  A motion was also passed to mail TellTales and bills by the US Postal Service or electronically, at the discretion of the member.  In addition, a suggestion was made to restrict voting on dues increases and assessments to Regular members only.  Such a change would require a careful review of the By Laws, and no agreement was reached on the matter.

 

10.   The meeting was adjourned at 22:57.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Fred Hartner,

Secretary

 

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