A Board Meeting of the Raritan Yacht Club was called to order at 19:45 on August 9, 2005.

 

1.    Roll Call

 

Commodore Len Keating        present

VC Dave Frizell              present           

RC Vicky Jo Neiner           absent

PC William B. Adams          present                 

Jim Bauer                   present

Richard Codd                 absent

James Mackevich              present           

Ann Myer                     absent

Skippy Paul                  present

PC Raoul Rabiner             absent      

Tony O'Reilly                present                 

Peter Rebovich, Jr.          present           

Barry Rosengarten            present     

Jerry Solas                  present

Roger Young                  absent

 

2.    The July meeting minutes were accepted.

 

3.    Shep King presented the Financial Report for the seven months ending July 31, 2005.  The cash balance at July 31 was $104,163.  Shep commented that after adjustment for capital spending, the cash balance this year is approximately the same as last year.

 

There were questions as to why the accounts receivable were approximately $75,000 and whether the expense side of the budget was on track or not.

 

4.    Vicky Jo Neiner was not present and therefore there was no Rear Commodore’s Report.   However, Barry advised that the launch had been inspected by the Coast Guard, that five minor violations were noted all of which have or shortly will be resolved and that a re-inspection involving examination of the launch out of the water is anticipated shortly.   It is hoped that this will be the final step in the process of having the launch certified.

 

 

5.    Dave Frizell presented the Vice Commodore’s Report + initiated a discussion under Old Business.

 

a.    The Galley Contract is coming up for renewal and Dave and Tony will be meeting with the gallery operator with the goal of revising the contract to continue with a fair and reasonable relationship on both sides.   It is not anticipated that any major changes will occur in the contract.

 

b.    A new sound system is about to be implemented and new lights have been installed in the front of the building.

 

c.   After ongoing work by the finance and planning committee, Dave presented a document entitled “Proposed Master Plan for Raritan Yacht Club”.  The intent of the document was to summarize projected projects for RYC, including particularly the proposed upgrades and renovations of the house.   Dave and Bill Adams both noted that this plan is the end product of about 6 years of planning and is based upon an actual set of architectural plans previously authorized by the Board.   It was noted that as originally put together, the projected renovations could be done in stages, but Dave suggests that serious consideration be given to doing all of the house projects simultaneously.  The obvious advantage is that the work is done at one time by one contractor and that the house is taken apart only once.   The disadvantage is that the club will shut down for a period and that the entire cost has to be paid for at one time.

 

Dave has received a construction estimate of $250,000 for all of the work and believes that the work could be done over a 45 day period with the work to start on January 2, 2006, if approved by the members. 

 

It was further suggested that $50000 from the regular capital budget (operating surplus) could be used to partially fund the work with the remaining $200000 financed over either a five year ($3956.00 per month) or 10 year ($2264.00 per month) period.

 

In the context of this discussion and the potential financing of the work, there was a parallel projection as to the additional income which the Club could expect if the Club membership was increased to 330 members.  If that occurred, it was projected that approximately $271,000 of additional revenue would be received by the Club over a five year period and that these revenues would then be available to assist in the funding of the work.

 

There were several comments that the Club can afford to fund the work with its current membership and that the assumption of the loan was financially feasible and would not prevent the Club from engaging in other projects during the pay down period of the notes.  Dave’s view is that the Club has the ability to pay for the work, the central question is whether the Club has the will to do it.

 

There was also generalized discussion about whether approval of the planned work and financing be linked to approval of an increase in the membership.  Both proposals obviously require membership approval.

 

Dave is going to have an open meeting of the Planning Committee on September 22 with the goal being to provide a forum to the members to fully explain the projected work and give the membership as much information as is available regarding its cost.

 

This subject will be re-visited at the next board meeting.

 

d.  Dave then brought up the issue of implementing the Membership Resolution affirming the purchase of a new third launch.  That resolution provided for funding the purchase through a combination of operating funds and assessments.   After discussion, Jim Mackevich offered an amended motion which provided as follows:

 

Resolved that the projected $90000 cost of the new launch be funded by paying 2/3rds of the cost by way of assessment to the members and 1/3rd from the 2006 capital budget, with it being further agreed that the Board has the right to adjust the assessment downward after the 2006 capital budget is established and the capital funds available are identified

 

      The Motion was seconded and approved by a vote of 9-1.

     

      Barry further noted that he wants to look into the potential to raise the launch fees so that the launch funding is self sufficient.

 

6.    Len Keating presented the Commodore’s Report.

 

a.    A process is underway to establish the name for the third launch.

     

7.    Reports from Committee Chairs.

 

a.    Besides his report on the status of the launch certification, Barry reported that getting launch drivers is still a problem. Mark Rebovich has been working hard to adjust schedules and shifts to address the needs and it looks like we may have picked up a more hours from one of the current operators who is now between jobs.

 

b.    There was a discussion about the potential implementation of a system for accepting credit cards for payment at the bar and galley.  Jerry expressed reservations as to whether the credit card use would be compatible with our system and who would deal with problems should they arise.

 

8.    Old Business.

 

a.    Dave raised the issue of addressing the sinking fund and his concerns that the line items need to be adjusted to reflect current known reality.  Len indicated that the finance committee input and recommendations would be available by the next board meeting.

 

10.   The meeting was adjourned at 21:35.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

James Mackevich

Acting Secretary

 

Back