Dear Equity Yacht Members and Interested Boaters,
This past week, the Marina Committee met to review and unanimously recommended to the Board of Directors to engage Kelly Brothers Inc. as the contractor for the installation of our fixed (timber) docks. This was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors as well.
Ensuring the fixed dock replacement goes smoothly requires we place a priority on the following:
- Coordinating with the Pelican Isle Master Association on the replacement of select sections of seawall around the island.
- Coordinating with our Engineer and Contractor to evaluate the best approach for completing this project with consideration to our existing lifts.
- Working with the Contractor to develop a timeline that they are confident in their ability to meet, and that will get our boaters back on the water at the earliest practical time.
As we have communicated previously, the contract for our floating docks is already in place, and our Engineer is working on finalizing drawings for all of the utilities associated with our Marina. Having Bellingham and Kelly Brothers under contract and committed to substantial completion by the end of 2023 is a significant step forward in restoring our facility. With that said, we still have a lot of work to do and will be continuing efforts on the following priorities in the coming week:
- Finalizing a plan with Nelson Marine for work pertaining to the lifts in our Marina.
- Calculating the assessment for our Equity Yacht Members.
- Working with our Engineer to ensure permits are in progress for all work.
- Finishing the removal of pilings from the Floating Docks.
For our Members with lifts in the Marina, expect additional and more personalized communications from both Staff and the Marina Committee, but in short: All existing lifts and pilings will need to be removed and we aim to provide our Members a solution that will allow for re-installation of suitable lifts or installation of new lifts as needed at reasonable cost to the Member. All piling work will be completed by Kelly Brothers and be included in the cost of the project. Our goal in working with Kelly Brothers and Nelson Marine is tentatively as follows:
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Engage Nelson to identify, disassemble and store on-site lifts that have been identified as suitable for re-installation after the fixed docks are installed at a competitive price to our Members.
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Engage Nelson to remove and dispose of unserviceable lifts.
- Kelly Brothers will install all new 12” pilings suitable for lift installation as a part of our dock project.
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Engage Nelson to provide options for installation of new lifts to Members that elect to install at a competitive price.
More information will be published on this process in the coming weeks as we get confirmation from the Contractors on pricing and get a system in place for the various options outline above. Handling this part of the project in a thoughtful and cost-effective way is a priority to the Marina Committee and we will continue to communicate our process with our Members.
For our Members that still have a vessel in the Marina: timely completion of this project will be contingent on a prompt start and ensuring our vendors are able to move efficiently once on site. We anticipate demolition efforts on the fixed docks will start in 30 days or less. All Members should make plans to relocate their vessel promptly once a timeline is finalized.
I know that our Members are also eager to understand the financial impact of this project and how it will affect them personally. The Marina Committee and Staff are striving to ensure our estimates are as accurate as possible and the best possible value. We are also taking into account the Reserve Funds available, our Insurance Proceeds and the Financing that we have been able to secure through our banking partner. Our goal remains to provide our Members with options for either a lump sum payment or an additional monthly marina fee which amortizes the lump sum payment over ten years and would require full payment in the event slip rights are transferred. The Marina Committee will be meeting Wednesday, February 8th, to finalize these options and communicate them to our Members once they are approved by the Board of Directors.
We have also scheduled another Town Hall for Monday, February 20th at 3pm. While we will be communicating details regarding the EY Assessment and the project prior to the Town Hall, this will provide a forum for additional updates and discussion. The first portion of the Town Hall will focus on repairs, expenses and plans pertaining to the entire Club, and we will finish with a Marina specific update for our EY Members and those interested in the dock project.
Thank you for your support and patience as we navigate this important and unplanned recovery process.
