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Watch this space for news and announcements from the Commodores and Governors and others concerning operation and offerings of the Coral Ridge Yacht Club. Town Hall Meeting Commodore Adams plans a second Town Hall Meeting, Monday, June 16, 2008 at 7:00 pm. The board and various committees will make presentations on what has been accomplished to date and how we plan to set the Club on a fiscally sound path. Please mark the date and try to attend this important meeting.
Commodore Adams announced that Gov. Dick Davis has submitted his resignation from both the Board of Governors and from CRYC on account of health issues. The Commodore called for nominations for a candidate to replace him. R/C. Len Tower nominated Ray Ramey. Gov. Cindi Souther nominated Wilbur Bullock. After extensive discussion, Ray Ramey was elected to serve out the remainder of Gov. Dick Davis’ term of office. Ray will also chair the Long Range Planning Committee. Murari Nambiar, Controller, gave a financial report to the board, interrupted briefly as GM Albani introduced our new Executive Chef, Domingo Araos, who comes to us with 12-years experience at Boca Pointe Country Club. The upshot of the financials is that the Club made money in February and the numbers continue to look good in March. GM Albani distributed a spreadsheet that detailed the profit and loss attributed each function since the beginning of the calendar year. Cmdr. Adams reported that a welder he knows has been engaged to re-work the PB&G tables to replace the knee-banging middle supports with an “X” frame to provide more clearance for the user’s legs. Re-work will cost $75 per table and he has solicited (and received) donations to cover part of the costs. Cmdr. Adams also reported that he’d directed the staff to remove the water-soaked, dirty seat cushions from the PB&G chairs. Some cushions will be stashed for those who need them, but the chairs are not uncomfortable cushion less. He will look into replacement cushions with more durable, waterproof fabric coverings. R/C Tower advised that, as the head of the Entertainment Committee, he is adding theme parties to otherwise open Saturday nights. He feels that this will attract sufficient participation to be profitable. Also, each Birthday/Anniversary/New Member party will have a theme. April is Woodman’s Restaurant; May will be “An Evening in Argentina.” GM Albani reported a plan to up-light the palm trees on the seaward side of the Club. The cost is estimated to be $4,850. Gov. Jim Wagner requested that the Coral Ridge Yacht Club sign also be lighted as a self-promotion aimed at passing boaters. The board approved both measures. Gov. Cindi Souther reported that the new chairmen of the Family Activities Group have been unresponsive to her e-mails, so she has nothing to report. With Mark Burnam’s retirement, she is unsure who will step up to plan parties and other activities for that group. V/C Tower reported that the Member Return Program had so far brought back 10 former members. He expects perhaps 30 will return. He also reported on the Summer Camp Program. The Communications Committee reported on replacement valet parking signs in Club colors and a less hostile look. The board approved their purchase. The Yachting Committee reported on the re-written Dock Regulations that have been prepared for the 2008-2009 Roster. After discussion, the board approved them as presented. A further discussion of other dock issues ensued: the method of measurement (Length Over All vs. Documented Length, and the actual rate per foot.) Currently we charge $11/foot for “standard” slips and $15/ foot for premium slips – the face dock, for example. The Yachting Committee has a detailed proposal to charge $9/ft. for standard slips and expand the number of $15/ft premium berths. Ray Ramey reported that Don Collins had done a survey of the Florida Council to determine their rates. Our current rates put us near the top of the list. GM Albani noted that the Lauderdale Yacht Club (used to) charge the boat LOA plus 10 ft. for space along their face dock. The extra 10 ft. was for maneuvering room. Cmdr. Adams asked that the issue be tabled for another month and the board agreed V/C Lee Krumme, reporting for the House Committee, raised several issues: 1. Cigars for sale at the PB&G. The board approved their sales, but decided that cigar smoking should be confined to the designated area outside of the Burgee Bar and the tall-table area of the PB&G. 2. Reducing the tip on drinks consumed at the bar – defeated. 3. Reducing the cost of drinks and making 2-4-1 half price instead – defeated. GM Albani pointed out that Happy Hour on Wednesdays and Fridays was working, the bar is crowded and the dining room does an excellent business. He explained the 2-4-1 system means that you pay for one drink and can either get an extra pour for free or a token for a second drink (also free). The token does not have to be redeemed that evening; it can be used to buy a (free) drink at another Happy Hour. 4. Banning ads and notices for outside (non Club) functions in the Log and our bulletin board – defeated. 5. Directing the general manager to implement a single Club database for all Club mailings – passed. A proposal was floated to issue a sticker to permit boat owners with slips on the north docks to park along the north parking area and was, after a lively discussion, withdrawn pending a re-evaluation of the whole parking situation. GM Albani pointed out that he was told that the valet’s insurance required a dedicated parking area, not intermixed with self-park cars. Gov. Wagner proposed that the electric fees to the boaters be raised to compensate the Club for a claimed 20% loss between the main distribution transformers and the individual slip meters. Cmdr. Adams pointed out that part of the reported discrepancy is because the transformers also feed the PB&G and the air conditioners. Gov. McGrath would like some more information on this issue and requested that this issue be tabled. The board agreed. Cmdr. Adams requested that the previously passed imposition of a $100/per incident penalty for violation of the dog-walking rule be deleted so that he could put the issue before the membership. The board agreed. Reporting for Gov. Bill Grassmuck, Paul Birman
We are very sorry to say good-by to Chef Kevin Prine, who, I feel, satisfied many types of entertaining for us. We wish him much success with his new position. But now we welcome our new chef, Domingo Araos, who comes to us with fine qualifications. Please welcome him and his new style of cuisine. V/C Krumme's project to beautify our Club is "club-1000": Click here for the poster
Wow! That meeting was sooooo long! I thought I’d fall off the wall. I had just gotten settled when consultants Katherine Biscardi and Ken Sheard, presented a proposal to update the looks of our wonderful Club. Afterwards, various ideas were discussed as to the best way to proceed. Next was Gar Olson’s Power Point presentation on a financing concept that would “bridge” the future years with a capital reserve account that could be supplemented with outside financing depending on the aggressiveness of the projects proposed. Sadly noted was the passing of Maurice Henry. Gray Henry will become an associate member. Twelve members resigned and two others requested a change of status. We have approved several new members and several returning members were welcomed back. The manager’s report and treasurer’s report were next, followed by R/C Len Tower’s Entertainment Committee report. Len reported that he is writing a manual to cover how parties should be run. Gov. Cindi Souther suggested that the Family Activities Committee would like to see more parties at the Point Bar & Grille. They are also concerned that there is no supervision for the pool and kid’s game room; these issues should be addressed. Moving right along, the insurance situation was discussed and it was pointed out that there is a problem. Our windstorm coverage is not what it should be. Jim Hogan and Frank Haggerty will be looking into this problem and will report back at a later date. Yachting … welcome back liveaboards! Much discussion followed on this and, therefore, the Yachting Committee’s rate structure proposal for the docks was tabled for a later meeting. Building and Grounds are looking into the air conditioning, or lack there of, for the workout room and will have the front flagpole relocated soon. Gov. Jim Wagner moved for a more restrictive dog rule. All dogs are limited to the north and west sides of the building. Violations will carry a $100.00 fine. V/C Lee Krumme, proposed that a fund be set up to cover painting the outside of the Club and that those who contribute be honored into a “1000 Club.” R/C Len Tower was up again with a description of his Membership Committee’s activities. Gov. Phil Chinnock remarked, “doesn’t that man ever sleep?” Len will fill us in about this in his own column. Reports from Welcome Aboard and Long Range Planning finished the day. Well, it’s time for me to buzzzzz off.
After avoiding the many flytraps at CRYC, I have once again landed to report the happenings at the regular meeting on January 24, 2008. It was sadly announced that Sam Poore passed away Jan. 12. There were other resignations and changes of membership classification.
Gov. Bill Benton gave the treasurer’s report as presented by Murari Nambiar. It was discussed that the Club was in need of extra income to cover last year’s shortfall. It was hoped that prospects of new members and the increased use of the Club would offset the budget shortages. Club membership now stands at 461.
Photos of members will be taken on Friday, Feb. 22 and Saturday, March 1. This will allow for an update to the roster.
Gov. Ralph McGrath, head of legal affairs, asked for an executive session to discuss the ongoing lawsuit. The Club’s lawyer, Mr. Doyle, was present to explain the pros and cons of continuing the suit.
The proposed bylaw changes were discussed and the board did review the first addendum. The others were tabled till the next meeting.
The Yachting Committee reported a review of the dock rates and weather or not liveaboards should be allowed at CRYC. This will be discussed at a future meeting.
Rear Commodore Len Tower was recommending that the summer program be reinstated and that a program to reach out to the condo community be initiated to recruit new members.
Gov. Bill Grassmuck
Important Bylaw Changes at CRYC
A Special Meeting for Senior members (only) that was held on February 22nd, was the last one of its kind.
From now on, thanks to a just-adopted change in our bylaws, ALL members and their spouses or significant others can attend member meetings. So whether your membership category is Junior, Intermediate or Senior, whether you’re a wife, husband or significant other, you’re welcome to attend and participate in the meetings. When it comes to voting, that’s still a privilege held by the Senior member. It’s important for you to stay informed and for valuable input be heard by the board and other members in the CRYC community.
Other changes include an invitation to the former CRYC members who left the club in 2005-2007, to reinstate their membership for an administrative fee of $500. This offer will be in effect only until June 30, 2008 and will then “sunset.”
We look forward to welcoming back our friends.
Another simple change was the clarification that in the event there’s a conflict between our bylaws and our “special rules of order” (House and Ground, Slip Assignment Guidelines, etc) the bylaws will prevail.
The members also voted in to turn the voting process for annual, special and nominating elections over to an outside CPA firm that will be appointed by the secretary with the approval of the Board of Governors. This includes distribution of the ballots, including absentee requests, receipt and tabulation of the ballots and then reporting the results to the club secretary. There will still be on-site, early voting the day of each meeting requiring a vote.
Each of the five bylaws won by at least a margin of two to one.
Charlie Wilson Chairman, Bylaws Committee
Town Hall Meeting
While the Senior members were upstairs in the Intracoastal Room many spouses enjoyed the Prime Rib buffet in the Wheel Room and perhaps a libation or two in the Burgee Bar. CRYC’s first Town Hall meeting took place later that night with ALL members, spouses and significant others welcomed. Commodore Roger Adams opened the meeting with remarks about the wonderful spirit and camaraderie that the club has been enjoying since early January. Additionally, attendance at parties and participation of special events such as Change of Command is significantly improved over the past two years.
Treasurer Bill Benton gave an update on the financial status of CRYC painting an improving picture and a promise to include financial statements in each months billing statement. While this was an open forum and questions could be asked and answered, few people had any comments. Jack Hutton, Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee gave an update about a lawsuit that had been pending for the past several months. Jack told the audience that the suit had been settled to the satisfaction of both the club and the member and gave pertinent details of the settlement. Again there were virtually no questions from the membership.
Gov. Jerry Maguire addressed the proposed south dock-rebuilding project. The project was proposed last year, and has been spearheaded by him. This was the first glimpse about the project for most members, and many governors, and Staff Officers. Unlike the previous three presentations, this one garnered quite a bit of reaction from the audience. Some members felt that while the multifaceted project had merits, perhaps the timing might not be optimal for the Club at this point; others voiced support. The Log will attempt to publish the proposed layout in a future issue so that members can judge for themselves the claimed benefits of a larger number of floating docks. Gov. Maguire has done quite a bit of work on his own on this project and several members of relevant committees expressed the view that it should now be taken to the Buildings and Grounds Committee for review.
In the general discussion, members raised concerns about security issues at the Club at night, about lighting and locking the outside bathroom doors at night. GM Albani promised to address these concerns
The evening
concluded with a call for support and unofficial vote of confidence of the new
board, Commodore Adams pledged to have another Town Hall meeting during
the 2nd Quarter.
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Coral Ridge Yacht Club
2800 Yacht Club Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33304
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