Highlights by Sharon Smith, CAN
Present: Angie Hengst – President, Michael Frenz – VP, Frank Narr, Tim Crosby, Natalie Chabot, Gaver Nichols, Jerry Jones – County Manager, Glenn Steckman – City Manager
Special Presentations
Debbie Usab, President of the Board of Directors of the Richardson Maritime Museum provided an update of museum activities. The red brick building has a new roof, many planning initiatives are underway and they continue to receive and pursue grant funding. Board members have also made significant donations. They have started a Build-a-Boat program in the evenings for the public. Last year they created an event committee to organize sunset cruises, etc. They are developing outreach materials. This spring the museum will be open one day a week – visitation is currently by appointment only. The museum is in frequent discussions with the owner of the M/V Sequoia that is currently stored at the museum, in hopes of providing renovation services for the boat. The museum is operated 100% by volunteers.
Brett Summers, NOVO Development and local resident, gave a presentation encouraging CWDI to hire a Marketing Broker for Cambridge Harbor (CH). He explained that a broker could take the concept materials that CWDI has already created and find interested developers for the parcels. He explained that the broker would become the marketing arm for CH. Brokers typically expect a one-year contract and sell the lots on commission, often 6%. The broker and developers would be required to follow the design principles as expressed by the public. It would take about three months to hire a broker by RFP. However, CWDI will still need to build-out the infrastructure (electric, water, sewer, sidewalks, roads, and public lighting.) While detailed planning is underway to build the infrastructure, financing is still needed to pay for it by grants, donations, TIF bonds, loans, etc.
Committee Reports
Outreach Committee – Angie Hengst discussed holding public information sessions soon and is discussing with Holly at the Tourism department possibly using the waterfront for concerts and carnivals. Glenn Steckman encouraged more community outreach and suggested the CWDI hold their board meetings in city council chambers so that the meetings can be made available on Townhallstreams.com. Tim Crosby also pushed for more public outreach.
Finance Committee – Frank Narr shared overhead slides of financial data that was too tiny to read but reassured the attendees that CWDI is financially sound. Next month UHY, the same auditors that the county uses, will begin auditing CWDI 2024 financials. The board reviewed and approved the 2025 budget, 6-0.
Planning Committee – has been updating the concept plan. After a review with Planning, a May public meeting will be held. Tim Crosby discussed the many meetings that CWDI has been having with the Planning department and city and county representatives. Going forward the Planning Committee will be holding bi-monthly meetings with the city Planning department. The promenade is 26% complete and will have bio-swales between the walkway and waterfront with plantings.
Discussion
Glenn Steckman encouraged the board to meet monthly, not semi-monthly, in open session and use city council chambers and Townhallstreams.com. For larger public engagements he suggested the Elks Club.
Brett Summers offered that a local group is exploring renovating and opening the Tolley Theatre for live performances.
