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September 16, 2008 Minutes of the Columbia River Yachting Association
Call to Order
President Larry Justice called the regular meeting of the Columbia River Yachting Association, held at Portland Yacht Club, to order at 7:02 pm. Roll call was taken by Secretary, Patti Bishop. 12 representatives were present. Absent were Columbia River YC, Grand Banks YC, Hayden Island YC, Hunter Sailing, St. Helens YC, Vancouver YC, River City Boat Club, Rose City YC, and Riverside YC
Minutes/Correspondence
The June 17th, 2008 minutes were approved as submitted. There was no correspondence.
Treasurer’s Report
There was no report in the absence of Treasurer, Mike Beirwagen.
President’s Report
Larry Justice announced that Closing Day Cruise will be the week-end of October 3,4&5th. He handed out a schedule of events and promoted attendance by all clubs. He said it is a very fun event. It is held at the Port of Camas Washougal and is hosted by Dolphin Yacht Club (Vancouver Yacht Club is not participating this year.)
Vice President's Report
Doug Balkema, VP, also serves as the representative for Tyee YC and for the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He took this opportunity to inform the group the purpose of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, which is to increase recreational boating safety and promote life vest use.
He announced that the Awards Banquet will be held on Dec 9th at 7:00 pm at Tyee YC. Dinner will cost $25.
Standing Committee Reports:
Doug Walker
EPA Boat Discharge: The Clean Boating Act of 2008 was passed and signed by President Bush in July. This restores a long standing exemption for recreational boats from discharge permit requirements applied to large commercial vessels.
Marten Slough: The Corp of Engineers and the port authorities involved with the Columbia River Deepening Project are no longer pursuing Marten Island as a site for dredging disposal or for mitigation purposes. So Marten Slough will remain ‘status quo’ for the foreseeable future, assuming that the Colf family continues to allow use of the area.
Sand Island Shuttle: St. Helens sponsored a shuttle to Sand Island on Thursdays through Sundays throughout the summer to enable non-boaters to access the island, which is a city park. The shuttle service, which ended on Labor Day week-end, transported 2,561 passengers throughout the summer. There were some problems related to the shuttle including problems with the boaters on the public dock and the shuttle participants who were waiting in line for the shuttle. A few of the participants caused problems. Doug pointed out that CRYA has a ‘stake’ in this situation as we were key participants and financial partners with the Corp of Engineers enabling docks to be built on Sand Island. As a result, the various yacht clubs will be contacted for feedback on the shuttle service, and all are encouraged to provide honest feedback to their commodores for future planning.
Riverfest: The Boat Parade segment of Riverfest was not very successful due to few participants. Future boat parades for this event are under consideration.
Foothills Park in Lake Oswego: It is essential that boaters provide comments to the Corp of Engineers regarding the need for construction of transit docks in this area. So far the Corp has received 8 comments, and only 1 was in favor of constructing the docks. To provide commentary, please email dominic.p.balle@nwpol.usace.army.mil and reference Project # NWP-2005-321.
A question was raised regarding the timing of the Sandy Beach Moorage. Doug said that it should be constructed later this year and it will replace West Dock when done.
The next State Marine Board meeting is on October 14th and will be held in Bend.
Jim Butler
Jim reported that more citations and tickets were written this year than ever and this enforcement is helping control boaters behaviors and wakes.
He added as a ‘trivia’ matter that the Museum’s Steam Ship had hit a rock and damaged a paddle which will cost approximately $280,000 to repair. This ship also must incur a $45,000 cost for a coast guard inspection.
He also shared that Boat US has an excellent Vessel Assist program that costs only $34 per year for Boat US members. It provides unlimited towing, including past buoy 10 on the Columbia River.
Doug Balkema queried the group as to their interest in having a speaker on “towing vs. salvage”. He will investigate this for a program next year when he is President.
Dave Barber
Dave Barber reminded members that the Cruise Schedule is due by November 1st. He also said that next year’s Rose Festival theme is “Bridging Communities”, and this will be the theme for Opening Day.
President, Larry Justice, also reminded the group that this is Dave’s last year of service and a replacement is being sought.
Jerry Van Winkle
No report – absent.
Ray Ryan
Ray reinforced earlier comments regarding the success of the efforts by many constituents to keep Marten Slough available for recreational boating. He pointed out that it is privately owned and not owned by the Corp of Engineers as many assumed. He emphasized how important the letter campaign was to the success of the effort. He also mentioned that the Ports of Longview and Kalama played an important part in the effort. He thanked everyone who submitted letters.
Public Relations
John Waikart requested that clubs send him an email of events they want published in the Fresh Water News and he will handle it. He said he’d need the information at least a month prior to publication of the newsletter.
Daughters of Neptune
Vicki Justice announced that a Boater’s Safety Card Class will be held on September 21st at Portland Yacht Club. The class starts at 10:00 am, with a lunch break and will run most of the day. The class is free, but the cost of the card will be $10. It was also pointed out that the fine for not having the card is $180.
Diana Blatter said that it was a very successful and fun year for the girls and summarized some of their many activities.
Doug Walker added that the costs for the Daughters of Neptune has increased and a line item is being included in the CRYA budget to help fund the program.
He said that it had been recommended that Diana’s title be changed from “Advisor” to “Director” which would necessitate a change in the bylaws. He passed out the proposal for a bylaws change which will be voted on at the board meeting in October.
The bylaws recommended change is as follows:
(Deleted words are underlined. Added words are Bold.
By-Laws
Article II, Section 9
…If one is appointed by the president, the Daughters of Neptune Advisor Director will be associated with the Standing Committee.
Article III, Sect 5
The President may appoint a Daughter of Neptune Advisor Director, as part of the Standing Committee, to serve a 4 year term. The role of the advisor Director is to provide advice and support to the Chaperones and to develop and continue the education programs the Daughters are conducting regarding Life Jacket use and boating safety. Additionally, the advisor Director will be the main contact with the community for the events the Daughters are involved in. The Daughters of Neptune Director, with concurrence of the Standing Committee, will have the final say in the program of the group.
Constitution
Article IV
… If one is appointed by the president, the Daughter of Neptune Advisor
Director will be associated with the Standing Committee and serve a 4 year term.
Doug Balkema questioned when the last complete by-laws review was done. He was informed that it was done in 2006.
Break
At 7:50 pm a break was taken. No refreshments were provided as the host club, Hunter Sailing Club, was absent. The meeting resumed at 8:08 pm.
US Coast Guard Auxiliary
Joe Engle was absent, so Doug Balkema provided an update to the group. He pointed out the US Coast Guard Auxiliary was helpful when the Sternwheeler had their problem. He also shared that the Auxiliary has a communications trailer which can be used in emergency situations to provide communications where there are power outages. He also said their job is to “assist” boaters in trouble, but not to take tows away from the towing companies. They even have equipment that enables them to put out fires on shore.
U.S. Power Squadron
Jim Beachell said they have sponsored safe boating classes as well as a safety event at St. Helens in conjunction with the fire department. It came as a surprise to some boaters to find out that a small fire extinguisher doesn’t last very long when trying to put out a fire.
Old Business
President, Larry Justice officially appointed Diana Blatter as Director of the Daughters of Neptune for a four year term as of this year. Next month the change in by-laws to officially change her title to “Director” will be voted on.
New Business
There was no new business.
Good of the Order
Larry Justice asked how many members had turned in their raffle tickets. Only one club has turned them in. Larry encouraged everyone to get out and sell those tickets as there are only 2 more weeks until Closing Day to sell tickets. This is an important fund raiser for CRYA. Larry pointed out that there are many great prizes which will be handed out at the event.
Astoria Yacht Club requested that CRYA members check their website for a calendar of events and to read their newsletters. Their web address is www.astoriayachtclub.com
Next Meeting
October 21 at 7p.m. at Portland Yacht Club
Hayden Island Yacht Club is responsible for providing the refreshments.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
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