The Floating Homes Association Annual Meeting returned to the Bay Model on March 15 for the first time in the post-Covid era. Early birds began arriving at 10:00 a.m. to browse the treasures in a silent auction. The crowd soon swelled to over 140.
At 11:00 a.m. new FHA President Peter Miller called the meeting to order and introduced Joy LaMarr, head ranger of the Bay Model Visitors Center, who explained that this was one of the first public events hosted at the Army Corps of Engineers facility since a change in management.
Next Peter summarized some of the FHA’s recent accomplishments. He recognized the Legislative Action Committee (LAC) for a huge amount of work over the past 18 months. He mentioned that the May Day in the Park had been a huge success and noted that Events Chair BettyAnn Kram (Gate 6 ½) will need volunteers for this year’s DITP on May 18. Peter also reported that V.P. Alex Schoer (E. Pier) is investigating ways to involve the community and will be working with the marinas to find resources for bringing the community together, such as art projects.
Peter summarized the Treasurer’s 2024 Financial Statements (following this report).
He then announced that the Executive Committee had voted ex-FHA President Pete Hudson Member of the Year for his work turning the website into a “digital town square.” Pete was the only person in the room who was surprised by this award.
Alex introduced guest speaker Catie Thow Garcia, Sausalito Resiliency & Sustainability Manager, who announced that the city’s Shoreline Adaptation Plan has been adapted to include the floating homes community. The plan, which is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, will examine the use of floating structures such as those in our community, New York and the Netherlands; raising buildings and infrastructure, hardening edges along the waterfront (e.g., riprap, seawalls); and reducing the impact of waves and inundation with breakwaters.
A consulting firm has also been engaged in this process and will be investigating possible sustainability funding partners.
Catie invited everyone to attend the Sustainability Commission’s next public workshop in June. Details will be announced in the Floating Times as soon as they are available.
The final speaker was Sasha Cole, chair of the FHA’s Legislative Action Committee. He updated everyone on discussions with the marinas to amend the rent and vacancy control provisions of the Floating Homes Residency Law. He announced that dock meetings would be held later in March to discuss the details of the proposed amendments. An explanatory memo will be sent to everyone in the FHA Database before the dock meetings begin. A copy of that memo, with an easily-digested summary, is posted on the FHA website.
Susan Huxtable (E. Pier), chair of the silent auction, reports that it was a great success. Susan and her committee acknowledge and thank the generosity of the many donors. The FHA Members are also to be thanked for their very active bidding. Congratulations to all who won and secured these great items. Says Susan: “Look for the silent auction to be a bigger and better tradition; it is a wonderful way to support the Floating Homes Association.”
Click on the link below to view a video of the entire meeting, thanks to videographer Scott Stoneback of Main Dock.
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1067052599
2024 FHA Financial Statements
