A capacity crowd filled the Seahorse Restaurant for the Floating Homes Association’s annual membership meeting and party on February 24. Those attending learned that the FHA had a busy year that included two very successful Day in the Park events, the purchase of new shopping carts for all docks, the near-complete renovation of our website and membership platform, and the creation of three new committees: the Private Tours Committee, the Marketing and Public Relations Committee and the Legislative Action Committee (LAC). FHA membership nearly doubled, as well.
Work by the LAC occupied much of 2023-2024 and included developing strategies to offset the fallout of Assembly Bill 252, rent control legislation that became law in January 2023. While the FHA is facing a challenging year, many positive things will be happening including continued work by the LAC, community fundraising events, expanded Day in the Park events, and a community disaster drill. The challenge will be financially as the 2023 Treasurer’s report showed a net loss of $22,300, leaving about $24,000 cash on hand. But confidence is high that with fundraising and growing membership the FHA can close this deficit. A copy of the statement follows this report.
FHA President Pete Hudson announced that the Association continues to seek donations to offset the cost of hiring attorney Ken Coren to review fees recently passed through to homeowners by some marinas, such as insurance charges and property taxes. More about this in the next post.
During a discussion about a possible amendment to the Floating Homes Residency Law concerning rent increases when a home is sold, it became clear that the community has differences on this issue. The FHA’s Legislative Action Committee will be meeting with interested parties to further assess community opinions.
Congratulations and Thanks:
New dock rep Tam Morgan from Main Dock presented 10 reasons NOT to join the FHA:
- Because you don’t want to be a part of this quirky, somewhat eccentric community in which YOU have chosen to live.
- Because you are a rock on an island and don’t need assistance if your boat gets loose or starts to sink.
- Because you don’t like events sponsored by the FHA that celebrate our community, like Day in the Park or the Annual Meeting.
- Because you don’t want to have local and regional political advocacy including the passage of AB252 (amendment to the Floating Homes Residency Law).
- Because you don’t want to discuss pressing issues that affect your finances (such a raised rent or additional fees) and rights (such as parking spaces and and and and…)
- Because you think you’re immune to physical emergencies and will NEVER need anything in the FHA-maintained Emergency Trailer (like that defibrillator that could save your life, or a free loaner wheelchair +/or crutches)
- Because you never use the carts provided by the FHA.
- Because you have no need for additional electric vehicle charging stations or bike storage (that’s in the works!).
- Because you never want to know what’s happening on the docks and never read The Floating Times.
- Because you don’t like the sense of community that comes with joining the FHA.
Biochemist and marine biologist Michael Konrad of South 40 Pier gave a fascinating presentation on the marine life of Richardson’s Bay.
Wilford Welch (E. Pier) and Karen Tischler (Gate 6 ½) were honored as co-members of the year. Wilford’s wife, Carole Angermeir, won the award last year, making them the first couple to be recognized in consecutive years.
FHA V.P. Liz Brott put together a silent auction that drew nearly $4,000 in bids. Thanks to donors:
- Katherine Hunter
- Tea Chaffee
- Maria Finn
- Liz Brott
- Matt Klein
- Katherine Yu
- Nancy Hardaway
- Katja Guljaeva
- Teddie Hathaway
- Helen Vandeman
- Jarl Forsberg
- Catherine Lyons-Labate
- Katrin Esthetician
- Sephora
- Salty Lady
- Jason Landis
- Matt Klein
- Julie Durbin
- Chris Jones
- Dan Cassidy
- Addison (Buz) Olian
- Clark Tate
- Waterfront Wonders
Apologies to any donors we may have omitted.
Door Prizes were organized once again by Michelle Affronte, with donations by Michele, Rachelle Doris, Hauser Insurance, Green Apple Escrow, Seahorse Restaurant, authors Michael Konrad and Catherine Lyons-Labate, plus painters Gina Locurcio and Tracey Kessler.
After the meeting the crowd enjoyed drinks and delicacies from the Seahorse, and music by Davey Jones and the Hot Clams.
