Here are some of the items that were discussed or decided on at the June 13 FHA Board Meeting. More details will be reported later in the Floating Times.
- FHA President Pete Hudson reported that the recent Day in the Park netted about $2500 despite some one-time costs which should not recur during future events. He invited all volunteers to forward any comments or suggestions to help in planning for the future.
- Day in the Park kicked off the 2023 membership campaign, resulting in 37 new or renewed memberships. The next step will be to complete dock rosters which dock reps can use to reach out to lapsed members.
- The Government Affairs Committee has been renamed the Legislative Advocacy Committee.
- There was a successful private tour in June, and another is scheduled for July 7, with 41 attendees. The Private Tour Committee still seeks volunteer docents, guides and homes. If you’re interested, please contact BettyAnn Kram.
- Julie Durbin was unanimously ratified as the new chair of Public Relations and Marketing.
- Pete Hudson is working on a venue for a fall Houseboat Living Fair. Possibilities include the Bay Model or Spaulding Boat Works,
- Treasurer Linda Futrell reported that membership dues through May came to $4,080, or 63% of the budgeted goal for the year.
- There was a discussion of a $150-month fee being charged to Yellow Ferry Harbor residents to fund unspecified improvements to combat sea level rise. This fee is now being stipulated in new leases, and the question was raised whether it violates the Floating Homes Residency Law which states: “A home owner shall not be charged a fee for other than rent, utilities and incidental fees for services actually rendered.”
- FHA Secretary Candice Gold (Issaquah) led a discussion about asking the County Community Development Agency to provide more oversight for new homes being brought into existing slips. Currently only a Certificate of Occupancy is required with no inspections or notifications to neighbors. Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters has been informed that homeowners want this changed to be more aligned with processes for any renovation that takes place in situ.
- Webmaster Stanton is developing a behind the scenes road map so that website will serve as “Town Square” for the community. She is also working with dock reps on updated resident lists. Someone on each dock must keep each list up to date.
- FHA representatives met with Assemblymember Damon Connolly on June 5, and he again expressed his support for recently enacted rent stabilization legislation. He was due to meet with marina operators later that day, and the FHA is awaiting feedback on the results of that meeting. Connolly serves on the Assembly Climate Change Committee and other committees that concern our interests.
- Years ago, concerned homeowners in WPH and Kappas undertook studies of how to purchase their marinas, based on similar purchases of Seattle marinas by residents. Larry Clinton (Gate 6 ½) reported that several years ago, floating home values in Seattle resident-owned marinas seemed higher than Sausalito because berth rents were lower. Every year those Sausalito homeowners send a letter reminding marina managements that the Floating Homes Residency Law requires that management give residents at least 30 days’ notice before accepting a purchase offer. The Kappas Homeowners Assn. needs to be revitalized, and a volunteer to run it.
- Pete encouraged Environmental Chair Doug Young (Yellow Ferry Harbor) to continue to work on EV chargers as demand will increase.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, July 11 , 7:00 p.m.