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Councilman S. D. Herkner; Alfred S. Morton, Recreational Director; Walter W. Hilton <br /> and Iving Gold) being present, they were called upon by President Harman to proceed <br /> with whatever comments they cared to make, Councilman Britschgi, the Committee <br /> Chairman, informed the Board as to the reason for the Committee being present, <br /> calling attention to the amount of money that had been expended by the City for the <br /> building of levees and dikes, dredging Boundary Slough, etc. in preparing the site <br /> at the south end of the port property for use as a Yacht Harbor. He also presented <br /> plans for other work which has to be done and installations which have to be made <br /> before the new site will be in readiness for the mooring of boats, etc. He said <br /> the cost for the additional work which has to be done and essential installations <br /> P„ is estimated to be in the neighborhood of : 60,000 and requested financial assistance <br /> from the Board. Comments were also made b-- other members of the committee. After <br /> err considerable discussion and excahnge of views, the Committee was informed that the <br /> Board was very sympathetic to their problem and desires brat that the Board also <br /> had serious financial problems of its own in adequately caring for the present and <br /> future commercial requirements of the Port. The committee was further informed <br /> that their request for financial assistance would receive the immediate attention <br /> of the Board. Following departure of the Committee and after considerable discussion <br /> and expression of respective views by all of the member of the Board and the <br /> rendering of oral legal opinions by the Port Attorney Secretary Fields moved that the <br /> Port Attorney be instructed to prepare a resolution declaring a dividend to the City <br /> `rr of Redwood City in the amount of $13,000.00 being approximately 50% of the earnings <br /> of the Port for the first four months of the current fiscal year (1956-57). The <br /> motion was seconded by Commissioner Menifee and carried." <br /> Thus the the purpose of these maneuverings becomes clear. The dividend to <br /> the City is accomplished, the purpose for which intended becomes evident, not- <br /> withstanding the fact that the Board recognizes that they also have serious financial • <br /> problems and to which fact we of the council can say "amen." and add that we also <br /> have our financial difficulties to the extent that the only solutionwe can see is <br /> either higher taxes in the very near future or the imposition of the Sales Tax. <br /> Gentlemen; at our meeting of November 13th we had considerable discussion <br /> on the question of continued development and means of financing our Yacht Harbor. <br /> I feel condident that the City Manager and our fiscal officers can readily tell us <br /> whether or not funds to the extent of $60,000 plus dollars are or not available <br /> for the proposed project even after this $13,000 dividend from the port authorities. <br /> I realize that a small bat harbor is a desireab le development and can b e <br /> made an asset to the community. I have stated on more than one ocassion that I am <br /> not opposed to such a development on a reasonable basis, especially if also includes <br /> certain other recreational facilities; but I have also repeatedly urged almost to <br /> insistence that we have some sort of a comprehensive program and plan for its <br /> ultimate development together with a study as to means of financing, presented to <br /> us before we get too involved. <br /> tr. I have given this matter considerable thought and in view of the fact that the <br /> committee has indicated the urgency of this phase development, I have come to the <br /> conclusion that in the absence of availability of city funds to defray the costs <br /> thereof, there must be found some way to do it. Gentlemen, I believe I have found <br /> what could be a v ery simple, yet quite logical manner in which the project could be <br /> carried to practically immediate consumation without any further expenditure of <br /> the taxpayers moneys. <br /> Before I go into the details of my suggestions, I would like to remark that it <br /> is my.understanding that present plans would provide some 2L6 to 250 berths for <br /> small boats, and would include a ramp for others. It is also my understanding that <br /> the Sequoia Yacht Club is the mainspring behind the proposal to proceed as rapidly <br /> as possible, and in effect they have certain rights and facilities on the premises <br /> or in the area in question. <br /> I therefore would like to suggest and present the following outline of a <br /> program I previously referred to. <br /> 1. That under the authority of our city charter we proceed to lease said <br /> area on which is proposed to develop a small boat harbor and appurtenant facilities <br /> to the Sequoia Yacht Club or any other similar responsible organization at a nominal <br /> rental after due advertisement. <br /> 2. That the lease and its terms shall amongst other matters provide that <br /> they shall complete the contemplated and any other disireable development at <br /> rr their own expense. <br /> 3. That they undertake to operate same for the use of the general public, but <br /> with definite priority for space and certain other specific rights to their <br /> membership. <br /> The Sequoia Yacht Club or other responsible lessee, could finance the project <br /> which presently is estimated at some $60,000 more or less, by requiring that each <br /> Iwo member or Other applicant for berth space purchase 10 year interest bearing bonds <br /> in sums ranging from $50.00 to $1,000.00 depending on type of craft and berth space <br /> applied for. That cost of operation and amortization, interest, etc. on bonds be <br /> serviced from revenues, which have been indicated as being well over $2,000 per <br /> month. If that figure is anywhere near correct, it can readily be seen that they <br /> should have no financial difficulties to properly develop and maintain the project. <br /> This method of approach would not only facilitate matters but would relieve <br /> the taxpayer of present burden of some $7,000 per year that is being expended under <br /> the recreation department for the cost of operation, etc. of the so called yacht <br /> harbor. Further at the end of the ten years the fcilities could be returned to city <br />