Present:  Bill Schmidt, Jim Collins, Julia Finegan, Walt Parker, Charles Finegan, Sharon Walker, Walt Magness, Bob Dabney, Randy Phipps and Rooster Basset.

 

Parliamentarian Walt Parker established that a quorum was present and the meeting had been properly called.

 

The purpose of this meeting was our boat ramp loan and discussion.  Bill, Tom Aldridge and Jim Collins went to Prosperity Bank where we have had our HBPOA accounts for 17 years.  With approximately $30,000.00 in the bank and documents needed they proceeded to talk to the loan officer.  She tells us a loan for 5 years would be $805.32 per month.  Bill reports every thing seems fine.  We have enough collateral and then she saw the legal funds disbursements for 2006 and every thing went to pot.  A co-signer was suggested but they didn't feel comfortable with that.  She went on to look at 2005 and things got worse (mismanagement of funds).  Bill has another appointment at 2:30 p.m. today and will report back as he finds out more.

 

Jim Collins talked to a contractor with S&S who would be willing to finance $24,000.00 for 18 months to 2 years at 10% interest if we made a down payment of $30,000.00

 

Rooster Basset suggests we look into grants although we would have to open facilities to the public. 

 

Joe Davis is looking into another avenue he might have.

 

Mr. McVay knows a private investor in Lamar who is a possibility.  Bill suggests that it would not be a good idea for a board member to do this as we might be looking toward collusion.

 

Another suggestion was a property owner has a CD in our bank that would cover this amount and there is a possibility they would let us borrow against it.

 

Rooster has talked to Moose Johnson, son of Roy Johnson, builder of a considerable number of boat ramps in Rockport who told him that S&S is really good at what he does and this is a reasonable contract.

 

Sharon Walker reminds us that in July the boat ramp was this board's top priority.  Bob Dabney says in July we had no idea what we were getting into.  We didn't know we were low on funds.

 

Randy Phipps makes a motion to initiate a donation letter and Bob Dabney seconds the motion-motion carries.  Bill asks Sharon Walker if she would write a donation letter by next week and she agrees.

 

Property owner Gloria from the audience suggests a fundraiser such as barbecue or fish fry.

 

Ronell Burke suggest we add a financial report to the donation letter, which Bill is in favor of.

 

Jim Collins makes a motion to look for private funding.  Sharon seconds the motion.  Some of the members question this and want to wait until the donation letters are received to see how this is responded to.  Bill suggests we need to proceed and not wait 30 days to begin, but he is out numbered in members willing to move a little slower.  Walt Parker suggests appointing a committee to work toward funding.  Jim Collins withdraws his motion and Sharon withdraws her second.  Bill appoints Jim Collins, Rose Arp, Julia Finegan and himself to this committee. 

 

Bill Schmidt reports on the meeting with County Commissioner Howard Murph.  He came out to the office and visited with Bill telling him that he had an agreement with the other lady; she was to drive up and down the roads in the subdivision and report all violations to the county.  Bill did tell him that it was his county and he could do that sort of thing if he wanted to but we are not in the business to enforce the county laws.  Mr. Murph will probably be back on Monday.  Walt Magness motioned that we had no authority or in business to do the county's job.  Randy Phipps seconded the motion-motion carried.

 

Walt Magness made a motion to adjourn.  Rooster seconded the motion.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 a.m.

 

Respectively Submitted,

 

Julia Finegan, Secretary