Annual
Membership Meeting
June 9, 2001
·
Ferry
was taken into drydock and painted inside and out, top to bottom.
·
Rudder
repairs were made.
·
Damaged
steel mesh around exhaust stacks replaced.
·
New,
easier to see and use radar installed.
·
New
PA system installed.
·
Additional
VHF radio installed.
·
New
hydraulic steering system installed.
·
New
steel plates and gussets added on top of and underneath ends of car deck to
repair long-term damage and strengthen deck.
·
New,
stronger barrier nets installed at both ends of car deck.
·
Corroded,
leaking pipe in steering system replaced with stainless steel pipe.
·
New
docking lights purchased (to be installed prior to winter).
·
A
spill kit (pollution control kit) is being developed and will be carried on
board.
·
An
upgraded wage and benefits package for the ferry crew became effective last
October 1st. It is a major
step in providing fair compensation for those who make their living operating
the Herron Island ferry, but it does not address all concerns of the employees
nor of HMC management.
·
There
has been a notable reduction in overtime hours worked by the ferry crew,
particularly in scheduled overtime. The
crew schedules developed last year have generally worked well.
·
The
ferry crew, including part-time members, is now wearing HMC uniforms.
·
We
have successfully passed two U.S. Coast Guard inspections during the last year,
one in drydock and one on the water. We
received compliments from Coast Guard officials regarding both the condition
of, and the operation of, the Charley Wells.
·
There
has been no turnover in personnel since January, 2000.
Ramps/piers
(docks)
·
Cable
pulleys are now being lubricated on time, and safely, reducing potential for
major injury to persons working at the top of the ramp bridge structures.
·
Steel
plates have been installed adjacent to the ramp aprons to prevent further
damage from dragging trailer hitches.
·
Some
re-cycled UHMW material has been purchased to be placed on two mainland
dolphins to prevent damage.
·
Large
signs with safety instructions have been obtained and will be mounted on the
ramp bridge steelwork.
·
Road
dust control program continues. New
diesel truck (that can be fueled in conjunction with the ferry being fueled) is
in service, with a 1635 gallon plastic tank that is impervious to salt
water. A Honda portable pump is used to
fill it and planning continues for eventual installation of an electric pump
station. Volunteers designed and built
an excellent water distributor for the truck.
·
Road
maintenance continues and roads and drainage are generally in very good
condition.
·
Building
has a new roof, new gutters and a new exterior paint job.
·
There
is a new office and both offices are in considerably better condition than in
the past. A new computer network is in
place and the Office Manager can now work more closely with HMC's accountant. Reliability of financial data exchanged
between our office and the CPA is enhanced.
·
The
kitchen has been remodeled and is more user-friendly than in the past. It also has better lighting.
·
There
is new, out-of-the way storage capacity in the building's "attic."
·
New,
donated cabinets have allowed many items to be stored out of harm's way.
·
The
large room has been cleaned out and now offers more available space for
meetings, dinners, dances, etc.
·
The
Company's insurance and risk management program has been updated in order to
adequately cover the various risks to which a homeowner's association like HMC
is exposed to, as well as covering the maritime operations. A good working relationship has been
established with our insurance brokerage that involves personal service to HMC.
·
Insurance
costs are being held down to levels as low as we can get in the current
difficult insurance market. Maritime
insurance premium cost actually went down slightly on one policy. On two others, renewal was at existing
rates, which our brokers tell us is doing better than most other buyers of
insurance. Premiums on non-maritime
policies generally went up, in lockstep with the market. It should be noted that insurance is
currently a seller's market and HMC and its members, guests and employees need
to do everything in their power to strive for an accident-free environment so
that we do not need to file any insurance claims.
·
Portions
of various HMC policies have been and continue to be updated to reflect current
operations and needs. The By-laws have
been updated and are being reviewed by the Island's attorney. The Rules and Regs are in the process of
being updated. All of this is an effort
to ensure that the Island is a safe and desirable place to be and that HMC,
with particular emphasis on the ferry system, is operated in a business-like
manner and delivers value to the members who own it.
General
·
There
has been progress made in a number of other areas, such as V-CART, fire
department training of island residents, parks and so on. Individuals closely associated with these
areas have information available regarding their respective endeavors.