Minutes of Berth Holder Meeting - Sat 10.12.11

Minutes of Berth-Holders Meeting held in the Kingfisher Cafe Bar at 9.30am on Saturday 10^th December 2011

1.  WIFI.  Alan Bowness from Aughton WIFI, spent Tuesday this week (6^th December) at the Marina trying to find ways of improving the WIFI signal.  He sent this e-mail on Friday 9^th December:

Hello Jason,

Brian has called a few times suggesting that a few clients get ‘limited connectivity’.  Some clients have been able to ‘see’ the access points if they re-booted their computers.  May I note that Brian has been excellent with his help at the Café Bar.

I have tested the unit and can’t find anything wrong; it has been downloading a CCTV stream for over 24 hours and has not ‘dropped’ the connection.  I will keep the unit switched on through tonight and will check in the morning. If all okay I will try to get the hotspot back installed to the café on Saturday.

Jane was complaining about the signal strength in her boat, I have previously advised then that external antennas are far better, though I will try to increase the power output of one of access points to its maximum output when I am on site.

Regards,

Alan

2.  Kingfisher Café Bar.  At the ‘Social’ Meeting held on 2^nd November, it was agreed by all that people would not bring their own drinks into the Kingfisher.  Unfortunately on Terry’s birthday party night some drinks were brought in.  Rachel is doing a terrific job opening up on Friday and Saturday nights so it is not fair to her to abuse the bar this way.

Rachel confirmed that the Kingfisher would be open on New Year’s Eve for a ‘Jacob’s Join’ party and could also open on 17^th December for a Pie and Peas Supper night – anybody interested to please out their name on the list on the noticeboard.

3.  Burnley Canal Festival 2012.  Jason reported to the meeting regarding this new initiative to hold a canal festival next year.  Emma Bartlet has been given a budget by the Princes’ Trust to organise and run the festival.  She will come and speak at our next meeting to give more details but in the meantime is looking to form a committee to oversee the organisation.  Jason has volunteered and was joined by Terry, plus Steve and Annie Johnson (Louisiana C25).  The first meeting of the committee is on Tuesday 10^th January 2012.

4.  Because Terry’s new teeth have not settled in yet, Steve read the Managers’ report:

-  Damage on and around the Marina, e.g walkway lights, fences.  If it is just accidental, please report.  But if anybody is reported or seen causing damage they will be made to pay for repairs.

-  Waste compound again being used as a dumping ground for all types of waste.  Can I please remind people that this is for domestic waste only, not carpets, furniture and wood, etc.

-  Toilets. Reports from various people, myself included, about the state they are often left in, and can I say it is not very pleasant when myself and Steve have to clean them. Can I just say we are a community and people who leave then in that state just show a complete lack of respect, to other people on the Marina and even more so to themselves!

-  Evidence of smoking in the Facility Buildings, especially the gents.  Can I just remind people this is against the law and cannot be tolerated, regardless of who or what the excuse.

-  Parking on the road above C Jetty.  Can we remind you that this is only allowed for unloading.  Vehicles have damaged the grassed areas. New signs to be made.

5. Bins.  Jason has ordered some new, larger bins which will be emptied weekly.  This should avoid the need to dump rubbish alongside the bins as noted by Terry.

6. Any Other Business.

-  Graham (B10/11) proposed the idea of a quarterly invoice Marina Newsletter.  This was generally thought to be a excellent idea and Lisa Walmsley (A Jetty) volunteered to assist Graham produce the first edition for Spring 2012.

-  Jason confirmed that the 32" screen in the Kingfisher would be replaced by a 40" screen.  This will advertise boat trips, canal holidays, etc. during the day and can be used to watch DVD’s or just terrestrial TV in the evening.

-  A security light on the rear car park and a light on the blue pole near the bin compound were reported as being out… (these have now been fixed by Gary).

-  The meeting was alerted to the fact that the pathways gravel on the was being washed down into the Marina by the heavy rain we have had recently.  Jason agreed to replace with some new, heavier stone but a better suggestion of limestone aggregate was put to the meeting – to be researched.

-  It was noted somebody had parked in a dangerous place – on the left as you reach the Y junction by the bins.  It was agreed this could cause problems, especially if the weather is bad and the roads are icy.

-  At the last meeting it was agreed that a grab rail should be put next to the door to the toilets.  Jason has forgotten about this and it will now be dealt with.

-  Brian (C46) raised the problem of the fence at the rear of the Marina being not secure enough… this has been looked at previously and it is not possible to raise it or put razor wire on top.  Jason agreed to look at the possibility of a second fence, inside the first, as a further deterrent.

-  Terry commented that the gate in the fence had been left unlocked on a couple of occasions and that there was no point putting up more fences if the berth holders didn’t take basic security precautions themselves.

-  It was suggested that, if Phase 2 is started next year, a dry dock be included in the proposed new build.  Jason agreed to re-look at this and discuss with Lee what the plans were for Finsley Gate.

Meeting closed at 10.15am.

Mooring invoices for 2012 are being raised this week (cost per berth same as 2011).  Brenda will assume that you wish to pay by the same method for next year as you have been doing this year (i.e. annually in advance or quarterly or monthly with a 5% premium).

Please let Terry or Brenda know as soon as possible if you would like to make a change.