Published: April 11, 2008 09:33 am      

Clinton Marina operator selected by city committee

CLINTON — The Clinton City Services Committee has approved a recommendation to the city council Committee of the Whole that Skipper Marine Development be the new Clinton Marina operator.

During a joint committee meeting of the CSC and the Marina sub-committee, representatives of Skipper Marine Development presented informational materials to the committees and detailed their plans for operation of the Clinton marina. SMD Vice President Mark Ellerbrock said the first step in beginning to operate the marina would be marketing the marina and making Clinton a destination for boaters. He noted that the Clinton marina could be marketed through boat shows, direct mail, e-mail, scheduled boat rendezvous, word-of-mouth with area and out-of-town boaters, print advertisements and the local Chamber of Commerce.

Ellerbrock introduced Chris Richardt, saying Richardt would be the marina manager if the contract is awarded to SMD. He said Richardt has been working for SMD for eight years, but has worked in the boating industry since he was young and currently operates a gas dock that garners more than $300,000 in annual sales. Ellerbrock said Richardt is a very well-rounded person that is good with the public, can operate a variety of equipment, serve as an effective personnel manager and offer good customer service. Ellerbrock added that if SMD takes over operation of the marina, Richardt would move to Clinton, and he would be backed by the full corporate staff.

Ellerbrock said that although negotiations with the city of Clinton have not been completed, the company would operate the marina on a fee basis. He said SMD has the proven experience to operate the marina, and would like to grow boating on the river by retaining current area boaters by providing excellent customer service and bring out-of-area boaters to Clinton by detailing the numerous recreational opportunities available in the area.

Operations Manager Todd Suchomel said renovations to the marina and riverfront have made a big difference. He said that once people from outside the area see the impressive amount of things going on in the area, they would be encouraged to spend their free time and money in the Clinton area.

CSC Chairman Paul Gassman asked how the city might recoup some of its investment into the marina. City Administrator Gary Boden said the city would try to offset expenditures with revenues from slip rentals, the ship store and fuel dock, but the costs of operation and revenues would be difficult to project for the first year as it would be a transitional phase.

Gassman asked if the city would have some type of a report card to gauge the success of the marina operator. Boden said the company is proposing a five-year contract but the city could look at revenue generation as a mark of success. He said he understands the company to place a high value on customer service in an effort to secure repeat business and good word-of-mouth. He remarked the city likely would monitor their work and rely on citizen feedback. Gassman said he is concerned about the possibility of having to buy out another marina operator contract if the agreement doesn’t work out. Ellerbrock said an opt-out provision could be included in the contract. He added that the company publishes a monthly Profit and Loss statement as part of their services, so the city would have a monthly “report card” to see where they stand.

CSC member and At-Large Councilman Ron Mallicoat said the Clinton marina needs a first-class operator, but noted he is concerned about the economy and the price of fuel. Mallicoat questioned whether the city or marina operator would offer a competitive price for the average boater. Ellerbrock said the company would work with the city to set pricing which would be approved administratively or through the council. He commented that the company does not want to price users out of the market. Boden said if a recommendation from the CSC for the council to contract with SMD was offered Thursday, work to price the slips would begin immediately.

Marina Sub-committee member Barb Kahler said she has been in the marina and boating industry for a long time and knows Skipper Bud’s is a well-known name in the industry. She stated she feels contracting with the company would draw people to the area based on name recognition alone.

Suchomel said Richardt would be the only full-time, permanent employee, but would be supported through seasonal personnel in an effort to keep costs down. He stated that the company would be very selective in hiring seasonal employees, saying their work would not just be about providing services, but hospitality as well.

Ellerbrock said that the company does not plan on providing mechanical staff on site and guests would make their own contacts locally for boat repairs. He noted that the marina operator would make sure the repair companies or individuals are properly accredited. He added that if there is a lack of boat repair services in the area, the company would look into providing those services in the future.

Boden said the next step is for the CSC to give the Committee of the Whole a recommendation to hire Skipper Bud’s contingent on contract negotiations. A motion to move the issue to the committee of the whole agenda was approved. Boden said a draft contract would be provided to the council members prior to the April 22 council of the whole meeting for review.

Oakley said she is delighted the committee could come to a resolution on the matter and move a step closer to hiring a marina operator. She said the hiring of Skipper Bud’s would be “a real feather in Clinton’s cap.”