Council asks staff for phased funding plan after full Yacht Club design presentation sparks public debate

Design consultants and city staff presented a near-complete design for the Yacht Club redevelopment including a protected marina basin with 97 wet slips and 24 day‑dock slips, a relocated boat ramp, a harbormaster building, a four-level parking garage (roughly 753–769 spaces), an expanded beachfront and a two‑story community center with a 500‑seat multipurpose room and a 350‑seat banquet hall.

James Pankonin and John (facility projects manager) described design choices that respond to Hurricane Ian, improved marina circulation, expanded day-dock capacity and programmatic intent to create a year‑round civic hub. "We wanted to support safe marina operations providing flexible berths, civic event space and creating a vibrant year‑round community hub," a designer said.

The presentation triggered extended council discussion and public comment about total project cost, taxpayer burden, and how to phase work. Several council members argued for a phased approach that prioritizes marine infrastructure and revenue-generating components (docks, harbormaster, boathouse and utilities) and asked staff to return with a costed, prioritized funding strategy. Others emphasized risks of fragmenting the plan and the code-driven infrastructure obligations triggered by partial construction.

Public speakers urged caution on debt levels and asked for greater transparency about donor commitments and referendum timing. City staff agreed to prepare a prioritized, phased cost breakdown that identifies necessary civil and utility work for any first phase, revenue projections for marina/boathouse elements and options for using current available funds, grants or debt. No final appropriation or referendum was approved; council set a one‑month tasking timeline for staff to prepare funding and phasing options.