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JICANet Update

Vol X, #22

April 14, 2009

Remember to visit our JICA website at

Items in This Update

-JICA Meeting Minutes of April 6

- Beach Sweep Friday April 17

- FOHJI History Contest Winners, April 30

Minutes of the Jekyll Island Citizens Association (JICA) Meeting of 6 April 2009, in the Convention Center

Co-President Norman Haft brought the meeting to order at 2:00 PM. JICA Board members present were Mindy Egan, Rick Hoffman, Co-President Bob Lelli, Steve Newell, Larry Waldhauer, Onnalee Willnow, and Dawn Zenkert, along with Immediate Past President Frank Mirasola, Membership Director Megan Jefferies, and JISPA Executive Director Jones Hooks and Senior Facilities Director Ronny Smith. The audience numbered about 40 persons.

The minutes of the March meeting were approved. Treasurer Zenkert reported a balance of $16,788.36. Membership Director Jefferies reported a current total of 453 voting members (an increase of 20 during March).

ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Haft announced that Senate Bill 166, which contained a proposal to associate new lease rates for residents of Jekyll Island State Park with “market value” of lots, had died before it made it to the committee-consideration level. Suggested annual rates based on this bill would have been greater than $10,000. President Haft described the bill as poorly written and thought-out, and expressed relief that it did not make it onto the floor of the State Legislature. Haft gave much credit to the JICA lobbyist for the downfall of this bill.

President Haft announced that the Annual Meeting of JICA would take place at 5:00 PM on 4 May, 2009, in Beachside Hall. A reception will follow immediately thereafter. Haft expressed hope that those who have forgotten to pay their dues will remember to do so at the meeting. Haft reminded the audience that the Nominating Committee has announced in the JICA Newsletter the three nominees for election to the JICA Board for 2009. The election will be held at the Annual Meeting, and write-in candidates are also permitted. The nominees are: Steve Newell (renomination), Gloria Zocchi, and Stan Jennings.

STUDY OF VOLUNTEERISM

President Haft introduced winter Park resident Dr. Mary Ann Cernak (PhD in clinical/social work from NYU), who gave a presentation regarding determination of the monetary value of volunteerism in the Park, an effort that she is currently getting under way with JICA. Cernak intends to provide a better understanding of the impact of volunteerism in the Park through this work, which has additional value in that it can serve to provide numbers for matching funds when this is required by granting agencies. In 2007, the value per hour of volunteer work was put at $19.51 by the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the State of Georgia puts the figure at $18.77. These figures include the costs of wages and benefits. When specialized volunteer work is done (e.g., lawyers, doctors), the market value can be used. Cernak is currently listing and organizing the types of volunteer work that are done in the Park, and input of information by JICA members is encouraged. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center tracks its volunteers’ hours using specialized software, so its figures will be readily available. For each Park organization (e.g., the Jekyll Island Arts Association), the volunteer hours, types of activities, and outcomes of activities are being recorded. For the Authority divisions, the percentage of work done by volunteers is being calculated. An example monetary calculation is that for the arts shop at Goodyear Cottage – 1,600 hours of volunteer shop operation is performed, yielding a cost of $30,032 using the Georgia hourly figure. Cernak projected that when the total financial value of volunteerism in the Park is determined, it will be quite a large number. In addition to volunteerism in the Park, Cernak will compile figures for volunteerism in Glynn County by Park residents. President Haft interjected that Jane Sarcona is already putting together a compilation of volunteer efforts of Park residents at Glynn County charitable organizations. Cernak hopes to have a final report on the qualitative and quantitative value of Park volunteerism within the next month or two.

Lucien DeBacker inquired about the study of the economic impact of the winter guests of the Park conducted by Cernak? Answer: two computer crashes have greatly delayed the final report of this survey. It may have less value now, considering that the nation’s economic slump may have changed the spending habits of the winter residents.

Jack Overholt suggested that $18.77 might be an inflated figure to use for the hourly value of volunteer work in Georgia. Response: it isn’t just a wage figure; it includes fringe benefits. Overholt further suggested that the final figure for Park volunteering using $18.77 will be astronomically high. Response: yes, it will, but note that if paid workers were required rather than volunteers, the hiring agency would probably hire fewer workers, and provide fewer services.

Lucien DeBacker remarked that years ago, JISPA Executive Director Bill Donohue required Park organizations to submit annual reports of volunteer activity. These reports are still available, in storage at Goodyear Cottage. Tise Eyler clarified that the Donohue reports do not contain figures for hours volunteered, but he had presented his copies of reports for 2005-2007 to Director Hooks.

President Haft observed that the Georgia figure of $18.77 for volunteer hours is not a made-up figure; it was determined by the Georgia government.

Pat Overholt remarked that it isn’t only the monetary value of volunteering that is important. There is also the good will generated. Cernak reminded Overholt that qualitative contributions are also being considered in her work.

Jean Poleszak noted that volunteering at Tidelands (especially nature-walking) should be included in Cernak’s report. President Haft assured the audience that Tidelands volunteering is included, and observed that although there may have been some partial estimates of volunteering in the Park in the past, there has not been as thorough a study conducted as the one that Cernak is leading.

Pat Overholt recommended that the final report be shown to the Finance Committee for consideration in its study of potential changes to the leases of the Park’s residents. Cernak agreed, and noted that in towns where the populace evolved from middle class to high upper class, the rate of essential volunteerism fell substantially.

Onnalee Willnow pointed out that one probably overlooked aspect of volunteerism is the advertising that Park residents do, such as when they answer questions about the locations of restaurants, etc.

JISPA UPDATE

Executive Director Hooks thanked Cernak for her presentation, and looked forward to receiving her report on volunteerism, and on the economic impact of winter residents.

Hooks announced the new Jekyll Island State Park Shopping and Dining Guide, which has just been produced. There is also a new Bicycle and Trail Map.

Hooks observed that the preliminary concepts for the Beach Village will be produced by the new A&E firm (HHCP) by mid-June.

Hooks corrected the record regarding a false statement by a real-estate broker that the Canopy Bluff project had been canceled. It has not been canceled – Trammell Crow is still planning revisions of the project. They are also putting through another foreclosure execution on the former Inn & Cottages leasehold. For the Oceanside Inn, Trammell Crow has just hired a new management company. A question came up about a foreclosure notice for the Inn & Cottages site that appeared a couple of months ago. Frank Mirasola suggested that the earlier notice had to do with the complete removal from the leasehold of the previous owners of the Georgia Coast Inn. Hooks remarked that Trammell Crow has promised to provide an update on their projects at the May meeting of the JISPA Board.

Hooks announced that CPR and AED classes are now scheduled for 14 and 28 April by the Jekyll Fire Department (please call the Department if you are interested).

Hooks notified the audience that the recently announced increase in parking fees at many State Parks (from $3 to $5) does NOT APPLY to Jekyll Island State Park.

Hooks reported that focus groups are being held around the State with meeting planners, to determine why they do or do not still plan meetings at JISP, and to determine their total package of needs. The findings will be fed to the firm (HHCP) planning the design of the remodeled Convention Center. The principal reasons cited for meeting in JISP are: 1) the ocean; 2) the nice people (both Park residents and Convention Center staff).

The new Verizon cellphone tower is now on a 120-day construction-time schedule. However, the plan is on the Verizon corporate attorney’s desk awaiting a signature (it has now been there for 3 or 4 weeks).

Within the next two weeks, the letters notifying residents of the need to submit information regarding the 10-year renewal of their leases, will be sent out. These will be the verification letters (verification of correct names, etc.). After all verification letters are submitted and checked, the follow-up letters will be sent out. During the process, any questions or concerns should be directed to JISPA Accounting Director Marjorie Johnson or Director Hooks.

Hooks notified the audience that all comments submitted to him by interested parties regarding the potential alteration and extension of the residential leases (beyond 2049) have been packaged and given to the JISPA Finance Committee, to the other JISPA Board members, and to any consultants working on the problem. However, it is not too late to submit comments – send them to Director Hooks.

Hooks reminded the audience that fire-fee letters have been sent out to all residential leaseholders in the Park. If anyone has been missed, please notify Director Hooks’ office.

Hooks reported that the first $25 million general-obligation bond money has been received and is being applied to the public portions of the Linger Longer Jekyll Beach Village. The second $25 million general-obligation bond issuance will take place soon, and will allow a more complete building of a “green” Convention Center. In that regard, Hooks hoped that folks have noticed that at Morgan’s Grill, the staff has transitioned over to “green” products (e.g., corn-based utensils).

Lucien DeBacker inquired about the parts of the current Convention Center’s operation that are considered inadequate? Answer: not enough breakout space, inflexibility in types of room usage, slow setup speed, well-outdated audiovisual equipment, low-standard restrooms.

Frank Mirasola stated that he had heard about the Authority’s authorizing a new business offering Segway tours in the Park that would use the bicycle paths through the Park’s forests. He asked whether that was just a rumor? Answer: a Segway guided-tour business has been authorized, with explanations of the ecology of the Park’s maritime forest, but individuals with their own Segways are prohibited from using the bicycle paths. Mirasola expressed disappointment at the fact that the residents did not have a chance (e.g., at a Town Hall meeting) to provide input into the planning of the Segway-tour business. He worried that private Segway owners might start using the same bicycle paths as the tour business. Hooks stated that Mirasola’s point was well taken, and he offered to have discussions with worried Park residents. Jean Poleszak’s opinion was that Segways are lots of fun, but they seem incongruous with nature walks. She was concerned about the use of any sort of motorized conveyance on the bicycle paths, which are often very crowded. Ronny Smith pointed out that the trails to be used by the Segways will be very limited, in the area just south of the gas station. Tise Eyler remarked that Segway tours are a part of the experience of guests at the Biltmore Estate, so it is an established idea, but he also felt that the concerns of Mirasola and Poleszak were well founded. Mirasola added that Segway tours might be fine for places like Amelia Island and the Biltmore Estate, but they may not be fine for Jekyll Island State Park. Thorny Parker observed that Jekyll residents are still using motorized golf carts on the bike paths, so it may not be appropriate for residents to speak out against the quiet Segways unless the Authority is going to enforce the prohibition of golf carts on the bike paths. Mirasola concluded the argument by pointing out that it is a lot quieter walking than it is with motorized vehicles on the paths.

President Lelli inquired about the date of groundbreaking for Canopy Bluff? Answer: none is set, due to the potential revisions of plans following the departure of the Pattons from the development group.

Mindy Egan wondered whether the meeting planners in the focus groups had mentioned affordability as a factor in their decisions to meet in Jekyll Island State Park (since affordability was clearly a factor in a survey of Jekyll conventioneers performed privately by Joe Iannicelli)? Answer: some groups did list affordability, but others more affluent did not. Egan noted that the reason for her query was that in the Bleakly reported projection of average daily hotel rates, the rate of increase over the next 15 years is surprisingly high, much more than the cost of living.

Lucien DeBacker asked Director Hooks to describe his decision regarding the new Pottery Guild annex. Response: we did not want to leave an open shop-space in the area vacated by Jekyll Realty in the Shopping Center. Therefore, the Pottery Guild was offered the opportunity to set up a display shop in that space. It is hoped that this new annex will drive visitor traffic from the ocean/beach area to the Goodyear Cottage and the Historic District.

Tise Eyler proposed that instead of 10-year renewals of residential leases, the Authority just permit renewals all the way to 2049, and thereby reduce a lot of potentially unnecessary paperwork. President Haft observed that the State Attorney General had ruled that this plan was not legally acceptable.

MEMBERSHIP COMMENTS

Onnalee Willnow requested that the Authority notify the residents of her neighborhood that pets must not be allowed to stray off individual yards. Ronnie Smith responded that the Authority is now finalizing a new pet-control ordinance.

Jack Clark observed that many of the participants (or groupies) in the Ultimate (frisbee) tournaments had stolen street signs and otherwise acted inappropriately. He wondered how the Authority felt about this fact? Answer: the missing signs are on order, and this question should be asked at the forthcoming JISPA Board meeting.

Mark Lichtenstien announced that the JIAA will host a performance by the musical group, The Three of Us, in Beachside Hall on 14 April, at 7:30 PM.

Lucien DeBacker asked for clarification of a rumor that the Great Dunes clubhouse will be converted into a bar? Answer: conversion to the Red Bug Pizza (sit-down) Restaurant is being considered. If this is done, a new clubhouse for Great Dunes Golf Course will be built.

Nancy Reed notified the audience that the Georgia Sea Turtle Center has changed its hours to 9:00 – 5:00, Tuesday – Sunday, and 10:00 – 2:00 on Monday.

Joe Iannicelli observed that residents of Jekyll Island State Park pay about three to four times as much for fire protection as do mainland residents of Glynn County. Several audience members provided historical information about the evolution of this fire-fee situation.

Iannicelli also reminded the audience that fifteen years ago, there was a plan to convert the Park into a resort. The Executive Director planned to bulldoze new golf courses. The spicy JICA of those days took a bus trip to Atlanta and marched in the Capitol area with placards protesting the loss of the State Park. Many legislators were sympathetic, environmental groups became involved, and Governor Miller made the decision to stop the conversion of the Park to a resort. He fired the Executive Director, and the Park’s current residents are now enjoying the fruits of that work. Iannicelli encouraged the audience to avoid accepting attempts to overdevelop the Park now, and reminded the audience that Authority Board members who were opposed to overdevelopment have been removed from the Board.

Mindy Egan referred to an earlier comment that “the development issue in the Park has been settled”. She stated that it is only the size of the Beach Village that has been settled. She encouraged the audience to visit the Authority website and view the final version of the Bleakly “Visitation Analysis and Business Plan” (< This will reveal that much more development is planned for the Park by Linger Longer Jekyll (150% more than has ever been in the Park). She noted that she and her husband David have spoken to Director Hooks, and found him very open and concerned. She agreed with Hooks that a state-of-the-art convention center would be wonderful to have in the Park, but the most worrisome item coming out of the current plans is the prospect of repaying the very large debt burden that will come out of the two $25 million general-obligation bond issuances. She reminded the audience that the most likely source of monies to repay the debt will be more and more development. She questioned the appropriateness of all of that development for a State Park, especially since considerably more real-estate development would probably require millions more in bond indebtedness. Egan further stated that land that is now developed can be redeveloped with accommodations, including the golf courses, as indicated in the Bleakly Business Plan. Thorny Parker asked President Haft if it wasn’t true that the State Legislature can change the law regarding the 65/35 development restrictions? Answer: yes, though this possibility has not come up for debate.