Al Zampa

Souvenirs

Calendar of Events

Bridge Committee

Bridge Construction

Photo Gallery

Sponsors

Links

Home

The meeting was called to order by Jack Bettencourt at 6:00 PM. He announced that Gene Pedrotti's back surgery went well and he's doing great, walking around Crockett.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
It was suggested that the Committee try to obtain space on the back of city buses. The space is free, the only cost being the production of the sign itself. A contact name and phone number was given to Jack Bettencourt and he will follow up.

Bart Ney reported that all deck sections are now in place with only two units in the towers not connected as that is where they do the final trimming. They're busy welding the individual units and wrapping the main cable (about one half done) and tower work for the staircases and elevator. He estimates that they will connect the South bridge to the Crockett interchange in late July. Work on the North side continues. Cal Trans has donated the test panel of the "Sail Wall" to the City of Vallejo, if they can figure out how to move the ten ton piece of concrete that wasn't designed to be moved. Engineers are working on the problem.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

PYROTECHNICS
Gary Miner reports that thecommittee is working on permitting and the preliminaries to allow fireworks to be used off the bridge. They are also working with the engineers and contractors. Several board members and some of the engineers were invited to the "Kaboom" last weekend, with a tour of the barges before the show to see what the pyrotechnics look like before they are set off. Photographs were passed around for viewing. They are working on putting the fireworks program together, planning on using the fireworks to accent the beauty of the bridge. They're considering two or three barges on both sides of the bridge and then work up to a waterfall coming off the side of the bridge with the climax coming off the towers. They're trying to tie the fireworks into the lighting of the bridge with that lighting off during the fireworks show, then after the big climax, a moment of darkness then the necklace lighting and the tower lighting would come on. The committee is in need of more members, the next meeting will be on June 2 at the public information trailer in Crockett at 9:00 AM.

PRODUCTS
Joanne Epperson reported that they have a list of items ready to produce and are now waiting for funding. Ben Johnson volunteered to coordinate getting products out, it was requested that the Vallejo and Benicia Chambers work with Ben and Joanne in getting products at the farmer's markets. Ben had products at the Crockett Salad Bar Luncheon and he plans on being at the Boy Scouts Fish Fry on Friday. There are many events in the near future in Hercules and Pinole at which the products should be displayed and sold, but help is needed. A discussion followed on possibly getting the products either at the Ferry terminal in Vallejo or on the Ferry itself. The shirts are being sold at the Visitor's Bureau but Dick Zampa reports that they are not being displayed. Jack Bettencourt will check on that.

Nancy Miller of the Bank of the West has made a $3,000 donation. They will display the shirts at their Crockett branch but don't have the staff to sell them there. They will be sold at the branches in Vallejo and Benicia.

A booth at the Solano County Fair was discussed however, they get numerous requests for free booths. It helps to have some kind of programming, educational or an interactive display targeted for children. Bart will look into using the CalTrans models for the booth, as well as a DVD/video of the construction. Deanna of the Solano County Fair was invited to the next Publicity Committee meeting (6 PM 5/21 at the Dead Fish).

A volunteer is need to coordinate sales on the Vallejo side, Jack Bettencourt will work on getting together a sales team.

PUBLICITY
Mark Mazzafaro, the chair of the committee could not attend but he did ask Deanna of the Solano Fair to attend to discuss the possibility of using the "Reader Board." She reports that they get a multitude of requests for free use of the reader board and the present board will be coming down after the fair to allow for a new one to be constructed, which will have a television screen effect. It should be up by October 1.

Ben reported that the Publicity Committee could also use some more members. It was suggested that representatives attend the televised City Council meetings, perhaps giving a t-shirt to the Mayor to get some publicity. Next Publicity Committee meeting: 6 PM 5/21 at the Dead Fish.

WEB SITE
The site was moved to a new server for free hosting service. A "Sponsors" page has been added with the logos of Bank of the West, Vallejo Chamber of Commerce and the Crockett Chamber of Commerce with links to their respective Web sites. A "FAQ" page will be added with help from Bart Ney.

EVENTS
Results of the voting for events were distributed, with 23 votes tallied.

Top Ten Events:

One write-in event was discussed further, the possibility of an auction, which might be a good fund-raiser. A Vallejo auction raised $25,000 on only two weeks of planning.

The date of the opening of the bridge was again discussed with Bart sticking by his "end of October" estimate. Bart said he would get a date to us as soon as he can, and added that the opening will depend greatly on the availability of the Governor. Many events are dependent on the date.

FUNDING
Levels of donations are: "Aerial" - $250,000 - "Tower" - $25,000 - "Deck" - $10,000
The funding committee has identified companies to approach at the three levels and will sending out letters.

FLOAT
This committee consists of one person and desperately needs help. They will need people to build and paint the float, which is already designed - diagrams were distributed and discussed. Gene is working on getting the truck and driver, possibly from Dolan's Lumber. Parades to participate in are in Benicia on 7/3 and Vallejo on 7/4. Bart reminded the Committee that FCI has donated 5 miles of cable for use by the committee, possibly for the float. He will follow up on that donation.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Captain Burke Beardsley of the Blue & Gold Fleet presented the idea of getting a contract with Vallejo for use of their Ferries including a photo shoot cruise. He reported that the largest boat holds 700 passengers and is frequently used for charters. Attempts should be made to get use of a couple of ferries for the day of the celebration and a possible fund-raiser cruise. The cost isn't definite but would cover the fuel and crew, Captain Burke will work on the possibility, prices and possible sponsorship by the Blue & Gold Fleet.

It was suggested that someone approach Nextel for use of phones for the committee for the days leading up to and the day of the Celebration.

The next meeting will be on June 11, at CMA, 6:00 PM.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Patty Scott, Recording Secretary