Electrical violations result in cut power at Regal Marina
Because state code violations caused electricity to be disconnected at the Regal Marina in Prairie du Chien, many boats still sit awaiting their first dip in the water for the 2016 boating season. Around a dozen boats were put in at the marina by Friday. (Photo by Correne Martin)
By Correne Martin
Electricity to the docks at the Regal Marina in Prairie du Chien has been disconnected. Depending on when electrical is brought up to state standards, it is unknown when power will resume.
On May 1, the city was directed to cut power to docks A, B, C and D as well as the gas dock because several state electrical code violations were uncovered by state inspectors Anthony Tadysac and Char Martin, according to City Administrator Aaron Kramer.
“The conditions are so dangerous, the city simply had to do something to assure safety,” City Attorney Lara Czajkowski Higgins said. “[The Regals] have to complete the repairs in order for the electricity to be turned back on.”
The Courier Press has made numerous attempts, since May 3, in person and by phone, to reach Dennis Regal Sr., president of Regal Marine Group, which leases the marina from the city. However, all have gone unanswered.
The marina was expected to open to boaters May 1 and, according to a couple users—both past and present—boaters have been signing contracts and sending in their money, anxious to get their boats in the water and start using the facilities.
The marina property, which the city owns and the Regals have leased since 1963, is currently under a one-year lease until Oct. 31 for $2,931.72, Czajkowski Higgins stated. She said the city carries insurance on the property and the Regals should and, she believes, do carry insurance as it pertains to their buildings and docks as well.
Last fall, the public works committee, council and Regal Marine Group started discussions regarding a one-year lease, which the city wanted, and a 20-year lease, which the Regals proposed.
“Our city attorney wanted to make sure we didn’t sign a long-term lease, in a situation where we could get ourselves into litigation,” City Administrator Aaron Kramer stated, noting that the city had safety concerns about the marina previously.
Terms for one year were agreed to on Nov. 1.
In a late-December letter to the Regal Marine Group, Czajkowski Higgins provided some background on how the recent violations were discovered:
“City staff, with Dennis Regal’s authorization, performed a walk-through, informal inspection of the marina to identify areas of concern that needed to be addressed as the city and Regal Marine Group began their negotiations for a new marina lease. During those inspections, the state commercial building inspector and state commercial electrical inspector were also present. Subsequently, the state inspectors informed the city’s inspector, Dennis Hampton, of their significant concerns regarding safety at the marina and their observations of multiple code violations.
“They also recommended that the city file a formal complaint (which it did Jan. 5), regarding the electrical and structural condition of the marina, with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. By filing such a complaint, state inspectors were authorized to complete thorough, formal inspections of the marina and identify action that must be taken to ensure the facility is complying with current codes and is safe for guests and invitees.”
A partial list of the issues at the marina include:
•Wood heat, which is not an approved heating source for a commercial building, is used in the retail and repair building.
•Outlets and wiring in the retail and repair building need repair or proper protection.
•Cords running in the shop are spliced.
•Exits are blocked in the warehouse.
•Cable runs in the warehouse are exposed and not protected.
•Wiring under boat dock D needs to be checked to ensure code compliance.
•Equipment height exceeds code.
•There are holes in boat dock A, where the public walks to boats.
•A structural analysis is recommended on boat dock A to ensure structural integrity.
An estimate of $75,000 in investments by the Regal Marine Group would be necessary in order to bring marina issues up to code, according to figures the Regals shared with city, Kramer said. He also noted that the city has a copy of a letter from the leasee’s bank stating that a longer-term lease is preferred, as it considers committing loan options. Thus the reason the Regals have requested a longer lease from the city.
“I’m sorry they are frustrated,” Czajkowski Higgins said. “But this has been an issue for quite some time.”
She said she is drafting a renewed lease with long-term options to propose to the Regals within the next few weeks. “The city council is going to have to determine what they’re comfortable with allowing,” she said. “The bank has asked for at least 10 years.”
Kramer said Hampton reached out to Regal Marine Group in mid-April and urged them to acquire a contract with an electrical company and start making repairs. He said there was no response.
In the meantime, electricity to the docks remained disconnected on Friday, May 13, though the main building had power.
Two boaters who spoke with the Courier Press expressed their disappointment about the situation.
“Last year, we were in (the water) on May 5,” one said. “This is our weekend getaway in the summer. But nobody likes to take cold showers.”
