Harbor Commission

Manistee Harbor Commission Agenda Tuesday, August 16, 2022, 1:00 p.m. – Council Chambers 70 Maple Street, Manistee MI 49660 ____________________________________________________________________ Call to Order Approval of Agenda Public Comments on Agenda Items (5-minute limit) Approval of Minutes • Minutes of July 26, 2022 Unfinished Business • Marina Marketing Plan • Marina Patio • Harbor Dredging Update Reports • Harbormaster – Marina Operations • City Manager – Boat Launch Revenue New Business • Report to Council – November 1, 2022, City Council Meeting • Changes/Updates to Great Lakes Cruising Club’s Manistee Harbor Report • Other Public Comment (5-minute limit) Comments by Harbor Commissioners Adjourn  HARBOR COMMISSION MINUTES MEETING OF July 26, 2022 A special meeting of the Manistee Harbor Commission was called to order by the Chair on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 1:04 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee MI 49660. MEMBERS PRESENT Tom Swedenborg, Ty Cook, Jeff Mikula, George Becker, Mary Lou Mydill MEMBERS ABSENT Bill Gambill OTHERS PRESENT Katie Trivisonno APPROVAL OF AGENDA T MOTION by Chair Swedenborg, second by Jeff Mikula, to approve the agenda as submitted. Voice vote - motion carried. AF PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS • None APPROVAL OF MINUTES D MOTION by Chair Swedenborg, second by George Becker, to approve the minutes for the July 19, 2022, as presented. Voice vote - motion carried. R OLD BUSINESS • Marina Marketing Plan Proposal o Priorities and Budget Discussion Discussion included: ✓ Marina Operating Budget overview ✓ Importance of getting the visuals done now while Marina is operating for the season ✓ Debt on the Marina building ✓ $10,000 - $15,000 MS Creative full marketing campaign ✓ $8,000 - $10,000 to get started, build as we go ✓ Gas costs ✓ Rental rates; State reservation system ✓ Utilizing boater surveys ✓ Use of social media to target media MOTION by Chair Swedenborg, second by Mary Lou Mydill, to go forward with the MS Creative marketing plan, beginning with capturing the images, then evaluating post-season where we are financially and planning for marketing budget in fiscal year 2024. Voice vote - motion carried. Harbor Commission Minutes – July 26, 2022 Page 1 PUBLIC COMMENTS • None. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS • None. ADJOURNMENT Next meeting is scheduled for August 16, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan. MOTION to adjourn by Chair Swedenborg at 1:56 p.m. Kelly McColl Recording Secretary T AF DR Harbor Commission Minutes – July 26, 2022 Page 2  M-18 Manistee, Michigan 05/23/2021 Julie Thorndycraft From Manistee to… Frankfort (M-16), 23 miles N Big Sable Point, 14 miles SW Ludington (M-19), 21 miles S Manitowoc (M-49), 52 miles W Manistee quick reference… Type of harbor small city Fog horn yes Location 44° 15.112' N, 086° 20.912' W Pump-out yes Charts NOS 14907 , 14938 Fuel yes Light List numbers 18450-18520 Dockage yes Coast Guard 231-723-7412 Anchorage yes Provisions yes Repairs yes NOAA Weather Forecast Shower yes Population 6,734 Restaurant yes GLCC Port Captain no Laundry yes Boat launch ramp yes (3) Introduction Manistee is the first port north of Big Sable Point on the east shore of Lake Michigan. The harbor is on the banks of the Manistee River, a river 1 mile long, which connects the north end of Manistee Lake with Lake Michigan. The main part of downtown Manistee lies along the south bank of the river, adjacent to the city marina. It is a pleasant small town that bills itself as “The Victorian Port City,” and much of the architecture is rejuvenated from the lumber era a century ago. Inland, Manistee Lake itself extends over 4 miles, northwest to southeast. It is irregular in shape, approximately a half mile wide for most of its length. This lake was the site of many sawmills during the lumber era, and the lake still abounds with submerged slab docks and boom piles. Although the water is generally deep even up close to shore, cruisers are advised not to go into the lake south of the entrance channel from the Manistee River except with the utmost caution. However, the smaller part of Lake Manistee north of the river entrance is clear and affords a good anchorage. The use of the large scale harbor chart is advised. 1) The north pierhead characteristics were changed per LMN 20/13 (14 May 2013). 2) Approaching from the south; note that the south pierhead extends much further into the Lake than the north—be sure to round it properly. Ron Dwelle photos. Approach There are no dangers in the approach from Lake Michigan, and there is plenty of water from 0.3 of a mile off-shore in either direction. Entrance Enter the river on a course of 117° T, parallel to the straight north pier. There is a converging L- shaped breakwater on the south, the outside end of which is 760 feet 262° T from the north pierhead. The river is deep and well-protected. There is a dog-leg in the channel just past the Coast Guard station—the entrance to Harbor Village Marina is to port at the beginning of the dog-leg, across the river from a large state launching ramp. The city marina is a half mile up the river, on the starboard side. Bridges Two highway bridges and one railroad bridge cross the river, east of the city marina and before the entrance to Manistee Lake. All are continuously attended during the summer months. There is an aerial cable (145-foot clearance) across the river just east of the Manistee Iron Works as you approach Manistee Lake. The bridges responded to one long and one short blast from tugs and ships, but not to whistles from yachts, instead expecting radio contact. Both Maple Street and Memorial Bridges answer Channel 16, and then switch to Channel 13. Except for the rare times when a railroad train crosses, the railroad bridge remains open to boaters. Anchorage In an emergency, anchorage is possible inside the south breakwall; however there is usually some surge and boat traffic is heavy. For an overnight anchorage, go through the bridges into the north end of Lake Manistee and anchor north and east of the river entrance, in 15-25 feet of water over a good bottom. It is not advisable to go south of the entrance channel into the lower part of Lake Manistee on account of the submerged slab docks and piling, relics of old lumber days. While the lower section of Lake Manistee is not recommended for anchorage, it is interesting to explore in the dinghy. Dockage Principal transient dockage is at the city marina (231-723-1552), built by the Michigan State Waterways Commission and the City of Manistee. The marina will accommodate 35 boats up to 75 feet, plus tie- up along the river wall east of the marina, for boats to 120 feet. The depth along the wall at the city Marina is approximately 8 feet. They monitor VHF 16 and 9. The city docks have gas, diesel fuel, and pump-out at the service dock (in the center of the marina at slip 22, right in front of the harbormaster’s office). Most slips have 15 or New marina building. Photo by Richard Fink. 30-amp outlets, only a few have 240-volt outlets. A marina building includes a spacious boaters' lounge with large-screen TV, a coffee bar and microwave, free WiFi (which extends to the docks), a children's lounge with separate TV, and a special TV just for tracking Lake Michigan's weather. The marina offers clean restrooms with hot showers and roomy, barrier-free facilities that include baby-changing stations and a large laundry room. The marina area is beautifully landscaped, and the city has built a very nice board walkway that extends from east of the marina all the way to the harbor mouth. Note: when docking along the river, remember that the river current normally runs out to Lake Michigan, but can run in both directions. The current varies, but it can be quite strong (3.5 knots), especially after a period of rain. The city marina attendants are aware of this condition and are ready to assist in docking maneuvers. Let them know of your intentions and have your dock lines and fenders ready—there’s a good chance you’ll be pushed downstream more than you expect. Note also that water levels in the river fluctuate with rain and could flood the docks and walkways. 1) Entrance to Harbor Village Marina, to the left, just past the Coast Guard Station. The slips are condominium slips, but transient space may be available. Ron Dwelle photo. 2) The docks at the city marina as a lake freighter heads into town. Lou Bruska photo. There is a marina complex called Harbor Village at Manistee Beach (231-723-0070). This marina was created in an artificial harbor dredged from land north of the channel. The entrance is just upstream of the old Coast Guard station and is clearly marked with signs. The management claims a minimum depth of 8 feet. The docks are excellent, but the marina generally does not accept transients, because all of the docks are now privately owned. They do not sell fuel. It is a long walk to downtown—if you are reprovisioning, the city marina is a better bet. The river is lined with smaller docks for the salmon fishing boats. Dockage may be available at one of those marinas, but facilities are minimal for cruisers. Launch Ramps There are three launch ramps. Arthur Street Ramp, with parking for 40. First Street Ramp, with parking for 290. Manistee Marina, Long term parking available. Services Gas, diesel, oil, water, and telephone are available at the city marina. The fishing-boat marina across the river and downstream a bit (Shipwatch Marina, 231-723-9314) also sells gasoline and diesel fuel. The downtown shopping area is close to all docks on the south bank. For groceries, you must cross the river on the bridge to the east of the city marina—there is a large supermarket 3 blocks northeast of the bridge. There is a derrick and a marine railway at Pier 31/Facebook (formerly Solberg's) (231-723-2661) at the north end of Manistee Lake. Pier 31 is the principal service and winter-storage marina for cruising boats in this area. Seng’s Marina (231-723-9444) is just south of the river-entrance to Manistee Lake—they offer some services but mainly serve the fishing fleet. The North Channel Brewery is located on the north side of the first drawbridge and has very good food - mac and cheese, pulled pork, tacos, burgers, etc. TJ's Pub is also good and in a cool building on the south side of the draw bridge. There are several coffee and breakfast places along Main Street east of the marina, as well as a full complement of fine shops. An excellent municipal museum is just one block from the marina (closed on Sundays). There is a hospital here, and doctors and dentists are available. All other services of a small city are available. 1) Looking downriver toward Lake Michigan. The city docks are on the left. 2) The fuel dock. Photos by Ron Dwelle. Exploring Manistee has many fine old Victorian homes fron the heyday of the lumbering idustry. They can seen with a self guided walking tour of the town. A riverwalk runs the length of the entire downtown and out to the piers In addition, you can tour both the SS City of Milwaukee and USCG Acacia. Please click on this link http://www.carferry.com/ for more information. Above is the SS City of Milwaukee with the USCG Acacia in the foreground. Photo by Joann Mead. Report by Ron Dwelle, Lou Bruska, Hap Hecker, Chris Hansen, Jurgen Kok, and Doug Shuman Enlarged Chart Excerpt For PDF Files Not to be used for navigation. All content copyright © 2022 by GLCC.