Harbor Commission

Manistee Harbor Commission Agenda Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 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 January 17, 2023 Old Business • Marina Marketing Reports • Harbormaster • City Manager – Launch Ramp Revenue Report New Business • Marina Commercial Slips along the Seawall Public Comment (5-minute limit) Comments by Harbor Commissioners Adjourn  HARBOR COMMISSION MINUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 17, 2023 A meeting of the Manistee Harbor Commission was called to order by the Chair on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Tom Swedenborg, Jeff Mikula, George Becker, Mary Lou Mydill MEMBERS ABSENT Ty Cook, Bill Gambill OTHERS PRESENT Kelly McColl, Recording Secretary T APPROVAL OF AGENDA AF MOTION by Tom Swedenborg, second by Jeff Mikula, to approve the agenda as presented. Voice vote – Motion carried. D PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS • None R ELECTION OF OFFICERS As required in the bylaws, the election of officers shall occur at the first meeting of each calendar year and officers shall take office upon selection and shall hold office for a term of one year. For the position of Chair: Tom Swedenborg nominated Mary Lou Mydill; Mary Lou Mydill nominated George Becker; both nominations supported by Jeff Mikula. Roll call taken, all voted in favor of George Becker as Chair. For the position of Vice-Chair: Jeff Mikula nominated Mary Lou Mydill; nomination supported by George Becker. There being no further nominations, all voted in favor of Mary Lou Mydill as Vice-Chair. Chair: George Becker; Co-Chair: Mary Lou Mydill. Harbor Commission Minutes – January 17, 2023 Page 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION by Jeff Mikula, second by Tom Swedenborg, to approve the minutes for the October 18, 2022, meeting as presented. Voice vote – Motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Marina Marketing Plan – with Mark Sandstedt, MS Creative – collected plenty of photography and video during the season. Spoke with Sammie Lukaskiewicz at the Manistee County Visitors Bureau – she is very open to whatever is brought to her. Discussion included: o Full marketing plan exceeds funding available o Engaging Loopers through American Great Loop Cruisers Association through Member-Sponsor investment o Utilizing free ‘word of mouth’ advertising, which includes City website and social media o Funding challenges and scaling the marketing plan according to funds available. • T Marina Patio – Jeff Mikula – area cleaned out and graded, storm piping rerouted. Pavers are being stored at the City garage. Patio will be installed before Memorial Day 2023. • AF South Breakwater Project – Jeff Mikula – contractor secured breakwater in September. They will be back to work in April, anticipated project completion in June. Finished project includes a concrete cap and heavy armor stone. REPORTS D • Harbormaster – Reviewed MDNR grant application processes that the City has been through R for the North Riverwalk multiple times without positive results. Will apply again this year, adding some sort of boat tie-up or kayak access to create an access to the Great Lakes, which would add lots of points to the application. Boat Launch machine at First Street works well – seasonal stickers can be purchased there but the ticket must be redeemed at City Hall or Municipal Marina for the actual sticker. Marina adds extended hours for pickup. Signage on the machine has been updated with all pertinent information. NEW BUSINESS • Suggestions for Marina – Kelly Greve and Liz Laskey, Parks Commission – “Beautification, cleanliness, and the comforts of home have a direct impact on the Marina’s occupancy.” Discussion included: o Loaned art on display o Furniture – additional pieces and layout changes o Bicycles, games, music o Training staff o Continental breakfast/snacks/fresh flowers – provided by local businesses Harbor Commission Minutes – January 17, 2023 Page 2  o Retail space o Appealing grounds o $9000+ cost – would like to pursue alternative funding sources Consensus: Harbor Commissioners are open to working together with the Parks Commission. Encouraged to collaborate with the Marina Manager Katie Trivisonno. • Annual Review of Bylaws – MOTION by George Becker, second by Tom Swedenborg to accept the bylaws as presented; no changes required. Voice vote – Motion carried. • Annual Review of Strategic Plan – MOTION by Jeff Mikula, second by George Becker to continue with recommended updates. Voice vote – Motion carried. o Remove from What are some of the issues that the marina faces (page 3)? Maintenance of the docks is a struggle due to cash flow issues. o Add to What are our opportunities that we could take advantage of (page 3)? • T Marketing to the loopers and transient boaters – Marketing Plan. Annual Review of Member Roster – No action was taken. PUBLIC COMMENTS • None. AF HARBOR COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS D • Jeff Mikula – reviewed the Manistee Area Leadership project, life jacket station, which will R be considered by Council at tonight’s meeting. • George Becker – needed clarification from Jeff Mikula about the points on the MDNR grant for Great Lakes access. ADJOURNMENT Next meeting is scheduled for April 18, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. MOTION to adjourn by Jeff Mikula, second by Mary Lou Mydill at 2:32 p.m. Kelly McColl Recording Secretary Harbor Commission Minutes – January 17, 2023 Page 3