Port Authority Commission

MICHIGAN CITY POPRT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS June 15, 2015 TIME & PLACE The regular meeting of the Michigan City Port Authority Board of Directors was called to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Port Authority board room. ATTENDANCE President Sam Johns presided. Board members in attendance included Sam Ferguson, Aaron Garrett, John Haynes, Bruce Manner and Dan Messina. Harbormaster Tim Frame and Assistant Harbormaster of Administration Mary Ann Pawlicke were also in attendance along with Attorney John Espar. Board member Jonita Davis was unable to attend this meeting along with Assistant Harbormaster of Operations Dan Hoepf. GUESTS Guests in attendance included WPM slip holders Mike Cooper and Don Dolezal, along with Brian Bienaut from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Phil Freise from the Parks & Recreations board. GUEST COMMENTS Mr. Bienaut expressed the gratitude of the IDNR for the MCPA’s partnership in the Trail Creek Improvement project along with our cooperation with the transfer of the George and ACE Property’s and winter storage assistance. He went on to communicate his appreciation in the availability of the Harbormaster for any matter that arises. Mr. Bienaut informed the board that plans to stock fishery in Indiana is maxed out however there will be an addition of approximately eighty (80,000) thousand lake trout this year; Michigan has the capacity for another sixty (60,000) thousand which New Buffalo will receive as well. There has been a twenty (20%) percent natural reproduction of lake trout and thirty (30%) percent for schnook salmon, the lake is sustaining its population. He went on to state that although Asian carp is still a threat is has been kept at bay. Installation of the lamprey barrier was completed in 2012 and we are now seeing a decline which will steadily improve. MINUTES Upon motion made by John Haynes, seconded by Aaron Garrett, the board unanimously approved the minutes to the previous meeting. REPORT FROM HARBORMASTER Harbormaster Tim Frame reported on the following: 1   Auctioned vessels o Two (2) have been disposed of; will submit costs to attorney once we have been invoiced. o Payment has been made in full by the owner of ‘Miss Abbey’ to prevent claim being filed; boat to be removed by end of month. o The new owner of vessel that sold (Gemina) has made arrangements for a trailer to haul away by the end of the month.  Army COE Seawall Project o Progress meeting was held last week. o Completing sheet pile driving.  Project to be completed before Fourth of July holiday.  Cardboard has been picked up for the boat dash; no inquiries have been made as yet.  Pro-Tech Environmental will be here late July to touch up painting to the lighthouse. REPORT FROM ASSISTANT HARBORMASTER Assistant Harbormaster of Administration Mary Ann Pawlicke reported on the following:  Vacancies to date o Washington Park Marina: Eighty three (83) o Trail Creek Marina: Forty six (46)  The Wide Wake Program will be up and running on the internet in approximately two (2) weeks. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. On behalf of the Budget and Financial Oversight Committee, Sam Ferguson reviewed the bills to be paid. Upon motion made by Sam Ferguson, seconded by Dan Messina, the board unanimously approved payment of the bills as presented. In reference to the billing from MB Electric, the Harbormaster explained that the Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) Program is ongoing; we receive periodic checks and are provided with a report, several breakers and receptacles had been replaced. 2. On behalf of the Claims and Insurance Committee, Aaron Garrett had nothing to report. 3. On behalf of the Master Planning and Special Projects Committee, Sam Johns had nothing to report. 4. On behalf of the Boater Communications and Special Events Committee, Dan Messina reported the following:  th Dock Representative meeting was held on Saturday, June 6 . o Attended by himself along with Harbormaster Frame and Assistant Harbormaster Pawlicke. o Discussed projects and general maintenance issues. 2  o Explained that power would be shutoff at 700 & 800 docks during the cardboard boat dash.  st Currently the meetings are scheduled the 1 Saturday of the month, May through September. He along with Mr. Haynes met with Harbormaster Frame & Mrs. Pawlicke to discuss the idea of only having three (3) meetings, June, July and August due to limited attendance. Upon motion made by Dan Messina, seconded by John Haynes the board unanimously approved scheduling three meetings only during the 2016 boating season as presented.  Mr. Messina asked to reflect in the minutes how informative the IDNR guest speaker was to the board and suggested he be invited back around this time next year. 5. On behalf of the Port Operations, Personnel and Marina Policy Committee, Bruce Manner had nothing to report. REPORT FROM ATTORNEY Attorney John Espar reported on the following:  George & ACE Property’s o Deed exchange progressing as expected; matter should be resolved within the next couple weeks after appropriate officials sign-off.  Small Claims accounts will be scheduled for filing and initial appearance late July. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to discuss during this meeting. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to discuss during this meeting. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion made by John Haynes, seconded by Aaron Garrett, the board adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m. Approved On: ________________________ Respectfully submitted, Date __________________________________ By: ________________________________ Bruce Manner, Board Secretary Sam Johns, Board President 3 There were no attachments to these minutes. Prepared by Kristen N. Winkelstern 4