Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING The Harbor Management Commission Meeting of January 27, 2009 was held in the City Manager's office. Attendance was as follows. MEMBERS PRESENT Richard Benoit, Vice Chairman Alderman Mark Bettencourt Alderman Pete Desaulniers Alan Bergren, City Manager James Paulsen Edward Seder MEMBERS ABSENT Ron Aliano, Chairman OTHERS PRESENT Geoff Steadman, Harbor Management Consultant Joan Seder, Citizen 1. Call to Order Vice Chairman Benoit called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. 2. Determination of Quorum A quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes The Commission took no action to approve minutes. It was noted by Vice Chairman Benoit that the minutes of the Commission's previous meeting, held on November 25, 2008, have not been provided for the Commission's review and approval, and that the Commission had previously approved the minutes of its October 28, 2008 meeting. 4. Citizen Comment There was no citizen comment. 5. Correspondence Vice Chairman Benoit introduced a letter of January 16, 2009 to the Harbor Management Commission from Kim Michaud, Director of Operations, Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce, requesting, on behalf of the River Fest Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, permission from the Commission to use the docks at Howard Brown Park for  a special event called the Annual River Fest. That event would take place on Saturday, June 6, 2009. Discussion of this matter ensued. Alderman Desaulniers reported that the Department of Public Works is currently proceeding with work to repair in-water and waterfront structures at Howard Brown Park. Mr. Steadman reported on his discussion with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Long Island Sound Programs concerning the status of the repair work. Mr. Steadman said the DEP is currently awaiting additional information from the DPW prior to issuing, to the city, a new "Certificate of Permission" authorizing construction of a concrete wall along a portion of the shoreline at the park. Mr. Steadman described the DEP's reasons for requiring the city to apply for a new Certificate of Permission to conduct the planned work. On a motion by Alderman Desaulniers, seconded by James Paulsen, the Commission unanimously expressed support for the request by the River Fest Committee to use the docks at Howard Brown Park to conduct a special event called the Annual River Fest that would take place on Saturday, June 6, 2009. The Commission specified that its support was contingent on: 1) the River Fest Committee obtaining all other approvals that may be necessary to conduct the event and otherwise use the park; and 2) completion of the city's ongoing waterfront improvements at the park as may be necessary to enable the proposed use of the docks. Further, the Commission specified that it may, in the future, request from the River Fest Committee additional information concerning the event. 6. Harbor Master Report Mr. Harrison reported that there are no issues that he thinks are urgent this month. 7. Old Business a. Cadle Mill No new information has been received. b. Community Boathouse/Boat Launch No new information has been received. c. Harbor Management Plan Mr. Steadman reported on the status of his work to incorporate updated maps into the proposed Harbor Management Plan revisions and that the revisions should be submitted to the DEP prior to the 2009 boating season. The Commission agreed that the proposed Plan revisions should reflect the current DEP permitting process that requires applicants to appear before the Commission prior to submitting an application to the DEP. Alderman Bettencourt urged the most expeditious completion of the proposed Harbor Management Plan revisions and their  submittal to the DEP for approval. d. City Pier/City Dock/Seawall The status of this project was discussed under Correspondence in Mr. Steadman's report on the status of the city's application to the DEP for a new Certificate of Permission to repair in-water and waterfront structures at Howard Brown Park. e. Yantic River Dredging Update Mr. Steadman reported that he is preparing, on behalf of the Commission, a written request to the DEP for a determination of how many and what types of dredged sediment tests must be conducted by the Commission. Mr. Steadman said he discussed this matter with a representative of the DEP who requested additional information on the location of any storm drains or other points of discharge in the vicinity of the Commission's dredging project. Mr. Steadman will contact the Department of Public Utilities for this information. Mr. Seder commented on the existing condition of the closed city landfill on Hollyhock Island which the Commission has identified as a potential dredged material disposal site. Mr. Seder also asked if there are any city plans for relocating (burying) the existing elevated sewer pipe that crosses the Yantic River to reach the city's wastewater treatment plant. Mr. Steadman will inquire about any such plans when he contacts the Department of Public Utilities. f. Proposed Marinas/Boatyards along the Thames River No new information has been received. g. PRA Development/Marina Hotel Project No new information has been received. 8. New Business There was no new business. 9. Other Mr. Steadman reported that he was informed by the DEP that the Norwich Community Development Corporation will be submitting an application to the DEP for a Certificate of Permission to conduct stormwater drainage work associated with development of the Intermodal Transportation Center. It may be necessary for the Commission to review and comment on this application during the Commission's February meeting. 10. Adjournment On a motion by James Paulsen, the Harbor Management Commission Meeting of January 27, 2009 was adjourned at 5:35 p.m. Respectfully Submitted By: Geoffrey Steadman