Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING The Harbor Management Commission Meeting of March 24, 2009 was held in the City Manager’s Office. Mr. Aliano called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. Attendance was as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT Ron Aliano, Chairman Alderman Mark Bettencourt Alan Bergren, City Manager James Paulsen Richard Benoit Edward Seder MEMBERS ABSENT Alderman Pete Desaulniers OTHERS PRESENT Geoff Steadman, Harbor Management Consultant Joseph Loyacano, Director of Public Works Alderman Bob Zarnetske Joan Seder, Citizen 2. Determination of Quorum It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes On a motion by Alderman Bettencourt, seconded by Richard Benoit, the minutes of the meetings held November 25, 2008 and January 27, 2009 were unanimously approved. At this point the Chairman requested and the Commission unanimously agreed to amend the agenda to allow Joe Loyacano to brief the members on the status of the Waterfront Rehabilitation Project ahead of other items. See below under item 7D. 4. Citizen Comment None at this time. 5. Correspondence Letter to Chamber of Commerce regarding use of the Howard Brown Park docks for River Fest on June 6, 2009 was reviewed. Letter from Ocean and Coastal to the DEP regarding submittal of application outlining revisions and additional information pertaining to the Waterfront Rehabilitation Project was reviewed by the Commission. Harbor Management Meeting March 24, 2009 Page 2. 6. Harbor Master Report Mr. Harrison was not in attendance, therefore, no report was offered. 7. Old Business a. Cadle Mill Mr. Aliano stated there was nothing new to report at this time. b. Community Boathouse/Boat Launch Mr. Aliano stated there was nothing new to report at this time. c. Harbor Management Plan Update – Mr. Steadman Mr. Steadman informed the members that the new DEP permitting regulations authorize applications pertaining to development on the waterfront be reviewed by the Harbor Management Commission for consistency with the Harbor Management Plan prior to submittal to the DEP. Mr. Steadman suggested the Commission come up with a checklist of prerequisites, for the applicant, that can be used by the Commission in the review process of future applications brought before the Commission. The DEP is authorizing more control to come from the local level with regards to coastal development, and therefore the plan should be modified to incorporate these new changes. The members agreed that the Plan be edited and they will work on coming up with a checklist of items for applicants. d. City Pier/City Dock/Seawall Mr. Loyacano reported that the City Pier is 95% complete, and that the construction of the seawall was interrupted due to unforeseen conditions that were encountered. The presence of rock-filled timber cribbing was found below the gabion wall. As a result the seawall will no longer be constructed as initially designed because these conditions prohibit the steel sheet piles to be driven. The steel sheet piles have been sold by competitive bid. The project is under redesign to replace 354 linear feet of Gabion seawall with an interlocking concrete block wall. A portion of the miniature golf course (Putts Up Dock) will have to be demolished to facilitate access to the site by land-based equipment as opposed to the original plans working from a barge. Upon completion of the work, the disturbed area will be leveled and seeded. Negotiations have been ongoing with the contractors and the boating season will not be interrupted. In response to Mr. Benoit’s inquiry of a timeline for the project’s completion, Mr. Loyacano stated he will have a better idea by the next Harbor Commission Meeting. Alderman Bettencourt inquired whether the sewer line would be impacted. Mr. Loyacano stated that it is located inboard of the concrete wall and will not be impacted. Discussion of funds for the project took place and City Manager Bergren informed the members that he had requested stimulus funds from State Rep. Melissa Olson back on December 23, 2008. Harbor Management Meeting March 24, 2009 Page 3. e. Yantic River Dredging Update Mr. Steadman presented a status report and draft letter he is preparing to the DEP requesting they proceed with the development of a dredged material sampling and testing plan for Phase I of the Yantic River Dredging Project. He presented the members with a detailed drawing, provided by the City Engineer, outlining where the storm drain outfalls are located within the vicinity of the proposed dredging project. The DEP had requested this be provided. Also, as requested by DEP, Mr. Steadman researched the DEP office in Hartford to determine any history of oil spills in this region over the past 10 years. His findings along with Public Works data indicate there have been no significant oil or chemical spills reported in and around the proposed dredged area within this timeframe. Additional cross-sectional drawings have also been prepared as was requested. Discussion took place regarding methods of how the dredging would be performed and to where the dredged materials would be disposed. Mr. Loyacano suggested that the wording specifying the exact upland disposal site be removed from the letter since this information is not known or required at this time. All members were in agreement and Mr. Steadman indicated he would edit the documents to reflect this. Mr. Steadman informed the members that the costs to be incurred for this testing will run between $7,500 to $10,000. On a motion by Alderman Bettencourt, seconded by Mr. Benoit, the Commission unanimously agreed to have Mr. Steadman prepare the final letter and forward to DEP. f. PRA Development/Marina Hotel Project – Update The proposed bridge and pedestrian walkway across the Yantic, as presented by the developer for this project, would cast shading over this area which will ultimately affect the fish population residing in this area. It is anticipated that the DEP will not be supportive of designing a bridge as part of this project. 8. New Business The Commission briefly discussed the current budget balance. Mr. Aliano requested that Mr. Steadman provide his outstanding invoice to the Commission for approval and payment. Respectfully Submitted By: Louise Meade Secretary