Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING The Harbor Management Commission Meeting of May 26, 2009 was held in the City Manager’s Office. Mr. Aliano called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Attendance was as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT Ron Aliano, Chairman Alderman Mark Bettencourt Alderman Pete Desaulniers James Paulsen Richard Benoit MEMBERS ABSENT Alan Bergren, City Manager Edward Seder OTHERS PRESENT Geoff Steadman, Harbor Management Consultant Jim Harrison, Harbor Master 2. Determination of Quorum It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes On a motion by Mr. Paulsen, seconded by Mr. Benoit, the minutes of the meeting held March 24, 2009 were unanimously approved. 4. Citizen Comment None at this time. 5. Correspondence Mr. Aliano was in receipt of an e-mail from Robert Mills, NCDC Executive Director, forwarded from the State DECD Office, outlining Governor Rell’s announcement of State’s application for $2.3 million for economic development. These funds are targeted for various statewide projects. Norwich is on the list for $300,000 in assistance for the cleanup and rehabilitation of a portion of the riverfront property on Shipping Street and for future mixed-use development. Mr. Aliano stated the he will be looking into this and keep the members informed. Mr. Steadman presented a Boating Infrastructure Grant Notice, received from the DEP, outlining the BIG Program funds available to public and private agencies and marinas that provide transient boat tie up. DEP will be accepting applications through August 15th for two different levels of funding. Mr. Aliano will be contacting Ms. Gwendolynn Flynn, DEP Boating Division, shortly on this. Harbor Management Meeting May 26, 2009 Page 2. 6. Harbor Master Report Mr. Harrison indicated that he seems to be all set for the time being at the Harbor with no major areas of concern aside from occasional boater wakes. He would like to see a sign posted to minimize this to which Mr. Aliano responded the No Wake–Buoy Out–5 mph signs should be posted by next week. Mr. Harrison stated he would like to see one sign posted at the boat launch stating 'No Wake 5 mph'. All members were in agreement. 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 he has been working on the plan for months and will meet with Mike Schaefer, City Planner, to go over the Harbor Management issues and present back to the Commission at next month’s meeting. In regard to the new requirements by DEP pertaining to projects presented for consideration, Mr. Steadman prepared a draft form that could potentially be used by the applicant as a checklist prior to their coming before the Harbor Management Commission and before their formal submittal to the DEP. The new procedures require the applicant to first submit a letter to the HMC via City Hall outlining their initial proposal. Subsequently, the applicant must complete a pre- application review questionnaire with the DEP after which time they can arrange to meet with the HMC to present their proposal/application. The Commission will assess their application to ensure its' compliance with the Harbor Management Plan and meets with all City requirements. After all above has been met, and approved by the Commission, the applicant can file formal paperwork with the DEP. After DEP’s review there would be formal Public Notice given regarding the proposal. The members welcomed and reviewed Mr. Steadman’s form as presented. They will further review and report at next meeting. Alderman Bettencourt stated that problems seem to occur with proposals within the City Agencies. It was noted that referrals from the Commission on the City Plan are handled a different route than that of outside applicants. Mr. Paulsen questioned whether the members needed to sign off on the application. Mr. Aliano indicated he would include on the next agenda. Harbor Management Meeting May 26, 2009 Page 3. d. City Pier/City Dock/Seawall Mr. Aliano stated the project is progressing on schedule. e. Yantic River Dredging Update Mr. Steadman informed the Commission that he sent a letter to the DEP (copies of letter and status report given to members) requesting, on behalf of the HMC, their preparation of a Sampling and Testing Plan for the Yantic River Dredging Project. He indicated in the letter that the Commission would like to pursue upland dredged material disposal options for this project. The requested information; location of outfalls provided by Public Works, researched information regarding history of any prior oil/chemical spills over the past 10 years and cross-sectional drawings of the proposed dredging project was forwarded with the letter. Upon receipt of the DEP’s plan, the HMC will determine the number of tests and their costs and proceed from there based on availability of funds at that time. f. PRA Development/Marina Hotel Project – Update There is nothing for the Commission to act on at this time. g. Proposed Marinas/Boatyards along the Thames Basin Nothing new to report at this time. 8. New Business a. NPU Clean Rivers Mr. Aliano reported he has been in touch with John Bilda, NDPU, and briefed the Commission on their projects under way to minimize the harm to our waters and environment. The NPU’s pamphlet outlining these measures was attached to the meeting agenda. b. Fireworks In connection with the 350th City of Norwich Anniversary and ongoing support in favor of having the Fireworks Display for this significant event, the Harbor Management Commission approved a motion introduced by Alderman Desaulniers, seconded by Alderman Bettencourt to contribute $2,000 from the Harbor Management Fund towards the Fireworks display. After subsequent discussion of HMC funds and priorities for the remainder of the year, a motion was offered by Mr. Benoit, seconded by Mr. Paulsen, to reduce the contribution to $1,000. In the event the City should receive additional funds from the State, the HMC agreed on a motion by Mr. Benoit, seconded by Mr. Paulsen, to contribute an additional $1,000 for this cause. The vote was unanimously approved. Harbor Management Meeting May 26, 2009 Page 4. c. State Funding The Commission discussed the desire to prepare a resolution to present to the City Council for their inquiry into the current status of the State Boating Fees' Account and their intended use. Brief discussion took place regarding the City to potentially collect boating fees for transient boaters at the Harbor. d. Professional Services Invoices Mr. Steadman presented an invoice to the Commission for his work for the HMC for calendar year January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 in the amount of $7,638.69. On a motion from Alderman Bettencourt, seconded by James Paulsen, the members unanimously agreed to have the invoice submitted for payment. Alderman Bettencourt suggested that Mr. Steadman submit his invoices on a quarterly basis. The members were in agreement. 9. Other Mr. Aliano stated and he will arrange the agenda such that next month’s meeting be held at Howard Brown Park for all members to see the work completed and ongoing there. All members were in favor. 10. Adjournment On a motion by Alderman Desaulniers, seconded by Alderman Bettencourt, the Harbor Management Commission Meeting of May 26, 2009 was adjourned at 6:32 p.m. Respectfully Submitted By: Louise Meade Secretary