Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING The Harbor Management Commission Meeting of March 22, 2011 was held in The City Managers Office, City Hall. Chairman John Paul Mereen called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Attendance was as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT John Paul Mereen, Chairman Alan Bergren, City Manager James Paulsen Alderman Pete Desaulniers Alderman H. Tucker Braddock MEMBERS ABSENT Richard Benoit, Co-Chairman OTHERS PRESENT Darlene Fedus-Papineau-Recording Secretary Peter Barber JoAnne Philbrick Mayor Peter Nystrom Norwich Bulletin, Reporter 2. Determination of Quorum It was determined a quorum was present and all members present were voting. 3. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Tucker Braddock, second by Pete Desaulniers, to accept the minutes dated February 22, 2011 with corrections. The vote was unanimous. 4. Citizen Comment-None at this time. 5. Correspondence- Chairman Mereen received a phone call regarding the policy for any docking spaces on any barges in the area. Mr. Mereen and Mr. Steadman discussed the policy and it was determined there is nothing stating specifically how long a vessel can stay in a particular point. As far as the City dock is concerned it was 24 hours and now it is 4 hours. With permission from the Harbor Master it can be changed. The Legislature is working on a Bill to charge for mooring and docking spaces. The Commission discussed the fact that they may want to consider how long a vessel is allowed to tie up dock space. Mr. Desaulniers noted that some boats are there for an extended period of time. HMC Fund Report, February, 2011 attached to members packets. 6. Harbor Master Report There was no report. There is a CHMA meeting with the Lieutenant Governor on March 24, 2011. There was brief discussion regarding the Governor re-aligning the DEP into the DEEP with more emphasis on coastal resources and not so much on economic development. Mr. Steadman will report back to the HMC. Mr. Braddock presented the Commission with copies of two resumes submitted for appointment to Harbor Master. Mr. Bergren briefed the Commission on the role of the Harbor Master. 7. Old Business A. Harbor Management Plan Mr. Steadman was not in attendance this evening. The Commission, on a motion by Tucker Braddock and second by Peter Desaulniers, voted unanimously to suspend the rules and add to the agenda, e) Fisheries Program, f) 2011 Summer Concert Series, and g) Resume accepting for vacant HMC member position. B. City Pier/City Dock/Seawall Nothing to report at this time. C. Yantic River Dredging Update Nothing to report at this time. D. Boat Ramp  National Park Grants will be researched and discussed at a later date. Mr. Braddock briefed the Commission on the process of the Grant and how it is implemented. E. Fisheries Program There was brief discussion regarding the vehicle that will be provided by NPU. Mr. Mereen spoke briefly regarding the hatchery program and the benefits of the Shetucket and the Harbor area getting primed for tourism. Mr. Desaulniers gave a briefing regarding the shad and bass program and what a great economic venture it is for the City. There was discussion regarding the website and Fish Connection. Mr. Braddock stated he has been in contact with the MIS department and there is a small glitch which will be worked on. There was discussion regarding web cams being set up at American Ambulance. Mr. Desaulniers will follow up with John Bilda of NPU. Mr. Paulsen reminded the Commission of the Fishing Derby that was put on years ago. F. 2011 Summer Concert Series Mr. Mereen presented the Commission with a schedule of the concert series line up which will be held Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00 starting June 29th. Follow up dates are, July 6, July 13, July 20th, July 27, August 3, and August 10th. Rain dates were August 17, 24 & 31 5:30-7:30. It is brought about by The Greater Norwich Area Business & Industry Foundation, Inc. in cooperation with the NHMC, GNACC Economic Dev. Committee. Mr.Mereen stated it is definitely a go and the funds will be there and he was given authorization to go forward. Mr. Mereen showed a sponsor commitment form to the Commission and has received some responses for sponsorship. There was discussion regarding the set up and dismantling of the bandstand. Mr. Desaulniers will be in contact with Barry Ellison of DPU. The bandstand will be set up where Putts Up Dock was located. The boat ramp area would be blocked off between noon and 1:00. There was much discussion regarding sponsorship, pledges and promotional ideas. The businesses downtown would benefit and therefore may contribute. G. Resume Accepting In attendance were Ms. JoAnne Philbrick and Mr. Peter Barber, both applicants for the vacant position to the HMC. Each guest gave an oral presentation to the Commission on their qualifications and experience. 8. New Business-Waterfront Vision Review Mayor Nystrom thanked the Commission for their work on building relationships within the community with the upcoming Concert Series. The Commission discussed the updating of the POCD that Mr. Peter Davis is presently working on with the new Committee that was formed.  9. Other Mr. Braddock spoke to the Commission regarding DEP issuing fines. Mr. Mereen is working with an artist at the Mohegan Tribe for the informational signage. Mr. Barber spoke in detail to the Commission regarding DEP, fines, trout stream, salmon fishing, and brood stock downstream. 10. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Desaulniers and second by Mr. Braddock, the Harbor Management Commission Meeting of March 22, 2011 was adjourned at 5:52 p.m. Respectfully Submitted By: Darlene Fedus-Papineau Recording Secretary