Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION January 22, 2013 MEMBERS PRESENT Alderman Tucker Braddock Alderman Charlie Jaskiewicz Chairman John Paul Mereen Vice-Chair Richard Benoit Gerald Martin City Manager Alan Bergren MEMBERS ABSENT Lauren Miner OTHERS PRESENT Michael Valentine-Harbormaster Geoffrey Steadman-Consultant Jill Brennan-Recording Secretary Jason Vincent-NCDC 1. Call to order – Chairman J.P. Mereen called the January 22, 2013 meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. 2. Determination of Quorum It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes Minutes of December 18, 2012 meeting, mark Charlie Jaskiewicz as absent, motion to accept with corrections, T. Braddock, 2nd G. Martin, motion carried with C. Jaskiewicz abstaining due to absence. 4. Citizen Comment None 5. Correspondence a. Ports,Rails and Parks from the Council secretary. A. Bergren to forward to G. Steadman and P. Davis. b. December Budget Report-motion to accept, C. Jaskiewicz, 2nd G. Martin, motion carried unanimously. Harbor Management Commission January 22, 2013 Page -2- 6. Harbor Master Report-M. Valentine reported that the welcome sign had flipped over and righted itself by the time he got back from vacation. Previously the marina had taken it out for the winter, but their work boat is in the shop. It will be removed for the winter season going forward. 7. Old Business a. River Trails map grant application-The grant agreement has been completed and sent in. G. Steadman will follow up with J. Vincent on the Last Green Valley project. Copies of the aerial view of points of interests will be emailed to all members by J. Brennan. G. Steadman will begin to assemble maps. There should be an announcement asking for public input on their kayaking and canoeing experiences on the Thames. This may be done in conjunction with the press conference. G. Steadman will put together a press release. b. Installation of a “harbor cam”-JP Mereen has spoken to Kevin Hogan and their management is looking into the idea. The Market Street Garage may be the ideal location to look down the river. c. Fundraising idea update-April 26th is the final date. C. Jaskiewicz and L. Miner have met and are finalizing plans for a press release. Hall Radio will publicize the event. The event will begin at 6PM with appetizers and serve the meal at 7PM in order for people to have time to look at the auction items. At 9PM Melena will begin to play. At approximately 8:40 the raffles will be closed out and winners announced. Dinner Menu: Pork Roast, Baked Chicken, Garlic Pasta, red bliss potato, tomato green bean casserole, salad, rolls, dessert. Ticket price to be $40 per person. Silent auction items need to be secured. C. Jaskiewicz has spoken to B. Lathrop and he has pledged to ask Chamber members for donations. C. Jaskiewicz will check with T. Maderia in Finance for the name to write the checks to. The location will be the Bozrah Moose Lodge. The rental fee is approximately $500. G. Steadman suggested doing framed area photos of the Harbor for the client auction. C. Jaskiewicz suggested contacting all of the local business groups to promote the event. d. Get Hooked on Norwich Campaign Press Conference: February 19th-Topics 1. Website-G. Martin suggested having a fish icon that you click on for the fishing report. Administrator needs to be identified-G. Martin volunteered to be the administrator along with another Commission member. 2. Fund Raiser 3. Chamber’s new mobile kiosk 4. The grant and mapping input 5. DOI Harbor Management Commission January 22, 2013 Page -3- e. Thames River Spring Tournament-G. Martin reported that the prospective date to begin is Friday May 3, 2013. He will have to pull a permit through the DEEP. This will be a cash derby that will raise money. He suggested taking 20% and contributing it to a local Youth organization. It will be a kill tournament. On February 9th there is a Thames River Cleanup-it is a good opportunity for publicity for the Commission if members can participate. There have been seals in the harbor eating the Striped Bass. He feels that the faster the website can get up and put the information out, the better it would be for the Commission. He suggested creating a book that lists all of the fishing spots around town. 8. New Business a. Rock the Docks-Motion to have the Norwich Harbor Management Commission co- produce with the Greater Norwich Area of Commerce the 2013 Rock the Docks Concert Series, C. Jaskiewicz, 2nd T. Braddock. Discussion followed. The series will begin after July 4th. Motion carried unanimously. A resolution for wine and beer at the concert series will need to be put before the council in the next couple of months. 9. Other: G. Steadman reported that the CT Maritime Commission meeting that was scheduled for last week was postponed due to weather. He and J. Vincent had been scheduled to speak under public comment about the Norwich Harbor Initiatives. The Vision Statement and funding possibilities. His contact at DOT will put him on the agenda for the next meeting. G. Steadman will suggest that the City of Norwich would like to host the next meeting possibly at the Kelly Middle School Auditorium. G. Steadman will develop an invitation that will be sent from the Commission and City Manager. Boat Launch Ramp Costs: G. Steadman distributed estimates for design and permitting of a future boat launch. G. Steadman to refine the estimate and forward to C. Jaskiewicz for discussion with Gail Adams. A meeting with the property owners needs to happen before anything else moves forward. A. Bergren to contact Mayor Nystrom to arrange this. T. Braddock asked if the RDA could be included in discussions. JP Mereen said they have been involved and are aware of the Commission. G. Steadman suggested that this would be a good project for the State to provide funding for under DECD. This could tie in with DOI funding. 10. Adjournment Motion to adjourn, G. Martin, 2nd C. Jaskiewicz, meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.