Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION July 23, 2013 MEMBERS PRESENT Alderman Tucker Braddock Alderman Charlie Jaskiewicz Chairman John Paul Mereen Gerald Martin Lauren Miner City Manager Alan H. Bergren MEMBERS ABSENT Vice-Chair Richard Benoit OTHERS PRESENT Mayor Peter A. Nystrom Michael Valentine-Harbormaster Jason Vincent-NCDC 1. Call to order – Chairman J.P. Mereen called the July 23, 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 May 28, 2012 meeting, motion to accept, C. Jaskiewicz, 2nd T. Braddock, motion carried. 4. Citizen Comment Jason Vincent-NCDC-Kayak survey was distributed. Survey uses GOOGLE tool for compilation and can be put up as a web-link anywhere. J. Vincent asked for input from the members. He suggested driving people to the web to take the survey so that no data input is needed. L. Martin suggested adding the web code to existing signs at the marina. 5. Correspondence a. May-June Budget Report- Motion to approve, T. Braddock,2nd C. Jaskiewicz, motion carried unanimously. Harbor Management Commission July 23, 2013 Page -2- 6. Harbor Master Report M. Valentine reported that the work boat is in the water and the no-wake buoy has been moved. There are no major issues to report at this time. T. Braddock asked about getting an underwater diver to go down and cut off the pole instead of marking it. M. Valentine will get prices. G. Martin asked who does enforcement in the harbor. He complained about jet skis and no wake zones not being observed. DEEP and Police enforce. M. Valentine has access to DEEP complaint line. G. Martin asked that M. Valentine stay on top of communicating with the DEEP. They are dispatched out of Old Lyme. 7. Old Business a. River Trails map grant: G. Steadman reported that he has two employees that are kayakers and he asked them to kayak in this area and give their impression. They were able to cover the entire area that the Commission has been discussing. He presented an aerial photo of the area. Discussion followed. With the Commission’s permission, G. Steadman and J. Vincent are going to communicate with the tribe to see if they would provide a public access by Trading Cove. L. Martin asked if there would be any benefit on a tourism level to incorporate a small code on signs for kayakers to get more historic information. J. Vincent said that this is being incorporated into the on-line information. The three options that people will have: Base map (physical) Print version (accessed on web) Interactive option with all other info (can be accessed from a smart phone). J. Vincent is on the Norwich Historical Society and is consulting with Dale Plummer and others on additional information that can be used. b. Installation of a “harbor cam”-JP Mereen presented new information. G. Evans reported that there are funds that are going to be used for Police cameras that will be downtown and one will be directly across from the garage with fiber optics which can be accessed by HMC on a camera for the harbor. This will save the HMC approximately $4000. He has also been in touch with John Bilda and HMC efforts will be collaborated with efforts underway to make sure all equipment is compatible. J. Bilda agrees that the fish ladder camera can be tapped into the City’s web-site. JP Mereen will be meeting with Police and NPU to keep updated. c. Future Fundraising Planning- C. Jaskiewicz reported that the date of the next gala will be April 25th, 2014 at the same venue unless another location can be found with adequate facilities and capacity. JP Mereen will contact Meleana to reserve the date. d. Rock the Docks-the first night had a good crowd. Estimates are 300-400 people. Planning for next year: JP asked that someone consider being the Rock the Docks liaison. Harbor Management Commission  July 23, 2013 Page -3- from the Commission. G. Martin suggested JP mentor someone so they know what they are doing next year. e. CTHMA annual meeting- G. Steadman reported that the banquet was successful and a good tribute to the late Senator Doc Gunther. JP Mereen talked to reps from the DEEP regarding Shipping Street and he will follow up on this. f. Norwich Rocks t-shirts- G. Martin will get in touch with Richard to arrange for sale of these at the concerts. g. Petition to State re: demarcation line: C. Jaskiewicz reported on a discussion that he had with Commissioner Estes last week regarding this. The Commissioner asked for a letter from the City. A resolution will also be brought before the Council at the next meeting supporting this. The Commissioner also brought up the earlier opening of the fishing season which should be on the schedule of a legislative session in the future. C. Jaskiewicz re-sent this request from the City to those concerned in Hartford in the hopes that one of these issues will be resolved for the 2014 season. He will follow up on this. h. CT Maritime Association letter of support for boat launch: On hold until things are discussed with property owners. 8. New Business September Fishing Derby: September 14th 4:30AM until 12PM. G. Martin is running two divisions. Tow trophies-one for boaters and one for non-boaters. No entry fee; if HMC members can solicit other prizes and donations it would be great. He will design a flyer and he is the point of contact. He will keep in touch with the members via email. HMC funds will be used for trophies. G. Martin will price them this week. 9. Other None 10. Adjournment Motion to adjourn, T. Braddock, 2nd G. Martin, meeting adjourned at 5:40 PM.