Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING February 25, 2014 MEMBERS PRESENT Alderman Pete Desaulniers Chairman John Paul Mereen Gerald Martin Vice-Chairman Richard Benoit Alderman Bill Eyberse City Manager Alan H. Bergren H. Tucker Braddock MEMBERS ABSENT None OTHERS PRESENT Randy Black-NPU Mayor Hinchey (arrived at 5:30PM) Jason Vincent-NCDC Jill Brennan-Recording Secretary Harbormaster Michael Valentine Adam Benson-Norwich Bulletin 1. Call to Order-Chair JP Mereen called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. 2. Determination of quorum: It was determined that a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes-Minutes of January 28, 2014 meeting Motion to approve minutes with corrections, add Tucker Braddock under "Others Present", R. Benoit, 2nd G. Martin, motion carried unanimously. 4. Citizen Comment The public access fishing issue at the marina was discussed. The final research was presented. It has been determined that the leaseholder that would require the leaseholder to allow fishing on the site. The leaseholder has the authority to do what they want with the property with no specific activity guaranteed, only that the public can come in and out. If the leaseholders control what public activities they consent to. Public access guarantee is only that the public can passively access the area. There is no designated public fishing area. DEEP may approach the leaseholders at their discretion. A copy of the email from City Manager Bergren outlining the decision will be sent to Mr. Richardson. 5. Correspondence a. January budget report-motion to approve A. Bergren, 2nd T. Braddock, motion carried. b. Invoice from G. Steadman for consulting services $8770.20, motion to pay this amount, R.Benoit, 2nd G. Martin, motion carried unanimously. HMC Minutes p -2- February 25, 2014 6. Old Business a. Installation of harbor cam-Randy Black of NPU distributed a presentation regarding installing a harbor camera review. G. Martin expressed concern with the proposed location of the camera as it will not show the boat ramp. J.P. Mereen suggested. The only time of year that you would need to be concerned with ice in the boat launch is winter/early spring. The rest of the year the ideal view would be straight down the river. J.P. Mereen suggested taking a walk down there and looking at other potential locations. R. Black will try to schedule a bucket truck so that you can see the view from where the camera would actually be located. Tucker asked what the time frame would be if everything were ready to go. L. Barnowski asked if the camera could be positioned on the Police Department and zoomed in on the boat ramp. The camera would be on Police fiber which would not be ideal. R. Black asked if they want a video streaming or a shot that will be refreshed. The cost would be considerably less if it is not a video. The Commission agreed that a refreshing photo would be fine. Discussion followed on potential cost projections. Tucker asked what the life expectancy of this type of camera is. It could last up to 25 years, but it is not exact. It depends on conditions, etc. The camera cost alone is approximately $1100. G. Martin mentioned that wireless was looked into at one point, but they are not reliable and have a short life. A time for G. Martin, JP Mereen and R. Black to meet and look at potential sites will be determined prior to the next meeting in March. b. River Trails map grant status-the extension to complete the work by the end of April was granted. G. Steadman would like to go over the artwork at the next meeting. c. Fundraiser planning-P. Desaulniers and T. Braddock will prepare an outline of an idea for the next meeting for planning for Fall. The Commission is going to have to continue to fundraise to meet expenses. In future years, G. Martin would like to see the fundraiser happen in April each year before the boating/fishing season begins. He feels it would be better attended. P. Desaulniers feels that anytime of year would be appropriate. d. Rock the Docks-Chelsea Groton Foundation Grant. JP Mereen feels that the HMC should look into this grant not only for Rock the Docks, but potential camera funding or other community projects. e. Petition to the State-G. Martin stated that it is sitting at O.P.M. and someone needs to follow up on it. J. Brennan to draft a letter to the legislative delegation for JP Mereen's review. HMC Minutes p -3- February 25, 2014 f. Boat launch relocation funding-Mayor Hinchey reported that she spoke to Kevin Sullivan of DECD. He seemed very favorable about the application and said that it is being reviewed. JP Mereen reports that things are looking favorable. T. Braddock feels that the location of the new launch should be closer to an area that we want to enhance growth in such as the downtown. JP Mereen stated that the Shipping Street area is the best place to be able to do this due to the railroads restricting access up and down each side of the river. He feels that pleasure boaters will eventually access downtown amenities. G. Martin pointed out that people with boaters that are fishing want to access a body of water and they want a place that their trailer and vehicle that they leave on the shore is safe when they return. He does not feel that the boat launch should be only a boat launch and does not need ancillary development. T. Braddock would like to do something in Norwich so that we stand out as a performing City and we are looked at as a model for other cities. We should not be comparing Norwich to other cities. If the State and City are going to be spending a fair amount of money on a boat launch it must be related to economic development. If companies that have already invested in the City may continue to do so if they can see that progress will continue on cleaning up Norwich's inner harbor. G. Steadman stated that the State will be establishing a Maritime Commission and debating a bill to establish a Port Authority and the Harbor Management Association would like to get across the point that they hope that the new entity will not just focus on the three main ports in CT but also focus on smaller ports and harbors. A request to the DEEP environmental group to research any endangered species has been sent. g. Downtown policing-JP Mereen will call Sgt. Camp about any suggestions that they were going to bring to the Council. 7. Harbor Master Report-M Valentine reported that nothing has changed since his last report. T. Braddock asked if the Commission could sell fiberglass harbor seals to sell as a fundraiser. 8. New Business G. Martin reported that March 22 or 29th he will be organizing a clean up along one of the rivers, possibly the Yantic. G. Martin reported that they are exploring bringing acoustic music to the harbor on Friday nights. He has identified a two person act that charges $200. R. Benoit recommended booking them for two nights and the Harbor Management Commission would pay the cost. 9. Other-The illegal camping issue was brought to the Police Chief's notice. Any other information should be forwarded to the City Manager. HMC Minutes p -4- February 25, 2014 10. Adjournment-Motion to adjourn, G. Martin, 2nd R. Benoit , meeting adjourned at 6:10PM.