Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, June 27, 2017 City Hall, Room 319, 5:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT Alderman Gerald Martin Alderman H. Tucker Braddock, Jr. Richard Benoit Michael Gualtieri Mark Sicuso Zechariah Stover OTHERS PRESENT Geoff Steadman Officer Matt Seidel Recording Secretary Melinda Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT Josh Bakoulis CITIZENS PRESENT Jim Quarto Jake Mahkane 1. Call to Order: Alderman Martin called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes May 23, 2017: On a motion to accept by Dick Benoit, seconded by Mike Gualtieri, the Commission unanimously voted to accept the minutes of the May 23, 2017 meeting of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) as presented. 4. Community Policing: Officer Seidel of the Norwich Police Department (NPD) reported that the department has been doing a lot of fishing enforcement. He spoke with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Officer who welcomed the enforcement help. He noted that many people don’t realize they have to show their license to a Norwich police officer. Alderman Martin confirmed that each licensed fisherman must carry their fishing license on their person and present it to any law enforcement officer. Officer Seidel reported the police boat is in the harbor. The police will be at all Rock the Docks events. 5. Correspondence: a. The May HMC Financial Report was reviewed. Mike commented that he spoke with Sandy Kutcha in the City’s Finance Office. In order to accurately reflect the state Port Authority grant she will add a line item on the upper portion of the report entitled “state grant revenue.” She Harbor Management Commission, June 27, 2017  will provide more detail on the grant as time goes on. On a motion by Mike Gualtieri, seconded by Dick Benoit, the May Financial Report was unanimously accepted. b. Mike shared a recent letter to the editor from the New London Day newspaper from the chairman of the Port Authority supporting Norwich’s efforts to improve the harbor. Alderman Martin duly noted that in order to get funding from the Port Authority for harbor projects, the city must own the land. 6. Harbor Master Report: Michael Valentine, Harbor Master, was not present. 7. New Business: Shetucket Iron Works Alderman Martin opened discussion on the pending auction of the Shetucket Iron Works property on New Wharf Road. Alderman Braddock spoke in favor of the City bidding on the property, saying it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the city. He noted that the Norwich Redevelopment Agency (commonly called the RDA) has available funding for brownfields testing and cleanup which would apply to the site. He suggested the possibility of bond funding for purchasing the New Wharf and Shipping Street properties together. Discussion continued between Commission members. Alderman Martin also spoke in favor of the city’s attempted purchase of the two properties, noting that the harbor is the city’s greatest asset. He offered East Hartford as an example of successful multi-use development and the East Lyme boardwalk as an example of successful recreational development near railroad tracks. Mike Gualtieri spoke in favor having an open mind about the purchase. The improvement of both properties would raise property values and increase the city’s grand list. Alderman Braddock noted the auction for Shetucket Iron Works will take place on July 29, 2017. Geoff Steadman spoke in support of investigating the feasibility of the purchase. He noted the Waterfront Vision includes this entire area redeveloped for public multiuse, including outdoor recreation linked to Brown Park and downtown. During discussion, it was decided that Mike Gualtieri would contact Attorney Mark Block, who is acting as the Committee of Sale for the New Wharf property, to get details of the auction. Alderman Braddock suggested the HMC make a presentation to the City Council at their second meeting in July. The HMC decided to hold a special meeting at a time to be determined, prior to the second City Council meeting in July. On a motion by Dick Benoit, seconded by Mike Gualtieri, the meeting agenda was unanimously suspended for a request from the Fireworks Commission. Jake Mahkane asked the HMC for permission to carry on with plans for fireworks on Friday night before the Fourth of July at the Harbor Management Commission, June 27, 2017  harbor. He detailed the plans. Dick suggested the group rent a dumpster and Jake agreed. On a motion by Mike Gualtieri, seconded by Alderman Braddock, the HMC unanimously approved the Fireworks Commission’s plan. On a motion by Dick Benoit, seconded by Mike Gualtieri, the HMC unanimously returned to the agenda. Jake Mahkane left the meeting. 8. Old Business: a. Harbor Cam: Alderman Martin reported on the status of the harbor cam installation. He met with Scott Barbarossa who will talk to his partner and install the harbor cam on the police station. b. Harbor Management Plan Review - Grant Status: Alderman Martin reported on the SHIPP grant application to the Port Authority. The Port Authority approved $7,500 towards updating the Harbor Management Plan with the request that the City also contribute $7,500. Alderman Martin reported the City Council agreed to budget $7,500 for the project. Geoff reported that the grant application detailed the New Wharf Road and Shipping Street properties as points of interest in updating the City’s harbor plan. Mike expressed gratitude on behalf of the City to Geoff, Alderman Martin and Alderman Braddock for their work on the grant. c. Hosting Port Authority Meeting Review: Alderman Martin reported on the City hosting the June meeting of the Port Authority. Geoff gave a PowerPoint presentation to the group. He handed out printed copies to the HMC. d. Harbormaster Position: Dick Benoit reported he has a potential candidate. The HMC agreed to take this up at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Alderman Martin noted Rich Thayer is the preferred candidate, as one must be indicated. Alderman Braddock has spoken to Michael Valentine so he is aware he will be replaced. His commission has expired and he serves until replaced. 9. Citizen Comment: Jim Quarto spoke as Chair of the RDA. On behalf of the nine members of the RDA, they are in favor of the City’s attempts to purchase the properties. The RDA has $385,000 in brownfields grant funding available. He said the purchase of the New Wharf Road property is a natural for the City of Norwich and the RDA stands ready to help. 10. Other: None 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Alderman Braddock, seconded by Mike Gualtieri, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 6:08 PM. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary Harbor Management Commission, June 27, 2017