Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, July 24, 2018 City Hall, Room 319, 5:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, Alderman Joseph DeLucia, Peter Barber, Michael Gualtieri, Jerry Martin, Mark Sicuso & Zechariah Stover OTHERS PRESENT: Officer Krodel (Sergeant Lazzaro), City Manager John Salomone, Consultant Geoff Steadman, Harbor Master Richard Thayer & Recording Secretary Melinda Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT: Alderwoman Joanne Philbrick CITIZENS PRESENT: None 1. Call to Order: Chair Tucker Braddock called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of minutes of June 26, 2018: On a motion to accept by Jerry, seconded by Mike G, the Commission unanimously voted to accept the minutes of the June 26, 2018 meeting of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) as presented. 4. Community Policing: Norwich Police Department (NPD) was represented by Officer Krodel of Community Policing. He expressed appreciation of the approval of Night Out, will close launch, he will make sure Bialowas puts the sign up that boat launch will be closed until midnight, 8/7/18, the event is advertised on the radio and on social media, some items will be there overnight Jerry asked if they were doing any enforcement in the harbor, Krodel said yes, but are stretched thin, he did it when down there for Rock the Docks, checked licenses, he points out to folks not to feed the ducks 5. Correspondence: a) Mike Gualtieri presented the June HMC Financial Statement. The matching funds for the state grant have been put into the account from the city. The secretary fees and the harbor cam. On a motion by Jerry, seconded by Joe D, the HMC unanimously accepted the June 2018 Financial Statement. 6. Harbor Master Report: Harbor Master Rich Thayer said there were unregistered boats moored in the harbor. There is a sign that says 24 hours is permissible. There is no enforcement for staying over 24 hours. The police were unable to enforce the 24 hour period. DEEP was unable to help. Joe D wondered if 1  there is an ordinance behind the sign. Geoff said the Harbor Master has authority. He can determine if there is a risk to public safety. Then the police department can enforce that determination. Geoff will forward the statue to Tucker who will send it on to corporate counsel to disseminate throughout the city. The boats have since been moved out of the harbor. Rich also asked about the scheduling for the harbor. Jerry and Tucker clarified that public works keeps the schedule. 7. New Business: a) Survey Update: Geoff put the survey online. There were two questions that would not allow multiple answers. Geoff and Melinda will fix. 57 responses so far. Tucker has been distributing paper copies as well. Mike will have surveys at Taste of Italy. Jerry suggested the Friday Nights on the Norwichtown Greene. Tucker will get the paper surveys to Geoff to add to the Survey Monkey. b) Request for use of Howard T. Brown Park on 9/17/18: Tucker presented a request from Celebrate Cultural Diversity to use the park on 9/17/18. Zechariah, Peter, unan recommend the event Going forward DPW will be requested to send a schedule to Melinda who will add it to the meeting packages with the schedule for the harbor 8. Old Business: a) Osprey house or nest (nesting platform): Tucker has potential locations for the nesting platforms. Condos at Uncas Leap have geese using their location, he checked with DEEP and Osprey do not chase geese away. Mike scouts are interested, eastern CT leader will come next month b) Obstruction on east branch of the Yantic River: Peter handed out a copy of a report he complied on the status of removal of the obstruction. Chris Rose asked for an official city request of the tool to remove the object. A diver, tender and diving platform are also needed. He will dive but he needs a tender. He suggests marking the object with buoys. It may not be practical to remove it. The cost for materials would be almost $1,000. The object is a piling. It was suggested to add height to the piling to make it more visible. This item will stay on the agenda. c) Harbor Management Plan Review Update: Tucker reported data gathering has begun. Geoff noted that recommendations need to be determined for Shipping Street and the New Wharf Road property. The Waterfront Vision went before the council for endorsement. Jerry noted several studies have been completed which relate to the update of the Plan. Tucker noted that the survey results can inform the update. Joe D suggested putting together suggested next steps with the harbor. Tucker suggested a 2  cohesive movement behind a plan. Mike would create a financial proposal with questions for the council. Would let the HMC have an idea about the priorities of the council. Peter noted that the city is cutting budgets, and all of the discussion is a waste of time without money. We have to be creative to raise funds with an earmarked purpose, including public/private partnerships. Joe D PIPE, private investment in public entities, reiterated that HMC should come to city council with a plan, Tucker noted the point is to do the best for the city, Mike said it’s economic development 9. Citizen Comment: Russell asked two questions, asked for status of Shetucket ironworks, contamination he heard was only to three feet, tucker said there is not an up-to-date study, which requires funding to complete it. Other gentleman – Shetucket ironworks property should be the boat launch 10. Other: 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by mike g, seconded by joe d, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:xx PM. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary 3