Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, July 23, 2019 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 Michael Lax, Harbor Management Consultant Geoff Steadman and Recording Secretary Melinda Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT: Alderwoman Joanne Philbrick and City Manager John Salomone CITIZENS PRESENT: Robert Groner, Kyle Heard and Joan Beguhl 1. Call to Order: Chair Tucker Braddock called the meeting to order at 5:04 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Jerry Martin, seconded by Peter Barber, the June 25, 2019 meeting minutes of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Community Policing Report: Officer Michael Lax of the Norwich Police Department reported that the department is attempting to keep the boat launch open during the farmers’ market on Wednesdays. 5. Correspondence: Mike Gualtieri reported on the June 2019 financial report. He relayed the HMC expenses and balances as of June 30, 2019. On a motion by Mark Sicuso, seconded by Peter Barber, the June 2019 financial report was unanimously accepted. Chair Braddock reported $10,757.50 in invoices from Docko. This is not a final invoicing for work done to support the SHIP grant proposal. Per Geoff Steadman, the amount paid by the HMC for work to support the grant proposal will be considered matching funds to the SHIP grant. The HMC members agreed that Mike will check with Controller Josh Pothier regarding the accounting to replace the funding of the HMC upon potential approval of the SHIP grant. On a motion by Peter Barber, seconded by Zechariah Stover, the HMC unanimously approved payment to Docko of $10,757.50 from the HMC funds. 6. Harbor Master Report: Harbor Master Rich Thayer was not present. 7. New Business: 1 a) 18 Falls Avenue: Chair Braddock and Jerry Martin recused themselves from the conversation and left the room. Mike Gualtieri and Alderman DeLucia gave summaries of the location of the property. The City Council referred this issue to the HMC to weigh in on the potential sale of the property. Alderman DeLucia noted that the sale would have to include language to maintain access to the ITC through this lot. The City Council has spoken to Corporate Counsel Attorney Driscoll regarding this matter. Geoff Steadman noted language to be included in the letter tying the sale to the HMP as a water dependent use. Alderman DeLucia said a resolution from the City Council would direct the City Manager to engage in negotiation for the sale. Peter Barber made a motion that the HMC give favorable recommendation to the City Council to sell the property with the understanding that the property be used to support the HMP’s water dependent use subject to a letter written by Geoff Steadman’ which will be issued to all HMC members prior to its issuance to the City Council. Mike Gualtieri seconded. The HMC approved the motion with two recusals, Jerry Martin and Tucker Braddock. Chair Braddock and Jerry Martin returned to the meeting. b) Fire & Water: Zechariah Stover updated the HMC on the Harbor Fire event with cauldrons in river. The event is planned to take place in conjunction with the Italian Festival. Zechariah introduced Robert Groner, who presented hand-drawn plans of the six cauldrons. Mr. Groner proposed six or seven cauldrons to be anchored to the cleats on the docks during the Italian Festival. He reported that the fire marshal wants the cauldrons off the water at the end of the festival. Plans are in place to tie them to the docks overnight. Geoff noted the event is consistent with the HMP as a special event. On a motion to approve the event by Peter Barber, seconded by Mike Gualtieri, the HMC unanimous gave approval. 8. Old business: a) Harbor Cam Repair Update: Tucker reported that this has been completed. b) Osprey Nest Update: Kyle Heard gave an update on his Eagle Scout project. He is working on getting approval from the district so that he can fundraise. DEEP said they do not need a permit. According to DEEP, Mr. Weise’s property is not an optimal location for a nest but it will suffice. Kyle reported that he needs an email from Mr. Weise with approval to place the nest on his property. In the mud flats he has concerns on how to support the pole. Joanne Beguhl introduced herself as a representative of the Boy Scouts. She noted the challenges with the marsh location. The troop has voted that if one location can be completed and a second platform built and donated to the city, Kyle will meet his Eagle Scout criteria. Mark Sicuso identified a second location at the end of Tyler Street. Kyle will follow-up with this location, as the HMC members agreed it is a more suitable site. c) Obstruction on east branch of the Yantic River Update: Tucker noted that the Harbor Master will 2  mark the obstruction. d) Harbor Management Plan Review Update: Geoff Steadman reported he has been concentrating on specific areas of the HMP. He has given the draft to City Planner Deanna Rhodes for her comments. He gave handouts of the draft to commission members. He will provide an electronic version to HMC members via the recording secretary. He has not added the sea plane landings. The last section will be drafted for the next meeting. He noted that he welcomes comments from the HMC membership. e) CT Port Authority (CPA) Grant Opportunity Update: Geoff noted that the CPA manages the SHIP grant. Mr. Salvatore of the CPA noted that the CPA plans to make decisions on the grant applications in August. Mr. Salvatore asked for confirmation that the Certificate of Permission application has been sent to DEEP. An email from Geoff will suffice as confirmation. This was confirmed. f) Police Station Nautical Flags Update: Mark Sicuso reported that the flags would cost approximately $510 for 2’x2’, or $470 for 1 ½’ x 2’. Tucker has approached the police department and Norwich Public Utilities about cleaning-up the area around the flagpoles. Summer help will be utilized for landscaping. Replacement lighting would cost approximately $6,000. Tucker reported that discussion is being held on the larger project. This topic will be discussed again next month. 9. Citizen Comment: None 10. Other: None 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Jerry Martin, seconded by Peter Barber, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 6:20 PM. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary 3