Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Special Meeting Tuesday, December 28, 2021 5:00 PM Hybrid In‐person/Zoom Virtual Meeting MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, Michael Gualtieri, Alderman Derell Wilson, Grant Neuendorf, Mark Sicuso and Michael Aliano. OTHERS PRESENT: Consultant Geoff Steadman and Recording Secretary Ivery Stakley. MEMBERS ABSENT: City Manager John Salomone, Mayor Peter Nystrom, Sofia LeWitt. CITIZENS PRESENT: None 1. Call to Order: Chair Tucker Braddock called the meeting to order at 5:03 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Grant Neuendorf, seconded by Michael Gualtieri, the November 23, 2021, meeting minutes of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Community Policing Report: N/A. 5. Correspondence: a) Financial Report: Michael Gualtieri reviewed the revenue, expenses and balances of the October 2021 Report and the November 2021 report. On a motion by Alderman Derell Wilson, seconded by Michael Aliano, the Financial Reports were unanimously accepted by roll call vote. 6. Harbor Master Report: Harbor Master Rich Thayer was not present. 7. New Business: a) Introduction of new member: Tucker Braddock introduced Alderman Derell Wilson and Grant Neuendorf who are attending their first Harbor Management Commission Meeting as new members today. b) Diving on piling by Race Marine Engineering: Previously the Harbor Management applied to port authority for a grant received a $544,000 grant and the city of Norwich provided $120,000 to replace docks at the Howard Park. 4 years ago when the commission applied for the Port Authority Grant, they were going to use the current pilling’s. Unfortunately Race Marine Engineering dived at the Howard Brown Park Marina and found out the piles holding the docks are deteriorating. The commission plans to go to the port authority to request more money to cover these costs. They currently don’t know the cost of replacing the docks including the new costs applied from the pilling. There was supposed to be a report ready that gave the estimate of the cost for this but unfortunately the reports from Race Marine Engineering were not ready. Commissioners discussed other costs and steps that will need to be taken related to the piling before they can replace  the docks. There was also a discussion of who approved Race Marine Engineering to dive and review the piling at the Mariana which cost about $15,000. All commissioners agree that future procedures for this project must be reviewed and approved by them before projects are completed and charged to the Commission. They want to meet with the purchasing agent and get a clearer idea of the costs before the next commission meeting. The discussion on Diving on piling by Race Marine Engineering was tabled until the next Harbor Management Commission. On a motion by Alderman Derell Wilson, seconded by Michael Aliano, the motion was unanimously accepted by roll call vote. 8. Old Business: a) Mural by David Bishop: Tucker Braddock contacted David Bishop today but Bishop was unable to meet. So Tucker will attempt to meet with him again next month to give Bishop his appreciation gift: the (3) $100 gift certificates to Norwich eateries paid with HMC funds. b) Rowing Shells: Chair Braddock noted this is an ongoing process. Norwich Public Schools are working on setting up a program from the K‐8 grade level. c) CT Port Authority: There is 9 million available from the Ship grant small harbor improvement grant. d) Harbor Management Plan Update: Consultant Geoff Steadman reported that he will meet with Platt from DEEP tomorrow to discuss the harbor management plan. 9. Vote for Commission Leadership Positions: Tucker Braddorick was nominated and chosen as Chair of the Harbor Management Commission. On a motion by Michael Gualtieri, seconded by Alderman Derell Wilson, he was unanimously elected by roll call vote. Michael Aliano was nominated as Vice‐Chair of the Harbor Management Commission by Tucker Braddock. On a motion by Michael Gualtieri, seconded by Alderman Derell Wilson, he was unanimously elected by roll call vote. 10. Other: On a motion by Mark Sicuso, seconded by Michael Aliano, the HMC unanimously authorized Mike Gualtieri to purchase $100 gift certificates at Prime 82, Harp & Dragon, and La Stella for David Bishop with HMC funds. 11. Citizen Comment: None 12. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Mark Sicuso, seconded by Michael Aliano, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 6:06 PM. Respectfully submitted, Ivery Stakley Recording Secretary