Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 22, 2022 5:00 PM Hybrid In-person/Zoom Virtual Meeting MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, Alderman Grant Neuendorf, Alderman Derell Wilson, Treasurer Michael Gualtieri and Mark Sicuso OTHERS PRESENT: Coastal Area Planning Consultant Geoff Steadman MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Aliano, John Salomone and Sofia LeWitt CITIZENS PRESENT: None Alderman Derell Wilson read the rules of a hybrid meeting. He clearly stated that the meeting would be recorded and would be posted on the city’s website. 1. Call to Order: Chair Tucker Braddock called the meeting to order at 5:17 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Alderman Derell Wilson, seconded by Mark Sicuso, the February 22, 2022 meeting minutes of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Community Policing Report: Norwich Police Department’s Community Policing was not represented at the meeting. 5. Harbor Master Report: Harbor Master Rich Thayer was not present. Chair Braddock reported that while the Harbor Master was not present, he had received a verbal report from the Harbor Master. Rich reported that Geoff Steadman found a source of funding from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to cover the costs associated with raising the sunken boat. It has been discovered that the owner of the boat is a person in Wallingford. Follow-up is being done by the Harbor Master. Mr. Thayer has two companies working on quotes on getting the boat out of the water. Mr. Steadman gave a description of the process of applying for the DEEP funding. 6. Correspondence: Financial Report: Michael Gualtieri reviewed the revenue, expenses and balances of the February 2022 report. On a motion by Alderman Derell Wilson, seconded by Mark Sicuso, the February 2022 Financial Report was unanimously accepted by roll call vote. 7. New Business: None presented. 8. Old Business: a) Race Coastal Engineering: Chair Braddock reported that he is working with Race Coastal Engineering on estimates for the piling replacement/repair. This is not a bid for the work. The City Manager’s office emailed the estimates to all HMC members. There is a range of costs into which the repairs will fall from low estimate of $586,000, a mid of $831,900 and a high of $1,013,800. Chair Braddock spoke to City Manager John Salomone who agreed to aim for the mid-range of costs. Mr. Steadman reminded the HMC that the original SHIPP grant request, as approved by the CT Port Authority (CPA), was $680,000. It is now known that this amount will not cover the entire project. CPA has instructed the HMC to apply for additional grant funding in a new SHIPP grant proposal. Joe Salvatore at the CPA has indicated that the CPA does not have a date for the issuance a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for SHIPP grants. He suggested to the HMC to begin the grant proposal work now, in preparation for the NOFO. Discussion ensued on the City’s potential matching funds amount. It was agreed that Chair Braddock present the figures to Mr. Salomone soon so the funds can be included in his budget presentation to the City Council on April 4, 2022. b) CT Port Authority: Discussion ensued on inviting Mr. Salvatore to visit Norwich Harbor. Mr. Steadman will issue the invitation, and accompany Mr. Salvatore on a tour. c) Rowing Shells: Chair Braddock reported he has a meeting scheduled with the Board of Education Friday, March 25, 2022 at 8:30 AM. d) Sunken Boat: Discussed earlier in the meeting. Mr. Steadman reiterated that State Statures must be followed. e) Harbor Management Plan (HMP): Geoff Steadman reported that progress is being made. Chapter 6 images have been upgraded. The Greenwich court case is still outstanding. This effects the approval of the HMP through DEEP. The approval of HMPs may be held off until the Appellate Court makes a decision. 9. Citizen Comment: None presented. 10. Other: Mr. Steadman reported that the letter requesting reappointment of Rich Thayer as Harbor Master. The letter has been routed to the appropriate persons within the Governor’s office. Only one name was submitted due to the lack of other qualified candidates. 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Alderman Derell Wilson, seconded by Michael Gualtieri, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:59 PM. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary