Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 26, 2022, 5:00 PM Norwich City Hall, Room 319 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, Treasurer Michael Gualtieri, Michael Aliano, Alderman Grant Neuendorf, Mark Sicuso, Sofia LeWitt, Alderman Derell Wilson OTHERS PRESENT: Coastal Area Planning Consultant Geoff Steadman, Recording Secretary Kaitlyn Griffiths MEMBERS ABSENT: John Salomone 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: On motion by Alderman Derell Wilson, seconded by Michael Gualtieri, the March 22, 2022, meeting minutes of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Harbor Master Report: Harbor Master Rich Thayer was not present. Set aside for later reviewed within the meeting if Harbor Master becomes present. 5. Correspondence: a) Financial Report: Michael Gualtieri reviewed the revenue, expenses and balances of the March 2022 report. On a motion by Alderman Derell Wilson, seconded by Mark Sicuso, the March 2022 Financial Report was unanimously accepted by roll call vote. Chair Braddock reviewed the bill submitted by consultant Geoff Steadman, as well as whether to pay every 6 months or monthly going forward. On motion by Michael Gualtieri, seconded by Mark Sicuso, Mr. Steadman would be paid the balance of the current bill; totaling $4,125.00 of which $2,475.00 is covered by the SHIPP grant and $1,650.00 is the responsibility of HMC, and to have Mr. Steadman bill every quarter moving forward was unanimously accepted by roll call vote. Chair Braddock reviewed the $60.00 bill for the land records that needs to be paid. On motion by Mark Sicuso, seconded by Michael Aliano, the bill of $60.00 for land records to be paid was unanimously accepted by roll call vote. 6. New Business: None presented. 7. Old Business: a) Race Coast Engineering: Chair Braddock alongside Mr. Steadman reported they had a meeting with Port Authority earlier today, April 26 2022, including discussion of Race Coast Engineering’s estimates on whole project cost for piling replacement. The costs remain with projected numbers of the higher estimate of approx. $1,013,812. Geoff restated the SHIPP grant to HMC original request, as approved by CT Port Authority (CPA), was $680,000. We now know this will not cover the entire project. CPA has instructed HMC to apply for additional grant funding in a new SHIPP grant proposal of approx. $349,792. On motion by Michael Aliano, seconded by Mark Sicuso, for Mr. Steadman to make the request application of SHIPP grant for additional funds of approx. $349,792 was unanimously accepted by roll call. On motion by Michael Aliano, seconded by Alderman Derell Wilson, for Chair Braddock to initiate a meeting with John Salomone to address and ask for city support for additional funds was unanimously accepted by roll call. Geoff Steadman supported by Chair Braddock started discussion of engineer approved feasibility study of rowing landing on municipal property and improvements to Heritage Trail Area. On motion by Alderman Derell, seconded by Michael Aliano, that Geoff Steadman to initiate conversation with John Salomone and finance for both projects, rowing landing and Heritage Way Walkway improvements, feasibility study possibility was unanimously accepted by roll call. b) CT Port Authority: Discussed in previous topic during the meeting. Reiterated the meeting that took place earlier today, April 26 2022, with Mr. Hammon and Mr. Salvatore in regards to Harbor Management Plan including priority areas of interest. c) Rowing Shells: Chair Braddock reported that Rowing Shells are in storage, safe and sound. HMC knows the location of both shells and kayaks. Further discussion will be done once more information is gathered. d) Sunken Boat: Chair Braddock presented the two current bids for the raise and demo of Sunken Boat, first approx. $29,000 and second approx. $75,000. Mr. Steadman reiterated the source of funding from DEEP to cover costs along with state statues to be followed before applying. Chair Braddock is to follow-up with Harbor Master Mr. Thayer on a timeline see if any help is needed from HMC. e) Harbor Management Plan (HMP): Geoff Steadman reported that progress is being made. He has spoken to state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) representative and will hopefully have a meeting scheduled, within the next two weeks, to be on site and discuss current updates to submit for approval. The Greenwich court case remains outstanding. This may continue to effect approval of the HMP through DEEP. Full approval may be held off until the Appellate Court makes a decision. 8. Citizen Comment: None Presented. 9. Other: Mr. Steadman restated from March Meeting, that the letter requesting Rich Thayer as Harbor Master and HMP was sent to the appropriate persons in the Governor’s office, in which no response has been received as of yet. 10. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Alderman Derell Wilson, seconded by Michael Aliano, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:52PM. Respectfully submitted, Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary