Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, August 22, 2023, 5:00 PM Norwich City Hall, Room 319, In Person/ Turbo Bridge MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, City Treasurer Michael Gualtieri, Michael Aliano, Sofia LeWitt, Mark Sicuso (via Turbo Bridge) OTHERS PRESENT: Coastal Area Planning Consultant Geoff Steadman (via Turbo Bridge), Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary MEMBERS ABSENT: John Salomone, Alderman Grant Neuendorf, David Bishop CITIZENS PRESENT: None 1.Call to Order: Chair Tucker Braddock called the meeting to order at 5:05 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Michael Gualtieri, seconded by Michael Aliano, the July 25, 2023, meeting minutes of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Harbor Master Report: On behalf of the Harbor Master Richard Thayer, Chair Tucker Braddock has nothing new to report. 5. Correspondence: Nothing to report. 6. Financial Report: Michael Gualtieri reviewed the revenue, expenses, and balances of the July 1st – 31st 2023 report. Mr. Gualtieri reports this is entering a new fiscal year. Mr. Gualtieri also reports $7,000.00 allocated to Harbor Management from the general fund. On a motion by Michael Aliano, seconded by Sofia LeWitt the July 2023 Financial Report was unanimously accepted by roll call vote. 7. New Business: a) NCDC – C.I.F. Grant: Chair Tucker Braddock states that it’s been left to believe that a decision will not be made until October. The Harbor Management Commission (HMC) submitted the revised waterfront presentation, and it has been viewed by the NCDC members. b) Mooring for Boats- Thames River: Chair Tucker Braddock expressed the ongoing concern of mooring of boats along the river. Geoff Steadman reiterates that the Harbor Management Plan highly discourages the mooring of boats. Chair Tucker Braddock states that the HMC very strongly discourages mooring and/or anchoring of boats along the Rivers and Coves. Chair Tucker Braddock will give a detailed description of the anchored and/or moored vessels, in which Geoff Steadman will reach out to Mr. Zawoy (DEEP contact) to further discuss actions and possibilities. c) Car – Shetucket River: Chair Tucker Braddock states the car that went into the Shetucket River, still sits in roughly 40’ of water. Chair Braddock also states that this is being handled by Kennedy Marine, in which Chair Braddock in conjunction with the City Purchasing Agent Mr. Robert Castronova is negotiating price and method of removal. It is stated that HMC or the City may be responsible for the cost of removal. Geoff Steadman suggests consulting DEEP to see if any funds may be available to cover this cost, HMC approves for that consult. 8. Old Business: a) Request For Proposal (RFP) – Heritage Trail: Chair Tucker Braddock reports the RFP- Heritage Trail has been confirmed. Chair Braddock also reports discussions with Mr. Castronova (City Purchasing Agent) in which the RFP is going out next week. d)Income Sources: Chair Tucker Braddock states that while previous ideas are being looked into, that HMC members will continue looking into other income sources and this is tabled until the next meeting. e) Consultant – Geoff Steadman: Geoff Steadman has updated the HMC Norwich Waterfront Revitalization Process presentation to include imaging and graphics in support of the Connecticut Community Investment Fund 2023 Grant application and this will be sent out to HMC members via email. Mr. Steadman reiterates that Mr. Salvatore, which was HMC contact for DEEP relations, is now back in a position at the Department of Transportation and does not know the new contact at this time. Mr. Steadman shares that there was a news article written in Greenwich, CT paper regarding the Court Case of Susan Cohen vs DEEP. He states that anyone is allowed to respond to that article and the topic it covers. Mr. Steadman states that HMC should make the proper amendments to the Harbor Management Plan (HMP) now that the Court Case of Susan Cohen vs DEEP has had a decision decided. The HMP will include the HMC credibility as it should be, and the draft can be completed and submitted, this draft will be presented at HMC next meeting. d) Approval of Consultation Fees- $2,737.50: Michael Gualtieri reports the invoice submitted for a sum of $2,737.50 is for Consultation Fees from Geoff Steadman Coastal Area Planning Consultant. On a motion by Michael Aliano, seconded by Michael Gualtieri, the invoice of $2,737.50 for Consultation Fees for Geoff Steadman were unanimously approved as presented. 9. Citizen Comment: None 10. Other: None 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Michael Aliano, seconded by Michael Gualtieri, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:26PM. Respectfully submitted, Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary