Salem Harbor Port Authority

CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS SALEM HARBOR PORT AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES: September 5, 2019 A public meeting of the Salem Harbor Port Authority was convened at 5:00 pm in the large conference room located on the ground floor of Salem City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street. Members present: Michael Rutstein, Mayor Kim Driscoll, Bob McCarthy- Ward 1 Councilor, Fred Atkins and Meaghan LeClerc. Others Present: Kathy Winn – Deputy Planner, Seth Lattrell – Planner/Port Authority Deputy, Rinus Oosthoek – Executive Director, Salem Chamber of Commerce Meeting called to order at 5:07pm. Minutes from the meeting convened on August 1, 2019 were reviewed. Motion by Mr. Rutstein and second by Ms. LeClerc to accept as recorded. Unanimous approval. Mr. Lattrell provided a general overview of the Harbor Planning and DPA Master Planning process as it relates to the future development of the land surrounding the Footprint power plant. Mr. Lattrell indicated that the City is currently developing a request for proposal for a consultant to lead the Harbor Planning process. This led to a discussion of the roles of the potential future consultant and the need for the Port Authority to remain involved through that process. Also discussed was the connection between the Harbor Plan and community visioning process, the desire to better understand the future needs of the South Essex Sewer District, the need to accommodate the demands of foreign vs. domestic cruise vessels within the Footprint site, and the general timing/order of next steps. Mr. Lattrell will prepare a generic schedule for municipal harbor planning for the next Port Authority meeting, noting that it’s unlikely that we’ll have a consultant onboard by then. Salem City Hall – 93 Washington Street – Salem, MA 01970-3592 Ph. 978-745-9595 Fax 978-744-9327 Mr. Rutstein inquired as to the progress of the conveyance of the land surrounding the Pier to the from Footprint to the Port Authority. Mr. Lattrell indicated that Harbormaster McHugh has been in discussions with an attorney but had not received an update on recent progress. Mayor Driscoll suggested that it would benefit the Port Authority to visit another deep- water port in Massachusetts where similar challenges are being faced. It was suggested that Mr. Lattrell establish a list of potential locations with a target of doing a site visit this fall. Mr. McCarthy suggested that it would also be beneficial to do a hard hat tour of the Footprint property. Mr. Rutstein entertains comments from the public. None offered. The progress of the structural assessment of the deep-water pier was discussed. Mr. Lattrell advised that the contract was executed, and Collins Engineering was anticipated to be conducting the inspection by the second week of September, weather permitting. The report would be anticipated by mid-October. Mr. Lattrell provided an update on behalf of the Harbormaster including the arrival of the cruise ship Silver Wind later this month. Salem Harbor Port Authority adjourned @ 5:50 pm. ⚫ Page 2