BHMA Minutes February 21 2018Harbor Management Authority
Minutes of February 21, 2018 Meeting
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board:
Harbor Management Authority
Date:
February 21, 2018
Location:
Beverly Public Library -Fogg Room
Members Present:
Chair Paul Earl, Don Neuman, Rinus Oosthoek, Chris
D'Alfonso, David Suminsby, George Simon, Larry
Herman, Rob Dever (Marina Manager)
Members Absent:
Emily Flaherty, Pat McAleer, David Lang, Estelle Rand
Others Present:
Scott Houseman
Recorder:
Brett Bauer
Earl calls the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Approval of Minutes
Neuman provides some corrections. Neuman motions to approve the January 17, 2018 meeting
minutes as amended. Seconded by Suminsby. The motion is approved, 7 -0.
Project Updates
Kayak/SUP Rack Expansion
Suminsby met with Bruce Doig from the Parks & Recreation Department about the Dane Street
Beach location. Bruce stated that there have been concerns in the past about blocking the view of
neighbors on either end of the park. An area of rock outcrop near the sand, just to the left of the
bathhouse as viewed from the street, is an area that appears to be out of view. Houseman notes
that this area is often used by picnicers. Suminsby states that Bruce suggested adding another
rack at Lynch Park. Houseman responds that residents on Ober Street have expressed interest in a
rack located on Dane Street Beach. Oosthoek asks who will manage the racks. Earl responds that
it would be the Harbormaster. Suminsby adds that Gillis Park was also considered. He was told
by Doig that any rack proposal would need to be reviewed by the Conservation Commission.
Suminsby says he learned of racks available that can hold twice as many boats /boards within the
same footprint, but these racks cost twice as much. Oosthoek feels that if they are given approval
for additional racks that the HMA should move forward with this project. Simon notes that Dane
Street Beach and Lynch Park have the most capacity for parking. Earl will reach out to Amy
Maxner about any Conservation Committee approval that may be needed.
Commercial Marina Contract Review
Oosthoek and Herman will have recommended changes for the April meeting.
Main Street 2030
Oosthoek reports that discussions have begun and there is interest in improving connections
between downtown and the waterfront. Neuman asks if anyone connected with the Main Streets
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Minutes of February 21, 2018 Meeting
is on the Harbor Master Plan Advisory Committee. Earl responds that there is not. Dever adds
that on a walking tour with a Harbor Master Plan working group (consisting of mostly city staff
and consultants) an economic development consultant claimed that a tour boat cruise, such as the
Hannah Glover, can bring more money into a downtown than a 100 -room hotel.
Harbor Master Plan
Neuman reports that the planning process was laid out at the first meeting. The biggest highlight
that he notes was support for a continuous path from Rowans to the Jubilee Yacht Club. Neuman
also adds that Bob Cook expressed the economic benefits of dredging the Bass River and no
objections were declared.
Pilings Project
Dever reports that there have been some difficulties in drilling and setting the caissons. He
believes that having GZA on site will prove to be helpful and cost effective when these types of
problems and discrepancies come up. Dever still hopes the project will be done by April.
Bass River
Neuman reminds the group that the agreement with National Grid was that they would clean up
their portion of the river bank while the upper part of the river was being dredged. Ron Bourne
suggested a work around to the catch -22 created by a lack of political and financial support for
dredging the upper part of the river. Dredging on the lower part of the river, except for the area
around the National Grid site, could occur while National Grid cleans up their portion. The Corps
has denied requests from the National Marine Fisheries Service for additional mitigation. The
mitigation currently in place is for the upper part of the river. If only the lower part of the river is
dredged, the question arises whether mitigation is needed at all.
New Seaport Grant: Commercial Area & Public Pier
Earl reports that GZA has provided estimates that include $800k for the hoist, $210k for the
boardwalk, and $250k for the public pier. If an 80/20 grant is available for permitting, Earl
estimates the HMA's portion to be only $10k. The estimate for the hoist includes a steel and
concrete marina /foundation. Dever supports this option. Neuman feels that a cost /benefit analysis
is needed to determine if the increased lifespan with the concrete option for the hoist justifies the
larger cost than a wood option. Dever will ask GZA for a proposal that includes a wood option.
Public Access
Earl notes that the Beverly Port Marina has started construction of a gate adjacent to Glover
Wharf and is constructing a walkway along the waterfront.
Marina Facilities Report
D'Alfonso reports that recreational marina customers are still waiting to receive fully- executed
contracts back from the City. He also notes that the Wi -Fi needs to be improved. Dever responds
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Minutes of February 21, 2018 Meeting
that internet could be hardwired underneath the docks to Wi -Fi repeaters to extend the signal.
Earl asks Dever to obtain a proposal for this work.
Earl asks if there is any update on replacing the float for the dinghy rack. Dever will provide an
estimate for this at the next meeting.
Financials Report
Neuman questions the missing admin fee for Sargent and why 4 customers on the commercial
side are showing as not yet paid. Dever responds that he will try to clear up this and other
discrepancies. Herman asks why he has seen some boats in the commercial marina that are not
on this list. Dever responds that some are winter storage moved from the recreational side and
some are Middlesex boats.
D'Alfonso highlights the fact that 13 recreational boaters have paid on time.
Neuman asks if the boat, Bacchus, is still at the marina. Dever responds that it is gone and that
the slip is available. Oosthoek asks if there is a process to fill the vacant slip. Neuman adds that
perhaps a waiting list needs to be started.
Earl reports that he has been working with Bryant Ayles on the budget and they are in agreement
on the corrections to expenses for which the HMA should be responsible. A draft budget will be
available at the April meeting and will be approved in May.
Earl notes that the pilings project is currently $38k over budget but that the financials are still in
good shape and hopes to continue building the reserve fund.
Other Initiatives /Announcements
Green Hill
Simon asks if it was confirmed that the Green Hill project did not come from HMA funds. Earl
responds affirmatively.
McDonald's Building
Oosthoek asks if there is any RFP process in place for razing the former McDonald's building.
Earl responds that there is not any RFP process yet. He believes that someone expressed an
interest in using part of the existing building in a development plan. Oosthoek and Neuman state
that the HMA should be more involved in the RFP process. Earl will reach out to Clausen, the
City Planner, about any changes to the RFP and the HMA's level of involvement.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the Harbor Management Authority this evening,
Oosthoek makes a motion to adjourn. Suminsby seconds. Motion to adjourn approved
unanimously (7 -0).
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The HMA Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.
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