BHMA Minutes October 30 2018Harbor Management Authority
Minutes of October 30, 2018 Meeting
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board: Harbor Management Authority
Date: October 30, 2018
Location: Beverly Public Library -Fogg Room
Members Present: Chair Paul Earl, Don Neuman, George Simon, David
Suminsby, Rinus Oosthoek, Larry Herman, Emily Flaherty,
Estelle Rand
Members Absent: Pat McAleer, Chris D'Alfonso, David Lang, Rob Dever
(Marina Manager)
Others Present:
Recorder: Brett Bauer
Earl calls the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.
Project Updates
Bass River
Neuman reports that he has not heard any mention about dredging the Bass River but he still
thinks they should try for a meeting with the Mayor. Rand adds that she has heard concerns about
the City being able to find the money for the matching funds. Earl will try to get a meeting with
the Mayor. Flaherty reports that CZM had indicated to her that Beverly was well positioned for
the grant and they were surprised the City had not yet submitted for the grant. Neuman notes that
the permits are good for five years. Oosthoek comments that they need to rally support from
civic groups to move this forward.
GW Wi -Fi Project
Earl reports that the Wi -Fi should be installed by next season.
Harbor Fest
Earl reports that the event was well attended and that people stayed late. The vendors and
exhibitors indicated they would be willing to participate again next year.
Recreational Marina Pilings Project - cost overrun
Earl will try and schedule a meeting with Collins and Ayles about cost overruns on this project.
Neuman feels they should highlight that the HMA spent $219k over the expected cost of $100k
to the HMA.
Waterfront Master Plan
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Minutes of October 30, 2018 Meeting
Neuman reports that the latest update is the recognition that there is no need for a state - approved
waterfront plan. This simplifies the process by only needing city approval. Neuman notes that his
singular interest in the plan is to make the financial case for dredging the Bass River, but he has
seen no financial component included in the planning process or draft yet.
Transient Moorings
Earl reports that the Harbormaster has the mooring balls.
Kayak Racks
Suminsby reports that they are waiting for 4 sets of racks to be installed. He is not sure if the new
racks have been received by the City yet. The installation locations will be Obear Park, Dane
Street Beach, Lynch Park, and Pleasant View Beach (in the Goat Hill neighborhood).
Future Projects
Earl asks Flaherty to think of some ideas for an environmental project the HMA could take on in
the next year. Oosthoek suggests installing binoculars /view - finders along Lothrop Street that
could have sponsors like park benches often have. Oosthoek also suggests they could dig up the
priority list for project ideas.
Dinghy Float
Earl has received no updates from Dever. Neuman expresses concern that Dever's absence
represents a vital resource missing from the meetings. Rand asks if a written report from Dever
would help alleviate his absence. Earl will reach out to Dever.
McDonald's Building
Earl reports that the City expects to receive two bids in response to the RFP by November 21st.
Earl spoke with the Mayor at Harbor Fest and learned that the bidders have not been interested in
using the existing foundation and are interested in locating the building closer to the water. Once
a bid has been accepted, the McDonald's building will probably be razed.
Neuman notes that the RFP gives the leasee the right to rent up to 8 boat slips or a third of the
recreational marina. He feels the HMA should have more involvement in the RFP process
because of this. Simon asks how they would determine who gets kicked -out of the marina and
notes the potential need for someone to manage /direct the increase in boat traffic.
Facilities Committee
Suminsby reports that the facilities committee recommends no changes to the approved rates
from last year. This includes keeping the recreation marina rates at $150 per foot as previously
approved and not at the $140 per foot rate that went out on last year's letters. Rates for dinghy
and kayak storage will stay the same. Simon adds that after a commitment for developing a
restaurant on Glover's Wharf, the HMA can look at raising rates. Currently, the marina does not
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Minutes of October 30, 2018 Meeting
have the services that most marinas have to justify higher rates. Suminsby suggests setting the
rates for the new transient moorings at $20 per night.
Suminsby motions to keep the 2019 Summer Season Rates the same as last year with the
addition of a $20 per night fee for the transient moorings. Seconded by Oosthoek. The motion
passes 8 -0.
Oosthoek asks if marina customers could put their email addresses on their contract so that one
email list could be created to facilitate communication to all customers. Earl responds that this is
a good idea but also feels that these communications are the City's responsibility and does not
want to add to the workload of a volunteer committee.
Financials Report
Oosthoek asks about the line item for dock maintenance and if more details about what expenses
these funds have typically been used. He is concerned that this money is not being spent to
maintain their investments in the marina. Neuman also asks for more details about marina
operating costs.
Rand notes that the City has a new work order system that is being piloted for citizen groups and
committees outside of city staff. This could be used to track repairs and maintenance issues for
the marina. Earl will look into this.
Earl notes that he will also look into who should be responsible for maintenance costs of the
surveillance cameras on the new Harbormaster building. Storms from the past winter caused
damage to the cameras.
The idea of having a seasonal employee to help with maintenance issues and management of the
marina was also discussed. This idea will be further explored with other stakeholders and at
future meetings.
New Grant Opportunities
Flaherty asks if adding slips to the Ventron site was discussed in the Harborfront/Waterfront
Master Plan process. Neuman responds that the Harbormaster feels this area is too rocky and the
current is too strong to be suitable for boat slips. Rand adds that the Open Space Committee has
shown interest in the City purchasing this property, and that the Neighborhood Civic Association
also is interested and /or supportive of the City purchasing the property. Flaherty note that a parks
grant could be used for acquisition, but the property would have to be used for a park. Flaherty
also notes that there are erosion concerns at Obear Park that could be addressed by building a
false sand bar using money from a parks grant. The parks grant is a reimbursement grant for a
maximum of $400k. There is no matching funds requirement for the grant. Flaherty feels these
could be opportunities for the HMA to partner with the Open Space Committee. Earl suggested
that Flaherty look at WebPro via the City's website to find the assessed value of the Ventron site.
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Main Streets 2030 Project
Oosthoek reports that this project has hired the consultant (Kennedy) that did a similar project
for Main Streets about 10 years ago. He notes that the HMAs role is to make sure the harbor is
included in the plan.
Other Announcements
Oosthoek announces that he will resign from the HMA effective January 1st. He has enjoyed
serving the HMA but has other interests where he would like to lend his time. Earl reminds
everyone that Oosthoek has been the vice chair of the group. Earl clarifies that the Mayor
appoints the chair, but the HMA elects the vice chair and treasurer. Earl does feel that it is helpful
to have a vice chair and the group can look at how they want to select a new one.
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 (8 -0).
The HMA Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.
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