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BHMA Minutes June 16, 2021 Harbor Management Authority Minutes of June 16, 2021 Meeting CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Harbor Management Authority Date: June 16, 2021 Location: Virtual via Google Meet Members Present: Chair Paul Earl, Vice Chair Emily Flaherty, Todd Callaghan, Larry Herman, George Simon, David Suminsby, Estelle Rand, Todd Rotondo Members Absent: Don Neuman Others Present: Sean Ciancarelli (Marina Manager), Denise Deschamps Recorder: Brett Bauer Earl calls the meeting to order at 7:00 pm and roll call is taken. Approval of Minutes Callaghan motions to approve the May 19, 2021 minutes. Seconded by Rotondo. The motion is approved by roll call, 7-0. Financials Report and Review/Approval of FY22 budget Earl reports that the capital fund is up by $24k to about$484k from recreational and some commercial marina revenues received. The fund is still $40k less than it should be because they covered some CAD cell engineering costs, but grant money is expected to come in. Two commercial customers are behind. And Earl is still waiting for Bryant Ayles to look into the utility expenses. Customer Parkin Earl reports that a meeting was held with marina customers and the parking alternatives were presented. The recreational customers requested a meeting with the Mayor and the takeaway was that the Mayor would check with all city departments involved to find a temporary solution. Ciancarelli notes that they have confirmed that the parking under the bridge does fall under the jurisdiction of the city. He adds that they were given authority to order the refrigeration trucks, the trailers, and other equipment to be removed from the parking area. Ciancarelli suggests considering the designation of parking spaces for recreational customers and installing a parking kiosk to charge fifty cents per hour for public parking. It is also suggested that they could roll both recreational and commercial customers into the existing parking permitting system with the vehicle plate numbers of customers but this would need to be discussed with parking enforcement. Rotondo notes that they would need to ensure the permitting system would not limit customers to a single plate number for parking. Rotondo is also checking with other municipal marinas on parking solutions. A new parking study is also suggested. Earl notes that he heard some complaints that Glover Wharf Marina has high rates and should include parking. Page Harbor Management Authority Minutes of June 16, 2021 Meeting Earl has gathered a list of current rates so that decisions can be made based on accurate information. Marina Agreements Earl would like to start discussing potential changes to the parking clause in the marina contracts. Simon notes that in a perfect world, he would like to offer parking to all customers and feels that it is a nice amenity. He also feels that they cannot know the extent of the parking problem until the new restaurant is open but that they should have contingencies prepared. Herman agrees with Simon's thoughts. Suminsby notes that they cannot control how many people will try to park near the marina. He does see possible solutions in a parking kiosk and/or permitting system but believes they cannot guarantee parking to the marina customers. Rotondo believes the restaurant will be busy while it is still new (the first six months). He adds that it may create problems with the City's agreement with the restaurant if parking spaces are assigned to marina customers. He does think the marina customers will be upset if parking is eliminated from the contract. Flaherty asks if there are alternatives by utilizing the MBTA garage, and perhaps some type of bike share program. or some other creative solution. She feels that some parking spaces could be allotted to marina customers but maybe not all per the contracts as it is still a public area. She asks if they could consider lowering their rates. Earl and Herman respond that they do not want to lower rates. Rotondo notes that if every marina customer is guaranteed a parking spot, it would consume all of the parking at Glover Wharf. Rand states that she would be interested in eliminating the parking clause but still reserve space for loading and unloading. She feels that parking is a luxury, and also a common problem at many marinas that can often change over time with the changes in surrounding land uses. She believes that guaranteeing parking to the marina customers could be in conflict with the HMA's mission of promoting waterfront access. She feels there may be solutions with a shuttle service and would like to see the city operate a harbor shuttle. Callaghan acknowledges that many good points have been made, but feels it is unfair to not have parking available when it is in the contract. He recognizes the tricky situation and feels they may need to address the parking clause in the current contracts. Herman feels that the marina customers are paying a lot and will leave if parking is not available. Rotondo feels resident taxpayers also have equal rights to parking and waterfront access. Suminsby notes that Beverly Port Marina(BPM) is charging $191 per foot with parking guaranteed. He suggests that HMA should charge the same if we continue guaranteeing parking. He asks if there are any options to lease parking from BPM, but Earl responds that he has not heard back from BPM on this. Rotondo adds that the recreational customers were somewhat receptive to a valet service, and the MBTA could be utilized. Simon responds that the problems with a valet service is that multiple people are needed to operate it and liability concerns. Suminsby asks if the city could make a deal with BPM to find an alternate location for the derelict boats in exchange for parking on their property. Earl responds that they will need to check with the city to see if this is possible. Page Harbor Management Authority Minutes of June 16, 2021 Meeting Kayak Racks Suminsby reports that he reached out to the Purchasing Agent about the additional racks, but learned they are on back order and may arrive in August. Earl notes that the waiting list for kayak space is up to 45 people or 60 kayaks. Viewing Machines at Parks Herman reports he is working with Purchasing to order the equipment and the machines are available immediately. Suminsby reached out to the Conservation Commission and was told the viewing machine would only a require a minor project application which was submitted and approved. Harbor Fest—Sunday September 19 Earl is working with Bruce Doig and has found him very helpful and supportive. It may be difficult to have the Beer Garden at Lynch Park, and there is also concern about setting a precedent for a large event serving beer in the park. The only viable option is to restrict beer to the Carriage House and its fenced-in area. Rand feels that having the fenced-in beer area could be a good way to show off the carriage house and notes that it was done once for homecoming. Earl also feels that it is good to showcase local businesses. He will modify the application to include a beer garden at the carriage house. He notes that the logistics will be different from Glover Wharf and the application process is more formal. Callaghan notes that the breweries will also promote the event if they are included. Public Pier Planks Replacement Ciancarelli has reached out to the supplier but delivery of the lumber is still delayed. He does not anticipate this creating any problems with the grant. Falco Proiect Earl reports that we are waiting for the dashboard antenna to be installed but the sensors have been collecting data since May 26th, and he has received the first download of data. This could provide interesting data to support a feasibility study of an expansion of the transient float. Earl adds that the signal is still weak at the ends of the marina so the pilot has not officially started yet. Callaghan asks for what do they think people are stopping at the transient float. Earl and Rand respond that boats are picking up and dropping off people, getting food from nearby restaurants, and getting bait from the bait shop. Callaghan notes that the data collected could be used to inform what business opportunities are possibly being missed at the waterfront. Commercial Hoist Construction Grant& Pier Appendage/Fishing Float EnOneerin2 Grant Earl reports that Barrett expects an answer about the rewarding of these grants by June 30. Obear Park Coastal Resiliency Study J Page Harbor Management Authority Minutes of June 16, 2021 Meeting Earl reports that Lisa did a very focused presentation on this study. And while there were only six people in attendance online, they were very engaged with lots of good questions. Bass River Clean Up Flaherty reports that the mooring guy is very busy, but she will continue to check-in once per week to see when this project can be scheduled. Bass River CAD cell Seaport Grant Earl reports that Foth is looking for historical data but that the study is still on and it is not tied to any grant related due dates. Si2nne -Phase 2 Callaghan had taken photos and catalogued all public access to the water, and the signs, and what is needed at each location. Earl reports that he added notes to some sites of particular concern. Earl suggests they can do a phase 2 and a phase 3 -reserving sites without parking or with low levels of activity or otherwise low priority for phase 3. Simon notes that they could note on the signage that public access is walk-in only where appropriate. Earl adds that they could also state the distance to the water access on these signs. Rotondo confirms that Foster's Point is public land. Callaghan asks if the boat ramp at this location is public. Rotondo will try to confirm. Simon notes they could also consider a kayak rack at this location. Callaghan notes that there is a small pier at the west end of the Bass River, possibly off of Cove Avenue, with a small parking area. Callaghan asks if the city owns this parking area. Hannah Replica Potential Opportunity Earl reports that he reached out to Jason Silva, the Town Manager of Marblehead, and he is very interested in partnering with Beverly on a replica of the Hannah. Adiournment There being no further business before the Harbor Management Authority this evening, Suminsby makes a motion to adjourn. Herman seconds. Motion to adjourn approved by roll call (8-0). The HMA Meeting is adjourned at 9:05 pm. Page