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BHMA Minutes September 21, 2022 Harbor Management Authority Minutes of September 21, 2022 Meeting CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Harbor Management Authority Date: September 21, 2022 Location: Beverly Public Library - Barnet Gallery Members Present: Chair Paul Earl, Todd Callaghan, Larry Herman, George Simon, David Suminsby, Estelle Rand, Danielle Spang Members Absent: Vice Chair Emily Flaherty, David Lane, Todd Rotondo Others Present: Sean Ciancarelli (marina manager), Peter Dickman (Harbormaster) Recorder: Brett Bauer Earl calls the meeting to order at 6:50 pm. Approval of Minutes Rand motions to approve the August 17, 2022 minutes. Seconded by Callaghan. The motion is approved, 6-0. Financials Report Earl reports that the capital fund is up to $557k and about$74k is encumbered in the grants fund for the hoist pier. The WIF (waterfront improvement fund) has increased from $31k to $56k. The operating budget has been predictable for only being a few months into the year. Ciancarelli reports that he has emailed all customers on the recreational side and all but one has confirmed they are coming back next season. No one mentioned anything about parking to him. Simon notes that no part-time help was hired this year. Earl notes that they try to budget for this each year for when it is needed. Harbormaster Update Dickman reports that he has hired four new assistants, but he is also losing two long-time assistants to the fire department. He notes that the pay is low at $17/hour. His office will provide detail work for National Grid during the installation of the conduit under the bridge. They have also requested parking spaces under the bridge for staging. The Department of Marine and Fisheries has opened up blue mussel fishing. Dickman believes that regulation of this currently falls under the Health Department. His office has acquired some surplus radios from the fire department and were able to re-program them. They have finished maintenance on the lobster boat, but work is needed on their patrol boat. Callaghan asks about the registration fee for moorings and docks, as he believes Beverly's is low. He talked to other Harbormasters and the range is $7-$12/ft. Dickman replies that Beverly's fee is $5.50/ft. Callaghan notes that they could advocate for the Harbormaster's office to raise the pay rate for Assistant Harbormasters by highlighting the money their office brings in from permit and excise taxes for the city. I I Page Harbor Management Authority Minutes of September 21, 2022 Meeting Harbor Fest Earl reports that he had lots of help and participation from HMA members. He heard a few concerns that he is hoping to discuss in a debrief with the mayor, including the carry-in/carry-out trash policy. Otherwise, the event was a big success. Earl notes that it was the largest gathering at Lynch Park that he can remember, and that over-flow parking had to be utilized. He also notes that two of the door prizes went to residents of Salem and Peabody, who said they heard about the event through local news media. Float Expansion Feasibility Grant Earl reports that both projects are underway. Callaghan notes that the Rowands property was included in the report. Earl adds that if the acquisition does not go through, the area will simply be cut out of the report/study. Earl notes that this could add 20-30 slips. GZA will look at the mooring field and marina traffic concerns, including the best ratio of leased to transient moorings/slips. Earl reports that DockWa and Falco are in conversations about a collaboration. DockWa currently relies on human interaction to mark reservations as available. Falco's technology could automate the availability of slips. Human interaction would still be needed to communicate planned returns or extended leaves. Earl feels that there is lots of opportunity for expanded transient boat traffic. And, he adds, there are grant opportunities to fund much of this. He feels there is a lot of potential to position Beverly as an innovative municipal marina. Suminsby adds that they could consider contacting slip holders that are not using their slips and giving those slips to someone else, as he has noticed other marinas taking this approach. Pump Boat Earl sent out info to all HMA members about acquiring a pump boat that the Harbormaster has identified. Dickman adds that they have been approved for the grant of$56k towards the purchase, but the cost of the boat is now up to $85k. Earl motions that the HMA fund as much as $20k in matching funds with the Harbormaster's office if and as needed. Seconded by Herman. Discussion: Callaghan notes that it is important to have a working pump boat. Dickman comments that the $56k grant was based on a price of$70k for the boat. He is working with the procurement department on the purchase. The motion is approved, 7-0 Dickman notes that there may be an opportunity to install a pump out facility on Jubilee's dock. Callaghan adds that there may be grant opportunities if commercial boats will be using the pump out facility. Kayak Racks Earl reports that two new racks have been installed and the spaces are already filled, but the waiting list has still grown longer. They could consider four new racks at $4k each, $16k total. But Earl feels they should also consider raising the rates to $150/yr., or at least $125/yr. 2 1 Page Harbor Management Authority Minutes of September 21, 2022 Meeting Suminsby confirms that the cost of the racks has gone up by about$500 per rack. Earl asks Suminsby to come up with a proposal for new racks at the next meeting. CPC Grant Earl notes that with the improvements coming to Glover Wharf, he thought a kiosk at the pier with rotating maritime art might be nice. He wondered if CPC grants could cover such a project. Spang was unsure if the kiosk would fit into the CPC's criteria, but thought there may be grant opportunities under the Mass Cultural Council. Other ideas are discussed. Pier Planks Replacement Grant Ciancarelli notes that the due date for this grant is coming up. This year the amount available has been raised to $25k, and $5k in HMA funds have already been approved. Earl would also like to consider a sign with a QR code for info about environmental concerns and the type of fish that are usually caught at the pier, if there is money left over after replacing the pier planks. Commercial Float - fee restructuring Suminsby researched the feasibility of charging different rates for different uses at the marina. There are a few ways they could approach this. It could be based on the permit type for the fishing vessel or the fishing license type. Or they could provide a discount to commercial users that derive at least half of their income from fishing. If the recreational marina rates are raised to $170/ft. and they provide a 50% discount to full-time fisherman, that would make the discounted rate just slightly more than the current commercial rate of$82/ft. And they could also decide to offer part-time fisherman a 25% discount from the recreational rate. Earl asks Suminsby to put some of these suggestions in writing for the next meeting. They could also invite the commercial fisherman to attend to discuss the proposed discounts and changes. Simon asks if they are exposing themselves to claims of discrimination by offering different discounts to different users of the marina. Bass River - CAD Cell/CDF Grant/Feasibility Study Simon has not heard back from Foth. Earl will check with the mayor on any updates about conversations with Salem and Gloucester. Simon will still try to connect with Scott Skuncik. Callaghan and Spang discuss a rumor about other dredging activities by an off-shore wind company and wonder if this may present opportunities for a CAD cell collaboration. Birarelli Public Access Spang has contacted DEP directly, with Rotondo and Jessie Dole (City Solicitor's office) Bcc'd, for clarifications on the division of responsibilities between Beverly Port Marina and the Birarellis. Callaghan notes that conversations are still happening about public access behind Mike's Roast Beef on Elliott Street. 3 1 Page Harbor Management Authority Minutes of September 21, 2022 Meeting Facilities Update Ciancarelli reports that light bulbs have been ordered and seven piling caps have been replaced. Viewing Machines Earl and Herman discuss adding a viewing machine at Hospital Point. Other Announcements Rand would like to propose a City Council Resolution for Don Neuman and his service to the HMA. She asks everyone to think about where as statements and to send them to her. Suminsby suggests a webcam could be mounted to the top of the Mission Boat House to watch the wharf and marina traffic. Earl announces that the November meeting will be moved to 11/30. Adiournment There being no further business before the Harbor Management Authority this evening, Suminsby makes a motion to adjourn. Callaghan seconds. Motion to adjourn is approved (7-0). The HMA Meeting is adjourned at 8:50 pm. 4 1 Page