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2009-05-20 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Harbor Management Authority Date: May 20, 2009 Location: Beverly Public Library - Fogg Room Members Present Rinus Oosthoek, Charles Raymond, Greg Ward, Don Neuman, Maureen Troubetaris, Wes Slate, Sylvan Menezes, George Simon Members Absent: Miranda Gooding, Paul Miedzionowski Others Present: Lou Bochynski Recorder: Eileen Sacco Oosthoek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Harbor Management Authority meeting held on April 15, 2009 were presented for approval. Menezes moves to approve the minutes of the Harbor Management Authority meeting held on April 15, 2009 as amended. Neuman seconds the motion the motion carnes. Report from Facilities Committee Ward reports that the Facilities Committee met this evening. He stated that there are six (6) slips available at the marina. He also states that he is not sure if any advertising has been done regarding the availability of slips. Oosthoek will check with Gooding on the status of the advertising. Bochynski questions if the HMA wants to prorate the rent. Discussion ensues and Bochynski suggests that he will try to elicit a whole season for the slips, and if necessary he will prorate them not to exceed time that has gone by. Seaport Council Fundin2 Oosthoek states that there is no update at this time. Neuman suggests that the HMA approach Mayor Scanlon regarding using HMA budget to do work that is needed. Oosthoek notes that a discussion should be held with the Mayor regarding what the plans would be for the fiscal year if state funding does not come through. Harbor Management Authority May 20, 2009 Page 1 of3 Black Cow Neuman updates the HMA on the Planning Board meeting held last night regarding the Black Cow project. He notes that Slate made a nice speech and was well received by some. He also noted that there were about 40 people present at the meeting in opposition to the project going forward. Neuman reported that Councillor Burke has some concerns as to whether the RFP for the project was legal and called for it to be withdrawn. He explained that Councilor Burke feels that the ground rules were changed after the bidder was selected and feels that others would have bid if they had known that access through Ferry Way Landing was an option. He states that the City Solicitor has to do some research on that. Discussion ensues about the future of the project. Simon reports that he too attended the Planning Board meeting and the concerns seemed to be about parking and traffic circulation and he feels that they are legitimate concerns. Troubetaris questions if the size of the restaurant is diminished with less seating if the developer could come back in 2-3 years and ask for a renovation. Oosthoek states that it is a different Issue. Slate states that he was disappointed, though not surprised at the opposition to the project. He noted that he tries to encourage people to work towards a goal of improving the waterfront and is concerned that in the end it will be the Kinnzie's and Mr. Leone who will decide that. He also noted that Mr. Leone has tried to build restaurants in other communities and he has not been able to do so either because of the political pressure or neighborhood opposition. Oosthoek noted that the mission of the HMA is to bring the permitting along and to be in place so that the waterfront can be developed. Menezes reports that there was a discussion at the Facilities Committee meeting regarding this and it was suggested that if this fail, a new RFP should be issued for a restaurant on the other side, noting that it is an allowed use. Slate noted that the Planning Board continued the public hearing to June 16, 2009. Mass Hi2hwav Neuman reports that the easement has been granted by Mass Highway but we have not received official notice. Finance Report In the absence ofMiedzionowski, Oosthoek reviewed the proposed budget for the Harbor Management Authority. He explained that he tried to get a sense from City Finance Director, John Dunn if they liked or disliked the HMA proposal to include $6 million dollars for Harbor Management Authority May 20, 2009 Page 2 of3 waterfront improvements. He stated that he has not heard back from him. He suggests that the HMA approve the budget would out the $6 million dollars and wait and see what the city wants to do. Ward noted that the budget is based on all of the slips being filled. A discussion ensues regarding mooring fees. Neuman explained previous budget practices when the Harbormaster was in the HMA budget and when it was split up the mooring fees went to the city. Slate reports that Mayor Scanlon has informed the City Council that they will have the budget by June 1,2009, so any action on the HMA budget should be done soon. Oosthoek suggests that the HMA approve the suggested budget with the contingency that a discussion is held with John Dunn regarding the $6 million dollars and the mooring fees. Neumann moves to approve the recommended HMA budget in the amount of $404, 455. Slate seconds the motion. The motion carries (8-0). Next Meetin2 The next meeting of the Harbor Management Authority will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Harbor Management Authority this evening, Slate moved to adjourn the meeting. Ward seconds the motion. The motion carries (8-0). The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Harbor Management Authority May 20, 2009 Page 3 of3