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2011-07-14CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Harbor Management Authority Date: July 14, 2011 Location: Beverly Public Library Members Present Chair Paul Earl, Charles Raymond, Sylvan Menezes, George Simon, Chris D'Alfonso, David Suminsby, Maureen Troubetaris, Don Neuman, Rinus Oosthoek and Paul Miedzionowski, Members Absent: Wes Slate, Others Present: Rob Dever Recorder: This meeting was recorded and transcribed by Eileen Sacco Earl called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Public Input Bob Almino addressed the HMA and expressed his concerns about security at the Recreational Marina. He reported that the gate is left open and people are getting in there at night. He also noted that there have been reports of people fishing on members boats, noting that members have found mud prints on their boats. He suggested that "no trespassing signs" should be posted at the marina. He also expressed concern as to who would be responsible for damages the city or the boat owners. Troubetaris noted that the marina is city owned property and the city would have limited liability. Earl read an email from Humberto Eramo regarding the gate entry system flaws and security issues at the marina. He noted that he is worried about potential damage to his property. Dever notes that security issues and the issues with the gate at the marina would be addressed during the facilities report. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Harbor Management Authority meeting held on June 15, 2011 were presented for approval. Troubetaris moved approval as amended. Neuman seconds the motion. The motion carries (10 -0). Harbor Management Authority July 14, 2011 Page 1 of 5 Report from Facilities Committee Dever and D'Alfonso reviewed the facilities report for July 2011. Dever explains that there are several items to be completed down at the marina and the public access at Ferry Way Landing. He noted that a lot of work has been done and there is more to do. Earl asks what has been done since the last meeting. Dever explains that the walkway has been marked, a contractor has been hired. He explained that they are going to use gravel that is currently on the site and they have talked to the recreation department about planters. D'Alfonso explains that there was a lot of activity on the site around the time that the Lt. Governor was going to visit and the Facilities Committee thought that if they plan a public celebration of the site that may get some more activity down there. Dever states that he talked to Mike Collins about this and he said it was a good idea. Dever notes that much of the work that remains is the responsibility of the city. Dever reviews the report for the Recreational Marina. He notes that the bollards have been installed and there are two for public water use. He notes that they will be visible and easily accessible to people. Dever reports that the gate is a real problem, explaining that it bends because of tidal movement. He notes that he has contacted Sea and Shore noting that it is too new for the city to be liable for it. He explains that the design of the gate was arrived at as the result of conversations on the site and he is not sure what the solution could be for it. He explains that the lock was removed noting that the gate worked fine without the lock and once it was locked the problems started. He states that Sea and Shore is going to take a look at it and it should be under warranty. Dever explains the WIFI on the site is not sufficient. He explains that the Jubilee Yacht Club has good service. Neuman reports that he talked with members at Jubilee and their system covers the whole harbor. He reports that they have a couple of antennas on the roof and the system was not that expensive. Earl suggests that the HMA look into that and get a quote on the cost. Dever reported that three boaters have signed up for Satellite TV and it will be installed. Dever explains that the dish is going to be mounted on the apron, noting that it can easily be removed. He notes that this setup is for a maximum of four boats. Earl states that it is enough to get through this season and maybe it could be upgraded in the future. D'Alfonso noted that the three boaters are paying for the installation of the service personally and they have a two year contract with six months of suspended service which provides service for four seasons. Dever reports that there are three slips left in the Recreational Marina. Discussion ensues regarding the filling of them and the fees that should be charged. Neuman notes that back in April and May when this was discussed the HMA was under the impression that there were no Harbor Management Authority July 14, 2011 Page 2 of 5 vacancies. Dever explains that one person put down a deposit and has never come back. He also notes that negotiations with Mr. Leone involve the use of some slips and Roy Gelineau suggested that should be considered. Earl states that negotiations should not hold up renting the slips this year, noting the uncertainty over the Black Cow. He also explains that the contract does not guarantee anyone anything for ever. He notes that we have a budget that is dependent on the revenue and we cannot stop revenue from coming in based on what might happen. Dever reports that the July 1 invoices on the Commercial Marina are coming in. He reports that slip fee collections are going well. Neuman commended Dever on the report provided to the HMA. Dever reported that the Summer Maintenance position has still not been filled and the person who was interested is still available. He states that he could still use the help and even into the fall when there is still a lot to do. Earl agrees and suggests that Dever have the flexibility to use the summer maintenance help as he sees fit. Earl states that he would like to see a line on the finance report for transient fees. Dever states that he would like boaters to notify him when they are going to be away from the marina any length of time so that they would know if there is space available for transients. Earl notes that the transient fee is $2.00 per foot per day and questions if that implies a one day minimum, or can boats tie up for four hours and if so what do we charge. Neuman states that a traditional public landing allows a 30 minutes tie up. Dever notes that an hourly operation would require a full time person just for that purpose noting that he does not have time to monitor short term tie ups. Troubetaris questions how other communities handle that. Neuman reports that when he visits Block Island in Rhode Island they collect a fee when you pull up to a mooring. D'Alfonso reports that the facilities committee discussed partial season rentals proposals for the rest of the season. He explains that they propose that the rest of the season should be prorated at a monthly rate of $50 per foot pro rata for the rest of the season. Neuman states that he could agree with that with the understanding that if someone is willing to rent for the rest of the season that they be given priority. Neuman states that the fee schedule needs to be put on the website. Dever and Neuman will work with the IT department to get this done. Finance Report Miedzionowski reviewed the finance report that he received from John Dunn for June 30, 2011. Earl explains that the HMA approved a budget at the June meeting that was subject to review by the Beverly City Council. He explains that the Council cannot approve but can reject a budget, and the HMA budget was submitted as is in the city budget. Discussion ensues regarding the balance in the HMA enterprise fund. Neuman notes that it appears that at the end of the budget year when the city takes the $40,000 the HMA runs a negative $25,000 which comes out of the enterprise fund to balance the budget. Harbor Management Authority July 14, 2011 Page 3 of 5 Neuman states that the HMA needs to be sure that nothing more is charged to the HMA budget than is anticipated. He also expresses concern as to whether funds owed to the HMA by Edelstein and Morneau have been properly credited to the HMA when they are received. Miedzionowski reported that the finance report indicates that there have been large deposits made in the last couple of months that could represent that money but he will check on it. Oosthoek suggests that the HMA invite various city officials to HMA meetings over the next few months to get a better idea on how things work in various departments. Earl agrees and notes that the harbormaster has been invited. Members suggest that the Mayor, Tina Cassidy, John Dunn, Roy Gelineau, and Dave Gelineau should be invited. Oosthoek suggests that perhaps someone from the Salem Planning Department could attend a meeting as well. Grants Simon states that there is nothing to report on grants this evening. He notes that he is still trying to contact Mike Driscoll. Bass Haven Dredging Project Suminsby reported that Bass Haven has met with Bourne and representatives of the city and they can justify dredging 9 feet. He reported that they are waiting on a stormwater management report and the draft Environmental Impact Report. He also noted that an additional letter from Desmond and Hill in support of the nine feet has been submitted. Neuman noted that even when the permitting is complete which Bass Haven is paying for there is no money for dredging. Earl states that he is hopeful that there will be some grant money available for shovel ready projects when the time comes. Signage Project Oosthoek reported that the list of signs around the city is nearly complete and asked that members forward any areas they know of to him. He suggests that they take a picture of the signs or areas where there are missing signs to add to the list. Oosthoek suggested that the signs be installed next spring noting that it would be more cost effective to have them all printed and installed at the same time. Oosthoek notes that there are 4 or 5 signs alone at Sandy Beach. Earl reports that the sign that was recently authorized by the HMA will be one sign that will replace all of the signs that exist there now. Mass Highway Easement Neuman reported that the Walkway Plans have been received at 75% design. He explains that he contacted Mass Highway and the person that he talked with was unaware of the easement that has been granted to the city and apparently it was issued without proper documentation. Harbor Management Authority July 14, 2011 Page 4 of 5 Neuman reported that he has a concern with the design in that as proposed the city loses a corner of the black top area. Oosthoek states that Salem received 75% design plans for the park near Stromberg's and he has a feeling that the state is doing them together. He states that he will follow the progress of that project as well. Old/New Business Earl states that there are concerns about the security at the Recreational Marina by the boat owners. He notes that there are issues with behavior taking place mostly by kids getting in there at night and people fishing on the pier. He notes that signs may help but if there is no presence down there it will continue. Neuman notes that fishing is allowed on the pier but casting is prohibited. Earl also notes that handicapped access is an issue as well. Oosthoek suggests that a sign be installed that says "Welcome, we invite you to enjoy this public way, respect the rights of others." Dever report that at times the harbormaster parks his boat at the end of the recreational side and that has helped. He explains that he has heard from boaters that when this happens the behavior on the site is different in a positive way. He also reported that they talked with Police Chief Ray and the police have started patrolling the area. D'Alfonso states that he has told boaters to call police if they feel threatened or unsafe. Dever states that he met with Mr. Leone and the plans are underway for the installation of the security camera that he offered last year. Mr. Leone who was present at the meeting stated that he has the equipment and that a cable needs to be run from the old McDonalds building. He explains that the camera will be used with the internet and those with a password for the server will be able to view the footage which will be helpful with investigating issues. Leone states that he intends to pay for the installation of the cable and the security system at the Recreational Marina. Dever notes that most public marinas do not have gates but they do have security. Next Meeting The next meeting of the Harbor Management Authority will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Harbor Management Authority this evening, D'Alfonso moved to adjourn the meeting. Raymond seconds the motion. The motion carries The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Harbor Management Authority July 14, 2011 Page 5 of 5