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2014-03-19Harbor Management Authority Minutes March 19, 2014 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Harbor Management Authority Date: March 19, 2014 Location: Beverly Public Library Members Present Chair Paul Earl, David Suminsby, Don Neuman, Paul Miedzionoski, Pat McAleer, George Simon, Scott Houseman, Chris D'Alfonso Members Absent: Rinus Oosthoek, David Lang Others Present: Rob Dever, Facilities Manager, Umberto Eramo Recorder: Eileen Sacco Earl called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Public Input There was no public input this evening. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Harbor Management Committee meeting held on February 19, 2014 were presented for approval. Neuman moved approval of the minutes of the February 19, 2014 Harbor Management Committee meeting as submitted. Suminsby seconded the motion. The motion carried. Facilities Report Dever reported that he spent some time down at the Brown Building today with Commissioner of Public Services, Mike Collins and reported that the crew should be done at Beverly Golf and Tennis by the end of the week and should be starting work on the Brown Building when that is completed. He noted that he and Collins are going to start laying out the Brown Building and take it to the Building Inspector for review. He estimated that they should be working there next week and he is hopeful for completion in about five weeks. Earl stated that he has been communicating with Collins as well and noted that the winter was tough weather -wise and they have been short on staff with people out. Dever will report more on this at the next meeting and keep Earl updated on the progress. Page 1 of 5 Harbor Management Authority Minutes March 19, 2014 New Commercial Hoist Dever reported that there are two proposals, noting that he solicited three. He stated that they have done due diligence under the public bidding laws. Earl noted that the HMA approved authorizing him to make a decision on the matter and he and Dever will get together to choose the final proposal. Marketing Earl reported that the post cards have been printed. He explained that 500 were printed and the cost was $118.00. Suminsby reported that he sent some to Gloucester as well. Dever stated that he has been in contact with the Coast Guard and will get a list of names and addresses of Massachusetts boat owners and there may be some leads generated from that as well. Earl suggested that there may be some marine businesses that will allow the HMA to place the cards in their establishments. He suggested that members take a stack and deliver them if they know someone that might do that. McAleer questioned if the HMA wanted to renew the membership with the Stay Local program noting that the cost is $50.00 and they provide a link on their webpage to the HMA page. Winter Rates for Recreational Marina Earl noted that this matter is on the annual calendar for review at this time. D'Alfonso and Suminsby will meet to review this and report at the next meeting. Finance Report Earl reported that he met with the new city Finance Director Bryant Ayles and reviewed the finances for the Harbor Management Authority. He stated that there were some discrepancies that made no sense but they were able to figure them out. He explained that the transfer of money from the Waterways Improvement Funds to the Enterprise Fund never took place and that has since been done. Earl reviewed the finance report for the Harbor Management Authority. He reported that the slips are 75% rented for this season. He also reported that the revenue for prams and dinghy's is about half of what was projected and noted that the HMA should be in good shape, noting that the difference is short money. Earl reported that the $50,000 from the Seaport Council has not come in yet and when it does it will increase the state revenue line by $50,000. Page 2 of 5 Harbor Management Authority Minutes March 19, 2014 Earl reported that the expenses so far this year are low, noting that $27,000 has been spent. He also noted that $100,000 is budgeted for the Brown Building and it may costa little more. He explained that he would like to leave a buffer of $50,000- $75,000 for next year in the Enterprise Fund. He noted that the payments have been made to the contractors for the project before the funds come in from the state. Earl stated that Mr. Ayles was very pleasant and very good to work with. D'Alfonso reported that the parking lot needs to be raised. Dever reported that all of the work will pretty much be done at the same time. He explained that the utilities work etc. will be done as part of the project and he does not anticipate any issues. He noted that National Grid needs to run a gas line. Earl stated that Collins expects that most of the work will be done by city employees with the exception of paving the parking area and possibly some of the electrical work. Suminsby noted that there was previous discussion about tearing down the McDonalds building at some point. Earl stated that the demolition of it should be easy and he does not think it should be a big deal. Walkway Neuman stated that there is nothing new to report and noted that the last word he had was that the work would start in April. Bass River Update Neuman reported that Bourne is under contract and they should have started the work. He will check on that and report at the next meeting. Houseman questioned if the City has received the $50,000 from the state yet, noting a contract cannot be signed until the money is received. Pump Out Station Earl reported that this matter is being deferred for now pending a decision on a suitable location. D'Alfonso recalled that the HMA voted in January not to have a pump out station. Discussion ensued regarding the pump out boat that travels to various communities. Dever explained the schedule and noted it is a state program and is run out of the Harbor Masters office, and is out of the HMA control. He explained that they have a reciprocal program with Salem in covering Beverly and Beverly does the same for Salem. He noted that there is not a lot of room for a pump out station on either side of the marina. Dever reported that the Harbor Master is considering putting a float in the water with a station for the boaters to pull up to and pump out their boats. Earl suggests that the Facilities Committee reach out to the Harbor Master on this. Page 3 of 5 Harbor Management Authority Minutes March 19, 2014 Waterfront Related Signage Earl reported that Dever is working on this. Legislative Act and Operations Review Earl reported that he talked with Mayor Cahill about this and gave him all of the information that the HMA has collected. He stated that he does not think that this is a huge priority at this time and noted that the HMA should stay ready to engage. He stated that the focus should be on completing the bathrooms and finishing the Brown building. Summer Help Dever reported that the Engineering Department has an intern from Purdue and he was thinking that the HMA could have him archiving documents. He explained that he is doing so for the Engineering Department as well and estimated it would be 20 hours per week at $15.00 per hour. Earl suggested that Dever scope it out and see what the interest is. Fishing Float Study Neuman reported that they are looking into finding a way to keep the fisherman away from the boaters and are looking into whether this proposal is feasible. He stated that he expects a study to cost $2,500.00. He stated that he hopes to have the study before the next meeting. Mr. Eramo who was present at the meeting addressed the HMA and expressed his concern about children running around the marina and requested that the HMA address that issue with boaters. He stated that he is concerned that someone will get hurt running on the pier and the docks. He also stated that it is dangerous for kids to be running around while people are fishing. Dever suggested that the police need to be involved when the season starts. Earl agreed and suggested inviting the new police chief to the May meeting of the HMA. Sea Station Earl reported that the operators of Sea Station want to use Beverly more often. He explained that the Harbor Master should be part of the discussions regarding this and suggested the HMA talk with him regarding the use of the transient dock for drop offs and pickups. It was noted that the Harbor Master had concerns about liability and parking issues last year. Neuman stated that he would like to see a system in place for Sea Station and minimum tie up and loading and unloading times should be considered. It was also noted that this is a commercial enterprise and the question of whether they should be charged was brought up. Earl reported that they pay Salem to dock off the Willows and Winter Island but they do not pay Marblehead explaining that it is a touch and go spot. Houseman suggested that he would not favor a charge until it is seen what the use in a year would be. Page 4 of 5 Harbor Management Authority Minutes March 19, 2014 Miedzionoski suggested inviting Harbor Master Dan McPherson to the next meeting. McAleer moved to waive the docking fees for Sea Station for the 2014 summer season pending the submission of insurance certification and other requested documentation. Neuman seconded the motion. The motion carried (8 -0). Earl suggested that any fees collected by the operator shall not be done on city property and should be done online or on board the boat. Carry In / Carry Out Earl suggests that the Facilities Committee look into this. Dever reported that the Solid Waste Management Committee implemented the Carry In /Carry Out program at Lynch Park two years ago and it has been successful. Earl requested that the Facilities Committee reach out to them. Dever noted that the Chair of the Solid Waste Management Committee is Charlie Perlo. Grants McAleer suggested that there may be grants available for the pump out station. Earl reported that Mayor Cahill would like to have a city wide committee for grants. He stated that he would like to see the HMA be more aggressive about going after grants. He suggests that Simon research some grants that are out there. Next Meeting The next meeting of the Harbor Management Authority will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at the Beverly Public Library. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Beverly Harbor Management Authority this evening, Neuman made a motion to adjourn. Miedzionoski seconded and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Page 5 of 5