BHMA Minutes Jan 18 2017Harbor Management Authority
Minutes of January 18, 2017 Meeting
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board: Harbor Management Authority
Date: January 18, 2017
Location: Beverly Public Library -Fogg Room
Members Present: Chair Paul Earl, Rinus Oosthoek, George Simon, Emily
Flaherty, Pat McAleer, Estelle Rand, Scott Houseman, Rob
Dever (Marina Manager)
Members Absent: Don Neuman, David Suminsby, Chris D'Alfonso
Others Present: Greg Howard
Recorder: Brett Bauer
Earl called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm.
Approval of Minutes
Oosthoek motions to approve the November 16, 2016 meeting minutes. Seconded by McAleer.
All approved, motion passes unanimously (6 -0).
Facilities Committee Report
Dever reports that the Algonquin money has been exhausted. About $7,200 worth of work
remains on the Harbor Master building, including the walls, carpet, light fixtures and paint. All
of the work is currently being contracted out. Oosthoek asks if the Harbor Master is ready to
move into the building, if tasks such as ordering furniture have been completed, and if there is
anything that the committee can do to help move the process along? Dever responds that the
Harbor Master is ready to move in as soon as the building is finished. Oosthoek notes that a
ribbon cutting should be held once everything is completed.
Dever reports that a new hoist has been installed, but they are already having trouble with it. He
also notes that the camper has been removed from the marina parking area.
Earl notes the dirty condition of the fisherman's pier and asks if it can be power- washed or
sanded at a reasonable price. Dever responds that because of the way marina boards are treated,
they cannot be resurfaced but should be replaced. Deck boards can be replaced individually.
Dever's suggested that priorities for the marina are first to fix the pier hoist, second to finish the
railings, and third to replace deck boards. Earl responds that they can aim to do as much of that
work as possible at one time. They can work with a consultant to put together a proposal for a
cost estimate. Dever will contact a consultant.
Earl reports that of the 24 total recreational slips, 23 of them are currently set to be occupied
including one occupied by the fire boat. They may be fully occupied if two smaller boats are
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Minutes of January 18, 2017 Meeting
unable to share one slip. Only 8 of these tenants have pre -paid. Simon asks if we have signed
contracts from the others. It is noted that the City is occupying 5 -6 of the commercial slips.
Dever reports that a quote has been submitted for the bathroom cleaning contract by Sammy
Benson of Shamrock Shiner.
Commercial slip annual fees: Earl asks if these should be raised or lowered. McAleer notes that
Salem is trying to fill their commercial marina and is talking with current Beverly tenants.
Simon motions to keep the commercial rates the same. Houseman seconds the motion. The
motion passes unanimously (7 -0).
Recreational Floats
A meeting will be held on February 4th to announce the winners of the Seaport District grant.
Clausen, the City Planner, is coordinating with the HMA. Permits for the recreational pilings
project are already in place.
Grants Opportunities
Obear Park:
Earl has been informed that the HMA is considered the contractor on the Congress Street project
and on the Obear Park proposal. Earl adds that using DPW staff could be cost - effective if the
City can commit to a timeline. Dever responds that it can be difficult for DPW staff to commit to
timelines with competing demands for their labor. Houseman adds that it may make sense to
move forward with private contractors given the challenges for DPW staff to commit to
timelines.
Congress Street CPA Proposal:
Abutters to the ROW have agreed to the proposed project.
Mural Proposal:
Rand notes that she still needs to draft a letter for the HMA to sign and submit to the Cultural
Council. The mural has already received public recognition. The money for the mural has
already been awarded. Rand still feels letter will add value and will complete it soon. The
selected muralist has until the end of the 2017 calendar year to complete the mural.
Bass River Dredging
Ron Bourne, an engineering consultant, has indicated the this would be a Tier 1 Review project.
They would be making the case that nothing has changed since the last study for this project. The
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Minutes of January 18, 2017 Meeting
process will take approximately one month. If the outcome is favorable, the permits can be
extended for 5 years. It is also noted that there is potential for the City to contribute to the costs
of this project with the HMA.
Siege
Flaherty has had conversations with Charlie Mann of the Open Space and Recreation Committee
about trail signs. They are currently designing trail signs and there is an interest in trying to make
all similar signs consistent. Oosthoek notes that the Planning Department should be involved in
these discussions, and notes the challenges in trying to coordinate sign design with other non -city
entities such as the Essex National Heritage Area. He also notes that it can be very challenging to
create clear signage for wayfinding. Earl adds that signage will be needed for the HMA at all the
public access areas, and that they could start by creating a cohesive HMA sign. Flaherty notes
that large info signs will be needed at Glover Wharf and Obear Park, and a smaller sign would be
sufficient at Congress Street. Oosthoek notes that they should also consider how to keep the
signs clean if they are graffitied. Earl comments that more organization is needed on what items
should be included on the signs and how the HMA should brand their signs.
Other Announcements
Earl announces that an $80,000 grant was awarded to the City for Coastal Resiliency. Suminsby
will represent the HMA and Flaherty has also attended meetings. The purpose of the grant is to
look at city infrastructure and the probability of inundation of flooding in certain areas. The goal
is to identify special places along the waterfront and determine how to preserve them over time.
The next public meeting is January 31st at the Senior Center.
Rand announces that the City will present an overlay zone rather than a re- zoning process for the
Bass River area.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the Harbor Management Authority this evening,
Oosthoek makes a motion to adjourn. Rand seconds. Motion to adjourn approved unanimously
(7 -0).
The HMA Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.
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