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BHMA Minutes Feb 15 2017Harbor Management Authority Minutes of February 15, 2017 Meeting CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Harbor Management Authority Date: February 15, 2017 Location: Beverly Public Library -Fogg Room Members Present: Chair Paul Earl, Don Neuman, David Suminsby, Emily Flaherty, Pat McAleer, Scott Houseman Members Absent: Chris D'Alfonso, Rinus Oosthoek, George Simon, Estelle Rand, Rob Dever (Marina Manager) Others Present: None Recorder: Brett Bauer Earl called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm. Approval of Minutes Houseman motions to approve the January, 2017 meeting minutes. Seconded by McAleer. All approved, motion passes unanimously (6 -0). Facilities Committee Report Earl reports that the commercial rates posted on the website are current. The Harbormaster is the contact for sending out renewal letters. The walls and ceiling are completed in the new Harbormaster building. Earl is talking with the cleaners at the Jubilee Yacht Club to see if they would be available to take on cleaning of the Marina bathrooms. At Jubilee, they are paying $50 /day for total building (2 floors) cleaning versus the current quote of $95 /day for the Marina bathrooms. Financials Report The recreational and commercial marinas are full as reported by Harbormaster office. Earl met with Bryant Ayles, Beverly Director of Finance, and the HMA Capital Fund is in very good shape as of the January report. Earl believes some money is being miss - assigned in the budget spreadsheet. Bryant has indicated that he can help the HMA to clarify this with those entering the accounting codes. Earl reports that David Gelineau, City Procurement Agent, suggested that invoices for HMA projects should be approved by the Chair. Earl notes that clarifications and further details should be added to some invoices. These process changes and financial controls are timely in that there are several large projects coming up. Earl spoke with Mayor Cahill about potential new members for the HMA. 1 I Page Harbor Management Authority Minutes of February 15, 2017 Meeting Earl reports that there are no matching funds required for the Obear Park project, and nothing can happen with Congress Street until the land abandonment takes place. The HMA will provide $5,000 in funds for the Congress Street project. Coastal Resiliency Houseman states, as a city councilor, he would like to know the scope of this work, where the impacts will be, and what is proposed to be done. Suminsby responds that the consultants could model how storms in the past have affected certain areas and how that can change by inputting the number of feet in rising sea levels. Flaherty would also like to see how an increase of rain from climate change could affect flooding. The consultants will be able to produce maps showing what infrastructure will be vulnerable. The HMA was offered an opportunity to host a table at the next Coastal Resiliency meeting. Adjournment Meeting is officially adjourned at 7:40 pm with the loss of quorum (Houseman). 2 1 Page Harbor Management Authority Minutes of February 15, 2017 Meeting Informal Discussion after Meeting Adjournment Financials Neuman brings up that since the recreational marina is full, should the HMA now address the fire boat using one of these spaces by either getting them to move the boat or by some compensation from the City for the loss of revenue. Earl asks how to start the conversation with the City about the Fire Boat. McAleer suggests first looking at the waiting list to see if there is interest in that space. Neuman asks if Bryant could help facilitate this conversation. It is emphasized that the HMA is only interested in compensation for lost revenue, and that this could be used to negotiate fees from the City. Pilings /Recreational Marina Suminsby suggests that extending the recreational marina out when the new pilings are going in could provide a solution to the fire boat, but wonders if the marina would then extend into the federal channel. This could also solve the problem of having one slip that is more narrow than the other while additionally providing space in front of the docks for dinghy storage. Don will contact GZA concerning what might be involved in this change of design. Bass River McAleer asks if they can pay a lobbyist to find money for the Bass River. Earl is interested in state money, but feels there is too much process involved in federal money. It is noted that the timing for pursuing the Bass River dredging may be better now as the City seems have an interest in the Bass River for economic development opportunities with the new overlay zone. Siege City Planner, Clausen, said he would put a group together around the issue of cohesive signage. Mayor Cahill said this should go to the Open Space Committee. Open Space has already provided some examples of signage. Flaherty feels that that HMA can do some small economical signs for wayfinding around access areas. Neuman would like the signs to be positive rather than mostly prohibitive. Earl aims to increase recognition for the work of the HMA where possible as well as achieving consistency across all recreational signage. Green Hill Neuman asks if Green Hill is still moving forward and if the HMA should remain passive or inquire about the progress. Earl notes that the Open Space Committee may already be serving this role. Other news Neuman mentions that the Salem Evening News featured a picture of the Mural planned for under the bridge. Earl notes that the Open Space Committee has an opening listed for an HMA representative member. Earl asks if we could have a few HMA members rotate on this position or if one 3 1 Page Harbor Management Authority Minutes of February 15, 2017 Meeting representative member could go once per quarter. Earl will reach out to the chair of the Open Space Committee. Proposals are in from the engineering firm for both the Obear Park and Congress Street projects. Suggestions have been made for contractors. End Discussion The informal discussion of the HMA concludes at 8:50 pm. 4 1 Page