Loading...
BHMA Minutes May 17 2017Harbor Management Authority Minutes of May 17, 2017 Meeting CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Harbor Management Authority Date: May 17, 2017 Location: Beverly Public Library -Fogg Room Members Present: Chair Paul Earl, Don Neuman, David Suminsby, Pat McAleer, Emily Flaherty, Rinus Oosthoek, George Simon, Estelle Rand, Rob Dever (Marina Manager) Members Absent: Chris D'Alfonso, Scott Houseman Others Present: Aaron Clausen (City Planner), Greg Howard Recorder: Brett Bauer Earl called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Discussion with Aaron Clausen, Beverly Planning Director about HMA projects Municipal Harbor Plan Clausen discusses how the Municipal Harbor Plan can work to create the type of waterfront the City wants. They are looking at the potential for altering the Federal Channel boundaries and changes to Chapter 91 in order to meet the development needs for the waterfront. A consultant will be utilized and an RFP for this is going out. Earl notes that the HMA can provide comments on the RFP if it is shared with the group. Clausen states that an Advisory Committee will be formed to guide the planning process and he would like to see at least one or two members from the HMA included. Clausen notes they are also looking to incorporate the conclusions of the Coastal Resiliency Plan. McAleer asks if there are any particular waterfronts they are looking at to serve as models. Clause responds that they are looking at other cities for precedent, but are not aiming to model any particular city's waterfront. Simon asks if there are any plans for the National Grid substation. Clausen responds that this will likely not change or move. National Grid has no interest in moving the substation or their parking lot from this location. But Clausen notes that the parking lot may be a future redevelopment opportunity. Piling Project The grant received from the seaport council is $400,000 and was intended to cover work to replace the pilings. Dever reports that an amendment to the GZA contract was recently received to include $20,000 for boring samples, testing electrical wires and painting the seawall. Neuman expresses concerns that the project was originally estimated at $250,000 and has escalated to $500,000. He asks why this work was not included in the original bid since the original estimate is what drove the grant amount and they could have sought a larger grant. Dever responds that it is important to do the project right and cost escalation is typical in every project. The Seaport grant came along unexpectedly and the design at the time was submitted. Earl, Simon and Oosthoek also comment that it appears the boring work should have been included in the original bid. Dever adds that this work could save money on the next bids to come in as we will be better informed accounting for the unknown. Oosthoek asks if the boring work could be included in the RFP for the next work bids. Flaherty asks if there is any benefit to knowing the results of the boring before putting out the next RFP. McAleer comments that every contractor in this industry communicates with each other and knows the last driving of piles was challenging. Clausen 1 I Page Harbor Management Authority Minutes of May 17, 2017 Meeting notes that the grant requires construction to begin by November. Earl states that an option "A" is to have GZA do a sample of the borings, not all of them, to be better informed in preparing the next RFP. Flaherty asks if there are geological maps to provide this information. Dever responds that they tried to find results of past borings. Earl asks how long the RFP needs to be out? Clausen responds it should be out three weeks but it could be less. The intent of front loading the bid process was to get better pricing by allowing contractors to schedule the work in advance. Earl states that an option "B" is to include the boring in the next RFP. Dever adds that an additional cost in the GZA amendment is to engineer and coat the seawall in sheet metal, but that it has always been painted in the past at a lesser cost. Earl asks if Dever can question GZA about the amendment in terms of some work not being needed and some of the cost escalations. Earl adds that a vote will be held at June's meeting to determine the options chosen. Congress Street Project Clausen states that conversations about the Ventron Site / Beverly Crossing project are stalled between the developer and the landowner. Earl notes that they will need to request a one -year extension to the grant for the pocket park. Glover Wharf Clausen states that the City is working with a broker to help find restaurants that want to locate here. The broker has recommended finding a developer - restauranteur team. There has been some interest. An RFP may go out soon. From a previous RFP, it was found that the public accommodations requirements were problematic in securing a developer. There may be some relief to these requirements. Simon asks how will the McDonald's building play into this. Clausen responds that it depends on the developer but the RFP will not have any specific requirements. Coastal Resiliency Plan Clausen encourages attendance at the final meeting. Gruppe Mural Oosthoek asks what the City's plan for the Gruppe Mural is. Clausen responds that conversations with the Mayor are continuing but there are no conclusions. Rand mentions that the mural project for under the bridge is at the permitting stage. Approval of Minutes Oosthoek motions to approve the April, 2017 meeting minutes. Seconded by Neuman. All approved, motion passes unanimously (8 -0). Facilities Committee Report Dever reports that Cignet came yesterday. The card keys are being made and should be available to recreational slip holders before Memorial Day weekend. Oosthoek notes that the process for lost or non - working card keys should be clarified. 2 1 Page Harbor Management Authority Minutes of May 17, 2017 Meeting Earl asks when the Harbormaster will be moving into the new Harbormaster building? Dever responds that the carpeting and flooring are still needed. Completion is anticipated before the end of the month. Dever reports that all recreational slips are occupied. With the exception of a few partial payments, all slip fees are paid in full. Earl asks if the dinghies and kayaks are causing problems. Dever responds no. Neuman asks if there are commercial tenants that still have not paid. Earl responds that these agreements are on different payment schedules. Dever states that there are no other problems to report. Financials Report Earl is still seeking clarification on some of the budget spreadsheet line items. Draft Budget Earl received input on how to adjust the estimates for the HMAs expenses. He suggests moving money from "other projects" to "Professional Services - Piles Project (GZA)" after learning about the $22,000 contract amendment from GZA. Grant money will be allocated in a separate section, but Earl will inquire as to the reasoning for this again. Neuman motions to approve the proposed budget with the amendment that $22,000 is moved from "other projects" to "Professional Services - Piles Project (GZA)." Seconded by Rand. All approved, motion passes unanimously (8 -0). Harbor Fest Earl asks committee members to help promote the Harbor Fest this year. He would like to see more promotion on Facebook. Oosthoek suggests a ribbon - cutting ceremony at this event for the Harbormaster building. Grant Opportunities Flaherty reports that the Obear Park project is moving along. Earl says he met with Amy Maxner from the planning department and she will see if the ConComm process can be sped up. Neuman comments that knowing the Seaport Economic Council has money and gives grants, perhaps the committee should consider using this money for improvements to the big pier or adding a float to the end. Suminsby thought this source of grant money could be used for dredging the Bass River. Dever adds that he thought the plan was to use this source of grant money on the commercial hoist pier. Earl concludes that clarification should be sought on what this money can be used for. Neuman notes his concern that a year of grant opportunities may be missed while waiting on a planning process. Siege Earl reports that the "No Camping" sign is up. Flaherty adds that the allowed -use signs have been designed and the first ones may go up at Obear Park. 3 1 Page Harbor Management Authority Minutes of May 17, 2017 Meeting Striper Blitz Fundraiser The organizers of this tournament had their permits approved. Adjournment There being no further business before the Harbor Management Authority this evening, Oosthoek makes a motion to adjourn. Suminsby seconds. Motion to adjourn approved unanimously (8 -0). The HMA Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm. 4 1 Page