CITY OF BRIDGEPORT HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JULY 24, 2014

Transcription

1 CITY OF BRIDGEPORT HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JULY 24, 2014 ATTENDANCE: STAFF: OTHERS: Jose Cebrian, Chair; Tony Mobilia, Dennis, Tony D'Andrea, Bill Gardella, John Romano, Jan Schaefer, Dr. John Pinto, Dennis Santella Michael Griffin, Harbor Master; Geoff Steadman, Consultant Sgt. Peter Lapak, Norwalk Marine Police CALL TO ORDER. Mr. Cebrian called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Mr. Mobilia led those present in reciting the Pledge. ROLL CALL. Mr. Cebrian said that Mr. Stumpf had an excused absence. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. Mr. Cebrian welcomed Mr. Gardella to the Commission. Mr. Steadman gave Mr. Gardella a copy of the Harbor Management Plan. Mr. Cebrian said that there had been some s back and forth regarding the interpretive signs. He also noted that the order of the agenda items has been changed. Consultant. STAFF REPORTS. Mr. Steadman stated that the panels have been fabricated and will be delivered to Parks and Recreation soon. He suggested that photos be taken of the panels so that they can document if the colors fade over time. A brief discussion followed about who would be installing the signs. Harbor Master/Harbor Manager. Harbor Master Griffin reviewed his report, and gave a brief update on the no wake buoys. All the presently installed buoys are on station. (See attached). ** MR. ROMANO MOVED TO ACCEPT THE HARBOR MASTER/HARBOR MANAGER S REPORT. ** MR. SANTELLA SECONDED. July 24, 2014 Page 1

2 Waterfront Advisory. REPORTS. Mr. Griffin submitted his report. (See attached). He said that there had been a question about how the pump out station was working. The DEEP inspected the station and all was well. One small glitch was the instruction sign, which is expected to be installed in the near future. The night security will cease soon. Mr. Griffin said that the pier bids had been received and the contract was awarded by the Common Council at the most recent meeting. Mr. D'Andrea said that Mr. Johnson said that as the Shellfish Commissioner, he had concerns about the vessels coming into to the harbor to do the work on the pier. Mr. Griffin said that there had been letters from Talmadge about this. It was agreed on that nothing would be done until the contract was awarded. Mr. Griffin said that there would be a meeting with the Shellfish Commission, the shell fishermen and various other interested parties about this in the near future. Mr. Griffin went on to say that the cost of the pier rebuilding would absorb all the FEMA funding and there would be no funds left over for the repair of the seawall. Dredging Dr. Pinto said that the City is on the last leg of the dredging project. He said that he did not know whether or not the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) had been signed but that the dredging was scheduled to start on October 1. Norwalk should be finished by January 31st. New Haven will also have dredging going on at the same time. Ms. Schaefer asked whether Norwalk would be delayed if New Haven developed a delay. Discussion followed. Mr. D'Andrea pointed out that the three City owned Helix moorings would have to be removed if the dredging is done by the Visitor's Dock. Mr. Griffin said that he had spoken about this with Mr. Mocciae. He then reviewed the details about this issue with the Commission members. Mr. Griffin said regarding with the Federal channel, if the dredging is not done both on the Visitors Dock and in the harbor, the mud will simply slide down into the channel. Application Review Committee. Timothy/Amy Tyson, 6 Point Road, Norwalk, CT A concrete flood wall is proposed along the perimeter of the existing driveway. The proposed wall will connect to existing structures and a retaining wall. The wall is proposed to be reinforced concrete with a stone masonry veneer. The wall is expected to be constructed July 24, 2014 Page 2

3 entirely from land. Mr. D'Andrea said that the Committee had reviewed the documentation. The application was prepared by Roberge. The Application Committee recommends that the application is consistent with the Harbor Management Plan. ** MR. SANTELLA MOVED THE FOLLOWING: BASED ON THE GUIDING PRINCIPALS SET FORTH IN THE NORWALK HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN, AND THE INCLUSION OF APPLICABLE INFORMATION, THE APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING MOTION TO THE COMMISSION: THE APPLICATION FOR TIMOTHY/AMY TYSON, 6 POINT ROAD, NORWALK, CT A CONCRETE FLOOD WALL IS PROPOSED ALONG THE PERIMETER OF THE EXISTING DRIVEWAY. THE PROPOSED WALL WILL CONNECT TO EXISTING STRUCTURES AND A RETAINING WALL. THE WALL IS PROPOSED TO BE REINFORCED CONCRETE WITH A STONE MASONRY VENEER. THE WALL IS EXPECTED TO BE CONSTRUCTED ENTIRELY FROM LAND IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CONDITION THAT THE BEST MANAGEMENTS PRACTICES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO AVOID ANY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON LONG ISLAND SOUND. ** DR. PINTO SECONDED. Sixth Taxing District, City of Norwalk, Repair of seawall at Bailey Beach, 11 Pine Point Road, Norwalk, CT. The intent is to construct a proper base/foundation along with strengthening the wall to maintain its original location and height. Mr. D'Andrea said that this is a repair a 40 foot wall damaged by Sandy. He added that the applicants have met with Sue Jacobson, CT DEEP, concerning this. The wall will be located in the same location and the same height. Mr. Steadman said that this was a Certificate of Permission. The Committee made a motion to approve with the following conditions: ** DR. PINTO MOVED THE FOLLOWING: BASED ON THE GUIDING PRINCIPALS SET FORTH IN THE NORWALK HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN, AND THE INCLUSION OF APPLICABLE INFORMATION, THE APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING MOTION TO THE COMMISSION: THE APPLICATION FOR THE SIXTH TAXING DISTRICT, CITY OF NORWALK, REPAIR OF SEAWALL AT BAILEY BEACH, 11 PINE POINT July 24, 2014 Page 3

4 ROAD, NORWALK, CT. THE INTENT IS TO CONSTRUCT A PROPER BASE/FOUNDATION ALONG WITH STRENGTHENING THE WALL TO MAINTAIN ITS ORIGINAL LOCATION AND HEIGHT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CONDITION THAT THE BEST MANAGEMENTS PRACTICES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO AVOID ANY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON LONG ISLAND SOUND. ** MR. SANTELLA SECONDED. Mr. Romano asked if there was anything in the Harbor Management Plan that focused on public safety when an owner has a collapse of a seawall. Mr. Steadman said that when the Committee members see failing structures, the permitting agency should be contacted. Mr. D'Andrea said that it seems that Bailey Beach was planning on repairing the first part of the wall, and then would be working on the second half. Correspondence between Sue Jacobson, CT DEEP, concerning several issues. Mr. D'Andrea said that there were some problems with the continuity of information getting to the Commission. Mr. Cebrian said that he would look into getting a mail box so that the certified letters are delivered to the Commission. Mooring and Harbor Safety Mr. Santella gave an update on the online mooring. (See attached). Mr. D'Andrea said that there had been a problem with the online applications and this will be addressed at the next Mooring and Harbor Safety meeting. Mr. Santella said that the tackle has to be inspected. Mr. Santella spoke about the Vessel Celebration issue. There has been a change of ownership and the vessel has been registered. Harbor Master Griffin said that there were some issues since the mooring is still in the previous owner's name. Discussion followed. The discussion moved to a recent mailing from a resident regarding some recent thefts and boat break-ins. Sgt. Lapak updated the Commissioners about the situation and their response to this complaint. Mr. D'Andrea pointed out that this situation was being handled by professionals and they will be doing their job. Finance - Mr. D'Andrea said that the revenue continues to flow. The summer interns are being paid. He said that he would be sending a finance report to everyone via . July 24, 2014 Page 4

5 ** DR. PINTO MOVED APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF THE ARTIST FOR THE VET PARKS PANELS, AND STIPENDS FOR DELIVERABLE FOR HARBOR MANAGEMENT. ** MR. SANTELLA SECONDED. Mr. Cebrian asked for any other outstanding invoices for payment be submitted as soon as possible. Water Quality/Watershed Initiative Mr. Steadman then said that there had been a discussion at the Water Quality meeting about an upstream restaurant owner who was knowingly releasing raw sewage into the river. Mr. Steadman presented a summary of the recent Water Quality meeting. Mr. Steadman said that Mr. Harris routinely pulls samples from the river during the summer. He also said that it would be good to have a meeting to discuss the data that has already been analyzed. Discussion followed. Mr. D'Andrea said that he would be making a personal visit to the interns and would be preparing a report for the Commission Plans and Recommendation - No report Newsletter/Website - Ms. Schaefer said that a newsletter would be issued when there was enough content. It will be important to highlight the on-going work that the Commission is doing. Harbor Master Griffin suggested that the online mooring program may be useful in notifying the boaters about the recent thefts in the community. It was pointed out that there were numerous boats that were in slips that would not receive the alert. Ms. Schaefer said that there had been some discussion about reaching out to the media regarding the new panels and the lifeboat. Shellfish Commission - No report. Nomination Committee - Dr. Pinto said that the Committee met and agreed to table the nominations at this time. ** DR. PINTO MOVED TO TABLE THE NOMINATIONS AT THIS TIME. ** MR. ROMANO SECONDED. July 24, 2014 Page 5

6 OLD BUSINESS. Mr. Cebrian said that there was a seawall on Lowndes Street that needs attention. Ms. Schaefer said that someone living nearby expressed concerns to her about the condition of the wall. Mr. D'Andrea said that he thought Mr. Linnartz would be the city staff to contact to determine the proper actions that should be taken. NEW BUSINESS. Mr. Cebrian welcomed Sgt. Lapak. Sgt Lapak said that the Marine Police would try to have more of a presence in the future. June 26, 2013 The following corrections were noted: APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Page 1, under CALL TO ORDER, paragraph 2, line 2: please change the following from: He noted that absent were Ms. Schaefer, and Mr. Gardella, and he will reach out to this new member who has replaced Pat Clark-Jeffries. To: He noted Ms. Schaefer and Mr. Stumpf had excused absences. Mr. Gardella, the new member who has replaced Pat Clark-Jeffries, was also absent. Mr. Cebrian will reach out to this new member. Page 5, 4th line down, please change the following from: It as suggested that the registration and VIN number be run to verify the licensing regulations. To It as suggested that the original permit and VIN number be run to verify the Also comply with licensing regulations. Page 5, under HARBOR SAFETY, paragraph 1: please change the following from: installation of me two Reminder to installation of two Reminder Page 8, paragraph 1, line 1: Please change the following from: Memorandum of Understanding along with to Memorandum of Agreement along with Page 8, paragraph 2, line 2: Please change the following from: be added to the Phase # and Mr. Pinto to: be added to the Phase 3 and Mr. Pinto Page 8, Planning & Zoning Report should be changed to Plans and Recommendations. ** MR. D ANDREA MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 26, 2013 MINUTES AS CORRECTED. July 24, 2014 Page 6

7 ** DR. PINTO SECONDED. ** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE JUNE 26, 2013 MINUTES AS CORRECTED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. ADJOURNMENT. ** MR. SANTELLA MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MR. D ANDREA SECONDED. The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted Sharon L. Soltes Telesco Secretarial Services July 24, 2014 Page 7