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| NORWALK HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES |
CLICK HERE FOR HARBOR MANAGEMENT MAYORS WATER QUALITY COMMITTEE MINUTES
CLICK HERE FOR HARBOR MANAGEMENT APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES
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here for minutes from YEAR 2003 Click here for minutes from YEAR 2004 |
Click here for minutes from January 26, 2005 |
HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 23, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Tony Mobilia, Chairman; Richard Ramsey; Jose Cebrian; Henry Palau; Dr. John Pinto; Jack Callahan; Jason Farrow; Tony D’Andrea
OTHERS: Mike Griffin, Harbormaster, Geoff Steadman, Consultant
STAFF: Derick DeMarche, Planning and Zoning
CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The following corrections were made:
Page 1, correct to read: Mr. Griffin stated that approximately 28 of the harbormaster
are waiting for appointment.
Page 4, under Newsletter and Web Page correct the paragraph to read … from each
commissioner in the next few days. The website will be changed to reflect the
changes of the commission.
Page 5, under Application Review in the last line, change dually to duly.
Page 8, Under Planning and Zoning – Instead of the first line replace with:
Mr. DeMarche stated the letter written to Walter Briggs, Chairman of the Norwalk
Planning Commission regarding amendments to building zone regulations to historic
structures for the Rowayton Village District. Same page further down, under
contact list add the Commission contact list was distributed.
** MR. PALAU MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 27, 2005 AS AMENDED.
** MR. CALLAHAN SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
A. Letter to DEP regarding application to SoNo Warf/Letter to DEP regarding Graham Bluff Realty in Wilson Cover
Mr. Mobilia indicated that two letters were sent out this month, one was to the DEP regarding the application by SoNo Warf. The other was also a letter to the DEP regarding Graham Bluff Realty in response to the public hearing.
C. Dredging Meeting at City Hall, January 27, 2005 with stakeholders
Mr. Mobilia said that Mr. Griffin had held a meeting at City Hall on January 27, 2005. He said it was a very successful meeting and there was good coverage in the newspaper.
D. Washington Meeting, February 8, 2005 with congressional leaders
Another meeting was held regarding dredging in Washington with Senator Lieberman’s staff and Chris Shay’s staff – he noted that it was very interesting and the purpose of it was to identify all of the critical time lines between all of the different agencies.
E. Letters to congressional leaders requesting federal funds for dredging in fiscal year 2006
Finally, Mr. Mobilia said that they have been putting a letter together regarding funding for the dredging for the next fiscal year which has to get to them by March 1, 2005.
Mr. Steadman passed out copies of the letter saying that they need to request that Congress authorize the funds to be able dredge Norwalk Harbor. In the last three years they have received $1.75 million and that is in the bank and is allocated for the project. He said they have used the same format for the letter as they did in previous years, however Mr. Steadman said he discussed this with a representative from Senator Lieberman’s office and he had advised that they hold off because there may be some new form that the Senator will require to be filled in; in any case he will give direction.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Mr. Mobilia noted the corrections on the last commission list and said he would distribute amended versions.
B. Committee assignments
Mr. Mobilia noted that he would like to keep all of the committees in tact and suggested two changes: under other functional duties, the change there is Mr. Farrow will be the editor of the newsletter and web page, also the chairman of the committee, secondly to add the record keeping aspect. He noted the great job of the Application Review Committee.
Mr. Griffin said regarding the Finance Committee - that each committee have a second person in place to present the report wherever necessary.
A. Discussion of meeting time
Mr. Mobilia asked if 7:30 pm was an agreeable time for everyone to meet; he said that 8:00 pm might be better for those who work.
Mr. Griffin referred to the time when meetings did start at 8:00 pm – he said if this were to happen again then committee members should consider submitting a written report of their respective committee meetings so this could be reviewed before the meeting itself.
After discussion, Mr. Mobilia suggested that committee reports be sent to him one week prior to the Commission meeting and that Application Review remain as it is to be presented during the Commission meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Web Page/Newsletter – Mr. Mobilia
Mr. Mobilia said the web page has not yet been updated, as he would like to do all the commission member changes and the fee structure changes for the boating center. The newsletter is still in the works, he said they have all the stories, but one and it will be a little late.
B. Boating and Harbor Safety – Mr. Farrow
There was no report this evening.
C. Water Quality Committee – Mr. D’Andrea
Mr. D’Andrea stated that they did have a meeting to try and determine the budget for the water quality program for the 2005 fiscal year. He said he also had a meeting scheduled with Dick Harris regarding the river.
D. Plans and Recommendations - Mr. Callahan
Mr. Callahan said they did not have a meeting. They are waiting on DEP for non-compliance for 90 Water Street.
E. Waterfront Facilities Advisory – Mr. Griffin
Mr. Griffin distributed his written report and went through the highlights.
There was discussion on moorings.
F. Dredging – Dr. Pinto
Dr. Pinto referred to the meeting that Mr. Griffin had held that was well received and well attended he said there will be a follow up meeting on March 9, 2005. Norwalk was well represented at their meeting in Washington also attending were several coastal town representatives, the DEP and ACOE. The purpose of the meeting was to define the timelines of the EPA and to come up with an agreement to develop a dredged material plan with New York City. They have not heard anything definitive yet. Dr. Pinto stated that if this is something that New York and Connecticut can agree on then perhaps they can go ahead and get the site designated. The other thing that was discussed was that the site be designated to legislation; the lawyer present felt that the EPA can go ahead and do that and they wouldn’t have to worry about a lawsuit. Dr. Pinto said it was an interesting meeting to get everyone together and informing them of the serious nature of this and if they could not meet the deadlines there would be no chance of dredging in October. He added that nthing was actually resolved.
Dr. Pinto said that last night himself, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Steadman and Mr. Mobilia had attended a Long Island Council and Assembly, a group put together by John Atkins to get coastal towns together and give recommendation to the State Legislator regarding a variety of issues, one of them certainly was dredging. He said they had a chance to present their report and recommendations on dredging in order to help the entire process in Connecticut.
Mr. Griffin suggested that a letter be written to the president of the CHMA requested that action be taken. Their mission is to deal with issues of common concern.
** DR. PINTO MOVED TO HAVE THE CHAIR PRESENT A LETTER TO THE CONNECTICUT HARBOR
MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION REQUESTING THAT THEY ADDRESS THE DREDGING ISSUE IN NORWALK
AND OTHER COASTAL TOWN IN CONNECTICUT.
** MR. PALAU SECONDED.
Dr. Pinto said they have gone as far as they can by representing their state representatives and perhaps they need more weight with the state.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Palau asked who paid for the Washington trip; he suggested that they city should pay for this.
G. FINANCE – Mr. Ramsey
Mr. Ramsey went through the expenditures and revenues of the previous year noting that at this rate they will be in the red by approximately $5000 by next year. He said he would prepare a budget document based on their current figures.
There was discussion on ways to bring monies back to the commission
Mr. Griffin disagreed with the figures suggested by Mr. Ramsey; he said they are always very close to the mark regarding their projections and what they actually collect.
Mr. Ramsey pointed out that what they have collected remains accurate, however their expenditures have gone way over, that is the problem and they need to pull in their belt.
H. Application Review – Mr. Palau/Dr. Pinto
2005-02: Michael Gray, 30 Shorehaven Road, East Norwalk – Application to CT DEP and ACOE for work at the same address. Proposed work at private residence involves building a 4’x35’ aluminum access ramp, and 8.5’ x 12’ floating dock for berthing a recreational boat. The dock will be anchored with timber piles or earth anchors. The pier will be supported by an existing stone and mortar seawall and two pairs of timber piles.
Dr. Pinto indicated that Ms. Clark had held an Application Review committee meeting and explained the location of the first application noting that the applicant proposes a pier to go over a rock area (referring to map). They looked at all aspects and made the following recommendation.
** DR. PINTO MOVED THAT THE NORWALK HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION FINDS APPLICATION TO CT DEP AND ACOE BY MICHAEL GRAY AT 30 SHOREHAVEN ROAD, NORWALK FOR WORK AT THE SAME ADDRESS INVOLVING CONSTRUCTION OF A PIER, RAMP AND FLOATING DOCK IS CONSISTENT WITH THE HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN AND MOVE TO RECOMMEND FAVORABLE ACTION WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
1. THAT THE APPLICATION BE REVIEWED BY THE NORWALK SHELLFISH COMMISSION.
2. THAT THE NORWALK HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVIEW
THIS APPLICATION WHEN IT GOES TO PUBLIC NOTICE BY THE DEP.
** MR. PALAU SECONDED.
Mr. D’Andrea asked if this would block small boats from getting under the bridge. Dr. Pinto replied that it would not.
Mr. Mobilia said, as they do not have a representative present from the Shellfish Commission he asked if Ms. Clark had had a chance to send anything to John Frank.
Dr. Pinto said they had not but he certainly could.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
2005-03: City of Norwalk Zoning Commission – Two amendments to Building Zone Regulations. A. Revise the definition of changeable copy signs to refer to ground signs only. B. Proposal by 166 Rowayton Avenue Ventures LLC for exemption and waivers to allow for modifications and additions to historic structures within the Village District.
Dr. Pinto said the second item regarding the amendments to building amendments that had no comments.
2004 (Cont) 70 Water Street LLC – Peter DiNardo applicant. Application to CT DEP for work at 68 Water Street.
Dr. Pinto indicated that this is a continuation of an old application prior to 2004. It was an application submitted to the DEP by 70 Water Street (the name, not the location). It is with regard to the construction of a marina docking area. They looked at the application and they are not reviewing it at this stage pending further documentation from the DEP. The letter they are recommending is to the DEP and it is referencing the Harbor Management’s letter of 6/20/03 and 4/14/04 about the status of violations at this address stating that not enough information has provided.
Discussion ensued.
** DR. PINTO MOVED TO TABLE THE ITEM PENDING FURTHER INFORMATION FROM CT DEP.
** MR. PALAU SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW BUSINESS
Dr. Pinto referred to the financing of their trip to Washington. They had gone to Washington at a cost of $200 per person acting on behalf of the city. The Mayor was supposed to have gone but was unable to make it. He also said there are a number of other occasions where members of the Commission and Mr. Griffin travel around the state and to New York acting as advocates for the City of Norwalk. Dr. Pinto indicated that he did not know the best way to handle this but suggested some kind of cost sharing needed to be put into place. In lieu of no money in the budget and no increase to the budget for the next fiscal year he did not know how they could continue to operate by the Commission reimbursing costs incurred. Dr. Pinto further suggested that Mr. Mobilia go to the Mayor and discuss what the Commission is doing on behalf of the city as its advocate.
Mr. Ramsey suggested that they adopt a resolution that if an expenditure for travel exceeds a certain amount it requires the approval of the Commission prior to initiating that expense.
Discussion ensued.
Mr. Mobilia said firstly he will have a meeting with Mr. Greene to see how other Commissions handle situations like this.
Mr. Palau agreed that this should be put to the Mayor and that the Commission members should not have to pay this out of their own pockets.
Mr. Steadman pointed out that they were all specifically invited by the Senator’s office to come to the meeting – this was something that was unusual that come up during the course of the year.
** MR. PALAU MOVED TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE MAYOR REGARDING THE EXTRAORDINARY
EXPENSE OF $ 800.00 TO BE REIMBURSED BY THE CITY FOR WASHINGTON DC DREDGING
TRIP.
** MR. FARROW SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
STAFF REPORTS
A. PLANNING AND ZONING – Mr. DeMarche
Mr. DeMarche said he would mention this to Mr. Greene regarding how other Commissions handle their expenses.
B. HARBOR MASTER – Mr. Griffin
Mr. Griffin handed his copies of expenses to Mr. Ramsey and distributed his written report.
** MR. CALLAHAN MOVED TO ACCEPT THE HARBORMASTER’S REPORT.
** MR. RAMSEY SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
C. CONSULTANT – Mr. Steadman
There was no report this evening.
OTHER COMMENTS
Mr. Mobilia thanked Dr. Pinto, Mr. Griffin and Mr. Steadman for the fantastic job they have been doing at all of these meeting and they really owe them a lot.
Mr. Palau added that Mr. Mobilia is also part of this.
Mr. D’Andrea indicated that he had reviewed the Mid-Harbor draft and that he did not see anything in there about commercial docks. He said he was under the impression that in the Norwalk Harbor Management Plan that some provision be added regarding commercial landing docks.
Mr. Steadman stated that the Commission should formally review this for comment.
Mr. Cebrian said regarding the archiving system, he had sent out requests and that he needed responses from all Commissioners.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. PALAU MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MR. CALLAHAN SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kate Kye
Telesco Secretarial
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