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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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Click
here for minutes from January 26, 2005 Click here for minutes from February 23, 2005 |
HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
MARCH 23, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Tony Mobilia, Chairman; Dr. John Pinto; Henry Palau (8:00 pm); Pat Clark; Jack Callahan; Richard Ramsey; Tony D’Andrea; Jason Farrow
STAFF: Derick DeMarche, Planning and Zoning
OTHERS: Geoffrey Steadman, Consultant, Michael Griffin, Harbormaster
CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm. He requested that at this point in the meeting they take the agenda out of order.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
A. FY 06 Funding request forms and letters to congressional leaders for dredging
Mr. Mobilia indicated that all of the letters have now been sent out regarding funding; he added that the Mayor has also sent out a letter to the congressional leaders.
B. Letter to CHMA requesting assistance for dredging
Mr. Mobilia noted that he and Mr. Steadman have been working on a letter to be presented to the CHMA at their next meeting on March 29, 2005.
C. Travel expenses for Washington dredging meeting
As discussed during a previous meeting, Mr. Mobilia confirmed that he had spoken with Mr. Greene (Planning and Zoning) and that the City will reimburse all expenses.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
** MR. CALLAHAN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 23, 2005 AS AMENDED.
** MS. CLARK SECONDED.
The following corrections were made:
Page one, under approval of the minutes in the first line correct to harbormasters.
Page two, second paragraph under committee assignments, add the finance committee
does not have one at present.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
A. Committee Assignments
Mr. Mobilia referred to the list as distributed saying that it has been updated and all changes have been made. He added that he had spoken with Mr. Cebrian who has agreed to be on the Finance Committee.
Mr. D’Andrea said with regard to the Water Quality Committee he wished to suggest that the structure be changed. Due to the cuts in the budget, Mr. D’Andrea suggested that instead of covering Ridgefield and Wilton that the limits of research be contained to Norwalk only. He noted that he had spoken with the Health Department about his ideas and they concurred.
Discussion ensued.
Mr. Palau joined the meeting at 8:00 pm.
Mr. Mobilia indicated that he would speak with Mr. Greene about the proposal.
Mr. Steadman referred to the bi-laws regarding the commitments of the committee as it is entitled the Mayor’s Water Quality Committee.
Discussion ensued.
Mr. Mobilia suggested that a temporary committee be formed to examine the structure and the name of the committee; he asked Mr. Steadman, Mr. Griffin, Dr. Pinto, Mr. Callahan and Mr. D’Andrea to form the temporary committee and to have a report by the next meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Finance – Mr. Ramsey
Mr. Ramsey distributed an updated budget and went through the figures and asked for any suggestions about where savings could be made.
B. Application Review – Mr. Palau
1. 2005-04 (2004 continued) Village Creek Harbor Corporation Inc., - 38 Dock Road, Norwalk Connecticut, 06854 – Application to connect docks within Marina at Village Creek
Mr. Palau indicated that the committee met on March 15 and had considered the above application; he said although this is a minimal change the application had come before the committee a few years ago. The applicant is now up against a deadline of March 31st and they either have to move forward or they will loose their money so they do need some prompt action. Considering all of the factors the Application Review support the application and propose the following.
** MR. PALAU MOVED THAT THE NORWALK HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION FINDS APPLICATION TO MODIFY DOCKS BY VILLAGE CREEK HARBOR CORPORATION AT 38 DOCK ROAD, NORWALK INVOLVING RESTRUCTURING THE EXISTING DOCKING FACILITY IS CONSISTENT AND MOVE TO RECOMMEND FAVORABLE ACTION WITH THE FOLLOWING COMMENT:
THAT THE COMMISSION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVIEW AND COMMENT AT SUCH TIME THAT THE APPLICATION MAY GO TO PUBLIC NOTICE.
** DR. PINTO SECONDED.
Mr. Steadman said in speaking with the DEP the only issue they saw did the Commission think that the cross float would block off any meaningful navigation north of the facility; he added that it was their sense that it would not.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Mid-Harbor Planning Study
Mr. Steadman noted that he and Dr. Pinto had reviewed the Plan and suggested the following points to be included in a letter to be submitted to the Dori Wilson. First the planning principals could be supported as they are all sound and in the Harbor Management Plan. In the plan they talk about the redevelopment of waterfront sites and when that takes place the shoreline and the bulkheads should be replaced so they suggested that this be incorporated. There is a description of the federal navigation project in the Mid-Harbor Plan that is not accurate so they suggest submitting a clarification. There is also no reference to the provision of the Harbor Management Plan, as all plans need to be consistent with the plan so they have suggested that the Harbor Management Plan not be omitted but used to compliment the plan of Conservation and Development. In response to the Wall Street planning update a suggestion was made to best management practices for storm water treatment and the same suggestion will be made in regard to the Mid-Harbor Plan. Mr. Steadman also suggested that it be appropriate to bring up the I-95 bridge and they recommend that appropriate measures regarding storm water coming off the I-95 be addressed. They also suggested a welcoming facility at Veteran’s Park for boaters. Mr. Steadman said he has spoken with Mr. Wrinn (Planning and Zoning) and one of the controversial issues is water-front re-zoning, however he commented that this might be outside this Commission’s preview to comment upon.
Mr. DeMarche suggested that this Commission have a representative at the public hearing of the Mid-Harbor Plan.
Mr. D’Andrea said that he had attended the meeting and no provision had been made for commercial fishing and that he would like to see some kind of language in the Mid-Harbor plan addressing this.
Ms. Clark agreed and suggested that this be added as a consideration to the plan.
** MR. PALAU MOVED SUPPORT OF THE PLAN AND TO FORWARD A LETTER INCLUDING ALL
OF THE COMMENTS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED.
** MS. CLARK SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
C. Web Page/Newsletter – Mr. Mobilia
Mr. Mobilia thanked everyone for their input on the latest issue of the newsletter adding that Mr. Farrow would be taking over from now on and they would be keeping to the same schedule. He noted that all changes in the website had been made.
D. Boating and Harbor Safety
There was no report this evening.
E. Water Quality Committee
Report was discussed under administrative business.
F. Plans and Recommendations – Mr. Callahan
Mr. Callahan indicated that the next meeting would be on April 4, 2005 and they would put together their thoughts about bulkheads and storm drain testing and try to figure out the best way to get things done.
G. Dredging – Dr. Pinto
Dr. Pinto stated that he had attended the recent DOT meeting on behalf of the CHMA and had spoken using Norwalk as a case in point regarding dredging and what would happen if the harbor were not dredged. He said they are also waiting to hear from the EPA regarding the designation area.
Mr. Mobilia commended Dr. Pinto and Mr. Steadman on their presentation.
H. Waterfront Facilities Advisory – Mr. Griffin
Mr. Griffin distributed his written report and went through the highlights. He asked for the Commissioners comments on a memorial service for Mr. Dunavan to christen the new boating center.
Discussion ensued.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. D’Andrea stated that Dick Harris is making a presentation on April 20, 2005 on how safe our rivers are.
STAFF REPORTS
A. Planning and Zoning – Mr. DeMarche
Mr. DeMarche reiterated that the Commission have a representative at the mid harbor meeting. He noted that he had mailed out the current newsletter.
B. Harbor Master – Mr. Griffin
Mr. Griffin distributed his written report. He asked the Commissioners to consider an update regarding mooring permit decals.
Ms. Clark requested that they have time to consider this further.
** MS. CLARK MOVED TO ACCEPT THE HARBORMASTER’S REPORT
** MR. PALAU SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
C. Consultant – Mr. Steadman
Mr. Steadman said that he had not heard from Marcy Balint (DEP) and would call her to request a meeting.
OTHER COMMENTS
Mr. Griffin noted that the South Norwalk Boat Club would be holding a dance on April 16, 2005 and gave details.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. PALAU MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MR. RAMSEY SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 10.30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kate Kye
Telesco Secretarial Services
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