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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
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2003
ATTENDANCE: Dr. John Pinto, Chairman; Tony Mobilia,
Jack Callahan, Pat Clark, Jason Farrow,
Henry Palau, Tony D’Andrea
STAFF: Geoff Steadman, Consultant to the Commission,
Erin Leonard, Mike Griffin
EXCUSED ABSENCE: Dave Dunavan
CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-JUNE 2003
The following corrections were made to the minutes of June 2003:
Page 2: "Cautioned" should be "cordoned."
Page 3: "Ramsay" should be "Ramsey."
**DR. PINTO MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS AMENDED.
**MR. CALLAHAN SECONDED.
**MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Meeting with Mayor Alex Knopp
Dr. Pinto stated that he had met with the mayor two weeks ago regarding the dredging issue and detailed comments would be discussed later on in the meeting. He said that dredging would probably take place in October. Dr. Pinto added that the Army Corps had not yet completed their re-application to the DEP. He said that according to the DEP, once the DEP gets the Corps application, they would require two months for review; one month for a public hearing and two-week on either side for preparation and review. He also stressed that dredging really should start in October. He stated that special financial appropriations from Congress have not yet been approved and that, if these deadlines are not met, dredging will be severely delayed and not able to take place on October 1st.
Dr. Pinto said that he had requested from the Mayor that a liaison from the Common Council be assigned to the commission to help with finalizing approval of the Norwalk Harbor Management Plan. He said that he had discussed the use of the Harbor Management Plan as an addendum to the Mid Harbor Area Request for Proposal document developed by the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency. He gave the Mayor a copy of the old plan and Addendum as well as the dredging plan. He said that a replacement for Peter Braun is needed. He said that Mr. Richard Ramsey’s name has already been received by the Mayor’s office as a possibility.
Meeting for "Discussion Norwalk Harbor Hometown Security" convened by
Michael Griffin, State of Connecticut Harbor Master
Dr. Pinto said that Mike convened group of City officials, representatives from marinas, and businesses along Norwalk Harbor with interest in the Harbor for Homeland Security in the interest of 9/11. He stated that this is a possible fact-finding mission.
Zoning Commission: Referral of proposed amendment to Section 118-1220 regarding use of municipal parking lots in Norwalk Center.
Dr. Pinto said that according to the Zoning Rules and Regulations, Zoning sent him a referral of proposed amendments regarding municipal regions. He stated that they were all issues dealing solely with automobile parking and that no comments from the Harbor Commission were necessary.
COMMISSION ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Status of Harbor Management Plan-Review comments from State DEP regarding Plan
Dr. Pinto stated that they are in the process of commenting on some of the issues raised by DEP. Mr. Steadman said that they are hoping to have a representative from the common council to review Plan before they send the information to the DEP.
Suggestions for new commissioner/appointment to Norwalk Harbor
Management Commission
Dr. Pinto said that the person that the Mayor suggested would be viable candidate as commissioner and that anyone should feel free to voice his or her possible suggestions for additional candidates.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Web Page/Newsletter-Mobilia
Mr. Mobilia stated that he had nothing new to report. He said that everyone had their assignments for the Newsletter articles and that they can either e-mail or call him if they have any questions. He stated that the harbor master website was almost complete and that he was hopeful that it will be implemented between now and next week.
Finance-Dunavan
Mr. Dunavan was absent, but Dr. Pinto stated that he did get a call from Ms. Telesco secretarial services stating that they owe between the months of January-June. He said that the city had paid their half from the fiscal year of July-December 02 and that they were splitting the costs. He also said that the annual Dues to Connecticut Harbor Management Association need to be paid as well. Dr. Pinto also added that he had received a letter from the United States Bankruptcy Court from Norwalk Power LLC. He said that the NRG Power Company in the 2002 had granted $2,000 dollars to the Mayor’s Water Quality program. Since the check had cleared, this was a moot point. He said that he had not yet conferred with Mr. Dunavan to discuss status of the commission‘s finances.
Application Review-Clark
NHMC 2003-13 Bryan Robik, SSMLN, LLC for work at Smith St. & Moodys Lane: ACOE #199900658 and CT DEP #19990515-SJ
Ms. Clark stated that there is one item for this month. She said that it is a revised application pertaining to the facility that the committee looked at before, which is the Norwalk Rowing Club and the residential complex. She said that the actual details involve a number of different items and that none of them represent a significant change to the configurations to the river. She said that the walkway is linked to the Norwalk City Park area and that she does not know anything else beyond that. She stated that the revised application proposes to:
-Replace drainpipe with 30" reinforced concrete pipe
-Restore area adjacent to public-access pedestrian walkway for canoe and kayak launch site
-Construct waterfront facilities for Norwalk River Rowing Club
-Cap existing bulkheads
-Remove timber-piling dolphins and small timber pier heads
-Repair existing masonry wall
With regard to the drainage, Ms. Clark stated that there is going to be a more considerable area of pavement. She said that the grading plan has been eliminated to below the line and that the walkway is designated for the launching of the canoes and kayaks. She said that the applicants are proposing that the launching sites be included for non-motorized vessels. Ms. Clark added that the next part was going to be the construction of the waterside facilities. She said that the larger one would be 2 x 16 feet wide by 16 feet long and that the second would only be 6 x 110 feet long by use of support boats. She said that those docks would be anchored by six three piling dolphins. She said that the application repeatedly states that the boats would always be within the 25-foot channel setback and that the masonry sea wall would be repaired as needed. Ms. Clark added that the materials used would match the materials that are already there. She stated that these were the significant highlights of the application.
**MS. CLARK MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPLICATIONS.
**MR. PALAU SECONDED.
**MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Mobilia asked whether there is parking on the street. Ms. Clark said that she was not sure. Ms. Clark stated that pedestrian parking would start at Moody’s Lane and will move along the waterfront.
Mr. Mobilia asked if Smith Street has access. Ms. Clark said yes and stated that the pedestrian walkway would have signage to link it in. Mr. Callahan said that the boats are going to edge their way into the water. Ms. Clark said that there is a label as public launch area. Mr. Callahan said that it should be paved.
Mr. Griffin said that he thought that the project would be excellent. He said that a small craft launch site would be a great addition. He added that there is a hardship for people coming out of town having to pass through the beach area. Mr. Griffin said that there is a limitation for non-residents that have to pay. Mr. Callahan stated that everyone had been waiting a long time for this project to begin.
Mr. Farrow asked when the project is supposed to be finished. Ms. Clark stated that they are now tidying up the re-worked details and that they are hoping to get started. Ms. Leonard said that with zoning, you have to get a permit within a year.
Boating & Harbor Safety-Farrow
Mr. Farrow said that he would like to have a meeting within the next month to go over general issues. He asked whether there is a time frame to have a new member. He asked if they would have a new member at least within the month. Dr. Pinto said that he had hoped so. Mr. Farrow said that he wanted to put in an endorsement for Dick Ramsey
Dredging-Dunavan
Mr. Steadman stated that he would be speaking for Mr. Dunavan in his absence. He said that no one indicated that the dredging project would not move ahead and that the Army Corps would still be proceeding with the action of the EPA. He stated that they have done all of the tests the EPA must sign off by saying that there is no problem. Mr. Steadman said that as of today, he was told that there is nothing in writing, though there is an agreement that the committee looked at in the past and previously approved. He said they think it will be another two weeks to finish the work. He said that goes in to August and that they will have to revise the application, which would bring commencement of dredging past the beginning of October. He said that they have to go through a contracted process and that the Corps and the EPA are working on the environmental impact statement. He said that they have modified it into two phases to cover the entire Long Island Sound. He stated that it would be a 45-day period to hear public comment on the draft in Connecticut and Long Island. He added that a final environmental impact statement (EIS) must then be prepared.
Mr. Steadman stated that the LIS dump site closes at February 2004. He said that Ambrose amendment for site closure is subject to New York State approval and that they may very well find it inconsistent and deny it. He said that the appeal goes to the Department of Commerce and that they then have 60 days.
Mr. Steadman said that an attorney representing the Fisher’s Island group wrote a letter threatening to take legal action if the site is not closed. He said that it was conceivable that the site would not be designated by 2004. Ms. Clark said that the commercial site would be tremendously disadvantaged.
Regarding the Army Corp dredging project, Dr. Pinto stated that they could just hope for obtaining proper permits this year. He said that they are good for three years once they are obtained. He said that the request for special appropriation funding by Congress for the dredging project would not start until July. Mr. Steadman said that the Army Corps hopes to have the permits by October. Dr. Pinto said that funding would probably not get approved until July of 2005 due to a nine-step procedure in the congressional funding process. Mr. Steadman stated that this was because congress never passed the budget. He said that next year they are requesting that the money from the budget be added on.
Dr. Pinto said that Paul Pimentel of Congressman Shays’ Office told him that all harbors go through the special appropriations process and that the only way to obtain funding is through these special appropriations. Mr. Steadman said that this was called a "congressional add." He said that the money would be available for the next fiscal year. Dr. Pinto said that they hope to get the appropriation by July 1st. He said that they would still have to go through the special appropriations again after October 1st when the bill is passed.
Dr. Pinto said that it would be fine if they could get the upper harbor dredged to the bridge. Mr. Griffin said that it seems that the project will be done in two pieces no matter what. Mr. Callahan said that splitting the project up was previously mentioned. Dr. Pinto said that it would be great if they could just do the upper harbor and that if they are willing to do that, it would really help. Mr. Steadman said that they would have to change the application and that he could call tomorrow to discuss this with the Army Corps in order to make this more feasible.
Dr. Pinto will assume acting Chair of Dredging Committee during Mr. Dunavan’s convalescences.
Mr. Farrow asked where the harbor officially starts. Mr. Griffin said right at the Wall Street Bridge.
Mayor’s Water Quality-D’Andrea
Mr. D’Andrea stated that he has been getting weekly reports from interns that they have not had to close the beach. He said that they have been doing larva studies and that it is good that they have been working their way up the Silvermine Area. He also said that he had received a phone call about a pipe problem. He said that he still has yet to locate the pipe.
Regarding debris remaining from old barge removal on Ascension Beach, he stated that he had gone with a metal detector and saw that everything was fine. Dr. Pinto stated that low tide was at 12 p.m. and that there was still debris washing up that he collected with magnet. Mr. D’Andrea asked if he should mention this. Dr. Pinto said that he would like to see what is happening at low tide himself. Mr. Steadman said that he had received an e-mail from Susan Jacobson of the DEP saying that they had taken care of the problem. Dr. Pinto said that he heard that they had taken care of it by just adding more sand over the metal debris. Mr. Callahan said that the liability must be out of this world. Mr. Callahan stated that a lot of children swim at Ascension Beach. Mr. D’Andrea asked Mr. Steadman if he could send him a copy of the letter. Mr. Steadman said yes. Dr. Pinto said that it would be very easy to resolve the problem using a "roller magnet" commonly used by roofers to remove metal nails from lawns. Mr. Griffin said that this is the job of the DEP. Dr. Pinto said that it appears that the issues of Norwalk are going unresolved by the DEP.
Plans & Recommendations-Callahan
Dr. Pinto stated that there have been many issues coming up regarding the Westport’s Aquaculture nets. He said that the Connecticut Harbor Association has written articles on the subject. He said that John Nickerson of the Stamford Advocate would be putting a news report regarding Aquaculture shellfish nets. Mr. Callahan stated that Westport had already approached him on this issue. He said that Plans & Recommendations have always looked forward and that anyone can join. He stated that the city owns the piling on top of the high watermark. He suggested starting an ordinance to handle the issue. Dr. Pinto said that issue would be looked at in further plans. He said that shellfish nets, bulkhead issues, and excessive shorefront lighting should be important topic to discuss under Plans and Recommendations. Ms. Clark stated that the lighting at the Mark Channel is very bad.
Waterfront Facilities Advisory-Griffin
Mr. Griffin passed a letter around to the committee. He stated that these were not new ideas. He stated that the Mayor was at a function and found out that one of the individuals was the Chairman of a local commodities group. He said the Mayor then asked the man to set up a meeting to discuss various waterfront issues.
Mr. Griffin also stated that the pump out station was down and that parts had been ordered. He said that things were moving along smoothly. Mr. D’Andrea said that in the idea of the waterfront advisory, the dock has been extremely busy. He asked if there will be any changes. Dr. Pinto stated that funding and input is required from Parks & Recreation. Dr. Pinto also mentioned that a freelance writer who was doing a story on Norwalk wrote a letter thanking Mr. Griffin for providing a boat tour of Norwalk Harbor. She regarded Mr. Griffin as a delightful and knowledgeable source.
NEW BUSINESS
Dr. Pinto passed around the Wall Street Plan to review the upper harbor, stating that it is a 90-page document and some comment is required by the commission.
STAFF REPORTS
Planning and Zoning-Greene/Leonard/Vallerie
Ms. Leonard stated that she had nothing to report.
Harbormaster’s Report-Griffin
Mr. Griffin said that he had one deposit made in this reporting period and that he would be giving out a copy of all 13 deposit receipts. He said that there is a breakdown of individual deposits and large management fees. He also added that fines have gone up a bit and that seven donations were made to the harbor fund. He said that there was a residual of $21 in postage.
Mr. Griffin asked the Chair if he had a copy of the letter about the boat show. He replied yes. Mr. Griffin stated that the Bluefish Tournament dates are set for August 23-24 and that the permits have finally been mailed out.
**MR. FARROW MOVED TO ACCEPT THE HARBORMASTER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JULY.
**MS. CLARK SECONDED.
**MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Consultant-Steadman
Mr. Steadman stated that he attended a seminar given on waterfront revitalization and managing water and piers. He stated that many State managing programs do pro-active planning not just regulation. He also stated that coastal management could do what they are supposed to under federal intent. Mr. Steadman said that in Connecticut, the DEP has chosen to focus primarily on establishing regulations. Dr. Pinto asked if there was anyone from the DEP at the meeting to hear comments. Mr. Steadman said yes and stated that other cities deal with the same issues that that they do. He also said that someone from the City of Stratford is interested in starting a harbor management commission and that New Haven is currently establishing one as well.
**MR. PALAU MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN
**MS. CLARK SECONDED
**MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michelle Joseph Telesco Secretarial Services
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