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HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION

JUNE 23, 2004

ATTENDANCE: Dr. John Pinto, Chairman; Pat Clark; Tony D’Andrea; Tony Mobilia; Richard Ramsey; Jack Callahan

OTHERS: Michael Griffin, Harbormaster; Geoff Steadman, Consultant; Pete Hess, Kayaker and interested Boater.
EXCUSED: Jose Juan Cebrian, Henry Palau, and Jason Farrow

CALL TO ORDER

Dr. Pinto called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

** MR. CALLAHAN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF MAY 26, 2004 AS PRESENTED.
** MS. CLARK SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

a. Connecticut Harbor Management Association Meeting

Dr. Pinto indicated that he, Mr. Griffin and Mr. Steadman had attended the Connecticut Harbor Management Association meeting where they had discussed the annual meeting proposed for October 14, 2004; he went to say that the CHMA was planning to have the State Attorney General Blumenthal as its guest speaker. Also, the president of the CHMA had requested that Association members try to identify new board members, as they would like to expand.

Mr. Griffin reported that he had suggested that the annual CHMA business meeting be more of a fact finding event getting together representative from New York State and the Connecticut DEP to discuss dredging and deposal concerns for harbors in Connecticut and New York that abut the LIS. He considered this to be the best available forum to allow both parties to express their points of view.

b. Update on Mid-Harbor Development Plan

Dr. Pinto stated that another meeting on the development of the mid-harbor was held last week that reviewed the areas from Oyster Shell Park to Water Street and how to bring more focus (tourist traffic) to the area. Dr. Pinto mentioned that Chan and Kreiger Consultants wanted more public access that would provide a connection of the Stroffolino Bridge from SONO to liberty square.

Mr. Mobilia who also attended the planning session commented that suggestions were made that would require new buildings around the Water Street area to be built perpendicular rather than parallel to the water to allow more views of the harbor.

Dr. Pinto added that the plan is now 97% complete.

There was discussion on the proposed small hotel (Inn) and the need for more transient boat slips.

Mr. Steadman said they would have a chance to comment on the plan to see if it is consistent with the Norwalk Harbor Management Plan.

c. Norwalk River Watershed Initiative

Dr. Pinto said that he, Mr. Steadman and Mayor Knopp had attended the above-mentioned meeting noting that it was very well attended. He said that Jessica Kaplan (Director of the Initiative) had asked him to present an overview of what the Initiative means to Norwalk; he said he might try to put this in terms of water quality and what it would mean to live downstream of the Cities and Towns located within the Norwalk River Watershed. Their next meeting will be July 15, 2004 at 3:30 pm.

d. David S. Dunavan Memorial Fund Account

Dr. Pinto stated that he had spoken with Fred Gilden (Finance Department) about opening a special memorial fund in the name of David Dunavan so that friends of Dave Dunavan could donate to perpetual his memory. The Commission would oversee distribution of potential donations and that they would be used expressly to support the boating center.

There was discussion on this being a tax-deductible donation.

Mr. Ramsey suggested that the account be totally separate from the NHMC. Discussion on the different accounting options ensued. It was concluded that an account separate from that of the Commission’s be established.

COMMISSION ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS

a. Harbor Management Plan revision

Mr. Steadman reported that he has put all of the chapters together and distributed copies of the revised introduction that included some history and how the plan is implemented.

Dr. Pinto requested that if there were any comments to please forward them to him by email.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Web Page/Newsletter – Mr. Mobilia

Mr. Mobilia said that he had spoken with John Frank (Chairman, Norwalk Shellfish Commission) today about writing an article for the next newsletter. Mr. Mobilia suggested that the cover story would on the dredging from a statewide point of view including New York and what it means to them be written by Geof Steadman and Dr. Pinto would approach the same subject from a local point of view. He said the latest due date to have all articles to him is August 31, 2004 so he would be able to get the newsletter out in time for the annual meeting. Mr. Mobilia suggested that Mr. Farrow could write something on boating and harbor safety; He also suggested that Mr. Griffin write something on the Splash event and also that he intended to ask the Marine Police for news around the harbor. Mr. Palau will continue his article on the history of Norwalk Islands with a focus on Cockenoe Island.

Dr. Pinto suggested that other city agencies could produce articles; he gave an example of the DPW or the Shellfish Commission.

Mr. Mobilia concluded by asking that articles be between 300-400 words.

b. Finance – Mr. Ramsey

Mr. Ramsey distributed this month’s budget and expenses and went through the numbers. He mentioned a check for $2,500 from the Shellfish Commission for the water quality interns and that it would come to them via a transfer from the Health Department.

Mr. Griffin suggested there should be a clear paper trail so that the money can be earmarked for the water quality interns. He further suggested that a thank you letter be sent to the Shellfish Commission thanking them for their support.

Mr. D’Andrea said that on behalf of the Water Quality Committee and Summer Interns he would be responsible for writing the thank you letter.

Dr. Pinto mentioned that they had not been receiving invoices for the secretarial services and that he would look into this and would confer with Mr. Ramsey.

Mr. Ramsey said the postage use was again higher than expected and said he thought this was a procedural problem in the mailing room.

Mr. Griffin handed in a check from Bloom Bros. Inc. in an amount of $2,500 for the Water Quality Interns.

c. Application Review – Ms. Clark

Ms. Clark stated that there had no been an Application Review committee meeting this month. She said that tonight she had been handed a notice of tentative determination from the CT DEP for the application by SS MLN which is a revised application for Norwalk River Housing and Rowing Club at Moodie’s Lane, South Smith St, and Daskams Lane for construction of a pierhead, ramp, and floating dock to be used by the Rowing Club. Ms Clark mentioned that they are asking for written comments by July 20, 2004. At a quick glance, Ms. Clark noticed some minor changes and asked Mr. Steadman if he could contact the DEP to ask for an extension of the comment period so they can meet in July and discuss it further.

Ms. Steadman reported that he had received a draft open space plan from the Conservation Commission and they would like comments on this by the end of August 2004 and suggested this is something they should discuss during the next meeting. Secondly, he received a call from the DEP regarding the Nezas Dock and their second letter. The DEP said they had contacted the property owner asking them to re-design the dock so the setback requirement is met.

Mr. D’Andrea said that a prospective Condo owner at Vantage Point had approached him with the request that as their dock is for sale, what were the limits regarding the size of vessel that he could moor at the slip.

Mr. Callahan interjected that the dock is out of compliance. The finding is that any vessel moored to that location would be out of compliance with the set back distance for the East Basin.

Dr. Pinto suggested that this should be handled with Mr. Callahan expertise since he helped with the realignment project for the East Basin.

Mr. Griffin suggested that Mr. D’Andrea go back to the person at Vantage Point and request him to write a letter to the commission with his/her specific requests.

d. Boating and Harbor Safety
Update on Mooring Rules and Regulations change

Dr. Pinto distributed copies of the rules and regulations including the changes, noting that they had gone through the Parks and Recreations committee and then onto the Common Council meeting where they were passed unanimously by consent.

e. Dredging – Dr. Pinto/Mr. Steadman

Dr. Pinto said that Mr. Steadman had attended a meeting in Fairfield where he had heard directly that $1.5 million has been appropriated for the dredging project on the House side; the Senate has yet to approve this. Previous to this a letter was generated by Congressman Shay’s office refusing the ACOE to utilize $200,000 of the previous million dollars that were allotted to finalize the environmental impact statement. He said they had discussed this issue at the ACOE indicating that Congressman’s office was “too quick” in refusing this money to be used because it’s all for the good of Norwalk. Subsequent to this discussion, another letter was generated by the Congressman’s office agreeing to the fact that ACOE could use the $200,000 and that it would be treated as a loan to the Dredging account.

Mr. Griffin distributed a timeline of the dredging issues and went through each item.

Mr. Steadman added that Congressman Shay’s office has no idea of when the Senate will act on this. On May 25, 2004 Dodd, Shay and Lieberman wrote to Mr. Arthur Rocque, DEP commissioner, urging him to work with New York as a good neighbor in trying to resolve this LIS Dredged Disposal Site through diplomacy. On May 28, 2004, Mr. Rocque responded and on June 3, 2004 this Commission wrote to Mr. Rocque supporting the congressional letter. Also on June 3, 2004 New York State issued their findings on objecting to the designation of the LIS disposal sites.

Mr. Steadman said he had talked with a group of citizens concerned with the environmental impacts in New York. The group will be holding meetings in July about alternatives to open water disposal and that he would present the perspective of Norwalk and why this is necessary.

Mr. D’Andrea said that the Past Time Club, at the same time noting that he is a member, had asked about dredging in that area as the silting has become very bad in some places.

f. Mayor’s Water Quality – Mr. D’Andrea

Mr. D’Andrea indicated that the interns are up and running, they have been having problems in the same areas that they usually have. Surveys have been done and they pulled up 45 flounder in one trawl. He said they are working on the MY Sound probe in conjunction with the Maritime Center and they will then move up and down the river to do some incremental testing.

Mr. Ramsey brought a photograph of the river water as well as a sample of the water near Oyster Bend Marina. The floating material was reddish and oily in appearance however it settled out upon standing. There was discussion on this.

g. Plans and Recommendations – Mr. Callahan

Mr. Callahan said they are continuing to look for places to launch non-motorized vessels.

Mr. Pete Hess who attended the meeting said he built kayaks and they are looking for a place to build a facility so that kayakers and rowers can have access to the water.

Mr. Callahan listed the places they have investigated – discussion ensued on possible areas.

Mr. Griffin suggested that they start with city land records with close proximity to the waterfront.

Dr. Pinto said the state of Connecticut has issued new codes with regard to lighting areas and light on land and how it interferes with navigation.

h. Waterfront Facilities Advisory – Mr. Griffin
Update of plans for designation of the David S. Dunavan Boating Center

Mr. Griffin distributed his report giving details of the dedication of the Boating Center for David Dunavan.

Dr. Pinto indicated that he would like to say a few words at the dedication. He said that when the date and agenda are finalized they should let the Mayor know as soon as possible so he can put it on his calendar.

NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business this evening.

STAFF REPORTS

a. Planning and Zoning

There was no report this evening.

b. Harbormaster’s Report – Mr. Griffin

Mr. Griffin distributed his written report.

There was discussion on the number of checks being done on boaters in the harbor at the moment.

** MR. CALLAHAN MOVED TO ACCEPT THE HARBORMASTER’S REPORT DATED JUNE 23, 2004.
** MR. D’ANDREA SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

c. Consultant – Mr. Steadman

There was no report this evening.

OTHER COMMENTS

There was brief discussion on the preparations regarding plans for the David S. Dunavan Memorial Boating Center.

ADJOURNMENT

** MR. RAMSEY MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MS. CLARK SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Kye
Telesco Secretarial Services

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