Harbor Commission Meeting - 2020-10-14

Detailed briefing

Harbor Commission Meeting — October 14, 2020 ATTENDEES: Michael Esposito, Laura Coors, Jeff James, Dick Schiller, Flicka Reagan, Bill McCullough, Jim Bartlett, Tim Fletcher Rice, and Fred Rockwitz were recorded present; the commission confirmed a quorum. • The commission approved prior meeting minutes with two typo corrections and approved the agenda. No public comment was offered before old business. • Members reaffirmed their intent to retain the existing design and site for a future Harbor Master building, but set no construction date. They cited ongoing high-water risk, more than $100,000 spent on waterfront mitigation, and the loss of a state grant as reasons to delay. Possible future funding sources discussed included waterfront funds, city funds, grants, bonds, and donors. • The commission recommended that City Council approve a two-year Ford Park agreement for Walstrom Dock and Dredge. The recommendation calls for the boom to be down when not in use at Ford Park and for city-determined penalties for contract violations. The commission heard mixed public input on traffic, noise, views, and public-property use, while also emphasizing the company’s role in servicing city docks and private waterfront users. • The commission recommended a two-year Little Traverse Ferry Foundation license under the same terms. Ferry representatives reported 6,885 one-way trips from June 25 through October 10, while carrying fewer passengers per trip because capacity was reduced from 49 to 30. Staff said the ferry met city obligations, but future overnight docking arrangements need to be confirmed. • The commission voted not to add kayak storage racks and voted to keep the current kayak waitlist process. Discussion focused on Ford Park congestion, parking, reported low rack use by some users, and whether waitlists should be refreshed. Members also discussed researching whether city-resident preference is legally available for kayak storage. • The commission approved rate changes: 3% increases for seasonal dockage and moorings; commercial launch permits of $400 for city businesses and $600 for non-city businesses; transient moorings at $25 and $35; kayak and non-mooring dinghy storage at $200; and transient dockage at state schedule I. Other launch-ramp rates stayed unchanged. Worth watching: • City Council must make the final decisions on the Walstrom Dock and Dredge and ferry license recommendations. • Staff still needs to develop Harbor Master building funding options and assess Ford Park parking improvements. • The city may review waitlists and resident-preference options for kayak storage. Upcoming: The Historical Society announced a planned Blessing of the Fleet on July 1, 2021, and will seek the needed permit; it is also exploring a late-June Coast Guard cutter visit. Why it matters: The meeting set near-term waterfront operating rules and prices while leaving larger Harbor Master building and Ford Park capacity decisions unresolved.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.