Harbor Commission Meeting - 2023-08-09

Detailed briefing

Harbor Commission Meeting — August 9, 2023 ATTENDEES: Bill Brown, Tom Graham, Chip Everest, Pat Gara, Bill McCullough, Jim Bartlett, Laura Coors, Sarah Baker, Victoria Estrell; Greg Fisher participated via Zoom but could not vote. • The commission approved the July 12 meeting minutes after a motion and second, with no stated changes or comments. The agenda was approved by consensus. • The commission reviewed plans for a broader Harbor Master Building renovation and voted to refer the plan to City Council. The proposal includes a new roof, exterior insulation and siding, new west-end bathrooms, conversion of existing bathrooms into laundry and mechanical space, skylights, and three washers and three dryers. The architect said the expanded work is intended to extend the building’s useful life for decades. • The proposed layout would eliminate two parking spaces for bicycle parking; one is an electric-vehicle charging space that would need to move. Members also discussed the need to retain accessible recycling, consider pedestrian sidewalks and bike-rack placement, explore electric-bike charging, provide a police-response parking location, and add baby-changing stations. These items were not resolved during the meeting. • Cost remains uncertain. The architect said an estimate is difficult before bidding and described a rough, non-final range that was unclear in the transcript. The chair said the more extensive plan could require funding beyond waterfront funds and that potential outside funding may be explored. Staff said construction documents, Council review, Planning Commission review, and bids are still needed. • The Fort Park Committee reported no recent meetings. A member plans to meet with city staff on timing and capital-plan items. Possible Fort Park work may need coordination with a Bay Street underground-infrastructure project anticipated in 2028 and a potential bike-path extension. • Harbor operations staff reported revenue through July 31 of just over $135,000, compared with just over $120,000 through the same date in 2022. The regatta berthed 38 boats and was described as successful. Staff also said they are working to reduce the footprint of recycling containers and encourage use of the courtesy dock for dinghies. • Marine patrol staff reported water patrol coverage from noon into the evening daily, 118 public interactions and 33 verbal warnings by the new officer from July 1 to August 8, and $7,216 spent from the $30,000 patrol budget. Staff and commissioners said the added patrol presence has been beneficial. Worth watching: • City Council review of the Harbor Master Building plan is scheduled for August 21; Planning Commission review is expected in September. • Bids and a funding plan will determine whether and how the building project proceeds. • Staff still need to address recycling, parking, charging, pedestrian access, and police-response parking in or around the project. Upcoming: The next Harbor Commission meeting is scheduled for October 11, 2023. Why it matters: The building project and patrol program affect public harbor services, safety, access, and the city’s waterfront budget.

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