Harbor Commission Meeting - 2024-06-12

Detailed briefing

HARBOR COMMISSION — JUNE 12, 2024 ATTENDEES: A quorum of commissioners was present; Chip attended by Zoom but could not vote. • Commissioners reelected Jim Bartlett as chair and Bill McCullough as vice chair through roll-call votes. Members also discussed succession planning and ways to preserve institutional knowledge, but took no action on an emeritus or nonvoting advisory position. • Major Fort Park improvements remain at an early planning stage. The commission described the subcommittee sketch as a menu of ideas, not a final plan, and agreed to discuss it again in July. Paving could not be completed before the season, while a proposed chipstone unloading area was rejected because an underlying drain is not rated for vehicle traffic. Council instead designated the southernmost parking space beside the Irish building for 10-minute loading and unloading. • Lucas is obtaining quotes for widening the driveway between the parking area and launch ramp, including comparisons of several possible widths. Commissioners said this could be a temporary congestion fix, but cautioned against paying for work that might be removed during a larger future redesign. Staff will also ask Lucas whether a durable protective surface could be placed near the kayak and paddleboard unloading area. • Harbormaster building bids are due June 23. Council is expected to review the bids July 15, while the Harbor Commission is to receive an update at its July meeting. Public notice of any marina-building closure will wait until a contractor and closure schedule are established. • The commission supported an August 9 public display of NM Sloop boats at the merchant dock from 2 to 4 p.m. The dock is expected to be cleared by about 4:30 p.m. so it can return to normal Friday evening use. The event is connected with Historical Society programming and efforts toward historic recognition for the NM Sloop. • The commission approved Outfitter’s annual commercial license for Fort Park, with one member abstaining. It also voted to have formal bylaw language drafted to raise the meeting quorum from five to six and require six votes to approve an action. That language must return for final review and then go to City Council. • The harbormaster reported $30,000 in revenue, compared with $33,000 at the same point last year. Regatta registration stood at 100 boats with 12 on a waitlist. Commissioners supported using East Dock space for overflow while limiting west-wall rafting to two boats deep. Worth watching: 1. Final costs and dimensions for the proposed Fort Park driveway widening. 2. Harbormaster building bids and any resulting closure schedule. 3. Final bylaw language and City Council action on the quorum change. Upcoming: The commission announced its next meeting for July 10 at 4 p.m.; a state marina reservation-system proposal may come in July or August. Why it matters: Summer dock capacity, Fort Park access and the marina-building project will directly affect waterfront operations and public access.

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