Harbor Commission Meeting - 2024-10-09

Detailed briefing

Harbor Commission — October 9, 2024 ATTENDEES: Harbor Commission members, city staff, Harbor Master staff, marine-patrol representatives, and the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society executive director. • The commission amended its bylaws to require six members for a quorum and six concurring votes for commission action. The motion carried after discussion about whether the higher threshold could make winter or emergency business harder to complete. Members also agreed to replace “chairman” and “vice chairman” with gender-neutral titles. • Commissioners approved Benchmark’s proposed nine-foot widening of the Ford Park driveway and authorized staff to obtain quotes. The estimate discussed separately included approximately $2,000 to relocate electrical lines; Benchmark’s design bill had not yet been received. • The commission recommended that City Council approve a modified DNR central reservation-system agreement after review by the city attorney. The discussed framework limits participation to 12 transient slips, reduces the term from 20 years to three years, preserves space for regattas and other events, and allows longer stays outside the core summer period. The attorney will also review cancellation language that commissioners found potentially unclear. • After rejecting proposed increases of 4.5% and 2%, the commission approved a 3.25% increase for 2025 seasonal dock and seasonal mooring rates. It also increased mooring rates by $5, from $30 to $35 and from $40 to $45, and raised non-seasonal dinghy and kayak storage from $225 to $230. • Seasonal and daily launch-permit rates will remain unchanged; that motion passed 8-1. The commission also moved 2025 transient dockage from the state’s category I to category J. Members debated whether Harbor Springs should charge the top rate without a new Harbor Master building or laundry facilities, while others noted the state categories had not increased for three years. • Harbor staff described the season as successful, with transient dockage rising from about $195,000 last year to about $219,000 this year. Regatta activity and the GL52 fleet contributed to dockage and parking revenue. Commissioners nevertheless questioned why reported seasonal mooring revenue fell and asked staff to investigate. Worth watching: 1. The city attorney’s final DNR contract language, especially termination rights and the 12-slip limit. 2. Reconciliation of the seasonal mooring revenue decline. 3. Insurance guidance on marine-patrol towing and liability, plus inspection of the launch ramp’s dropping east corner. Upcoming: The 2025 Blessing of the Fleet sunset cruise is planned for June 25, followed by the boat parade on June 26; boarding arrangements remain unconfirmed. Why it matters: The decisions affect harbor access, 2025 boating costs, city revenue, and the safety and reliability of waterfront operations.

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