City of Harbor Springs's June 14 2023 Harbor Commission

Detailed briefing

Harbor Commission — June 14, 2023 ATTENDEES: A quorum was confirmed. Roll call recorded Jim Bartlett, Matt McGarry, Karen Stroud (remote), Tom Graham, Bill McCullough, Bill Brown, Greg Fisher, and John Baker, among others. • The commission approved the May 10 meeting minutes after no corrections were raised. It also added officer elections, a police report, and a harbormaster report to the agenda by consensus. • The Little Traverse Ferry Foundation’s license was renewed for two years on the same terms as the prior agreement. Discussion identified a $1,000 annual license fee and noted the foundation’s prior $60,000 investment in extending the dock, which is owned by the city. Ferry representatives said the vessel was delayed by replacement-engine parts but was expected to enter the water the next day. They said walk-up passengers can board when space is available; the Coast Guard certification is about 49 passengers, while the operator generally aims for about 36 for comfort. • Officers were selected for the upcoming year: Jim Bartlett as chair, Norma Collins as vice chair, and Karen Stroud as secretary. The commission also approved renewal recommendations for commercial licenses for Outfitter and Meyer Marine; one member abstained. • Members opened a broad discussion about Ford Park’s future. Concerns included congested trailer and vehicle parking, kayak storage, pedestrian crossings, boat-turning safety, changing park uses, high-water flooding, and the site’s wet ground conditions. Members said the current layout was designed long ago and may no longer fit ferry, barge, kayak, launch-ramp, and parking demands. • The commission formed an ad hoc Ford Park planning group chaired by Bill McCullough, with Karen Stroud and Greg Fisher participating. The group is to develop a blueprint of desired uses and suggestions for accommodating them, recognizing existing contractual uses such as the ferry and barge. The chair said he would check whether the city has an accurate site plan. Members also discussed obtaining professional design help and pursuing possible state support, without making a funding commitment. • Police reported that permit parking was going well and announced new marine patrol officer Larry Mosher would begin training that evening. The harbormaster reported 173 ramp permits sold to date, dock power improvements completed and tested, and transient revenue of $29,290 to date versus $28,807 at the same point last year. Worth watching: • Whether the Ford Park committee produces a defined use plan, site information, and recommendations for the full commission. • Whether professional planning assistance or state funding is pursued for a Ford Park redesign. • How ramp-permit stickers, marine patrol training, and parking enforcement perform during the boating season. Upcoming: The next Harbor Commission meeting is July 12 at 4 p.m. at City Hall. Why it matters: The commission preserved existing harbor services while starting a planning process that could shape access, safety, parking, and public waterfront use at Ford Park.

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