Harbor Commission (Application Review Committee)

CITY OF NORWALK HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING May 5, 2020 ATTENDANCE: John Romano, Chairman; Jeff Mangels; Alan Kibbe; Christopher MacDonnell; Anthony Mobilia; Dr. John Pinto; Matt Gifford; John Crespo; Dennis Santella STAFF: Geoff Steadman, Consultant; Steve Bartush, Shellfish Commission, Joe Schnierlein, Water Quality Committee, Bryan Baker, Land Use; Gregg Scully, Harbor Master Mr. Romano called the meeting to order at 6:17 p.m. Harbor Master – Abandoned vessel report Sergeant Scully related an incident he had regarding an abandoned vessel and a confrontation he had with the owner. He said he had the vessel removed and it is stationed at the Norwalk Visitor’s Dock. The deadline for the owner to remove his vessel from its present location is May 25. Mr. Romano asked who does the bearing of the mooring fall on, Sergeant Scully said we are not paying for the dropping of the mooring. Sergeant Scully said the Launch ramps are still being done by appointment on Saturday’s and Sunday’s from 10-2. Mr. Romano asked about transient moorings, the location of them and what the costs would be. Sergeant Scully said he did not hear back from the city. Mr. Romano said we have the funds allocated and it has been approved by the city. Chairman’s Report Mr. Romano reported based on the aforementioned encounter with Harbor Master Scully that there has to be a hearing officer and the Mayor has appointed me (Mr. Romano) should this become litigious. The owner of the boat wants to appeal the decision. A new system for moorings was discussed. Mr. Romano said it should be labeled Transient City of Norwalk. Mr. Romano asked about getting into City Hall and Mr. Santella said he heard there are some checks that were mailed but he can’t get in. Mr. Baker said any mail that comes in usually comes to his office. He said there is always somebody there to receive the mail and Mr. Romano asked to have that person check the Commission’s mailbox. City of Norwalk Harbor Management Commission May 5, 2020 Page 1 4.) Public Comment There was no public comment. Staff Reports Consultant – Steadman Mr. Steadman said he wanted to confirm what Mr. Kibbe said that the property just south of the Stroffolino Bridge on Water Street is part of the Washington Street Design District not the Marine Commercial District. Mr. Steadman said he listened to the Connecticut Port Authority meeting last week. They accepted grant applications for the small harbor improvement project program. Mr. Steadman said they did vote on approving 10 applications. Norwalk had two applications submitted but neither were approved. The submittals were not made by the Harbor Commission. Shellfish Commission – Bartush Mr. Bartush said on the 52 Shorefront Park Project DEEP had a meeting with the local shareholders and the Shellfish Commission did not attend. He stated that the Harbor Management Commission is deferring to Shellfish Commission in terms of recommendations. Mr. Bartush added Shellfish submitted their formal consultation form, The property that did not have a formal survey. He said the commission supports staking the structure’s footprint and that is something where there is recent precedence for and the Shellfish Commission would like to make that recommendation. He said they would like to thank Captain Norman Bloom for the first seasonal transplantation of clams to recreation beds. Mr. Bartush said recreational shellfishing is open but closed at Calf Pasture and Shady Beach until further notice. Mr. Bartush said with respect to the meeting about excursion vessels, the Shellfish Commission did not attend, but we support the authority of Lt. Jennifer Sheehy of the Coast Guard, Harbor Master Scully and Sergeant Lapak of Norwalk Police to make the correct decision regarding safety. Moorings and safety - Santella Mr. Santella recommended a new program called “Stripe for on-line mooring” which will make it easier for applicants to make payments. He said he recommends that the Commission do this. Mr. Santella said the online mooring fee will go up by 0.25 percent. Mr. Santella commented on harbor safety and asked if there is an issue in the harbor tha he would like to know what is going on. He said he should be aware of what is going on in case he is asked about it. Finance - Mobilia City of Norwalk Harbor Management Commission May 5, 2020 Page 2 Mr. Mobilia said he and Chairman Romano met with Board of Finance and Taxation and they were very receptive to the commission’s request to increase the budget. Mr. Mobilia said the fund balance opened in March with $11,076.04 and our income was $9,766 and expenditures $13,835.29. The current fund balance is $7,006.75. Plans and Recommendations – Mangels Mr. Romano requested that Mr. Mangels will do a written report and disseminate to the commission. Newsletter/Web site – Kibbe Mr. Romano requested that Mr. Kibbe will do a written report and disseminate to the commission. Water Quality – Schnierlein Mr. Schnierlein discussed the danger of Covid -19 in the sewage. He sent a request to the Mayor and the department of Agriculture asking if the way sewage is being treated eliminates Covid-19 but he has not gotten a response yet. He said he saw an article that as long as the sewage is treated, we should be good. If it is not treated live viruses can get out into the shellfish. Therefore, spills of untreated sewage that make their way into our rivers or the sound present a health risk from Covid-19. Mr. Romano said we should request the installation of an ultraviolet unit to treat the sewage to protect the shellfish in our harbor areas. Approval of Minutes ** MR. SANTELLA MADE A MOTIION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE HARBOR COMMISSION FEBUARY MEETING. ** MOTION PASSED UNAMIOUSLY. New Business Mr. Romano introduced the newest Commission member Matt Gifford. Adjournment ** MR. MANGELS MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNAMIOUSLY. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. City of Norwalk Harbor Management Commission May 5, 2020 Page 3 Respectfully submitted, G. Venuto Telesco Secretarial Services City of Norwalk Harbor Management Commission May 5, 2020 Page 4