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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-26 Harbor Committee Minutes City of Bangor Harbor Committee Minutes Meeting: Thursday, May 26, 2011 Harbormaster’s Office Committee Members in Attendance: Art Morgan, City Engineer; Daniel Cassidy; Daniel Field; Peter D’Errico; Charles Longo, Council Alternate Representative; Jerry Ledwith, Harbormaster Guests: John Hanson, John Frawley Minutes from the April Joint Harbor Committee/Parks and Rec Committee were accepted as distributed. I Project Updates  Dock installation for Docks 2, 3, 4, and 5 is completed. 7 seasonal vessels are committed to use the seasonal dock (4). The Harbormaster indicated there is room remaining for another 1 or two vessels. The replacement of Dock 4 will occur with the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) funds this year. Art Morgan indicated several designs are being considered including framing of timber, steel, and aluminum, with a composite deck and encapsulated foam flotation.  The Small Vessel Access will be a 45 foot ramp to a launch dock coming off the downstream end of the bulkhead. This is the only design permitable given restrictions on the Tar Remediationn project. Safety for launching off this dock was considered with the following options discussed: o Underwater “deck” to allow a canoe or kayak floated and boarded with optimal safety. This would be perhaps 6 inches below water. o A low dock clearance, similar to the low dock appendage which has been on Dock 1 the past few years. This is particularly important for rowing craft. Art Morgan indicated that regulatory approvals are pending, but he is optimistic this dock could be in place by late June.  The Patience is planning to be in Bangor on weekends for Harbor Cruises. It will occupy Dock 3 as long as there is no need for that dock for visiting vessels. Dock 2 will remain open for brief (i.e. few hour) layovers. Overnight vessels will be put on Dock 3, in which case the Patience will be moved to the Heavy Vessel Dock (Dock 5). The Patience is expected to check in with the Harbormaster prior to each weekend arrival, but also would be asked to move at any time if a visiting vessel arrives and requires the space. II Publicity  The Small Vessel access will hopefully be in and open for use early in the summer. A formal opening/dedication was suggested to occur at the time of the Penobscot River Revival Festival which usually occurs in July. Organizers and Participants in this event have a strong interest in small vessel river access, and press coverage could help get the word out.  The harbor brochure of 2009 will be updated and a printed version made available at other stops along the coast.  Tanya Periera, City Development Specialist, might be of assistance to the Committee in publicizing waterfront activities and resources. It was suggested that she be invited to attend the next Harbor Committee Meeting. III Security  Security cameras purchased for waterfront security do not function well due to the low level of lighting on the docks. An effort will be made to correct this.  The security camera images are not monitored, but rather just recorded at the Harbormaster’s office. Live monitoring at the Police Station is not possible due to lack of the proper cable connections.  Security at the Seasonal Dock was voiced as a concern of several present. The replacement docks will be offset and there will be a secured entrance with the replacement dock design. Current plans would have the ramp down to the dock immediately adjacent to the bulkhead, which is less than desirable since one could simply hop over the rail an on to the ramp. There are weight considerations and the desire to avoid a barrier fence that affect options. Art Morgan and Staff will consider options. IV Moorings  Mooring availability is felt to be key to increasing harbor usage. Seeking approval by the Army Corps of Engineers is essential with the existing Navigational Channel. The 1990 permit allowing moorings still exists, but Army Corps agreement that any proposed moorings would not impede anticipated commercial traffic would be a necessary step.  The Committee has felt that moorings in the area close to the Chamberlain bridge would meet these dual objectives of the Army Corps for not impeding existing commercial use, and the City’s of increasing recreational boat access.  The initial step for advancing this process would be for Art Morgan and City Staff to make initial contact with the Army Corps on this matter. V “A Proposed Plan for Promoting Increased Boating Activity”  This document was developed by retired former City Chief Engineer, John Frawley and other interested parties. This was first presented at this meeting and was briefly reviewed by John. It was felt compatible with the Committee’s goals.  The document was accepted by the committee and will be an appendage to the minutes. It as asked that all members review it in detail so it could be discussed further at the next committee meeting.