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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-08-02 Harbor Committee MinutesMINUTES OF HARBOR COMMITTEE MEETING AUGUST 2, 1994 The regular monthly meeting of the .Harbor Committee was held in the 3rd floor conference room at 9:00 P.M. Committee members present were Jim Blanchette, Pat Blanchette, Bob Wheeler, Neal MCCrum and Harbor Master Ben Glidden. Others present were Jim Ring, Susan Young of the BBN, Russ Ritchi, and Linda Goff. After introductions of those present, the committee welcomed one of the newer members of the Harbor Committee, Neal Mccrum. :Agenda Item #1\ - 016CussiOn On Penobscot. Water Taxi Proposal Russ Ritchi briefed the Committee on the proposal for water taxi services on the Penobscot River to be provided by Russ Ritchi and Wayne LaBree. They would provide water taxi services and scenic tours of the river from the Hampden Narrows to above the dam at the Waterworks. He also could envision lunch and dinner packages on the 38 ft. pontoon boat which is Coast Guard certified for 6 passengers. Ritchi indicated they were already authorized to use Hampden, Winterport and Bucksport, but they would like to be able to have Bangor as a home port. Pat Blanchette indicated that the Legal Dept. was reviewing the insurance information provided by Penobscot Water Taxi. She then asked the Committee, that if the insurance meet all legal requirements and an agreement on a fee for the use of dock space could be reached, should the process be started to send the Harbor Committee's recommendation to the Community & Economic Development Committee, and then on to the City Council for approval? She then changed her question and made it a motion. Jim Blanchette opened up the question/motion to discussion.' Jim Ring skated that the agreement with the Voyageur not an exclusive one. He wondered whether or not they wanted two or more boats at the waterfront at this time. He stated that ultimately he would like to see many operations at the waterfront, but he wasn't sure we should have more this year as the voyageur was just getting started. Bob Wheeler felt the water taxi operation would appeal to a different market and not really be in Competition with the Voyageur. Neal MCCrumasked whether the Voyageur had any concerns with another boating operation at the waterfront. Jim Ring said he bad talked with Lynn Hall and Mr. Hall expressed no real objections. Ben Glidden didn't think the operations would interfere with each other. He didn't have any problems with the water taxi operation as long as he had the flexibility to put them on a mooring if dock #2 was needed. Pat Blanchette re -stated hermotion to tentatively refer the Harbor Committee's recommendation to the Community & Economic Development Committee pending the Legal Dept.'s approval of the insurance and working out a mutual agreement and fee. She then stated that at the beginning of the summer the city had entered into an Agreement with the Voyageur and she felt it would be a slap in the face to Lynn Hall if the Committee approved another boating operation. She said in 10,years she could see several boats operating at the waterfront, but after begging and soliciting proposals for three years to get a cruise boat in Bangor, she did not want to endanger their success this first year. She. therefore must vote against the water taxi service. Jim Blanchette felt the proposal was a good one, but he had. to vete against it for this year too. The Committee voted unanimously usly against allowing the water taxi service. At this point Mer. Ritchi said he would withdraw his proposal totally. Both Pat Blanchette and Jim Ring told Mr. Ritchi that if he was interested next year, he should start earlier. Mr. Ritchi said he would not rule it out, but felt they would probably pursue other areas. Agenda Item #2 Harbor Master's 1�� Report The Harbor Master felt that r'c yr should be two signs -Danger - Shallow Water" put on the Penobscot Bridge, as too many boats were getting stuck and had to. be pulled out. Ben also said some street lights were out again. Also the four picnic tab}es that were being repaired, had not been returned to the waterfront: Jim Ring said he spoke to Dale Theriault and would call him again. _ Jim Blanchette also mentioned that 2 lights were out on the Veterans Bridge pilings. Jim Ring said Me -would notify DOT. Ben also asked if he could get larger trash barrels as the smaller ones by the benches filled up toofast. Jim Ring said he was sure he could get some larger ones.. New Business -Pat Blanchette asked what the chances were, in a year or two when funds would allow, of having a brick barbecue pit for people to use at the waterfront. Everyone thought that would be a good idea and it should be looked into. Ben Glidden asked that Section 6 General Rules and Regulation of the Harbor Ordinance be amended. The second paragraph states "All watercraft operating within a distance of 500 feet below the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge, including the Inner Harbor areas above the bridge, shall maintain a speed of not more than five knots." He feels it should be changed to read: All watercraft nfrom the 395 Bridge, includingthe Inner. s above the C 11 maintain a _ d f h five knots and no wake. Jim Ring passed out copies of the Harbor Ordinance and suggested the Committee review them and take up any other suggested changes at the next meeting. The recommended changes would then be referred to the Community 6 Economic Development Committee or Municipal Operations Committee before being sent on to the City Council for action. - The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 P.M.