Minutes of the Port of Manchester Advisory meeting held 9-17-09

Attending: S. Pedersen, J. Guariz, M. Guariz, N. Brady, B. Edwards, R. Rada, B. Lamb, D. Gogel, B. Malmquist, P. Yates, J. Winslow

Steve Pedersen called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM in the Manchester Library. Steve said that follow-up items from the previous meeting were as follows:

1) Manchester sign permit was passed around for review. The permit is clear that only community groups may post banners on the sign with the Commissioners’ approval. DCD code compliance officer, Steve Mount challenged whether a permit had been issued, but he was directed to A. Fletcher who showed him the approved application. Apparently the DCD has failed to inspect the final installation and may have lost the original document. A Fletcher will follow-up for a third time with the DCD for final inspection. John Winslow will provide S. Pedersen with an updated copy of the sign governance standards including specifics on the sign size.

2) Launch fee sub-committee action list was also passed to all for suggestions. Bud Larsen is still taking suggestions from the public on the launch fee project. The Commissioners are specifically looking for input from the sub-committee on fees, type of collection system, and enforcement strategies. It was agreed that enforcement would be the key to success for collections. A $5.00 launch fee was suggested as in-line with State parks and appropriate. It was noted that the State issues $125 tickets for non-payment, but the Port would not have ticketing authority. Steve P. stated that the Commissioners want a system in place by 1/1/10. Steve will send Bud Larsen’s email on the subject to the other two Commissioners.

It was concluded that the newsletter should coincide with the initiation of launch fees, so distribution should occur in January/February 2010. The local newspapers should be used to help communicate the initiation of launch fees.

The Transportation Planning committee had no report. It was noted that the County representative for Transportation Planning will be the guest speaker at the next MCAC meeting on Tuesday October 6 at 6:30PM in the Library.

A walking path through the Vets’ Memorial Garden was discussed next. The County has agreed to move the stop sign slightly to accommodate the new path. Dusty Wiley has recommended that the path not include stairs as a safety measure. Steve P. will contact the VFW to get a representative to outline their plans for the garden to the next PAC meeting on 10/15.

Steve P. asked whether there was any interest in obtaining a remnant from the Twin Towers for the memorial gardens. It was concluded that we did not have an appropriate space for a remnant.

The Port garden work party is still scheduled for Saturday 10/31. The Port is asked to provide 10 yds³ each of topsoil and bark. Both of these deliveries should be scheduled for the morning of 10/31. D. Gogel will also provide ~15 “one-man” rocks for the project. The Water District will provide a backhoe and operator. R. Rada to provide hot beverages and D. Gogel to provide baked goods. Volunteers will be needed at 8:00AM on 10/31.

We still need to define the volume of material to be stored in the local repository for Port records; this is a S. Pedersen action item. John W. suggested that a records retention policy would be helpful in defining what materials should be retained and for how long.

The status of the appraisal of the property adjoining the Library was mentioned. Steve P. will pursue what value was established on the property.

Next we discussed the property adjoining the boat launch that is intended to be added parking. All were interested in seeing the project schedule. Steve noted that the project is taking a long time and one of the impeding factors is the requirement that a shorelines permit is required for any development on the property. It was also stated that the Port has approached the Friends of the Library to coordinate a Fall “garage sale” of items left at the site.

The next Port meeting will be on 10/12. Prior to that meeting, a special PAC meeting will be scheduled with A. Fletcher and J. Strode to get clarification on the parking site development schedule. S. Pedersen to organize this meeting at 4PM to facilitate A. Fletcher’s attendance. D. Gogel will email S. Pedersen a list of questions we have on the parking lot project to allow A. Fletcher to prepare for the meeting.

The final item discussed was the recent Port decision on canceling the proposed IDD. Joe Guariz conveyed Wanda Larsen’s disappointment after being led to believe that the Port was planning to proceed. She said that this let-down could likely lead to the loss of volunteer enthusiasm in support of the Port. Most of the members present voiced their feelings on the subject which led to a common comment that the Port Commissioners need to develop a vision for the future and then effectively communicate that to their constituents and then take feedback. It was generally agreed that the Commissioners didn’t convey a clear vision with the IDD discussions and that led to the negative feedback from a portion of the voters.

It was suggested that a significant agenda item for the next regular meeting of the PAC should be a careful review of the Port budget with recommendations on necessary actions to support Port operations for the next several years.

With no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:34 PM.

Follow-up actions for next meeting:

1) John Winslow to update sign governance requirements.

2) S. Pedersen to forward B. Larsen email on collection system to other Commissioners.

3) S. Pedersen to contact the VFW for a speaker at the 10/15 PAC meeting.

4) Port to provide soil and bark for 10/31 work party.

5) D. Gogel to provide ~15 one-man rocks for work party on 10-31.

6) S. Pedersen to arrange for backhoe and operator on 10-31.

7) S. Pedersen to get info on the volume of Port records to be stored locally.

8) S. Pedersen to get info on the appraised value of the property adjoining the Library.

9) S. Pedersen to organize special PAC meeting at 4PM on 10/12.

10) D. Gogel to email S. Pedersen a list of questions on the parking lot project.

Respectfully submitted,

John Winslow, for Wanda Larsen