HARBOR COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 @ 6:00 P.M.
City Hall Conference Room
1.) The meeting was called to order by Chairman Roger Reed.
2.) Roll Call: Butch Mehlberg, Ellis Mercier, Dick Olson, Roger Reed
Excused: Nancy Rhode
Others Present: Mayor V. Bostedt, John Bostedt (Director of Parks, Rec., and Forestry), Jeremy Wusterbarth (Superintendent of Public Works), John Mick, Harbor Master Gordy Olson, Kenny Sallee, and Yacht Club Steve Witt and Ed Whealon
3.) Approval of agenda was called by Olson and seconded by Mercier. (4 Ayes)
4.) Mercier moved approval of the 10/15/2014 meeting minutes. Mehlberg seconded. (Note: 7. b., c., d., & j. were moved ahead at the convenience of the Superintendent of Public Works.) (4 Ayes)
5.) Public Input: None.
6.) Correspondence: None.
Superintendent Wusterbarth clarified that there were no issues with Mick at Hi Seas or the Yacht Club with VEIT.
7.) Discussion/possible recommendation/updates on the following:
a. Sponsoring Sail Fest 2015 [June 20, 2015] – (Handout) - Mayor Bostedt expressed that the Eliasen’s are seeking $3,000.00 to carry through the Sail Fest project. Already the Commission is giving 2 slips. Olson called for a breakdown of the costs. Mick spoke for the program benefits to the taxpayer; this is a direct value to citizens and especially Oconto’s kids. The direction of the discussion was to table until December as the Mayor then requested the Commission take over the event. Olson motioned to approve $500.00 out of this year’s budget toward the Sail Fest; Mercier seconded. (4 Ayes)
Mayor Bostedt thanked the Commission.
b. Olson moved that the Invoice from Jackie Foster, Inc. for boat landing extension @ the Breakwater Park in the amount of $7,269.90 be approved. Mercier seconded the motion. (4 Ayes)
Wusterbarth expressed that he has reviewed the entire project, bond, and cost at a City savings.
c. Robert E. Lee & Associates, Inc. invoice for professional services has not yet been received. Tabled.
d. Launch Lanes update— Discussed and completed.
e. Future River Dredging maintenance— City Finance cut the 2015 Budget issue from $50,000.00 to $15,000.00 for Future River Dredging maintenance. New businesses should help in the years to come; however, this is a high cost necessity item.
f. Handi-cap boarding dock for City Docks— Director Bostedt spoke of his investigation and discovery of the difficulty in creating stabilizer poles and pivot mounts. Such work would also cancel warranty on the dock. Not wanting to compromise the investment, Olson moved to approve the 2 stabilizer poles with pivot mounts at the cost of $1,656.71. Mercier called the second. (4 Ayes)
g. Mission Statement and goals for Harbor— For future consideration-
h. Plan of action for Harbor Commission— For future consideration-
i. Free launches for Veterans— The Commission designated Memorial Day.
j. Access @ Harbor for Ice Fishermen—The WI DNR is in contact with the Corps of Engineers. Cost and approval will follow, says Superintendent Wusterbarth. The Commission is looking at a brief interval meeting when permission and cost arrive.
k. Approval of fish station remains to be pumped— Within 2 weeks and a verbal/written record, at the advice of Attorney Calvert, an organic farmer from Lena will hire a company to pump out the remains of the fish station for farmland at no cost and no legal responsibility to the City with the approval of the Commission.
l. Approval of 2015 Harbor rates— (See the 2014 Oconto Breakwater Park Harbor Summer Boat Launch Fees and Summer Slip Rental Fees.) J. Bostedt explained that from April sales until May 15 the seasonal launch permit is $35.00 for all. Thereafter it remains $35.00 for residents and rises to $40.00 for non-residents. Olson voiced to maintain the 2014 Harbor rates the same for the 2015 season. It was seconded by Mercier. (4 Ayes)
m. Policy for cleaning boats on Harbor property—The Harbor Masters have been given the authority to tell violators that the public cannot clean boats on City property: pressure washing vs. invasive species removal. A “No Pressure Washing” sign will be placed at the cleaning station.
8.) Board Report:
a. Marketing & Advertisement— None.
b. City boat ramps (Ellis) – These were previously addressed by Superintendent Wusterbarth.
c. Fishing Tournaments /Special Events— Reed announced that the tournament/special events money of $10,000.00 has been transferred to Harbor for these events. The Oconto Chamber of Commerce will have $5,000.00 available. Mick addressed his intent to get the public aware of the importance of boating here with a public meeting in the future… and then implant a plan to grow boating in Oconto.
d. Park(s) Inspection Report (John) – John reported that the last docks and buoy are in the process of removal and all will complete summer 2014 with the extinguishing of excessive lighting. At this point Reed announced the resignation of Dock Master Lee Rockwell. Mercier expressed he is a good man and Master. An ad will be run in the newspaper. In the end, John suggested we have the existing Harbor Master’s input.
9.) Approval of Accounts Payable from October 9, 2014 thru November 6, 2014 in the amount of $7,669.44 was moved by Olson with a second by Mehlberg. (4 Ayes)
10.) Revenue/expenditure reports were viewed, discussed, clarified and accepted. Note: Launch fees for 2014 were down as much as $6,000.00. A tournament having only one free launch or maybe none to balance out our budget is being discussed. Mehlberg suggested we find out what our County Park fee is presently.
11.) Next meeting date, time: Wednesday, December 10, 2014 @ 6 p.m.
Agenda items: Robert E. Lee and Associates, Inc. invoice for professional services
12.) Olson moved for adjournment with a second issued from Mehlberg @ 7:02 p.m. (M/C)
Minutes submitted by
Susan K. Seidl