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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugusta Port Authority Meeting Minutes July 21 Augusta Port Authority Meeting Minutes July 21, 2016 Meeting called to order at 9:00 AM. Present were: Frank Carl* , Chair, Elena Richards, Acting Secretary, Lawrence Washington* , Vice Chair, Trazanna Armstrong* , Edward Dorr, Krishna Dorr, Darrell Bennett, Donnie Thompson* , Brandt Bonin, Gary Hegner, Francis Christian, Tonya Bonitatibus*, and Paul Muckenfuss*. *indicates voting member of authority There were no suggested additions to the agenda. A motion (Paul/Lawrence) to approve the May meeting minutes as written was approved by voice vote. Frank reported on the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a marina and warehouse operator that the city's Procurement Department released. Frank indicated that there were a number of errors in the release and that the response to the release was lower than expected. Frank passed a copy of the RFQ around for information. After considerable discussion a motion (Tonya/Paul) to move forward with the RFQ process already initiated with the stipulation that the Augusta Port Authority be included in the process in all future actions passed three votes yea (Tonya, Tranzanna, Donnie) to two votes no (Paul, Lawrence). The Chair did not vote. Event Fees were discussed. The Event Application form has daily fees associated with exclusive use of specific parts of the riverfront for events. While the Port Authority's authority to charge those fees has not been questioned, the mechanism of the Commission waiving those fees and adding them back into the Port Authority's current year budget has been questioned. The PA Chair has been charged with coming up with a solution to this problem. Frank indicated that he was working with the city to resolve this problem. Francis reported that he has been working on collecting the information that the Port Authority and the City require to operate the marina and the warehouse. He indicated that he currently has information from 48 of the 80 boats in the marina and that the information coming in from the warehouse has increased since the lock was changed on the gate into the warehouse. It was suggested that Francis initiate a program to identify the owners of boats in slips and items stored in the warehouse who have not paid rents so that those boats and vehicles can be removed. Tonya volunteered to help with that effort. There was some discussion about what the standard charges should be for both slip rents and storage rents in the interim while we wait for the contract with a marina operator and a warehouse operator. While there was a published standard charge from the previous operator, it appears that there were considerable exceptions to that standard. A motion (Tonya/Lawrence) to recommend that for the interim the city charge the following monthly fees passed with only one negative vote: $10/sq ft of boat for Riverwalk Marina slip rental, $7/sq ft of boat for Riverfront Marina slip rental, with $150 minimum for any slip; $3/sq ft for inside storage in the warehouse and $2/sq ft for outside storage, with a $60 minimum. The motion passed with 4 yeas (Tonya, Lawrence, Paul, Donnie) and I nay (Trazanna). The rental rates by square footagc was retained from the previous operator but the recommended minimums were decreased. The purchase of safety equipment (lifë rings for the docks) and materials (skid proof tape for gangways) was approved. Also approved were purchases of picnic tables (2), mulch and plants for Gift Shop. The City of North Augusta has decided to treat the weeds on the South Carolina side of the river on their own. Since 80 % of the choking weed cover is on the South Carolina side of the river, the Port Authority decided to cancel any plans for weed treatment this year. Any questions about weed control should be directed to Todd Glover, City Administrator for North Augusta. Darrell indicated that he will generate quotes for a security system controller for the Gift Shop and extra cameras for the security systems for the Boathouse (aimed at dock C) and the Port Authority Building (aimed at docks). There was significant discussion about the financial status of the Port Authority and how its budget is allocated. The gist of the conversation indicated that the Port Authority should be more directly involved in the city's budgeting process and that the bulk of the Port Authority budget should be aimed at maintenance, repairs and upgrades of the riverfront toward supporting recreational activities. The Port Authority recommended that the Chairman of the Port Authority get involved in the budgeting process. It was suggested that the Port Authority pay from its 2016 budget the 2015 difference between what the Port Authority owes the Rowing Club for Regatta security and the what the Rowing Club owes the Port Authority for attendance fees. Darrell will investigate whether that is possible. Gary indicated that he had requested funding for capital improvements for the riverfront in the 2016 budget: $195,000 for marina improvements, $30,000 to run electricity in the warehouse, and $165,000 to replace the warehouse roof. That funding was denied, but we can try again. Tonya indicated that Riverkeeper put a roof on their new office and that the contractor did a good job at a reasonable price. Tonya requested that the Port Authority begin a process to remove the sea wall in the river on the South th Carolina side from about 7St to about the Gordon Highway bridge. It is a boating hazard at low water levels. Darrell has talked to Capt. Jim Bradshaw, Owner of the Patriot Boat Tours, about using a different parking space for his clients. He will move his pick up dock so that his clients do not use the Boathouse parking. Tonya announced that the Corps is seeking a change in the WRDA language so that the plans for fixing the dam can be changed. She indicated that the dam can be replaced with a fish ladder and that would save about $36 M. The meeting was adjourned (Paul/Lawrence) by voice vote at 10:30 AM. Respectfully submitted, Elena Richards Acting Secretary