Town Of Bell
Harbor Commission Meeting Monday July 1, 2024
1. Call To Order – The meeting was called to order by Chuck Perry at 7:01 pm. Members present were: Chuck Perry, Matt Lazorik, Pauline Colamatteo, Doug Becker, Jessica Resac, Will Tillmans, Dave Tillmans. Others present were Harbor Master Michael Thorson, Harbor Secretary Nancy Thorson and MaryBeth Tillmans.
2. Minutes April- Dave made motion to make a correction to the minutes from April 2024 Pauline 2nd. Passed unanimously. Dave wanted the wording changed from exact amounts that Siskiwit Bay Marina would contribute to dredging to ruff estimates of what Siskiwit Bay Marina would contribute. Pauline made motion to accept the correction, Doug 2nd. Passed unanimously.
Minutes May- Pauline made motion to approve minutes from May 2024. Will 2nd. Passed unanimously.
3. Conflict Of Interest – None 4. Citizen Comments – No
5. Public Hearing – None
Swearing in of Commissioners- MaryBeth swore in Jessica Resac and Will Tillmans. Their terms will expire in 2026.
Chuck Perry and David Tillmans terms will expire 2027
Pauline Colamatteo and Doug Beckers terms will expire 2025
6. Reports.
A. Harbor Dredging- Dave gave report. The entry way will start to be dredged by the
USACE on July 14, and they have 10-11 days allocated to dredge. It will be a new contract to do the inner harbor. The upland sites need to be environmentally approved and established. They will also cover the advanced maintenance areas of in the entry way and partially up the river. That will be another $860,000. The Town of Bell got that awarded by the Corp on May 14th. That will be done next spring, 2025. Dave has talked with the DNR and the Corp about possibly coming in because the turning basin is full of sand. The DNR has agreed with another check on the inner basin, if it is 70% sand or better they will allow that when the hydraulic machine is here on the 14th to dredge the turning basin. The CorP had their survey crew out on July 1st. They did bottom sampling and took measurements. The sampling is going to Duluth. Dave stated that it looks sandy. We will find out in the next couple of days if that can be done. The Corp thinks they will have enough time to do that. Dave stated that it looks good at this part. Doug made motion to accept the report as given. Pauline 2nd. Passed unanimously.
B. Green Shed Committee – Pauline reported that the shed did flood slightly from the storm. She asked if the Harbor Commission will pay for repairing broken windows on the back of the shed. The commission will pay to repair. Michael will fix the windows. Matt made motion to accept the report as given. Will 2nd. Passed unanimously.
C. Marina Grounds-Nothing new to report. Chuck is going to ask the shops if they will help with improvements on the looks.
D. Harbor Master-Michael gave report. He hauled a dump truck load of debris from the storm that was in the marina.
E. Secretary- Nancy reported. Some customers are still putting $5 in the lock box for the launch.
7. Old Business
A. Ten Year Plan- Nothing new
B. Wi-Fi- Nancy gave report. She showed the proposal from Norvado to the commissioners. Pauline made motion to approve the proposal from Norvado. Matt 2nd. Discussion followed about the proposal. Pauline amended the motion to just investigate getting the Wi-Fi in one spot at the green shed. The commission voted on the amendment and it passed unanimously. The commission voted on the amended motion 6 yes 1 no. Nancy will call and see if they can instal Wi-Fi in just the Green shed. Nancy will email the information that she receives from Norvado.
C. Long Term Dredging Plan- Postponed till next meeting 8. New Business
A. Election of Officers- Dave nominated Chuck for President of the commission. Chuck nominated Dave as Vice President. Pauline called unanimous vote. Doug 2nd. Passed unanimously.
B. Financial Statement- Nancy gave report that everyone is paid up, except one person who doesn’t know if he will be putting in this year. Doug made a Motion to accept the statement and treasurer report. Pauline 2nd. Dave asked if Nancy could give a different report other than the A/R report. Nancy reported that her program is a free program and that her system does not give her that option. Chuck is going to put on the next agenda to get her a different program. Matt suggested that she should also have a computer given to her. That way it stays with the secretary position. Will is going to look into different programs and pricing.
C. Last months Financial Statement Approval- Pauline made motion to approve the financial statements from May. Doug 2nd. Jessica stated that nothing was cleared up with old business, other than somebody said they made a mistake. Jessica reached out to Janice for proof that the $2000 was deposited and Janice sent her a bank deposit statement that did not help prove/clarifyt that it was ever deposited. Dave said it was on the town books it just wasn’t entered on the Marina books. Chuck called the question to accept the past financial statement. 1 no, 6 yes. Passed.
D. Fish Shed Lease Renewal- There was discussion. Will made motion to send out lease for renewal under the same terms as the previous lease. Pauline 2nd. Passed unanimously. Nancy will mail a lease to Fish Shed.
E. Comes’ Aboat Lease Renewal- There was discussion. Pauline made motion to send out lease agreement. Doug 2nd. 1 no, 6 yes. Motion passed. Nancy will mail a lease to Comes’ Aboat.
9. Communications – Nancy received a message from Judy Becker asking for the phone number of the owner of the Comes’ Aboat shop. Nancy reached out to the owner and asked if she wanted her phone number given out she said no. Nancy responded to Judy and told her no, she can not give out the information that she requested.
10. Adjournment – Next meeting will be on October 7th 2024. Matt made motion to adjourn. Pauline 2nd 8:09 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted Nancy Thorson – Secretary