MICHIGAN CITY PORT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS April

MICHIGAN CITY PORT AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
April 7, 2014
TIME & DATE
The regular meeting of the Michigan City Port Authority Board of Directors was called to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Port
Authority board room.
ATTENDANCE
President Sam Johns presided. Board members in attendance included Jonita Davis, Sam Ferguson, Aaron Garrett,
John Haynes, Bruce Manner and Dan Messina. Harbormaster Tim Frame, Assistant Harbormaster of Administration Mary
Ann Pawlicke and Assistant Harbormaster of Operations Dan Hoepf were also in attendance along with Attorney John
Espar.
GUESTS
Guests in attendance included Mike Morphey from Edgewater Resources.
Mr. Morphey opened the bids received for the Michigan City Lighthouse Painting Project. Bidders were invited via both
personal and public invitation; * two (2) of which have experience with lighthouse painting.
Bid Tabulations
Bidder
Mobil / Demobilization
Bonds, Permits, Insurance
Preparation & Painting
Lighthouse
Preparation & Painting
Wave Breakers
* Pro-Tech Environmental
Grand Rapids, MI
$28,754.00
$103,616.00
$11,400.00
MIHN Enterprises
Hamilton, MI
$10,503.00
$131,395.00
$7,800.00
*TMI Coatings
St. Paul, MN
$10,000.00
$138,000.00
$8,000.00
$143,770.00
$149,698.00
$156,000.00
Totals
Mr. Johns informed the board that upon review by Attorney Espar, bidders will be notified during the next board meeting.
MINUTES
Upon motion made by Dan Messina, seconded by Jonita Davis, the board unanimously approved the minutes to the
previous meeting.
1
REPORT FROM HARBORMSTER
Harbormaster Tim Frame reported on the following:

North Shore Dredge Project
o
D&M Excavating to complete planting of dune grass by end of month.

Water throughout marina expected to be turned on next week and fully functional by the first fishing tournament
th
scheduled for Saturday, April 19 .

To date, sand buildup has not been as much of an issue due to the early fall freezing and accumulation of shelf
ice.

Electric Shock Drowning / Project
o
MB Electric has found some anomalies in the readings, mainly contained on the west side of marina and
is working to find a solution.
REPORT FROM ASSISTANT HARBORMASTERS
Assistant Harbormaster of Operations Dan Hoepf reported on the following:




De-icers have been removed.
Spring maintenance has commenced now that weather permits; installation of dock extensions and ladders are
being completed as requested per slip holder.
In reference to the holiday lights, no damage had been found during removal, most damage happens during
transit which will be assessed prior to installation in November.
Abandoned boat auction has commenced.
Assistant Harbormaster of Administration Mary Ann Pawlicke reported on the following:

Reviewed 2014 slip rental status.
o
o

WPM: Five hundred and thirty seven (537) occupants / Sixty eight (68) vacancy’s
 Forty eight (48) new customers
TCM: One hundred sixty one (161) occupants / Thirty nine (39) vacancy’s
 Eight (8) new customers
Discussed purchasing of cleaning supplies through HD Products.
o
Savings of $25.00 to $35.00 per case, on various items.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. On behalf of the Budget and Financial Oversight Committee, Sam Ferguson reviewed the bills.
Upon motion made by Sam Ferguson, seconded by Jonita Davis, the board unanimously approved payment of the bills as
presented.
2
2. On behalf of the Claims and Insurance Committee, Bruce Manner reported on the following:

The five (5%) percent reduction off of the package premium that Hanover Insurance Group offers to all
members of the MMRA, has been reflected in our policy for a total savings of three thousand one
hundred eighty one ($3,181.00) dollars.
3. On behalf of the Master Planning and Special Projects Committee, Sam Johns reported on the following:

Pre-Construction meeting for the Trail Creek Marina Improvement Project was conducted by Mr. Morphey
last week, who was satisfied with the approved contractor. Staging to commence by end of the month
with it noted that the MCPA desires to have project completed by August.
4. On behalf of the Boater Communications and Special Events Committee, John Haynes informed the board he
will be attending a meeting later this evening for the Co-Ho Club. Per his inquiry, Mrs. Pawlicke informed him no
participants have contacted the office regarding docking during the tournaments as yet. On a related note, there
have been various reports that fishing off the pier has been tremendous.
5. On behalf of the Port Operations, Personnel and Marina Policy Committee, Bruce Manner reported on the
following:

In conjunction with, or as an alternate proposal to the card board boat race, Ed Beutner suggested
hosting a BMX and Skateboard contest in Washington Park in conjunction with the MCPA and Summer
Festival.
o
Mr. Beutner wrote a proposal with the following suggestions:





Portable ramps to be provided.
Will provide judges and all personnel
Photos provided to MCPA for our website (MCPA will post event information).
Approved by Summer Festival Committee who will provide:
 Insurance coverage
 Security and First Responders
 Bleachers
Placement of Port-o-Pots and dumpsters were also discussed.
In conferring with Tom Cipares of General Insurance, the only thing the MCPA needs to provide is a certificate of
insurance from the City of Michigan City indicating proof that we are not the primary holder in case of a claim. In addition,
th
th
a waiver must be signed by all participants. Tentative dates are scheduled for July 10 through 13 . Prize money to be
provided by various donors to attract both amateurs and professional skateboarders, and generate increased exposure.
Upon motion made by Bruce Manner, seconded by Aaron Garrett, the board unanimously approved the BMX Event to be
held at the Washington Park launch ramp area as presented.
6. On behalf of the public Relations and Advertising Committee, Jonita Davis reported on the following:


Extend the BOGO (buy one get one) promotion to include participants of the sailboat races and
visitors.
Coupon good for 2015 season to include same restrictions.
3
Upon motion made by Jonita Davis, seconded by John Haynes, the board approved extension of the BOGO Promotion for
the 2015 season as presented.

Boating Buddy Discount
o New 2014 Washington Park Marina customers to receive one hundred ($100.00) dollars off
of their slip fee if referred by current boater.
o Current boater (referee buddy) to receive a one hundred ($100.00) dollar credit on account.
Upon motion made by Jonita Davis, seconded by Sam Ferguson, the board unanimously approved to restore the Boating
Buddy Discount Program as presented.

Place advertisement in the Great Lakes Scuttlebutt Magazine at a cost of two thousand ($2,000.00)
dollars for the 2014 season.
Upon motion made by Jonita Davis, seconded by John Haynes, the board approved placement of advertising in the Great
Lakes Scuttlebutt Magazine, not to exceed a cost of two thousand ($2,000.00) dollars.
REPORT FROM THE ATTORNEY
Attorney Espar reported on the following:
George Property:
 Email sent to DNR inquiring as to the basis of request that restrictions be placed to hold property for
public use only, unless it is returned to the DNR, than it may be utilized in another manner.

In response, it was assumed by the DNR that the property would be in public use in perpetuity.

Previous board Attorney, Jeff Katz, responded via email that the site was to be a location for a bike
trail and public parking area. The MCPA would retain jurisdiction to the waters’ edge for future
commercial use if feasible; the remainder of the site went to the Parks & Recreations Department.
Those initial board members involved during the acquisition of the property discussed that never at any time had there
been mention nor any documentation that it would be used for anything other than an asset to the MCPA and not to be
utilized only as a public access area in perpetuity. The matter will be researched further and not be rushed into a final
conclusion.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business to discuss during this meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business to discuss during this meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion made John Haynes, the board adjourned the meeting at 6:07 p.m.
Approved On: ________________________
Respectfully submitted,
4
Date
__________________________________
Bruce Manner, Board Secretary
By: ________________________________
Sam Johns, Board President
5