Instead, an informal group of boaters will meet to discuss issues
For now, the city of Avalon won’t bring back the Harbor Committee. The City Council and the public discussed the possibility of bringing back the committee at this week’s council meeting. However, the consensus appeared to be that this wasn’t the time to bring back the agency. Instead, an informal group of boaters will arrange a meeting to discuss harbor issues at a date and time that has yet to be determined.
Council Member Cinde MacGugan-Cassidy said that over a “significant number of months, “there had been some discussion in town about reinstating the Harbor Committee. She also said that in December, the local boating community had become disenchanted with the council about the way that harbor fees were increased and the amount of the increase. “What are poeple’s thoughts about a Harbor Committee?” she asked. “What could a Harbor Committee do? What could it accomplish?”
The Harbor Committee was originally formed to serve as an advisory board to the council, according to a staff report by Harbor Master J. J. Poindexter. According to the same report, in 2008 the council decided to form a harbor “task force,” but the task force was never formed.
Harbor Master Poindexter told the council that the old Harbor Committee’s task was to deal with waterside permits. However, according to Poindexter, the committee got into dinghy dock size and other harbor-related issues. “It came to the point that the staff was spending a lot of time doing this and there’s better things for our staff to do with their time than have to deal with the Harbor Committee and some of their requests,” he said.
He didn’t think the Harbor Committee was needed. Poindexter suggested that people talk to harbor officials. He said that in two years, he’s had two people come in to say they had a problem. He pointed out that the city followed the procedures for raising fees, but no one keyed in on the issue.
Cassidy wanted to know how the city could ensure that the community’s voices are heard.
A local man named Greg favored having a committee. “It would almost be like a think tank,” he said.
A local boater named Allison also favored reinstating the Harbor Committee. She said no group speaks for Avalon boaters.
Mayor Anni Marshall was not sure there was need for a formal committee. She said she did believe there was a need for an avenue for the thoughts of the boating community to be known.
Allison said that two years ago, the council directed then-Harbor Master Brian Bray to do a customer service survey for the harbor and it wasn’t done.
Cassidy confirmed that the council had asked for the survey and that it wasn’t performed. As to the Harbor Committee, Cassiday said that she was on it and it wasn’t productive.
Marshall suggested that the harbor master or the boating community facilitate a conversation about harbor issues.
Cassidy expressed the hope that someone would pull together a meeting.
City Manager Denise Radde suggested working with Greg. He apparently agreed.
