Provincetown Public Pier Corporation (PPPC)

Judge Welsh Room

Public Hearing on Pier Regulation Changes

Meeting Minutes of

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Attendees: Lee Ash (Chair), Chip Bradish, Len Clingham and George Hitchcock

Excused Absence: John Baldwin

Other Attendees: Rex McKinsey (Pier Manager), John Davidson (Administrative Assistant)

Meeting Called to Order @ 4:00pm by Lee Ash

The Chair and board members introduced themselves to all those in attendance at the public hearing.

Lee Ash introduced the purpose of the public hearing in regards to the proposed Pier Regulation Changes.

Statements made at the Public Hearing:

Larry Meads F/V Forecheck:How can you raise the rents when the docks are falling apart. Paid in full for last year. Docks destroyed by storm and got no refund. This year his dock was damaged and he could not berth his boat for the birth he paid for. Feels that the town is ducking its responsibility to the fisherman. Does not see how we can charge for anything given the current state of the docks. Stated that the PPPC is merely a shell protecting the town from its obligations and only in existence to collect money.

Response to Larry Meads: We are not a shell for the town. Volunteer board doing it’s job as mandated by the state in order for the grant monies used to re-build the pier. There are design flaws inherited by this board. Our mandate is to support commercial fisheries. Understands how difficult the commercial fishing industry is. Reiterate that it our intention to do the best job that we can and takes offense to be referred to as a shell protecting the town from its obligations.

George Hitchcock: Agrees with Larry in a few ways and feels that the restaurants and shops on Commercial Street should be able to put something into the pier costs.

Rex: Later in the meeting he will be discussing the south floating docks and repairs/design changes. Want’s to take everyone back a few years. There were no slips for small boats. Like it or not it’s what we got and we have to deal with this. In comparison to Cabrals are rates are much lower. Profish was in agreement with the current rate schedule. Brought up the debt service being paid by the town on behalf of the pier and that that cost is not passed onto the tenants.

Jeff Johnson Float Space 7W: Going on record in regards to the CPI being attached to the float space rates. Explained that the cost of doing business has gone up in all areas of his business. Feels that the fees are way out of line. The float is his and he pays for all of its up-keep. Does not think that the fees are fair. Proposes that all of his other expenses should be deducted from the $8,000 fee. (Insurance, water, gangway, float up-keep). Stated that Rex McKinsey, in relation to past HM’s, has been very easy to work with.

Response:

Rex McKinsey: Explained the PPPC’s position on the CPI tie in increase to the rates charged by the PPPC to float space tenants, floating docks, etc.

Lee Ash: Explained the PPPC’s position as to the rate increases in relation to the management agreement with the BoS.

George Hitchcock: As per the legislation that created the PPPC it was to support the fishing industry.

Len Clingham: Agrees with the plight of the fisherman but we have to stay within the purview of the PPPC’s mission and obligations. If there are other ways to raise money we should look into it. Does not want to be confrontational.

George Dias F/V Antonio Gorge:

Would like parking arrangements for crewmembers that are from out of town.

Response:

Rex McKinsey: Parking is limited to amount of space on the tee.

Lee Ash: The board will have future discussion on parking options.

Luis Ribas: Loss of 60 % of days at sea with new legislation that has recently passed. Less income more expense; would like the board to take this into consideration. Believes that there may be other ways for the PPPC to raise income rather than increasing the rates to the pier tenants. The way the pier was designed that the fishing fleet was not listened to in the process. A change in design would eliminate many expenses incurred with the current design. Ice machine will pay for itself. No fleet no ice will be sold. Using a chart of the pier explained how the pier and floats should be redesigned.

1/3/14 Does not feel that he should be responsible for his crew.

Response:

Lee Ash: Agrees with the issue of design flaws that were inherited by the current board. Strong mandate to support the fishing fleet.

Beau Gribbon: Has been with Profish from the beginning. Currently director of Profish. Problem with the small boat dockage rates. A good percentage of the revenues come from the small boats. Tried to get 2 rates in the floating dock area: full time vs. seasonal. 15 % of the time you can’t tie up. Want’s a class A setup. You can’t charge top dollar unless you have top dollar facilities. You can’t fix what’s there. One good storm and it’s gone. Reiterates the design flaws of the pier: electrical and water.

George Hitchcock: Is repairing the same thing over and over again feasible. A sub-Committee should be created to look into this.

Lee Ash: Curious to know what aspects of the new pier that they like vs. the old:

Beau Gribbon: Not a lot that makes it any easier for the fisherman. Not a big improvement.

Luis Ribas: No real benefit to fisherman. Nothing changed still on same finger piers, no water, and no lights. Brought up huge light fixtures and cost of change a light bulb.

Len Clingahm: When the pier was being designed were the fisherman consulted by the designers. Luis: consulted yes but nothing appeared in the design.

Lee Ash concluded the public Hearing @ 5:20 and thanked all for coming in to be heard. On behalf of the board invited them to call or come to the meetings anytime.

Beau Gribbon added one more thing: there was nothing personal in his statements.

Regular PPPC Board meeting commenced @ 5:20 pm.

Public Statements

None

Pier Managers Report:

South Floating Dock:

Described the problem with the floating dock as it is now due to design flaws; and explained the three options available.

A general discussion followed.

George Hitchcock: Lets work with what we have. Explained how too make option A work by raising the gangplank during a storm and would like to see this option anal sized for cost.

Sign from Ted Franklin:

General discussion on Ted’s design.

A motion was made to have Ted Franklin build one sign with the changes as requested and that the price is clear and that installation is included.

Moved by: Chip Bradish Seconded by: Len Clingham Yea: 4 Nay: 0

Motion Passes

Chip Bradish left @ 5:40 pm.

Directors Statements

Len Clingham: None at this time

Lee Ash: Let folks know that there were three people interested in coming before the board in regards to Salvatores’ booth serving Italian ice. David Flowers production is in fact going to work with a Cape & Islands Youth group and would like the PPPC to review profit vs. non-profit status. Chip Bradish desires to move on.

George Hitchcock: None at this time

Tickler review:

Pier Regs time frame: next few weeks.

A motion was made to continue a decision on the pier regs until 3/9/06.

Moved by: Len Clingham Seconded by: George Hitchcock Yea: 3 Nay: 0

Motion Passes

A motion to adjourn the meeting @ 6 :00

Moved by: George Hitchcock Seconded by: Len Clingham Yea: 3 Nay: 0

Motion Passes

Minutes Respectively

Submitted by

John Davidson

PPPC Administrative Assistant

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Lee Ash, Chair Date