The Common Council held a special meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. to resolve the issue of who would be the licensee of the docks at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park.
When the Council came out of executive session at 8:03 p.m., Council president Tom DePietro commended Bujanow for doing "an extraordinary job trying to negotiate a compromise" but added, "One party did not want to accommodate the other." The Council then voted on the following resolution:
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that based upon a review of the responses to the RFP and the potential services that will be in the best interests of the City, the Mayor is authorized to sign a License Agreement with Hudson Sloop Club Inc., in the amount of $6,400.00 of which $2,000 shall be a cash payment upon signing the contract; $1,700 shall be an in-kind contribution for the installation and removal of city docks. The balance of $2,700.00 shall be in-kind services of managing the dock. The in-kind management services shall include, but not be limited to, making the dock available for two boats operated by Hudson Cruises (pontoon boat Lil Spirit and Spirit of Hudson). The Sloop Club shall work with Hudson Cruises to make the dock available for the vessel Marika to the extent practicable consistent with the Sloop Club's use of the dock for community purposes. The City shall establish the fees that will be charged to vessels other than those operated by the Sloop Club with the first $3,700 of revenue to be split 90/10 between the Sloop Club and the City; with the next $2,700 of revenue split 70/30 between the Sloop Club and the City and any revenue above $6,400 to be split equally between the Sloop Club and the City.
The resolution passed with all the members of the Council voting in favor except for Dominic Merante (Fifth Ward) and Shershah Mizan (Third Ward), both of whom abstained. There apparently is no assurance that Hudson Cruises will agree to continue to operate Spirit of Hudson and Lil Spirit from the Hudson dock.
Seventeen communications on the issue had been received by the Council--seven in support of the Hudson Sloop Club and seven in support of Hudson Cruises. Three letters--from the Clearwater, the historic fireboat John J. Harvey, and the catamaran Impossible Dream--did not specifically support either entity but appealed for greater access to docking in Hudson. Among those advocating for Hudson Cruises were the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society, the Athens Community Garden Club, and CEDC (Columbia Economic Development Corporation). All the communications can be found here.
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ReplyDeleteThe Council's too generous leaving the decision to the out-of-town business.
About time. Now get a Harbor Master down there to enforce the rules. Preferably someone who knows what their duty is and not a crony from a past administration.
ReplyDeleteWaterfront dockage needs to expanded to accommodate public and private docking opportunities. Hudson is missing out to Catskill hosting the American Cruise Line boat which would be a great economic boost to the town.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that! So much missed opportunity for this once port town
DeleteI hope Hudson Cruises continues to operate from the Hudson dock. If not, by making a very hasty, last minute decision, we've potentially: a) cut off a substantial chunk of revenue to the lighthouse, which is in disrepair; b) lost out on tourism tax dollars, which the town desperately needs; and c) cut off a lifeline to Athens.
ReplyDeleteI must say I am pleasantly surprised
ReplyDeleteReading between the lines it appears that the Hudson Cruises were not going to give reasonable access to the Sloop Club
It reads as if Hudson Cruises has been offered dock space. So what's wrong with that. There should be room for all.
ReplyDeleteAfter the executive session, it was strange to hear two Aldermen who were supportive of Hudson Cruises speak as though the negotiators had somehow failed.
DeleteBut two things were immediately evident: that the uncompromising party was Hudson Cruises, and that the latter was still invited as long as the company is willing to compromise.
Echoing the absurdity of the two Aldermen is the comment from "Unknown" above, to the effect that the Council is to blame for Hudson Cruises' unyielding position.
Like M. Morris above, I too was pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
A harbor master? What a good idea. Rules need to be followed by all. We need some rule enforcement at all the public docks down there.
ReplyDelete