HomeMy Public PortalAboutPleasant Bay Alliance -- 2016-03-09 Minutes BREWSTER TOWN CLERK.
Meeting Minutes
'16 APR14 9:71101
Pleasant Bay Alliance Steering Committee
March 9, 2016,4 pm, Brewster Town Hall
Attending: Chris Miller,Jane Harris,Chuck Bartlett, Dolly Howell,Judith Bruce,Allin
Thompson, Carole Ridley
Allin called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm.
Minutes of February 9 were approved unanimously on a motion by Dolly and a
second by Judith.
Coordinator's report:
• The Alliance was not invited to submit a full proposal under the SNEP Coastal
Restoration Grant. The DLTA submission to the Cape Cod Commission is still
under review.
• A draft letter to the Cape Cod Commission regarding the development of a
watershed plan was discussed. The letter was the result of meetings and
discussions with the Cape Cod Commission and other analysis prepared by
Wright Pierce. The analysis by Wright Pierce and the Watershed Work Group
compiles information from the MEP,TMDL report,town plans and Cape Cod.
Commission. The objective is to identify consensus loads, and load allocations,
and to combine the four town plans and evaluate the resulting nitrogen removal
against reductions needed to achieve thresholds. The analysis has identified
differences in assumptions and data between the various MEP and town data
sources and the Cape Cod Commission. These need to be reconciled for the
analysis to be completed. The preference would be to incorporate Commission
loading data for use in MEP model runs, however questions need to be clarified.
The purpose of the letter sets out the Alliance's approach to developing a
watershed plan that complies with the 208 plan update,and the questions that
need to be answered in order to use the Commission's data to complete the
watershed plan. There was a lengthy discussion about the issues addressed in
the letter. Carole suggested adding language that makes it clear that the Alliance
would review any watershed report and analysis with Selectmen in each town
before presenting to the Cape Cod Commission. After lengthy discussion, Dolly
moved to authorize the Coordinator to send the letter to the Commission with
copy to Boards of Selectmen and DEP. Jane offered a second to the motion and it
was voted unanimously.
• A proposed scope of work from SMAST to evaluate the implications of the
Cadmus trend assessment was discussed. Carole noted that refinements of the
scope would be requested of SMAST. Chuck suggested adding as a research
question the meaning of falling pigment levels and increasing nitrogen levels.
Judith moved authorization to enter into a contract with Cadmus based on a
refined scope, for an amount not to exceed $20,000.Jane seconded the motion
and the vote was unanimous.
• With the new projects underway,Carole suggested that the Steering Committee
formalize its policy for work groups.Jane moved that consist of regular
attendees who are members of the Steering and Technical Resource Committees.
Representatives of regional or state agencies,and town consultants are
encouraged to participate ex officio,along with interested citizens, but are not
members.Judith offered a second and the vote was unanimous.
• The results of the RFP for the Sea Level Rise Assessment were discussed. Two
firms submitted qualifying proposals: GZA Environmental Consultants and
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies. A review committee evaluated both
proposals using a scoring form. PCCS was rated higher by each member of the
committee, for a total of 111/125 points, compared with 79/125 points for GZA.
Both proposals came in just under the allotted $40,000 budget as proposed in
the RFP. An interview was held with PCCS to get clarity on aspects of the
proposal. Satisfactory responses were provided and the review committee
agreed to recommend that PCCS be awarded the contract for$39,968.07.
The April Steering Committee meeting was rescheduled to April 13th at 4 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:35 pm.
Submitted / 'Tj211X/ G' ,., Date `' -/Z
BREWSTER TOWN CLERK
Pleasant Bay Alliance A PP,f 4 9::;11-4c
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Steering Committee
October 30, 2015, 1 pm Brewster Town Hall
Attending: Dolly Howell,Judith Bruce,Fran McClennen, Chuck Bartlett,Chris Miller,
Allin Thompson, Bob Duncanson, Carole Ridley
Minutes of September 9,2015 were approved on a motion from Judith Bruce and a
second from Chuck Bartlett.
Coordinator's Report:
• The FY17 budget was presented. The budget is level funded from FY16. The
budget highlights include 59,500 for salary and administration; and$34,500 for
program expenses. Program expenses include$23,500 for water quality
monitoring, $4,500 for watershed planning and modeling,$5,000 for coastal
resiliency/sea level rise planning, and$1,500 for public outreach. Chris
suggested included some funds for ecological assessments,which were in last
year's budget. Carole will add $1,500 for ecological assessments,with
adjustments to other program categories to maintain level funding.Judith made
a motion to approve the budget with that change,seconded by Dolly,and the
motion passed unanimously. It was noted that the Alliance has accrued funds
from past grants and other program savings that are available for projects in the
current fiscal year.
• Greg Skomal was notified of the award of$5,000 for acoustic monitoring
equipment. He is proposing to locate receivers inside the north inlet,and
between Nickerson Neck and Strong Island. Equipment he had previously
planned to use inside the inlet was not functioning,so the award is timely.
• A scope of work and proposal from Wright-Pierce to provide technical assistance
to the watershed work group was discussed. The work group has been working
with the Cape Cod Commission to combine the four town plans into a watershed
plan.The 208 plan process requires that this be done by June 30, 2015. The
Cape Cod Commission is providing assistance,but the scope covers work that
the Cape Cod Commission is not doing.The scope will lead to development of
consensus on nitrogen loads and load allocations that can be run through the
MEP model. Bob Duncanson spoke to the need for the analysis, to assist in
evaluating work underway by the Commission,and assist the towns in
understanding the potential for efficiencies that could only be identified by
combining the four plans. He noted that there are already known differences in
data and approach and this scope will help to evaluate the significance or
insignificance of these differences. Overall this will help to build public
confidence in the plans.Two amendments to the scope were requested: One is
to add April 30th as the date by which a report is issued. The other is to break
out the budget amount according to the groupings of tasks. The proposal is for
$32,000,with an upside of$35,000-$38,000 due to complications that could
arise with some tasks. An overage of the $32,000 would not proceed without the
Alliance's prior consent.The budget does not include the cost of MEP model
runs,but Wright Pierce will coordinate the runs. Judith moved to approve the
scope with the April 30th report date,and budget broken out by tasks,in an
amount not to exceed$38,000. Chuck offered a second to the motion. The vote
was unanimous. Bob will provide Wright Pierce the town's standard form
contract.
Bob asked whether Allin could execute the latest SMAST agreement for laboratory
processing of water quality samples. The contract is extended every three years,but
SMAST has kept the sample analysis price level. Fran made a motion to accept the
contract and authorize the Chair to execute it on behalf of the Alliance. Dolly offered
a second on the motion,which passed unanimously.
With business concluded,Allin asked for a motion to adjourn. Chuck moved adjourn,
Judith seconded and it was so voted.
Signed edeeei.e, /L�/• Date Jv+' -6)/ - /
BREWSTER TOWN CLERK
Pleasant Bay Alliance Steering Committee ,y APR lit '-,4
January 12, 2016
Attending: Fran McClennen,Chuck Bartlett,Jane Harris,Judith Bruce, Dolly Howell,
Chris Miller,Carole Ridley
Minutes of December 1, 2015 were approved unanimously on a motion by Chuck
and a second by Dolly.
1.Watershed Planning
• Work is underway with Wright Pierce. Mike Giggey is working with individual
towns and the Cape Cod Commission to reconcile watershed nutrient loading
figures. Mike's analysis to date will be presented to the Watershed Work Group
on January 27th at 9 am in Orleans Town Hall. The Commission will present its
analysis to the Work Group on February 10th at 1 pm. Based on the work Wright
Pierce is doing,it is likely that the watershed will have a composite plan by the
close of the fiscal year.
• A letter of intent to seek an EPA SNEP Grant was discussed. The draft letter of
intent was prepared by Mike Domenica with input from Alan McClennen. The
concept is for the Alliance to play a role in managing alternative technology
projects,and in continuing coordination of the four town plans as a watershed
plan. The letter of intent does not commit any resources. If the Alliance is asked
by EPA to submit a full proposal, each town Board of Selectmen would be
briefed. Jane moved to authorize Carole to revise the letter of intent based on
any comments provided by the Steering Committee and others,and to share a
revised version with the Steering Committee prior to submission no later than
January 22. Dolly offered a second to the motion, which was voted unanimously.
3.The RFP has been issued for an Assessment of Sea Level Rise impacts on Nauset
Barrier Beach and Pleasant Bay and responses are due February 12th. The Alliance
has the ability to split tasks among firms, if desired. The Coastal Work Group will
review the proposals and make a recommendation to the Steering Committee.
4.The Steering Committee was asked to consider voting an additional $400 to offset
printing costs for the barrier beach pamphlet prepared by the Cooperative
Extension Service (Greg Berman).The flyer was prepared at the Alliance's request.
Previously$600 had been voted for 500 copies for the Alliance. Chris moved to
spend a total of$1,000 to offset printing costs, provided the Alliance receives 500
copies of the flyer.Chuck offered a second and the vote was unanimous.
5.The Committee gave authorization to secure a quote for graphic design of the
Erosion Management Guidelines document. The need for media outreach once the
document is completed also was discussed.
6,Annual reports will be submitted soon. Jane suggested including a mention of
projects underway and anticipated for the year ahead.
The status of construction of the Muddy Creek Bridge was briefly discussed.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 on a motion by Fran and a second by Chuck.
Approved Date
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Steering Committee
Meeting Notes ,.;5 App-14
December 1, 2015, 4-m, Chatham Annex Small Meeting Room :1'..:114,1
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Attending: Allin Thompson, Fran McClennen, Chris Miller,Judith Bruce,Chuck Bartlett,
Dolly Howell,Carole Ridley
Minutes of October 30, 2015 were approved unanimously on a motion by Judith and a
second by Dolly.
Coordinator's Report
FY 17 budget requests were submitted to the towns.
The watershed work group will meet on December 3rd to review a draft of the shellfish
study underway by Horsley Witten for the Town of Brewster. Shellfish advisory
committees from the towns have been invited to attend.
The contract with Wright Pierce has been signed and work is under way on the combined
watershed management project Mike Giggey's initial analysis will be presented at a
watershed work group meeting on December 16th at 2 pm,along with additional analysis
by the Cape Cod Commission.
Fran suggested that the shellfish study and watershed analysis be announced at the
Orleans OWQAP meeting. Carole noted that Cadmus has been asked to provide a cost for
presenting the water quality report to the OWQAP,at the request of Alan McClennen.
Greg Berman has completed a 4-page pamphlet on barrier beach responses to Sea Level
Rise, The pamphlet is an outgrowth of work underway by the Coastal Work Group. Funds
are needed for printing the pamphlet. Chris moved to fund up to $600 for printing costs for
500 copies. Judith seconded the motion,which passed unanimously
Erosion Management Guidelines are still in development. A draft should be ready for peer
review by the end of the year.
A final interim tide gage report from Graham Giese was circulated electronically.
A scope of work for a request for proposals for a Coastal Resiliency assessment was
discussed. The following comments were provided:
• Change the planning horizon
• Emphasize team approach
• Invite creative responses to technical approach
• Revise the last sentence of task 3
• Review the Orleans RFP for Nauset Beach to see if there is any helpful language or
data references
Fran moved to authorize release of an RFP for the scope of work as edited,for an amount
up to $40,000. Chris provided a second to the motion and the vote was unanimous. Carole
said she would work with Bob Duncanson to get the RFP out before the end of the year.
She will circulate a revised RFP before it is issued.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 pm
Signed Date
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