In accordance with notice to member of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a virtual meeting was held on Tuesday, November members participating remotely.

Members Present
Jennifer Cervenka, Chair
Raymond Coia, Vice Chair
Don Gomez
Trish Reynolds
Mike Hudner
Ron Gagnon, RIDEM
Jerry Sahagian
Joy Montanaro

Staff Present
Jeffrey M. Willis, Executive Director
David Reis, Sp. Environmental Scientist
Richard Lucia, Sp. Civil Engineer
Anthony DeSisto, Legal Counsel
Laura Dwyer, Public Educ and Infor Coordinator
Brittany Spurlock, Moderator
Lisa Turner, Office Manager, Recording Secretary
Cindy Tangney, Court Reporter

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Cervenka called the meeting to order at 6:13 p.m. and identified the participants of the meeting, Council Members, Staff members, and applicants. The Chair stated that the meeting would be recorded.

2. Brittany Spurlock, Meeting Moderator, briefed participants on the meeting housekeeping items.

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Chair Cervenka called for a motion regarding the minutes for the November 10, 2020 Semi-monthly Meeting.

Motion: Vice Chair Coia
Second: Mr. Gagnon
Roll Call Vote:
Vice Chair Coia Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Chair Cervenka Abstain

Motion carried to approve minutes of November 10, 2020 meeting.

4. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mr. Willis reported:

The Subcommittee for the Perry Raso application had met and would be meeting again on December 4, 2020 for further testimony with future meetings for public comment, closing statements from both sides and a subcommittee workshop in January.

5. STAFF REPORTS:

No reports.

6. Draft Decision to Council -- 2019-06-014 Jamestown Boat Yard

Continued to future meeting

7. APPLICATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN OUT-TO-NOTICE AND ARE BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL FOR DECISION:

2020-05-068 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND GRADUATE SCHOOL OF OCEANOGRAPHY (TRUSTEES OF STATE COLLEGES) -- Replace the existing University of Rhode Island (URI) Narragansett Bay Campus (NBC) pier, which is located near the southwestern mouth of Narragansett Bay, at the terminus of Pier Road in Narragansett. URI has been selected by the National Science Foundation to operate a new class of research vessel. This new vessel, the R/V Resolution will be home-ported at the NBC pier. The existing NBC pier was constructed circa 1963 and has exceeded its intended design life. The existing pier also has limited capacity to support the new, 200 ft. long research vessel. Accordingly, the NBC pier will be demolished and replaced with a somewhat larger and more elevated pier as detailed on the project plans. A 180 s.f. building similar to the building on the existing pier and a jib crane will be located on the proposed pier. Located at the URI Bay Campus, 215 South Ferry Road, plat N-C, Lot 7&8, Narragansett, RI.

Mr. Reis gave a brief overview of the application stating that this proposed project is to replace the pier at the URI Bay Campus, National Science Foundation to operate new class of research vessel. Mr. Reis explained that the new and larger pier required a review for special exception as well as two variances – non-conformance with SAV and setbacks. Mr. Reis stated that during Staff review of the project, Special Exception, Variance criteria and Category B requirements were met satisfactorily. Mr. Reis explained that the public access plan provided by the applicant would be to formalize existing access points including signage at the end of pier Road with public parking and signage as well as formalizing the gravel public parking area at the end of South Ferry Road with the inclusion of overflow parking on URI parking lots.

Mr. Reis stated that the application was put out to 30 day Public Notice with no comments received as well as a 20 day Special Exception notice which was posted in the Providence Journal legal notices. No comments were received to Special Exception notification.

Mr. Reis stated staff recommended approval of the Special Exception as well as the variance requests; with staff recommending overall approval of the proposed project.

At the request of Chair Cervenka, Mr. Reis explained that the applicant initially did not provide adequate SAV survey but were able to address the inconsistency in the meeting the standards and verified the edges of the SAV. Mr. Reis stated that eventually the objective of the standard was met satisfactorily.

Chair Cervenka commented positively on the new pier’s improved and more resilient structure.

Mr. Reis confirmed for Mr. Gomez that staff reports were provided to the consultant with stipulations and that the consultant/applicant were in agreement with both. Mr. Gomez commented positively in regards to the iconic project and its improvement to Rhode Island’s involvement in oceanic studies.

Mr. Lucia addressed the Council stating that based on his review of the plans, the proposed project will be an improvement over the current structure which was originally built in the 1930’s. Mr. Lucia stated that the new structure was designed for 5’ of sea level rise with a 50 year design life.

Mr. Hudner also commented positively on the project and the significance the project was to Rhode Island’s international interaction.

No further questions from Council to Staff.

Applicant and Project Coordinators were sworn in and identified themselves for the record.

• Matthew Teeden, Appledore Engineering – project manager and designer of record for waterfront portion of project.
• Joe McCue, Mason and Associates
• David Palazatti, – URI
• Alison Steere – URI

Mr. Teed addressed the Council and confirmed for Chair Cervenka that the Project’s team was satisfied with CRMC staff review and stipulations and that they would be happy to answer any questions.

There were no further questions from Council.

Chair Cervenka expressed the Council’s support for the approval of the project and it’s importance for the state of RI.

Chair Cervenka asked for public comment.

Mr. Sahagian motioned for approval of Special Exception based on record and criteria for Special Exception subject to compliance with all conditions set forth in the staff report.

Mr. Hudner seconded the motion.

No discussion

Chair Cervenka called a Roll Call Vote:
Vice Chair Coia Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Chair Cervenka Aye

Motion for Special Exception approval moved and approved.

Mr. Sahagian motioned for approval of the application and variances in accordance with staff report and stipulations.

Mr. Hudner seconded the motion.

No discussion.

Chair Cervenka called a Roll Call Vote:
Vice Chair Coia Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Chair Cervenka Aye

Motion to approve the application with two variances is approved.

Application approved as a whole through the two motions.

7. Request for executive session pursuant to RIGL § 42-46-5(a)(2), litigation, discussion on Champlin's Realty Associates v. Lemont Supreme Court appeal.

Chair Cervenka recused herself from the Executive Session. Vice Chair Coia stepped in.

Mr. Hudner motioned to go into Executive Session. Mr. Gagnon seconded the motion.

Vice Chair Coia called a Roll Call Vote:
Vice Chair Coia Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye

Legal Counsel asks that Mr. Willis be allowed in the Executive Session.

Legal Counsel asked the Council to allow Mr. Reis in for the first part.

Mr. Sahagian motioned to seal the minutes, Mr. Hudner and Ms. Reynolds seconded the motion to seal the minutes.

Vice Chair Coia called a Roll Call Vote:
Vice Chair Coia Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye

8. Discussion and action on matters discussed in executive session.

Mr. Hudner motioned for the Council to direct CRMC Legal Counsel DeSisto, Mr. Coia and Mr. Willis to follow the discussion contained in the Executive Session to authorize mediation with Champlin’s Realty Associates and the CRMC.

Mr. Gomez seconded the motion.

Vice Chair Coia called a Roll Call Vote:
Vice Chair Coia Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye

Motion carried with direction to Legal Counsel.

9. ADJOURN

Motion: Mr. Hudner
Second: Ms. Reynolds

Vice Chair Coia called a Roll Call Vote:
Vice Chair Coia Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye

Meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

 

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