The central focus of the meeting was the mooring field, which is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The council considered several proposals aimed at enhancing the field’s services and amenities. Noteworthy among these were the discussions of a potential partnership with Upland facilities and businesses. Ideas included selling naming rights for different areas of the field and creating a welcome kit for businesses to assist in marketing efforts. The council also contemplated improving accessibility for visitors by possibly adding a floating dock and repurposing an old dock.

Infrastructure was another key topic, with updates on the construction of a new aluminum dinghy dock, selected for its durability and storm resilience. A temporary dock will be set up during the construction phase. Additionally, the council addressed the cleanup of debris within the mooring field, targeting boat parts and other refuse, and deliberated on improving the condition of the surrounding channels, including recent actions to clear potential obstacles.

Transportation emerged as a theme of significant interest, with the council debating ways to reduce reliance on cars to decrease traffic on the island. Among the suggestions were the introduction of electric scooters and bikes, establishing charging stations, and promoting public transportation use. Moreover, the council engaged in a lengthy conversation about the out-of-service mooring balls in the west channel and discussed reaching out to local senators and Coast Guard officials to address this issue.

The council is also considering updates to the mooring field’s administrative and operational aspects, including the possibility of changing the committee’s name and responsibilities to encompass broader marine operations. The tracking of employees’ time and budget allocations for marine operations were scrutinized, with some members proposing a joint meeting with the Town Council to ensure alignment on the broader vision for marine operations.

Additionally, there was a call for renewal applications from current committee members and encouragement for community members to apply for a vacancy.

Environmental concerns were also on the agenda, with plans to negotiate with developers to minimize the impact of water taxis on residential canals, addressing issues such as traffic, noise, and canal width.

The meeting concluded on a lighter note, with a community member’s playful offer to give the Vice Chair a ride home, which was met with lighthearted banter among the members. A motion for adjournment was passed unanimously, with the next meeting set for after the council’s break in July.