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Alpena opts not to renew marina operator contract

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena Harbormaster Shannon Smolinski did some cleaning at the fish cleaning station at the small boat harbor on Monday. The city voted to not renew the contract of current marina operator Thunder Bay Shores Marine, and to run the marina itself after Aug.31.

ALPENA — Alpena will end its longtime business relationship with Thunder Bay Shores Marine.

On Monday, the Alpena Municipal Council voted 4-0 to not renew the current one-year contract with Thunder Bay Shores Marine, which has run the marina for the last 28 years.

The current deal expires on Aug. 31 and the marina operator has until Sept. 30 to vacate the premises.

In her report to council, Harbormaster Shannon Smolinski said the harbor and marina have been deteriorating over the years, and the city approached Thunder Bay Shores Marine to help complete a list of tasks from a corrective action plan, with the city assisting on the repairs and maintenance — some of which were safety issues.

A push for more marketing for the marina and tying the harbor with Downtown Alpena is also a goal the city wants to have a role in.

Only a portion of the projects were completed, even with a full-time city employee stationed at the harbor to help with needed work.

Smolinski said Thunder Bay Shores Marine has been a good partner with the city for many years, but, in her opinion, it is time to part ways so the full potential of the marina can be reached.

“After working with Thunder Bay Shores this season, it has become apparent that we do not share a mutual vision for what the marina can become,” Smolinski said. “While it has provided good customer service as the face of the marina for several years, the city’s desire to switch direction and push to the next level are not a shared priority or goal.”

The city will have some help running operations, as it intends to hire another marina employee to mirror the current schedule. The two employees would continue covering the bridge operations for Lady Michigan as part of their duties. It is also anticipated the two employees would cover the full-time operations of the marina with the assistance of several seasonal dockhands.

“Thunder Bay Shores Marine currently employs several dockhands who are already trained in their duties and responsibilities. These young men and women have impressed me this summer with their good work ethic and desire to provide great customer service to our visiting boaters,” Smolinski said. “It would be my intent to hire any of the existing employees who would be willing to remain dockhands at the marina and could pass our pre-employment screening process. This would provide us with an experienced staff who could assist us in learning the ropes. I am also exploring outside training resources to ensure we are properly conducting business.”

The city also intends to hire All Marine to operate the mobile boat hoist that puts boats in and out of the water. The fee charged for raise and lower will be split equally between the city and All Marine.

A request for proposals will also be issued to hire someone to provide an onsite repair shop and run the marina’s store.

Thunder Bay Shores Marine owner Richard McTaggart had no comment about the contract not being extended.

Councilman Mike Nowak was absent from the meeting.

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