Harbor master reports slim transient revenue, plans outreach as council receives marina update

Kevin Fisher, Alpena’s harbor master and parks coordinator, presented a marina operations report to the Alpena City Council on Monday, March 17, outlining staffing, revenue and expense figures, maintenance work, and marketing plans for the coming season.

Fisher told the council the marina has 135 slips in total, 89 designated for seasonal slip holders, and a wait list for larger (38–48 foot) boats. He said seasonal slip revenue stood at $125,069 and winter boat storage at $41,440. He reported transient slip revenue as unchanged in the account records (transcript: “$16.09 76”), and gave diesel and gas revenue figures of $59,000 and $66,000, respectively. Launch permit revenue stood at $706.46, and rental income from two businesses operating at the marina was reported as $12,708 through the fiscal year to date. Fisher said the marina’s current total revenue is about $329,332 and that expenses reported so far total $339,761, producing a near-term shortfall in the figures he presented.

Fisher said the marina’s staffing had included two full‑time Department of Public Works technicians and a seasonal peak of nine employees last year, creating scheduling challenges. He outlined recent capital and maintenance work including removal of three dilapidated boats from the parking lot, repainting of the marina storefront and fish-cleaning station, repairs to breakwall railings and gangway work with MacArthur Construction, and new landscaping and planters planned to reduce wind impact. He said removing the three abandoned boats freed space that he estimates will generate about $5,400 a year in winter storage revenue.

On marketing, Fisher said Alpena’s location — nine land miles inside Thunder Bay — makes attracting transient boaters difficult, and he described plans to update profiles on marinas.com and Garmin ActiveCaptain and to pilot grassroots outreach before committing to a paid platform called Dockwa. He said the marina began taking reservations in January and that seasonal holders generally return each year.

Fisher described partnerships under development, including a work‑in‑kind agreement with the Alpena Youth Sailing Club for volunteer hours in exchange for use of courtesy docks, and an agreement with the local Sea Scouts chapter to assist with maintenance and repainting. He also reported about $5,068 in outstanding CAMS/CAMAS reservation balances that he and staff will pursue with the state.

Council members asked clarifying questions — including about the flagpole repainting and the timeline for recovering outstanding balances — and Fisher said he may pursue seizures or small claims court for long‑outstanding fees if other recovery steps fail. After discussion, the council approved a motion to receive and file the marina report.

Motion to receive and file: “I move we receive and file a Marina Port report from Kevin Fisher.” Motion by Danny, second by Kevin. Vote: Council member Mitchell — Aye; Council member Perrier — Aye; Council member Allenswood — Aye; Mayor Mary Johnson — Aye. Motion carried.

Fisher told the council he expects a busy summer with new farmers market activity at the marina and multiple fishing tournaments and festivals planned.