Aliya Schneider is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Hudson Common Council Mon., May 24, voted to pursue a licensing agreement with the Hudson Sloop Club for the commercial docks at the waterfront, rejecting Hudson Cruises, which has held the city's dock license for the past 17 years. Nine members of the council voted in favor of awarding the dock license to the Sloop Club, while two abstained. The vote came after two council meetings on the topic. Mayor Kamal Johnson, his aide Michael Chameides and Commissioner of Public Works Peter Bujanow argued that Hudson Cruises had offered the best proposal for dock use. But council members wanted to learn more about the runner-up proposal from the Hudson Sloop Club. On May 18, the council voted to withdraw the authorization for a Hudson Cruises arrangement, deciding to further consider the options for the dock. First Ward Alderwoman and Minority Leader Rebecca Wolff noted that Hudson Cruises insisted on full proprietary usage rights for the dock and the lack of compromise was the reason they did not get the license. The Sloop Club will serve as a dock coordinator allowing for the commercial docks to be shared, she said. The resolution approved by the council makes it a priority to allow Hudson Cruises to have two of its boats, The Spirit of Hudson and Little Hudson, docked, Common Council President Tom DePietro said. But Hudson Cruises is looking elsewhere to dock its boats. Sharing the dock space can pose safety and liability issues, a spokesman said. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.