TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to approve a fee waiver for the Navy Yacht Club - Long Beach, in an amount not to exceed $5,000, for use of dock space in Alamitos Bay Marina for veteran honoring, racing and cruise celebrations, for events scheduled through December 12, 2020. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The Navy Yacht Club - Long Beach (NYCLB) was established in 1967 as a nonprofit organization under the authority of the Long Beach Naval Station, with the aim of promoting sailing competition and safe boating practices, to serve the Long Beach veteran community. More than half of NYCLB’s 200 members are veterans of various military organizations and over three quarters of their members are boat owners. Many NYCLB members are retirees, living on fixed incomes.
NYCLB celebrates and honors veterans year-round through a variety of races and cruises (parades). These events draw participation from several Southern California yacht clubs. Several of these events are co-sponsored by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs Hospital in Long Beach. NYCLB has requested that dock fees, traditionally assessed to visiting vessels for the use of the 100-foot dock adjacent to NYCLB, in an amount not to exceed $5,000, be waived for events scheduled through December 12, 2020. Events scheduled through December include:
• Armed Forces Day Race
• Big Bang On The Bay
• Welcome Home 113th Battalion
• All Hands Race
• Navy Day Regatta
• Naples Island Christmas Boat Parade
NYCLB is currently adhering to all directives and guidelines regarding COVID-19. NYCLB will continue to cancel/postpone any and all scheduled club events in accordance with COVID-19 community response parameters. These sailing/boating events spotlight recreational boating and sailboat racing in our marinas. They also generate additional tourism revenue for local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, boating supply stores, and other retail establishments. These benefits outweigh the revenue loss resulting from the waived dock fees. These events are consistent with the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department’s partnering policy to support organizations that provide a service to the community and its residents by promoting the Long Beach marinas.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on March 25, 2020 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on March 25, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 21, 2020, to reserve required dock space in Alamitos Bay Marina for the events.
FISCAL IMPACT
The value of the fee waiver will not exceed $5,000. Since no additional revenue specifically related to dock fees for these events was budgeted, there is no fiscal impact associated with the proposed fee waiver. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
STEPHEN P. SCOTT
INTERIM DIRECTOR
PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
ACTING CITY MANAGER