TITLE
Recommendation to discuss the possible transfer of the operation and control of “Pier H” (including the Queen Mary) from the City Council to the Harbor Commission; request Harbor Commission to review and consider acceptance of the transfer of Pier H as outlined in the memo from the City Attorney, dated March 10, 2021; and request City Manager to work with Harbor Department staff on providing necessary information and documentation for review and to report back to the City Council in 60 days.
DISCUSSION
The Mayor and City Council recently requested the City Attorney to prepare a memo which addressed whether there would be any legal impediments or restrictions that would prohibit the transfer of control over an area known as Pier H in the Long Beach Harbor District from the City of Long Beach to the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach ("Harbor Department"). On March 10, 2021 the City Attorney submitted the requested memo to the Mayor and Council (Copy is attached).
As discussed in the memo, in 1992, the Harbor Department transferred control of approximately 230.9 acres of tide, reclaimed and submerged lands, commonly referred to as Pier H, to the City of Long Beach. The area had primarily been developed for hotel, restaurant, retail commercial, and recreational purposes. This transfer of control was subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the legislative grants of tide and submerged lands from the State to the City and certain provisions of the City Charter. The City had sought control over this area in order to develop a multi-faceted visitor serving destination centered around the Queen Mary which has been docked at Pier H since 1967.
Since the determination in 1992, two things have changed that support the transfer of Pier H back to the Harbor Department. First, a primary port use has been developed at Pier H with the Carnival Cruise Ship facilities. Second, the Port Master Plan Update 2020 has increased the focus ...
Click here for full text