TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare an ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by repealing Section 16.08.910 relating to the marina slip waiting list administrative fee. (Districts 2,3)
DISCUSSION
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine operates and maintains the largest municipally-owned marina system in the nation. The City of Long Beach (City) marina system is comprised of Alamitos Bay Marina, Long Beach Shoreline Marina and Rainbow Harbor Marina. Combined, all three marinas have approximately 3,842 boat slips for recreational, private and commercial use. The prime location where Long Beach is situated offers practically perfect sailing conditions year-round. Boats in the marinas are protected by an offshore breakwater and by a natural south-facing bay. These occurrences, as well as optimal conditions, make the City’s marinas very attractive to boaters. As a result, the slips are near, or at capacity every year.
The marina slip waiting list administrative fee is included in the annual Master Fee and Charges Schedule Resolution adopted by the City Council during the budget process, which is a more appropriate method to set and manage this type of fee. Therefore, staff recommends repealing Section 16.08.910 of the LBMC.
The revenue from the administrative fees for pending boat slip applications is used to offset administrative time spent by staff to maintain and coordinate the waiting lists. The shift to collect the fees annually has expedited and accelerated the processing of applicants, resulting in shorter waiting lists. This is due to the fact that some undecided individuals are deterred from placing their names on a waiting list knowing that they will be charged an annual administrative fee to remain on the waiting list.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Robin Zur Schmiede on May 19, 2016 and by Budget Operations Administrator Grace Yoon on May 24, 2016.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Cou...
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