TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to amend Permit No. 27276 with Harbor Breeze Corporation, for the use of docks in Rainbow Harbor for charters, harbor cruises, and whale watching tours for a term of 15 years, with two five-year renewal options at the discretion of the City Manager or his designee. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
On April 24, 2001, the City Council approved Permit No. 27276 with Harbor Breeze Corporation (Harbor Breeze), to operate charters, harbor cruises, and whale watching tours for a five-year term, with three, five-year renewal options. Since that time, there have been two amendments to the lease exercising all three, five-year renewal options, with the term ending on April 30, 2021.
Harbor Breeze was one of the first commercial operators in the newly built Rainbow Harbor. Since that time, Harbor Breeze has been the most successful single operator in Rainbow Harbor. Company sales have grown from approximately $300,000 in 2001, to over $3 million in 2011. Harbor Breeze pays nearly $80,000 a year in dock fees, and in 2011, paid the City approximately $160,000 in percentage rent.
Harbor Breeze has been the leader in whale watching excursions in Southern California, and has brought significant attention to Long Beach because of their success in the whale watching business. In addition, Harbor Breeze has partnered with the Aquarium of the Pacific for whale watching and nature tours, and has received an endorsement from Aquarium CEO Jerry Schubel for its professionalism and contributions to Long Beach.
Harbor Breeze proposes to expand the business by purchasing a larger, faster vessel, which will cost approximately $6 million. With the addition of the new vessel, Harbor Breeze estimates that sales will increase to over $6 million by 2015, which will in turn increase the City’s commercial share. In order to amortize the cost of the new vessel, Harbor Breeze has approached the City with a request to revise the permit term to 15 y...
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