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 the period of January 18, 2019 through May 27, 2019. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The Navy Yacht Club - Long Beach (NYCLB) was established in 1967 as a nonprofit organization under the authority of the Naval Station, with the aim of promoting sailing competition and safe boating practices, while serving the Long Beach veteran community. More than half of NYCLB’s 200 members are veterans of various military organizations, and over three quarters of whom are boat owners. Many of 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 U.S. Department of Veterans 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 from January 18, 2019 through May 27, 2019. Events scheduled between January and May include:
• Women Veterans Duffy Cruise, in partnership with the Long Beach Veterans Hospital, to promote women’s health issues;
• Armed Forces Day Race;
• Seniors Salty Race;
• Memorial Day Race and Celebration; and,
• National Military Spouse Appreciation Day Celebration, which honors the contributions and sacrifices made by military spouses.
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 supplies 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 Linda T. Vu on November 14, 2018 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on November 16, 2018.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on February 5, 2019, 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. Additional revenue specifically related to dock fees for these events is not anticipated as part of the current budget. Therefore, the fiscal impact associated with the fee waiver is minimal. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GERARDO MOUET
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER