TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to approve a fee waiver for use of dock space for visiting vessels in Alamitos Bay Marina for Long Beach Race Week, in an amount not to exceed $15,000, for the period of June 17, 2019 through June 24, 2019. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
Long Beach Race Week (LBRW) is a three-day event, co-hosted by the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) and the Long Beach Yacht Club (LBYC), from June 17, 2019 through June 24, 2019. It is an annual, world-class sailing regatta for keelboats and ocean racing catamarans. It is the final leg of the major Southern California regattas, which include the Ahmanson Cup, the Yachting Cup, and Cal Race Week. During this week, various races will take place, including the Catalina 37 National Championship, the Schock 35 Pacific Coast Championship, and various J-Class races, which are part of the Southern California High Point Series. This event is expected to attract up to 120 teams with nearly 1,500 boating enthusiasts, including sailors, support teams, families, and friends. Regional participants, including sailing teams from the states of Washington, Arizona, and California, will compete for the top prizes.
ABYC and LBYC have requested a fee waiver for docking fees traditionally assessed to visiting vessels, in the amount not to exceed $15,000, for the LBRW three-day event. This sailing event attracts state and regional media attention for the City and spotlights the sport of sailboat racing and our marinas. The event also generates additional revenue for local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, boating supplies stores, as well as other retail establishments. The event benefits outweigh the revenue loss resulting from the waived dock fees, and is 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 May 13, 2019 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on May 16, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 11, 2019, to reserve required dock spaces in Alamitos Bay Marina prior to the start of LBRW.
FISCAL IMPACT
The value of the fee waivers will not exceed $15,000. Additional revenue specifically related to dock fees for this event is not anticipated as part of the current budget. As a result, the fiscal impact associated with this waiver is minimal. 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,
GERARDO MOUET
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER