TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to approve a visiting vessel permit fee at a discounted rate of $0.65 per linear foot for the use of the Pine Avenue Pier dock for the 2019 Transpacific Yacht Race, for the period of June 25, 2019 through July 13, 2019. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
The Transpacific Yacht Club (TPYC) will host the 51st Transpacific Yacht Race (Transpac) from Long Beach, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii, in July 2019. The first biennial 2,225 nautical mile race was held in 1906; it included three yachts with the winner crossing the finish line 12 days, 9 hours and 59 minutes after the start. Transpac is one of yachting’s premier offshore races in the world of sailing attracting entrants from all over the world. International home ports for the 2019 race include Asgardstrand, Norway; Yokosuka, Japan; North Vancouver, Canada; Melbourne, Australia; Milan, Italy; Krasnoyarsk, Russia; and Dolphin Square, Great Britain.
The 2019 Transpac anticipates 96 entries, with three separate start dates on July 10th, 12th and 13th. Participating vessels are moored in Rainbow Harbor prior to their respective start dates to prepare for the journey. Aloha sendoff events are held at local restaurants and yacht clubs the weekend of July 5, 2019. Some vessels arrive at the Diamond Head finish line as soon as July 22, 2019, where they are met with various celebratory events.
TPYC proposes to rent the dock located on the west side of Pine Avenue Pier, which consists of 181 linear feet of dock space, at a temporary discounted rate of $0.65 per linear foot, per day, from June 25, 2019 through July 13, 2019. The total dock revenue to the City for the 19 days at the discounted rate is $2,235, roughly a discount of 50 percent. The City Council previously adopted a mooring fee for a visiting vessel is $1.30 per linear foot, per day. This event is consistent with the promotion of the City as the Aquatics Capital of America, and the promotion of Long Beach as a destination for visitors seeking to participate in a wide range of aquatic activities.
If the number of entrants exceed the capacity allowable on the west side of Pine Avenue Pier, the discounted rate will also be applied to dock space within Rainbow Harbor for the purposes of this race. Unlike the Pine Avenue Pier, which will be reserved for Transpac, all other dock space will be allocated on a first come first serve basis, for a period of no less or more than three days per vessel.
This sailing event attracts nationwide and worldwide media attention for the City. It also generates additional revenue to local business such as hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, boating supplies stores, as well as other retail establishments. These benefits outweigh the revenue loss resulting from the discounted visiting vessel fee.
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 allow ample time to reserve the required dock space by the entry deadline of June 21, 2019.
FISCAL IMPACT
The anticipated revenue from dock rent in the amount of $2,235 will be deposited in the Tidelands Operating Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department. 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