TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to execute documents necessary to accept and expend grant funds from the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways, to reimburse the City of Long Beach for costs incurred to remove and dispose of abandoned watercraft. (Districts 2,3)
DISCUSSION
Throughout the year, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM), through its Marine Bureau, must deal with vessels that are found adrift, abandoned at our docks, sinking, or in danger of sinking, in the marinas and navigable waterways along our coast. Normally, these vessels are brought to the docks or launch ramps by the Fire Department or Police Department, and then stabilized, if possible. If the vessel sinks or is deemed to be a navigable hazard, it must be removed and destroyed.
The Marine Bureau attempts to locate the last registered owner to pay for the expenses incurred in this effort. If a registered owner cannot be located or refuses to pay for the stabilization and removal, the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW), offers grant funds to reimburse public agencies for most of the costs involved in this effort. The Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Fund grant requires the City of Long Beach (City) to initially pay 100 percent of the costs incurred for each abandoned vessel; subsequently, DBW will reimburse the City for 90 percent of those costs. DBW then makes an effort to obtain reimbursement from the registered owner, if one has been identified.
The City has participated in this grant program since 1999. Based on the overwhelming need throughout the state, DBW has awarded grants to all interested parties proportionally. On January 5, 2014, PRM was informed that the City would be awarded $8,000 for a 24-month period, January 15, 2014 through January 15, 2016.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on January 23, 2014, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on January 29, 2014.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on February 18, 2014, in order to accept and expend grant funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
This grant reimburses 90 percent of costs incurred by the City, up to $8,000, for the removal and disposal of abandoned vessels over a 24-month period. A ten percent matching contribution is required. These vessels are abandoned and in various states of dilapidation, making it difficult for PRM to control annual costs. The annual amount spent on this program varies from $10,000 to $40,000. Grant reimbursements alleviate a portion of those costs. Funding for the disposal of these vessels is budgeted in the Marina Fund (TF 403) in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PR). There is no impact to jobs associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR GRANT FUNDS UNDER THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, DIVISION OF BOATING AND WATERWAYS, ABANDONED WATERCRAFT ABATEMENT FUND (AWAF) GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE REMOVAL OF ABANDONED VESSELS FROM THE NAVIGABLE WATERS AND MARINAS IN LONG BEACH
Respectfully Submitted,
GEORGE CHAPJIAN
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER