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 surrendered vessels in danger of becoming abandoned or hazardous. (Districts 2,3)
DISCUSSION
The Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) was established by Assembly Bill 166 (Chapter 416, Statutes 2009) and became effective January 1, 2010. The program is administered by the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW), and provides grants to local public agencies to administer a vessel turn-in program in their jurisdiction. Funding for VTIP comes from the Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Fund (AWAF), but is separate from the existing AWAF program and receives separate budget authority. VTIP provides an alternative for boat owners to surrender an unwanted recreational vessel to participating local public agencies.
A surrendered vessel is defined as a recreational vessel that the verified titleholder has willingly surrendered under both of the following conditions:
· The public agency has determined, in its sole discretion, that the vessel is in danger of being abandoned and, therefore, has a likelihood of causing environmental degradation or becoming a hazard to navigation;
· The decision to accept a vessel is based solely on the potential of the vessel to likely be abandoned and cause environmental degradation or become a hazard to navigation.
In February 2013, the Marine Bureau of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM), through its monthly newsletter, requested that anyone interested in participating in this program contact the Alamitos Bay Marina office. Based on the response, the City of Long Beach (City) informed the DBW of its interest in the program. This will be the first time the City participates in this program. Initially, the City would pay 100 percent of the costs incurred for each surrendered vessel; subsequently, DBW will reimburse the City for 90 percent of those costs.
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 $5,000 for a 24-month period, January 15, 2014 through January 15, 2016.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson and 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 $5,000, for the removal, storage, and disposal of the surrendered vessels over a 24-month period. A ten percent matching contribution is required. Funding for this program 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, VESSEL TURN IN PROGRAM (VTIP) UNDER THE ABANDONED WATERCRAFT ABATEMENT FUND (AWAF) GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE REMOVAL OF SURRENDERED 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