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 April 2023 through December 2023. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The Navy Yacht Club - Long Beach (NYCLB) was established in 1967 as a nonprofit organization under the authority of the Long Beach Naval Station, with the aim of promoting sailing competition and safe boating practices, to serve the Long Beach Veteran community. More than half of NYCLB’s 200 members are veterans of various military organizations and over three quarters of their members are boat owners. Many 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 United States Department of Veteran 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, be waived for events from April 2023 through December 2023. Events scheduled between April and December 2023 include:
• April 1 - Navy Yacht Club Long Beach Opening Day
• May 6 - Armed Forces Day Race (Long Beach Harbor Series)
• May 26, 27, 28 - Los Angeles Fleet Week (Veteran Appreciation Events)
• July 3 - Big Bang on the Bay
• September 16 - All Hands Race (Long Beach Harbor Series)
• October 14 - Navy Day Regatta
• October 28 - Wounded Veteran Salute
• November 11 - Veteran’s Day Celebration
• December 16 - Naples Island Christmas Boat Parade
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 supply 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 Anita Lakhani on February 28, 2023 and by Budget Operations and Development Officer Rhutu Amin on February 23, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 21, 2023, 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 within the Tidelands Fund Groups, and revenues within this marina area are restricted to the Tidelands area and are not associated with or deposited into the General Fund. Therefore, the fiscal impact associated with the fee 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,
BRENT DENNIS
DIRECTOR
PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER