TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to approve a fee waiver for the Little Ships Fleet Yacht Club, in an amount not to exceed $5,000, for use of dock space in Alamitos Bay Marina for racing and cruise celebrations, for the period of April 29, 2023 through August 5, 2023. (District 3)
Levine Act: Yes
DISCUSSION
The Little Ships Fleet Yacht Club (LSFYC) continues to thrive since its beginning in 1937. LSFYC is a fully accredited, non-profit yacht club. It belongs to the major yachting associations in Southern California and focuses on boating activities including sailboat racing and club cruises to Catalina Island and other yacht clubs during the year. LSFYC has a wide range of members of various ages and experience, and the member fleet is comprised of many sizes of boats.
LSFYC has participated in major yachting events such as the Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race and the Transpacific Yacht Race to Hawaii. LSFYC has requested that dock fees, traditionally assessed to visiting vessels for the use of the 100-foot dock adjacent to LSFYC, in an amount not to exceed $5,000, be waived for events from April 29, 2023 through August 5, 2023. Event dates requested between April 29 and August 5 include:
• April 29 - Opening Day
• May 13 - LSFYC Off Shore Series Race #1
• June 3 - LSFYC Harbor Series Race #4
• July 15 - LSFYC Harbor Series Race #5
• August 5 - LSFYC Off Shore Series Race #2
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 April 6, 2023 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on April 7, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 2, 2023, to reserve required dock space in Alamitos Bay Marina for the events.
LEVINE ACT
This item is subject to the Levine Act. The Mayor, Councilmembers, and Commissioners who have received a contribution of more than $250 within 12 months prior from a party, participant, or their representatives involved in this proceeding may do either of the following: (1) disclose the contribution on the record and recuse themselves from this proceeding; OR (2) return the portion of the contribution that exceeds $250 within 30 days from the time the elected official knew or should have known about the contribution and participate in the proceeding.
All parties, participants, and their representatives must disclose on the record of this proceeding any contribution of more than $250 made to the Mayor or any Councilmembers within 12 months prior to the date of the proceeding. The Mayor, Councilmembers, and Commissioners are prohibited from accepting, soliciting, or directing a contribution of more than $250 from a party, participant, or their representatives during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is rendered.
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