HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 - Harbor Quality Committee MinutesBY THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
JUL 2 51994
HARBOR QUALITY COMMITTEE MINUTES
DATE: July 7, 1994
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jean Watt, Jack Skinner, Rosemary Luxton, Len
Miller, Miriam Mayell, Ralph Furra, Nancy
Skinner, Oscar Frenzel, Susan Leifer, Wes
Armand.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Tom Houston
GUESTS PRESENT: Larry Paul, Dave Mann, Mike Boudreaux.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jean
Watt, at 3:30 P.M.
APPROVAL OF The minutes of June 16, were approved
MINUTES: as submitted.
AGENDA:
1. Marine charter Tax - Everroad.
Glen Everroad reported on developments to establish a marine
charter tax. There has been numerous meetings with all interested
parties (charter industry representatives, sportfishing, tour boat
operators, etc) attempting to make this tax equitable, without
harmful business results, and the Revenue Manager believes the one
to be proposed to City Council is one the industry can support.
Basically the structure starts at fares costing $26. This omits
many of the harbor tours and whale watching excursions.
Everroad was questioned whether a percentage of gross would be more
appropriate or other forms of taxation. Everroad responded that the
proposed structure is less harmful to business while still
capturing some revenue. Everroad also noted the perception of harm
to business was more real than the actual case since this tax
structure affects the larger charter party boats more. Everroad
suggested that when factoring in a moderate City tax into a large
ticket item, the tax would be easily incorporated into the cost of
the party.
Miller believes that the harbor guest mooring fees could be
increased. Mann was questioned regarding the number of guest
mooring given out and general activity relative to this practice.
Increasing this fee would benefit the County since this revenue
goes to the County.
Mann discussed the demands on the Sheriffs Harbor Department to
assist the City in enforcing the Charter ordinance. Particularly
the preparation needed to be ready for emergencies on a large
charter vessel (fire, etc).
Evverroad eluded to discussions suggesting that the County receive
portions of the bail from citations issued on charter ordinance
violations.
Frenzel made a motion that the committee, upon review, approves and
supports the proposed marine charter tax. Motion passed by
unanimous vote.
2. Limitation on charter boat activity - Miriam Mayell
Mayell reported that essentially the sub -committee believes, upon
investigation, that the large charter vessels are responsible for
most of the nuisance complaints. She spoke to representatives from
the City of Beverly Hills regarding the problems they had with the
large tour buses on their residential streets and how they arrived
at a size limit on tour buses.
Fura reported that marine charter permits have declined in number
from 193, but the passenger count has grown. This indicates that
there are more charters on the larger vessels. In '93 there were
over 98,000 charter boat passengers.
Everroad believes the new Federal Passenger Safety Act will
contribute to an increase in the larger vessels, and asked the
committee "should there be a size limit on charter boats in the
harbor?"
Mann discussed Harbor Department's concerns regarding potential
emergency situations on large charter vessels.
Watt stated this was another reason to consider limiting the size
of charter vessels. She asked if the City has a disaster
preparation plan in place regarding potential problems on charter
vessels.
Armand responded that Jim Upton (Retired Deputy Fire Marshall), and
Harry Gage (former Harbor Master) had started talks relative to
this topic but did not formulate anything before leaving their
positions.
3. Additional Agenda items requested by members for next meeting
A. Len Miller recommended the committee discuss some formate to
survey other harbors similar to Newport and ascertain if they
are experiencing similar problems and how they are addressing
them.
Watt directed staff to put this on next agenda.
B. Watt requested Everroad to investigate the guest mooring fee
(when last increased, etc.) and inform committee.
C. Leifer described a situation occurring this weekend where the PD
dispatcher could not assist in a water pollution complaint. Watt
requested staff to report on what has been done to correct this
situation so not to reoccur.
4. Committee Report - Baywatchers - Frenzel
Frenzel reported on information received from other waterways in
the Mid -West who are experiencing similar problems with algae
blooms. Direct relationship to the nitrate load from non -point
source runoff.
Jack Skinner commented on EMA Nitrate Study that is expected to
be released soon. Skinner would like the EMA to do oxygen study
during the warm water months, particularly in Upper Bay to
ascertain if lower levels are directly related to nitrate level
in watershed.
5. Reducing sewage in harbor - Skinner
Armand reported on the results of a recent liveaboard survey
conducted to identify any illegal liveaboards on off -shore
moorings. The original survey found 28 possible suspected
liveaboards. Follow up investigations conducted over a two week
period found 9 confirmed liveaboards residing on vessels without
obtaining a City permit. Marine Department is contacting
permittees and requiring compliance to ordinance.
Skinner requested Captain Mann to describe Harbor Departments
procedure in issuance of rafting permits for vessels in the
turning basin and what precautions are taken to insure
compliance to SB 1201 (Proper use of marine sanitation systems
while in harbor).
Mann discussed H.D. procedures.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, August 11, 1994, at 3:30 PM, Fire
Department Conference Room.
Minutes submitted by Wes Armand