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FROM:
CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Staff Report
September 26, 2017
Agenda Item No. 5
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
David A. Webb, Public Works Director - 949-644-3311,
dawebb@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Chris Miller, Harbor Resources Manager,
cmiller@newportbeachca.gov
PHONE: 949-644-3043
TITLE: Proposed Revisions to Mooring Specifications — Harbor Commission
Recommendation
ABSTRACT:
The current mooring specifications were recently reviewed as part of the transition from
County to City mooring management, and the Harbor Commission is recommending
incremental revisions to accommodate today's larger vessels.
RECOMMENDATION:
a) Determine that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines
because it will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly;
and
b) Adopt Resolution No. 2017-62, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport
Beach, California, Adopting the Specifications for the Size of Weights and Chains for
Moorings Located Upon Tidelands in Newport Harbor.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item.
DISCUSSION:
For decades, the City and County have maintained published specifications for moorings
(e.g. minimum weights, chain and line sizes). These specifications have been refined over
time by the harbor authorities based on experience in all weather, tide and storm surge
scenarios. However, as vessels continue to increase in size (beam, length, height and
weight), the mooring specifications should be periodically reviewed to ensure safety of
the mooring permittee's vessel as well as all of the vessels in the mooring fields. To help
illustrate this point, during the recent 2016-17 storm season, dozens of moorings
malfunctioned or were dragged out of position; therefore, potentially causing damage to
the vessel or other neighboring vessels. While not unusual for some moorings to drag
every season, these numbers were especially high and prompted this review.
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Proposed Revisions to Mooring Specifications — Harbor Commission Recommendation
September 26, 2017
Page 2
Maintaining the mooring system is the responsibility of the mooring permittee via their
mooring contractor, and the City requires the permittee to lift their mooring tackle out of
the water to be inspected every two years. Therefore, the costs associated with these
increased specifications (approximations noted below) would be the mooring permittee's
responsibility.
The Harbor Commission reviewed these specifications at their September 2017 meeting,
and they have recommended adoption by the City Council.
Recommendina Moorina Specifications (see Attachment A):
1. Mooring Buoy Type:
a. Recommend using "tube -style" mooring buoys only. These buoys have a
tube through the center, and the chain slips through the tube therefore
creating one continuous connection. This allows the entire chain to be
inspected for wear.
The older "ring -style" buoys that were previously allowed and used in the
harbor more than twenty years ago will no longer be allowed. There are still
some ring -style buoys in use today on offshore moorings. These buoys
have a steel rod through the center so that the bottom chain attaches to the
bottom of the rod, and the top chain attaches to the top end of the rod. This
is problematic because the center of the rod inside the buoy cannot be
inspected for wear or corrosion; therefore, creating a possible unsafe
condition. The anticipated cost to those permittees required to convert from
ring -style to tube -style buoys is estimated between $300-$350.
2. Weights
a. Every year, many boats drag their moorings during major storms, and this
past year there were several dozen such events. Out of prudence, many
mooring permittees add additional weight, especially if they are in areas
prone to greater storm influence. Because the size of boats has increased
since these specifications were established, staff is recommending a 20%
increase in the mooring weights. The anticipated cost to those permittees
needing to increase their weights is estimated between $400-$500.
3. Chains
a. Staff is recommending a thicker chain for the 20', 25' and 30' moorings only.
This recommended .5" increased size is very commonly used today, so the
chain specifications are merely catching up to current practice. There is not
an anticipated cost to the mooring permittee for this update.
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Proposed Revisions to Mooring Specifications — Harbor Commission Recommendation
September 26, 2017
Page 3
4. Sand -Line Mooring System
a. New "sand -line" moorings have been installed by the City adjacent to
Marina Park to accommodate larger visiting vessels. This single -buoy, no -
swing concept is much easier for the boater to use compared to the
traditional double buoy mooring system used in the harbor. It has also been
the preferred system in Catalina for a long time. Staff is recommending that
mooring permittees may use sand -line moorings upon evaluation and
approval by the City. The cost for this voluntary improvement is unknown at
this time, but it is anticipated to be nominal.
Newport Beach Municipal Code Section 17.25.020(J) states that "specifications for the
size of chains required on moorings and weights of moorings shall be adopted by
resolution of the City Council." If approved, these new standards will be applied to all
mooring permittees at their next scheduled mooring gear haul -up and inspection (required
every two years).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not
result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment)
and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no
potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item was noticed and discussed publicly at the September 13, 2017 Harbor
Commission meeting, and has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in
advance of this meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A — Resolution No. 2017-62
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Attachment A
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-62
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE
SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SIZE OF WEIGHTS AND
CHAINS FOR MOORINGS LOCATED UPON TIDELANDS IN
NEWPORT HARBOR
WHEREAS, pursuant to the 1978 Beacon Bay Bill, as amended ("Beacon Bay
Bill"), the City of Newport Beach ("City") acts on behalf of the State of California as
the trustee of tidelands located within the City's limits, including Newport Harbor;
WHEREAS, the Beacon Bay Bill and Chapter 17.60 of the Newport Beach
Municipal Code ("NBMC") allow the City to issue, transfer, and revoke permits and sub -
permits to third parties to place, erect, construct, maintain, use, and tie moorings upon
tidelands within the City's limits, including Newport Harbor;
WHEREAS, the City offers two types of moorings, onshore and offshore, that
provide an affordable option allowing residents of California to use and enjoy the
tidelands in Newport Harbor,
WHEREAS, onshore moorings are located on the perimeter of the shore
within Newport Harbor, and offshore moorings are located offshore within the waters
of Newport Harbor;
WHEREAS, the mooring permits and sub -permits issued by the City do not
convey any underlying property interest, and instead only allow for the temporary
mooring of a vessel upon the waters of Newport Harbor;
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the mooring permits and sub -permits issued by
the City, weights and chains must be of sufficient size to safely hold the moored
vessel in place;
WHEREAS, on September 13, 2017, the Harbor Commission of the City
reviewed and recommended approval by the City Council of the specifications for
the mooring weights and chains set forth in the Offshore and Onshore Mooring
Specifications attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and incorporated herein by this reference;
WHEREAS, Newport Beach Municipal Code Section 17.25.020(J) states that
the specifications for the size of chains and weights for moorings shall be adopted
by resolution of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, by adopting this resolution, the City Council intends to adopt the
Offshore and Onshore Mooring Specifications attached as Exhibit 1.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach resolves as
follows:
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Resolution No. 2017 -
Page 2 of 3
Section 1: The City Council does hereby find that the Offshore and Onshore
Mooring Specifications attached to this resolution as Exhibit 1 are the minimum
requirements for moorings of each size category specified therein and adopt such
Offshore and Onshore Mooring Specifications.
Section 2: The Recitals provided above are true and correct and are
incorporated into the substantive portion of this resolution.
Section 3: The City Council finds the specifications for mooring chain size
and weights is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA")
pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the
activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines,
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for
resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Section 4: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
resolution is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision
shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this
resolution. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this
resolution, and each section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase hereof,
irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences,
clauses or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
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Resolution No. 2017 -
Page 3 of 3
Section 5: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by
the City Council and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting the resolution.
ADOPTED this 20th day of September, 2017.
Kevin Muldoon
Mayor
ATTEST:
Leilani I. Brown
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Aaron C. Harp t31?
City Attorney
Attachment: Exhibit 1 — Offshore and Onshore Mooring Specifications
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
City of Newport Beach
Public Works, Harbor Operations Division
Offshore Mooring Specifications
September 2017
All mooring weights must be metal.
All mooring buoys shall be the "tube -style" (tube down the center of the buoy) and
painted in compliance with State regulations, with numbers assigned by the City and
painted per the requirements described in the Municipal Code.
All vessels must be moored fore and aft except in exposed areas designated as single
point areas.
All mooring locations must be allocated by the City. Moorings must be inspected before
installation, and re -inspected every two years.
Top and bottom chain must be shackled together to form one continuous length. Chain
size specifications must be adhered to regardless of chain type. Material other than
chain may be used only upon City approval.
The length of chain is to be determined by the City and is governed by the depth of
water in various mooring areas.
Sand -line moorings may be allowed after review and approval by the City.
The Assigned Vessels permitted on moorings must be equal to or less than the mooring
length.
Minimum mooring requirements are as follows:
Length of
Mooring (fei
20'
25'
30'
35'
40'
45'
50'
55'
60'
65'
70'
75'
80'
85'
90'
95'
Mooring
ght(pounds
600
780
900
1,200
1,800
2,400
2,400
3,000
3,600
3,600
4,200
4,200
4,800
5,400
6,000
6,000
Size of Bottom Chain
(inches)
5/8//
5/00810
5/8„
5/8„
5/8„
3/4"
3/4"
3/4"
3/4"
1"
1"
1"
1"
1"
1"
1"
Size of Top Chain
(inches)
1/2"
1/2"
1/2"
1/2"
1/2"
1/2"
1/2"
1/2"
1/2"
5/8"
5/8„
3/4"
3/4"
3/4"
3/4"
3/4"
Exhibit 1
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Minimum Line Requirements
Length of
Diameter of Nylon
Length of Line
Boat in Feet
or Dacron in Inches
Not to Exceed
18' to 20'
1/2"
10'
20' to 25'
1/2"
10'
25' to 30'
5/8"
10'
30' to 40'
5/8"
12'
40' to 50'
3/4"
15'
50' to 70'
1"
15'
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City of Newport Beach
Public Works, Harbor Operations Division
Onshore Mooring Specifications
September 2017
1. All mooring weights shall be metal.
2. Posts are not allowed for shore moorings unless there is not a wall for securing the
mooring.
3. Onshore moorings should connect directly to the seawall with an eyebolt.
4. Buoy and post / eyebolt shall have a pulley attached with a line of not less than 3/8 inch
diameter at all times. Vessel is to be moored securely thereto, bow and stern and must
not be left on the beach.
5. Mooring buoy shall be painted in compliance with State regulations, with numbers
assigned by the City and painted per the requirements described in the Municipal Code.
6. Minimum requirements as follows:
Length of Boat
Weight of Mooring
Size of Chain
Length of Chain
12 feet
200 pounds
3/8 inches
25 feet
15 feet
250 pounds
3/8 inches
25 feet
18 feet
300 pounds
3/8 inches
25 feet
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