HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 - Allowing Short-Term Mooring License Agreements and Establishing Fair Market Value License Fees for Offshore and Onshore MooringsQ SEW Pp�T
CITY OF
z NEWPORT BEACH
c�<,FORN'P City Council Staff Report
November 28, 2023
Agenda Item No. 3
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Paul Blank, City Harbormaster - 949-270-8159,
pblank@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Paul Blank, City Harbormaster
TITLE: Ordinance No. 2023-17: Allowing Short -Term Mooring License
Agreements and Establishing Fair Market Value License Fees for
Offshore and Onshore Moorings
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For the City Council's consideration is the second reading and adoption of Ordinance
No. 2023-17, allowing short-term mooring license agreements for use of the City of
Newport Beach's 14 moorings.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to Section 15302 under Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the
CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has
no potential to have a significant effect on the environment;
b) Conduct a second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2023-17, An Ordinance of the
City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Adding Section 17.60.045
(Short -Term Mooring Licenses) to Chapter 17.60 (Harbor Permits and Leases) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code Regarding Short -Term Mooring Licenses.
DISCUSSION:
On November 14, 2023, the City Council introduced Ordinance 2023-17, authorizing the
Harbor Department to issue licenses for use of the 14 City moorings and adding a section
to NBMC Title 17.
NBMC Section 17.60.045, Short -Term Mooring Licenses, was added to the Harbor Code
and specifies the requirements for City mooring licenses to be issued by the
Harbormaster.
The proposed NBMC additions include provisions for the term, eligibility, associated fee,
the requirements for use and termination of license agreements.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Revenue in the Tidelands Fund is anticipated to increase by $22,306 for short-term
mooring licensing fees for the months of May 2024 and June 2024. The estimated annual
revenue from the short-term licensing of moorings is $133,836, which will be incorporated
into the revenue budget in future years.
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Ordinance No. 2023-17: Allowing Short -Term Mooring License Agreements and
Establishing Fair Market Value License Fees for Offshore and Onshore Moorings
November 28, 2023
Page 2
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this project is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15302 under Class 2
(Replacement or Reconstruction) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of
Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential to have a significant effect
on the environment. CEQA Class 2 consists of the replacement or reconstruction of
existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site
as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as
the structure replaced.
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The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A — Ordinance No. 2023-17
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ATTACHMENT A
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-17
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADDING SECTION
17.60.045 (SHORT-TERM MOORING LICENSES) TO
CHAPTER 17.60 (HARBOR PERMITS AND LEASES) OF
THE NEWPORT BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING
SHORT-TERM MOORING LICENSES
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, members of the public may moor their vessels in Newport Harbor by
obtaining a mooring permit or mooring sub -permit under Section 17.60.040 (Mooring
Permits) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code ("NBMC");
WHEREAS, obtaining a mooring permit requires a significant upfront financial
investment, thus keeping them out of reach for many, and mooring sub -permits are limited
to fifteen -day terms and subject to termination at any time for any reason;
WHEREAS, at its August 9, 2023 meeting, the Harbor Commission considered
alternative means for members of the public to be able to use moorings that would not
involve a significant financial investment and would allow for occupancies longer than
fifteen days; and
WHEREAS, by a vote of 6-0 (with one Harbor Commissioner absent), the Harbor
Commission recommended the creation of short-term mooring licenses as an alternative
to mooring permits and sub -permits, whereby boaters would have use of the mooring for
a month, which term would be renewable.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach ordains as
follows:
Section 1: The Table of Contents for Chapter 17.60 (Harbor Permits and
Leases) of the NBMC is amended to read as follows:
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Chapter 17.60
HARBOR PERMITS AND LEASES
Sections:
Ordinance No. 2023-
Page 2 of 8
17.60.010 Public Trust Lands - General.
17.60.015 Application for Harbormaster Permits.
17.60.020 Application for Pier/Mooring Permits or the Lease of Public Trust
Lands.
17.60.030 Pier Permits for Noncommercial Piers.
17.60.040 Mooring Permits.
17.60.045 Short -Term Mooring Licenses.
17.60.050 Houseboats.
Section 2: Chapter 17.60 of the NBMC is amended to add new Section
17.60.045 (Short -Term Mooring Licenses) to read as follows:
17.60.045 Short -Term Mooring Licenses.
A. General.
1. If a short-term mooring license is issued pursuant to this section, a person
shall have the right to use or tie to an offshore mooring or onshore mooring
in the waters of Newport Harbor. A mooring license shall be non -transferable
and shall not provide any ownership interest in the underlying tidelands,
which are held in trust by the City and owned by the people of the State.
2. The provisions and regulations in this title pertaining to "permittees" and
"permits" generally shall also be applicable to licensees and mooring
licenses except when this section expressly provides otherwise, or such
application would conflict with this section.
B. Term. Mooring licenses shall be valid for one month and may be renewed,
provided the licensee has paid in full the license fee, any late fees and is not in
violation of any provision of the license or this title.
C. License Fee; Late Fee. A licensee shall pay a license fee equivalent to the monthly
fair market value rent of the mooring, as established by resolution of the City
Council. Failure to pay the license fee by the due date shall be grounds for
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Ordinance No. 2023-
Page 3 of 8
termination of the license by the Harbormaster. If the Harbormaster, in the
Harbormaster's sole discretion, elects to not terminate a license for failure to pay
by the due date, licensee shall pay a late fee in the amount established by
resolution of the City Council. Failure of a licensee to pay the license fee and late
fee within ten (10) days of the date due shall result in immediate termination of the
license and the termination shall not be appealable to the Harbor Commission.
D. Eligibility Criteria.
1. Mooring licenses may be held only by natural persons. No more than two
persons may be listed on a mooring license.
2. A person may hold up to two mooring licenses, but they cannot be for the
same type of mooring (e.g., both onshore or both offshore).
3. Onshore mooring permittees shall be ineligible for onshore mooring licenses
and offshore mooring permittees shall be ineligible for offshore mooring
licenses. Mooring permittees holding more than one mooring permit shall not
be eligible for any mooring license.
4. The person or persons listed on the mooring license must have at least a
fifty (50) percent ownership interest in the vessel assigned to the mooring.
The minimum ownership interest requirement may be satisfied by the
combined interests of the two persons. For vessels that are not held in an
individual capacity, such as in trust or by a limited liability company, evidence
of the required minimum ownership interest shall be provided to the
satisfaction of the Harbormaster.
E. Application for Mooring License. Application for a mooring license shall be filed
with the Harbormaster, on forms approved by the Harbormaster and shall include
the following in addition to such other information the Harbormaster may require:
1. Applicant(s)' full legal name, current address, current telephone number and
current email address;
2. Vessel registration or other proof of ownership required by the
Harbormaster; and
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Ordinance No. 2023-
Page 4 of 8
3. Insurance, which types and amounts shall be determined by the Risk
Manager.
F. Issuance of Mooring License. The Harbormaster may issue mooring licenses
subject to the conditions set forth in this subsection.
1. Each person listed on a mooring license shall be individually and collectively
responsible for all activities pursuant to the mooring license and compliance
with all applicable rules, regulations, and conditions.
2. A licensee may not allow vessels other than the assigned vessel and tender
to use the mooring.
3. A licensee shall ensure mooring spreader lines remain visible on the surface
at all times by the use of floats or other devices or methods and shall keep
the lines clean of algae and other marine growth. Except for spreader lines,
the City shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair, and replacement
of mooring system components, including, but not limited to, chains,
shackles, anchors, weights, lines, and buoys.
4. Live-aboards shall be prohibited.
5. The City may temporarily assign a mooring that is vacant or unoccupied to
another vessel through the issuance of a mooring sub -permit in accordance
with Section 17.60.040(H).
6. A licensee shall move the vessel from the mooring to another location when
deemed necessary by the Public Works Director and/or Harbormaster.
Upon the licensee's failure to do so, the City or a contractor retained by the
City may move the assigned vessel at the licensee's expense.
7. A licensee shall be subject to relocation or reassignment to another mooring
pursuant to Section 17.60.040(B)(2)(1).
8. The Harbormaster may board the assigned vessel at any time to inspect the
condition and operability of the marine sanitation device(s) and/or insert dye
tablets to determine whether said devices are discharging overboard.
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Ordinance No. 2023-
Page 5 of 8
9. A licensee shall defend and indemnify the City and any other government
entity with jurisdiction against any claims or losses arising out of, or related
to the use of, the mooring license except where the claim or loss arises from
a sub-permittee's damage of the mooring, or out of the negligence and/or
misconduct of a person assigned the mooring as a mooring sub-permittee
under Section 17.60.040(H).
10. A licensee shall notify the City within five (5) days of any change in the
information that was provided in their mooring license application including,
but not limited to, a change in ownership interest in the assigned vessel.
G. Extended Vessel Absence. Vacancy or absence from the mooring by the assigned
vessel for at least twenty-five (25) consecutive days shall be deemed
abandonment of the mooring and shall result in automatic termination of the
mooring license. Termination of license based on abandonment shall not be
appealable to the Harbor Commission. The following situations shall not constitute
a mooring being deemed abandoned:
1. The absence or vacancy from the mooring, which shall not exceed six (6)
months, with the prior approval of the Harbormaster.
2. The licensee is in the process of changing the assigned vessel, provided
that (a) written notice of the intent to remove and replace the assigned
vessel is given to the Harbormaster prior to removal of the vessel, (b) all
required information and documentation for the new vessel, including proof
of ownership or registration, is submitted to the Harbormaster within ninety
(90) days of the date of the written notice, and (c) the vessel is made
available for inspection by the Harbormaster for compliance with Section
17.25.020(H).
H. Mooring of a Tender. A single tender, which serves as access to and from shore
to the assigned vessel, may be secured to the assigned vessel or to the offshore
mooring in the absence of the assigned vessel. The tender must be secured in
such a manner so as not to intrude into the fairway or obstruct other vessels.
Termination.
1. The Harbormaster may terminate a mooring license forthe licensee's failure
to correct any violation of this section or any applicable provision of Title 17
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Ordinance No. 2023-
Page 6 of 8
within the timeframe set forth in a notice of violation issued by the
Harbormaster.
2. Upon a determination that grounds for termination of a mooring license
exist, the Harbormaster shall serve written notice of the termination in
accordance with Section 1.05.030 to the licensee stating the grounds for
the action, the effective date of the decision, and the right of the licensee to
request a hearing before the Harbor Commission. The licensee shall have
fourteen (14) days from the date on which notice is deemed served to
request a hearing or else the decision of the Harbormaster shall be final.
Termination of a license for failure to pay any fees or based on the
abandonment of a mooring shall not be appealable to the Harbor
Commission.
3. Upon termination of the mooring license, the licensee shall immediately
remove their vessel(s) from the mooring. The City may impound any vessel
not removed within ten (10) days of the termination date and thereafter
dispose of it in the manner provided by law. City -incurred costs for removal
of the vessel may be charged against the licensee and collected in any court
of competent jurisdiction or recovered by the City from the proceeds of sale
of the vessel.
4. If a timely request for a hearing is filed, the process for revocation of mooring
permits set forth in Section 17.70.020 shall be followed.
Section 3: The City Council authorizes the Harbormaster to prepare a mooring
license application form and license agreement that is consistent with terms and
provisions of this ordinance and approved as to form by the City Attorney.
Section 4: The City Council authorizes the Harbormaster to take any other
actions necessary to implement the mooring license program, consistent with this
ordinance, such as the creation of a selection process and waiting list for issuing mooring
licenses, and requiring payment of an initial fee to join the waiting list and annual fee to
remain on the list, once those fees are established by resolution of the City Council.
Section 5: The recitals provided in this ordinance are true and correct and are
incorporated into the substantive portion of this ordinance.
M
Ordinance No. 2023-
Page 7 of 8
Section 6: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
ordinance 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 ordinance. The City
Council hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance 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.
Section 7: The City Council finds the introduction and adoption of this ordinance
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 California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6,
Chapter 3 ("CEQA Guidelines"). The ordinance has no potential for resulting in physical
change to the environment, directly or indirectly, because the impacts from the usage of
existing moorings as allowed under the ordinance will be no different from the impacts
from the usage under the existing permit program. For the same reasons, the City Council
also finds the introduction and adoption of this ordinance is exempt from CEQA
environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the CEQA
Guidelines.
Section 8: Except as expressly modified in this ordinance, all other sections,
subsections, terms, clauses and phrases set forth in the Newport Beach Municipal Code
shall remain unchanged and shall be in full force and effect.
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Ordinance No. 2023-
Page 8 of 8
Section 9: The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage
of this ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause the ordinance, or a summary thereof, to be
published pursuant to City Charter Section 414. This ordinance shall be effective thirty
(30) calendar days after its adoption.
This ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City
of Newport Beach held on the 14th of November, 2023, and adopted on the 28th day of
November, 2023, by the following vote, to -wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
NOAH BLOM, MAYOR
ATTEST:
LEILANI I. BROWN, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY TTORNEY'S OFFICE
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AA ON C. HARP, CITY ATTORNEY
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