Council Approves Million Dollar Dredging Plan For Marina - Do You Agree?

In what may be the city’s last gasp to save its ailing marina, the City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to use an expected donation from the Shell Refinery and its share of regional park bond money to dredge the marina entrance and three of the four docks.

But two members of the council warned that it was their final vote to support the aging facility, which was built in 1959. If the newly-dredged marina cannot attract new boaters and generate enough income to support itself, it is likely the city will turn its operation over to the state.

City staff member Mitch Austin outlined the latest plan for the marina Wednesday, using about $1 million in the Shell donation and the city’s share of Measure WW funds – an East Bay Regional Park bond – to dredge the marina’s entrance and the slips under three docks. Austin said he hopes that will entice previous and new boaters to rent slips there. If that happens, the city can make the case for more financial help from the state for longer term repairs to the eastern sea wall, which will help slow down the rate of mud that forms in the marina.

Austin recounted the recent history of the city’s request for grants and loans from the state Department of Boating and Waterways. The state had already approved a $3.2 million loan to the city, and was considering a $750,000 grant, for a rebuild of the eastern wall and a complete dredging of the marina. DBW officials suddenly withdrew approval for the funds last month, and said the city would have to pay back its initial $4 million in loans before new funds could be released.

That forced the city to scale down the project using money it has at hand, or almost at hand. Shell is “very close” to approving a $500,000 donation to the marina, Austin said, and the city’s $1.2 million share of Measure WW funds can be used for dredging and partially rebuilding the end of C dock.

But the state’s refusal to release more money for the marina outraged councilman Mike Menesini, who vowed several times Wednesday that the city would never repay the original loans.

“We did the marina as a partnership with the state,” he said. “The fact that the state is asking for the money back is outrageous. We’ve been running it for the state. If the marina’s not viable, the state gets back not one dime. It’s up to them to help. If they don’t want to do it, they can kiss off that loan.”

“We’ve poured money into this thing for how long?” asked councilwoman Lara DeLaney. “We’re not any further ahead. It’s one of our major assets, with a lot of historical connections. It’s a tough political call. Do we keep trying to struggle and make it happen, or decide it just doesn’t pencil out?”

“This council inherited a legacy,” said councilman Mark Ross, who with Mayor Rob Schroder makes up the Marina Subcommittee. “It’s up to us to fix it. We didn’t pay the state for 40 years.”

“Let the state have the thing back,” said Dick Duncan. “It’s a no-brainer, and a losing proposition. It’s not a regional draw. Screw up your courage and pull the resources. You’re blowing it big time.”

The council unanimously voted to spend $225,000 for dredging permits, and another $600,000 to $800,000 for the actual dredging.

Do you think this was the right decision? Tell us in the comments.