COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Parks

DATE:

February 23, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 13, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

David G. Holland, Director, Department of Parks

SUBJECT:

Application for a $1,829,000 Loan from the State of California Department of Boating and Waterways to Replace Dock 29 at Coyote Point Marina

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution 1) authorizing the County of San Mateo to file a California Department of Boating and Waterways loan application in the amount of $1,829,000 for the Coyote Point Marina Dock 29 Replacement Project; 2) authorizing the Director of the Parks Department or his designee to execute in the name of the County of San Mateo all necessary applications, contracts, agreements, amendments and payment requests hereto for the purposes of securing loan funds and to implement and carry out the purposes specified in the loan application.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.

Goal(s): 15. Residents have nearby access to green space, such as parks and recreational opportunities.

The proposed project will provide a new Dock 29 at Coyote Point Marina, which will provide berth rental space for recreational vessels in the 45-foot to 50-foot length.

BACKGROUND:

The California Department of Boating and Waterways lends money to public marinas. Loan funds are available for planning, construction, rehabilitation, or expansion of small craft harbors throughout California. The County has previously participated in this program by accepting a loan for the Coyote Point Marina Breakwater Repair Project in 1997. County Parks staff has discussed the proposed project with Boating and Waterways staff. Based on our conversations, they have encouraged us to submit a loan application.

The Project involves a needs assessment, engineering, design and replacement of Dock 29, which has reached the end of its usable life after thirty-plus years of use. The expected lifetime of a dock is normally thirty years. Dock 29 is the nearest dock to the channel to the Bay so it receives the greatest wind and tidal effects of our docks. During the last two winters, we experienced extraordinary rain and windstorms, which expedited our decision to replace the dock. The dock has cracked concrete, split wood, tilting decks and separated fascia. Individual berths are no longer level as they have been compromised by local conditions. The consequence of this condition has been to move several berthers to different locations and retire those berths from use. This represents a loss of revenue of several hundred dollars per berth per month.

DISCUSSION:

The San Mateo County Department of Parks has prepared a loan application to the California Department of Boating and Waterways Small Craft Harbor Loan Program in the amount of $1,829,000 for the Coyote Point Marina Dock 29 Replacement Project. The loan application is due by April 1, 2007.

Based on the results of the needs assessment, we anticipate offering the same number of berths (eleven 45-foot berths on the north side and ten 50-foot berths on the south side); however, the number and length of berths may be different. The Project will add several amenities that have been requested by our existing berthers, which amenities have become the standard offered at other public marinas. For safety, we will provide fire hose cabinets every 70-feet and gate card security at the ramp security gate. Dock boxes will provide water hook-ups and storage. Electrical service will be increased from 30 to 50 amps (metered) as berthers have requested increased shore power. In addition to providing improved amenities, there would be less maintenance required.

If the loan is awarded, planning and construction will start after fall 2008 as the funds would not become available for at least a full fiscal year. Maintenance of the new Dock 29 will fall under the normal activities of the Coyote Point Marina.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The terms of the loan are $1,829,000 million at 4.5% for 30 years with payments commencing three years after completion of construction. While the revenue and reserve balances of the Coyote Point Marina Enterprise Fund are not capable of absorbing such a large project outright without causing significant delays in the construction, the Fund is capable of absorbing the $111,207 annual loan payment throughout the debt service. There will be no fiscal impact to the County General Fund.