CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
November 7, 2023 {{section.number}}d
ADOPT A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A SURRENDERED AND ABANDONED VESSEL EXCHANGE (SAVE) GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 FROM THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION OF BOATING AND WATERWAYS (DBAW)
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Coronado, California, accepting a Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) Grant in the amount of $40,000 from the California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways (DBAW).” BACKGROUND:
The California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways (DBAW) enacted the Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Fund (AWAF) and Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) in 1998 and 2010, respectively. AWAF provided funding for public agencies to remove, store, and dispose of abandoned, wrecked, or dismantled vessels or any other partially submerged objects that pose a substantial hazard to navigation, from navigable waterways or adjacent public property, or private property with the landowner’s consent. The VTIP allowed boat owners to surrender unwanted recreational vessels to participating local agencies. On January 1, 2016, the DBAW combined these two programs under the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) program to give public agencies the convenience of applying for one grant and the flexibility to use funding for both purposes.
When a vessel requires removal, the City’s Public Services and Engineering department pays the contractor out of the Beach Maintenance/Grant Expense (account 10030006-80360). The grant revenue is then deposited into the Public Services Reimbursement account (10030000-47012) as reimbursement for the expenditure.
The SAVE grant operates in two-year grant cycles. Last year, the City was awarded $54,310 that must be expended by September 30, 2024. So far, the City’s vessel assist contractor, Big Bay Marine Services, Inc., has removed and destroyed seven vessels, with a total reimbursement amount of $40,676. The average cost to remove a vessel is approximately $6,500.
To date, DBAW has awarded the City approximately $270,000 in SAVE grant funds.
ANALYSIS:
Abandoned recreational vessels occasionally become beached in Coronado due to poor seamanship, weather events, and unlawful operations; especially vessels anchored in the free anchorage at Zuniga Jetty that break free and come aground on the City’s beaches. These abandoned, derelict vessels pose a safety hazard to beach visitors, present environmental hazards to the beach and nearshore waters, as well as become a public nuisance. Most of the vessels are not seaworthy and the owners often do not have the resources to properly care for the vessels, lack insurance and may not be able to arrange for their removal once aground.
The SAVE grant reduces the overall costs sustained to the City for the storage, removal, and disposal of abandoned vessels. Grant funds reimburse the City for accepting local owners’ derelict vessels to prevent the abandoning and subsequent washing ashore of unwanted boats. The City conducts outreach to boat owners in the local marinas as well as the Coronado Cays to notify them of SAVE grant vessel turn-in opportunities.
Earlier this year, the City applied for a FY 2023-2025 SAVE Grant and was awarded $40,000.
The grant term is from the date the grant agreement is fully executed through September 30, 2025. DBAW requires that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City will receive a $40,000 grant. A ten percent cash match is required and budgeted in the Beach Maintenance/Grant Expense (account 10030006-80360). Acceptable matches include removal, storage, demolition, and administration fees. The grant revenue will be posted to the Public Services Reimbursement account (10030000-47012).
ALTERNATIVE:
The City Council could decide not to accept the grant funds and not authorize the City Manager to execute the grant agreement.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
Not Applicable.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
No notice required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 2023-40
Submitted By: City Manager's Office / Kelli Maples