POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM: X A
MEETING DATE: 2/17/2026
TITLE
Pier Fee Schedule Update
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve or provide direction towards the revised Pier Fee Schedule.
ANALYSIS
The City of Point Arena utilizes a Fee Schedule to establish pier fees intended to offset the cost of providing pier services. At the November City Council meeting, Council requested refinement of the proposed pier fee schedule.
The Arena Cove Advisory Committee met on February 10, 2026, and reviewed the proposed adjustments. The Committee approved the following:
Fee Adjustments
• Commercial and Sport Boat Launch Fees: Increase from $40 to $45 per launch. • Boat Launch Pass: Increase from $300 to $400 for 10 launches. Passes expire one (1) year from the date of purchase.
• Landing Fees: Increase from $0.15 to $0.17 per pound. • Boat Storage Annual Pass: Increase from $750 to $900 annually. • Product Hoist Charges:
o $2 per crab pot (roundtrip) during crab season.
o For non-crab-related activity, the product hoist fee is $5 per use (e.g., ice loading or other outgoing uses).
o When landing fees are assessed, separate product hoist charges will not apply.
• Late Return Fee: Boats that do not return by the scheduled pier closing time, as established by the Pier Technician at launch, will be charged $1 per minute to cover overtime expenses.
• Merchandise Sales: Merchandise pricing shall be set to achieve a minimum 50% gross profit margin based on total acquisition cost, including shipping and handling.
The purpose of the proposed fee adjustments is to ensure that pier operations recover operational costs, primarily staffing, while maintaining affordable access for local fleet members and visitors. Capital replacement and major infrastructure investments are anticipated to be addressed through grant funding and partnerships, including collaboration with the Arena Cove Stewards.
In addition to fee adjustments, the City will pursue operational and administrative strategies to strengthen pier revenues without placing additional burden solely on fleet members, including:
• Improving operational efficiencies within the pier office. • Identifying opportunities for fleet members to have greater operational agency on fish sale days, including use of the product hoist and related equipment. • Improving the City’s web presence to better inform the public of launch days, pier events, and closures.
• Encouraging sport and leisure boat traffic to increase launch activity. • Expanding merchandise sales.
FISCAL IMPACT
Based on the FY 2024/25 pier deficit of $4,578, the projected revenue increase of $7,908.94 would result in an estimated positive margin of approximately $3,330.94.
Continued operational efficiencies and increased activity at the pier could further strengthen revenues over time.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026 Proposed Pier Fee Schedule
2. Attachment II: Pier Revenue Estimates
CITY MANAGER SIGNATURE
_________________________________
Molly Haviland, City Manager
ATTACHMENT I
Point Arena Pier Fees
Proposed 2026
Services Rate Details
Boat Launch $45.00 (was $40) Launched and landed
Boat Launch Pass $400 (was $300) 10 Launches $40/each; Expires 1 year from purchase date
Boat Storage $255 / quarter Advance payments required quarterly Boat Storage
Annual Pass $900 (was $750) 12 months of storage
Crab Pot Storage $40 / month
By arrangement only. Crab pots left
more than 30 days after the end of
season will incur the monthly fee.
Shower Tokens $3 ea/ 2 for $5 3-minute showers/token
Product Hoist $2 / crab pot
$5 other uses
One roundtrip/crab pot/season
Up & Down
Skiff Hoist $50 annual fee
$50 lost key Exclusive use of the motorized skiff hoist Yellow Hoist $60/hour
Exclusive use of hoist for nonlaunch/landing operations; regular hoist operations cannot be disrupted.
Forklift $60/hour Exclusive use of forklift for extended operations during peak seasons.
Landing Fees
All product $ .17 / pound
Merchandise
Sweatshirts TBD
Sticker TBD
NOTE
Bills or landings not paid within 30
days of payment requirement will
incur a 10% penalty.
Vessels that are 4 months behind in
boat storage will lose launch
privileges.
Thank you for keeping the Point
Arena Pier operational.
ATTACHMENT II
POINT ARENA PIER REVENUE ESTIMATES
Net Impact: Based on the FY 2024/25 pier deficit of $4,578, the projected revenue increase of $7,909 would result in an estimated positive margin of approximately $3,330.
*Product Hoist revenue estimate assumes one roundtrip per crab pot per season.
CATEGORY FY 24-25
VOLUME
CURRENT
FEE
CURRENT
REVENUE
PROPOSED
FEE
PROJECTED
REVENUE
REVENUE
INCREASE
LAUNCHES
(# per year) 245 $40 $9,800 $45 $11,025 $1,225
LANDINGS
(lb) 173,697 $0.15 $26,055 $0.17 $29,528 $3,474
BOAT STORAGE
(months) 151 $75 $11,325 $85 $12,835 $1,510
*PRODUCT HOIST
(~ 850 crab pots) 850 $0 $0 $2 $1,700 $1,700
TOTALS — — $47,180 — $55,088 $7,909