Administrative
Report
H.24., File # 23-7089 Meeting Date: 11/21/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: GREG KAPOVICH, WATERFRONT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TITLE
APPROVE A $32,500 GRANT AWARD PACKAGE FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
PARKS AND RECREATION, DIVISION OF BOATING AND WATERWAYS FOR A SURRENDERED
AND ABANDONED VESSEL EXCHANGE (SAVE) PROGRAM TO BE UTILIZED FOR THE
REMOVAL OF ABANDONED OR SURRENDERED VESSELS WITHIN REDONDO BEACH KING HARBOR
ADOPT BY 4/5THS VOTE AND BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2311-124 A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, MODIFYING THE ADOPTED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 TO APPROPRIATE $32,500 IN GRANT
FUNDING FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, DIVISION OF
BOATING AND WATERWAYS FOR THE SAVE PROGRAM
ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2311-125 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE FY 2023/24 SAVE GRANT AGREEMENT
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION OF BOATING AND
WATERWAYS AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE
AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways (DBAW), through its Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) Program, awarded a grant, in the amount of $32,500, to the City of Redondo Beach for a two-year period from September 20, 2023 to September 30, 2025. The grant funds will be used for the removal of abandoned or surrendered vessels within King Harbor.
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to the California Harbors and Navigation Code Sections 502-527, the State of California is required to provide services relative to the proper and legal removal of abandoned or surrendered recreational watercraft. In 1998, the State of California enacted the Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Fund (AWAF) to assist local jurisdictions with proper removal of abandoned vessels. In 2010, the State created the Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) as an alternative for recreational boat owners to surrender unwanted vessels in lieu of abandonment. The SAVE program combines the AWAF and VTIP into one, allowing local public agencies the convenience of only one grant to apply for and manage funds for both purposes. To date, the City of Redondo Beach has not participated in either of these programs.
H.24., File # 23-7089 Meeting Date: 11/21/2023
Waterfront and Economic Development staff have applied for, and been awarded, grant funding from DBAW to address the removal of abandoned and nuisance vessels from the City’s Harbor area.
Funding provided through the SAVE grant is designated to assist with the removal, reduction, and prevention of recreational vessel abandonment in waterways. City staff, and the surrounding master leaseholders, will identify and remove abandoned vessels in an effort to improve and maintain the character of our harbor. The City will also be able to assist registered owners of recreational vessels who are no longer able to pay their slip fees, due to economic hardships, and express an interest in surrendering their vessel.
The grant will cover up to $32,500 for disposal services over a two-year period. At the conclusion of the two-year timeframe, City staff will reapply for additional funding to continue the program for another two years.
An abandoned vessel is defined as any hulk, derelict, wreck, or parts of any ship, vessel, or other watercraft that is sunk, beached, or allowed to remain in an unseaworthy or dilapidated condition upon publicly owned areas. A surrendered vessel is defined as a recreational vessel that the verified titleholder has willingly surrendered to a public agency under both of the following conditions:
(a) The public agency has determined, in its sole discretion, that the vessel is in danger of being abandoned, and therefore has a likelihood of causing environmental degradation or becoming a hazard to navigation
(b) The decision to accept a vessel is based solely on the potential of the vessel to likely be abandoned and cause environmental degradation or become a hazard to navigation Furthermore, the grant funds can also be used to remove any vessel that is considered wrecked, or dismantled vessels, parts thereof, or any other partially submerged object that pose a substantial hazard to navigation, from navigable waterways or adjacent public property, or private property with the landowner’s consent.
The award of this grant from the DBAW is a significant opportunity for the City of Redondo Beach to address the issue of abandoned and surrendered vessels within King Harbor. This grant not only provides essential financial support, but it also enables the City to safeguard the local environment and enhance navigational safety in the Harbor.
COORDINATION
The Grant Award Package, Statement of Insurance Coverage, Funds Assist Indemnification, and Certification of Insurance and Resolutions have been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
The grant funds will cover the costs to the City of removing abandoned or surrendered vessels in the Harbor.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Reso No. CC-2311-125 - SAVE Grant Agreement from the Department of Parks and
H.24., File # 23-7089 Meeting Date: 11/21/2023
· Reso No. CC-2311-125 - SAVE Grant Agreement from the Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways
· Reso No. CC-2311-124 - Modifying the Adopted Budget for FY 2023-24