City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: July 9, 2024
Agenda Item: 5.J
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ramon Batista, Police Chief, Police Department
Subject: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways for the California Marine Law Enforcement Training Program
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing an agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways for the California Marine Law Enforcement Training Program.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to participate in the Marine Law Enforcement Training Program and to accept all renewals.
3. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
Summary
The City of Santa Monica Harbor Patrol is seeking to enter into an agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Division of Boating and Waterways, Training Services to provide instructors for boating safety and boating law enforcement training. These courses provide boating safety officers and other first responders with necessary skills and knowledge to enable them to provide for the health and safety of California’s boaters, natural resources, and property. The Department of Parks and Recreation requires a resolution be signed by the authorizing body to enter into an agreement with the State and be reimbursed for eligible costs, including travel and per diem expenses. The Harbor Patrol desires to provide instructors to teach up to two classes per year.
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Discussion
The Division of Boating and Waterways Marine Law Enforcement Training Program provides training courses statewide to local law enforcement officers, harbor patrol officers, lifeguards, and other first responders that work in a marine patrol environment.
Statewide training ensures uniform enforcement of boating laws on all California waterways. This is a new program that the Santa Monica Harbor Patrol will be participating in. The Santa Monica Harbor Patrol will provide instructors to teach the Basic Coastal Operator (BCO) courses for boating enforcement officers. The BCO is a five-day, 40-hour introductory course for boating enforcement officers that provides training and assessments in a classroom setting as well as on the water training. The course is designed to provide vessel operators with the skills necessary to safely operate a public safety vessel in nearshore coastal environments. The course covers practical knowledge regarding nomenclature, vessel inspections, navigation rules, aids to navigation, charts, weather, boating laws, patrol techniques, vessel handling, and interagency operability. The course also includes a swim assessment where officers will learn and demonstrate skills necessary for water survival.
The Santa Monica Harbor Patrol will provide instructors for a maximum of two courses annually. The classes will be conducted at the Ventura Harbor and Half Moon Bay and the time frame will be mutually agreed upon by the Division of Boating Waterways and the Santa Monica Harbor Patrol. These courses will not impact the day-to-day operations and services to the City by the Harbor Patrol. The Department will send one instructor to teach a course at a time. The instructor’s regular shift will be covered by as-needed Pier and Harbor Services Officers (PHSO). By participating in this program, the City’s PHSO’s will receive priority access to attend future courses offered by the Division of Boating and Waterways, such as Marine Firefighting and Rescue Boat Operations. The instructor teaching the courses will gain exposure to new teaching methods, bringing those skills and institutional knowledge to other staff members of the Santa Monica Harbor Patrol.
The Santa Monica Harbor Patrol will submit a cost sheet to the State for reimbursement for travel and per diem expenses incurred, up to a maximum of $2,000 per course, for 3 of 3
an annual limit of $4,000 per year. Funds are available in the Department’s Training budget to initially cover the travel and per diem expenses related to this program. The reimbursement revenues received from this program will be deposited to the Pier Fund’s miscellaneous revenue line item.
Environmental Review
The agreement is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. The agreement with DPR is covered by the common sense exemption which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” The agreement would provide for boating training and instruction to Santa Monica Harbor Patrol. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the agreement would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such, is exempt from CEQA.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no budget action necessary as a result of recommended action. Staff will return to Council if specific budget actions are required in the future.
Prepared By: Jose Arroyo, Senior Administrative Analyst Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Resolution for Marine Law Enforcement Training