Recent economic challenges suggest either you're big enough to get a bail out, or you align costs with income. Taking a different tack, begun a few years ago, the City commissioned studies to find ways to raise fees to align with costs.
Finally, the City's periodic harbor valuation, for the purpose of adjusting harbor-related fees, is complete, with the professors' submission of their economic report (pdf-3.82MB)  . How did this all begin?
On June 13, 2006, City Council approved this three-part harbor valuation study (pdf - 2.71MB) . Part one of the evalution, the Netzer Appraisal, presents a glaring flaw (*.pdf - 336KB) of comparison; it suggests no adjustments are needed for the disparity in value-added services and private access between full-service yacht club moorings to those permitted to individuals.
Some of you have helped bring the appraisal to the attention of City leadership by sending this letter voicing concern with the appraisal.
The City Manager responded, "...the appraiser will be available in public meetings to justify his methodology. You can question him then, with Council listening." The time and date?
December 16th, City Council Chambers
at 2 PM, before the Finance Committee.
Part two of the evaluation is a harbor-specific cost of services study (pdf--2.33MB) commissioned from Maximus. Also see the appendices (*.pdf-90 KB)
. This study, the appraisal, and the just-released professors' economic report constitute the three-pronged evaluation of Newport Harbor on which the City will rely for determination of new fees harbor-wide.
Part three of the evaluation, the economic study has been two years in the making. We only have a week to review it before it will be presented to the City Council Finance Committee (at time & date mentioned above). Please take the initiative to familiarize yourself with the three documents. The liveaboard inspection fee, for instance, is suggested increased from $184/yr to $822/yr (links to p. 17 of the professors' report from above; pdf-3.82MB) . Please share your insights with us; send us an email.
Update! Read the City Council Finance committee harbor fees study meeting wrap-up report.
Read The Log's coverage of the Finance committee meeting, released 2008-12-24.
2008 Mooring Fee Survey
Byron Grams just updated the NMA mooring fee comparison survey (Word doc--50KB  ) for harbors in southern California. It's worth a read. It shows what harbors elsewhere in the state charge for a mooring permit.
Harbor Resources Department
829 Harbor Island Dr., Newport Beach, CA
92660
(949) 644-3034, fax (949) 723-0589
Do you need to reach Harbor Resources?
Email Harbor Resources with your input.
Slippery Sea Lions
If you need to rethink your sea lion deterrents, please see the NMA Pinniped Pointers page in the NMA documents library. This year sea lions are "loving" the area south of Lido Isle, "F," "H," & "J" fields, and private piers in this area. Your continuing effort to keep sea lions off of your boat helps all of us. Sea lions have sunk about ten boats in Newport Harbor, recently including a 1950's Star  boat.
At the October Harbor Commission meeting, a shortened time frame for notification of permit holders of sea lion problems was approved. Formerly a permit holder had 30 days to effect sea lion deterrents; now the permit holder has just ten days (pdf--53KB) from the first warning letter.
NMA Newsletters
The Pennant is the official newsletter of the Newport Mooring Association. Current and past editions are found on the Newsletters page.
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Board Meetings
The board meets monthly to review projects and conduct NMA business; next meeting:
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009,
at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club, upstairs in the Burgee of Merit Room. You are welcome to park in the parking lot.
NMA Members are welcome to attend!
Newport Harbor Yacht Club
720 W Bay Av
Balboa, CA 92663
(949) 673-7730
Harbor Resources News
The City of Newport Beach has a new Harbor Resources Manager. Tom Rossmiller has retired, but has been retained as a special consultant on a plan to dredge the harbor. Tom's right hand for several years, Chris Miller, has been selected the new Manager. You will find Chris to be responsive, knowledgeable, capable. Congratulations, Chris! Read his November Update (pdf--4.67MB) .
City of Newport Beach
Live News Feed
What's going on in Newport Beach? Have there been any boat auctions recently? (YES! Click here!) When this feed is working, you'll see a blue box below with news; you can click to the  news feed from the City of Newport Beach, or simply view it below:
Updated :
The Mitigation Fee Act (Government...
Publ.Date : 1/12/2009 4:50:52 PM
Walker Parking Consultants will pre...
Publ.Date : 1/12/2009 4:07:43 PM
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observa...
Publ.Date : 1/9/2009 2:38:36 PM
Evelyn MorrisArt Exhibit "Art i...
Publ.Date : 1/8/2009 9:18:11 AM
The next meeting for the General Pl...
Publ.Date : 1/7/2009 4:09:32 PM
Newport Beach City Hall will be clo...
Publ.Date : 1/6/2009 4:19:14 PM
The City of Newport Beach Compreh...
Publ.Date : 12/31/2008 10:11:39 AM
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We always appreciate your continuing support and valued opinions.
Jiggling Jellyfish
There are fewer moon jellyfish around than earlier in the summer. Have you seen them? Did you know that NASA took some of them into outer space for study?
Dinghy storage racks
Commissioner Beek's suggestion of taking another look at dinghy storage alternatives at a future Harbor Commission meeting has not yet been placed on the agenda.
I have a simple question
You may find your answer here.
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About us -
The Newport Mooring Association is responsible for promoting the business and personal interests of mooring permittees and persons holding property, real or personal, adjacent or attached to, residing on, or anchored to tidelands or public property in, upon, or adjacent to Newport Harbor, as those interests relate to the use of the bay area.
Newport Mooring Association
P.O. Box 1118
Newport Beach, CA 92659-0118
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