[Bboa-members] RE: Berkeley Marina Budget

Tue Apr 18 08:30:36 PDT 2006

Hi Tom,

Re: security enhancements and enforcement.  Thanks for mentioning it; we're continually working on the most efficient ways to improve security with the limited budget we have. Actually, we don't have any available money that I know of specifically for security purposes (as the Finance Committee can attest).  Obviously that means that for now, building a kiosk is out (although, again getting creative here, in the future we may be able to partner or piggyback with Eastshore State Park on this and our discussions on the kiosk will be helpful at that point).  
Simple measures that we have taken and do continue to take are making a positive difference.  At the last Waterfront Commission meeting, Ann Hardinger reported that her landscaping/maintenance crew worked to cut back overgrown foliage in the parking lots and around lighting.  This is something we discussed at previous Neighborhood Watch meetings.  Clearing this away may be part of the reason our beat officer Hugo Ordaz reported chasing far fewer cars down in the last couple of weeks.  As well, Brian Leary reported that the parking lot in front of O dock recently had one entrance blockaded off, so we will see how that works to curb traffic there.  It's not a perfect system- it's always frustrating to hear that someone's car or vessel got broken into.  But apparently there's been some overall improvement in that area.
Thanks for the information that you've observed, with the dumpster diving and other illegal activity.  Certainly these are violations of the law and we need to see the law enforced, which means that we have to call law enforcement/Berkeley PD (981-5911).  This is why Neighborhood Watch/BBOA is so important.  The staff and Commission are simply physically unable to "patrol" the Marina, but people who are there regularly and know their neighbors are in the best position to be "eyes and ears" for the Marina community and call the police when something happens.

I know the response time is sometimes slow, and it's like that all over the city.  Our beat officer is getting to know our area better, and I believe Ann gave him some detailed maps of the marina so he gets to know the parking lots better.  Keep calling when incidents occur, because the cumulative effect of the calls can make a difference and possibly help us make the case for more enforcement down the road.

I am in contact with Parking Enforcement and have invited someone from their department a few times to come down to a Commission meeting or a security meeting to talk about two things: getting someone from parking enforcement down here on a regular basis, and implementing a parking permit system (another thing we've discussed in Neighborhood Watch meetings).  I'm calling and emailing so hopefully we'll get someone soon.

Security is different from other Commission committees because, relatively speaking, it requires a lot more partnership with community members.  We're reaching out to dock captains, nonprofits, BBOA and businesses to try and coordinate a communication system.  Thanks for being so active.

best,
Anita S. Jackson

From: jeremiason at gmail.comTo: BBoa-members at berkeleyboa.orgCC: boardplus at berkeleyyc.org; anitasarahjackson at hotmail.com; ahardinger at ci.berkeley.ca.us; Brad_Smith at earthlink.net; b_leary1 at yahoo.com; CMarchetti at ci.berkeley.ca.us; georgebeier at hotmail.com; macmcgrath at earthlink.net; circablue2500 at yahoo.com; info at larryorman.net; pk at well.com; RCPerez at ci.berkeley.ca.us; smackouse at aol.com; olds at ci.berkeley.ca.us; dmoore at ci.berkeley.ca.us; spring at ci.berkeley.ca.us; GWozniak at ci.berkeley.ca.us; worthington at ci.berkeley.ca.us; lcapitelli at ci.berkeley.ca.us; lmaio at ci.berkeley.ca.us; manderson at ci.berkeley.ca.us; mayor at ci.berkeley.ca.usSubject: FW: Berkeley Marina BudgetDate: Sat, 15 Apr 2006 10:51:24 -0700

Brad

Thank you for clarifying….

Tom 

From: Brad Smith [mailto:brad_smith at earthlink.net] Sent: Saturday, April 15, 2006 10:45 AMTo: 'Tom & Lori Jeremiason'Cc: Kay Hutchison; George Beier; Larry OrmanSubject: RE: Berkeley Marina Budget

> Two months ago the Finance Sub-Committee wanted a 14% increase.

Hi Tom, I think it would be more accurate to say that the Waterfront Commission was projecting a 14% increase.  I don’t know anyone on the Finance Subcommittee or WC who wanted a 14% increase.  I think you are correct to say the attention of BBOA was a factor in the recommendation of the WC to reduce the 10% increase in fees, which is in the current budget, to 8%.  In part, this reduction is possible because some capital projects didn’t begin as soon as they were initially planned.

  -- Brad

From: Tom & Lori Jeremiason [mailto:jeremiason at gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, April 15, 2006 10:16 AMTo: 'Brian Leary'Cc: BBoa-members at berkeleyboa.org; 'Anita Sarah Jackson '; Ann Hardinger; 'Brad Smith'; Cliff Marchetti; 'George Beier '; 'James McGrath'; 'Kay Hutchison'; 'Larry Orman'; Paul Kamen; 'Rene Perez '; 'Stephen Mackouse '; 'Betty Olds'; 'Darryl Moore'; 'Donna Spring'; 'Gordon Wozniak'; 'Kriss Worthington'; 'Laurie Capitelli'; 'Linda Maio'; 'Max Anderson'; 'Tom Bates'; 'Hugo Ordaz'; 'Steve Burcham'Subject: Berkeley Marina Budget

Brian:

Unfortunately, none of us were available on Wednesday. This does not mean the Berkeley Boat Owners Association has given up. 

Two months ago the Finance Sub-Committee wanted a 14% increase. The 8% rate increase is a victory as far as I am concerned. The reduction saved the average berther somewhere between $10 and $20 per month and allowed the Marina extra funds for maintenance.

The BBOA will follow the Commission's proposed budget through the Counsel vote to insure no special interest group's tack on any extra fees.

After the 2007 Budget is passed, as I see it, the BBOA's attention should be focused on the dock upgrades/replacements and crime in the Marina. 

Berth rentals are the major revenue of the Marina and I think some of the Commissioners are finally realizing this. 

As you are aware, we have lost a number of berthers over the last year to more modern Marinas in the Eastbay. They have better facilities/services and are charging far less than Berkeley. 

Knowing this and allowing our berth rates to increase any further, without substantial improvement to the infrastructure will cause higher vacancy rates, thus reducing revenue. This will spiral, causing further berth fee increases and more vacancies. 

With that in mind, I believe the Waterfront Commission has no choice but to move forward on dock repairs/replacements and to address the security concerns. 

I strongly urge the Commission to move forward on Dock repairs and replacements as soon as possible.

I would also ask that Commissioner Jackson follow through with the security enhancements previously submitted by the Security Sub-Committee. 

Over the last several weeks, I have noticed a substantial increase in Homeless activity in the Marina. There are a number of people sleeping in Shorerbird Park and numerous vehicles parked over night, especially south of the Pier. I have seen several dumpster divers who I personally know have habitual drug habits and criminal records. Auto burglaries continue and my guess is that some of these people can be directly linked to them. There are Municipal Codes which forbid this activity and I would ask the Commission and Harbor Master to see they are enforced.

I would also urge all BBOA members to REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES OR CRIMES to the Police immediately. Police telephone numbers are:

Emergencies: 9-1-1 or by Cell Phone: 510-981-5911
Non-Emergencies: 510-981-5900. 

Tom Jeremiason
Berkeley Boat Owners Association

-----Original Message-----From: bboa-members-bounces at berkeleyboa.org [mailto:bboa-members-bounces at berkeleyboa.org] On Behalf Of Brian LearySent: Friday, April 14, 2006 10:29 PMTo: BBoa-members at berkeleyboa.orgSubject: [Bboa-members] Waterfront Commission update

There was no representative of the BBOA at Wednesday's
Commission meeting! The issue of berth rate increases
was discussed and the Commission voted unanimously
(Leary and Kamen recused) to recommend an 8% increase.
The BBOA is not looking like a very effective advocacy
group when not a soul bothers to attend such an
important meeting.
Brian Leary 

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