[Bboa-members] RE: Marina Security Meeting

[Tom & Lori Jeremiason]

Linda:

 

I just spoke with Susan Riche about the meeting and she brought me up to
date. I am emailing the Berkeley Boat Owners the highlights right now.

 

As you know about 2/3 of the Marina revenue comes from berthing fees. In
addition, the Boat Owners also pay personal property taxes on their vessels
and an interest tax on the slips, which goes directly into the City coffers,
yet the Boat Owners tend to be forgotten since many live outside Berkeley
and cannot attend public meetings on a regular basis. 

 

I have berthed boats in Berkeley since 1998. In January 2006, Lori and I
moved fulltime onto our boat berthed on the O Dock. We began attending a
number of Marina meetings (Waterfront Commission, Security, and Dock
Captains). So far we have seen nothing move forward from these meetings
except more fees. The City seems very capable to take funds from the Marina
and use them to sponsor community events or pay for extra staff, but not
repair the infrastructure of the Marina or curb crime. 

 

Currently there are over 80 dock floats that need replacing at a cost of
somewhere around $500k. At the same time the City is spending Marina revenue
on things such as 4th of July and Kite Festival. I realize that these
represent a small amount in the overall scheme, but this is further
compounded by knowing that the event organizers and vendors are profiting
while the events are being subsidized by the City (i.e.: Police and City
Staff). 

 

The City of Berkeley holds the Land Trust for the Waterfront and if you read
it, the Trust is for a Marina, not a park. Somewhere over time the City
became confused and thought this is a Park with a Marina in it, instead of
Marina with a Park. 

 

The proposed solutions from yesterdays meeting will go a long way to make
the Marina a safer place to live, play and work. 

 

I am very pleased that you are taking a hands on approach to the Marina and
look forward to your involvement.

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Tom Jeremiason

 

  _____  

From: Maio, Linda [mailto:LMaio at ci.berkeley.ca.us] 
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 10:39 AM
To: Tom & Lori Jeremiason
Subject: RE: Marina Security Meeting

 

Dear Tom,

We are delighted to bring you up-to-date and add your participation.
Delighted.  Here are the minutes from the meeting which we are sharing with
all participants and anyone who is interested. 

Thanks.

Linda Maio

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom & Lori Jeremiason [mailto:jeremiason at gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 8:25 AM
To: Maio, Linda
Cc: BBoa-members at berkeleyboa.org
Subject: Marina Security Meeting

Councilmember Miao: 

 

I understand there was a meeting at the Double Tree yesterday about security
in the Marina involving the City and local businesses. Since this wasn't
announced many of us missed the chance to attend.

 

Can you let us know what came out in the meeting?

 

Tom Jeremiason

Berkeley Boat Owners Association

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