Title
Approval of an Ordinance Amending Olympia Municipal Code Related to the Percival Landing Moorage Facility
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the ordinance amendment for the Percival Landing Moorage Facility on first reading and forward to second.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the amended ordinance which will strengthen the City’s ability to manage public moorage while bringing the ordinance language in line with current RCWs.
Staff Contact:
Scott River, Director of Recreation and Facilities, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8506.
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Background and analysis has not changed from first to second reading.
Over the past decade, the State of Washington has updated RCWs that allow municipalities to manage and operate public mooring facilities. Over the past year, the City has been challenged with a variety of nuisance behaviors with vessel operators including unpaid moorage, improper vessel documentation, and vessels in poor repair (including not running at all).
In addition, and far less frequently, abandoned or derelict vessels are an ongoing risk to the operations of a public moorage facility. These types of vessels have the potential to cost the city from thousands to more than $100,000 to properly impound and, in worst case scenarios, dispose of. In addition to the potential for financial costs to the City, derelict vessels also create an exposure to environmental risk though leaking of fuels, solvents and oils. Finally, a sunken vessel (in addition to the obvious additional environmental hazard) can create a navigation risk to boaters visiting Percival Landing, the Olympia Yacht Club, or other adjacent private and public moorage facilities.
The updates in this ordinance allow the City to follow RCWs in the management of vessels and vessel operators at the City-managed Percival Landing Moorage Facility. This ordinance does not address vessels moored in Budd Inlet beyond the shore, or moorage at private facilities.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Olympia Yacht Club is a neighbor and shared user of navigable waters at the end of Budd Inlet. The Port of Olympia shares concerns about derelict or abandoned vessels. The Port also manages the Harbor Patrol in the waters leading into Percival Landing.
Options:
1. Approve the amended ordinance as submitted
2. Propose modifications, or request staff to research additional options for this specific amendment. This option would delay the City’s ability to manage public moorage using current authority under the relevant RCWs.
3. Do not approve the amended ordinance. This option would deny the City the ability to manage public moorage using current authority under the relevant RCWs.
Financial Impact:
No impact on the operating budget.
Attachments:
Ordinance