Blips on the Radar: Long Beach City Council amends lease contract with Stan Miller Yachts

What Happened: The Long Beach City Council voted on March 1 to amend the city’s lease agreement with Stan Miller Yachts, Inc.; the amendment would remove any and all references to use of slips designated to the yacht broker at Alamitos Bay Marina. City staff explained the slips referenced no longer exist due to the recent demolition and rebuild of Alamitos Bay Marina.

“The approved California Coastal Commission slip mix made it necessary to relocate the Stan Miller vessels,” city staff stated in a report to council members.

Stan Miller Yachts entered into a lease agreement with the city of Long Beach in 1994 to operate a 2,250-square-foot showroom at Alamitos Bay Marina. The agreement also designated slips to the brokerage in Basin 2.

What’s On Tap: Stan Miller Yachts will enter into a slip agreement with Bancap Marina Center and the city, ideally ahead of the completion of the new docks in April.

Newport Beach City Council postpones vote on lifeguard rescue vessel purchase

What Happened: An agenda item requesting Newport Beach City Council approval for a purchase of a 29-foot Crystaliner lifeguard rescue vessel from Willard Marine, Inc. was tabled to a later meeting.

The City Council was scheduled to vote on whether to allocate $394,710 for the purchase of a new lifeguard rescue vessel. City staff, however, pulled the item from the March 8 consent calendar.

Newport Beach’s Fire Department currently has a fleet of three lifeguard rescue vessels; the oldest unit was built in 1985 and logged more than 10,400 service hours. The other two vessels were built in 2003 and 2007, respectively.

What’s On Tap: The City Council will revisit the purchase and vote at a future meeting. More information about the bidding process and the city’s plans with the 1985 Crystaliner will be provided when the City Council revisits the vote.

Port of San Diego accepts grant funds for Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp improvements

What Happened: The Port of San Diego voted unanimously on March 8 to accept a $3.35 million grant from the Wildlife Conservation Board.

Plans have been in place to make key improvements to the Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp, including upgrades to the existing 10-lane ramp, replacement of existing rock jetties with concrete sheet pile walls, new floating docks, and making the venue more accessible to users with disabilities and the general public overall.

Port staff stated the improvements would reduce boat congestion and provide for greater boater maneuverability.

What’s On Tap: Port officials will combine the $3.35 million grant with $6.1 million in funding granted by the Department of Boating and Waterways. The $9.45 million in grants would cover the entire Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp Improvements, according to port staff.

Port of San Diego consents to $6.2 million loan for Pier 32 Marina

What Happened: The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners consented to a $6.2 million loan for National City’s Pier 32 Marina to fund the construction of Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern restaurants in three new locations. Commissioners approved the marina’s request on March 8 without discussion.

Pier 32 Marina and Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern restaurants are both under the same corporate umbrella (GB Capital Holdings LLC).

What’s On Tap: New locations for Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern will be in Brea, Santa Monica and Topanga.

Avalon Freight Services to debut April 1

What Happened:
Catalina Freight Line’s time serving Catalina Island is finally coming to an end after another company was selected to take over freight delivery services in December 2014. The Santa Catalina Island Co. ended its lease with Catalina Freight Line and, after putting out a request for proposals, selected Avalon Freight Services to be the island’s new freight services vendor.

Avalon Freight Services is a joint partnership of Greg and Tim Bombard’s Catalina Express and Haeley Franco’s Harley Marine.

“We are excited to commit to a 10 year lease with AFS based on its fulfillment of all RFP requirements, including environmental leadership, safety, insurance, marine operations, financial wherewithal, integrity and the understanding and experience of working with the Public Utilities Commission, said Randy Herrel, CEO of the Santa Catalina Island Company.

What’s On Tap: Avalon Freight Services will service Catalina Island five days per week beginning April 1 and launch from Berth 95 in San Pedro. The freighter ship will berth at Pebbly Beach once at Catalina Island.

Santa Catalina Island Co.’s lease with Catalina Freight Line ends March 30.

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