Proposed budgets for Santa Barbara’s waterfront projects expected to dip by 2019
March 27, 2017
Local sailing center announced as 2016 Small Business of the Year.
SANTA BARBARA ― Projected financial plans are being proposed for Santa Barbara’s waterfront projects with the 2019 fiscal year budget anticipated to be much less than 2018.
The significant reduction in the budget compared to 2018 is due to the expected completion of the Marina One project by 2019.
After meeting with the Santa Barbara Harbor Commission’s budget committee, Waterfront Business Manager Brian Bosse presented the proposals to commissioners at their Feb. 16 meeting.
The proposed budget for fiscal year 2018 covers the following nine capital projects: Marina One replacement; Stearns Wharf waterline replacement; marina renovation program; parking infrastructure improvements; repower Harbor Patrol vessels; seawall guardrail upgrade & cobble removal; Marina Two restroom ADA remodel; parking lot maintenance program; and, Stearns Wharf guardrail.
Total expenses for these 2018 capital projects are projected to be $3,908,000. Many of these are existing projects necessary to keep the marina operational, according to Bosse.
The projects for 2019 include Stearns Wharf timber/pile replacement, marina renovation program, replacement of hoists 1, 2 and 3, Harbor Way sidewalk, parking lot maintenance as well as marina end tie widening project.
Total proposed budget for these fiscal year 2019 projects amounts to $1,155,000.
Surplus Venue/Reserves Above Policy and Capital Reserve/Harbor Preservation Fund (HPF) will fund these capital projects.
“We used to have Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) loan, but our plan is to not use DBW funds,” Bosse told the commission.
For both fiscal year 2018 and 2019, a 2 percent increase is proposed for slip rental fees as well as a $25 per foot to $450 per foot for slip transfer fees. The slip transfer fees apply only to 35-foot vessels and larger.
“This does not include 20-foot, 25-foot, 28-foot, 30-foot slips and commercial fishing vessel berths as your commission froze those,” Bosse explained.
The next step for the fiscal year 2018 and 2019 proposed budgets will be a review by the city administrators. Following the city administrators’ budget review, the harbor commission will conduct a formal budget recommendation on April 20. The final approval for fiscal year 2018 and 2019 budgets will take place on June 20.
In other news Santa Barbara Sailing Center was awarded the “Small Business of the Year” for 2016 at the 9th annual regional business awards luncheon hosted by the Chamber of Santa Barbara on Jan. 18.
Skip Abed, owner of The Santa Barbara Sailing Center, was there to accept the award.
“As many of you know, Skip has been a mainstay in the harbor since 1992 when he started working at the Santa Barbara Sailing Center,” Bosse said to the harbor commission. “He then went on to purchase the business in 2000. Since that time, he has successfully worked to really improve that business.”
The Santa Barbara Sailing Center provides charter services for whale watching excursions and scenic cruises. The center also offers summer camps, sailing lessons as well as rental services of boats, kayaks and standup paddleboards.
“Skip is very active in the harbor community. He is also very involved with the nautical swap meet, the Parade of Lights as well as the Harbor and Seafood Festival. The Sailing Center, and the people who work there, are always willing to lend a helping hand for boating matters throughout time,” Bosse stated.
Parimal M. Rohit photo
