For Naples Canal Property Owners, Much Is Given But Little Or Nothing Is Expected

LBReport.com

Opinion

by Jim McCabe *

* Mr. McCabe is a retired Long Beach Deputy City Attorney

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(June 15, 2015) -- A hearing item on the Tuesday June 16 City Council agenda dealing with "Public Seawall Mooring Fees" is a study in how Long Beach is run. To whom much is given (relatively wealthy canal front homeowners) little or nothing is expected.

This agenda item sets the fees for docks on public water, belonging to the public, for homeowners that front the canal. Those homeowners, who have such convenient docks, currently pay less than 1/10th the amount paid by less advantaged boat owners in the City Marina who don't have such a convenience. True, the canal folks have to build and maintain their docks but that cost is very low over time.

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But what am I complaining about? After all, the cost of these dock fees for the canal folks IS being increased. It is going up about $3,000 collecttively for the initially affected owners -- that out of a seawall repair bill of almost ten million dollars. But after all, every little bit helps! After all with these fee increases, these seawall repairs will be paid for in a thousand years. Do the math.

Instead, the Long Beach public pays for the improvements for the few. The argument is that theoretically the public could rent kayaks and enjoy the ride through the canals and get enjoyment in viewing these expensive homes. Do one in ten thousand Long Beach residents do so?

The most amazing statement in city staff's agendizing memo for this item is as follows: "The new program will use pricing that is competitive, based on local market conditions."

Who wrote this? There is no local market for these fees. They cannot be bought or sold. The dock fee is set by the City Council and is not subject to negotiation. Market conditions?

As they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Update: June 16, 2015: Council votes 7-0 (Mungo, Richardson absent) to approve as proposed by city staff.

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