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Home My WebLink AboutPR 24440: A LIVEABOARD SURCHARGE IN THE PLEASURE ISLND MARINA'S MONTHLY RATES www.PortArthurTx.gov INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date: July 18, 2025 To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Through: Ron Burton, City Manager From: George Davis, Director of Pleasure Island RE: P.R. 24440—Establishing a Liveaboard Surcharge in the Pleasure Island Marina's monthly rates Introduction: To seek City Council approval to authorize the City Manager to implement a$200.00 monthly liveaboard surcharge at the Pleasure Island Marina for vessels used as residences. Background: In recent years, several tenants at the Pleasure Island Marina have transitioned from occasional recreational use to residential occupancy aboard their vessels, commonly known as "liveaboards." These tenants utilize City infrastructure and services, including water, electricity, trash disposal, and restroom facilities, at levels far exceeding those of transient or recreational slip holders. Currently, the marina's monthly rental rates do not distinguish between recreational and residential use,nor do they account for the increased utility consumption and operational burden created by continuous, year-round occupancy. Several peer municipalities in Texas and across the Gulf Coast have adopted liveaboard surcharges to address similar inequities, ensure equitable cost recovery, and maintain infrastructure The proposed $200.00 monthly surcharge is based on: • Comparative analysis of rates in similar municipal marinas • Utility usage differentials between recreational and residential users • Costs associated with custodial, maintenance, pest control, and refuse management This surcharge is not intended to penalize liveaboards but rather to ensure that costs are shared proportionally by those who place higher demands on public resources. Budget Impact: The surcharge will generate revenue to offset increased operational and maintenance costs associated with liveaboard activity. It will not require additional staffing or infrastructure. Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council approve P. R.No.24440 authorizing the City Manager to establish a liveaboard surcharge in the Pleasure Island Marina's monthly rates to an additional $200.00 per month, where applicable. "Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur" P.O.Box 1089 X Port Arthur,Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8182 X FAX 409.983.8294 P. R. # 24440 07/15/2025 gd/tnr RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ESTABLISH A MONTHLY LIVEABOARD SURCHARGE OF TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($200.00) PER MONTH FOR VESSELS MOORED AT THE PLEASURE ISLAND MARINA. WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 22-435, the City Council previously amended the monthly slip rental rates at the Pleasure Island Marina to support continued operations, maintenance, and utility services; and WHEREAS, a growing number of marina tenants have elected to use their vessels as residences ("liveaboards"), thereby deriving benefits from City infrastructure and services at a level exceeding that of occasional or recreational users; and WHEREAS, liveaboard vessels place sustained demand on City-provided utilities, including daily consumption of electricity and potable water, as well as continuous use of trash receptacles, marina restrooms, and other facilities not designed for residential-scale use; and WHEREAS, this increased and year-round use contributes to accelerated wear and higher operational costs, including waste disposal, pest control, custodial services, and utility maintenance, for which the current monthly marina rates do not adequately account; and WHEREAS, imposing a monthly liveaboard surcharge aligns with common practice among similarly situated municipal marinas and ensures equitable cost-sharing among users based on actual intensity of use; and WHEREAS, the proposed surcharge of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per month for each qualifying liveaboard vessel is designed to recover costs reasonably associated with increased utility consumption and facility use, without being excessive or punitive and shall be implemented in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Pleasure Island Marina —Boat Slip Lease Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit "A"; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that authorizing such a surcharge advances the public interest by promoting fiscal responsibility, preserving marina infrastructure, and ensuring that City resources are allocated in a fair and sustainable manner. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS: Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct. P. R. # 24440 07/15/2025 gd/ tnr Section 2. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to establish and implement a liveaboard surcharge in the amount of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per month for vessels moored at the Pleasure Island Marina that are determined to be used as residences. Section 3. That the City Manager, or designee, is further authorized to develop administrative procedures and amend marina rules and agreements as necessary to implement and enforce the surcharge, including defining qualifying criteria for liveaboard status and providing appropriate notice to affected tenants Section 4. That a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council. READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS day of , A.D., 2025, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, by the following vote: AYES:(Mayor) Councilmembers: NOES: Charlotte M. Moses Mayor ATTEST: Sherri Bellard, City Secretary P. R. #24440 07/15/2025 gd/tnr APPROVED AS TO FORM: Roxann Pais Cotroneo City Attorney APPROV!FOR ADMINISTRATION: gni /7 WAIT Ronald Burton, ' 'M Geo e D vis, MA, CPM City Manage , Director of Pleasure Island APPROVED AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: Clifton . Williams, Jr., Purchasing Manager Lynda(Lyn) Boswell, MA, ICMA-CM Director of Finance Exhibit "A" Pleasure Island Marina — Boat Slip Lease Agreement This Lease Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into on this day of , 20 , by and between Pleasure Island Marina, located at 410 Pleasure Pier Blvd., Port Arthur, Texas 77640, hereinafter referred to as "Marina", and: Lessee Name: Address: Phone: Email: Emergency Contact Name and Number: 1. Slip Assignment Marina hereby leases to Lessee the following boat slip: • Slip Size: 0 30-foot 0 40-foot 0 50-foot • Assigned Slip Number: • Monthly Slip Fee: $ • Liveaboard Status: 0 Yes 0 No • Liveaboard Surcharge(if applicable): $ per month 2. Lease Term • Start Date: • End Date: • 0 Month-to-Month 0 Fixed Term • Lease automatically renews on a month-to-month basis unless terminated in writing by either party with 30 days' notice. 3. Payments All payments are due on the 1st of each month. A late fee of$ will be charged after the 5th of the month. Payments may be made by cash, check, money order, credit card, or automatic bank draft. 4. Use of Slip Lessee shall use the slip exclusively for the docking of the following vessel: • Vessel Name: • Make/Model: • Length: ft • Registration Number: Liveaboard use requires prior written approval from Marina management and payment of the liveaboard surcharge. 5. Rules and Regulations Lessee agrees to comply with all marina rules and regulations, as may be amended from time to time. A copy of the rules is attached and incorporated herein. 6. Insurance and Liability Lessee agrees to maintain insurance coverage for their vessel, including liability insurance of at least $ . A copy of the current insurance certificate must be provided to the Marina. 7. Indemnity Lessee agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Marina, its owners, operators, employees, agents, and the City of Port Arthur from any and all claims, demands, damages, liabilities, losses, or expenses arising out of or in any way related to Lessee's use of the slip, vessel, or marina premises. 8. Disclaimer of Liability—City of Port Arthur The City of Port Arthur is not a party to this lease and assumes no responsibility or liability for any injury, loss, theft, damage, or claims related to the vessel, slip, marina premises, or any use thereof. The Lessee acknowledges and agrees that the City of Port Arthur shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damage resulting from use of the facilities. 9. Termination Either party may terminate this lease with thirty(30) days' written notice. In the event of nonpayment or violation of term, Marina may terminate this lease with immediate effect. 10. Additional Terms IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Lease Agreement as of the date first above written. Lessee Signature: Date: Marina Representative: Date: