Rec & Park proposes Marina dredging surcharge; Francisco Park Conservancy credit tabled for next week

The Recreation and Park Department told the committee on June 16 that the West Harbor channel needs immediate dredging and proposed a small monthly surcharge to berth holders to fund the work.

Harbormaster staff and Rec & Park budget analysts presented an estimate of roughly $600,000 to dredge the channel at West Harbor. The department proposed a monthly surcharge calculated per foot of berth: the range discussed in committee was roughly $2.70 per foot per month at the lower end up to $3.47 per foot at the higher end, depending on berth length. The department said Marina operations are run as an enterprise fund and that absent a surcharge general‑fund support would be required.

During public comment a West Harbor berthholder, Bruce Stone, argued strongly that PG&E and broader marina governance issues were the root cause of West Harbor’s condition and urged the city not to pass dredging costs to berth holders. Stone said the East Harbor’s deferred maintenance and broader settlement costs should not be borne by West Harbor users.

On the Francisco Reservoir Park project, Rec & Park explained that PG&E required an off‑site electrical tie‑in that increased construction costs; contractors reported approximately $1.2M of additional work related to PG&E and delays, of which about $885,000 remained after adjustments. Rec & Park proposed crediting the Francisco Park Conservancy up to $443,000 against its five‑year maintenance obligation so the Conservancy would pay less in annual maintenance contributions while still meeting a long‑term commitment. Committee members asked for updated Conservancy financials and a detailed accounting of additional costs before approving any credit.

Committee action: The committee recommended the Marina dredging surcharge (Item 6) to the full Board with a positive recommendation and unanimously passed the motion. The committee continued Item 7 (the Francisco Park Conservancy credit) for one week for additional financial information and discussion.

What’s next: Rec & Park will supply the committee with itemized construction overages and the Conservancy’s updated cash‑on‑hand before the committee’s next recessed meeting on June 22.