Advisory commission approves updated marina policies, adds harbor-master discretion for stay‑aboard exceptions

The Oak Harbor Marine Advisory Committee voted to approve updated marina best-management practices and the Marina Policy, Procedures and General Operations document with a single exception adding a harbor-master exemption for stay‑aboard requests.

After discussion about stay‑aboard durations and prior abuses of the rule, the chair moved to approve the documents "as submitted, and the Marina policy procedures and general operations, with the exception of adding a section 2 in the Stayboard section." The motion was seconded by Commissioner (S7) and approved by voice vote after commissioners agreed the harbor master should retain discretion to grant exceptions when warranted.

The adopted exception will insert language authorizing the harbor master to approve requests for extended stays on a case-by-case basis; staff will forward the edited pages to legal for review and return the finalized document to the advisory committee. The harbormaster said legal review is the remaining step before putting policies into effect.

Commissioners also requested that future packet materials highlight only changed pages to streamline review and that Deputy City Administrator David Goldman review any fee or legal concerns related to rate adjustments.

The advisory committee27s approval was recorded by voice vote; staff will send the edited pages to legal and bring the item back for confirmation once legal comments are incorporated.