Trustees weigh risks and revenue of C Street dock operations; engineering study to inform decision

The board devoted substantial time to the future of C Street docking operations and the village’s reliance on that revenue. An engineering assessment with a preliminary finish in June and a final report in August will determine structural limits and whether more docked days or larger vessels are safe. Staff said one coastal-structure study in 2011 had already limited raftings and set single-boat-per-day constraints; the new assessment will clarify allowable vessel sizes and other safety fixes such as ladders and rings.

Trustees debated removing C Street revenue from the budget as a precaution and exploring smaller-boat services as an alternative that could produce comparable net revenue with fewer impacts on streets, sanitation and view sheds. "What if we were to say, take it out completely?" one trustee asked during the discussion, noting the trade-off between net revenue and operational burden. Staff said they would continue negotiations with James Barker, the operator, and that the village would not enter into final contracts until engineering results are known.

The board did not make a final decision but asked staff to obtain competitive proposals, firm up net-revenue estimates and report back before final budget adoption.