ShorelineMarina Highlights 2008 0108

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Mayor Santos stated that the Godbe survey showed the lack of support from the community for funding the harbor and that many constituents feel it is time to stop dredging due to the high cost. 2. Discussion of Funding for Channel and Harbor Dredging and Disposal Assistant City Manager Hollister gave the Committee a status update regarding the City's effort to secure Federal funding to dredge the channel and harbor. Currently $1.8 million in Federal funds has been appropriated, $675,000 in 2006 and an additional $1,169,000 in the 2008 budget. However, the Army Corps of Engineers' estimate to dredge the channel is $2.5 million leaving an $700,000 shortfall. The City is currently working with the Corps, who will be forming a Project Delivery Team to determine how to accomplish the dredging given the current funding. Assistant City Manager Hollister then introduced Leonard Simon, Simon and Company, the City of San Leandro's Washington, DC lobbyist. Mr. Simon has assisted the City for over 20 years in obtaining Federal funding to dredge the channel. Mr. Simon explained the dredging of the channel has only been in the President's budget once since 1988. Local representatives have lobbied Congress in order to secure funding in other years. Mr. Simon added that the Army Corps of Engineers' budget has been shrinking and that local earmarks for recreational harbors have become increasingly difficult to secure. Mr. Simon cautioned the Committee on relying on Federal funding to dredge the channel in the future. The Committee discussed the Federal appropriations process with Mr. Simon and stressed the importance of meeting with other cities with similar dredging issues in order to find alternative solutions. 3. Discussion Regarding Future Committee Meeting Dates and Times The Committee agreed to change the meeting date to the fourth Tuesday of every month at 9:00 A.M. 4. Public Comments Harold Perez stated that he would like to see more public input in this process and disagreed with the Godbe survey. Mr. Perez also suggested taxing the airport and garbage companies to fund the dredging. Gerd Marggraff shared his belief that it is important to keep the harbor open and use development to fund harbor operations. Mr. Marggraff also stated that without the harbor there would be no community support for development of the Shoreline -Marina Area. Bo Johanson expressed his support for privatizing the harbor and attracting commercial ventures to help fund continued operation.