Local Government at Work

Patch catches you up on the action last week by local governmental bodies.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Tuesday to approve an amended lease agreement for a major renovation of the Marina International Hotel in Marina del Rey.

The project calls for a major renovation of the 134-room hotel and extends the county's lease to IWF Marina View Hotel for another 39 years to Dec. 31, 2067. The lessee's parent company, Pacifica Hotel Investors, has agreed to spend no less than $11.3 million to renovate the hotel. There a full story here.

Small Craft Harbor Commission

The Small Craft Harbor Commission voted 4-0, with one recusal, Wednesday to approve a dock redevelopment plan for the county-owned slips near Burton H. Chace Park. David Lumian, a newly appointed member to the commission, recused himself due to an undisclosed conflict of interest. The commission serves as an advisory board to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.

The commission approved a dock redevelopment plan for the area around the park that will contain a total of 254 slips, a reduction of 78 slips. The proposed reduction was not expected to result in any permanent displacement of boats, however, since there were 90 vacant slips there in September 2010. Marina del Rey, overall, has a 14% vacancy rate, or 670 slips.

The commission in the same vote also endorsed the Department of Beaches and Harbors' request to combine dock reconstruction projects by the county and leaseholders into a single Master Waterside Coastal Development Permit. When finished, it is expected that there will be 432 fewer slips, all in sizes 35-feet and under, among the seven for-rent marinas and the county-owned docks near Burton H. Chace Park.

The number of slips will be reduced in order to comply with the American with Disabilities Act's accessibility standards and with standards set by the California Department of Boating and Waterways, such as wider fairways, gangways, fingers, and slips. Slip loss also will occur because features such as double-wide slips that were feasible 40 years ago when slimmer boats were made are no longer practical.

Only two opponents of the new dock redevelopment plans spoke for about six minutes during Wednesday's meeting while supporters endorsed it for over an hour. Opponents believe the dock reconfigurations will squeeze out smaller boaters in favor of larger craft that wil bring the county more money.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors likely will consider the matter March. The California Coastal Commission will have final authority on the dock reconfiguration plans.

Del Rey Neighborhood Council

The board of directors of the Del Rey Neighborhood Council voted 10-0 to approve the purchase of $2,000 in goods to spruce up the Culver/Marina Little League Field.

The all-volunteer league is entering its 56th season and has been invited to co-host the Urbain Initiativie Jamboree on its Dodgers Dreamfield. The April 29-May 1 tournament is sanctioned by Little League Baseball and 20 leagues from Burbank to Compton to San Diego have been invited to participate. The money will be spent to rebuild wooden bleachers, seed four ball fields and apply a fresh coat of Dodger Blue paint. Opening Day for the Culver/Marina Little League is March 12. The non-profit organization serves 250-300 boys and girls ages 4-16.

The board also voted 6-1 with one recusal to buy a sound system under $350 for the Department of Recreation and Parks for use at the Mar Vista Gardens Recreational Center. The new sound system will replace one that was stolen. It will be used for dances, parties and other social gatherings for youths at the housing project.

The board voted 7-1 with two abstentions to approve a letter to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilman Bill Rosendahl supporting a city-wide ban on plastic bags identical to the county-wide ban that was approved in November by the Board of Supervisors.