Will higher rents help float the Noyo Harbor District”s sinking finances?
The district will consider hiking the rent on users of its facilities, such as the picnic grounds in South Noyo Harbor. When Stan Anderson, chair of the 2010 year”s Mendocino Area Parks Association (MAPA), asked to use that area for the third year in a row, Commissioner Dusty Dillion told Anderson the harbor district is in serious financial trouble.
“We are in deep doo-doo,” Dillion quipped.
The fee hike question was discussed at the Harbor District”s Dec. 15 meeting at Fort Bragg Town Hall.
Dillion, who has been touring harbors all over the West Coast (such as Portland”s harbor), asked Anderson what the event had earned for the nonprofit.
Anderson said the MAPA abalone cookoff netted about $33,000.
“All of this money goes to our education programs,” Anderson said.
Dillion said other harbors charge a standard fee, usually about 10 percent of what an event makes. He suggested that the Noyo Harbor might do the same and asked Anderson for his reaction.
“I”m sure our board would be more than happy to consider that,” Anderson said. MAPA raises money for educational programs designed to assist California State Parks.
Fellow Harbor District Commissioner Jim Burns felt a hike from a rent of $200 to $3,300 (based on this year”s numbers) in one year might be a bit too much of a jump. He suggested that the issue was a broad one that should apply to all users of South Noyo Harbor. Burns suggested the board should step back and discuss the issue at length before seeking a certain amount from any one applicant.
“You are comparing what Portland charges. Are you offering the same amenities?” asked Abbie Colbert, an audience member.
Dillon asked Anderson; what more can we do for you?
Anderson said MAPA had been pleased with the site over the past three years. MAPA previously held its event on Caspar Community Center”s grounds.
The rest of the board of directors, including Dillon, agreed with the idea of studying a fee hike to see how much the harbor should charge and bringing the issue back up later. MAPA was granted use of the grounds for the second Saturday in October 2011, with the fee to be determined later.
The Abalone Cookoff serves about 1,000 people, most of whom are visitors.
The World”s Largest Salmon Barbecue has used the same grounds for its event, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2011. The SRA serves about 4,000 people, the vast majority of whom are visitors.
