City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MAY 23, 2013
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RASHAD M. YOUNG, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
City Council Consideration and Approval to Dock the Presidential Yacht Honey Fitz at the City Marina for Ten (10) Days and Waive the Associated Docking Fees.
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ISSUE: City Council consideration and approval to dock the Presidential Yacht Honey Fitz at the City Marina for ten (10) days and waive the associated docking fees.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approves the request to dock the Presidential Yacht Honey Fitz at the City of Alexandria Marina for ten (10) days and waive the associated docking fees (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND: The Presidential Yacht Honey Fitz, sponsored by the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, will provide free public tours during its ten (10) day docking. In addition, the owner of the Honey Fitz is coordinating four fundraiser charters to metro region nonprofits, including the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, at no charge to the nonprofit.
DISCUSSION: As noted in City Ordinance Number 3121, 4/12/86, Sec. 6-3-5, All commercial vessels docking more than four (4) times per month are subject to approval by City Council pursuant to section 13-1-36 of the city code. The Honey Fitz, which is considered a commercial vessel, is a 93-foot wooden ship, built in 1931 for Montgomery Ward tycoon Sewell Avery, serving from luxury cruiser to commandeered World War II mine sweeper. It has been restored to its most famous era, when it was the pleasure vessel for President Kennedy and his family Information on vessel history obtained from http://www.myhoneyfitz.com/ . The Honey Fitz, in several names, served five (5) United States Presidents from Truman to Nixon.
The Alexandria Seaport Foundation has requested to dock the Honey Fitz at the City of Alexandria Marina from June 7, 2013 through June 17, 2013 which is a period of ten (10) days of docking and thus evokes section 13-1-36 of the city code.
Consistent with other City Council approved historic vessel docking, staff is requesting the waiver of the normal docking fees for commercial vessels, $2,790, and utility fees, $140, for a total of $2,930. The docking agreement with the Honey Fitz will identify that the scheduling of commercial, for profit, activities, including but not limited to paid charters, would subject them to the full docking rate of $2,930 and must comply with established City policy.
At its May 21, 2013 meeting, the Waterfront Committee voted to endorse the visit of the Presidential Yacht Honey Fitz and urges City Council to approve the Alexandria Seaport Foundations docking request (Attachment 2). Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities staff will coordinate the notification of the Old Town Civic Association and Founders Park Citizens Association membership, and any supporting activity by City staff.
In addition, the chair of the Old Town Civic Association and the Waterfront Commission's representative from Founders Park Citizens Association were present at the Waterfront Commission's May 21 discussion and are aware of the Commission's support of this docking request.
FISCAL IMPACT: Loss of potential docking and associated fees, $2,930.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Alexandria Seaport Foundation Docking Request
2. Alexandria Waterfront Commission Endorsement
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
James Spengler, Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Jack Browand, Division Chief, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
James Hixon, Dockmaster, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
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