City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 6, 2017
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Consideration of a Renewal of a Three-Year License Agreement with the Alexandria Seaport Foundation for Docking the Maritime Heritage Center at its Present Location at the Alexandria City Marina.
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ISSUE: City Council consideration of a renewal of a three-year license agreement with the Alexandria Seaport Foundation for docking the Maritime Heritage Center at its present location at the Alexandria City Marina.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Receive this report recommending renewal of a three-year license agreement with the Alexandria Seaport Foundation for docking the Maritime Heritage Center at its present location at the Alexandria City Marina; and
2. Schedule this proposed three-year license agreement for public hearing on Saturday, September 16, 2017, and after the public hearing is concluded authorize the City Manager to enter into a three-year license agreement with the Alexandria Seaport Foundation for docking the Maritime Heritage Center at its present location at the Alexandria City Marina.
BACKGROUND: The Alexandria Seaport Foundation (ASF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which was established in 1982 to honor the City’s maritime heritage and culture. In 1993, ASF shifted its focus to serving at-risk youth through adult mentoring, project based learning and the building of wooden boats.
DISCUSSION: The Alexandria Seaport Foundation has operated the Maritime Heritage Center in the City Marina since January 1, 1999. The Seaport Foundation has offered classes and workshops for youth and adults on ship building and related maritime activities, and featured programs on the City’s maritime history.
Through the programs offered at the center, the Seaport Foundation has worked with more than 100 City youth including at-risk youth from the Court Services Unit Day Reporting Program. Since opening the Maritime Heritage Center, seven boats have been built by youth programs. Three of these boats were built by youth apprentices and volunteers. The other four boats were built by the Applied Technology Summer Camp which is held for middle school students, and these boats were used for environmental science programs. When the building of the boats was completed, some were sold to benefit youth programs, and others were used to teach sailing to youth.
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities has not received any complaints from the public about the operation of the Maritime Heritage Center, and according to Seaport Foundation representatives, they have been able to achieve their goals by offering programs and activities without causing any negative impact to the surrounding community. Because the Alexandria Seaport Foundation is a non-profit organization which offers a wide variety of very worthwhile programs for youth which benefit the entire Alexandria Community and because the Maritime Heritage Center is a positive element of the City’s Waterfront, staff believes that only a one-time nominal fee of $10 should continue to be charged for the processing of the lease agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT: A $10 nominal fee for processing of the lease agreement. The Alexandria Seaport Foundation is responsible for covering costs associated with utilities at the Maritime Heritage Center. The Seaport Foundation is occupying an area that could be used for two pleasure boat slips. Therefore, fee support to the Foundation is $23,760 over the three year period by not charging a standard license fee for the space.
ATTACHMENT: Proposed Three-Year License Agreement
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
James Spengler, Director, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
Jack Browand, Division Chief, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
Karen Snow, Assistant City Attorney