Commission reviews dock repairs, restroom changes and enforcement of launch fees at Depoe Bay harbor

Depoe Bay — At its Sept. 24 meeting the Depoe Bay Harbor Commission received an update on planned dock repairs and on-site work by contractors, and commissioners raised several operational concerns about public restrooms, portable toilets and enforcement of launch fees.

The harbor’s repair update noted that Advanced American Construction and Reese Electric were scheduled to be on site to replace light boxes, repair exposed electrical cable supports and replace locking mechanisms on fire hose cabinets on multiple docks. The contractor update also said crews would reinstall UHMW (ultra-high-molecular-weight plastic) on a pile hoop on Dock 2.

Commissioners discussed the sequence of repairs and said they would confirm whether contractors had already been on site and the results of those visits. The harbor master reported that exposed wiring near Dock 2 had been repaired and that new support brackets were installed to prevent future cable abrasion.

The meeting included an extended discussion about restrooms and porta-potties. Commissioners and members of the public said the city had stopped leasing the Robinson Brothers restrooms near Dockside, and that led the city to install new restroom facilities at the harbor. Commissioners noted the harbor’s new restrooms should be open during staffed hours; one participant said they expected the restrooms to be open from first staff arrival until the harbor master leaves in the evening, and staff said they would follow up with Brady to confirm access on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when the harbor master is not on site.

Members also reported seeing vehicles parked on streets while owners launched boats without paying the launch fee. Commissioners said harbor staff and deputies make periodic checks and can issue follow-up enforcement when feasible, and that staff had been trained to print launch reports and check license-plate numbers to identify violators.

No formal action was taken on repairs or restroom policy at the meeting. Commissioners said they would report repair visit results to the commission once contractors complete the work and would bring any recommendations about restroom operations or enforcement procedures back to a future meeting.