Oak Harbor Marina commission advances short-term repairs, lift station budget and hires assistant harbormaster

At the July 14 meeting the Marina Advisory Commission received updates on short-term capital and maintenance work: restroom and electrical upgrades, emergency shutoffs and metering, lift-station replacement plans, dock cart replacement and a proposed fenced small-boat storage area.

Harbormaster Elise said the city is pursuing grant funding that would pay for upgrades including renovating Building 2 restrooms and bringing electrical pedestals up to current code, adding emergency stops every six pedestals and metering previously unmetered pedestals. Elise said the federal grant notification may arrive in December 2025.

Elise said the city has set aside $45,000 in the marina budget to replace the lift station at Building 2, which she described as “one of the oldest ones in the city” and responsible only for marina sewage flows. She said the marina also is replacing worn water valves and installing unions to speed winter shutoffs and repairs.

Dock carts and small-boat storage: Commissioners raised concerns about dock carts; staff said additional carts are being assembled and older carts are being repaired. Gabe Hill and other commissioners reported a short-term-project subcommittee had 17 survey responses to date on small-boat storage. Commissioners described a folding/rolling gate design and discussed a lower, $50 target price for fenced small-boat storage compared with a $62.38 fence-line storage rate for existing areas. Staff said legal and insurance reviews are underway before contract storage fees are finalized and that council approval may be required.

Staffing and operations: Harbormaster Elise reported higher ramp usage and full guest moorage over the Fourth of July weekend and said the marina will hire an assistant harbor master, Charles “Charlie” Curit (name per applicant), who is expected to start Aug. 4. Elise reported that, after the fee adjustments, moorage and guest moorage revenue increased $105,577 year-over-year. Commissioners discussed the harbor master’s schedule and coverage; staff said the marina aims to maintain daily coverage and that schedules will be adjusted as staffing returns to normal levels.

Implementation notes: Several short-term repairs are already underway, including valve replacements and dock cart assembly; staff said larger capital work will proceed only after funding and council direction are clarified. The commission expects contract language and a storage-fee structure to be drafted for legal review; staff estimated completion by year-end or early spring for small-boat storage implementation.

Ending: Staff will continue assembling carts, finalizing small-boat storage proposals and presenting legal contract language and cost estimates to the commission and council. The assistant harbor master hire will increase coverage as the marina completes seasonal repairs.