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Advisory board weighs options for marina manager contract as Oasis agreement nears end
Summary
With the Oasis five‑year management contract ending in December, staff outlined three options—rollover, RFP or bring operations in‑house—and board members debated cost, employee benefits and capital needs; the city manager urged a full analysis of wages, benefits and insurance before recommending in‑house management.
City staff told the Waterfront Advisory Board that the Oasis marina management contract, signed in 2020, expires at year end and that the commission will discuss next steps at a July 1 workshop. Staff presented three paths: allow the contract to roll over for one year; issue a request for proposals for new marina managers; or bring operations in‑house.
Several board members argued the current contract terms—reported in the meeting as a $4,000 monthly flat fee plus 1.5% of gross marina revenue excluding fuel sales—mean the city pays Oasis for management while shouldering most operating expenses and capital costs. One member said, "Why in the world would we give away 1.5% of our gross?" and argued the city could retain current staff, including Marina Manager Kathy Chapman, and save money by absorbing operations.
City Manager Sarah Campbell cautioned that converting contract employees to city employees carries higher benefit and insurance costs—she noted benefits could increase costs about 40% per employee—and that the list of capital improvements the marina needs likely outweighs immediate contract savings. Campbell said staff are still clarifying insurance and budget assumptions and recommended an analysis comparing total wages+benefits against contract costs before the board frames its recommendation.
Kathy Chapman described the marina’s staffing levels (7 full‑time and 3 part‑time employees), recent maintenance work, and the operational realities of maintaining the facility during construction and capital projects. Board members requested a detailed breakdown of the amount the city pays Oasis for employees, the benefits Oasis provides, and a comparative estimate of the cost to city‑employ an equivalent staff.
The board did not reach a formal recommendation; staff will provide contract details and a financial comparison for the next meeting and for presentation at the July 1 commission workshop.
