Council authorizes up to $595,000 to buy shoreboat float, pending inspections

City staff asked the council to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a purchase agreement for the shoreboat float (the shoreboat "end float" and associated lease rights) from Catalina Jet Ski Corporation for a not‑to‑exceed $595,000, contingent on city inspection and a third‑party marine survey.

"We would enter a purchase agreement with a condition that we have the inspection on that float performed," the City Manager said, adding that if the city acquires the float it would recover the lease and control pier operations through the green pier. Council discussed that the shoreboat concession would remain an operator arrangement and the city was not taking over the shoreboat business; instead, ownership of the float and lease control would allow the city to manage congestion and tenants on the pier. The motion included amending the harbor fund budget to allocate $595,000 to capital outlay and $60,000 to float maintenance.

Council moved and seconded the authorization; the council called for the vote and approved the purchase authorization as presented. Staff will proceed with inspections and, if results are acceptable, finalize the purchase agreement and incorporate the budget amendments into the harbor fund.