_{Thumbnail photo: Crescent City Harbor commissioners received a report on the structural conditions of several structures including the former Fashion Blacksmith building on Starfish Way. | Photo by Gavin Van Alstine}

Commission Annie Nehmer was absent. Among the items discussed at Wednesday’s Crescent City Harbor District meeting.

Infrastructure Assessment: Promising a more formal presentation at CCHD’s Sept. 16 meeting, Harbormaster Mike Rademaker introduced commissioners to GHD’s structural condition assessment of several of the buildings at the port. 

“It does identify a lot of the challenges that we’re facing trying to rehab these buildings and come up with funding,” Rademaker said. “But fortunately we’ve got some investment from some other companies, such as Ocean Gold, that are going to help us address some of these infrastructure challenges.”

GHD’s 54-page report focuses on the conditions of the former Fashion Blacksmith building, two fish processing structures, the Abalone Building, the former U.S. Coast Guard Building, a storage unit and the Crescent City Harbor District Office.

Ocean Gold lease: The Harbor District Board entered into a five-year lease with Westport, Washington-based Ocean Gold Seafoods for a warehouse at 161 Starfish Way. The lease also includes nearly 30,000 square feet around the warehouse as well as two hoist areas and a gravel parking lot near the building.

Commissioners applauded the lease with Chairman Rick Shepherd announcing that Ocean Gold was processing shrimp in Crescent City and his colleague Dan Schmidt referring to the seafood processor as an anchor at the harbor. Schmidt noted that in addition to processing seafood, Ocean Gold operates the ice plant on Citizens Dock.

“It’s helpful to the fishing community,” he said. “We can keep more of our vital operations right here at this harbor so they don’t have to go up north or down south to finish the task of harvesting fish.”

Rademaker noted that the Harbor District’s new lease with Ocean Gold is for $8,000 a month during its first year, which is a $2,000 increase from its current lease. After the lease’s first 12 months, rent will increase to $9,000 per month, according to the agreement.

“In addition, a little bit unusual, but this tenant is accepting full responsibility for anything that happens with the building,” Rademaker said. “So, issues with the siding, the roof or pretty much anything. A lot of times landlords assume that responsibility but because of our current circumstances we’ve negotiated that they’re basically accepting everything as is.”

According to the structural condition assessment GHD just released, deterioration was observed at the structure’s southwest corner. There was visible corrosion and rust stains on the metal siding, wall girts and other framing elements. The assessment noted areas of missing material on the wall girts as well as openings and rusted holes in the interior siding.

Revised RV Park leases: Harbor commissioners approved revised agreements with Crescent City Beach Village LLC, a subsidiary of BSD Property Management, to lease Bayside RV Park and Redwood Harbor Village RV park.

According to Rademaker’s staff report, the revised leases provide more clarity regarding revenue concessionaires, subtenants and other third-party businesses operating on the two sites generate. 

The lease for Bayside RV Park also addresses its long-term tenants, according to Rademaker. Under the revised agreement, Crescent City Beach Village may not increase the number of spaces for long-term occupancy and may not create new long-term occupancy agreements.

According to Shepherd, there were some last-minute changes to the lease agreement before the Board’s meeting Wednesday. According to Rademaker, the revision applies to the ability of either party to terminate the lease in the event of a devastating natural disaster. 

Three harbor commissioners approved the original lease agreements with Crescent City Beach LLC in July over the objections of their colleagues Dan Schmidt and Annie Nehmer. Noting that CCHD had been doing business with BSD Property Management up until July 15, Schmidt wanted to know whether the investment firm had an agreement with the limited liability company.

Dockwa: Four commissioners approved renewing a marina management software services agreement with Dockwa at a $1,275 monthly rate or a $15,300 annual rate.

CCHD staff had reached out to other software providers to try to find a lower rate, according to Rademaker’s staff report. DockMaster/BluMarina had proposed software for $501 a month plus a one-time start-up fee of $2,500. 

Marina Master, another software provider, offered three service levels. According to Rademaker’s report, the Prop package at $956 per month with a $12,500 start-up and training cost was in line with the district’s needs.

However, according to Board President Rick Shepherd, CCHD office staff are happy with Dockwa. He also took into consideration the amount of time it would take for staff to be trained on the new software. 

“It’s just not a good time to be changing servers,” he said.

In his staff report, Rademaker said CCHD has received a “boater’s choice award” based on reviews boaters submitted through Dockwa. The software platform also promotes CCHD through a broader platform that includes Marinas.com.