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Attention Moorage Tenants

 

Moorage Tenant Meeting Tuesday Sept 11 7:00PM  Marina Room  Port Hudson

 

I have watched with great fascination as the Marine Trades Association, faced with major increases in their lease rates, has reorganized to become a major stakeholder voice. They played a major role in the present change in the Port administrative leadership. They meet regularly with the Commissioners and are presently re-shaping Port financial and lease policies, Their efforts have allowed them to be a major voice addressing  their rate increases.  

 

Unfortunately the Moorage Tenants Union has no Port representation. This may be why we ended up with a 15 to 19% increase in our moorage rates over the last 2 years.  As the lone voice for moorage tenants at Port meetings, I was unable to influence moorage policy and decided a while ago that my energies could best be spent otherwise.  I continue to attend meetings  and stay involved as a citizen because I believe that the cultural heart of this town lies in the vitality of the Port. I also maintain a strong support of the Marine Trades Association and attend some of their meetings.  

 

Members of the marine trades have asked me to approach the moorage tenants  to see if we tenants want to join the efforts of the marine trades. The focus will not just be stopping another 4% rate increase in 2019, but to be an effective stakeholder voice in the re-shaping  of the present Port culture. 

 

For this reason I have arranged for a Moorage Tenants Union meeting on Tuesday Sept 11th at 7:00 PM in the Marina Room (next to the Shanghai) at Port Hudson to see if there is moorage tenant interest. We will review the events of the last year and the challenges that we and the Port face in the coming year.  We will also discuss alternate economic plans to reduce overhead and improve efficiency so the Port will not need to continue to make us pay for their poor management. 

 

Bertram Levy

 

 

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The following is my letter to the Commissioners

 

Dear Commissioners;

Why the additional 1% increase in moorage rates undermines trust in the Port Institution

Last year the moorage tenants were presented with a huge “market rate” increase. The resulting 10 to 16% rates made Port Townsend the most expensive marina on the west side of Puget Sound (except Eagle Harbor, Bainbridge where the average home is $800,000).

At that time Sam eloquently presented the Port’s financial crisis. As extreme as the rate increase was, there was a general feeling to be good citizens and support the sincere effort of the new director. So we swallowed the bitter pill.

In an early September meeting, the commissioners indicated that they would seek a standard cost of living increase. This is within reason.

However the administration proposal to change the “market rate” by the additional 1 per cent is disingenuous. It is a bait and switch maneuver that uses our willingness to support Sam’s 2017 increase as a green light to continue to “rate adjust”.

At a question and answer session in September with the Marine Trades at the PT brewery, Brad Clinefelter had to dispel rumor after rumor after rumor. These rumors happen because the Port has a reputation as an institution that cannot be trusted. If the Commission now approves a moorage tenants rate changed while the administration gets a 300 thousand raise, it will undermine our new trust and support.

After decades of previous Commissions where the tail wags the dog, its time to offer some restraint. We have all unreservedly supported Sam for her first year but its time to ask her to tighten the administrative budget and work with what she has. Instead of increasing the moorage rates beyond the CPI , the Commission should freeze or decrease the 2017 administration budget, exercise some administration birth control, and put a moratorium on all spending of a non-emergent nature such as conferences, promotions EDC contributions CERB studies, consultants etc.

The Commission controls a moorage monopoly on those of us that want to live and recreate in this town and frankly it is degrading to have to go with hat in hand and beg for fairness.

 

Thanks for taking the time to consider this issue. I look forward to your comments.

Bertram Levy

 

 

 

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2018 proposed moorage rate increase

As the 2018 budget cycle comes to an end, the Port proposes yet another increase in our “market rates” beyond the normal CPI 2.6% (Port rounds it off to 3%). WhIle a 1% increase may not sound like much, it shows an administration that is determined to continue to raise our rates irrespective of any regional or market norms. Port Townsend is already the most expensive marina west of Puget Sound. As of last year, we pay $400 /year for a 30 footer and $550 / year for a 40 footer more than John Wayne Marina.
It is my belief that a commission approval of the administration proposed increase is a dangerous precedent for future rate hikes. The CPI (consumer price index) is the standard of the rental industry and should apply to the moorage tenants as well.
You have one more opportunity to convince the Commissioners to respect the 2017 “market rate” and endorse the annual CPI increase. The final budget meeting and vote is on Wednesday November 8 at 1:00 and you should attend.
It is unfortunate that the previous budget meetings were held out of town and the final November 8 meeting is at 1:00 PM which excludes working people. If you cannot attend, you could send a letter as I did.
Bertram

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Attention Moorage Tenants

Moorage Tenant Meeting Tuesday Sept 11 7:00PM  Marina Room  Port Hudson

I have watched with great fascination as the Marine Trades Association, faced with major increases in their lease rates, has reorganized to become a major stakeholder voice. They played a major role in the present change in the Port administrative leadership. They meet regularly with the Commissioners and are presently re-shaping Port financial and lease policies, Their efforts have allowed them to be a major voice addressing  their rate increases.  

Unfortunately the Moorage Tenants Union has no Port representation. This may be why we ended up with a 15 to 19% increase in our moorage rates over the last 2 years.  As the lone voice for moorage tenants at Port meetings, I was unable to influence moorage policy and decided a while ago that my energies could best be spent otherwise.  I continue to attend meetings  and stay involved as a citizen because I believe that the cultural heart of this town lies in the vitality of the Port. I also maintain a strong support of the Marine Trades Association and attend some of their meetings.  

Members of the marine trades have asked me to approach the moorage tenants  to see if we tenants want to join the efforts of the marine trades. The focus will not just be stopping another 4% rate increase in 2019, but to be an effective stakeholder voice in the re-shaping  of the present Port culture. 

For this reason I have arranged for a Moorage Tenants Union meeting on Tuesday Sept 11th at 7:00 PM in the Marina Room (next to the Shanghai) at Port Hudson to see if there is moorage tenant interest. We will review the events of the last year and the challenges that we and the Port face in the coming year.  We will also discuss alternate economic plans to reduce overhead and improve efficiency so the Port will not need to continue to make us pay for their poor management. 

Bertram Levy

(Sorry — I tried to post Bertram’s message and it somehow got mixed up with Brad’s old campaign post  — Hope this one works —lon)

 

 

 

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Come speak to Port Commissioners tomorrow night, Wednesday Jan 25 at 5:30 pm. about proposed rate increases for Point Hudson and Boat Haven moorage. 10-16% rate increases proposed based on market analysis heavily weighted towards King County.
Marinas should not bear the burden of paying for 20 years of poor infrastructure management by the Port of Port Townsend.
Tell commissioners:
1 – Meet your obligations for a transparent rate setting process. Involve tenants and stakeholders in analysis and decisions as per Strategic Plan.
2 – Cut expenses first! Find ways to scale down capital project costs and operating costs.
3 – Smooth out rate increases over time. Evaluate market and affordability to Jefferson County as per Strategic Plan.

Please forward to everyone you know.

If you cannot attend send an email to the Port Commissioners
Steve Tucker steve@portofpt.com

Brad Clinefelter bclinefelter@portofpt.com
Pete Hanke phanke@portofpt.com

thanks

BERTRAM —