By By MIKE VOSS
mike@wdnweb.com
Contributing Editor
Washington’s City Council will consider authorizing the city manager to sign a lease agreement between the city and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission regarding the commission maintaining the boat ramp at Havens Gardens.
The city has been negotiating that issue with the commission for two years.
“With the help of WRC Commissioner Mitch St. Clair, the result is a 25-year lease for this area,” reads a memorandum from Philip Mobley, the city’s parks and recreation director, to the mayor and council.
“I have met with the owners of (Backwater Jack’s) and Inner Banks Outfitters to show them maps of the proposed lease site and to answer questions about parking,” reads the memorandum.
“We have met on several occasions with the local kayak group to explain the city’s proposed new role at the site if the lease agreement is approved,” the memorandum continues.
The Washington Recreation Advisory Committee supports the agreement with the commission, the memorandum notes.
The agreements requires the commission to do the following:
• Provide design development for repairs and improvements to the public boat landing, including the parking area.
• Obtain all regulatory permits required for the repairs and improvements.
• Construct all improvements and make all repairs to the boat landing and its adjacent docks.
• Maintain the landing as a free, public boating-access area with no closure of the site, except for repairs or emergency situations.
The agreement requires the city to do the following:
• Provide free public boat access, including vehicle and trailer parking, 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no closure, except for repairs or emergency situations.
Either party may end its involvement in the agreement by written notice to the other party at least 120 days in advance of the date on which termination is to take effect. When the termination takes effect, the city will reimburse the commission a prorated amount of the improvements to the site based on a 25-year amortization.
In a related matter, the council will consider authorizing the city manager to sign an authorized agent consent agreement as owner of the Havens Gardens boat ramp to amend the major Coastal Area Management Act permit for Havens Gardens. The permit amendment is needed to install a kayak dock next to the boat ramp.
Monica Ferrari is leading an effort to install the kayak ramp.
“After a presentation by Monica Ferrari, the Recreation Advisory Committee unanimously agreed to support the installation of the kayak launch at Havens Gardens and to amend the CAMA Permit with the City’s Approval,” reads another memorandum from Mobley to the mayor and council.
The council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 102 E. Second St. The council’s entire tentative agenda may be viewed by visiting the city’s website at www.ci.washington.nc.us. Click on the “website map” item under the menu on the left, then click on the “meeting agendas” section under the “city government” heading. The agenda will be under the listing for the City Council.