by Garth Meyer

A delayed meeting for live-aboard boaters and city officials took place Feb. 5 at the King Harbor Yacht Club, yielding a possible new option to resolve the threat of evictions. 

The meeting, called by Redondo Beach city councilman Todd Loewenstein, included City Manager Mike Witzansky and City Attorney Mike Webb in an observant role.

One “liveaboard” stepped to the microphone with an idea.

What if the city wrote an ordinance to protect liveaboards?

His name is Matt Johnson, known as “Jay.”

“There’s no better time than now,” he said. 

“We have not explored that,” Witzansky answered. 

Other liveaboards came up to the microphone to speak, or made comments from the chairs.

Since Feb. 1, they have been subject to an added $125 monthly fee for pump-out service, whether their boat has a holding tank or not. Marina lessee Majestic KHM has shown concerns about water quality in the harbor in relation to liveaboards.

Witzansky reported at the outdoor meeting that the city’s own testing from the week before (Jan. 26) showed swimming-level quality.

“Our sampling came out quite good,” he said. “Very strong results.”

Loewenstein noted the testing was part of a broader effort.

“We’re trying to remove excuses for Majestic (to be against liveaboards),” he said. 

A man who talked of being around the harbor since he was eight years old, said that if there are problems with dumping holding tanks into the harbor, it is from new boaters. 

“They are not stupid, but ignorant,” he said, noting that boater education is minimal, and not required to buy a boat.

The Majestic lease for King Harbor is in effect for the next 10 years. 

Witzansky noted that any new lessee agreements to come would “make sure liveaboards are part of that lease.”

Also at the meeting, comments were made from liveaboards that the $125 pump-out fee is excessive – since a commercial pump-out costs about $30. 

“They’re gonna nickel and dime us to drive us out and you guys gotta stop it,” one liveaboard said to Loewenstein and Witzansky. 

“We’re gonna look at everything,” said the city councilman, who asked the liveaboards to send him a copy of their wharfage contracts. “Just because you’re not on land doesn’t mean you’re not at your home.”

Redondo Beach Harbor Commission chairman Roger Carlson told city officials that oil slicks and styrofoam pellets from old docks are more of a water quality problem than leaking holding tanks. He went on to question overall changes since Majestic took over the harbor lease in February 2020. One of which was a proposal to raise parking rates at Moonstone Park. 

“It’s an unmowed field of dead grass,” said Carlson, a diver in the midst of lobster season, but not a liveaboard.

The 63 liveaboards represent a small portion of the King Harbor Marina’s 827 slips. Monthly rent for a liveaboard is $354 (in addition to their slip fee). With the added pumping fee it is $479.

“If there are problems, why should they single out liveaboards?” Loewenstein said.

Near the end of the meeting, a liveaboard sitting quietly in the front row had a question.

“Can we be evicted?” he said. 

“I cannot tell you with any certainty what your rights are,” said Loewenstein, adding that it is likely a case-by-case basis. 

The councilman said this week that the city is looking into an ordinance “to see if it’s even doable.”

Last November, liveaboards received notice that they would be evicted within six months. City officials subsequently reached an informal agreement with Majestic KHM owner Dr. Allen Ginsberg to put the matter on hold.

Last Saturday’s meeting was postponed through the holidays and the height of the Omicron surge. 

“I’ve talked to a lot of people who have nowhere to go. We’re doing our best to stay as close to Majestic as we can,” Loewenstein said. “The city doesn’t want to run afoul of the master lease, our rights now are very limited. If we had a chance to write the lease today, we’d probably write it a lot differently.”

Harbor management: Liveaboards to be phased out “through attrition.”

King Harbor Marina general manager Mike Aaker met with Majestic KHM owner Dr. Allen Ginsberg on Tuesday for a regular meeting, after which Aaker said Ginsberg stated that liveaboard slips will be eliminated through attrition.

“As liveaboards leave or sell their boats, we’re not going to let any back in.” Aaker said. “There will be no selling allowed to another liveaboard. Dwindle the number down until we have none.”

One liveaboard was given an eviction notice this month for a rules violation. 

Liveaboards were asked to sign uniform, updated contracts five years ago under the previous lessee. The contracts allow them to leave, or the marina to evict them with 30 days notice, “without cause.”

As far as water quality, the concern from management appears limited. 

“Our marina is probably the cleanest marina up and down the coast,” Aaker said. 

The longtime marina employee and manager indicated that one source of pollution is people walking along the breakwater. It has no restrooms or and no trash cans. (The breakwater is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). 

Each day, a Marina employee scoops garbage from the water, Aaker asserted. 

“That’s another issue we want to address,” he said. ER