February 2022

February 16, 2022 Board Meeting

Click here to watch a recording of this Board Meeting

San Mateo County Resource Conservation District Annual Report

The San Mateo County Resource Conservation District presented its annual report to the Board of Harbor Commissioners. The Harbor District partners with the RCD to address water quality issues, including the new requirements placed on the District by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board to address the bacterial contamination entering the Harbor through the storm water system. In addition to education and outreach, the RCD is working closely with the Harbor District to make a storm-water capture and beneficial reuse system a reality. This system will lessen the demand on public water, especially during drought conditions, while reducing the water bill and improving the water quality within the Harbor.

Image by: Rainwater Management Solutions

Harbor District Awarded $71,748 Grant!

The Harbor District voted unanimously to accept a Boating Safety and Enforcement Equipment Grant from the California Division of Boating and Waterways. The grant will be used to offset the cost of boating safety and enforcement equipment to include de-watering pumps and radios.

Voting Rights Act: Redistricting

Every ten years, following each federal census, California special districts that use district-based election systems must adjust the boundaries of those districts based on current census data. The purpose of this process is to ensure that voting districts remain substantially equal in population. The Elections Code Sections 22000 through 22002 describe the requirements that govern the review and adjustment of district

boundaries following the census.

On February 16, 2022, the Board considered two separate maps detailing voting districts, both of which complied with the Election Code. After discussion, the Harbor

Board approved Resolution 22-08, adopting “Draft Plan A” which makes small adjustments to the Existing Districts to better align the District with the results of the 2020 Federal Censes. Draft Plan A lists the districts as A, B, C, D, and E. The actual District designations, as adopted by Resolution 22-08 are 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectfully.

New Wharfage Fee at Pillar Point Harbor

In accordance with SMCHD Ordinance Code Section 3.10.010 and Section 3.10.160, the Board of Harbor Commissars instituted a wharfage fee of $0.10 per pound, to be charged against vessels loading or unloading merchandise at Pillar Point Harbor. The fees will begin on March 1, 2021 and will be deposited in the District’s General fund.

Exception: Those vessels that off load or onload through a lessee fish buyer or a vessel selling seafood directly to a retail customer pursuant to a Commercial Activity Permit.

Public Hoist User Fee

In accordance with SMCHD Ordinance Code 3.10.010 the Harbor Commission adopted Resolution 22-07, setting the user fee for the public hoist at $85.00 per hour. The increase in user fees is intended to offset the cost to the Harbor District to maintain and operate a publish hoist for vessels to load supplies and equipment.

Ordinance Change - Commercial Activity Permits for Visiting Fishing Vessels

In support of the commercial fishing, the Harbor Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to eliminate a requirement for vessels, not homeported in Pillar Point, to acquire a Commercial Activity Permit prior to discharging their catch. To effect the Board’s decision, the Board voted to amend Section 5.10.010 of the SMCHD Ordinance Code to remove the requirement. The final consideration of the ordinance change will take place at the March 16, 2022 meeting of the Harbor Commission.

Dewatering Pump Awareness Training PPH Feb 9 2022 2.jpg

Training at Pillar Point Harbor

Pillar Point Harbor Assistant Harbormaster Dante Madrigal conducts training on the proper operation of a dewatering pump with Deputy Harbormasters from both Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina. The Staff at Pillar Point as well as Oyster Point have saved several vessels from sinking in the harbor/marina, protecting not only the vessel, but the environment.

Off the Boat Sales of Dungeness Crab are still going strong, come on down to Pillar Point Harbor, enjoy the coast and pick up fresh crab directly from the boats.