​On Friday, March 2nd, four representatives of the BCMCA met with Parks Board staff, Sev Araujo (Manager of Commercial Operations), and Tim Collins (Supervisor, Commercial Operations). Tim Collins has taken on the position that Ken Maguire used to perform.

Concerns brought to the table included:

- Status of float replacement project
- Park Board Policy & Procedure – “Transparency”
- 8% rate increase for 2018
- The claim that Burrard Civic Marina patrons are undercharged by 30%
- What are “Comparable” marinas
- The Park Board is “investing” $3.5 million in upgrades
- Unfair treatment, boat owners treated as cash cows.

Park Board staff say they do not have the authority to change the upcoming 8% rate increase. When presented with our research about comparable marina rates, Sev Araujo did admit that the PB figures were flawed. He went on to say that the 30% rate increase was probably not correct and further study was required.

In an effort to open up communications with the BCMCA, Sev would like to have  regular meetings with BCMCA members and patrons of Burrard Civic Marina. These meetings will be open to discuss "any concerns" we may have the marina. The first meeting will be an Open House, and is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9th at the Parks Board office.

Though our meeting with PB staff was of mixed results, we did get two hours of their time, and managed to make them aware of the sentiments of marina members when faced with such unsubstantiated rate increases, the flaws in their research, the need for more open communications, how the marina business really works in Vancouver, and other concerns.

It is still our goal to arrange a meeting with Parks Board Commissioners to present them with our research and findings. This information is posted to our website at this link.

The BCMCA has made a number of attempts to meet with the Parks Board Commissioners, and make a presentation at the upcoming February 19th Board Meeting. We heard absolutely nothing in response, until finding today that the Agenda has been posted.

We are NOT on the agenda.

Later today, this response was received: 

You have requested to speak on a topic that's not on the upcoming committee meeting's agenda, however we have shared your request with the Park Board Commissioners to consider for a future meeting.
Questions about procedure? Have written materials about your topic to share with the Park Board? Email them to pbmeetings@vancouver.ca.
​
Thank you for your interest in speaking to your elected Park Board Commissioners.
Administrative Services
Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
pbmeetings@vancouver.ca

We followed the procedure already posted on the VPB's website. Are we being deliberately ignored?

Things seem to have gone off the rails since this Strategic Plan was published in 2012:

Just released on Friday 9th - documents requested under the Freedom of Information Act regarding the rationale for the marina fee increase, in particular how the figure of being "30% below market rates" was arrived at. One particular marina is blacked out, as the FOIA office is still waiting upon permission from the 3rd party to release that information. 

Link to the documents released is here:
https://www.burrardcivicmarinaca.org/uploads/5/7/8/8/5788638/20180209_foi_release_2017-494_-_res.pdf

Some interesting conclusions can be drawn from what has been released, but we ask first that everyone read it for your own consideration.

The City of Vancouver 2018 Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan has been posted here:

vancouver.ca/files/cov/vancouver-2018-budget.pdf

​It's only 439 pages long, so we don't expect you to read all of it. However, there are a couple of highlights (besides our 8% fee increase), which shed light on our dock replacement project. 

Page 123:​

Originally it was supposed to start in May 2017, and be completed by Christmas. Last we heard, completion was targeted for April. Now it's September 2018?

Wait, page 202 begs to differ:

Already completed in 2017...! Just stating the facts, folks.

On January 26/2018, we received an update from Sev Araujo (Manager, Commercial Operations), regarding the current status of the project. His comments are as follows:

In 2016 when we met and consulted with the various Burrard Marina users, including the Burrard Civic Marina Community Association, we reviewed the expenditures and projects completed and confirmed the future projects and allocated funds.

At the time it was estimated that a total of $3.5 million will have been invested in Burrard Marina by the time all committed projects and funds were completed during the 2014 - 2018 Capital Budget cycle.   

At the July 5, 2016 meeting it was agreed by all users that with respect to the upland and float replacement project, Option B was the best use of funds.  During this meeting there was also discussion that since the Coast Guard dock returned, the break water funds* could be allocated to the project under Option B, as this option was going to cost more than what was originally scoped out.  As you may recall at the end of the meeting I explained the City’s Capital Budget process and confirmed that for the next of capital budget cycle for 2019 -  2022 we would be requesting more funds for Burrard Marina, but could not guarantee what would be approved.
 
As per the attached, and at our various meetings, our Real Estate and Facilities Management staff and the consultant estimated that the approximate $2.1 million might be sufficient to complete the upland and float replacement project under Option B.  The upland work was recently completed at a cost of $1.1 million and the replacement of floats G and G - L, which will be completed by April, will cost $1.7 million, for a total expenditure of $2.8M.  This is $700,000 more than what was estimated in 2016.

*Breakwater cost was estimated at $300,000.

A copy of the July 2016 presentation is available on the BCMCA website under Archives - Parks Board Documents.

For perspective, the original bid for the uplands works (as shown on the City's website) was $785,402. If the total cost was $1.1 million, this means it went over budget by about 40%. 

​The original bid for the float replacement was $1,193,514. Now we understand the estimated cost to be $1.7 million, or about 42% higher than anticipated, and the work has not even started yet. It seems the cost of repairing marinas easily gets out of hand.

Out of the original $3.35 million available, this means perhaps $535,000 remains un-allocated, however the upcoming float replacements may yet eat even further into that. Bear in mind too that the replacement of docks "G" and "G to L" represents only about 7% of the total dock length in the marina, and it is not entirely clear whether the figures we have also include the Engineering fees or other incidentals beyond what the bidders have accounted for.

So, why does the Parks Board run a marina, you may ask? The answer is right here:
www.burrardcivicmarinaca.org/uploads/5/7/8/8/5788638/1963_parks_board_marina_proposal.pdf

​It seems in those days, the civic authorities valued water-borne activities such as boating, much more than they do today. The report even states that "Vancouver people are quite naturally boat-minded...". 

Also of note:
The marina would "...serve over 600 small boat owners of average income, and would be a valued addition to Vancouver's recreational facilities."

"Constructed and operated by the Board of Parks and Public Recreation, citizens may be well assured that this multi-purpose recreational facility will be maintained in their very best interests."

The lofty vision of 1963 seems to have been forgotten a long time ago.

As some of you are already aware, the Parks Board received a presentation by staff which claims that we are priced 30% below "comparable marinas" and therefore a fee increase of 8% (for 2018) is justified. The presentation from the Parks Board meeting of November 14, 2017, is online here: 
http://parkboardmeetings.vancouver.ca/2017/20171114/PRESENTATION-2018FeesCharges-ParksRecreation-20171114.pdf
(see page 10)
​
With the exception of Commissioner Shum, the Board voted to approve the fee increases. As usual, no prior notice of this meeting was given to the BCMCA or marina customers in general. 

The Parks Board also delayed on sending the research on "comparable marinas" for two weeks, and when it did arrive, the names of the "comparable marinas" were withheld, due to "confidentiality" reasons. Which means the graph shown below is unverifiable and meaningless. (besides being barely readable).

Note also that they show Burrard's rates as being "23% lower than Metro average", not 30% as stated in the presentation by staff.

There is a similar table for rates for vessels under 22 feet, which indicates 32% below average - but how many other marinas even offer slips of that size? Many of the smaller slips at Burrard go unoccupied even in summer, so the demand for 22 foot and under is just not there.

So, will it stop at 8% in 2018? Or will it be another 8% in 2019, and another 8% in 2020, until they "catch up" to what they claim other marinas charge? And more importantly - will we see the same level of service and quality of facilities, as some of these other pricey marinas? You be the judge.

Want to voice your concerns? You can find contact info for the Parks Board Commissioners here:
​http://vancouver.ca/your-government/park-board-commissioners.aspx

As you may have noticed, some work is now going on at the marina, with some paint markings for utilities, trenches, holes etc., plus construction equipment and trailers at the south-east corner of the parking lot. An update sent on June 7th/17 by email to marina customers is re-posted below:

Dear Customers
 
You may have noticed the electrical contractor – Kingston Construction Ltd on site.
 
It may be necessary for us to move the access for F-T floats temporarily to the other side of bridge for a few hours, when the work reaches the South Gate in couple of weeks. We have gate on the other side of the bridge where the bicycle rack is located.
 
No other marina access issues are expected for this phase of the project.
 
Regards
 
Cassio Thieves
Marina Operator II

A synopsis of the meeting's events:

Approx 15 marina customers present. Advisian Engineer Robert Dullanty was not there, but Stephen Cundy attended and presented in his stead. A correction to the table showing funds available for this project: the
correct figure is $3.35 million. Approximately $85,000 has been spent to date on the investigation and design by Advisian. 

Some discussion about dredging, a fellow from Milltown Marina seemed to know a lot about it, and mentioned that disposal costs were about $13 per cubic metre for clean material (ocean disposal), or $40/m3 for contaminated material, which would have to be trucked off site to a landfill disposal site.
Advisian feels certain that the dredge material would test contaminated by creosote from the many creosote pilings, if nothing else, plus the former presence of the rail trestle crossing (removed in 1985) at the southeast side of the marina (however it is deepest here and dredging is unlikely) or from the former Coast Guard building which burnt down in the early 90's. (at the northwest end of the marina. Applying for, and receiving permits takes a long time. However, in the current scope of work dredging is not included this
would have to be something for a future capital plan.

Also, a question was asked about where can boats be relocated if need be for either dredging or dock replacement. Cassio said that there's about 16 to 18% turnover from year to year, so for that year the marina would simply not accept any new applicants, which would free up sufficient spaces for temporary relocation of boats as needed. 

Much talk about electrical, of course. Sev said if individual power supply boxes or outlets are failing, this is a
maintenance issue, please contact Cassio and it should be dealt with. (this will have little effect on low voltage though) 

Replacement head float for G, G to L: New pilings would be steel, with cathodic protection as required. If maintained properly, lifespan should be at least 25 years. As the new head float will be somewhat wider (8 feet) this makes a problem if the fairway between G and H is narrowed. Some options discussed included:

- re-configuring G for side ties only, 
- putting shorter boats in G or H,
- investigating if its possible to move the dinghy floats closer to shore,
- or simply relocate dinghy floats elsewhere in the marina.

Advisian will look into all the options.

Schedule: Advisian has already started on the design drawings and specs for the "Upland Works". By October, two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) will be issued for: 

- Upland Work (on land)
- Marine Work (head floats, pilings).

It is felt that by splitting the work into 2 contracts, it opens up the Uplands work to more bidders, and possibly lower prices. On the marine side, there are only about 4 or 5 contractors in the area, so we are more at the mercy of their availability and whatever pricing they want to put on their bids. The bulk of the work would be over winter/spring, so hopefully contractors aren't so busy at that time. Also, the marine work is considered to be replacing "like for like", so permitting is less stringent.

It was mentioned about how the repairs of 2014 dragged on into the summer. Advisian will have a dedicated Project Manager who will oversee the work, do QA, and ensure things don't fall behind schedule. The contract may include a provision for late penalties. Sev mentioned that in his tenure at Granville Island, the contractor replaced the Granville Island public docks in three (3) days.

Sev also introduced a new staff resource, Dave Whittier, he has been specifically tasked to help oversee this project and give other support as necessary for better marina management. His previous job was operating the VPD's tactical training centre.

Some other items discussed:

Safety problems with cyclists/pedestrians/vehicles at the marina gate: the City Engineering Dep't is looking at this right now, hopefully a good plan will come out of this. 

Pump-out station (closed in winter): Sev does not want to spend any effort on this at this time the
City's website shows there are five other pump-outs in the Creek, most of which are open year-round,
including one right next door at False Creek Harbour Authority. Hopefully for the smaller number of customers who might need this service in the winter months, this will suffice for the time being.

Fire safety: Concerns voiced that the marina office gives no notice to neighbouring boats if and when a fire occurs (such as the recent one on N dock), and also that the fire alarm pulls and bells were removed. In response, it was said that the alarms did not connect to any fire station, and it was a considerable cost to replace/upgrade them. Calling 911 on a cell phone will have to do. Also, the fire on N dock was fairly minor, with no damage to neighbouring boats. However Sev said he would look into better communications about such events, and also see what is considered common practice at other marinas.

Sev said he will give customers a status update on the project when the tenders have been awarded, and schedules finalized.

I think that sums it up, I'm happy to say that Sev seems to be a very responsive fellow who seems to be dedicated to taking care of our needs, keeping us in the loop, and willing to review or improve management practices.

posted by Sean Smith

Copy of the Powerpoint presentation from the July 5 meeting is below.