11-9-26 City of Oak Harbor Marina Advisory Commission

The City of Oak Harbor Marina Advisory Commission met on November 9, 2026. The Harbor Master presented proposed updates to four municipal-code sections to align them with current marina practices and the annually updated master fee schedule. Commissioners raised concerns about late-fee timing, permitted vessel maintenance, and removing special event-rate language; the Harbor Master will review the feedback with legal counsel before presenting the proposals at a City Council workshop. No procurement award or contract vote was taken. The commission also discussed declining marina revenue and occupancy, and questioned how much of the approximately $1.4 million enterprise-fund balance may be applied to dredging costs. A bond is expected to fund dredging, mitigation, and breakwater rehabilitation; commissioners requested a breakdown of reserve allocations and funding available for other marina improvements. The meeting noted that a limited electrical upgrade is grant-funded.

Other capital and purchasing-related updates included completed restroom-partition installation, planned Building 2 flooring work and a lift-station project, and upcoming replacement of the D gate keypad and installation of security cameras funded in the 2025–26 biennium budget. Permanent marina signs may require quotes and potentially a budget amendment, but no decision was made. The Harbor Master said she intends to recommend renewing the marina host agreement for 2027, with positive feedback from commissioners. The commission also discussed the previously adopted master-fee-schedule increases and expressed concern that higher rates could further reduce occupancy and revenue.