| Meeting Schedule |
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General Membership: January 22, 2009
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Greetings and Happy Holidays from your Dana Point Boaters Association! |
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There's been a lot going on within the DPBA lately, including several weeks of activity required to sort things out following the unexpected resignation our former president, Bruce Heyman in mid-September. However, we've been back on track for awhile now and there are a lot of good things happening again. We'll get back to you later with more details, but we wanted to give you a quick heads-up on several topics of interest to all boaters:
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| California State Lands Commission |
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| During the first week of December we submitted a seven page report to the California State Lands Commission detailing major areas of recreational boating concern within the proposed LCPA. Boater Ray Ergas was the primary contributor in this exhaustive analysis of the Tidelands Trust and the California Coastal Act, and the governance relative to the proposed LCPA. |
| OC Dana Point Harbor Department |
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| Last Tuesday four DPBA Board members, including President Ted Olsen, President-elect Rodger Beard, Director Steve Fry and Secretary Steve Carpenter met with Brad Gross and his staff as well as John Conk from Project Dimensions. Our major topic was a fairly detailed discussion of DPBA recommendations regarding the proposed redesign of planning area 2, the existing dry storage and boat launch facility.
We will be submitting our final written proposal to Brad Gross this coming week, recommending movement of the proposed parking structure and marine services retail store to what we think is a more much boater-friendly and merchant-friendly location, across the street in the much larger general area where the Brig Restaurant is now located. (Sound familiar???) |
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California Coastal Commission |
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Last Friday morning we met for two hours with three members of the California Coastal Commission staff at their Long Beach office. This was another very productive meeting, the latest in a series of meetings and emails exchanged over the past few weeks and months. We will of course continue to work closely with the CCC staff and commissioners in the coming weeks as we all prepare for the upcoming local hearings on the Dana Point LCPA.
If it turns out the first Dana Point LCPA hearing is held as now scheduled on February 4-6, and is not delayed again (it was recently postponed from January and this could happen again), then the location will be Marina del Rey. There will likely be several more hearings and Dana Point Boaters are encouraged to attend and to speak if you wish to. We'll keep you posted... |
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California Department of Boating and Waterways |
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Last Friday afternoon we also met DBW here in Dana Point Harbor. Both the timing and location was especially appreciated as they made a special effort to meet with us and see the Dana Point Harbor first hand following meetings that had wrapped up in San Diego earlier in the day. We will be working with DBW over the next few weeks on several matters involving Dana Point Harbor, including OC DPH's interpretations of DBW marina/harbor design guidelines. |
| Possessory Interest Tax Update |
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Finally, we have some real news on PIT... and it's pretty good!!!
Last week we were notified of the final Assessment Appeal Board hearing results affecting about 200 Dana Point boaters who filed appeals for 2007 and completed necessary paperwork to be represented by Depasquale, Kelly and Co. As you know, we anticipated this administrative review would not yield a complete victory and sure enough, it did not. However the results made the efforts put forth so far by the DPBA volunteers involved very worthwhile.
Here's the scoop: The County has granted those appealing in 2007 a 60% rate reduction.
The official Findings-In-Fact are that the value of the possessory interest of those named shall be only 40% of what the Assessor had previously used as the basis for computation of 2007 taxes due. Therefore the tax assessed upon each of those Dana Point slip renters within the group (you know who you are!) has been reduced accordingly. For example, were you part of this group and your tax bill was $200 in 2007, then it has been reduced to $80, a substantial savings. The good news is that your 2008 tax bill, and every year thereafter, will also be reduced!
We are now working with D, K & Co to compile a list of answers to frequently asked questions and plan to fill you in more at the January General Membership Meeting. Our new treasurer, Kevin Hendra, who happens to be a corporate tax specialist, will be following up with D, K & Co to determine how to proceed on the remaining 40%. Stay tuned... |
| Dana Point Harbor Holiday Boat Parade |
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There was a new record set this season for the number of participants entered in the annual Dana Point Harbor Holiday Boat Parade. There were many, many truly outstanding boats in all categories, power and sail, from very small to very large, and decorated in the very best tradition of the season! Unfortunately the final parade last Saturday night had to be cancelled by the Harbor Patrol due to winds gusting to 35 knots and more. Still, all concerned felt this year was the best yet. Our sailing caps are off to all 64 paid entrants, as well as the many "pirates" who escorted the fleet during those other three nights!
Sunday morning we were at the awards breakfast at Harpoon Henry's to give the first annual Dana Point Boaters Association Award to the boat displaying "Most Spirit", the sailing vessel Besame Mucho, entry number 11, skippered by Dan and Lyn Hannegan. (Lyn was that mermaid you saw flapping her flipper on the boom!) Congratulations and best wishes to Dan and Lyn, who also won the $1000 award for "Best Decorated". |
| Next General Membership Meeting |
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Don't forget! The next DPBA General Membership Meeting is coming up in just a few weeks! Please mark your calendars: Thursday, January 22nd, 7:00 to 9:00PM at St. Edwards Church, Dana Point, Ca.
We're planning to provide an update on recent events, take suggestions and answer questions. We'll also discuss the challenges all Dana Point Boaters will face in 2009. We'll like to see every one of our almost 500 DPBA members show up so we can talk directly and gain your input face-to-face. |
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Thank you for your continued interest and support,
Your Fellow Boaters, the Officers and Directors of the Dana Point Boaters Association
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DPBA ACTING WITH INTEGRITY AND ETHICS ALWAYS |
About Dana Point Boaters Association
The DPBA is an advocacy group for Dana Point recreational boaters. The organization is open to all families interested in the many different kinds of recreational boating in the harbor from kayaks to large motor cruisers. The organization's goals are to meet or exceed recreational boaters' needs through constructively working with merchants, officials in Dana Pont City Government, various departments within Orange County Government, the ship yard, Yacht Clubs, other associations, California Coastal Commission, California Coastal Coalition, South Coast Water Distinct, California State Legislature, RBOC, SCMA, local clubs and selected experts.
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