Bainbridge Island parks is hoping to take over the management of the city dock at Waterfront Park.
The Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District approached the city earlier this year with the suggestion that the park district manage operations at the city dock as well as the small boat concessionaire stand that sits just north of the dock.
The Bainbridge city council will get a briefing on the proposal at its study session Tuesday night.
According to a memo to the city, park district officials detailed the possible benefits: “Visiting boaters will be welcomed by trained staff with a friendly smile, a helping hand on the lines, answers to guests’ questions, offered in-person fee collection, an explanation of dock amenities, and receive a courtesy cloth bag containing relevant brochures, maps, coupons, area attractions, upcoming events, and pertinent contact information.”
Park officials said their management proposal for the dock would:
• Establish high-quality year-round customer service that surpasses industry standards for guests;
• Increase and manage the types of quality dock amenities available;
• Increase timeliness of quickly addressing light maintenance concerns;
• Significantly increase the daily staff presence and hours of operation at Waterfront Park Dock;
• Elevate guests’ first experience; and
• Expand marketing to highlight Bainbridge Island, partnering with local businesses and associations.
Included in the guest amenities are plans to have free WiFi at the host station, dog treats, courtesy coffee, a selection of lawn/board games, and bicycles for visitors to use to explore Winslow and the rest of Bainbridge. Young guests would be provided with free life jackets to use while at the dock.
The city dock was rebuilt in 2017, and part of the dock is used by a privately-owned concessionaire for short-term rental of small boats like kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.
Exotic Aquatics currently provides boat rentals at the dock during the boating season (mid-April through early November) and pays the city $2,500 in annual fees.
The city’s current contract with Exotic Aquatics expires Dec. 31.
Bainbridge receives roughly $35,000 to $40,000 annually from fees coming from transient moorage, trailer parking, launch ramp use, and annual trailer passes.
The park district proposal assumes that the park district would retain dock moorage fees as revenue if the city agrees to a management contract, and the park district would continue to pay the annual concessionaire fee of $2,500 to the city.
Park officials estimate that moorage and rental fees will increase to nearly $112,000 by 2020 under their new management plan.
The district’s proposal has been reviewed by the city’s police, finance and public works departments, which have concluded the proposal “would be of benefit and would increase the level and scope of services offered at the
city dock.”
City officials said the park proposal would increase staffing at the dock, and free up the city’s part-time harbormaster for other duties, which include the derelict vessel program, safety and navigation issues, water quality calls, and oversight of the Dave Ullin Open Water Marina. Officials also note the park proposal would eliminate the city’s need to recruit, train, and schedule volunteer dock hosts.
If the city council agrees to a management change, officials will work on an interlocal agreement with the park district and bring the contract back to the council for approval at a later date.
Another option is to renew the agreement with Exotic Aquatics for another year, then issue a “Request for Proposals” to select a concessionaire for the next three-year term that starts in 2021.
The Bainbridge council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1. The briefing on the dock proposal is tentatively scheduled for 8:35 p.m.
