Fiscal Responsibily

By Nancy A. Barlow

Stop acquisition of unsound assets, Stop giving away revenue-producing property; Expeditiously proceed with the transfer of 71 berths from Oyster Point Marina/Park to Pillar Point Harbor, Proceed with the development of hotels at Oyster Point Marina/Park; Eliminate Harbor Commissioner's salary and benefits. Contract with an independent auditing firm.

1) STOP ACQUISITION OF UNSOUND ASSESTS. The District purchased Romeo Pier in extremely bad repair, without a complete underwater structural analysis of the pilings. This purchase is a financial burden to the District and will be for several years. The only business on the pier is one fish buyer, whose rent is not enough to cover the monthly cost of the pier. To complicate matters, the District is proposing to expend an addition 2 million dollars in repair of the pier.

A second example is when the District acquired a boatyard from a private owner, after the boat yard operator accrued debt to the District so that he could no longer operate the yard. Upon acquiring the boatyard, the District leased it back to the prior operator. After several months of poorly run operations, the District sought another operator.

This District MUST STOP PURCHASING RUN-DOWN PROPERTY AND BUSINESSES. The District should not be operating private business.

2) STOP GIVING AWAY REVENUE-PRODUCING PROPERTY FOR DEVELOPMENT.

• RV Lot: The District just recently entered into a long-term lease with a private developer/businessman to develop and manage the RV lot. This RV Lot was a net revenue producer for the District and could have been developed with grant monies to provide increased revenue flow to the District.

Public access may be denied due to the property being privately-developed. Instead of a low fee to use this shoreline property, the public will now have to pay higher fees. What about the low income wage earner or unemployed individual? What about students? The RV lot may eliminate Day Use parking, which is a major attraction for students due to its close proximity with a popular surfing area.

• Lot adjacent to El Granada Post Office and Median Strip:

The District recently published a Request for Proposals for the development of these two open space parcels. Four development firms responded with lease term approximately 50 years. Is seems the District's management is turning Pillar Point Harbor into the next Sausalito. There is TOO MUCH DEVELOPMENT AT PILLAR POINT HARBOR.

3) PROCEED WITH THE 71 BERTH PROJECT. The delay in transferring 71 berths from Oyster Point Marina/Park in South San Francisco to Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay is negatively affecting the District. The District has obtained several million dollars in loans from the Department of Boating and Waterways, but has yet to proceed in this project. There is a constant need for berthing at Pillar Point Harbor, especially during salmon season. Oyster Point Marina/Park, historically, continually has low occupancy. Delaying this project reduces revenue to the District and only increases the financial burden of carrying the several million dollar loan without any offset.

4) ALLOW ABALONE FARMING IN PILLAR POINT HARBOR. Five abalone growers have patiently waited several years to begin operations, only to be delayed by the District. Leases were executed in 1997; however, the District is still dragging its feet in allowing abalone farming to occur. With the elimination of the commercial abalone harvest and the severe restriction in the recreational abalone season, the wave of the future is abalone farming. Pillar Point Harbor can be the leader in this new farming growth; however, the Harbor is currently being managed and directed by leaders with poor vision and fear of the unknown. U.S. Abalone pulled out of Pillar Point Harbor this year (1998) due to the negative influence of the District. This industry is a cash cow and should provide substantial revenue to the District in future years.

5) PROCEED WITH HOTEL DEVELOPMENT AT OYSTER POINT MARINA/PARK. Currently, two developers have negotiated with the District to build hotel units at Oyster Point Marina/Park. The District needs to work closely with the City of South San Francisco and the developers to begin construction of these units.

6) ABOLISH COMMISSIONER'S SALARY AND BENEFITS. Currently, San Mateo County Harbor Commissioners receive $600 per month, plus health coverage at the single or family rate (averaging $350 - $550 per month), plus life insurance in the amount of $14,400, plus membership in the local health club, plus long term disability. This is the most expensive of all Harbor Districts throughout the entire State of California. This is outrageous! I will vote to abolish all salary and benefits to Harbor Commissioners, thus saving over $15,000 per year per Commissioner. Savings for all five Commissioners would approximate $89,000 per year.

7) ELIMINATE GENERAL MANAGER'S MISUSE OF DISTRICT'S POLICIES. I have requested the Grand Jury of San Mateo County to investigate the current practices of the General Manager allowed by the current Board of Harbor Commissioners.

8) REDUCE USE OF CONSULTANTS. Use of Consultants has doubled since May 1998. Why can't the District use it's own expertise? One employee, injured on the job, wanted to return to work on light duty status, but was denied because the General Manager wanted to hire a consultant. The result, two consultants were hired at a cost of approximately $25,000 and the employee is still off-work. This is outrageous!

Prior to being hired as General Manager, Peter Grenell, was employed as a consultant and has extensive relationships with other consultants. Is this just a coincidence or what?

9) HIRE AN INDEPENDENT AUDITING FIRM. The current Director of Finance approved the continuing contractual agreement for auditing services from her previous employer to audit the Harbor District's books. When questioned about finances by the auditor last year, she immediately contacted her previous supervisor, a partner in the auditing firm, to discuss his employee and the District's audit. This is not an independent audit!

As a Harbor District employee for several years, I have intimate knowledge of the issues, concerns and opportunities affecting the District. My experience with the District lessees has given me ultimate respect for the small business owner in their daily struggle with operating a business at Pillar Point Harbor and its parking issues.

I ask your vote and confidence in electing me Harbor Commissioner. My years of employment with the District has given me inside knowledge and appreciation about the issues affecting the District, which I would not have acquired, without being a "worker" at a Harbor District.