OAK HARBOR: Dec. 8, 2025 Marina Advisory Commission [VIDEO]

Summary by Perplexity AI

This meeting of the Oak Harbor Marina Advisory Commission focused on bylaw authority, marina policy documents, pumpout service, moorage rules, and planning for a tenant meeting.​

Bylaws, student rep, and board makeup

Commissioners were informed that the student representative position and commission composition are set by city ordinance and uniform advisory board rules, so the commission cannot change them via bylaws. Instead of withdrawing their prior motion, commissioners agreed to leave it in place as a recommendation to staff and City Council to allow exceptions like the current student member who lives in Coupeville but attends Oak Harbor High School, and to reconsider the requirement for two non‑tenant, non‑resident seats that have been hard to fill.​

Vision/mission and role of recommendations

Commissioners reviewed a draft vision and mission/goal document for the Marina Advisory Commission. They proposed revising the vision to say the commission “assists the mayor and city council” rather than “ensures” outcomes, and adding explicit language that one of the commission’s goals is to make recommendations to City Council on marina matters.​

Best practices, pumpout service, and electrical rules

The commission spent significant time on the Best Management Practices (BMPs), especially sewage and electrical sections. Members objected to striking language that the marina provides slip‑side pumpout service at no cost, arguing it is an important environmental service; staff explained it had been discontinued due to labor demands, liability, and tenant equipment issues, though commissioners want to restore or re‑word the commitment and resolve conflicts between BMPs and the policies document that still references weekly dockside pumpouts. Commissioners strongly supported the new shore‑power electrical responsibility code, praised its emphasis on safe cords and practices, and urged that it be publicized more widely (e.g., signage, newsletter, tags on non‑compliant cords) rather than buried in a long policy document.​

Policies/procedures: launch ramp and moorage rules

During review of the Policies, Procedures, and General Operations draft, several specific issues were flagged. On the launch ramp, a line about commercial users paying for damage had been struck; staff noted the ramp is funded and designed for recreational use, and that commercial unloading is not allowed, while the commission suggested un‑striking language that clarifies limits on commercial use and responsibility for damage. For moorage and “liveaboard” control, commissioners noted inequities between how long tenants, tenant guests, and transient guests may stay aboard (e.g., 2–3 days vs. 7 days), an arguably excessive definition of “staying aboard” (more than 6 hours), and confusing vessel‑maintenance limits and redundant vessel‑identification clauses; they agreed a commissioner would draft clearer, more equitable language that still prevents uncontrolled liveaboards and nuisance situations.​

Tenant outreach, Island Transit, and other updates

The tenant relations subcommittee reported on plans for a marina tenant meeting targeted for January 16, ideally at City Hall so it can be recorded or streamed, with a Q&A‑heavy format, light refreshments, and updates on dredging, funding, and operations. They discussed using banners on docks, repeated newsletter mentions, and better use of Wagner’s guides and Dockwa listings to advertise both the marina and Island Transit’s on‑call service to visiting boaters; there was debate over who should conduct any survey of transit usage, with the sense that Island Transit should lead if survey data are needed to justify expanded service. Near the end, members briefly reviewed a moorage termination survey (noting surprise that draft issues like shallow water were not prominent reasons for departures) and acknowledged this was Commissioner Gabe Hill’s last meeting, thanking him for his service before adjourning and confirming the next MAC meeting on January 12, just before the tenant session.​