ADVOCACY
The Marina del Rey Lessees Association serves as a voice for its members on issues and public policy matters that impact the residential, business, hospitality, and marina sectors. Below are some of the key issues that the Association has taken a position on and a description of the response or outcome received. Our goal is to have an ongoing and meaningful dialogue with policy makers to ensure they understand how policies impact the local business and residential community in both the short-term and long-term.
May 2022
Funding for marina del rey sheriff deputies
Position/Description
The Association submitted a letter to Supervisor Mitchell requesting the continued funding of two Sheriff's deputies to patrol Marina del Rey consistent with the actions of Supervisor Hahn and Supervisor Knabe. This funding provides for patrol to address "quality of life" issues and provide "Care First" intervention.
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Response/Outcome
Supervisor Mitchell responded to our letter stating that the Sheriff's Department has adequate funds to assign deputies to the Marina and her discretionary funds will go to intervention and prevention strategies.
September 2021
Labor Peace Agreement
Position/Description
The County of Los Angeles acted to adopt a Labor Peace Agreement for hotels and restaurants, which is an agreement between employers and unions. The County did not engage with the industry that would be impacted in Marina del Rey and labor conflicts have been nonexistent in Marina del Rey. The County Board of Supervisors did not honor a request to postpone action on the vote to allow for stakeholder meetings before proceeding. Marina del Rey businesses are at a disadvantage when neighboring jurisdictions do not have Labor Peace Agreements.
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Response/Outcome
A request for a continuance of the Labor Peace Agreement to allow for stakeholder meetings was not honored and no formal response from the County was received.
April 2021 - november 2021
Homeless Housing in marina del rey
Position/Description
Association advocates for reasonable and practical solutions to locate homeless housing where access to services and transportation is readily available. Locating housing on parking lots and the public boat launch ramp is contrary to the regulations of the Marina del Rey Land Use Plan and Specific Plan that would not permit residential housing. The launch ramp is a major evacuation site in LAX’s Air/Sea Disaster Plan. Public safety issues make the launch ramp unsuitable for housing of any type.
The Association’s legal counsel submitted a letter to the Board of Supervisors citing the provisions of the California Coastal Act and the Land Use Plan that make the launch ramp incompatible for housing.
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Response/Outcome
Supervisor Hahn responded that she would not support any project that would impede public access to the launch ramp.
The County has not formally responded to the letter from the Association’s legal counsel.
November 2021
California Air resources board (carb) Sportfishing boat regulations
Position/Description
The Association took the position that visitor-serving sportfishing, whale watching tours, dinner cruises and excursion boat charters should not be burdened with onerous limits by the CARB on diesel engines that would put small boating operations out of business.
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Response/Outcome
Concerted lobbying efforts of the industry resulted in CARB recognizing that requiring smaller vessels to comply with lower emission engines should occur when technology becomes available and it is economically feasible
December 2020-June 2021
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) reduction of copper in the water mandate
Position/Description
The Association has undertaken practical steps within our control to achieve compliance with the mandated reduction of copper in the water column of the Marina del Rey Harbor. These efforts include promoting diver training, certified hull cleaning, boater education on the use of alternative antifouling paints, workshops for marina managers, and support for the Clean Marine Program.
We have also asked for an extension to achieve the TMDL mandate consistent with extensions that have been granted by the Regional Water Quality Control Board for MS-4 permittees and in recognition of the fact that Marina del Rey is mandated to reduce copper by 85% in 10 years when San Diego’s Shelter Island was given 17 years for a 76% reduction.
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Response/Outcome
Communications with the Regional Water Quality Control Board have not been formally answered. The LA County Department of Beaches and Harbors has responded to note that it is expected the Water Board will reopen the TMDL as the result of the Site Specific Objective (that was supported by the Association) before any enforcement mechanisms are enacted.
March 2020-September 2021
Eviction Moratorium
Position/Description
The Association advocated for a distinction of protection offered to defer payment of rent, noting that high-income tenants that are not rent-burdened should not be allowed to defer rent payments as they are not eligible for rental assistance programs.
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Response/Outcome
The office of the County Executive Officer responded that the eviction moratorium does not waive rent and that high-income tenants could be financially impacted by COVID-19 and allowed to defer rent payments.
2019-2021
Rent Stabilization Ordinance
Position/Description
The Association has proposed that friendly amendments to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance would make sense for residents of luxury apartments in Marina del Rey. These amendments are:Permitting a 2% bump above CPI in annual rent increases for large apartment complexes that provide a wide variety of amenities and services not normally included in apartment complexes.Permitting an increase in rent, not tied to a specific formula or the CPI, in the special circumstances of a voluntary agreement between the Landlord and the Tenant for specific improvements and upgrades in a unit that are requested by the Tenant. Clarifying that Landlords and Tenants can agree on mutually-acceptable terms for a month-to-month lease.
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Response/Outcome
No formal response from the County has been received in writing.