The FHA’s Legislative Action Committee has issued an update regarding a possible agreement with the four harbor owners on how to amend the Floating Homes Residency Law which could affect your future berth rents and fees.
- Current Status
The LAC has held productive meetings with all four Marin marinas (Waldo Point Harbor, Kappas, Yellow Ferry and Commodore). Some fees recently imposed by some of the marinas have been rescinded: climate change assessment (Yellow Ferry Harbor), contractor parking (Waldo Point) and a fee for rental homes (Waldo Point). We have also made progress toward an agreement on how to amend the Floating Homes Residency Law. The proposed amendment would:
- Permit marinas to increase berth fees upon sale of a floating home within reasonable limits.
- Provide homeowners reasonable predictability through incentivizing ten-year leases.
- Secure more favorable rent terms as compared to AB252.
- Ensure that fees and utility costs are limited to charges for services actually rendered.
- Next steps
If by the end of 2024 all four marinas and the LAC are aligned on the proposal, we plan to reach out to all floating home residents and owners early January 2025 to explain exactly what the legislative amendment would entail and answer your questions. It is important that you take the time to understand the issues.
In mid-January, we will seek to have as many members of the community as possible vote on the proposed amendment. We will not support and we are informed that Assemblymember Damon Connolly will not introduce any changes to the law without a strong showing of support from our community.
If you have any questions or concerns about this process, contact any of the members of the committee: Sasha Cole (Commodore); Hanna Bui, Larry Clinton and Lewis Shireman (Gate 1/2); Joe Novitski, Jenny Silva and Wilford Welch (East Pier); Liz Brott (West Pier): Pat Lawrence ( A Dock); Candice Gold, Denise Kendall and Jordan McCollum (Issaquah); Stan Barbarich and Melanie Hamburger (Liberty); Anna Shimko and Pete Hudson (Main Dock); Michael van Walt (South 40); Kimberly Wright and Lois Salisbury (Yellow Ferry Harbor).