Harbor Commission to Evaluate Collections Procedures

San Mateo County Harbor District's Harbor Commissioners met Wednesday night to renew harbor insurance contracts, discuss bad debt write-offs and update the development of Pillar Point Perched Beach.

The commissioners, Pietro Parravano, James Tucker, Leo Padreddii and Robert Bernardo, voted unanimously to for each item set before their vote.

A representative from MacCorkle Insurance Service, Zack Goldenberg, was present for the renewal of the Harbor District’s insurance contract to address any concerns.

“It is our goal to go out in the marketplace every year and make sure the insurance companies work to bid for your business,” Goldenberg said.

The contract renewal is valid for three years.

Goldenberg reported that in the last year there has been building value increases of approximately $400,000 and MacCorkle expects further increases sometime within the next six months.

The commission approved the authorization of 19 requests for bad debt write-offs totaling $52, 424.84.

“We are in the process of reviewing our collections procedures,” said general manager of the San Mateo County Harbor District, Peter Grenell. “We will be able to zero in and become much more precise on our collections procedures.”

Grenell said the collections procedures can often become complex due to various factors, but the district is seeking to streamline collections procedures to become more cost effective and quicker.

“If there is a situation where an individual is continuously becoming a serious delinquent you get into situations where depending on where the boat is registered with state or whether it’s federally documented,” Grenell said. “Usually in the latter, there is a very complex and lengthy process of dealing with the motor and the vessel.”

Grenell said that by reevaluating the collections procedures, the Harbor District is likely to see less uncollectible debt in the coming years.

The commission will be discussing the possible augmentation of recreational beach access for the public at Pillar Point Perched Beach.

“It came to our attention their was a possible loss of access to the water,” Grenell said of a meeting with the Ad Hoc committee. “We think the commission will look more favorably on more beach access.”

The memorandum from Grenell also suggested a discussion on the incorporation of a coastal trail, the prospect of a Fish and Game’s Oil Spill Prevention and Response Office, and a Harbor Patrol Training Center. The memorandum presented consideration for the installation of portable floating pens to provide temporary rehabilitation for sea otters affected by oil spills and possibly implementing paid parking at Pillar Point.

The memorandum also said the Harbor District staff is evaluating the possibility of dining cruises and other charter cruise vessel activities at Oyster Point.

Numerous interpretive panels are set to be unveiled along the promenade of Pillar Point to provide information for visitors and passersby.

“We anticipate them becoming a very attractive asset to the harbor,” Grenell said.

The panels, which are expected to last 10-15 years, will be unveiled anywhere from July to early August.

The next meeting of the Board of Harbor Commissioners is scheduled for July 6 at the Comfort Inn located on 2930 Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay at 7:00 p.m.