The Culver Town Council members held a public hearing Tuesday night to take comments on the proposed increase in pier slip fees.
Pier slip fees cover costs of the installation and removal of piers during the peak season, maintenance of the piers, and support projects at the Culver Town Park.
It was announced during an earlier Town Council meeting that a 20 percent increase in pier slip fees is being proposed for 2024. A five percent discount would be applied if paid by January 15, 2024.
An interior slip for boats for Culver and Union Township residents would be $1,440 in 2024 while the non-resident fee would be $1,740. An exterior slip for Culver and Union Township residents would be $1,740 in 2024 while the non-resident fee would be $2,040.
Fees for personal water craft for Culver and Union Township residents would be $600 in 2024 while the non-resident fee would be $720. Fees for water craft that fit on smaller water craft racks for Culver and Union Township residents would be $270 in 2024 while the non-resident fee would be $390.
Individuals renting pier slips from the Culver Parks and Recreation Department must sign a pier slip agreement annually, provide required documentation, and meet required payment deadlines.
During Tuesday night’s public hearing, Park Superintendent Amber Cowell explained that the increase in fees is to address the wobbliness in the piers.
“The intent is to use that money to repair all of the pier sockets starting with C pier which is the worst, and then phasing it out, to B pier and A pier just based on need,” commented Cowell. “The pier socket replacement in total is going to cost between $210,000 to $230,000.”
She stated that C pier sockets will be addressed this fall into the spring of 2024, B pier will be completed in the fall of 2024, and A pier will be addressed after that.
She noted funding has been collected over the last few years to pay for this project. Future funding will address pier panels and other needs as deemed necessary.
Residents had specific questions about the future maintenance of the piers, and suggestions on how to address pier maintenance and replacement.
Following the public hearing, the council approved the first reading of the ordinance amendment that establishes fees or costs for Culver Park and Recreation Department.
Later in the meeting, the council members approved the cost of the pier socket work at an estimated cost of $106,982.26 from North Shore Fabrication which will address C pier and half of B pier in the estimated timeline previously mentioned.
