Council Reviews Payment Plan for Keys Dredging

The dredging of the Ventura Keys, historically one of the city’s most contentious issues, was back before the City Council on Monday night as officials kicked off a two-month review of its much-debated payment plan.

For years, Keys residents have fought the city over who should pay the cost of removing silt from the waterways near Ventura Harbor. The city adjusts the amount residents must pay annually.

This year, city officials have recommended a 2.2% increase, which would increase homeowners’ annual payments to $1,047, roughly $23 more than last year.

Although the fee increase was on the agenda for discussion Monday night, it still must be reviewed at two public hearings scheduled for May 20 and June 10.

Some council members were quick to jump on the issue Monday, suggesting that the entire assessment plan be overhauled to ease the burden on Keys residents.

“I definitely feel we need to be looking at a reevaluation,” Councilman Jim Friedman said before the meeting. “I don’t understand the thought process behind the current allocation.”

Right now, residents pay 75% of the dredging costs and the city pays 25%. Residents say the distribution is unfair, and they filed a lawsuit against the city saying so four years ago. The case is still unresolved.

“They are continually leaning on us,” said resident Paul Masi, who wants the city and other agencies to pick up all the dredging costs.

“These are dedicated streets,” Masi said before the meeting. “And there is nothing in my deed that says I am financially responsible for the dredging.”

City officials agree that the channels located behind the residents’ homes are comparable to city streets--but they are used almost exclusively by the residents who dock their private boats there, not by average motorists.

“Who is getting the benefit of the Keys waterways?” City Engineer Rick Raives asked before the meeting. “That seems to be the biggest issue. It gets more contentious as the process goes along.”

Keys residents pay the dredging assessment annually as part of their property tax payments.

Every seven years, the waterways must be dredged to remove silt from the Arundell Barranca that has settled behind nearly 300 waterfront homes. The next dredging, set for 1999, is expected to cost $3 million.

Masi says that the bulk of the debris is generated by properties upstream of the Ventura Keys that are owned by the city, the county and several local agencies, including the port district and the county flood control agency. Those agencies, he argues, should pay more.

Some council members agree and are pushing for a review of the 5-year-old assessment plan.

“I would like to see us give it legitimate review,” Councilman Jim Monahan said before Monday’s meeting.

“We need to do what we can to get this whole chapter of history behind us,” Friedman said. “It is a thorn in the side of the city and a thorn in the side of the Keys residents.”

The debate over who should foot the dredging bill is not new. Typically, every time the fees are adjusted, a fight over the assessment plan ensues, city officials said.

“We go through this hearing process annually,” said Community Services Director Everett Millais. “It has been very confrontational.”