City Staff to Study Purchase of Beach

Hoping to buy a three-quarter-mile stretch of San Buenaventura State Beach, the City Council has decided to begin studying the long-term costs of operating, maintaining and enhancing the property.

“What this does is set the stage for us to begin negotiations with the state,” Ronald Calkins, director of the city’s Public Works Department, said Tuesday. “I’m sure they will be willing to talk to us about what’s next. If they don’t, then it will be a short negotiating session.”

The council also decided Monday night that it wants to enter into a partnership with the state Department of Parks and Recreation to operate the main beach area and the adjacent parking lot.

In part, city officials believe the state does not move fast enough to clean the beaches after storms. Under city ownership, the beach would be cleaner, Ventura officials say.

The yearly cost to operate and maintain the state beach park, which runs south of the pier to the San Jon Slough, is $658,100, according to a consultant’s report in December 1996.

Annual revenue from parking fees is $175,000, which leaves a $483,100 deficit. City officials believe they can find a better way to run the beach.

State officials dispute these figures and say the beach is not for sale. But Rich Rojas, chief ranger for the state department, said California officials may discuss a partnership agreement with the city.

It will cost from $15,000 to $20,000 to study the long-term costs to the city, Calkins said. A consultant would not be hired, however, until state officials agreed to discuss the possibility of a sale or operating partnership.

Rojas on Tuesday said that meeting could be forthcoming, but added, “They haven’t yet invited us.”