Pont Dume, Malibu Parking Issue

[pasley]

Join me in writing to the operators of the parking lot at Point Dume requesting we again be permitted to obtain a refund when we stay only 15 minutes or less if the diving conditions are not suitable for our use.

Currently the cost of parking is $7.00 and no refunds are issued as they once were. We should not have to pay for parking when you only drive down to the far end of the beach and back out because the surf or current is too strong and the life guard advises against diving, or the far end of the beach is closed to the public because a movie shoot is going on or an event is occurring at that end that charges admission and they did not tell you before you paid.

Sample letter attached along with address on page two of other interested parties such as the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Zev Yaroslosky County Supervisor to the area where Pont Dume is.

 

[wrinkles]

Can we do a petition....So that way we dont have to write the letter but just add our names to yours....maybe bring it with you when we dive together so we can sign it...

Ana

 

[pasley]

Can we do a petition....So that way we dont have to write the letter but just add our names to yours....maybe bring it with you when we dive together so we can sign it...

Ana

A petition is a good idea, but since we are so scattered would be hard to do. We are also small in number and when you get a few singatures on one piece of paper, it shows. But when you get 10 or 15 letters, I don't know, it just seems like more impact. Most politicians recognize that for every letter there are 10 or 15 others out there who agree, but did not write.

 

[TheNitroxinator]

With all of the state agencies in a budget crisis, why do I get the feeling that they aren't going to be sympathetic?

Have they changed the pricing to $7 no matter when you arrive? I've always gotten down to Westward beach before 8 AM, and you were able to pay the early morning price ($2) and have it valid for the whole day. I haven't been to the Westward beach lot since the end of March, so that may have changed.

If your letter doesn't work, you just need to have an insider get there early, buy the parking permits, then leave and come back when you're ready to dive. Or dive real early so the fee is reduced.

 

[pasley]

We have been there at 7:00 AM (July 3) and the price was still $7.00 an no refund when the part of the beach we normally use was occupied with a special event with a $15.00 cover charge and the parking lot was full to the first restroom you come to (at 7:00 AM). That makes it one long walk to the dive site and then we would have to walk a good ways in the surf zone to get around the barriers that went down to the waters edge.

It appears that the PCI company has leased the parking lot for the summer and their fee is $7.00 flat fee regardless of arrival time. I guess that if you could get there before the attendant arrives, and if the gate was open you could get away with paying the parking machine. But I think the parking attendant is there now from gate open to close.

There is also no in and out on the parking. So even if you bought a parking ticket early and left, when you came back you would have to pay again to get in if the attendant was there. We normally do dive early and arrive between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. but the gate attendant was still there.

 

[headhunter]

Melvin,

The letter you have written is reasonable and respectful in its tone.

I just printed and mailed the four letters, plus sent a copy to the LA Times via email with a short intro.

It only took a couple of minutes to personalize the letter to me and I urge others to do the same.

Unless we make an attempt to change something, I believe we have not earned the right to complain about it.

Thanks for getting the ball rolling.

Christian

 

[pasley]

...Unless we make an attempt to change something, I believe we have not earned the right to complain about it....

My sentiments exactly. If you don't try you don't get.

If you don't vote, then don't complain about the government

 

[fishfood]

pfft...

i was diving doom every week almost.... once it went up to $7 i say let the county have it...

there is plenty of other spots around for free or $2 still... ohh i did not want to even bother to wonder how much leo price hike went up too...
besides i kind of like the price incress.. me and my friend being poor kids we are... were forced to look for new spots witch is a good thing right?

 

[pasley]

Leo Carrillo as of 01 July 2004 is $10.00 parking. Ouch! But at least there I can park for free on PCH and just make the short hike in.

 

[headhunter]

Well, I got a reply letter from the VP of PCI. I didn't understand if he was sending a single letter to me in response to both Melvin's letter and mine or the same letter to each of us. I think it was considerate of him to respond at length and believe he does a good job of explaining some practical points as well.

Here is what he said in his letter to us:

First, thank you for your July 20, 2004 letter to Mr. Barnett regarding parking at our point Dume State Beach parking lot. We also received a letter from one other gentleman that was practically identical to yours, so I will respond to both of you.

For background purposes, you should know that Parking Concepts, Inc. (PCI) has operated the 33-location, 10,800-stall beach and Marina del Rey parking lot contract, under a services agreement with the County of Los Angeles Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH), since October, 2000.

Our contract is quite specific and very narrowly defined in that the DBH has complete control over parking rates, staffing, operating hours, the authorization of film permits and the issuance of special permits for parties and events on the beach. PCI has no authority or descretion in these matters.

In regards to film crew parking and/or filming on the beach and/or occasionally the parking lot, the public's ability to access the parking lot and/or the beach is always the controlling issue. Never is an entire lot allocated to a film crew or event. Public access and reasonable accommodation is always considered. It is true that on occasion , a specified area may be restricted for brief periods of time, but the entire parking lot or beach is never closed to the public.

In regards to the parking rates our attendants charge, these rates are mandated in our contract. All rates are set by the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors and approved by the California Coastal Commission.

You should be aware that parking revenue is one of the major sources of income dedicated to beach maintenance and lifeguard services. Los Angeles County beaches are among the cleanest and safest beaches in the country. I am sure you can appreciete that maintaining these facilities is extremely expensive and all sources of revenue must be pursued. I would also like to mention that PCI's revenue "share" is less than two percent (2%) of gross receipts collected.

In regards to your suggestion that the public should be informed if "a portion of the beach is closed", this is not practical, nor is it something a parking attendant should be responsible for.

At any given time, on any given day, various portions of any beach may be closed or restricted due to maintenance issues, unsafe surf conditions, pollution matters and yes, filming or special events. These restrictions may be in place for a few minutes, hours or possibly one day. Rarely more than that.

We cannot be in a position where our attendants [are] holding individual's personal identification in the hopes that they will come back and pay for their parking. That is not a practical solution.

Making refunds is not something that we are allowed to do. We cannot "re-issue" a time and date stamped ticket and any refund program would totally compromise our revenue control program. We must maintain strict and rigid operating procedures to insure the integrity of cash receipts.

I am sorry that we cannot, under the current circumstances, accommoate your needs. I hope you understand that the procedures in place have evolved over a period of time with the goal being to operate and maintain our (your) valuable coastal recreational areas in a safe and pristine condition.

Also, you should know that commencing early September, staffing at the Point Dume State Beach parking lot will be scaled back substantially which should provide some relief to your situation.

Once again, thank you for your letter. If you would like to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact me directly at [number supressed to keep him from getting spammed with phone calls]. I would be happy to discuss this with you in more detail should you care to do so.

Sincerely,

Robert Hindle
Vice President