Intergovernmental Relations: Hueneme
Hueneme: City and Harbor District Resolve Legal Issues
The City of Port Hueneme and the Oxnard Harbor District/Port of Hueneme last week made a formal commitment to work collaboratively and settle areas of dispute. Specifically, they have settled all of the outstanding legal disputes between them.
The city and the harbor district have been in ongoing litigation, both in superior court and arbitration, for more than two years. The litigation involved questions specific to existing contracts that provide for revenue sharing between the district and city. These agreements are more than 20 years old, and became subject to interpretation, causing the two parties to turn to the courts for answers.
The agreement terminates the litigation, and clarifies and updates the existing revenue sharing contracts to set forth a mutual understanding of how the contracts work and will be interpreted. Other positive outcomes include a property leasehold exchange to the district for income needed by the city and the creation of a community development fund whereby the city and district will together implement projects of mutual benefit.
The settlement agreement has been approved by the Harbor District Board of Commissioners and the Port Hueneme City Council, and the lawsuits and arbitration will all be dismissed.
Said Harbor District President Jess Herrera: "The prosperity of the Port and the City of Port Hueneme has been tied together for years. It is fitting that we once again memorialize our common goals and priorities for a beneficial future. The Board of Harbor Commissioners believes this new agreement will successfully address all issues of mutual interest and concern to the satisfaction of both parties. We hope this critical initiative will mark a new era of cooperation and understanding and unite us in meeting the challenges of the future in such a way as to achieve our greatest goal which is for the benefit of the citizens we represent."
Mayor Munoz Schnopp responded by saying: "This agreement moves us forward, establishes benefits for both organizations, and provides opportunities to develop collaborative initiatives for Port Hueneme. We're grateful to have this chapter come to an end."
Mayor Sylvia Munoz Schnopp and Port Commission President Jess Herrera celebrate the agreement between the city of Hueneme and the Oxnard Harbor District.
Photo/Port of Hueneme