(a) Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, if the legislative body of a city, county, or district has acquired, constructed or improved small craft harbor facilities pursuant to an agreement or contract for a transfer pursuant to Section 70 or a loan pursuant to Section 71.4 under circumstances in which the proposed lease area is land or water area and the terms of the proposed lease call for the lessee to install or construct all improvements, the land or water area may be leased by the legislative body without public bidding, but only after a public hearing, public notice of which shall be given by publication for not less than once a week for two weeks in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the land lies.

(b) Prior to publication of the public notice the legislative body shall obtain the written approval of the department to the proposed leasing of the harbor facility and the provisions of the proposed public notice. The public notice shall describe the land or water area that is to be leased, describe in general terms the nature of the development desired by the legislative body, and set forth the period of time for which the land or water area is to be leased, and the minimum rental to be paid under the lease. The public notice shall recite that the lease will reserve to the legislative body the power to fix and determine the rates to be charged by the lessee for the use by the public of facilities developed by the lessee. The public notice also shall contain a prominent statement that award of the lease by the legislative body is subject to final approval by the department, and fix a time and place for the public hearing by the legislative body. The public notice shall invite proposals for leasing from any and all interested parties.

(c) At the time and place fixed in the public notice of hearing, the legislative body shall meet and consider the lease proposal submitted. The award of the lease shall become final only after the award by the legislative body has been approved by the department.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 610, Sec. 9. (SB 717) Effective January 1, 2010.)