Washington’s City Council, during its Oct. 7 meeting, approved a change in how the city’s waterfront docks are managed.

The council also adopted resolution authorizing the creation of a Waterfront Advisory Committee. The panel would have five voting members, three at-large members and two from the Washington Harbor District Alliance’s maritime committee. The members will serve three-year terms. Ex-officio member also may be appointed to the committee. Members would be appointed by the City Council.

The city’s Department of Community and Cultural Services would supply staff assistance to the advisory committee.

Previously, the council endorsed the waterfront docks business plan. In August, the council decided to proceed with a “trail period” when it comes to changing how it manages the waterfront docks.

In August, City Manager Brian Alligood told the council that staff recommends not implementing the recommended changes until the new dockmaster’s station (which includes pubic restrooms and bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities for boaters) is built at the west end of the Stewart Parkway promenade.

Establishing a separate budget for the city-owned docks is one recommendation developed by a panel composed of city officials and the chairman of the Washington Harbor District Alliance.

That recommendation — and the others — came after the City Council directed Alligood to review the previously adopted waterfront docks business plan with city staff and provide a recommendation to the council concerning a management plan. Alligood discussed the matter with John Rodman, city planner; Kristi Roberson, the city’s parks and recreation manager; Joe Taylor, chairman of the city’s Recreation Advisory Committee; and Chris Furlough, chairman of the Washington Harbor District Alliance.

In addition to recommendation of setting up a separate budget for the waterfront docks, the panel made these recommendations:

• Creation of a part-time dockmaster position to manage staff; market the docks and oversee facility maintenance. The dockmaster would report directly to Rodman.

• Reduction of part-time dock attendants to three positions with one working year-round, one

working seasonalIy and one working peak months.

• Creation of a five-member Waterfront Advisory Committee to advise and make recommendations to the dockmaster and Rodman. Committee members would include three at-large members selected by the council based on their boating experience and two members of the Washington Harbor District Alliance’s maritime committee.

• Delineation of areas of responsibility for the dockmaster to include the docks and waterfront area, with the Festival Park area remaining under the supervision of the parks and recreation manager.