HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-07-18_BVAC_Minutes_ApprovedCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Marina Park, Bay Island Room (2nd Floor)
1600 West Balboa Boulevard, Newport Beach
Wednesday, July 18 , 2018 – 4-5:30 p.m.
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Dixon called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m.
The following persons were in attendance:
Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members:
Diane Dixon, Council Member (Chair)
Marcel Ford, Balboa Village Merchants Association
Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association
Colleen D'Aluisio, OceanQuest Representative
Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative
Staff Members:
Seimone Jurjis, Community Development Director
Jim Campbell, Deputy Community Development Director
Dave Webb, Public Works Director
Mike Sinacori, Assistant City Engineer
Keith Hinckley, Municipal Operations Senior Management Analyst
Benjamin Zdeba, Associate Planner
II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
Jim Stratton expressed concern regarding the status of wayfinding signage. Chair Dixon advised that
signage is part of Item 2 on the agenda.
III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW
1. MINUTES OF MARCH 21, 2018
Recommended Action: Approve March 21, 2018 Minutes
MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Stratton, seconded by Committee Member Ford, to
approve the minutes of the March 21, 2018 meeting as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
2. BALBOA VILLAGE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENT UPDATE
Recommended Action: No Action Required
Assistant City Engineer Mike Sinacori reported 50 new trashcans have been received, and some have been
installed on Washington Street. Trash can covers have been cleaned, and spare covers are in stock. Staff
is working on installing bike racks. The gas mitigation system has been repaired and is operating. Fencing
will remain around new plantings for 6 to 9 months to prevent damage to the plants. If the Balboa Village
Advisory Committee (BVAC) agrees, he would like to install a nicer fence. Restrooms have been painted,
and porters are cleaning them more frequently. With respect to median landscaping, a call for bids for
hardscape should be issued in October with construction beginning in January and installation of new plants
in March or April 2019. The cost estimate came in $200,000 higher than estimated because of the additions
to the plans. Sidewalks will be cleaned up and decomposed granite placed around palm trees. Benches
to match the ones in Balboa Village will be ordered and installed. Improvements to Washington Street Park
will cost approximately $50,000. Repairs to Lithocrete sidewalks will add another $75,000 to the budget.
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July 18, 2018 Draft Minutes
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Public Works Director Dave Webb did not believe costs would exceed the additional $200,000. Sidewalk
repairs in some locations could consist of replacing the concrete with plants, which are prettier and less
expensive. Assistant City Engineer Sinacori added that street signs throughout Balboa Village will be
repaired, cleaned, replaced or removed.
In reply to questions, Mr. Sinacori advised that trashcans will be cleaned monthly. Sidewalks are cleaned
twice a month. Portable restrooms have been installed. Restrooms are open 24 hours; however, if
homeless people become an issue, porters may have to lock them overnight. BVAC has sufficient funds
to cover the $200,000 in unexpected costs. The hanging planters will hold artificial plants and will be
changed every four months. If BVAC wants Lithocrete sidewalks, then it will have to pay for sidewalk
repairs. Porters could be assigned to pick up litter in addition to cleaning bathrooms. The City Council may
request a contribution from BVAC to fund construction of the entry from 13th Street. The Council has
approved the wayfinding budget of $200,000, but Public Works has not started planning any wayfinding
signage.
Committee Members agreed to utilize $200,000 from reserve funds for unexpected costs. Committee
Member Stratton and Kelly Carlson will form a working group to review the wayfinding sign program for
Balboa Village with staff.
3. COMMERCIAL REFUSE SERVICE AND STATUS TO BALBOA VILLAGE
Recommended Action: No Action Required
Municipal Operations Senior Management Analyst Keith Hinckley advised that a number of businesses are
not placing waste in the trash bins and are leaving the doors open. People are not breaking down boxes
before placing them in the bins so that the bins fill quickly. In addition, people are not placing waste in the
two bins at the back. Citations can be issued for these actions; however, the City prefers education over
citations. City staff cleans the area around the bins at 5 a.m. Between 5 a.m. and the first pickup at 8:30
a.m., more trash is placed on the ground around the bins.
Committee Member Ford did not believe education alone would induce businesses to place trash in the
bins. Staff should contact businesses first and then begin issuing citations. The Balboa Village Merchants
Association can send an email to businesses and provide businesses' email addresses to staff.
In answer to queries, Mr. Hinckley indicated people can easily access the rear two bins. The City pays for
trash service to the bins, and the trash service charges additional fees for overfilled bins and removing trash
not in the bins. Businesses are supposed to reimburse the City for trash service, but the City resolution
lists only the businesses in existence at the time of the resolution.
Mr. Hinckley reported thirteen businesses were identified to participate in the City's new organics collection
program; however, the participation rate is poor, which has caused CalRecycle to issue warnings to the
City. Staff will attempt additional outreach and education with the businesses.
Chair Dixon requested an agenda item for the organics program. Balboa Village businesses should be
invited to the meeting. Public Works Director Webb suggested staff attend a meeting of the Balboa Village
Merchants Association. Committee Member Dove suggested staff contact property owners as well as
business owners.
4. GENERAL UPDATES
Recommended Action: No Action Required
a. Balboa Peninsula Trolley 2018
Senior Civil Engineer Eric Loke reported 2018 ridership data is similar to 2017 data to date. Increased
ridership the previous weekend may have resulted from marketing efforts. Most weekends, the trolley
parking lot is 75 percent filled with cars. Various promotional materials are available for distribution to
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July 18, 2018 Draft Minutes
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businesses and associations. Ridership is highest around 3:00 p.m. each day. The ridership average could
increase if service began at 10 or 11 a.m. The highest number of riders board the trolley at the Avon lot.
People are using the trolley to visit shops and restaurants in Balboa Village. The Orange County
Transportation Authority (OCTA) has extended the program with a second grant of $278,400. Staff has
received a few complaints regarding the drivers and one complaint about two homeless people drinking
alcohol while riding the trolley. Good drivers are difficult to find and staff has discussed increasing driver
salaries as an incentive. Staff has also received information about a couple of repeat trolley customers
who are harassing one driver. Staff is setting up an email address and an in-person survey to obtain
customer feedback. With the second grant and BVAC funding, the trolley needs an additional $30,000 to
fully fund the program. Adjusting the beginning hour to 10 or 11 in 2019 could save the $30,000.
Committee Member Dove recommended staff provide the American Legion with brochures it can share
with its members.
In answer to inquiries, Chair Dixon explained that Lido Village and McFadden Square benefit from trolley
service, but neither has a parking management fund that could financially support the trolley. Public Works
Director Webb advised that the success of the Balboa Peninsula trolley could determine whether routes
are expanded. Each customer boarding the trolley is counted in ridership. Ridership by stop is the total
number of customers who have boarded the trolley at each stop.
b. Commercial Facade Improvement Program
Associate Planner Ben Zdeba reported the Balboa Theater has executed an agreement for the Facade
Improvement Program and qualifies for $10,000 for sign restoration. After subtracting all funding
commitments, program funding totals $78,000. Incomplete applications remain pending. BVAC previously
determined it would not provide additional funds for the program. The Balboa bike shop returned unused
funds to the program.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
V. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting End Time: 5:30 p.m.)
The meeting ended at 5:30 p.m.
Next meeting Date: August 15, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. in the Bay Island Room at Marina Park