HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-09_BVAC_Minutes_Approved CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Location: City Council Chambers at Former City Hall
3300 Newport Boulevard
Wednesday, December 9, 2015 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Dixon called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
The following persons were in attendance:
Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members:
Diane Dixon, Mayor (Chair)
Tony Petros, Council Member
Gloria Oakes, Balboa Peninsula Point Association
Ralph Rodheim, Balboa Village Merchant Association
Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association
Tom Pollack, ExplorOcean Representative
Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative
Staff Members:
Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director
Benjamin Zdeba, Associate Planner
Tony Brine, City Traffic Engineer
Eric Loke, Associate Civil Engineer
Caryl Bryant, Fiscal Specialist
II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS (comments limited to 3
minutes)
Interested parties were invited to address the Committee on Non-Agendized Items.
Jim Mosher asked whether there will be discussion at this time regarding Heritage signs.
Staff responded that it will be discussed under General Updates regarding the Fagade
Improvement Project.
Committee Member Stratton commented on the importance of addressing the governing
body overseeing the Parking Benefit District Funds in the near future.
III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW
1. MINUTES OF OCTOBER 14, 2015 (ATTACHMENT 1)
Recommended Action: Approve October 14, 2015 Minutes.
Mayor Dixon opened public comments.
Seeing none, Mayor Dixon closed public comments.
Committee Member Stratton moved to approve the minutes from the October 14, 2015,
as presented. Committee Member Rodheim seconded the motion.
The motion passed 7 — 0.
2. GATEWAY SIGN (ATTACHMENT 2)
Recommended Action: Authorize proceeding to construction.
Deputy Community Development Director Brenda Wisneski presented a copy of the
Gateway sign previously approved by the Committee. She reported that the Balboa
Village Merchants Association (BVMA) had authorized the design as proposed with the
consideration of adding electrical outlets and that the matter is being brought to the BVAC
for approval and authorization to proceed with construction.
Committee Member Rodheim provided a brief history of the area and commented on the
name of the area, leaving it as it currently exists and the BVMA's agreement to move
forward.
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski noted that Eric Loke with Public
Works will be responsible for project management of the sign and that construction will
likely begin in the fall of 2016.
Discussion followed regarding the possibility of an earlier construction date, avoiding
construction during the summer season, installation of the sign, timing for going out to bid,
the logo, the possibility of getting a rendering of the sign in a "lit" condition, specifications,
and the importance of making the sign "pop".
Staff indicated it will bring back a rendering at the next meeting of BVAC, as an
informational item. It was noted that the plan for the sign is approximately 90% complete
and that developing the specifications is very important so that it coincides with the
approved design. These will be part of the overall bid package.
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski confirmed that electrical outlets will
be added to the specifications for the sign.
Mayor Dixon encouraged staff to do what they can in order to expedite the project.
Mayor Dixon opened public comments.
Jim Mosher expressed confusion regarding the logo and the design and commented on
the Fun Zone component. He asked whether there will be a designation regarding what
constitutes the Fun Zone.
Committee Member Stratton commented on outreach and on the identifiers for the area.
He noted that the area is still known as the Fun Zone to residents and visitors alike.
Committee Member Pollack noted support for the sign by ExplorOcean.
Kelly Carlson commented on the current use of the BVMA logo and expressed a need for
consistency.
W.R. Dildine expressed support for the sign and the name (Home of the Fun Zone) but
expressed concern with lighting.
Mayor Dixon closed public comments.
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported that staff will return to the
BVAC with a construction schedule and will attempt to streamline the process as much as
possible.
Committee Member Rodheim moved to direct staff to proceed with the monument sign,
as presented. Committee Member Pollack seconded the motion.
The motion passed 7 — 0.
3. PARKING METER AND VALIDATION PROGRAM UPDATE
(ATTACHMENT 3)
Recommended Action: No action required.
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski provided the staff report addressing
the Parkmobile program and introduced Fiscal Specialist Caryl Bryant who will provide
detailed information on the program.
Fiscal Specialist Caryl Bryant provided an overview of the Parking Meter and Validation
Program addressing the Parkmobile application, payment methods, the registration
process, parking rates, use statistics, other Parkmobile facilities, setting up merchant
accounts and validation. In response to a question regarding validation payments and
fees, she reported that the Resolution approving the item, specifically states that the City
does not absorb any costs; however, the City will be covering the transaction fee to utilize
the service.
Discussion followed regarding potential incentives and the need for a Parking
Management governing body to address such issues.
Committee Member Rodheim requested that Fiscal Specialist Bryant attend the next
Balboa Village Merchants Association meeting to explain the program to merchants. He
added that the Association meets the first Tuesday of every month. The next meeting will
be on January 5, 2016, at 5:00 p.m.
Mayor Dixon opened public comments.
W.R. Dildine asked whether the program can be used for the residential permit program.
Mayor Dixon closed public comments.
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski noted that the program can be used
in relation with the RP3 program.
Fiscal Specialist Bryant provided an overview on the various parking permit programs
including the Balboa Village Parking Permit Program for merchants and their employees.
Committee Member Pollack spoke in support of parking permits.
Committee Member Stratton expressed concerns regarding employee turnover and the
possibility of abuse.
Fiscal Specialist Bryant recommended that the business owner apply for the employee to
avoid potential problems of abuse.
In response to Committee Member Dove's inquiry, Fiscal Specialist Bryant reported that
people will still be able to pay the "old-fashioned" way.
It was noted that this program will not apply to the RP3 area but rather will apply to
commercial areas and meters.
Kelly Carlson commented positively on the program and suggested emailing merchants
with information.
Fiscal Specialist Bryant reported that all of the information is online and stated she will
email Ms. Carlson pertinent information for her to share in her email.
Mayor Dixon commended staff for their work on this matter.
Fiscal Specialist Bryant presented details of a permit program that will serve to encourage
residents into the Village during the off-peak season. The program is only for Newport
Beach residents.
Committee Member Rodheim recommended issuing a press release regarding the
program.
Mayor Dixon offered to make a public announcement on all of the available programs.
Staff will provide her with relevant information.
Discussion followed regarding ways of determining City residency.
4. GENERAL UPDATES
a. Fagade Improvement Program (Attachment 4)
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski provided an update on the Fagade
Improvement Program.
Discussion followed regarding Balboa Bike needing fagade improvements.
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported on the recent designation of
heritage signs in Balboa Village.
Mayor Dixon opened public comments.
W.R. Dildine reported that the Gallery is no longer in business.
Jim Mosher commented on heritage signs and provided a brief history of the matter
noting that there was supposed to be a list of heritage signs but it was never developed or
adopted. He expressed concern regarding other more iconic signs within the city as those
not on the list have to be removed by 2020.
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski clarified that signs can be designated
as heritage signs at the request of the property owner with approval of the Planning
Commission.
Mayor Dixon closed public comments.
b. RP3
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported that the application will be
submitted to the Coastal Commission tomorrow and the Commission will have three days
to determine its completeness.
Mayor Dixon opened public comments.
Seeing no one wishing to comment, Mayor Dixon closed public comments.
c. Outdoor Dining Pilot Program
Associate Planner Benjamin Zdeba stated that the first Outdoor Dining Pilot Program
permit had been issued to Patty Macs Restaurant and he further noted that positive
feedback has been received.
Mayor Dixon opened public comments.
W.R. Dildine inquired about permits for other outdoor dining areas.
Associate Planner Zdeba noted that Code Enforcement is making every effort to educate
the business owners regarding the program.
Mayor Dixon closed public comments.
d. Shuttle
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported that she will be attending a
meeting with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to review the
application for the grant program. She added that the grant application will be due in
February. As such, she will request input from the Committee to finalize details of the
grant in January.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
Committee Member Rodheim requested adding an item to the Committee's next meeting
agenda to consider the possibility of stringing lights across Main Street.
V. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting End Time: 5:30 p.m.)
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Next Meeting Date: January 13, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. — Location: Bay Island Room, Marina
Park