HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/13/2012 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Minutes
City Council Study Session
November 13, 2012 — 3:30 p.m.
I. ROLL CALL - 3:30 p.m.
II.
Present: Council Member Hill, Mayor Pro Tem Curry, Mayor Gardner, Council Member Selich,
Council Member Henn, Council Member Daigle
Excused: Council Member Rosansky
Council Member Rosansky arrived at 3:35 p.m.
1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
In response to Council Member Henn's question regarding Item 3 (Traffic Signal Program for
Newport Boulevard Corridor Synchronization Project), Public Works Director Webb reported that
the project will take at least two years to complete.
Council Member Hill reported that he will need to recuse himself on Item 6 (Sidewalk, Curb and
Gutter Replacement) since he owns property within 500 feet of portions of the subject property.
Regarding Item 7 (Traffic Signal Rehabilitation Project), he requested clarification about the
types of left -turn lanes. Public Works Director Webb described permissive left -turn lanes,
protected left -turn lanes, and protected- permissive left -turn lanes. Regarding Item 9
(Reimbursement for Newport Center Tree Replacement Costs), City Manager Kiff reported that
the City is obligated to pay 100% of the costs; however, staff would like to discuss the matter
further and will pull the item off of the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Regarding Item 11 (Refuse Container Collection Services), Mayor Gardner noted that there is a
gap between the winning bid and the runner up, and wondered as to the experience of the
winning bidder. Municipal Operations Director Harmon reported on previous experiences with
the firm, noting that staff is comfortable with giving them the opportunity.
2. STATE OF THE HARBOR AND OVERVIEW OF HARBOR
OBJECTIVES.
Doug West, Chair of the Harbor Commission, utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss the
Harbor Commission and address its membership, Commission/Council pairings established to
maintain open communication, the current state of the Harbor, details of the Upper and Lower
Bay dredging projects, costs of the project and funding contributions, areas that have benefited,
public dock projects completed, new Rhine Channel public dock, mooring field realignment, and
publication of the Newport Harbor Cruising Guide. He highlighted projects in progress including
the Marina Park project, Tidelands Capital Plan, Mooring Support Services at Balboa Yacht
Basin and the Balboa Marina Public Dock. He thanked Council for its support and presented a
review of the Commission's objectives including purposes, categories, and specific goals under
each objective. He addressed challenges, investigation of strategies used by other cities, erosion
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of Harbor Line boundaries, vessel overhang compliance, Harbor Code Enforcement issues being
addressed, boating education opportunities, and maintenance of Harbor -based businesses in the
community. He discussed continued efforts by the Commission, and requested approval and
support of the objectives presented.
Council Member Hill commended Chairman West and the Commission for the quality and
comprehensiveness of the report. He questioned the permit process which allows for the tying up
of rafts and party vessels in the Harbor. Harbor Resources Manager Miller reported that
permission is needed from the Harbor Patrol in order to change this process, but staff is
presently working on the issue with them. - - - -
Council Member Henn commented on the success of the Harbor dredging project, the
accomplishments of the Harbor Commission, and the importance of those accomplishments.
Mayor Pro Tem Curry thanked the Commission for the presentation and commented positively
on the leadership of the City in establishing the Commission. He thanked the Commission for
the work they are doing.
Council Member Daigle inquired regarding obstacles related to Regional General Permit (RGP)
54. Chairman West noted that the costs versus the benefits are challenging and that the
permitting process is cumbersome and expensive. Additionally, the community's ability to move
material is limited by conditions established by other agencies. Harbor Resources Manager
Miller noted that further discussion is needed by the Commission, along with other options.
3. TIDELAND INFRASTRUCTURE CAPITAL PLAN REVIEW.
Council Member Henn stated that the Tidelands Infrastructure Capital Plan was one of the
Tideland Management Committee's key objectives when it was formed in order to provide
proactive guidance relative to where focus should be established in the Harbor. He reported that
the plan should be reviewed and revised annually.
Harbor Resources Manager Miller utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss the makeup of
the Tidelands Management Committee (TMC), the Citizens' Advisory Committee, the TMC's
purpose, evolution of the Capital Plan, approval of the plan, and next steps. He noted that the
plan identifies and. classifies projects, estimates costs, and highlights schedules and budgets. He
noted that the plan is a good roadmap to guide the City for the coming years and prioritize
projects.
Council Member Henn commented on large projects and the need to better define those projects
and assign related costs and capital needs. He addressed different types of tidelands, noting that
focus was given to the Lower Harbor, but noted that the list will need to be updated for relevance
and dollar estimates. He expressed his appreciation for the work done.
Council Member Daigle inquired regarding funding sources compared to need. Harbor Resources
Miller noted that the Lower Bay dredging project has been funded and that regular maintenance
funding can be programmed into the City's annual budget. City Manager Kiff addressed the
need to consider Harbor rents and General Fund contributions to accomplish the Harbor
projects. Council Member Daigle commented on the need to set aside funds to for this and other
related projects, and addressed the importance of finding consultants to help with tough issues.
Council Member Selich addressed the Grand Canal dredging project, rebuilding the Park Avenue
Bridge, and the sea wall. He requested that staff develop a flowchart to show how the projects
will be addressed at the same time.
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Council Member Hill commented on the report and suggested including budget estimates and
setting priorities to allow for future planning and needs. Council Member Henn noted that the
Committee will move forward to address the large projects incrementally on the basis of better
facts and analysis.
City Manager Kiff commented on the significant costs associated with some of the major projects
and the need to focus on specific issues in order to better understand the comprehensive needs.
He reported that this is not a budget, but rather a plan of costs. He noted that revenue sources
are uncertain at this time.
John Corrough, former Harbor Commissioner, reported on his experience with the Commission
and commented that it works best with minimal oversight. He commented positively on the
contributions of staff regarding procedural issues and providing relevant information.
4. STATE OF THE HARBOR COMMISSION /GOALS FOR 2012 -13.
Mayor Gardner presented background on this issue including areas of confusion as to the scope of
work and responsibilities of various City Commissions and Committees. She noted that the
Council Task Force on Committees has developed a proposal to be presented at this time.
Harbor Resources Manager Miller provided a PowerPoint presentation to address the formation
and purpose of the Task Force, issues reviewed, and proposed change to reestablish the Harbor
Commission as the Harbor Tidelands Management Committee. He addressed the mission,
membership, term, purpose and responsibility of the Harbor Tidelands Management Committee.
Discussion followed regarding the process for selecting the Chair to Commissions and
Committees. City Attorney Harp briefly described the process, noting the differences in the
selection of officers for Commissions versus Committees.
Harbor Resources Manager Miller outlined proposed changes to the Environmental Quality
Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee (EQAC) and the Coastal/Bay Water Quality Citizens
Advisory Committee (CBWQ), including their mission, membership, term, and purpose and
responsibilities.
Mayor Gardner addressed the intent of the Task Force and next steps.
Council Member Henn commented on the need to provide a governance structure for spending
the increased fee revenue that is being discussed in other forums to ensure that funds are spent
on Harbor projects. He addressed the specialized focuses for each Commission/Committee and
the benefits of coordinating efforts in working with Council towards the betterment of the City.
Jim Mosher questioned the appropriateness of the Agenda Item title and the discussions.
Doug West reported that the Harbor Commission will discuss the issue during their upcoming
meeting and addressed the issue of whether Council liaisons will be voting members.
Ralph Rodheim addressed the duties of the proposed Harbor Tidelands Management Committee,
and commented on perception and the number of Council Members assigned to the committee.
He expressed the opinion that it would be a mistake for the City not to have a Harbor
Commission.
Dan Purcell commented positively on the item and suggested including the City's ecologist on the
Water Quality /Coastal Management Committee to address the importance of water quality and
the environment. He commented on a possible conflict of interest by the previous speaker.
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City Council Study Session
November 13, 2012
Mayor Pro Tern Curry questioned the need for the proposed changes and Council's ability to
influence some of the decisions made by the proposed committees. He noted the great work
currently being done by the Harbor Commission.
Council Member Daigle agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Curry's comments and referenced the
Citizen's Aviation Committee model as a successful example of what could occur.
Council Member Henn commented on the benefits of having Council involvement.
III. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim Mosher reported having submitted written comments regarding two of the Closed Session items
and hoped Council would consider them during deliberations.
IV. ADJOURNMENT - 4:44 p.m.
The agenda for the Study Session was posted on Noember 8, 2012, at 4:40 p.m. on the City
Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building.
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City Clerk
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