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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/25/1999 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH • City Council Minutes Study Session January 25, 1999 - 3:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Adams, Glover, Ridgeway, Noyes, Mayor O'Neil Absent: Thomson (excused), Debay (excused) CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE EVENING AGENDA. Regarding Item No. 24, Unscheduled Vacancies on the Planning Commission, Mayor O'Neil suggested that Council postpone the appointments until all members of Council are present. Council Member Ridgeway stated that he understands the reason; however, he received a call from the Planning Commission Chairman expressing their desire to have the new Commissioners appointed. Mayor O'Neil stated that it may be difficult to get four votes for any one of the four candidates, noting that there will not be a full Council until the • second meeting in February. He stated that he understands that the Planning Commission is short two members and this creates a hardship. Council Member Noyes expressed the opinion that the applicants deserve to have their applications reviewed and voted on by the entire Council. He stated that he would be more comfortable having seven members voting. Council Member Glover stated that she does not mind having six members vote on the appointments; however, questioned whether there has to be four votes. City Attorney Burnham stated that, pursuant to Council Policy A -2, four affirmative votes are needed before a nominee is appointed. Council Member Adams stated that he would like to wait until a full Council is present. Following discussion, Mayor O'Neil stated that it appears that Council is inclined not to make the appointments to the Planning Commission unless Mayor Pro Tem Thomson shows up tonight. He agreed that, if Mayor Pro Tem Thomson is present at tonight's regular meeting, Council can then decide whether or not to make the appointments. 2. AIRPORT STRATEGIC PLAN. Mayor O'Neil explained that they will have this issue on the January 30 agenda to provide staff with direction. • Deputy City Manager Ducey stated that the City retained a public relations firm about six months ago to adjust the City's strategy since airport proponents are facing organized opposition with the ability to raise public Volume 52 - Page 287 ,1O D►, No report No Report City of Newport Beach City Council Minutes January 25, 1998 INDEX • and private funds to finance a comprehensive public relations campaign; Newport Beach and Newport -based organizations have been in the forefront of the airport advocacy movement with very little financial or other support from public and private organizations outside the City; airport opponents have lodged a successful campaign, using Newport Beach's involvement to discredit the airport advocacy campaign; and it was critical to broaden the base of airport support and facilitate Newport Beach to become one of many supporters, both financially and otherwise. Ms. Ducey stated that the City's goal is to create a broad -based alliance that is composed of businesses, public agencies, cities, existing airport support groups, and labor minority groups that will support the airport advocacy activities and carry the airport message independent of Newport Beach; develop a strategic plan that guides the activities of the alliance, as well as the individual participating organizations over the next year; fund the alliance with a variety of funding sources, ensuring that Newport Beach is a participant and not the sole funding source; and create collateral materials that will deliver the key messages to the general public in a way that resonates to a broad spectrum of individuals and groups, and incorporates mechanisms within the mailers, web site and videos to encourage active involvement. Ms. Ducey reported that City staff and the consultants have worked closely with the Orange County Business Council (OCBC), the Airport Working Group (AWG), and various cities to develop a strategic plan that will guide various activities to coordinate and complement each other; share resources more efficiently so there is no duplication of efforts; become an influential • political force to influence policy on the reuse; and speak with a unified voice. She stated that City staff and the consultants are also focusing on developing other sources of funding outside the City to broaden the financial support of the alliance effort; is working on a parallel track to build and solidify support among previously untapped community resources, such as labor groups, minority groups, and Democrats; is promoting membership in OCRAA so that north and central County cities become more actively involved in the planning process; and is developing; two mailers, a web site, and a video that have been held until the Alliance is formed. Ms. Ducey reported that the major airport support organizations formalized their relationship under the Orange County Airport Alliance (OCAA) on January 7; papers were filed last week with the Secretary of State to form a 501(C)4; funding commitments from outside sources total $350,000 upon the creation of the Alliance with more expected as discussions are finalized; and collateral materials are completed or are in the finishing stages. Barbara Foster, Media Relations, stated that part of her responsibility is to work with the press and establish rapport, and presented copies of an article from The Register regarding the Alliance. She believed that the key to the Alliance is that it lets them speak with one unified voice. Ms. Foster stated that one of their goals is to elevate the dialogue from a debate of "pro and con" to thinking in terms of a vision for Orange County's future. She presented the first mailer, entitled "Creating a Vision for Orange County in the Next Century," to be mailed on January 27 to about 50,000 households . and stated that it will set a positive tone, state the case for an airport, allude to a future without an airport, and invites people to get involved in supporting an airport. Volume 52 - Page 288 City of Newport Beach City Council Minutes January 25, 1998 INDEX • Ms. Foster provided a presentation using the video interview database and reported that the database uses sound bytes that can be used in videos, video news releases, and the web site. She reported that the OCXalliance.org web site will be ready next week. Further, that the web site is more graphic than text heavy and indicated that the video interviews will also be used on the web site under the title "PRO - files ". Ms. Foster stated that they created a prototype video and played it for Council. Mayor O'Neil stated that Council needs to determine whether they want to join the Alliance and will also need to appoint him as the Director. In response to Council Member Adams' question, Ms. Ducey stated that AWG's role will be organizing and developing a broad - grassroots base outside of Newport Beach. In response to Council Member Ridgeway's questions, Ms. Ducey suspected that there will be 12 members on the Executive Committee, consisting of individuals from the public and private sectors, who will make broad policy decisions. She added that the Board of Directors will be responsible for financial budgetary decision- making and that those five members will also sit on the Executive Committee. Further, the Executive Committee Director will be accountable to the Board of Directors for expenditure of funds and implementation of the strategic plan. She indicated that the Executive Committee will probably later expand its number as new groups and members join the Alliance, but not expand to a great number since they • would like to keep the organization streamlined for quick decision - making. Ms. Ducey indicated that AWG has agreed to be part of the Alliance but that they have some concerns. She stated that the Executive Committee will have a chairman but will have staff to run the day -to -day activities. She stated that the Alliance will not be a step -child of Newport Beach because there is a broad -based Board and funding commitments outside of Newport Beach. She noted that discussion will need to be made with Council as to her role in the Alliance, envisioning that she will continue to stay involved as staff support to the Alliance. Ms. Ducey emphasized that the Alliance is a pro - airport advocacy group and membership to the Alliance means that the members will help fulfill the goal of advocating for an airport at El Toro. She stated that she welcomes South County to the Alliance because there has to be a point in which discussions between north and south happen. Ms. Ducey indicated that a unified voice is needed and that she does not expect that OCAA will be the only voice speaking. Regarding the potential $350,000, Ms. Ducey indicated that those funds are from a private source and that she knows of no conditions tied to those funds. In response to Council Member Adams' questions, Ms. Ducey indicated that she is reviewing a draft strategic plan that she will then forward to the Board of Directors. A final strategic plan with budgets should be completed within the next three weeks. She clarified that representatives of the organizations on the Board of Directors have been participating in the • development of the strategic plan over the past three months. She reported that the proposed Board of Directors met last week and that she expects that the Alliance will go forward even if Newport Beach chooses not to join. Ms. Ducey indicated that Council does not have to commit funds in order to join the Alliance and can wait for the Board to finalize the strategic plan and Volume 52 - Page 289 City of Newport Beach City Council Minutes January 25, 1998 INDEX • budget prior to the Council- represented Board member makes a recommendation to Council. Council Member Glover indicated that she thought Ms. Ducey was requesting a City grant of $350,000 rather than asking Council to join the Alliance. Ms. Ducey noted that it sounds like some of the Council members are wanting to feel more comfortable seeing the budget prior to providing funding, but stated that she ultimately recommends that Council match the funding commitments that have already been obtained. Council Member Adams clarified that the Alliance needs to run itself and that Council needs not be involved with the details of their budgeting. However, for him to be supportive of authorizing funds, a comfortable strategic plan will need to be forthcoming. Ms. Ducey indicated that Council will not be taking any action tonight and that any recommendation will be coming before Council on January 30. Mayor O'Neil concurred, adding that the idea is to only get information now. Council Member Glover stated that she sees the airport movement moving more out of Newport Beach on its own and becoming more of a County issue. She indicated that she was bothered that the Alliance was versed in The Daily Pilot. Council Member Glover believed that the Alliance will be based on payroll rather than on citizens with passion. In response to Council Member Glover's question, Ms. Ducey indicated who will sit on the Board of • Directors, less Newport Beach's representative. Council Member Noyes indicated that his questions and comments can be taken at the goal setting session but indicated that the City needs to know the people involved and their goals better. Ms. Ducey stated that, because this issue has been so controversial, people are very concerned about coming out in front for fear of being publicly attacked; however, over the past three months, they have built consensus and identified stakeholders. Council Member Ridgeway stated that, if the City is a Board member and provides funds, the City will probably not be a step -child of the Alliance. Ms. Ducey clarified that the City will become an active participant in developing policies along with other prominent key public leaders and private officials. She stated that this is such a significant public policy issue that must be won on a Countywide level that the participants must become actively involved and the City must be willing to lead, in partnership, with the other organizations. She expressed the opinion that the City will become more powerful because the City will have the numbers with it. In response to Council Member Ridgeway's questions, Ms. Ducey indicated that the County is making critical decisions on major issues as they proceed along the planning process. She clarified that OCRAA is becoming a voice in affecting how the decisions are made and getting feedback on how the communities feel about it; is evolving into a way for the community to get accurate information and to fully inform councils as to what is happening • with the issue; and is giving the ability to disseminate the information that Council just viewed. Regarding anti or neutral airport entities, Ms. Ducey stated that, prior to having members, she sent invitations to council members to come to the OCRAA meetings, be at the table, and get Volume 52 - Page 290 City of Newport Beach City Council Minutes January 25, 1998 • information. This begins the problem solving process and consensus is built amongst the stakeholders since this has been missing in the process. She stated that OCRAA is currently being funded through staff in -kind contributions; however, if cities wish to participate in some of the activities, it is expected that they provide those funds for their own people. Council Member Adams believed that Newport Beach needs its own strategy. He stated that one of the City's primary objectives is to obtain an extension of the conditions of the settlement agreement. City Attorney Burnham stated that Council has discussed how to achieve the settlement agreement extension and what type of political support or opposition there may be; comments were submitted on the Notice of Preparation for the EIR; and Supervisor Wilson gave the City the "okay" to discuss settlement agreement issues with Special Counsel Mike Gatzke. Mr. Burnham indicated that the first order of business is to try to identify the political support with Federal, State, and local officials and identify support from the cities in the JWA quarters (Tustin, Santa Ana, and Costa Mesa). This could be done in conjunction with AWG to educate those communities on airport issues through a combination of discussions about El Toro and, more importantly, on the possible expansion of JWA if there is no El Toro Concepts F and G. He believed the City and AWG should work cooperatively in informing the elected officials and community members in the JWA corridor of the expansion and increase in operations at JWA. Mr. Burnham stated that the City can also assess what types of legal and other problems that the City may need to overcome. This would involve discussions with the • FAA, the Department of Transportation, and probably the air cargo carriers. He concurred that the logical way to approach the airport issues is for the Alliance to lead the charge regarding El Toro and the City and AWG to lead the charge with JWA issues, emphasizing that the Alliance is focused on the benefits of an additional airport for Orange County. Mayor O'Neil concurred and stated that he asked the City Attorney to be prepared at the goal setting meeting to review the settlement agreement and give direction on how the City might set up strategy to extend the restrictions. He stated that El Toro airport is a regional issue and that the Alliance elevates it to that level. He believed that JWA is a more local issue and that an equal amount of effort is needed to make sure that, while the El Toro debate goes forward, the City does not lose sight of the fact that it needs to continue the protection by maintaining the controls at JWA. In response to Council Member Ridgeway's question, Mr. Burnham stated that he met with a Costa Mesa chief planner and discussed JWA expansion scenarios, terms and conditions of the settlement agreement, and some of the potential legal issues that need to be resolved before the settlement agreement extension process takes place. He stated that a much better relationship and knowledge base needs to be established with the other cities impacted by JWA. Don Saltarelli, consultant, believed that the City is on the right track. He • reported that he spoke with Jan Mittermeier today about the settlement agreement. He stated that she believed that it would be wise for the City to begin a parallel track, continuing work on El Toro issues and opening discussions with the County relative to the settlement agreement. He stated that a victory was won when south County's efforts to defeat the reelection of Volume 52 - Page 291 INDEX City of Newport Beach City Council Minutes January 25, 1998 INDEX • Supervisor Silva were defeated. They spent millions of dollars in this effort. He indicated that he and his group were under a lot of pressure to send out early mailings; however, they believed that they would only win if a broad - based coalition was built. Mr. Saltarelli emphasized that the decision to build El Toro needs to be made and congratulated Council for having the courage to stay in this battle. Mayor O'Neil expressed concerns about overseeing consultants' work; however, expressed his understanding that Mr. Saltarelli and his group have done fine work and that having them is appropriate. However, he noted that staffing and the consultant team will have to be modified to some degree if the City starts moving in the other direction with the Alliance. Tom Wall stated that he has been involved in the process since mid -1970. He expressed the opinion that it is a wonderful idea to form the Alliance because of the timing of the process and reviewed the history of the E1 Toro closure. He stated that EIR 563 was put together and in December 1996, the Board chose Option A (airport) as the preferred alternative. He indicated that preparing EIR 573 will lead to the definitive airport plan. He emphasized that it is important that every organization have a stake in this and becomes involved. Mr. Wall stated that, in all his presentations, the number of non - airport supporters has outweighed the number of airport supporters but stated that it was clear to him that when one makes a presentation based on facts to people who are interested in listening, they are capable of making up their own minds. He believed that the two - airport • system is the right solution for the County at- large. Tom Naughton stated that AWG has been around since 1982 and is well aware of the role it has played in the settlement agreement and the motion for the El Toro airport, and emphasized that AWG supports an alliance of any sort. He believed OCRAA's activities has broadened the base in spreading the word and getting people involved. He indicated that AWG will be part of the Alliance but intends to maintain its current mode of operation. He stated that the most important thing to the Alliance is communication to ensure that everyone supports each other's efforts. He indicated that the letter he provided on Friday relays what AWG believes is their role and goal. Mayor O'Neil stated it is important that the various pro - airport groups continue to work together even if they join the Alliance since no group will relinquish its own identity or objectives by joining the Alliance. Russ Niewiarowski, 20102 Kline Dr. in Santa Ana Heights, showed Council a model of the airport and distributed handouts created by the New Millennium Group. He stated that the key is harmony between north and south County and suggested reconfiguring the runways at E1 Toro. He believed that once the fear of having airplanes flying overhead is removed, it changes a lot of things. Mr. Niewiarowski noted that the education program also needs to encompass both sides and that an alliance is an excellent idea only if both sides are considered. He agreed that an airport is logical and that El Toro is the right spot if it is tailor made. • In response to Mr. Niewiarowski's question, Ms. Ducey clarified that a private individual cannot become a member of OCRAA. Mr. Burnham added that OCRAA is a joint powers authority comprised solely of public entities. Volume 52 - Page 292 City of Newport Beach City Council Minutes January 25, 1998 • Charles Griffin, 732 Bison Ave., stated that the legal noise level limit that prevents residents from being adversely impacted by airplanes is untrue in that the legal limit is incident noise and not received noise. He noted that there will be schools, churches, and community centers affected by the received noise. He emphasized that noise is a problem and that it is necessary that the planes fly over open space. He :is unsure why The Irvine Company has preserved the area from the Riverside County line to the ocean that is over 3 miles wide and extends in both directions from El Toro, but stated that it provides an excellent air corridor to the ocean. In order to use this land, he proposed to only build 1.5 additional runways, extending the north/south runway one mile to safely make approaches from the north over the lower ridge, rather than the County's proposed three runways. He stated that building east/west runways are not justified by FAA regulations when there is no cross- winds. He believed that this configuration will allow for two tracks to the ocean and is not antagonistic. Mayor O'Neil thanked Mr. Niewiarowski and Mr. Griffin for their presentation, but noted that Newport Beach has very little involvement in the El Toro design process. Mr. Griffin stated that he provided his ideas as a formal response to the Notice of Preparation and notified the County Counsel that, since this is a viable option, it is a legal requirement that they incorporate this in the EIR. Council Member Adams stated that Mr. Griffin's plan requires building a runway in the City of Irvine and indicated that he does not believe this will • ever happen. Mr. Griffin responded that the property is incorporated in the City of Irvine but is owned by the Navy, adding that the property owner has certain rights in developing its property in the best way possible. Mr. Burnham clarified Mr. Griffin's statement that the County is proposing to build 3 new runways, stating that the County is using the existing El Toro runway configurations. He reported that there will be a change of grade on the runways over time, but they are not proposing a different alignment. Mr. Griffin indicated that the present runways are only 500 feet apart and are not consistent with FAA regulations. In order for them to operate a 747, the runways need to be 1,000 feet apart; to operate a jet aircraft, the runways need to be 2,400 feet apart. Mr. Burnham indicated that the County does not believe Mr. Griffin's plan is feasible:. Mr. Niewiarowski stated that he met with Supervisor Wilson who agreed that there would be no more threat to the residents if the airplane flight path was removed from overhead. Jack O'Mara, 174 Stanford in Irvine, stated that he is a longtime friend of Mr. Griffin and believed that Mr. Griffin is an expert on aeronautical issues. He expressed the opinion that the New Millennium Plan looks to be the compromise that could be the answer, noting that the plan uses the only vacant space for takeoff into the wind, over unpopulated territory. He urged Council to consider weaving this plan into their action. • PUBLIC COMMENTS - None Volume 52 - Page 293 INDEX City of Newport Beach City Council Minutes January 25, 1998 • ADJOURNMENT — 4:55 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on January 20, 1999, at 4:55 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. "' C9' t2; Recording Secretary Mayor OPW ` r City Clerk a Volume 52 - Page 294 •I ICI II