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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/13/2004 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Study Session July 13, 2004 - 5:14 p.m. NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY MEETING — 5:13 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Heffernan, Rosansky, Bromberg, Webb, '_Nichols (arrived late), Mayor Ridgeway Absent: Adams (excused) CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. Council Member Heffernan noted that a map was not included with Item 6 (Proposed Shopping Center Project). Assistant City Manager Wood indicated that either a site plan or an atlas sheet will be provided by tonight's meeting. 2. IRVINE RANCH WATER DISTRICT (IRWD) ORAL PRESENTATION. Assistant City Manager Kiff stated that the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) requested to come before Council to highlight the projects they are working on that help Newport Bay. John Withers, IRWD Board of Directors President, stated that he became President after serving on the Board for 15 years and wanted to conduct outreach to the communities IRWD serves during his year as President. He reported that they are in the process of transitioning from an engineering - focused organization to one that is more focused around customer service. He utilized a PowerPoint presentation, reporting that IRWD serves Irvine, Newport Coast, Santa Ana Heights, a small piece of the Back Bay, and portions of other surrounding communities. Mr. Withers stated that they focus on water and wastewater treatment and reported that their drinking water comes from local groundwater wells and is also imported from the Colorado River. He indicated that they collect and treat wastewater at the Michelson Water Reclamation Plant in Irvine and at the Los Alisos Reclamation Plant in Lake Forest, and produce about 18 million gallons of recycled water a day that is used for landscape irrigation and other non - potable uses. He stated that their newest service involves the treatment of urban runoff by using reconstructed wetlands. Mr. Withers indicated that they have worked hard to have a diverse and reliable water supply. He reported that IRWD has sought to reduce its dependence on imported water by developing over 21 local wells in the past 25 years. Additionally, the water reclamation program allows them to stretch limited water supplies instead of use drinking water for irrigation and other non - potable uses. He stated that their future goal is to further reduce the percentage of their imported water supply to keep their rates low and their supply reliable. Mr. Withers reported that 40% of their water supply is imported: 42% is local volume 56 -Pa,e 10 •_6 INDEX No report City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes July 13, 2004 INDEX groundwater; and 20% is recycled water. Paul Jones, IRWD General Manager, indicated that IRWD has invested a lot of study time to implement weather -based controllers that automatically adjust to factors like the weather and soil conditions to help with water conservation and urban runoff. He reviewed the five -tier rate structure in which they allocate water to each customer depending on their outdoor and indoor needs. He indicated that the allocation represents the first two tiers (low volume and conservation categories). He noted that people can also get waivers for events like filling pools. He pointed out, however, that people using in excess of the base are charged two times, four times, or eight times the base rate. He noted that they contact customers in the higher tiers to see if there is a problem like a water leak. Mr. Jones indicated that this program was intended to address water conservation, but they have also seen a benefit with urban runoff control. He stated that the money they receive from the penalty tiers (inefficient, excessive, and wasteful categories) is used to fund the conservation programs. He explained that, after a person uses its first 100 cu. ft. of water, they start to climb up the tier. He assured everyone that people can still have lush landscaping in their yard. Mr. Jones reported that a very small percentage of customers will be constantly in the penalty tiers. He noted, however, that they will waive the penalty if the charge was due to a problem like a leak and the customer fixes the problem and returns to normal consumption. He agreed that a good customer service component is required to support this system, but they have found that their customers are accustomed to this sytem. Mr. Jones reported that there are two tertiary treatment plants in which they treat water to a tertiary level that includes primary and secondary filtration and then disinfection with chlorine. He stated that IRWD has one of the largest dual distribution systems in the country and one of the largest number of individual customer connections. He reiterated that having this enables IRWD to not purchase additional expensive Metropolitan Water District (_VIWD) water and is, to some extent, a water saving measure. Mr. Jones stated that they also supply water to the Green Acres project during the winter. He reported that the water that comes from the Orange County Water District is about 1,000 parts per million total dissolved solids (TDS): however, IRWD's water is about 700 parts per million. He indicated that they have been working with City staff to see if they can change their system so the salt level is reduced at the golf courses. He noted that, as you get closer to 1,000 TDS, the fairways turn brown. Mayor Ridgeway noted that the two golf courses that are having problems with the fairways have not been using Green Acres water for about six months. Mr. Jones reported that the Deep Aquifer Treatment System Project takes water from the deepest part of the groundwater basin. He stated that a deep aquifer has very high quality water, but it has a natural organic brown color. He indicated that this project uses membranes to filter out the color. He added that it also has low TDS. Mr. Jones reported that they began restoring the San Joaquin Marsh in 1995. He stated that it is about 320 acres and they pump water from San Diego Creek, take the water through the 65 acre pond system to remove about is% of the 4 olune 58 - Pale 11,- City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes July 13, 2004 nitrogen from the water, and return it back to the San Diego Creek to go back to the Upper Newport Bay. He noted that nitrogen encourages the growth of algae mats in the Bay. He reported that they also manage sediment basins that are excavated every several years. Mr. Jones stated that the Natural Treatment System Project takes the same concept used in the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary for the treatment of wetlands and expands it to the entire San Diego Creek Watershed. He indicated that they considered 71 sites, but will be constructing at 31 sites. Mr. Jones stated that they were concerned that, after the flood season, there was a substantial amount of trash along San Diego Creek. He indicated that they installed a trash boom through a pilot program last year to see if it would be effective in capturing anything. He reported that, between fall 2003 and now, they collected 1,152 lbs. of styrofoam, 630 lbs. of plastic, 560 lbs. of rubber, 120 lbs. of metal, 98 lbs. of glass, and 34 lbs. of paper. He stated that they will continue this pilot program and also determine why trash gets past the boom. Mr. Jones reported that the San Joaquin Reservoir has been empty since 1994. He stated that it was originally a drinking water reservoir; however, when the enhanced surface water treatment rule passed in Congress, it required that all drinking water reservoirs that did not have downstream treatment be covered. He indicated that they felt that it was not cost effective to cover the reservoir. He noted that there was a landslide at the reservoir that was repaired and buttressed. Further, the reservoir was infested with African clawed flogs. He reported that work began in January 2004 and is on schedule. He stated that the work entails filling in Canyon C, constructing an access ramp, and putting in a new liner, aeration system, surge outlet tower, stormdrain, wash down line, and perimeter access road. He noted that they are also rehabilitating the chlorination facility. He reported that they will begin to put water in the reservoir at the end of the calendar year and the water will come from the Michelson Water Reclamation Plant. He stated that the reservoir will supply their reclaimed water system, but he has not heard anything about surrounding residents being able to use the water for their landscaping. He indicated that, in order to do this, there would need to be a connection, upgrades to the pipeline, and the pipelines would need to be enlarged. Mr. Jones stated that they have been working on the Buck Gully Flow Monitoring and Water Quality Project for over a year with the City, the Orange County Coastkeepers, and The Irvine Company. He indicated that they are looking at the non - stormwater runoff coming down the canyon, the quality of the runoff, and methods to reduce the amount of runoff. He stated that there are three phases to the program which include monitoring the baseline for a year and installing weather -based evapotranspiration (ET) controllers. 3. TOP STAFF PRIORITIES FY" 2004 -05. City Manager Bludau reported that staff individually comes up with seven priorities, they are taken to the management team, and they come up with the top 10 priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Mr. Bludau utilized a PowerPoint presentation, stating that Priority 1 is to resume the process of planning a replacement or renovated City Hall and other INDEX (100/2004) City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes July 13, 2004 INDEX public safety facilities for Police, Fire, and Lifeguards. He indicated that this priority involves meeting with City Hall adjacent property owners to determine whether any property adjustments and /or planning coordination might be advantageous to the parties involved; conducting public outreach regarding the potential City Hall facilities; preparing and conducting public review of City- Hall concepts; moving forward with working drawings and specifications; undertaking an assessment process to determine the quality of the City's essential public safety structures in order to plan for future needs; and determining a priority for the replacement /renovation of the City's essential public safety structures. Mr. Bludau noted that the priorities this year are mostly capital improvement projects. He believed that the City has done a good job over the years in meeting the community's needs in terms of libraries and other facilities; however, the City needs to take a look at essential public facilities. Mr. Bludau reported that Priority 2 is to begin construction of the new Mariners Joint Use Library and adjust the playing fields to accommodate the new facility- with the intent of occupying the library before the end of 2005. He noted that this is the thud year this item has been on the list. He indicated that this priority involves making the needed adjustments to the adjacent sports play- fields in order to accommodate library and tennis court construction; bidding the project; awarding the bid; and beginning construction in September. Mr. Bludau reported that Priority 3 is to finalize the land acquisition, develop plans and specifications, and begin construction of the Santa Ana Heights Fire Station and Training Facility by June 30, 2005. He noted that the staff members responsible for this priority are Public Works Director Badum, Building Director Elbettar, Assistant City Manager kiff, and Fire Chief Riley. He indicated that this priority involves concluding property acquisitions; selecting a project architect; and commencing with the preparation of plans and specifications. Mr. Bludau reported that Priority 4 is to complete the analysis of the General Plan land use alternatives, select the preferred land use plan, and draft policies with the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC). He noted that the staff members responsible for this priority are Planning Director Temple and Assistant City Manager Wood. He indicated that this priority involves consolidating the land use alternatives developed by GPAC subcommittees; analyzing the four alternatives by using models to determine fiscal and traffic impacts and other environmental impacts; holding a public workshop on land use alternatives; selecting the preferred land use plan; and working with GPAC to develop policies for all the General Plan elements. Mr. Bludau reported that Priority 5 is to work cooperatively with Coastal Commission staff on the certification of the Local Coastal Program (LCP) Land Use Plan; resolving outstanding issues; and educating the Coastal Commission on how the City's policies comply with the Coastal Act. Mr. Bludau reported that Priority 6 is to begin preparing plans and specifications for the new Newport Coast Community Center. He noted that the staff members responsible for this priority are Public Works Director Badum, Assistant City Manager kiff, and Recreation and Senior Services Director t; om me 56 - Page 1 0' 9 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes July 13, 2004 INDEX Knight. He indicated that this priority involves developing conceptual plans for a S7 million community center, including association costs; and proceeding with the preparation of plans and specifications. Mr. Bludau reported that Priority 7 is to reach an agreement with the YMCA on an operations agreement for the Santa Ana Heights Community Center, finalize the conceptual development, begin the preparation of plans and specifications, and purchase the property. He noted that the staff members responsible for this priority- are Public Works Director Badum, Building Director Elbettar, Assistant City Manager Kiff, and Recreation and Senior Services Director Knight. Mr. Bludau reported that Priority 8 is to develop an action plan for the Morning Canyon slope stabilization and vegetation management, and seek funding for plan implementation using this process as a template for Buck Gully. He noted that the staff members responsible for this priority are Public Works Director Badum, Building Director Elbettar, Assistant City Manager Kiff, and Fire Chief Riley. He indicated that this priority involves receiving the consultant's plan; conducting public outreach with adjacent property owners; initiating the CEQA process; and making funding applications to appropriate agencies. Mr. Bludau reported that Priority 9 is to move forward with sphere issue discussions with the County regarding the Coyote Canyon Landfill, assumption of tideland responsibilities, the redevelopment agency, and the John Wayne Airport (JWA) oversight. He noted that the staff members responsible for this priority are City Attorney Burnham, the new City Attorney, and himself. He indicated that this priority involves continuing to collect information on sphere issues in order to fully understand their details and potential impacts; and submitting an offer to the County regarding the City's willingness to accept certain responsibilities on sphere issues. Mr. Bludau reported that Priority 10 is to develop a Citywide "Succession Planning /Leadership Training" Program and associated training for internal talent. He noted that the staff members responsible for this priority are Human Resources Director Axley, Building Director Elbettar, Police Chief McDonell, and Fire Chief Riley. He indicated that this priority involves ascertaining the level of interest from City employees; identifying the core training components using employee input; developing training materials for each core component; and initiating a training program. He reported that, over the next five years, a significant number of the department heads will be leaving the City. He stated that it is time to address where future leadership will come from and to start a program to identify and train talent so the City does not have to look outside for people. In response to Council Member Heffernan's questions regarding contract negotiations with City employees, Mr. Bludau reported that all of the contracts will be coming up in the next 12 months or have already been taken care of. He stated that this is an ongoing process and something the City has to do anyway. Mayor Ridgeway indicated that the ten priorities are discretionary and any of them can be removed. Council Member Heffernan noted that some of the priorities are ongoing and seem to have a life of their own. He believed that, from a cost perspective. labor costs would be the biggest item. Vol+ :me 56 -, - `_,c_ City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes July 13, 2004 Mayor Ridgeway requested that the priorities be given to Council in a memo. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None. ADJOURNMENT - at 6:10 p.m. to Closed Session to discuss Coyote Canyon and the Marinapark lease. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on July 7, 2004, at 3:30 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. City Clerk Recording Secretary �. L L4 X Mayor Y 0! U-ne :J n - P!.Il° _iii i INDEX