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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/26/2005 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Study Session July 26, 2005 — 4:00 pan. ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Selich; Council Member Rosansky; Mayor Pro Tern Webb; Mayor Heffernan; Council Member Ridgeway; Council Member Daigle; Council Member Nichols 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. None. 2. CONFERENCE AND VISITORS BUREAU ANNUAL REPORT. (100 -20051 Marta Hayden, Executive Director of the Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau (CVB), referred to the workbook provided to the City Council. She highlighted the CVB's budget, plan of work, sales and marketing plan, trade show participation, competition, and advertising; and noted that the financial impact of the CVB during the 2004/2005 fiscal year was $10.4 million. Ms. Hayden responded to questions by the City Council and introduced the board members,in attendance at the meeting. Mayor Heffernan confirmed that the revenue sharing agreement with the CVB increased from 14% to 18% for the 2004/2005 fiscal year, and the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) increased from approximately $8.1 million to nearly $10 million. Tom Johnson, Chairman of the CVB Board, highlighted some positive things happening in the community in regard to tourism. After a brief discussion, it was decided that after the final accounting of the 2004/2005 fiscal year is received, the Finance Committee will look into conducting a study to determine how effective the CVB has been and come back to the City Council with a recommendation. Peggy Fort listed the accomplishments of the CVB with the additional money received from the City for the 2004/05 fiscal year. 3. NEWPORT COAST COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE.. 1100 -20051 Assistant City Manager Kiff used a PowerPoint presentation to provide the status of the Newport Coast Community Center; and responded to questions by the City Council. Additional information is available on the City's website under "Projects" or by e- mailing the Newport Coast Advisory Committee (NCAC) at ncac@city.newport- beach.ca.us. Volume 57 - Page 351 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes July 26, 2005 City Attorney Clauson provided background information on the Irrevocable Offer of Dedication (IOD) of the parcel and the title. She noted that the legal status of the property needs to be addresaed further. Additionally, the terms of the preannexation agreement and the rights of the Newport Ridge Homeowners Association were discussed. Bill Liglomp, Newport Coast resident, spoke in opposition to the project and in support of a vote being taken by the Newport Coast residents. Gerhard Hahn, Newport Coast resident, also asked that a vote of the Newport Coast residents be taken and that reimbursing the money allocated for the project back to the residents be considered. Diana Snyder, Newport Coast resident, asked why the entire community isn't paying for the community center. She stated that Newport Ridge Park is being used as a public park and should be paid for by everyone. Tom Lebeau, Newport Coast resident, supported the right of the community to vote on the project and noted that the project that was previously approved is not what is currently being proposed. Sherri Fryer, Newport Coast resident, presented approximately 200 petitions from residents who support a vote on the project. Lisa Thompson, Newport Coast resident and President of the Newport Coast Elementary School Parent/Teacher Association (PTA), spoke in opposition to the community center due to traffic and safety concerns. Marc Fanticola, Newport Coast resident, expressed dissatisfaction with the NCAC. Dolores Otting agreed that the information presented at the NCAC meetings regarding the community center has been inadequate. Russ Abber, Newport Coast resident, expressed his support for the matter being voted on by the Newport Coast residents. Dan Wampole, member of both the NCAC and Newport Ridge Homeowners Association, provided a letter from the Chairman of the NCAC, Jim McGee. Mr. Wampole covered several points and provided the history of the project. He confirmed that the five members of the NCAC will continue to support the community center regardless of the results of a vote by the residents. Darla Yancey, Newport Coast resident, felt that information has not been adequately presented to the residents on the project. Additionally, she expressed her concerns for the Newport Ridge residents being the sole supporters of a park that is being used by everyone. Council Member Nichols expressed his support for the community center, felt that the NCAC has been responsive and that a vote of the residents is not necessary. Council Member Rosansky stated that he would like a report on the legalities involved with the ownership of the parcel. He expressed his support for the community center and opposition to a vote. Mayor Pro Tem Webb stated that residents have had the opportunity to voice their Volume 57 - Page 352 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes July 26, 2005 opinions and noticing of the NCAC meetings has been adequate. He did not support a vote of the residents. Council Member Daigle expressed bar concern for the opposition to the project and felt that the matter should be agendized for further consideration by the City Council. Council Member Selich spoke in opposition to a vote of the residents. Council Member Ridgeway stated that adequate information on the project was provided to the community and there were opportunities to express opposition earlier in the process. He did not support a vote of the residents. Additionally, he expressed concern for any suggestions to limit access to Newport Ridge Park. Mayor Heffernan summarized the comments by stating that no further action would be taken by the City Council. 4. EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEM. Item continued. PUBLIC COMMENTS Dolores Otting, EQAC member, asked why the NCAC has the final say and EQAC doesn't. She stated that the differences between committees and commissions needs to be provided. Council Member Ridgeway explained that each committee and commission has a different resolution or authority document, and they do vary. Shari Fryer expressed concern over a possible conflict of interest with Jim McGee being the author of the Newport Coast preannexation agreement and a member of the NCAC. ADJOURNMENT at 6:23 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on July 20, 2005 at 2:10 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. Recording Secretary Maydr/ Volume 57 - Page 353