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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/24/2006 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Study Session October 24, 2006 — 4:30 p.m ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Curry, Council Member Selich, Mayor Webb, Council Member Nichols Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Rosansky, Council Member Ridgeway Excused: Council Member Daigle Mayor Pro Tem Rosansky and Council Member Ridgeway arrived later in the meeting. 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. Council Member Nichols requested additional information in regard to Item No. 21, Professional Services Agreement with Hogle - Ireland for Interim Planning Director, and City Manager Bludau stated that he would meet with Council Member Nichols prior to the evening meeting. Council Member Ridgeway joined the meeting at 4:35 p.m. 2. RENEWAL OF INSURANCE BROKER OF RECORD PRESENTATION. [100 -2006] City Manager Bludau stated that he placed this item on the Study Session agenda to provide an overview of the City's property /casualty insurance for the newer Council Members. Mayor Webb noted that the City Council would be taking action on the item at the evening agenda, Agenda Item No. 9. Human Resources Director Ramsey provided a brief introductory report. Risk Manager Farley stated that Brown & Brown has been the City's broker of record for property /casualty insurance since 2003 and has provided the City with excellent service. She highlighted some of the information contained in the staff report and recommended that the contract with Brown & Brown be renewed. In response to Mayor Webb's question, Risk Manager Farley stated that Brown & Brown procures insurance for the City at the best prices possible, and assists with certificates of insurance for capital improvement contracts. Brown & Brown also assists with unusual situations, such as the special event policies that were required for the Centennial celebrations. Mark Zahoryin, Brown & Brown, stated that Brown & Brown is the seventh largest brokerage firm in the United States, with approximately 133 offices in 33 states. Volume 57 - Page 820 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes October 24, 2006 Mayor Pro Tom Rosansky joined the meeting at 4:50 p.m. Mr. Zahoryin described the market conditions that he is anticipating for 2007, and specifically stated that excess general liability renewal rates are expected to be stable and excess workers compensation rates are expected to be flat or possibly decrease. The master property policy premiums are also expected to be flat or decrease. Mr. Zahoryin stated that the premiums for earthquake, flood.and pier insurance are.anticipated to increase by as much as 100 %, with a reduction in limits and an increase in deductibles. Mr. Zahoryin explained why the changes are anticipated and what has occurred over the past three years in regard to the property insurance market. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Rosansky's question, Mr. Zahoryin stated that the recommended liability insurance level for contracts varies depending on the size and scope of the operation. In general, he stated that $2 million per occurrence is a good starting point. In response to an additional question by Mayor Pro Tem Rosansky, City Attorney Clauson stated that the City's current basic contract requirement is $1 million. Mayor Pro Tem Rosansky requested that this amount be reviewed. In closing, Mr. Zahoryin stated that Brown & Brown will continue to look at as many options as possible for the City, but that, in general, increases should be expected to continue over the next two to three years. 3. REVIEW OF THE 2006 JUNIOR LIFEGUARD PROGRAM. (100 -20061 Fire Chief Riley provided a brief report on what led to the change in the junior lifeguard program for the summer of 2006. Using a PowerPoint presentation, Lifeguard Battalion Chief Boyer stated that the City's junior lifeguard program was established in 1984 with 50 participants. By 1997, the program grew to 1,000 participants, and in 2005, there were 1,200 participants with 300 individuals turned away. Ms. Boyer listed the program basics, and stated that safety and producing a quality program are what have made the program successful. Ms. Boyer stated that in 2006, two four -week sessions were held instead of the traditional one eight -week session, and 1,427 participants were accommodated. At the conclusion of the program, family and instructor surveys were sent out to assist the City in determining the future direction of the junior lifeguard program. Ms. Boyer reported that 669 family surveys were received, with 60% of the respondents preferring the one eight -week session, 32% preferring the two four - week sessions and 8% trusting the City to make the decision. The survey also asked what method the respondents preferred for limiting the number of participants. The preferences, in order, were to give priority to Newport Beach residents, priority to returning junior guards, requiring faster swim times, increasing the fees and raising the age requirement. Respondents were very satisfied with the program's instruction, curriculum, safety and equipment, and somewhat unsatisfied with the facility and uniforms. Ms. Boyer thanked those that participated in the survey, and displayed some of the Volume 57 - Page 821 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes October 24, 2006 representative comments that were received. Ms. Boyer then displayed the results of. the instructors survey, which highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of both the two four -week program and the single eight -week program as perceived by the instructors. She reported that 94% of the instructors preferred the single eight -week program, feeling that the quality of the program is more important . than the quantity of participants accommodated. Ms. Boyer stated that the priorities for the program are to continue to focus on safety and quality, and to offer what the participants want. She announced that staffs recommendation for the summer of 2007 is to hold one eight -week session. This would accommodate 1,200 participants and would be limited by giving Newport residents priority, reducing the allowed swim test attempts from seven to five and making the swim test times faster in each division by five seconds. Mayor Webb expressed the concern that the single eight -week program could potentially turn away 800 participants, particularly those with the slower swim times who might benefit from the program the most. He confirmed that the purpose of the program is to encourage ocean safety among the youth. Ms. Boyer pointed out that the instructors made the recommendation and feel that the slower swimmers are not quite ready for the ocean experience. In response to Mayor Webb's additional question, she stated that the majority of the participants are in the 10 -11 and 12 -13 year old divisions. Mayor Webb asked if eliminating the 9- year old division as a way to limit participation should be considered. Ms. Boyer stated that the 9 -year old division is the target group for teaching ocean safety and nationally is considered a part of a 9 -11 year old division. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Rosansky's question, Ms. Boyer explained what is accomplished by the various age levels during the summer program. With the two four -week program, the participants still experience the ocean education aspect, but they do not experience the same bonding with the instructors as is accomplished with the single eight -week program. Council Member Curry complimented the survey, and stated that it was comprehensive and consistent with the comments that he has received. He expressed support for returning to the eight -week program. Council Member Ridgeway stated that the comments he's heard are also consistent with the survey and noted that he has firsthand knowledge since his child participated in both the eight -week and the four -week programs. He also expressed support for the eight -week program, and agreed that the facility used for the program should be improved. Council Member Selich stated that he also has had children go through the junior lifeguard program. He expressed his support for returning to the eight -week program. In response to his question, Ms. Boyer stated that the City's standards for accepting participants is similar to other cities. Fire Chief Riley stated that staff will continue to look for ways to improve the program and make it available to as many participants as possible. Council Member Nichols stated that he also had children go through the eight- Volume 57 - Page 822 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes October 24, 2006 week program, and that it is a quality program. He expressed support for the staff recommendation. In response to Mayor Webb's question, Ms. Boyer stated that approximately 50% of the junior guards return the following year. Mayor Pro Tem Rosansky agreed with Mayor Webb's concern for the participants that are being turned away and not being educated on ocean safety. He requested that staff continue to explore options. In response to City Manager Bludau's question, Ms. Boyer explained that the uniforms were given a low ranking in the survey because of the quality of the t- shirts and the logo that was selected. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None ADJOURNMENT - at 5:50 p.m The agenda for the Study Session was posted on October 18, 2006, at 2:15 p.m on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. City Clerk 0191 ' Recording Secretary Ui Mayor Volume 57 - Page 828