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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/23/2007 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Study Session October 23, 2007 — 4:00 p.nL I. ROLL.CALL Present: Council Member Henn, Council Member Curry, Mayor Pro Tem Selich, Council Member Webb; Council Member Daigle, Council Member Gardner Excused: Mayor Rosansky II. CURRENT. BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. Regarding Item 10 (Hoag Health Center EIR), Council Member Gardner requested that the report be paginated better. In response to Council Member Daigle's questions regarding Item 9 (Back Bay Science Center), Assistant City Manager Kiff reported that the teaching lab will begin programs at the beginning of the year, the Department of Fish and Game and the County of Orange will be moving in shortly, it is not currently open to the public except for scheduled programs, and the grand opening will probably be May 2008. In response to Council questions regarding Item S20 (2007 -08 Master CIP Schedule), Public Works Director Badum reported that the schedule is updated quarterly on the Public Work's webpage, people can contact him or the project manager if they have specific questions about a project, and the Public Works Department discusses the projects weekly during their department meetings. He indicated that they can create a spreadsheet that discusses project delays and the cost impacts, and lists original start and completion dates. He also discussed options relative to Assessment District Nos. 99 and 100, and the timeline for the Buffalo Hills lighting project. 2. UPDATE ON CITYWIDE WI -FI (WIRELESS FIDELITY) NETWORK, INCLUDING SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL FROM METRO -FI. (contd. from 10/9/07) [no report] Assistant City Manager Kiff utilized a PowerPoint presentation to review what Wi -Fi is and discuss the Request for Proposals (RFP) process and the responses, what is occurring in the marketplace, the anchor -tenant model, and what might happen next. Council Member Curry noted that the City benefited from going through the process, but believed that the business model isn't viable. Council Member Daigle stated that this may be an option in the future through the cable companies. 3. PROPOSED WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY AT MARINERS PARK. [100 -2007) Council Member Daigle recused herself and left the dais. Assistant Planner Brown provided the staff report and utilized a PowerPoint presentation to depict where the tower would be located. She reported that Council authorization is Volume 58 — Page $01 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes October 23, 2007 needed prior to T- Mobile submitting an application since they want to exceed the height limit, the City has not processed this type of permit before, and the allowable height limit is 32 feet, but T- Mobile is requesting 49 feet. In response to Council Member Webb's concern regarding a possible conflict of interest, City Attorney Clauson believed that Council Member Webb would not have a conflict of interest since his house is not within 500 feet of the proposed tower. In response to Council questions, Assistant Planner Brown indicated that the fee is set by policy and the City has not worked out any details with T- Mobile since there is no application at this time. She noted that other carriers may be able to use the tower, but T- Mobile would want the higher position regardless of the tower height. She discussed the potential for a scoreboard on the tower. Public Works Director Badum indicated that the clock tower was discussed briefly during public outreach. He added that staff will need to determine where another carrier's support equipment will be located since the baseball teams have storage containers at the proposed location. City Attorney Clauson explained that, even though the tower would be on City property, the project would need a use permit in order to exceed the height limit. Discussion ensued relative to public outreach. Assistant City Manager Kiff noted that the residents were sent notices in the mail regarding today's meeting. He indicated that, if this moves forward, the issue will need one more Council review and that the public can speak on the issue at that time. Joe Thompson, T- Mobile, discussed why T- Mobile wants the tower to be 49 feet high and the footing for the scoreboard. He clarified that T- Mobile would own the tower and pay the City rent for having it in a public facility; however, T- Mobile would receive the revenue if another carrier used the tower. He indicated that there is no room for another carrier's support equipment within the tower and reported that T- Mobile will not be managing the scoreboard. In response to Council questions, Mr. Thompson discussed options if the tower could not be 49 feet tall, explained how the antenna works, indicated that he can provide a Radio Frequency (RF) Justification Study, and stated that they will do community outreach. Council Member Webb received clarification relative to the backstop fencing. He stated that he would prefer a 40 foot height limit and that the equipment would obstruct the public area if it were located at the base of the tower. He believed that the three base walls could be used for public use and asked to see the plans for the scoreboard. He pointed out that no one has complained to him about this project. Council Member Curry stated that he would like to understand the business aspect of the project. Council Member Henn requested to see more alternatives and expressed hope that the tower would be shorter and made to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood. Mayor Rosansky joined the meeting at 4:47 p.m. 4. JOINT SESSION WITH THE HARBOR COMMISSION REGARDING FEE STRUCTURE, EELGRASS, DREDGING, ETC. [100 -20071 Chairman Lawrenz reported that the Harbor Commission conducts an annual planning session. He utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss issues related to the Grand Jury Report, who can become a mooring permit holder or transferee, the benefits of short -term and long -term moorings, the existing waiting list process, proposed Title 17 revisions, and mooring management. Volume 58 - Page 302 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes October 23, 2007 Council Member Daigle suggested having as few definitions in the revisions to help eliminate confusion and allow for clean administration. She believed that the Newport Harbor Maintenance Reserve Fund is a good idea. She recommended changing the 15 day notification period when a mooring owner is on vacation to 30 days. In response to Council Member Henn's questions, Chairman Lawrenz noted that the transfer fee is set by Council policy and recommended updating the amount. He recommended charging $5 1year to keep ones name on the waiting list. Harbor Commissioner Collins utilized a PowerPoint presentation to emphasize why dredging is needed in the Harbor. He displayed a map of problematic shoaling areas and the Upper Newport Bay ecosystem restoration project, and discussed the City's history of dredging. He reviewed funding issues, potential financing options, and the proposed change in strategy. He reported on the Regional Grant Permit and the Rhine Channel Contaminated Sediment Remediation Plan. He emphasized that the maintenance of the Lower Bay can only be effective with a comprehensive source control program in the watershed. He reported that dredging the Bay should be a regional service, like street sweeping or storm drain services. Harbor Resources Manager Rossmiller reported that the moorings are within the Federal area of responsibility, and discussed previous dredging projects and Federal lines. Harbor Commissioner Beek utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss the Harbor Area Management Plan (RAMP) and how to balance environmental issues with Harbor uses. He displayed eelgrass bed locations and discussed the impacts of eelgrass on Harbor improvements. Harbor Resources Supervisor Miller noted that there are seven sites that are being considered as mitigation areas. Vice Chairman Duffield stated that he is also the Chair of the Mooring Master Plan Subcommittee. He utilized a PowerPoint presentation to explain why the subcommittee was formed, who is participating on the subcommittee, how frequently they've met, and their objectives and parameters. He displayed an aerial of the mooring fields and explained how each field was evaluated. He reviewed the recommended changes. Harbor Commissioner Corrough utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss Harbor service facilities and economic drivers/issues. He noted that more boat and shipyards are needed in the Harbor and believed that $1.86 billion of revenue will be generated in 2007 from Harbor - related uses and jobs. He displayed slides of service facility locations and possible joint land/water planning areas. He stated that the Commission hopes to include much of the Harbor information in the HAMP. He emphasized that the Municipal Code needs to be updated with clearer language. He discussed successful examples of inter- departmental project coordination. Harbor Commissioner Rodheim discussed why Newport, Rhode Island, could serve as a model for visitor- serving facilities for the boating public. He utilized a PowerPoint presentation to emphasize the importance of visitor- serving docks and waterfront facilities. He reported on the mooring permit distribution, noting that the Harbor is an important regional facility that is used by residents and visitors. He discussed the need for berthing and temporary storage for smaller vessels, and suggested adding fingers to the public piers for dinghy tie -up with appropriate permits. He also presented suggestions on how to deal with long -term dinghy storage. Harbor Commissioner Rhyne utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss code enforcement issues and problems with piered boats in the Harbor. She questioned how to deal with violations and which rules make sense. She emphasized that the City needs to Volume 58 - Page 308 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes October 23, 2007 think about how it wants the Harbor to look like in the future. Council commended the Harbor Commission for a comprehensive and thorough presentation, emphasized the importance of the HAMP, agreed that the Harbor is the most important resource in the City, and agreed that the Harbor should be treated as well as the City treats its streets. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS -None IV. ADJOURNMENT - 6:27 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on October 17, 2007, at 2:10 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. kin City Clerk r Recording Secretar Mayor Volume 58 - Page 304