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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/22/2008 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes City Council Study Session January 22, 2008 — 4:00 p.m. I. ROLL CALL II. Present: Council Member Henn, Mayor Pro Tem Daigle, Mayor Selich, Council Member Webb, Council Member Curry, Council Member Gardner Excused: Council Member Rosansky 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR In response to Mayor Pro Tem Daigle's question, City Manager Bludau stated that Item 14 (Concession at Corona del Mar), will be continued to a future agenda which will include a breakdown of concessionnaire's applications. 2. WATER QUALITY GRANTS Assistant City Manager Kiff utilized a PowerPoint presentation to explain the different water quality issues, the areas of concern, programs that are underway, grant projects that are available, and likely grant funding. In response to City Manager Bludau's concern, Assistant City Manager Kiff stated that other cities will be directed by the total maximum daily load (TMDL) to reach a pollutant limit in the next permit term. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Daigle's question, Assistant City Manager Kiff stated that the Executive Watershed Committee is reviewing the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) for grants. Council Member Gardner reported that the Newport Bay Executive Committee supports the Serrano Creek restoration because it is a major contributor of sediment to the Bay. Council Member Curry stated that Measure M provides two million dollars for runoff remediation from highway and transportation projects and are still developing critera for how they will allocate the funds. He indicated that the City should reduce upstream runoff by revitalizing the legislative committee and work with Congressman Campbell's office for a comprehensive strategy, which may include creating a joint powers authority with some of the upstream partners so improvements can be financed on a interim basis through the JPA until funding from the federal government can come through. In response to City Manager Bludau's question, Assistant City Manager Kiff stated that the City's regional board is less aggressive in regulating storm waters and dry weather flows. In response to Council questions, Assistant City Manager Kiff stated that a member Volume 58 — Page 876 City of Newport Beach Study Session January 22, 2008 of the Coastal Bay Water Quality Committee in San Clemente brought forward a concept that asked their voters to accept a monthly increase that is dedicated towards water quality, street sweeping, and the catch basin. The fees are not feasible in this City because the general fund is used to cover the cost. He indicated that Council can expect to have a spreadsheet of the different grant programs as a part of the water quality master plan. The subcommittee will meet in two weeks and then it will go to the full committee and expected to be brought back to Council in March. Council Member Gardner indicated that more studies are needed before concluding that storm water is damaging to sea life. 3. PROTOCOL WITH CALTRANS PROJECTS IN THE CITY Public Works Director Badum explained that the City and Caltrans have agreed to meet on a quarterly basis to discuss restrictions of work hours, signage, prohibition of work on certain days, and notification by the contractor to dispatch. He stated that the City has agreed to notify residents and businesses of street closures. He believed that the City should consider taking contol of Coast Highway from Jamboree to Newport Blvd., which is now under Caltrans control. In response to Council Member Gardner's question, Public Works Director Badum stated that it is difficult to get all the traffic information on the signs, but he agreed that changing the location of the signs might be helpful to allow drivers to take another route. In response to Council Member Curry's question, Public Works Director Badum stated that Caltrans and other agencies are cooperating with the City by moving projects to other dates as needed. In response to Council Member Henn's question, Public Works Director Badum stated that the City and Caltrans traffic signals are coordinated but not synchronized. He stated that the City's current system is not compatible enough to interface to the Caltrans, but the new system is. Council Member Webb explained that the City needs to acquire Coast Highway from Jamboree to Newport Boulevard and repair work needs to be done at night time for the convenience of the residents and to improve traffic circulation. City Manager Bludau reminded Council that the City's underground utility project and Caltrans repaving projects might run at the same time. Public Works Director Badum indicated that most of the utility work will be done on side streets and they cannot change the dates for the work if Assessment District 92 passes due to a grant funding deadline. He stated that coordination with Caltrans is very important to the completion of the project. In response to Mayor Selich's question, Public Works Director Badum stated that Council can negotiate with Caltrans about the City taking over the bridge over the Bay. The transfer can be approved by the California Transportation Committee (CTC) but he is not sure if it needs to go through state legislations. He indicated that this City is one of the last Cities to get paid to take over Coast Highway. Council Member Webb stated that the City can take over the bridge on Finley, the channel bridge, and Arches bridge, but needs to consider the consequences of major failure. He also stated that there is piping work to be done that goes across the Volume 58 - Page 377 City of Newport Beach Study Session January 22, 2008 highway and Council might want to consider night time construction. He emphasized the amount of work that is needed and noted that the work will be done in phases. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None IV. ADJOURNMENT - 4:50 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on January 16, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. ordino Secretary Mayor i City Clerk Volume 58 - Page $78