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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/23/2008 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes City Council Study Session September 23, 2008 — 3:30 p.m. I. ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Henn, Mayor Pro Tem Daigle, Mayor Selich, Council Member Curry, Council Member Gardner Excused: Council Member Rosansky, Council Member Webb II. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR - None 2. PRESENTATION BY OCTA ON SR -55 ACCESS STUDY. (100 -20081 Public Works Director Badum reported that the SR -55 Access Study is a cooperative effort between the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and Caltrans to identify potential alternatives and address issues pertaining to congestion along Newport Boulevard. Council Member Webb joined the meeting at 3:34 p.m. Michael Litschi, OCTA, provided a PowerPoint presentation that included the purpose of the study, community outreach methods, outreach findings, an explanation of no buildthaseline, the current freeway plan, transportation systems management, vertical terminal enhancement, the viaduct, the cut/cover tunnel, evaluation criteria, screening evaluation, hours of delay, recommended alternatives, rejected input options, 19th Street bridge sensitivity test summary, and the next steps. Sarah Swensson, OCTA, stated that since the study began, they have held two stakeholder meetings to discuss concerns about traffic congestion. She explained that they developed a website that includes an explanation of each alternative and created an e- newsletter to publicize open houses. She stated that the information received during the open houses, online surveys, and phone calls have been evaluated and integrated. Tony Petros, LSA Associates, stated that the goal is to rule out alternatives that do not have merit and to move forward with alternatives that will achieve a level of congestion relief and alleviate other concerns. He stated that the final decision might include a combination of alternatives. Mr. Litschi reported that the 19th Street bridge will help reduce traffic volume on Pacific Coast Highway and Newport Boulevard, and stated that they will present the reduced set of alternatives to the OCTA Board in October. if approved, they will develop a scope for the next phase of the study. In response to Council's questions, Mr. Litschi stated that they recommend that a study be conducted on the following alternatives: no buildthaseline, cutteover tunnel, transportation system management, terminal enhancement, and a combination of alternatives. He stated Volume 68 - Page 577 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session September 23, 2008 that all the alternatives will move the traffic more south except for the no build baseline. He indicated that the next phase will study costs. He reported that the time period for the cut/cover alternative is expected to be 10 -15 years at an estimated cost of $200 million, which is less than the current freeway plan. He stated that the residents of Costa Mesa are concerned about the environmental impacts and the removal of homes and businesses. 3. BAN ON STYROFOAM USAGE. [100 -2008] Assistant City Manager Wood reported that since the ordinance was drafted, staff has learned more information about the environmental effects and the possibility of recycling polystyrene. She stated that the Restaurant Association is supportive of the ban and requested direction from Council. Matthew Dodson, California Grocers Association, stated that the ordinance will cause a great impact on the supermarket industry and that there are unique qualities about fresh meat, fish, and poultry in the way it is packaged that can be a problem in health/safety, aesthetics, and durability. However, they are prepared to address other packaging alternatives for vegetables, cups, and plates. In response to Council's questions, Assistant City Manager Wood stated that the ordinance includes locally packaged foods and that all packaging materials have some type of environmental impact. Samantha Martinez, Plastic Food Service Packing Group, believed that the City shouldn't focus on one material and that her organization would like to work with the City on finding alternatives. She reported that polystyrene uses 50% less energy and greenhouse gases to make, and provided a handout. She urged Council to consider recycling polystyrene as opposed to banning it. Council Member Henn stated that there is a significant difference between paper products and polystyrene, which is left on the boardwalk often. Scott Moreland stated that styrofoam won't biodegrade and has caused a huge problem during beach clean -up. Council Member Gardner stated that Styrofoam is not a new issue and is a concern. She stated that she wanted students to see that activism pays off. Council Member Henn stated that there is no measurable study regarding the ban on styrofoam because there are only 26 cities that have such an ordinance. He believed that the ordinance should exempt retail grocery stores with raw meats in bulk. Mr. Choi, Dart Container Corporation, explained how they turn styrofoam into green building products. He stated that his company would provide the densifier free of charge to the City. Council Member Gardner stated that she encourages recycling; however, recycling styrofoam is difficult and should not be an alternative. Mr. Choi stated that his company will incur the recycling costs and noted that a company called PDR in Santa Ana will take the styrofoam. Council Member Curry stated that he would like the recycling of styrofoam added to the ordinance and expressed appreciation for the offer from Dart Container Corporation. Volume 58 - Page 578 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session September 23, 2008 Mayor Selich stated that Council would like to continue the item, direct staff to conduct an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), add an exemption to the ordinance relative to raw meat products not intended for immediate consumption, and pursue a separate program with Dart Container Corporation. Nancy Skinner expressed support for banning styrofoam and expressed appreciation to the City for being in the forefront on this issue. Council Member Henn complimented the Restaurant Association for their support of the ban. Ariel Kusby urged Council to ban styrofoam for health and environmental reasons. Council Member Curry requested an analysis of enhancing the recycling capabilities of polystyrene products that are not subject to the ban. 4. CIP MAPPING APPLICATION. [100 -20081 Public Works Director Badum reported that his department implemented a new computer application for capital projects. Administrative Manager Pollard introduced staff, handed out a sample construction report, and showed a PowerPoint presentation that included new ways to communicate project information to the residents. She stated that the application is available on the Public Works webpage and demonstrated how to access different projects. Council Member Rosansky joined the meeting at 5:00 p.m. In response to Council's questions, Administrative Manager Pollard stated that they are in the development phase of the computer program and will work on advancing the system as time goes on. Council Member Henn commended staff and suggested that they also include the ability to access projects by completion and inception dates, and also suggested that the "as of date" be moved to the header. Council Member Curry also commended staff and stated that the program is a great management tool. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Daigle's question, Public Works Director Badum stated that the computer program is flexible and formattable. He reported that staff will update information as soon as it is received, does not require additional staff, provides another avenue to get information to the residents, includes projects from one fiscal year to current, search capabilities are large, and quarterly reports can be generated. III. PUBLIC.COMMEN.T.S - None IV. ADJOURNMENT - 5:09 pan. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on September 17, 2008, at 2:45 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. Volume 58 - Page 579 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session September 23, 2008 �1 /l rn?�en-7� h� •� \ City Clerk Y Volume 58 - Page 580