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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2009 - Special MeetingCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Special Meeting Central Library Friends Room 1000 Avocado Avenue January 10, 2009 — 8:00 a.m. I. CONVENED AT 8:00 A.M. FOR SPECIAL MEETING II. ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Henn, Council Member Rosansky, Council Member Webb, Council Member Daigle, Council Member Gardner, Mayor Pro Tem Curry, Mayor Selich III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Mayor Pro Tern Curry IV. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. DISCUSSION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNCIL PRIORITIES. City Manager Bludau provided a highlight of the timeline, actions taken, and status of the following 2008 Council Priorities, as outlined in the PowerPoint presentation: 1) Planning, processing and construction of a new City Hall; 2) regularly update the Facilities Financing Plan (FFP) and implement the planning, finance and construction of the identified projects; 3) implement new group residential ordinances; work at the State and Federal levels to allow local governments greater ability to regulate secondary efforts of an overconcentration of group homes; 4) prepare and implement a Water Quality Master Plan (WQMP) that addresses and prioritizes water quality needs into the future; 5) institute an organizational performance improvement effort through data gathering and the identification of service benchmarks to measure organizational effectiveness; 6) conduct an appraisal of the Banning Ranch property and assess funding available for the purchase of the property for open space; 7) take advantage of the latest technology, and implement an effective traffic management plan that improves traffic flow throughout the City; 8) minimize the adverse impact of John Wayne Airport (JWA) through the implementation of the City's Airport Policy; 9) align the City's codes, regulations and policies with the General Plan; 10) provide more public parks and recreation facilities, with emphasis on active and water - oriented facilities where appropriate; 11) implement an effective communication plan which utilizes various communication tools to provide current information to the residents; and 12) develop a process to regularly review and update City fees in order to ensure most fee services pay for themselves. In response to Council questions, Assistant City Manager Kiff discussed group residential home abatement, the City's efforts relative to legislation, and the abatement process for facilities that do not apply for a use permit by February. Regarding water quality, Mr. Kiff explained how the proposed economic stimulus could assist the City in its dredging efforts, confirmed that the Lower Bay project would require an environmental report, and discussed the Federal Navigation Channel. Assistant City Manager Wood noted that a report will be brought before Council. regarding Banning Ranch at the January 27 meeting. Regarding the General Plan, Ms. Wood discussed the collaboration between Coastal Commission staff and City staff relative to the Coastal Land Use Plan. She also Volume 69 - Page 42 City of Newport Beach City Council Special Meeting Minutes January 10, 2009 indicated that the Zoning Code revisions will be brought to the Planning Commission in spring. Public Works Director Badum discussed the Traffic Management Plan, Measure M, the design cost for the remaining phases, efforts to tie -in Caltrans and the City's signals, and the relinquishment of Coast Highway. Recreation and Senior Services Director Detweiler reported that Coastal Peak Park will open the end of summer. Jan Vandersloot expressed hope that the City will continue its water quality and dredging efforts. He noted that there are billions of dollars available through Proposition 84. In response to questions from Sally Newell, John Zaepfel, Louise Winder, and Missy Schweiger, Assistant City Manager Kiff discussed the City's limitations over State - licensed group residential six and under facilities; however, he reiterated the City's desire for legislation. He reported that the ordinance bans new group homes except in multi- family zones. He noted that the current use permit applications are on the City's webpage and encouraged the public to sign up to receive email notifications relative to group home hearings. He noted that the webpage does not publish a list of active group homes in the City. Council Member Henn emphasized the importance of the agreement with Sober Living by the Sea (SLBTS) on the January 27 agenda and reported that the City can begin enforcing the ordinance as soon as the agreement becomes final and the lawsuit no longer exists. CitVs Financial Status Administrative Services Director Danner utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss the General Fund fund balance, General Fund reserve composition, top revenue sources, 20- year assessed property value growth, sales tax by business segment for 2007 -2008, sales tax projections, sales tax analysis, Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) collection, other revenue sources, projected State budget shortfalls, 2008 -2009 budget challenges and actions, 2009 -2010 known expenditure factors, negotiated compensation costs, and 2009- 2010 budget challenges, actions, and other considerations. He reported that the budget is currently balanced. In response to Council questions, Administrative Services Director Danner stated that the State could take some local safety funds and divert it to the County Sheriff, or may look at taking redevelopment money. He confirmed that enacting a hiring freeze can assist some departments in reaching the implemented 1% budget reduction, but added that departments never spend all of its budgeted appropriations. He also confirmed that the internal service reserve is fully funded. Regarding PERS, he believed that PERS would probably need legislation to change the rate structure plan and that the City may want to consider building up the PERS reserve again. He noted that the budget does not reflect any development fees. He stated that the City is in better shape than most cities and that he expects the City's rating to still be AA. City Manager Bludau discussed which Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects he is recommending be deferred in order to save over $2.3 million. He indicated that he will bring his CIP recommendations to Council at a regular meeting for discussion and confirmed that conducting layoffs would be the worst case scenario for the City. Sean Burke questioned the need for spending money on a tsunami warning system. Jan Vandersloot also expressed concern about spending money on a tsunami warning system and not moving forward with the Ocean Front street end improvements since the residents have already been assessed for the project. Volume 59 - Page 48 City of Newport Beach City Council Special Meeting Minutes January 10, 2009 Ron Hendrickson suggested looking more closely at the scheduled salary increases. Dolores Otting indicated that Peninsula residents have been asking for a tsunami warning system for years. In response to Karen Tringali's question, City Manager Bludau explained that the revenues can show an increase while the assessed property value decreases because Proposition 13 includes an automatic 2% increase and properties will still be purchased in the future. Mayor Selich recessed the meeting at 10:02 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 10:18 a.m. with all member of the City Council present. 2009 Prioriti Following discussion, it was the consensus of Council to keep the following priorities on the list for 2009: 1) City Hall design/construction issues; 2) JWA issues; 3) group homes issues; 4) benchmarking and performance measures (until the City is into Phase 3 of the process); 5) traffic management and improved traffic flow issues; 6) park and recreation facility issues, including a Banning Ranch needs analysis and concept plan for the 20 to 30 acres; 7) water quality /future needs and rate issues; 8) appraisal and funding for Banning Ranch; and 9) align City codes, regulations and policies with the General Plan; and 10) update the Facilities Financing Plan (FFP) for one more year. He noted that two priorities appear to have been completed - the review of City fees (non- Harbor related) and improvied communication tools. Regarding the completed priorities, Council Member Rosansky noted that harbor fees have not been included in the updated fee schedule. City Manager Bludau also reported on the City Manager's community newsletter and the work being done to update the City's webpage in order to better inform the residents. Potential New Priorities for 2009 Following discussion relative to looking into a financing plan to dredge the Lower Bay, it was the consensus of Council to place this issue on the 2009 Council Priorities list. Regarding the current benchmarking priority, Council recommended focusing on the performance measures of the Building Department and Planning Department, and include this into Item 4. With the concurrence of Council, Mayor Pro Tem Curry and Council Member Gardner suggested placing the importance of reducing the fire hazard in Lower Buck Gully on the Council Priority list. Council recommended that more traffic management options be added to the traffic management priority (Item 5) and that the water quality priority (Item 7) look at tiered water rates. Council Member Rosansky suggested placing the budget on the priorities list since the City needs to be very focused on saving and conserving. It was pointed out that the Administrative Services Director provides detailed reports in the City Manager's Newsletter. City Manager Bludau noted that Council normally only has 12 priorities but, due to the current economic situation, it would be appropriate to include developing and adopting a fiscal year 2009 -2010 budget that is balanced and places budget resources Volume 59 - Page 44 City of Newport Beach City Council Special Meeting Minutes January 10, 2009 where it is most needed on the list Dolores Otting asked what the City is doing to conserve water. Utilities Director Murdoch reported that 90% of the parks use smart irrigation controllers. City Manager Bludau indicated that a discussion can take place at a Study Session relative to the City's water use. Jan Vandersloot believed that funding for Upper Bay dredging should also be included in the water quality priority (Item 7) and that the City should increase its efforts. Ron Hendrickson believed that the Buck Gully fire hazard should be the City's top priority. He asked what The Irvine Company's status is relative to traffic implementation in Newport Center. He also expressed concern relative to the time and effort needed by staff to work on benchmarking, and recommending terminating the priority after Phase 11. Council Member Henn recommended that the City be more pro - active in advance of next year's priority setting meeting in terms of publicizing the meeting in advance and soliciting public input. 2. DISCUSSION OF CITY HALL CONCEPT ELEMENTS Assistant City Manager Kiff utilized a PowerPoint presentation to highlight what the Design Committee suggested and where the Building Committee agreed or disagreed; discuss issues needing Council consensus; and items to be brought back to Council for approval. Barry Allen suggested keeping the sail below the view plan, minimizing the night glare, placing green surfaces on the roofs, not taking down and reconstructing the berm, and not phasing the project. Jan Vandersloot showed where he believed the southernmost meadow area is located. He agreed with not rebuilding the berm and encouraged keeping all the current views. He suggested downsizing or eliminating the amphitheater. He believed that the Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (BCJ) plan was the most land - friendly plan. Ron Hendrickson asked if Library staff and the Board of Library Trustees have provided input since there is supposed to be a connection between City Hall and the Central Library. He questioned the need for the amphitheater since surface parking is needed. He believed that keeping the knoll is secondary to getting an appropriate City Hall design. Bernie Svalstad expressed concern that the parking lot is where the view point is currently located. Novell Hendrickson suggested not reducing the size of the MacArthur berm. Council Consensus Items Library -City Hall Link Council Member Gardner encouraged creating a civic center feel. Discussion ensued relative to providing coffeelcold food service for the employees and the public. It was the consensus of Council to meet with the Board of Library Trustees to find out their ideas for the outdoor courtyard prior to making any decisions. Volume 59 - Page 45 City of Newport Beach City Council Special Meeting Minutes January 10, 2009 Community Room - Council Chambers Discussion ensued relative to either having the Council Chambers open up into the community room in the event of overflow or having two separate locations with television monitors to handle overflow. It was noted that the new Council Chambers will have more seating capacity, so it was the consensus of Council to move forward with a separate meeting room outfitted with television monitors that can display the meeting in progress. Southernmost Meadow Area Council Member Webb recommended creating a view area on the upper level of the parking structure and removing the amphitheater. He also suggested using story poles or hiring a topographer to take photographs from various locations to demonstrate that the City has improved views. Council Member Rosansky suggested directing the architect to enhance views as best as possible. Council Member Gardner indicated that the public ocean and bay views must be preserved. Mayor Pro Tem Curry indicated that the dirt can be reconfigured so there are views on the west side. It was the consensus of Council to protect views, but not necessarily from specific locations. Park Amphitheatre Council indicated that City Hall could have surface parking or a bigger grass area if the amphitheatre is removed; there may be too much noise in that location for an amphitheatre; and the amphitheatre may not be needed if an outdoor gathering area is created. It was the consensus of Council to remove the amphitheatre from the plan. Park Restrooms Discussion ensued relative to the need for restrooms since City Hall is in close proximity to the park; however, it was noted that City Hall will not be open all the time and that the back part of the park will need restrooms. It was confirmed that the park will have a play area with a restroom nearby. It was the consensus of Council to have a separate park restroom facility. Sail Feature Council Member Gardner recommended removing the sail from the design. Council Member Henn recommended allowing the architect to try to resolve the issues with the sail. Mayor Selich noted that the number of pods and levels will be decreased, which will lower the height. It was the consensus of Council to design around the view plane. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Assistant City Manager Kiff indicated that the Building Committee is favoring keeping the EOC at the Police Department, especially since it will be remodeled. City Manager Bludau noted that the new Police Department will also be an essential facility and will always have personnel on staff, including after hour dispatch service. Council Member Henn asked what the cost would be to also utilize the community center as the EOC and expressed concern about having the EOC at the Police Department in the event something happens to the Police Department. Following discussion, it was the consensus of Council to keep the EOC at the Police Department. Volume 59 - Page 46 City of Newport Beach City Council Special Meeting Minutes January 10, 2009 MacArthur Berm Mayor Selich noted that the berm is an artificial berm and can be taken down and reconstructed if cost is an issue. Council Member Henn recommended taking photos so the views can be reconstructed. V. PUBLIC Ron Hendrickson thanked the City Council for having an open meeting to discuss these issues. VI. ADJOURNM> NT -12:45 p.m. Mayor City Clerk Volume 59 - Page 47