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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/23/2010 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes City Council Study Session March 23, 2010 — 4:00 p.m. I. ROL_L_CALL Present: Council Member Selich, Council Member Rosansky, Mayor Pro Tem Henn, Mayor Curry, Council Member Webb, Council Member Gardner, Council Member Daigle City Manager Kiff introduced Interim Fire Chief Parker who provided his background and experience. II. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Henn's question, Economic Development Administrator DeSantis provided the timeline for when the various sections of the Balboa Village Parking Study will be presented to Council. Council Member Gardner noted that the Corona del Mar Parking Study also needs to move forward. Regarding Item 10 (Public Dock Access Improvements), Council Member Daigle asked whether materials, other than wood, could be considered for the project. Harbor Resources Manager Miller indicated that future Requests for Proposals (RFPs) can be written differently; however, the existing docks are currently made of wood. City Manager Kiff noted that this issue can be considered by the Harbor Commission. In response to Council Member Gardner's question regarding Item 5 (Authorization to Access State and Federal Criminal History Information for Kennel Licensing Purposes), Police Captain Johnson reported that the municipal code requires that kennel licensees undergo a background check. City Manager Kiff pointed out that Item 3 (Sea Lion Time Limits for Compliance) also includes a 10 -day noticing alternative and indicated that the City will be communicating the new regulations to the appropriate parties. Harbor Resources Manager Miller expressed the opinion that the City is doing all it can do at this point to manage the sea lion problem. City Manager Kiff reported that the supplemental staff report for Item 8 (Ad Hoc Committee for Negotiating the Conexant Development Agreement) included the Mayor's appointments to the committee and that he will be pulling Item 16 (Restaurant Week Status Report) so that the Newport Beach Restaurant Association (NBRA) Business Improvement District (BID) could make a presentation. Regarding Item 18 (California Municipal Financing Authority Revenue Bonds Benefiting Our Lady Queen of Angels School), he noted that this is similar to what the City has done for Hoag Hospital. Council Member Gardner requested that the City Attorney's Office opine relative to the potential perception of discrimination if Volume 59 - Page 417 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session March 23, 2010 the City does not assist other types of churches in the same manner 2. SPECIAL EVENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ON CRITERIA, APPLICATION FORM, AND APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS FOR CONSIDERING REQUESTS FOR CITY FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EVENTS. Kirwan Rockefeller, Special Events Advisory Committee (SEAC), utilized a PowerPoint presentation to display the master, calendar of special events. He also highlighted SEAC's responsibilities and funding criteria for developing its recommendations, and discussed the funding application form and point value system. He reviewed the application review process and timeline, but indicated that SEAC will be flexible with the process. Economic Development Administrator DeSantis noted that the tentative schedule was intended to coincide with the budget cycle. In response to Council questions, Mr. Rockefeller reported on how SEAC would document and make recommendations to Council, and indicated that SEAC has not tested the criteria against existing special events. Council Member Rosansky pointed out that all applications are supposed to be brought before Council. Mayor Pro Tem Henn added that SEAL acts in an advisory capacity to Council. Kim Severini, Visit Newport Beach (VNB), confirmed that VNB has a brand statement for the City and will provide it to Council. Regarding the special events calendar, Economic Development Administrator DeSantis reported that the calendar was paid for by Council and Economic Development, and that it cannot be placed on the City's webpage because it does not meet the website criteria. 3. OCEANFRONT SAFETY STEERING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS. Public Information Manager Finnigan utilized a PowerPoint presentation which highlighted the committee membership and history. She reported that the committee is recommending that Segways be banned on the boardwalk and Belvue Lane, and that Segway tour operators be required to obtain a permit to operate in the City. She reported that Segways are permitted on sidewalks. Police Captain Johnson discussed oceanfront safety events, the benefits of the mounted radar booths on the boardwalk, enforcement, and the types and number of citations issued on the boardwalk. He reported that no citations were issued to Segway users because Segways are currently permitted on the oceanfront walk. Senior Civil Engineer Sommers discussed pavement markings, signage, and striping. He also displayed the new and proposed boardwalk signs, and emphasized the importance of enforcement. He confirmed that the signs are directed for boardwalk users, noting that beach users have other signs. Council Member Webb disagreed with the need to ban Segways since they have not posed an enforcement or safety problem. He expressed support for the recommendation to require a permit. Mayor Pro Tem Henn expressed concern with allowing any type of electric or motor - powered vehicle on the boardwalk due to the confusion it may cause the public in determining what is permitted and what is not. He indicated that he supports the Volume 59 - Page 418 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session March 23, 2010 use of any mobility device by individuals displaying a handicap placard Mike Beck indicated that he and his elderly father use Segways and discussed their benefits. He expressed opposition to banning Segways but supports requiring operators to obtain a permit. Scott McKelroy, Segway Orange County co- owner, discussed how he operates his business, their safety record, and the limitations he has placed on the tours he offers. He noted that there has not been a proliferation of Segways on the boardwalk, and requested that Segways not be banned on the boardwalk. Dick Ashoff expressed support for Segways and Segway Orange County. Epi Lopez, attorney representing Segway Orange County, discussed how Segways are safer than many uses currently on the boardwalk, expressed opposition to the ban, and believed that Segway tours assist the local economy and the ban would put Segway Orange County out of business. He indicated that 51 local businesses have signed a petition opposing the ban. He stated that Segway Orange County is willing to work with the City to make the situation better. Mr. McElroy discussed the various tours they provide and the number of tours a year that are given. He also reported that the boardwalk tour is their most popular tour, especially since it is for beginners. Joe Reiss, Oceanfront Steering Committee Member, explained that the committee is recommending a ban of Segways on the boardwalk due to their size, weight and speed. Further, there are safety concerns and overconcentration on the boardwalk. He noted that Segways will still be allowed in other areas of the City and reported that other cities have already banned them. Dick Burke, Segway Orange County co- owner, reiterated that the boardwalk tour is the most popular tour and is one of the reasons people visit Newport Beach. He took issue that they were not notified of the study session until a few days ago and believed that Segways are not wider than bikes. Tommy Comforts indicated that he has trouble walking due to leukemia and that he uses his Segway to get around. He discussed how safe it is and that people visit the City because of the beach. He expressed opposition to the ban. Bill Martin, Central Newport Beach Community Association, presented a letter from the association in support of banning Segways on the oceanfrong walk and suggested that Council make an exception to the ban for handicap individuals. Max Liskin stated that Segway Orange County currently has a responsible owner; however, expressed concern if the business changes ownership. He believed that allowing Segways would encourage people to use motorized devices on the boardwalk and that Segways can be ridden in the alleys adjacent to the boardwalk. Cathy Mendelson, Tommy's mother, noted that she was initially worried about her son using a Segway on the boardwalk, but indicated that she now feels that they are safe due to its manageability. She expressed concern about banning Segways on the boardwalk because it would mean that her son would be riding the Segway on sidewalks, close to traffic. Chuck Grimley, Segway owner, discussed the manageability and environmental Volume 59 - Page 419 i....._............_...._. . City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session March 23, 2010 benefits to using a Segway instead of driving, noted that they are not wide or heavy, and pointed out that the speed governor can be set to 6, 8 or 12 mph. Frank Cutler indicated that he has taken the beginner tour with Segway Orange County and encouraged Council to try it. He stated that he has not seen many Segways on the boardwalk and suggested evaluating the situation further before implementing a ban. Mayor Pro Tem Henn requested a straw vote be taken relative to whether Council is in favor of implementing a ban of the use of Segways between Newport Pier and Balboa Pier, allowing the use of Segways by handicap individuals, and working with the business owner to adjust to the ban. Following discussion, Council Member Rosansky, Council Member Selich, Council Member Daigle, and Mayor Curry expressed opposition to moving forward with a ban at this time. However, there was consensus to direct staff to work with the committee and Segway Orange County to craft regulations for a Segway tour operator permit. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None IV. ADJOURNMENT - 5:37 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on March 17, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. City Clerk ki( i 2 Lnl�� Recording Secretary Mayor Volume 59 - Page 420