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Home My WebLink About06/22/2010 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes City Council Study Session June 22, 2010 — 4:00 p.m. STUDY SESSION I. ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Selich, Mayor Pro Tem Henn , Mayor Curry , Council Member Gardner, Council Member Daigle Absent: Council Member Rosansky, Council Member Webb H. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. Regarding Item 12 (OCMA), Council Member Daigle requested and received clarification on the boundaries of the sculpture garden. Council Member Webb arrived at 4:03 p.m. Regarding Item 14 (Mooring Management Services), Council Member Gardner requested clarification about the fee schedule. Harbor Resources Manager Miller discussed rental fees and the proposed increase. Council Member Rosansky arrived at 4:09 p.m Mayor Pro Tern Henn requested and received further detail on Item 12 in regards to public art display areas. Regarding Item 15 (Anchor QEA), he noted the importance of facilitating the rebuilding of docks around the Harbor and asked about the inclusion of private pier owners in the re- building. Harbor Resources Manager Miller believed that it would compromise the aggressive schedule of the project. In response to Council Member Webb's question, he discussed the off -set distance between the bulkhead and dredge zone. City Manager Kiff recommended costing out the dredging of private piers and bringing it back to Council at a later date. Regarding Item 8 (Computer Aided Dispatch), Mayor Pro Tom Henn recognized the importance of the system to the City and recommended requesting Northrop Grumman to share the cost for the software upgrade. In response to his questions, Police Chief Luman discussed the need for upgraded work stations. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Henn's question regarding Item 10 (Recreation Registration Software), Recreation & Senior Services Director Detweiler discussed the need for and clarified the cost of the new system. Mayor Pro Tern Henn noted the financial impact on residents, the importance of the Citizen's Technology Task Force, and the importance of Volume 59 - Page 507 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session June 22, 2010 having an IT Strategic Plan. Mayor Curry noted that Item S26 (Hoag Development Agreement) was continued to the July 27 meeting. City Manager Kiff noted a change to the GANT chart for Item 15 (Anchor QEA). 2. FISCAL YEAR 2010 -11 BUDGET ADOPTION. City Manager Kiff utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss FY 2009- 2010 budget review, corrective actions, major contracted services, accomplishments, preview of 2010 -2011 budget, budget summary, the Civic Center Project, debt instruments, COPS and Build America Bonds, staffing levels and proposed changes, retirement contributions, Council Policy issues, community cash grants, harbor charges, and what to expect in FY2010 -2011. Mayor Pro Tom Henn noted the impact of pension cost increases. Mayor Curry noted the significant accomplishment of the proposed reduction in spending by $18 million. Council Member Daigle requested close scrutiny on legal bills, requested a more active role by Risk Management regarding litigations, and suggested a containment policy going forward. In response to her questions, Administration Services Director McCraner discussed account numbers, performance based budgeting, and consolidating accounts. City Attorney Hunt clarified legal fees in relation to City accounts In response to Council Member Daigle's question, Mayor Pro Tem Henn discussed the $350,000 architect bid for the Balboa Island Theater design. In response to Council questions, City Attorney Hunt discussed how the proposed increase in staff in the Office of the City Attorney (OCA) will benefit the City, staffing in relation to Group Home litigations, and outside counsel costs versus internal staffing costs. Council recommended revisiting the OCA's mission statement in light of the budget issues of the City. Mayor Curry clarified that the issue would be to approve $160,000 in additional staff resources for the OCA for the next fiscal year. He asked for a straw vote for support of additional positions in the OCA. With Council Member Daigle opposing, the majority of Council indicated support for the motion. Mayor Curry invited members of the public seeking community grants to speak. Gregg Shwenk, Executive Director of the Newport Beach Film Festival, thanked Council for their support, discussed the increased quality and economic impact of the festival, and requested full funding. In response to Volume 59 - Page 508 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session June 22, 2010 Council questions, he discussed the number of hotel room nights booked during the festival and where the funding is allocated. Homer Bludau, Executive Director of Irrelevant Week, asked Council to consider a proposal for $10,000 for the event. In response to Council questions, he noted that all funding goes toward support of the event. Gary Kutscher, OC Marathon Board of Directors, discussed growth of the program and asked Council to consider funding $20,000 towards the event. In response to Council questions, he clarified that charities use their connection with OC Marathon to raise their own money and discussed sponsorship levels. Council Member Gardner requested and received clarification on the Balboa Island Historical Society and the Balboa Island Improvement Association, suggested that community groups become self - funded at some point, believed the Newport Beach Film Festival is a worthwhile event, and noted the City's commitment to Race for the Cure. Council Member Schch suggested cutting the recommended allocation of funding to $12,000 for the Historical Society and $10,000 for Balboa Island Improvement Association. Council Member Rosansky spoke in favor of re- establishing a full grant for Newport Beach Film Festival and discussed the benefits of the event to the City. Council Member Webb noted that the County Restaurant Week is funded for $35,000 and Newport Beach Restaurant Week is funded for $50,000. Mayor Pro Tem Henn noted that the proposed funding for Restaurant Week would be a $50,000 reduction over two years. Mayor Curry proposed a $100,000 grant for the Newport Beach Film Festival and received a unanimous consensus. He also asked for a straw vote to support zeroing out the grant for the OC Marathon. Mayor Pro Tom Henn, Council Member Webb, and Council Member Gardner voted to support zeroing out the grant for the OC Marathon and Council Member Rosansky suggested discussing the item further at the Regular Council Meeting. Marian Bergeson, Balboa Performing Arts Theater Board Member, discussed the role of the theater in revitalizing historic Balboa, the commitment and enthusiasm of the Board, and requested City support. In response to Council questions, she discussed the financial aspect of fundraising efforts. Council Member Gardner suggested that a timeframe be placed on the project. Assistant City Manager Wood discussed the theater's lease and property details and agreed that a timeframe would be helpful. Mayor Pro Tern Henn noted that the primary goal of revitalizing Balboa Village is to create a family - friendly environment, that the theater would provide a venue for high quality professional performances, discussed the need for a richer and broader arts scene in the City, and expressed support for funding the project. Administrative Services Director McCraner discussed the account from which the project funds would be allocated from. Volume 59 - Page 509 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session June 22, 2010 Mayor Curry asked for a straw vote to grant $175,000 towards the project and received unanimous support. Mayor Curry expressed support for the Wayfinding Sign Program, believed the project could be completed for less than $250,000, suggested deferring the project until the City's budget situation is improved, and asked staff to research a cost reduction. Council Members Webb and Gardner believed the project is not a current necessity. Mayor Pro Tem Henn noted that the Economic Development Committee (EDC) unanimously recommended that the City fund the project, expressed concern for the cost, and believed that there should be an action plan in place if the project is deferred. Mayor Curry asked for a straw vote on deferring the appropriation of $250,000 towards the Wayfinding Sign Program and, pending subsequent Council review of the program within approximately the next 90 days, received majority support. City Manager Kiff discussed the budget checklist and noted that the project will need to be approved tonight. In response to Council questions, Deputy Public Works Director Webb discussed the adjusted amounts for the Civic Center and Marina Park Projects. Mayor Curry asked for and received Council concurrence for the budget checklist as received. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS -None IV. ADJOURNMENT The agenda for the Study Session was posted on June 16, 2010 at 3:30 p.m on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. // LWVVIft LL4 Recording Secretary Volume 59 - Page 510