HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/26/2010 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Minutes
City Council Study Session
_- October 26. 2010 — 3:30 p.m.
I. ROLL CALL
II. CURRENT BUSINESS
1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
In response to Council questions regarding Item 7 (Creation of a Reagan Centennial
Commission), City Attorney Hunt clarified that Council will make final approvals and
the Commission will organize and execute the process. Mayor Curry explained the role
of the Commission and suggested that the Parks, Beaches and Recreation
Commission (PB &R) get public input.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Henn's question regarding Item 8 (Budget Amendment
for the Purchase of a- CNG- Powered Van for OASIS), Deputy Administrative Services
Director Matusiewicz stated that funds accumulated from AQMD can be appropriated
for any purpose that mitigates pollutants in the air and reduce emissions. City
Manager Kiff offered to provide Council with the last seven year expenditures
from AQMD funds. Deputy General Services Director Pisani clarified that some of the
funds were used toward refuse trucks.
In response to Council Member Gardner's question, Acting Planning Director Campbell
clarified that the buffer zone for invasive species is included in the proposed language of
the Zoning Code (Item 4).
Regarding Item 11 (Corona del Mar Permanent Banner), Council Member Gardner
noted that when the policy is brought back to Council, the public will have more
opportunity to provide input.
Regarding Item 6 (City Hall and Limited Off -site Holiday Closure), Mayor
Curry clarified that the holiday closure will generate a leave balance savings of
approximately $80,000.
2. SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM INSTALLATIONS. [100 -20101
Acting Planning Director Campbell utilized a Power Point presentation that included
the Solar Rights Act and the options that the City has during the approval process.
In response to Council questions, Acting Planning Director Campbell stated that the
City of Santa Monica relaxed their standards to promote solar panels. He
recommended that the City look at regulations that are based on health and
safety concerns, implement a voluntary program with guidelines, and provide
incentives. Regarding glare impacts, he stated that staff can explore locations prior to
approval of solar panels. City Attorney Hunt stated that amendments can go through
the Coastal Commission; however, categorical exclusions will require more research
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before implementing.
Mayor Pro Tem Henn encouraged staff to implement voluntary guidelines while
providing incentives.
Robert Olson expressed the importance of solar panel guidelines to the community.
Joe Silvoso encouraged the City to be the liaison between homeowner associations and
the Coastal Commission on issues relating to solar panel installations.
John Petry requested that the City take a more aggressive approach in regards to solar
panel installations and asked if trees can be placed around existing solar panels to
create sight a barrier.
In response to Council Member Gardner's question, City Attorney Hunt stated that he
will visit existing solar panel locations to check for glare impacts. He clarified that
Council is directing staff 'to take the most aggressive and assertive approach possible,
draft an ordinance that is consistent with State law, prepare voluntary guidelines,
evaluate and make recommendations regarding incentives, evaluate glare as it relates
to health and safety issues, work with the Coastal Commission, and bring the
information back to Council in January 2011. City Manager Kiff and Council Member
Selich agreed to assess the possibility of planting trees around the existing solar panels.
3. . 2010 CITIZEN SATISFACTION SURVEY RESULTS. "00-20101
Chris Tatham, ETC Institute, provided a PowerPoint presentation that included the
survey's purpose,- major topics, methodology, maps, demographics, survey disclosures,
perceptions of the community, trends, and overall satisfaction.
Tom Olson provided a handout with his evaluation of the survey results. City Manager
Kiff stated that he will provide copies of Mr. Olson's handout to Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Henn stated that the survey can be used for benchmarking and to
analyze trends. He directed staff to evaluate the critical items and bring back
recommendations to Council about how the City can get better. City Manager Kiff
introduced the Interim Community Development Director Joel Fick. Mr. Fick discussed
his background and stated that he is honored to work for this City.
4. QUEST DEMONSTRATION/PRESENTATION. [100 -20101
Applications Supervisor Alfawi - Luengas utilized a PowerPoint presentation that
included the purpose of Quest, how it is used to improve customer service,
how information is provided, and how requests are handled. City Manager Kiff
discussed how Quest can be used for project tracking, the benefits of project tracking,
and how it is used to track the status of Council projects.
Mayor Curry discussed the importance of improving customer service, expressed
appreciation to staff for their work, and requested that a hard copy of the presentation
be given to Council.
Council Member Gardner suggested that a general category be added and discussed her
experience with using the system.
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5. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON PRESENTATION ON PLUG IN ELECTRIC
VEHICLES. [100 -20101
Bob Graham utilized a PowerPoint presentation that included the new plug -in electric
vehicles, responding to customer demands, engagement with cities and local
government, battery electric versus plug -in hybrid vehicles, the simple PEV readiness
message, educational fact sheets, and near -term collaboration.
Mayor Curry stated that the program gives options to residents, adds value to the
community, and helps residents save money.
6. COST OF SERVICES STUDY - HARBOR FEES. [100 -20101
Administrative Services Director McCraner utilized a PowerPoint presentation that
included the Harbor fees background, components, process, and staff recommendations.
In . response . to Council Member Gardner's question, Harbor Resources.
Manager Miller confirmed that the cost for RGP is for testing and the City is charged a
fee to apply to the agencies on a project -by- project basis. He also discussed the City fees
for eelgrass surveys.
Mayor Curry stated that the fees come from a methodical process. Mayor Pro Tem
Henn added that the calculations were done in a consistent manner and is one aspect of
all fees analyzed by the City.
III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
IV. ADJOURNMENT - 5:24 p.m.
The agenda for the Study Session was posted on October 20, 2010, at 2:05 p.nL on the
City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration
Building.
City Clerk
Recording Secretary
,�
Mayor
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