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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/25/2011 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes City Council Study Session January 25, 2011 — 4:00 p.m. I. ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Hill, Mayor Pro Tem. Gardner, Mayor Henn, Council Member Selich, Council Member Curry, Council Member Daigle Absent: Council Member Rosansky Council Member Rosansky arrived at 4:15 p.m. II. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. Council Member Daigle received confirmation from City Manager Miff that the agenda does not contain any staff reports regarding oceanfront encroachments and that Council will receive budget reduction information at the City Council goal setting meeting on February 5. In response to Mayor Pro Tem. Gardner's question regarding Item 8 (Public Pier Time Limits and Rules), Harbor Resources Manager Miller reported that the Rhine Wharf is closed at midnight. Regarding Item 14 {Grant of Easement and Joint Use Maintenance Agreement for 2700 West Coast Highway), Public Works Director Badum reported that the palm trees are City trees. 2. VESSEL OVERHANG. Harbor Resources Manager Miller utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss the current rules for vessel overhangs, potential future issues, large vessels in shipyards, the 2901 West Coast Highway project, the goal of having a world class harbor, the various lines utilized in the harbor, issues with the harbor lines, and next steps. He also discussed potential locations and amenities for the star- shaped marinas. Mayor Pro Tem Gardner stated that dredging the harbor will give the City flexibility in determining the harbor lines depending on how the City wants to shape the harbor. Further, by having the federal government dredge once and have the City take it over, they will save money in the long run. She believed that a conceptual plan should be generated. Council Member Selich believedthat the focus should be on vessels in the navigation channel or in narrow channels. Council Member Curry agreed and emphasized that the City should not be impeding on property rights. He :added that the City needs to address problem areas and be Volume 60 -Page 18 - City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session January 25, 2011 careful about how the harbor is being used today. Council Member Daigle requested that an analysis of the economic impacts be conducted. She noted the importance of the federal government acting on the harbor lines issue. Mayor Henn noted the federal government's responsibility to dredge the harbor and believed that each area should be looked at individually. Regarding the pending project application, He pointed out that the dock meets the requirements so approval is appropriate. Following discussion, it was the consensus of Council to discuss the possibility of having the Harbor Commission look at the issue of vessel sizes for both private and commercial vessels in the harbor at the February 5 goal setting meeting. It was further confirmed that Harbor Resources Manager decisions are appealable to the Harbor Commission and then to Council. Harbor Commissioner Rodheim reported that there is no problem with the dock, but that the boat associated with the project will overhang by 31 feet into the harbor. He believed that contorting docks does not add to the City's overall vision for a world - class harbor. In response to Council questions, -City Attorney Hunt indicated that, if vessel overhang regulations are created, the current vessels in the harbor can be grandfathered and then take care of those vessels over time. City Manager Kiff stated that the configuration of how boats are docked can be included in a policy. 8. NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING UPDATE. Public Works Director Badum utilized a PowerPoint presentation to review the current policy and discuss the history of traffic calming. He displayed photos and discussed the issues on Holiday Road, Bayside Drive, and the traffic circle at Santa Ana Avenue and Clay Street. In response to Council questions, Traffic Engineer Brine discussed the design of the neighborhood traffic circle compared to a roundabout. He reported that the design left in the four -way stop. Public Works Director Badum also noted that the neighborhood does not have sidewalks so there are pedestrians in the street and discussed other design techniques that could assist with traffic calming. Council Member Rosansky stated that, since there is no money to conduct a robust traffic circle, he recommended removing the traffic circle since it was supposed to be temporary. Council Member Selich expressed concern about the number of accidents on Bayside Drive, the difficulty in returning from the beach on the bike route, and the speed limits on Balboa Island. Public Works Director Badum indicated that the Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee will be looking at the bicycle route issue. He added that having medians could also assist with speeds on Bayside Drive and noted that speed limits have already been reduced. Mayor Henn suggested placing large dots along the bike lane; however, Public Works Director Badum noted that they are noisy and may cause accidents for the bicyclists. City Manager Kiff indicated that staff will look at the three areas, determine the Volume 60 - Page 19 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session January 25, 2011 budget, and bring something back to Council at the next meeting. Council Member Hill reviewed Holiday Road, discussed traffic laws in another state, and suggested allowing non -sworn officers to write ticket for speeding. City Manager Kiff indicated that Police can focus on Holiday Road and staff can poll the residents on about their ideas for traffic remedies. Judy Mader stated that traffic and speeds have increased on Holiday Road and urged Council to do something. Bob Keep expressed support for relooking at traffic remedies. Dan Persol noted that the bike lanes are narrow on Bayside Drive, expressed concern for the pedestrians due to the speeds along Cameo Shores and Highlands, and suggested using a marker that is higher on the traffic side.. Kevin Healey expressed support for removing the traffic circle. Danny Osborne agreed that there are issues on Holiday Road and asked what will be done and when. Jack Rogers noted that there is a.lot of traffic on Holiday Road and expressed concern for the safety of the children. Sophia Keep stated that she cannot cross the street by herself anymore because of the high speeds. She stated that her 8 year old sister wants a crossing guard to help the children. Following discussion; it was the consensus of Council to bring back action items for Council consideration relative to Bayside Drive, Cameo Shores, and Holiday Road; take out the traffic circle at Santa Ana Avenue; and bring back a speed survey plan at the next meeting. 4. COUNCIL POLICY F -I4- AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT FORSERVICES. City Attorney Hunt utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss the proposed changes to Council Policy F -14 (Contracting for Services), particularly relative to levels of authority, unique contractual relationships with instructors and recreation contractors, on-call agreements, and amended contracts. He reported on how administrative policies would work in conjunction with Council Policy 'F -14. Regarding Council Policy F -5 (Purchasing Authority for Goods and Services), Administrative Services Director McCraner discussed goals, reviewed the proposed levels of authority, and discussed administrative policies. Council Member Daigle suggested that a provision be included that provides for a report from the City Manager on a regular basis relative to the contracts that were not approved by Council. Mayor Henn believed that a provision should be included _ that allows for Council to stop the reporting requirement or reconsider the need for the reports. City Manager - Kiff stated ,that he will draft reporting language and bring it before Council for consideration. In response to Council questions, City Attorney Hunt indicated that the Charter does not limit the amount for contracts, but only limits the amounts for public works contracts since those have to be bid out for anything over $120,000. He added that Volume 60 - Page 20 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session January 25, 2011 the Charter states that Council has authority to contract but may delegate authority to staff by resolution. Jim Mosher took issue with a contract the City entered into regarding a cell phone transmitter site, believed that the proposed policies are incompatible with the Charter, and questioned whether the approval of contracts can be delegated to department directors. City Attorney Hunt stated that the proposal is consistent with the contracting authority granted by the City Council. He added that the policies are only changing the amounts, not the structure or delegation. W. R. Dildine suggested making reference to the Uniform Cost Accounting Act rather than changing the amounts annually. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS Regarding Public Works contracts, W. R. Dildine suggested that the City consider developing an informal bidding ordinance, establishing a lower threshold for purchase orders, and having an electronic process for bids up to, $120,000 in order to keep the construction industry apprised. Quentin Foster, commercial real estate broker, recommended that the City sell the current City Hall property -for $50 million, then purchase the Lido Village property along with the five waterfront parcels and any other contiguous properties along Via Lido. He discussed the advantages for the City and submitted his correspondence. City Attorney Hunt reported that an issue arose after the Closed Session Agenda was posted. He requested that Council consider adding a matter to the Closed Session Agenda relative to potential exposure to litigation from allegations relative to the Morningside Zoning Agreement. He stated that a 4/5 vote is required to do this and that Council needs to take action because there may be an opportunity to resolve this before the next regular meeting. Motion by Council Member Curry, seconded by Council Member Selich to add an item to the Closed Session Agenda that arose after the Closed Session Agenda was posted relative to potential exposure to litigation from allegations relative to the Morningside Zoning Agreement. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Council Member Hill, Council Member Rosansky, Mayor Pro Tem. Gardner, Mayor Henn, Council Member Selich, Council Member Curry, Council Member Daigle IV. ADJOURNMENT - 5:53 p.m The agenda for the Study Session Meeting was posted on January 19, 2011, at 4:10 p.m on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. Volume 60 - Page 21 k City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session January 25, 2011 kk Y 1` Secretary Mayor 4��bw, -- City Clerk Volume 60 - Page 22