Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/26/2013 - Study SessionCity Council Minutes Study Session March 26, 2013 — 3;30 p.m. Present: Council Member Gardner, Council Member Petros, Mayor Pro Tem Hill, Mayor Curry, Council Member Selich, Council Member Henn Excused: Council Member Daigle I1. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR In response to Council Member Gardnees questions regarding Item 4 (Storm Drain CDS Unit Construction), Public Works Director Webb reported that Code and Water Quality Enforcement Manager Kappeler was informed of the issue and explained that, when the structure was installed, staff discovered that an underground pipe was discharging. He reported that the issue was addressed by installing a better foundation: however, the pipe is still discharging and staff will continue to monitor it for possible future action. 2. BID ADMINISTRATION UPDATE Public information Manager Finnigan provided the staff report and indicated that staff has been working with four of the City's Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) to streamline their administration and improve marketing efforts. She utilized a PowerPoint presentation to address the Parking and Business Improvement Area Law of 1989 and the Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994, and listed the BIDs formed under each. She highlighted BID concerns, City concerns, and proposed solutions supported by the BIDS. She addressed the FY13 BID budgets and details of the proposal for the Marine Avenue and Balboa Village BIDs, including risks, benefits, and proposed funding. Additionally, she presented details of the proposal for the Corona del Mar and the Newport Beach Restaurant Association BIM, including funding, City involvement, and the possibility of increasing their contracting authority, as well as risks and benefits. In response to Council questions, Public Information Manager Finnigan reported that with the new funding proposal, the matching funds would cease. Regarding the plan in five years, City Manager stiff reported that the $10,000 for Visit Newport Beach, Inc. (VNB) marketing might continue depending on the success of the efforts. He stated that the five-year limit does not necessarily mean that the funding would atop, but was the length of time he was comfortable recommending to Council to bind the City_ He added that the total amount of funding is less than the costs associated with using Finance, City Attorney, and City Manager staff time. Mayor Pro Tem Hill believed that the proposal would result in faster and better management of the enterprise zones. Volume 61- Page 101 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session March 26, 2013 Council Member Gardner noted that two of the BIDS would still use the City Attorney's Office and two would have to hire their own attorneys. Regarding the Finance Department, Public Information Manager Finnigan reported that the Finance Department would continue to have some oversight over the BIDs' financial issues; however, they would have less day -to -day oversight. She confirmed that all the BIDs would still provide annual reports to Council on how their funds were spent. Council Member Petros believed that there would be a reduction in oversight as it relates to the City Attorney's Office and the change in contract terms. Jim Mosher believed that the 1939 BIDs are not functioning as advisory boards as originally intended, but rather are administrative boards that spend money on projects. He added that some of the board members may have conflicts since they have close financial ties to the decisions they make. He voiced opposition to the proposal and discussed alternative solutions. Jim Walker, Newport Beach Restaurant Association BID, expressed support of the proposal and encouraged Council to approve it. Bernie Svalstad, Corona del Mar BID, spoke in support of the proposal and suggested that the City pay for bookkeeping every year rather than only the first year. He thanked Council and staff for considering the item. Mayor Curry spoke in support of the proposal and thanked staff for their work. Council Member Selich reported that the Marine Avenue BID previously took action to support the proposal. Council Member Henn indicated that the Balboa Village BID is also supportive of the proposal and addressed the benefits. He encouraged the other BIDs to support the proposal and take advantage of the benefits that will be provided. 3. CIP "LOOK- AHEAD" Public Works Director Webb utilized a PowerPoint presentation to review the various components in the CIP budget. He provided a history of the General Fund in the CIP, goals for this year, and areas of focus. He highlighted the 15th Street restroom, San Miguel Park restroom and picnic structure replacement, Corona del Mar Fire Station No. 5 rebuild, Police facility HVAC repair /replacement, Newport Coast Community Center stage remodel, Big Canyon reservoir auxiliary maintenance yard, and the Lifeguard Headquarters building rehabilitation. He also discussed the consideration of the Corona del Mar Branch Library in conjunction with the Corona del Mar Fire Station, specific areas within the Big Canyon reservoir auxiliary maintenance yard, and the total costs for construction of the projects. He noted that some of the items listed have prior funding allocations and addressed the process for identifying priority projects. Public Works Director Webb presented details of projects within the Streets and Drainage Program, including 15th Street and Balboa Boulevard reconstruction, 15th Street and Monrovia Avenue landscape improvements, Balboa Boulevard landscaping, Bay Avenue, Anade Street, Montero Street concrete pavement reconstruction, the residential street overlay program, the annual Citywide sidewalk, curb and gutter replacement, and the annual Citywide slurry seal project. Further discussion ensued regarding concrete pavement reconstruction on Ocean Boulevard and the possibility of improving the aesthetics when filling the cracks. Public Works Director Webb reported that staff has been including General Funds into the street program to catch up on projects and Volume 61- Page 102 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session March 2S, 2018 pointed out projects in which gas tax or Measure M funds could be applied. He discussed areas where turn-back funds could be used and addressed the seven-year slurry cycle. He further discussed the Campus Drive and San Joaquin Hills Road arterial street overlay, Dover Drive and Westcliff Drive pavement rehabilitation, Jamboree Road paving from MacArthur to Campus, major arterial street repair, Newport Boulevard, 32nd Street modification and the Park Avenue bridge replacement. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of adding bicycle-friendly features at Dover Drive and the estimated amount for the Park Avenue bridge replacement. Deputy Public Works Director Thomas noted that the Park Avenue bridge replacement win be funded out of the Federal Highway Bridge Program. Public Works Director Webb presented details about projects within the Transportation Program, including the Bonita Canyon Sports Park parking improvements, East Coast Highway signal rehabilitation, Phase 8 of the Citywide traffic signal modernization plan, the annual traffic signal rehabilitation program, and the Citywide street signage striping and marking. He addressed Parks, Harbors and Beaches, and listed specific projects under the program, including sand management and minor dredging, tidegate retrofit and upgrades, the eaigrass survey, Harbor piers maintenance, Marina Park, the Newport Harbor dredging permit, mooring field realignment, ocean pier maintenance, Sunset View Park, and pocket park construction, Discussion followed regarding wayfinding signs at the new City Hall facility and the need to include funding to enhance the Back Bay View Park and the Bayside public walkway on Marine Avenue. City Manager Kiff addressed the restaurant at the end of Newport Pier and encouraged Council to consider the matter and provide direction to staff. Public Works Director Webb addressed Water Quality and Environmental Programs, including storm drain interceptors, Newport Coast ASBS protection program, and the possibility of a Big Canyon Wash water quality and restoration project. He further presented details relative to specific projects under the Water and Wastewater Program and the related costs for each, as well as other projects for which funding has not yet been identified, including Bristol Street south median landscaping, West Coast Highway landscaping, and the Corona del Mar entry improvements. Mayor Pro Tem Hill indicated that he would like to see the Bristol Street south median landscaping project move forward. Public Works Director Webb reported that it is completely designed and ready to go to bid. He noted that there may be grant opportunities in the future. Council Member Gardner indicated that before deciding on funding the project, it would be helpful to know what the tradeoffs would be. Regarding the West Coast Highway landscaping project, Mayor Curry suggested waiting and looking for alternative funding sources. Council Member Henn stated he would like to keep it on the list and encouraged moving forward with the design so that the project is ready to go when funding is identified. Regarding the Corona del Mar entry improvements, Council Member Gardner noted that no matter the concept, there will be a lot of discussion with the community. Public Works Director Webb recommended leaving the project out of the budget, proceed with discussions regarding the concept, and bring the item back to Council in the future. Volume 61 - Page 103 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session March 26, 2018 Jim Mosher commented on the omission of ongoing rehabilitation of old street lights and wondered if the Balboa Boulevard landscaping project needs a Coastal Development permit. George Schroeder emphasized the importance of the Balboa Boulevard landscaping project, adding that it was high on the Citizens Advisory Committee's priority list. Bernie Svalstad, Corona del Mar BID, asked that Council keep an open mind regarding the Corona del Mar entryway. He reported that he will be reviewing the plans soon and requested that it be placed in the City's budget for this year. Regarding replacing streetlights with LED lights, Public Works Director Webb indicated that the project will be included in next year's budget. Mayor Curry commented on the importance of expanding funding for capital projects to continue to enhance the community and keep the City's infrastructure solid. 4. REVIEW SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON (SCE) RULE 20A PROGRAM AND PROJECT PRIORITY Public Works Director Webb utilized a PowerPoint presentation to address Rule 20A, Rule 24B, and Rule 20C. He focused on the Rule 20A program, noting that the funds would be used at Council's discretion. He reported criteria under which funding must be used and explained the formula used for allocation. He added that the City can mortgage Rule 20A funds out five years and addressed the total funding available to the program today. He reported that the City recently bought credits and highlighted the locations of the underground utility districts, as well as completed, proposed, and failed projects. He presented slides illustrating existing conditions for proposed districts and specific project costs, as well as recommended Rule 20A District prioritization for Council to consider. Discussion followed regarding meeting Southern California Edison standards from a traffic point of view, the possibility of purchasing additional credits in the future, and considering geographic equity in the City. Mayor Curry believed that the City should plan for all of the projects, and fund them as funding becomes available. Further, the City needs to continue to be aggressive about purchasing additional discounted credits. Council Member Henn encouraged staff to pursue the purchase of additional discounted credits. He questioned if there would be savings on Balboa Boulevard if both landscaping and undergrounding were conducted at the same time. Public Works Director Webb noted that the projects would involve different contractors, but would allow for the placement of larger trees along Balboa Boulevard. Council Member Gardner indicated that she would like additional information regarding poles in the alleys. Council Member Henn wondered if there is a reliability benefit for the Peninsula as a result of the project, Public Works Director Webb indicated that Southern California Edison will be attending a Council Study Session in the future and could provide a response to these questions at that time. It was the consensus of Council to move forward with forming all of the districts and direct staff to continue seeking additional credits in order to fund the project in the future. Jim Mosher commended staffs efforts and Council's commitment to keeping this as a goal for Volume 61- Page 104 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session March 26, 2018 the City. He addressed the modernization of intersections, noted the size of the related equipment, and wondered if these could also be undergrounded. George Schroeder believed that Balboa Boulevard meets all of the criteria for Rule 20A. 6. "myNB" MOBILE APPLICATION Q'APP9 Assistant to the City Manager Houston reported on the efforts of the City to improve customer service for residents, businesses, and visitors through technology. He utilized a PowerPoint presentation to highlight details about the "myNB" mobile application which will make it easy for residents and visitors to report maintenance and service issues, and obtain information regarding the City. He added that the app will also be a tool for staff to respond quickly to requests and provide information to the community. IT Applications Analyst Maghnti addressed the availability of the app and presented information on how to install the app. He also addressed the reporting and service request process, and noted that it automatically builds reports along with performance metrics. Mayor Curry encouraged staff to use whatever media is necessary to communicate the availability of the app to residents and the public. Ill. PUBLICS COMMENTS Jim Mosher addressed Item A on the Closed Session Agenda and expressed the opinion that the Closed Session Agenda should include more descriptions about the items being discussed and why it is necessary to discuss it behind closed doors. IV. ADJOURNMENT - 6226 p.m The agenda for the Study Session was posted on March 22, 2018, at 7:27 a.m on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. A)rW City Clerk Recording Secretary Mayor Volume 61- Page 105