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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/14/2013 - Study SessionCity Council Minutes Study Session May 14, 2013 — 4:00 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL - 4:00 p.m Present: Council Member Gardner, Council Member Petros, Mayor Pro Tem Hill, Mayor Curry, Council Member Selich, Council Member Henn, Council Member Daigle II. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Daigle noted that she serves on the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and was advised that discussions on compensation cannot be conducted during Closed Session. City Attorney Harp reported that the matter is not agendized at this time, but that labor negotiations can occur during Closed Sessions. He indicated that Council can form a subcommittee to advise on salary issues and added that Council can talk about compensation during Closed Session if it is agendized in an appropriate manner. 2. CORONA DEL MAR ENTRYWAY DESIGN CONCEPTS [100 -20131 Deputy Public Works Director Thomas provided a PowerPoint presentation addressing the background, the purpose of the project, the prior traffic study, and action by Council regarding the matter. He detailed the details of revised concepts for the area, addressed landscaping and signage, the results from meetings with the Corona del Mar Business Improvement District (BID) and resident associations, and provided alternative plans and concerns raised by the BID. He highlighted the revised concept plans, including landscaping and parking. Discussion ensued regarding the width of the number three lane between McArthur and Carnation. Deputy Public Works Director Thomas addressed the benefits of changing Carnation to a one -way street between Coast Highway and 4th Avenue, alternatives for replacement of eight lost parking spaces on Coast Highway, preliminary cost estimates for the improvements and maintenance, and presented recommendations , including directing staff to proceed with Concept 3. In response to Mayor Pro Tern Hill's question regarding parking on Carnation, Deputy Public Works Director Thomas reported that staff has not finalized parking but noted that there is one section on the curb on Carnation designated for 30- minute parking which sets precedence for time - restricted parking in the area. Council Member Gardner stated that the BID has contributed funds toward this project and asked about maintenance responsibilities. Deputy Public Works Director Thomas reported that once improvements are installed, maintenance would be the City's responsibility since improvements are within the City's right -of -way. Council Member Selich expressed the opinion that the maintenance allocation seems high for the amount of landscaping in the area. Deputy Public Works Director Thomas estimated that landscaping would be approximately 5,000 square feet. He added that decorative paving is planned Volume 61 - Page 152 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session May 14, 2013 for the pedestrian corridor area. Bernie Svalstad, Corona del Mar BID Chair, expressed appreciation to the City and staff for considering the project and expressed concerns regarding the proposed one-way street and parking. He noted that the BID would be willing to assist the City with the proposed program and agreed that $20,000 for maintenance seems high. He spoke in support of expediting the project as much as possible. Jim Walker, Corona del. Mar BID Member, spoke in support of the project but expressed concerns with parking on Carnation, noting that deliveries for nearby restaurants are made from Carnation with trucks often parking in the red zone. He stated that parking on the east side of Carnation may pose a problem because of the unusually high curb. He believed that having Carnation as a one -way street is a good idea and would help with traffic flow. He suggested taking a closer look at Old School Park for parking options. Robert Hawkins indicated that there is no allocation in the budget for environmental documentation for this project and believed it needs to be added. Additionally, he believed that Coastal Commission review is needed since the project is within the Coastal Zone. Council Member Gardner commented on the importance of parking and noted review by the BID, but not by nearby neighbors. She believed that residents have been impacted by restaurants and there has been a concern that this is not a beautification project but rather a project to allow restaurants to have outdoor dining. She indicated that it is important to make a greater effort to reach out to the residents in the area to ensure that they are aware of the project and obtain their input so that they do not feel that the project has been imposed upon them. Mayor Curry agreed with Council Member Gardner's comments and believed that additional community input is needed through proactive outreach. Public Works Director Webb reported that staff will continue to work with the community, noted that there are decisions to be made in terms of proceeding with the budget for this project, and that Council direction is being sought. In response to Council Member Henn's question regarding whether the project is constructible within the coming year's budget, Public Works Director Webb stated that it may be, depending on the parking resolution and Coastal Commission action. He reported the need for Council's guidance regarding the budget for design and construction. 3. BUDGET OVERVIEW AND FY 2013 -14 PROPOSED CIP 1100 -20131 City Manager Kiff addressed the presentation process as well as next steps. He noted that there will be other opportunities for Council to review the budget with the goal of adopting the budget on June 11, 2013. In response to Council Member Gardner's question, City Manager Kiff reported that individual departmental presentations are not planned but that he will keep track of items needing follow -up and added that Department Directors are available to respond to questions. Finance Director Matusiewicz noted that the budget is balanced while increasing the City's investment in community servicing facilities and beautification projects; and also puts more police officers on the streets while reducing total staffing levels. He addressed compliance with Charter requirements, and discussed the budget process and the remaining budget calendar. He presented an overview of the total budget, including all restricted revenue sources and Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) and pointed out that General Fund revenues are increasing at a rate of 2.19% and Volume 61 - Page 153 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session May 14, 201.3 General Fund operating expenditures at 1.6 %. He projected the General Fund budget surplus to be at $2.6 million and recommended additional transfers to the Facilities Financing Planning (FFP) Reserve, as well as towards a Facilities Maintenance Plan, which would leave a net surplus of approximately $1.1 million. Discussion followed regarding transfers -in, all funding sources, and monies set aside for assignments. Finance Director Matusiewicz reported that 47% of revenues are generated from property taxes and addressed General Fund revenue comparisons, sales tax, impacts of the dissolution of redevelopment, and annual. growth. He reported on expenditures and noted that the vast majority of expenditures occur in the area of Public Safety. He presented expenditure comparisons, annual growth, increases in Capital Improvement expenditures, as well as to the FFP Reserve. He addressed the City Council priorities around which the budget was built around, including public safety; a smarter, smaller budget; and a high quality physical environment. He reported that included in the budget are a new Crime Suppression Unit, reinvestment in the 800 Mhz system for improved interagency communications, increases in IT Strategic Investments, outsourcing certain applications, including parking systems and printing, reductions in workforce, increases in employee pension contributions, lower- tiered benefits to new employees and accelerated payments to the unfunded pension liability and on retiree insurance unfunded liability. Finance Director Matusiewicz also addressed neighborhood beautification, community serving facilities, General Fund Update, Airport EIR, and reforestation efforts. Regarding the FFP Reserve, he addressed specific projects to be funded including a proposed budget amount and estimated total costs. Discussion followed regarding funding the various projects through General Fund cash contributions, developer contributions, and interest earnings. Council Member Henn pointed out that spending for the various CIPs is cash funded. Council Member Petros stressed that payments to unfunded liabilities are being accelerated and that Council has set forth a strategy to pay off unfunded liabilities by a specific deadline. Council Member Daigle addressed the addition of police officers and expressed her support. In response to Council Member Daigle's question, City Manager Kiff reported that staff is waiting for Request for Proposals (RFPs) to return from a number of firms, and is conducting meet and confer meetings with Jail Custody Officers. He stated that additional information will be provided at an upcoming City Council meeting. Public Works Director Webb presented details of the CIP and provided a description of the program, goals met during the current year, performance measures, and Council- approved contingencies. Discussion followed regarding plans for Newport and Balboa Boulevards. Public Works Director Webb reported on work in progress, selection of projects for the CIP, Council priorities in terms of neighborhood revitalization, tidelands management, and budget details. He addressed projects, programs and supplemental expenses, and noted that the total budget is $61 million with $35 million in new funding and $26 million in re- budgets. Regarding re- budgets, he reported that it is a revolving budget within the calendar year and presented details of four significant projects within that category. He addressed the CIP funding history and highlighted proposed projects within the FFP budget, including starting design efforts on the Corona del Mar fire station. He reported that there will be an upcoming review of fire stations by the Fire Department. Regarding street improvements, Public Works Director Webb discussed associated grants, the Volume 61 - Page 154 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session May 14, 2013 Pavement Management Plan, the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) history, improvements in residential streets, and the City's ranking relative to the County. He also reported on efforts to maintain pavement, including slurry seal, pavement overlay, the possibility of using lighter - colored materials, and complete reconstruction, as well as related costs. He discussed arterial street projects, modifications and rehabilitation, and local /residential street improvement projects. He presented a proposed additional program related to 15th Street and Balboa reconstruction and addressed opportunities for improvement and benefits, including additional parking and landscaping and the potential for increasing pedestrian safety. He reported that the project will need to be presented to the Coastal Commission. Public Works Director Webb reported on traffic improvement efforts, including signal synchronization, Bast Coast Highway rehabilitation, staff efficiencies, and traffic signal modernization. He addressed projects for parks, the Harbor and beaches, including tideland and pier improvements, Harbor area fees, significant park improvements and related permits, plans for Back Bay View Park, Sunset View Park, and a Corona del Mar pocket park. Council Member Selich provided a brief overview of the Corona del Mar pocket park. Public Works Director Webb addressed water quality environmental projects, the status of the Big Canyon Reservoir, water system and wastewater system improvements, and miscellaneous projects. He presented a summary of the CIP budget and proposed CIP funding by source and by category. He requested Council direction on the Corona del Mar entry project, West Coast Highway landscape enhancements, selenium sediment removal at Big Canyon Lakes, and street light circuit rehabilitation. Discussion followed regarding programming the design of the Corona del Mar entry project within the coming year's budget. Council Member Gardner noted that the BID has indicated support for contributing to the project. Ensuing discussion pertained to whether or not the project will need to be reviewed by tb.e Coastal Commission, the ,possibility of including money for construction for the project within the coming year's budget, and the possibility of doing a mid -year budget adjustment for the construction part of the project. Public Works Director Webb stated that design will be allocated within the budget, including BID contributions and, when appropriate, a budget adjustment can be made to include construction. Discussion ensued regarding West Coast Highway landscape enhancements, including steps taken so far, additional design efforts, and having staff move expeditiously to move the project forward. Council emphasized the need to proceed with the project while exercising caution relative to the schedule. Public Works Director Webb addressed selenium sediment removal at Big Canyon Lakes, noting that Big Canyon has indicated an interest in cooperating with the City by paying for half of the removal costs for one of the lakes. He noted the funding needs and addressed the source of the selenium sediment. Discussion followed regarding costs for sediment removal from the additional lakes, opportunities for regional funding, completion of the design concept, and the possibility of proceeding with diversion of the lake for which Big Canyon will contribute. Public Works Director Webb believed that the recommendation will reduce the allocation to $100,000 and will show progress on the matter. Public Works Director Webb addressed streetlight circuit rehabilitation and noted efforts thus far. He indicated that he will bring the item back at the next Council meeting for detailed review. Council Member Petros wondered regarding primary barriers to the proposed re- budgets. Public Works Director Webb responded that permitting seems to be the biggest hurdle, particularly Coastal permits. He noted that many of the projects are regulatory - driven and expressed his appreciation to Volume 61 - Page 155 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session May 14, 2013 Council and staff, He addressed the possibility of hiring additional management staff to help with moving some of the projects forward. Mayor Pro Tem Hill commended staff for the report and the project list. Jim Mosher took issue with the concept of re- budgeting of funds. He believed that once funds are allocated for CIPs, there is an implicit commitment that the funds will be used for that project regardless of the length of time needed to complete the project. He addressed Charter provisions and requested clarification. City Manager Mff indicated that items needing to be brought back to Council include employee position counts, allocations from discretionary accounts, reserves, Council checklist items, the film liaison issue, BID support, NBTV, special event support, a summary of tidelands allocation, Back Bay View Park, streetlight circuits, the Civic Center, and the FFP. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jim Mosher took issue that the Airport Settlement Agreement was not negotiated in public. He addressed completion o the EIR and asked Council to hold firm on the "no project " alternative. IV. ADJOURNMENT - Adjourned at 5:55 pan. to Closed Session The agenda for the Study Session was posted on May 9, 2013, at 4:00 p.m. on the City's website; on May 1.0, 2013, at 7:30 am. on the City Hall Electronic .Bulletin Board located in the entrance of the Pity Co -ancil Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive; and on May 10, 2013, at 9 :51 am. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located in the entrance of the City Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive. The supplemental agenda for the Study Session was posted on May 10, 2013, at 10:20 a.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located in the entrance of the City Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive; on May 10, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. on the City Hall Electronic Bulletin Board located in the entrance of the City Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive; and on May 10, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. on the City's website. City Clerk Recording Secretary i Mayor Volume 61 - Page 156