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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/08/2012 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes City Council Study Session - 4:00 p.m. May S, 2012 -- 4:00 p.m. I. ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Hill, Mayor Pro Tem Curry, Mayor Gardner, Council Member Selich, Council Member Henn, Council Member Daigle Excused: Council Member Rosansky Council Member Rosansky arrived at 4:18 p.m. II. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. In response to Council Member Henn's questions regarding Item 3 (Ordinance Repealing the City's Vehicle Addressed Solicitation Law, Newport Beach Municipal Code, Chapter 10.62), City Attorney Harp stated that currently, all the laws in the books are modeled after the same ordinance and that staff is exploring other ordinances that might be available to achieve the same intent. He added that the court ruled that if there is enough factual support, such an ordinance may be justified. He also reported that the court did not address issues regarding permits but staff will look into the matter. Council Member Henn added that it may be valuable to have an ordinance in place that would help. In response to Mayor Gardner's question regarding Item 5 (Professional Services agreement with Anchor, QEA, L.P., for Permitting and Engineering Design Services for City/County Linda Isle/Harbor Island Channel Dredging), Harbor Resource Manager Miller reported that staff is very confident regarding reimbursement by the County. He added that staff is currently working on the agreement to eventually obtain firm prices from contractors to return to the County with a formal agreement. In response to her question regarding Item 7 (Planning Commission Agenda for May 3, 2012), Community Development Director Brandt provided an explanation for why items on the Planning Commission Agenda had to be re - noticed. 2. UPDATE ON LOWER BAY DREDGING. [100-2012] Harbor Resource Manager Miller presented a PowerPoint that provided an update on the Lower Bay Dredging project that addressed public outreach, the current and potential dredge plan, Lower Bay Bathymetry, targeted surveys to verify reported high spots, Port of Long Beach Middle Harbor fill site, other 3rd party disposal activities, Linda Isle/Harbor Island Channels, sediment characterization, and eelgrass. He provided contact information to the public for questions. In response to Council Member Daigle's question, Harbor Resources Manager Miller reported that the contractor is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Federal contractors and Volume 60 - Page 441 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session May 8, 2012 added that management is a joint responsibility with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City. Harbor Resources Manager Miller stated that the Port of Long Beach disposal window closes on June 30, 2012, addressed the execution of the agreement, and provided the hours of operation. He noted that the contractors are requesting to work a twenty-four hour schedule to maximize the sediment. Council Member Henn expressed support for allowing the contractors to work a twenty-four hour shift. In response to Council questions, Harbor Resources Manager Miller stated that the disposal site in Port of Long Beach is filling up fast, reported that it is not feasible to float the full - loaded scows out of the harbor at all times, stated that the contractors can work a full shift to take advantage of the tides to fill to the greatest extent and float out, added that contractors are actively looking for additional scows, and stated that he can provide a copy of what a 24 hour schedule would look like. Harbor Resources Manager Miller thanked Council for making the project happen, addressed a recent visit from Colonel Toy and Brian Moore, the top civilian employee in the Corps of Engineers, expressed appreciation to the Hornblower Cruises and Chandler Bell for transporting them in the pontoon boats. In response to Council questions, Harbor Resources Manager Miller stated that there are no contingency plans for land base disposal, stated that the Mooring Master Plan will be put to good work, reported that the new land at the Port of Long Beach will be used as container storage, and presented a summary of the project. Council Member Henn expressed his appreciation to staff for their efforts. In response to Council questions, Harbor Resources Manager Miller reported that there is data that supports the fact that the sea level is rising, stated that disposal for the back side of Linda Isle does not involve a lot of material, and noted the possibility of disposing at a landfill. Mayor Pro Tem Curry noted that this is one of the most important projects for the City and believed that this is an opportunity to save money and do as much as possible while the dredge equipment is in the Harbor. 3. BUDGET OVERVIEW. [100-20121 Assistant City Manager Dana Smith reported that this is the first of three presentations regarding the City Budget and stated that Finance Director McCraner will provide trends and projections for key revenues which are still moderately growing. She added that at the next two scheduled budget meetings, staff will discuss Departmental budgets, review CIP project priorities, and entertain suggested changes by the City Manager and Council. She highlighted three foundational areas of change including technology, workforce management, and facilities while presenting details of each. She acknowledged and listed accomplishments during the last year and deferred to staff for a report. Finance Director McCraner reported that comments from the Finance Committee have been incorporated into the revised presentation. She addressed budget principles, year-end close, General Fund Revenue Projections, General Fund Expenditure Projections, Key Initiatives, and Critical Decision Points. In addition, she presented details of the Fiscal Sustainability Volume 60 - Page 442 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session May 8, 2012 Plan, FY 11-12 Projected Operational Savings, recommendations for use of the projected surplus, FY 12-13 General Fund Revenues, Four -Year Revenue Comparison, FY 12-13 Expenditures by Function, Four -Year Expenditure Comparison, Debt Service Expenditures, and Pension Costs. She addressed changes in earnings assumptions, Information Technology Internal Service Fund, and staffing levels. She provided recommendations for consideration by Council, stated that staffing levels are at 2001 levels prior to the annexation of Newport Coast, employee ratio per resident has decreased, added that the budget is balanced, and reported that year-end will close with a surplus that the City Manager proposes to use to fund additional capital improvements. Assistant City Manager Smith addressed initiatives including collaboration with surrounding cities, opportunities for using the private sector to outsource, better use of technology, and business -improvement processes. Council Member Henn commended staff for their efforts and addressed pension costs, employee contributions, the amount of progress being made, the importance of investing in public value, and other initiatives providing opportunities to move toward the City's overall goals. Mayor Pro Tem Curry commended the City Manager, staff, and employee groups. He noted the recovery of sales, believed that technology investment is important going forward, and added that reserves are not being used to balance the budget. Council Member Daigle expressed her appreciation for the participation of employees and expressed concerns regarding the sustainability of the system. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None IV. ADJOURNMENT - 5:06 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on May 3, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. Recording Secretary City Clerk Volume 60 - Page 443