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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13 - Confirmation of Appointments to the General Plan Update Steering Committee - CorrespondenceReceived After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 From: City Clerk's Office Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 1:35 PM To: Mulvey, Jennifer; Rieff, Kim Subject: FW: Public Comments: GPU Steering Committee Appointees From: pmd81@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 1:34:39 PM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Dept - City Council; City Clerk's Office; Info@spon-newportbeach.org Subject: Public Comments: GPU Steering Committee Appointees Please seriously consider adding Tim Stoaks to the General Plan committee. He has been involved with the city in many capacities and is extremely fair, objective and knowledgeable of all areas within Newport Beach. You want considerate, smart, individuals on this team and Tim seems to be needed to balance the group. Thank you. Respectfully, Marsha Kendall Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 From: City Clerk"s Office To: Mulvey. Jennifer; Rieff. Kim Subject: FW: Public Comments: GPU Steering Committee Appointees Date: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 1:34:33 PM From: pmd81@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 1:34:39 PM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Dept - City Council; City Clerk's Office; Info@spon-newportbeach.org Subject: Public Comments: GPU Steering Committee Appointees Please seriously consider adding Tim Stoaks to the General Plan committee. He has been involved with the city in many capacities and is extremely fair, objective and knowledgeable of all areas within Newport Beach. You want considerate, smart, individuals on this team and Tim seems to be needed to balance the group. Thank you. Respectfully, Marsha Kendall Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 Subject: FW: GP Steering Committee Attachments: Editor Letter Measure Y.pdf From: Larry Tucker (mailto:Tucker@GTPCenters.coml Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 12:52 PM To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov> Subject: RE: GP Steering Committee Dear Council Members, Sorry to bother you again, but if I do not briefly respond to Susan Skinner's latest email below it might leave the impression that I concur with her conclusions. Traffic under the proposed 2014 Update was analyzed in a comprehensive traffic study prepared by an outside traffic engineering firm, and thereafter reviewed by the City Traffic Engineer. It was further reviewed by the Councilman Tony Petros who makes his living as a traffic engineer. I was unable to access the Council video, but the Council Minutes of July 8, 2014, starting at the bottom of Page 12 (Volume 61 -Page 625) state that Mr. Petros indicated that he "believes the proposal on the table reflects a reduction of traffic generation compared to the 2006 General Plan." He seconded the motion to approve the proposed 2014 Update on its initial and final adoption. So, I stand by my letter. I have attached the letter so you will have the complete context of my comments. There is no point in rehashing the arguments made in 2014 other than to note that I disagree with Dr. Skinner's characterization of me and my letter and her opinion concerning the then state of entitlements in Newport Coast. Larry Tucker From: Susan Skinner <seskinner@me.com> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 9:13 PM To: tucker@gtpcenters.com; CityClerk@newportbeachca.gov; Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov> Subject: Responsive feedback on the appointments to the GP Steering Committee Mr. Tucker, I have reviewed your Email to the City Council (and am ccing them on this Email) regarding my request that you not be seated on the General Plan Steering Committee. Your comment that I am using a land use litmus test regarding who should be on the Steering Committee is in error. I fully recognize that members of various committees involved with the General Plan will represent differing constituencies within the city. My request is based on your past history in advocating for Measure Y and your lack of transparency in doing so. Our city's last experience with a General Plan update does not inspire confidence in this update and the appointment of you and Mr. Selich degrade the trust needed to move the process forward. I am not questioning your competency nor knowledge, but the appropriateness of having you seated on this committee given your past actions. You will notice that I have no complaints about Mr. Paul Watkins' appointment on this committee despite his prior work on the 2014 General Plan. In 2014, you wrote the following letter to the Newport Beach Independent: "The opponents of Measure Y want you to believe the proposed general plan update will cause a massive traffic jam. An independently prepared EIR and traffic report for the update reach the opposite conclusion. It is easy for opponents to exaggerate the scope of the update since most people do not think in terms of square footage.... The traffic can be accommodated within the capacity of nearby existing roads given the numerous access points to, and the modest percentage increase in development in, Newport Center. And the amount of development there is more than offset by decreases in allowed development elsewhere in the City, most notably in Newport Coast. So the total projected overall traffic from the update is actually a net decrease." This statement is despite the fact that you were (or should have been) well aware that the entitlements in Newport Coast that were removed as an offset to the Newport Center entitlements could never be built, since the California Coastal Commission had established coastal limits on development and Newport Coast was built out to those limits. The traffic that was 'removed' did not exist and would never exist, but the entitlements in Newport Center would certainly have been built. The total new daily traffic trips added by the 2014 General Plan were 9465 trips/day, certainly enough to snarl traffic and create that "massive traffic jam." From my perspective, these statements and those made at the time by Mr. Selich were intended to obfuscate the actual impacts of Measure Y. I am asking for truthfulness and transparency from all members appointed to the General Plan committees. Anything less than that is unacceptable. Thank you, Susan Skinner Yes on Measure Y The opponents of Measure Y want you to believe the proposed general plan update will cause a massive traffic jam. An independently prepared EIR and traffic report for the update reach the opposite conclusion. It is easy for opponents to exaggerate the scope of the update since most people do not think in terms of square footage. The update could add 500,000 square feet of office space and 50,000 square feet of retail to Newport Center. While that sounds like a big increase, it is less than 9% of the current commercial entitlement in Newport Center. The other element of the update, up to 500 housing units, will generate traffic at a lesser rate than office according to the traffic study and will mostly flow in the opposite direction of work hour traffic. I live in Big Canyon so I have carefully read the EIR and traffic report as Big Canyon is the closest development to Newport Center's office towers. The traffic can be accommodated within the capacity of nearby existing roads given the numerous access points to, and the modest percentage increase in development in, Newport Center. And the amount of development there is more than offset by decreases in allowed development elsewhere in the City, most notably in Newport Coast. So the total projected overall traffic from the update is actually a net decrease. In addition to claiming traffic will become unbearable, opponents also say the update will not benefit our residents. There are actually two distinct benefits that the update will generate. First, a modest increase in development in Newport Center will help ensure that our town center remains vibrant with better retail and restaurants supported by more customers who are already in the area. It will be more of a place our kids would want to live and work. Another little-known but major benefit is that in order to utilize the proposed entitlements in Newport Center, developers (i.e. The Irvine Company) will have to sign development agreements. Under state law, the City can only sign those agreements if there is "public benefit" in doing so. The 2006 voter approved general plan update is expected to generate well over $100,000,000 of public benefit agreements, about $90,000,000 of which have been signed and the proceeds of which are expected in the next 6 years. That is a lot of money for parks and infrastructure (like replacing old water and sewer lines and improving roads), with none of that money going to the City Hall debt, which has been separately financed with long-term, low interest rate bonds. Based upon the past development agreements, the new development agreements due to the update should net the City in the range of $40,000,000 to $50,000,000 or more. So potential development is relocated to Newport Center which becomes a more vibrant, interesting place, the City gets a big public benefit fee for parks and infrastructure and traffic is not degraded. No wonder all but one candidate for City Council will be voting Yes on Measure Y. Larry Tucker One Upper Newport Plaza Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660 (949) 251-2045 Disclosure: I am presently Chairman of the Newport Beach Planning Commission, but have written this commentary in my individual capacity Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 From: City Clerk's Office Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 12:47 PM To: Mulvey, Jennifer; Rieff, Kim Subject: FW: General Plan Steering Committee Apointment From: William Kull Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 12:46:46 PM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Dept - City Council Cc: City Clerk's Office Subject: General Plan Steering Committee Apointment Dear Gentlefolks, I'm hopeful that you'll appoint Tim Stokes to the Steering Committee. I believe he is very well qualified for such an appointment and is quite willing to serve. I also believe he understands the needs, hopes and wishes of the majority of the residents of our fair city and will do his very best to insure they are considered by this very important committee. Very truly yours, William M. Kull 950 Sandcastle Dr. Corona del Mar Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 Subject: FW: GPU Steering Committee Appointments at 2/12 City Council Meeting From: Bruce Bartram [mailto:b.bartram@verizon.net] Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 8:19 AM To: Brown, Leilani <LBrown@newportbeachca.gov> Cc: seskinner@me.com; nanalston@gmail.com; jenmcdl0@aol.com; dorothyjkraus@gmail.com; Dennis. Baker@diandden.net; marko@uci.edu; TomLuBaker@hotmail.com; abeek@flash.net; jocarol@ix.netcom.com; dkrotee@krotee.com; andylingle@gmail.com; jimmosher@yahoo.com; elinhoff@sbcglobal.net; bobbylove112000@yahoo.com; Rita Phil lips23@gmail.com; pricejcb@gmail.com; nbseely@aol.com; jskinnermd@aol.com; jwatt4@aol.com; portiaweiss@gmail.com Subject: GPU Steering Committee Appointments at 2/12 City Council Meeting Dear Newport Beach City Council: I fully support the sentiments made by Susan Skinner in her email below. An additional point should be made, however The right for the public to vote on the legislative decisions of state and local governments via a referendum is protected by both the state and federal constitution. It was the motion of then City Council member Ed Selich to attached to the Ordinance amending the Planned Community Development Standards to permit the Museum House the City's entire General Plan and the Project's environmental impact report (EIR). This in an attempt to discourage the potential Referendum by rendering the Petition containing the Ordinance impossible physically and economically to circulate for voter review and signature. This does not represent a "political decision" on the part of Mr..Selich. Instead, his efforts amounted to an abridgement of the democratic process and impinged the constitutional rights of the residents of the City of Newport Beach to vote on the matter,. Thus, it transcends any political disagreement over whether or not to build the Museum House. In short, it should disqualify him from holding any further public office including his proposed appointment to the General Plan Update Steering Committee. Very truly yours, Bruce Bartram 2 Seaside Circle Newport Beach, CA 92663 -----Original Message ----- From: Susan Skinner <seskinner(Wme.com> To: Bruce Bartram <b.bartram(@Dverizon.net> Cc: nanalston <nanalston(cDgmail.com>; jenmcd10 <ienmcd10(a)aol.com>; dorothyjkraus <dorothyikraus(cDgmail.com>; Dennis.Baker <Dennis.Baker(cDdiandden.net>; marko <marko(@uci.edu>; TomLuBaker<TomLuBaker(aDhotmail.com>; abeek <abeek(@,flash.net>; jocarol <iocarol(@ix.netcom.com>; dkrotee <dkrotee(abkrotee.com>; andylingle <andylingle cDgmail.com>; jimmosher <limmosher(d.)yahoo.com>; elinhoff <elinhoff(@)sbcglobal.net>; bobbylovel12000 <bobbylove112000(@D-yahoo.com>; RitaPhillips23 <RitaPhillips23(@)gmail.com>; pricejcb <priceicbagmail.com>; nbseely <nbseely(cbaol.com>; jskinnermd <iskinnermd @aaol.com>; jwatt4 <6watt4C@aol.com>; portiaweiss <portiaweiss(a)gmail.com> Sent: Mon, Feb 11, 2019 9:29 am Subject: Re: GPU Steering Committee Appointments at 2/12 City Council Meeting Here is the Email that I sent to the council last night. I encourage folks to send the council feedback on this decision. Dear Newport Beach City Council: On Tuesday, the City Council will finalize the appointments to the General Plan Steering Committee. Mr. Ed Selich and Mr. Larry Tucker are recommended to be appointed to this committee. If the General Plan update adds additional development, as I expect that it will, the Land Use Element of the General Plan will require a vote of the people to be implemented. After the Measure Y debacle in 2014, this is likely to be a difficult task as I believe that many residents still remember the duplicitous way that the city presented the last General Plan. Recall that 69% of the residents voted against the General Plan after it became widely know that the promise of improving traffic and density was a false promise. Because of this, the appointments to the GP Steering Committee are especially important. Many people, myself included, have a deep skepticism that this process will proceed in a trustworthy and transparent manner. Multiple requests to the council to commit to a ballot statement that delineates added growth have been ignored, raising my concern level substantially that another end run around the voters is imminent If enough of us feel that the process is flawed or weighted against us, the General Plan will fail again at the ballot box. You may recall that in 2014, social media posts and viral Emails readily trumped all the consultant money spent to pass this plan. These platforms are more powerful than ever. The recommendation of a trusted neighbor will almost always carry more weight than the glossy fliers in the mailbox and our residents are far more educated and aware politically than they were in 2014. In this context, the appointment of Ed Selich and to a lessor degree Larry Tucker are incomprehensible. I cannot imagine how you could subvert this process any more effectively than by appointing these two men. We need to build trust, not undermine it. Mr. Selich and Mr. Tucker were instrumental in preparing the 2014 General Plan update and were front and center in repeating the mantra that it would reduce traffic and density. Mr. Selich wrote that "it is virtually impossible for the average voter to understand Measure Y" without reading every document he was reading, adding "unfortunately, most residents do not have the time to do so and must defer to those they trust to interpret this information." Mr. Tucker claimed that the opponents were misrepresenting the impacts of Measure Y and but then touted the money that the city would get from the upcoming development agreements he anticipated coming out of Measure Y. To my knowledge, neither man has acknowledged that the voters knew exactly what they wanted. Character matters in this world. When Mr. Selich very purposefully added 3700 pages to the Museum House petition, he undermined both our democracy and the very people he had sworn to serve. It was one of the most unethical political actions I have ever witnessed. To include Mr. Selich on the Steering Committee is an absolute slap in the face to those of us who were hoping for a process that we could support. You will make the decision that you feel is best. I will do the same. Thank you, Susan Skinner Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 From: City Clerk's Office Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 9:09 AM To: Mulvey, Jennifer; Rieff, Kim Subject: FW: Newport Beach City Council :: Please add Tim Stoaks to your GPU Steering Committee From: Dennis Bress Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 9:09:25 AM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Dept - City Council; City Clerk's Office Subject: Newport Beach City Council :: Please add Tim Stoaks to your GPU Steering Committee Dear Newport Beach City Council, I have just read the letter from Line in the Sand and I totally agree. I ask that you add Tim Stoaks to your GPU Steering Committee. Tim is an excellent person and one that will add balance and valuable input too the GPU Steering Committee. Thank you. Best, -Dennis Bress Resident Newport Beach 714-878-1276 1 RECEIVED AFTER AGENDA PRINTED February 12, 2019 Item 13 From: Georgia Foell <georgiafoell@aol.com> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 3:48 PM To: Dept - City Council Subject: Steering Committee- General Plan To pick Ed Selich and Larry Tucker is a disgrace and a slap in the face to the residents of Newport Beach; It's time to start representing the people Nvllo elected yoLI. RECEIVED AFTER AGENDA PRINTED February 12, 2019 Item 13 From: Peggy Palmer <pvpalmer@icloud.com> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 3:45 PM To: Dept - City Council Subject: General Plan Update Steering Committee Good Afternoon, I was recently informed of the final five with regard to the GUP steering committee members. While I recognize these Newport residents have the experience, I question if they have the vision of the future.? We need imagineers to set -forth a different mind -set and skill -set. Nothing could bring us closer to the future than our young visionaries. Moving forward, I would like to see a collaborative effort with the five member steering committee and a college like Cal Poly Pomona to assist with our GPU to help shape both of OUR futures. This could set a precedent and would also facilitate their curriculum and perhaps at no additional cost to the City. May these young minds she be our consultants? In my opinion, the same people will yield the same results. Look at the previous work that Cal Poly has produced. Thank you, Peggy V. Palmer hup:!!��_y��_cpp.e t -( tii/plalll_llil'-dl'.sigh-consti-ticUoii/Illastei--r)Ian- 3018/0gren%20Workshops/l-all Conl' pros 2017.dldl' RECEIVED AFTER AGENDA PRINTED February 12, 2019 Item 13 From: Linda Bennett <Iebennett60@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 4:40 PM To: Dept - City Council Subject: General Plan Steering committee Dear City Council Please nominate members for a steering committee that will have the trust and confidence of the voters. People are well informed and closely following this process The new development plans will be carefully reviewed and scrutinized by a strong and knowledgeable constituency. We need a steering committee that is honest, transparent and really understands the concerns and issues of a majority of our local residents Thank you Sent from my iPhone RECEIVED AFTER AGENDA PRINTED February 12, 2019 Item 13 From: Gina Lesley <glesley@roadrunner.com> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 4:43 PM To: Dept - City Council Subject: General Plan I just read the open letter from Line In The Sand and agree that Tim Stoaks would be a good addition to the committee hope you will consider adding him as a member. Gina Gina Lesley 949-646-9169 home 949-533-7075 cell RECEIVED AFTER AGENDA PRINTED February 12, 2019 Item 13 From: TOMLU BAKER <tomlubaker@hotmail.com> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 4:57 PM To: City Clerk's Office; Dept - City Council Cc: TOMLU BAKER Subject: Steering Commitee RECEIVED AFTER AGENDA PRINTED February 12, 2019 Item 13 From: Rieff, Kim Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 7:24 AM To: Mulvey, Jennifer Cc: Nelson, Jennifer Subject: FW: General Plan Steering Committee. Mr. Ed Selich and Mr. Larry Tucker From: Lynn Swain [mailto:lynn@lynnswain.com] Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 5:20 PM To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov> Subject: General Plan Steering Committee. Mr. Ed Selich and Mr. Larry Tucker Dear Newport Beach City Council, I believe these 5 individuals who have been recommended to be appointed to this committee are charged with picking the consultant. I think that is huge as there are clearly consultants who are better and of course some who are worse. If you think back to the process on how we hired the new city manager, the consultant was ready to do whatever the council wanted. We almost got Shawn Nelson as our city manager. Also, can you think of anybody worse at listening then Ed Selich? We can do better ... what about Tim Stoaks, Jennifer McDonald, Liz Barnum on and on. Lynn Swain RECEIVED AFTER AGENDA PRINTED February 12, 2019 Item 13 From: City Clerk's Office Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 9:13 PM To: Mulvey, Jennifer; Rieff, Kim Subject: FW: Responsive feedback on the appointments to the GP Steering Committee From: Susan Skinner Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 9:13:29 PM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Tucker, Larry; City Clerk's Office; Dept - City Council Subject: Responsive feedback on the appointments to the GP Steering Committee Mr. Tucker, I have reviewed your Email to the City Council (and am ccing them on this Email) regarding my request that you not be seated on the General Plan Steering Committee. Your comment that I am using a land use litmus test regarding who should be on the Steering Committee is in error. I fully recognize that members of various committees involved with the General Plan will represent differing constituencies within the city. My request is based on your past history in advocating for Measure Y and your lack of transparency in doing so. Our city's last experience with a General Plan update does not inspire confidence in this update and the appointment of you and Mr. Selich degrade the trust needed to move the process forward. I am not questioning your competency nor knowledge, but the appropriateness of having you seated on this committee given your past actions. You will notice that I have no complaints about Mr. Paul Watkins' appointment on this committee despite his prior work on the 2014 General Plan. In 2014, you wrote the following letter to the Newport Beach Independent: "The opponents of Measure Y want you to believe the proposed general plan update will cause a massive traffic jam. An independently prepared EIR and traffic report for the update reach the opposite conclusion. It is easy for opponents to exaggerate the scope of the update since most people do not think in terms of square footage.... The traffic can be accommodated within the capacity of nearby existing roads given the numerous access points to, and the modest percentage increase in development in, Newport Center. And the amount of development there is more than offset by decreases in allowed development elsewhere in the City, most notably in Newport Coast. So the total projected overall traffic from the update is actually a net decrease." This statement is despite the fact that you were (or should have been) well aware that the entitlements in Newport Coast that were removed as an offset to the Newport Center entitlements could never be built, since the California Coastal Commission had established coastal limits on development and Newport Coast was built out to those limits. The traffic that was `removed' did not exist and would never exist, but the entitlements in Newport Center would certainly have been built. The total new daily traffic trips added by the 2014 General Plan were 9465 trips/day, certainly enough to snarl traffic and create that "massive traffic jam." From my perspective, these statements and those made at the time by Mr. Selich were intended to obfuscate the actual impacts of Measure Y. I am asking for truthfulness and transparency from all members appointed to the General Plan committees. Anything less than that is unacceptable. Thank you, Susan Skinner RECEIVED AFTER AGENDA PRINTED February 12, 2019 Item 13 From: City Clerk's Office Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 5:45 PM To: Mulvey, Jennifer, Rieff, Kim Subject: FW: General Plan Update From: Chris Jannuzzi Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 5:45:05 PM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Dept - City Council Cc: City Clerk's Office Subject: General Plan Update Dear City Council Members, Thank you for your service to our fine city. It has come to my attention that the crabby, line in the sand folks... hereinafter referred to as "The Sand Crabs" are attempting to bully you into rethinking your committee appointments. I just want to drop you a quick note to say that you should trust your own judgement. In my opinion, these people represent the loud (and crabby) minority who share a desire to keep Newport Beach as a quaint, sleepy beach town, rather than the vibrant city it can become. They seem to hate change and will stop at nothing to get their way. Please don't let the sand crabs stand in the way of progress. Thanks again. -CJ Sent from my iPhone 1 RECEIVED AFTER AGENDA PRINTED February 12, 2019 Item 13 From: City Clerk's Office Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 5:42 PM To: Mulvey, Jennifer; Rieff, Kim Subject: FW: General Plan Steering Committee From: Dwight Ryan Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 5:40:02 PM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Dept - City Council Cc: City Clerk's Office Subject: General Plan Steering Committee Selecting some of the same steering committee members that gave us a plan we voted down last time is unwise. We spoke at the last election when we voted out the most negative of council members. We can vote down a general plan again, as well as be more aggressive in the next election to reinforce that we intend to have a council we can trust. Dwight Ryan, Big Canyon Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 From: City Clerk's Office Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 11:10 AM To: Mulvey, Jennifer, Rieff, Kim Subject: FW: Steering Committee From: Lynn Lorenz Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 11:09:44 AM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: City Clerk's Office; Dept - City Council Subject: Steering Committee Dear Newport Beach City Council: How disappointing it is to learn that at your first opportunity to establish a more co-operative and open rapport with your constituents, that the majority of the five members that you are considering for the Steering Committee do not represent that approach; nor do they represent the majority opinion of the voters of Newport Beach. Three of the five people selected for this committee helped write and promote Measure Y, which was soundly defeated by 70% of the voters! And I will never forget the role that Ed Selich played when he vigorously promoted adding 3700 pages to the Museum House petition! Again, his viewpoint (and those of his colleagues on the Council) were widely unpopular as shown by the success of the petition drive. It is time for fresh ideas from "new" people to balance the make-up of the Steering Committee. I agree with Line in the Sand that a very positive and popular way to do that would be to appoint Tim Stoakes to the group. He has shown in the recent election how highly he is thought of in the community. And his vast experience in community projects would make him a very valuable member of the Steering Committee. I sincerely hope that you will make this decision that will provide evidence of your sincerity in promoting openness and trust in our new City Government. Thank you, Lynn Lorenz Sent from my iPhone From: Lynn Lorenz Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 11:37:10 AM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: City Clerk's Office; Dept - City Council Subject: Recent email Sorry. I forgot to add my address to my recently sent email: Lynn Lorenz 434 Redlands Ave N. B. Ca, 92663 949 646 2054 Sent from my iPhone Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 From: City Clerk's Office Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 10:31 AM To: Mulvey, Jennifer; Rieff, Kim Subject: FW: Public Comments: GPU Steering Committee Appointees From: John Petry Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 10:31:26 AM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Dept - City Council; City Clerk's Office; Info@SPON-NewportBeach.org Subject: Public Comments: GPU Steering Committee Appointees It seems unreasonable to appoint 3 out 5 Steering Committee members who supported Proposition Y and the Museum House when both were so strongly opposed by the majority of the residents of Newport Beach. The will of the people clearly leans toward less development and the Committee should reflect this fact. Please reconsider the pro -development selections. Thank you. I Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 Subject: FW: Feedback on the decision to include Mr. Selich and Mr. Tucker on the GP Steering Committee Attachments: Steering Committee Application.pdf From: Larry Tucker fmailto:Tucker@GTPCenters.coml Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 9:07 AM To: Dept - City Council<CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov> Subject: Feedback on the decision to include Mr. Selich and Mr. Tucker on the GP Steering Committee Dear Newport Beach City Council: Below is an email sent to you by Susan Skinner about my proposed appointment to the General Plan Update Steering Committee. As you know, the Steering Committee is charged with overseeing the public outreach process in the initial phase of the General Plan Update. The Steering Committee will not be involved in determining the content of the General Plan Update. In fact, your mandate is that the Steering Committee be disbanded before the content of the General Plan is even considered. You will be appointing a separate committee to advise you on the content of the General Plan Update. It appears that Ms. Skinner and SPON, in a separate email, seem to favor a land use litmus test on your appointees to the Steering Committee. But the Steering Committee is not making land use recommendations. The Steering Committee will be working with staff to ensure that the consultant hired by the City (under what staff believes will be a multi-million dollar contract) will deliver a cost efficient, focused program to ascertain what the community desires to be addressed in the update. The limited scope of the Steering Committee means its will be performing a much different role than the 2014 Committee performed. I have attached my application to serve on the Steering Committee. I believe I have the requisite experience to be helpful in the process. But since the Steering Committee will be working closely with staff, you might also want to confidentially consult with current and former senior staff members who have worked with me over the years about my suitability for the position. Finally, the citizens the Mayor has recommended are all well versed in the workings of the City with ample understanding of the planning process. I am confident they all share my view that the recommendations we reach should be unanimous for this process to work best. If I can provide any further information, feel free to write or call. Larry Tucker From: Susan Skinner <seskinner@me.com> Date: February 10, 2019 at 10:00:46 PM PST To: Dept - City Council<CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>, <CityClerk@newportbeachca.gov>, Tom Johnson <tomiohnson@me.com>, John Canalis <iohn.canalis@latimes.com>, Hillary Davis <hillary.davis@latimes.com>, Christopher Trela Newport Indy <christopher@firebrandmediainc.com>, Sara Hall <sara@newportbeachindy.com> Subject: Feedback on the decision to include Mr. Selich and Mr. Tucker on the GP Steering Committee Dear Newport Beach City Council: On Tuesday, the City Council will finalize the appointments to the General Plan Steering Committee. Mr. Ed Selich and Mr. Larry Tucker are recommended to be appointed to this committee. If the General Plan update adds additional development, as I expect that it will, the Land Use Element of the General Plan will require a vote of the people to be implemented. After the Measure Y debacle in 2014, this is likely to be a difficult task as I believe that many residents still remember the duplicitous way that the city presented the last General Plan. Recall that 69% of the residents voted against the General Plan after it became widely know that the promise of improving traffic and density was a false promise. Because of this, the appointments to the GP Steering Committee are especially important. Many people, myself included, have a deep skepticism that this process will proceed in a trustworthy and transparent manner. Multiple requests to the council to commit to a ballot statement that delineates added growth have been ignored, raising my concern level substantially that another end run around the voters is imminent If enough of us feel that the process is flawed or weighted against us, the General Plan will fail again at the ballot box. You may recall that in 2014, social media posts and viral Emails readily trumped all the consultant money spent to pass this plan. These platforms are more powerful than ever. The recommendation of a trusted neighbor will almost always carry more weight than the glossy fliers in the mailbox and our residents are far more educated and aware politically than they were in 2014. In this context, the appointment of Ed Selich and to a lessor degree Larry Tucker are incomprehensible. I cannot imagine how you could subvert this process any more effectively than by appointing these two men. We need to build trust, not undermine it. Mr. Selich and Mr. Tucker were instrumental in preparing the 2014 General Plan update and were front and center in repeating the mantra that it would reduce traffic and density. Mr. Selich wrote that "it is virtually impossible for the average voter to understand Measure Y" without reading every document he was reading, adding "unfortunately, most residents do not have the time to do so and must defer to those they trust to interpret this information." Mr. Tucker claimed that the opponents were misrepresenting the impacts of Measure Y and but then touted the money that the city would get from the upcoming development agreements he anticipated coming out of Measure Y. To my knowledge, neither man has acknowledged that the voters knew exactly what they wanted. Character matters in this world. When Mr. Selich very purposefully added 3700 pages to the Museum House petition, he undermined both our democracy and the very people he had sworn to serve. It was one of the most unethical political actions I have ever witnessed. To include Mr. Selich on the Steering Committee is an absolute slap in the face to those of us who were hoping for a process that we could support. You will make the decision that you feel is best. I will do the same. Thank you, Susan Skinner This email has been scanned for email related threats and delivered safely by Mimecast. For more information please visit http://www.mimecast.com Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 From: Rieff, Kim Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 9:39 AM To: Mulvey, Jennifer Cc: Nelson, Jennifer Subject: FW: General Plan Committee From: Keith Curry [mailto:keithcurryl@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 9:24 AM To: Dept - City Council<CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov> Cc: Tucker, Larry <tucker@gtpcenters.com>; 'Edward Selich' <edselich@roadrunner.com>; 'Debbie Stevens' <dstevens@envaudit.com>;'Paul Watkins' <paul@lawfriend.com>; gardnerncy@aol.com Subject: General Plan Committee Dear Mayor Dixon and Members of the City Council, I am very pleased to endorse all five of the recommended choices for the General Plan Update Steering Committee. Ed Selich, Nancy Gardner, Larry Tucker, Debbie Stevens and Paul Watkins have all been distinguished, selfless and dedicated civic leaders for as long as I have been involved in our city. There is no doubt that the GP Update will require patience and skill in crafting a plan that is responsive to the many voices in our community. I believe the civic responsibility and compromise skills demonstrated by the recommended members will hold the city in good stead during this process. I strongly encourage you to approve the candidates as recommended by the mayor. Best wishes, Keith Curry Mayor, 2010, 2013 1 Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 Subject: FW: General Plan Update Steering Committee Appointees From: Line in the Sand Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 9:04:50 AM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Dixon, Diane Cc: Avery, Brad; Duffield, Duffy; Brenner, Joy; Muldoon, Kevin; 'Scott Peotter'; O'Neill, William; City Clerk's Office Subject: General Plan Update Steering Committee Appointees Dear Mayor Dixon, We are writing this open letter to you, as the councilperson overseeing the General Plan Update process, to request that you consider taking the steps necessary to add Tim Stoaks to the General Plan Update Steering Committee. Our political action committee, Line in the Sand, was originally formed in 2014 to oppose Measure Y, the city's last attempt to update its General Plan. You will recall that Measure Y was defeated in spectacular fashion, not only because voters did not want to add massive development capacity in Newport Center, but also because they saw through the false claim that the measure would reduce traffic. Three of the five people you have selected to serve on the Steering Committee for this new attempt to update the General Plan were deeply involved in crafting and promoting Measure Y. Nancy Gardner and Debbie Stevens opposed it. Why not seize this opportunity to create a balanced committee and ensure that the 70% of residents who rejected Measure Y will feel adequately represented? Tim's appointment would achieve that goal. Tim has decades of relevant experience, the ability to commit all the time necessary to the process, and a history of involvement in major developments (annexation of Santa Ana Heights, OASIS, etc.). He was also one of the residents leading the charge against the phenomenally unpopular Museum House project, further proof that he has his finger on the pulse of the community. Most importantly, the November 2018 election showed that Tim has the trust of at least 18,422 voters. What better way to deliver on your promise of building more transparency and trust than to add Tim to the Steering Committee? We look forward to reading your response and are hopeful that this will be an easy issue f'or us to agree on. Sincerely, Line in the Sand PO Box 15725 1 Newport Beach, CA 92659 I VM/Text 949.734.0684 Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 Subject: FW: Feedback on the decision to include Mr. Selich and Mr. Tucker on the GP Steering Committee Dear Newport Beach City Council: On Tuesday, the City Council will finalize the appointments to the General Plan Steering Committee. Mr. Ed Selich and Mr. Larry Tucker are recommended to be appointed to this committee. If the General Plan update adds additional development, as I expect that it will, the Land Use Element of the General Plan will require a vote of the people to be implemented. After the Measure Y debacle in 2014, this is likely to be a difficult task as I believe that many residents still remember the duplicitous way that the city presented the last General Plan. Recall that 69% of the residents voted against the General Plan after it became widely know that the promise of improving traffic and density was a false promise. Because of this, the appointments to the GP Steering Committee are especially important. Many people, myself included, have a deep skepticism that this process will proceed in a trustworthy and transparent manner. Multiple requests to the council to commit to a ballot statement that delineates added growth have been ignored, raising my concern level substantially that another end run around the voters is imminent If enough of us feel that the process is flawed or weighted against us, the General Plan will fail again at the ballot box. You may recall that in 2014, social media posts and viral Emails readily trumped all the consultant money spent to pass this plan. These platforms are more powerful than ever. The recommendation of a trusted neighbor will almost always carry more weight than the glossy fliers in the mailbox and our residents are far more educated and aware politically than they were in 2014. In this context, the appointment of Ed Selich and to a lessor degree Larry Tucker are incomprehensible. I cannot imagine how you could subvert this process any more effectively than by appointing these two men. We need to build trust, not undermine it. Mr. Selich and Mr. Tucker were instrumental in preparing the 2014 General Plan update and were front and center in repeating the mantra that it would reduce traffic and density. Mr. Selich wrote that "it is virtually impossible for the average voter to understand Measure Y" without reading every document he was reading, adding "unfortunately, most residents do not have the time to do so and must defer to those they trust to interpret this information." Mr. Tucker claimed that the opponents were misrepresenting the impacts of Measure Y and but then touted the money that the city would get from the upcoming development agreements he anticipated coming out of Measure Y. To my knowledge, neither man has acknowledged that the voters knew exactly what they wanted. Character matters in this world. When Mr. Selich very purposefully added 3700 pages to the Museum House petition, he undermined both our democracy and the very people he had sworn to serve. It was one of the most unethical political actions I have ever witnessed. To include Mr. Selich on the Steering Committee is an absolute slap in the face to those of us who were hoping for a process that we could support. You will make the decision that you feel is best. I will do the same. Thank you, Susan Skinner Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 Subject: FW: Public Comments: GPU Steering Committee Appointees I am strongly opposed to the following persons who are being considered for membership in the GPAC. Ed Selick, Paul Watkins.and Larry Tucker. Each of them have been on the side of high rise,dense development projects.This is exactly what I and many Newport Beach citizens are trying to keep from happening to our community. Traffic on PCH and other main roads into Newport Beach is a major problem. We do not want to have to have special elections to curb these high rise and dense building developments. Marjorie Sawyer 4708 Cortland Dr. Corona del mar, 926265 Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 Subject: FW: Public Comments: GPU Steering Committee Appointees From: Elaine Linhoff Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2019 3:02:51 PM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Dept - City Council; City Clerk's Office; Info@spon-newportbeach.org Cc: Dorothy Kraus Subject: Public Comments: GPU Steering Committee Appointees I am terribly disappointed about the selected members of the 5 member steering committee for the GPU. Three members who've never seen a development they did not like, and two residents who have not been very active in espousing the residents' point of view. And that after all the evidently empty talk about transpsarency and fairness ! Elaine Linhoff Newport Beach 92661 Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 Subject: FW: Public Comments: GPU Steering Committee Appointees From: BOB UNDERWOOD Sent: Saturday, February 9, 2019 9:00:43 PM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Dept - City Council; City Clerk's Office; Info@SPON-NewgortBeach.org Subject: Public Comments: GPU Steering Committee Appointees Members of the city council, I have serious concerns about the impartiality of proposed members, Ed Selich & Larry Tucker when it comes to working on the update steering committee for the General Plan. Sincerely, Robert Underwood, 2009 Yacht Mischief, Newport Beach 92660 Received After Agenda Printed February 12, 2019 Item No. 13 From: Rieff, Kim Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 8:13 AM To: Mulvey, Jennifer Cc: Nelson, Jennifer Subject: FW: General Plan Update Steering Committee. I Membership. From: Philip Bettencourt[mailto:philip@bettencourtplans.com] Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2019 9:39 AM To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov> Cc: Jurjis, Seimone <sjurjis@newportbeachca.gov>; Campbell, Jim <JCampbell@newportbeachca.gov>; phlip@bettencourtplans.com Subject: General Plan Update Steering Committee. I Membership. As a longtime planning professional in Newport Beach and as a proud member of our last General Plan Update Citizen's Advisory Committee, I wanted to add my thoughtful endorsement to Mayor Dixon's selection of appointees to the General Plan Update Steering Committee. Each of the candidates has a distinguished record of community service, transparency, and even-handed decision making. The Listen and Learn process will be well served by their careful stewardship with your City staff. Philip F. Bettencourt Real Estate Development Planning & Stewardship 14 Corporate Plaza, S. 120 1 Newport Beach, Calif. 92660 1 949-720-0970