HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-12-16 Approved Minutesy$WPO
Mike Henn, Chairman
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CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
CLIFORIP
John Hyatt
MINUTES 12-16-09
Minutes of the Economic Development Committee held at the City Council Chambers, City of
Newport Beach, on Wednesday, December 16, 2009.
Members Present:
X
Mike Henn, Chairman
E
Jennifer Gonzalez
X
Keith Curry, Mayor
X
John Hyatt
E
Steve Rosansk , Council Member
X
Lloyd Ikerd
E
Robert Hawkins, Planning Commissioner
X
Brion Jeannette
X
Mike McNamara, Vice Chairman
X
Debra Legan
X
Fred Ameri
X
Richard Luehrs
X
Craig Batley
E
Scott Palmer
X
Seymour Beek
X
John Robinson
X
Jeffrey Cole
X
Gregg Schwenk
X
Steven Coyne
X
Gary Sherwin
X
Kenneth Drellishak
X
Gay Wassall-Kelly
E
Sheri Drewry
Staff Representatives:
X
Sharon Wood, Assistant City Manager
Kim Van Natta
John Corrough
X
Leigh De Santis, Economic Development
Administrator
E
Katie Bowden, Economic Development
Coordinator
Guests Present:
David Hsiang
Jim Mahoney
Kim Van Natta
John Corrough
Lee Chelgren
Steve ?
Roll Call and Introductions:
Council Member Henn called the meeting to order at 8:03 am and began self -introductions of
the assembled members, staff and guests.
EDC MINUTES 12-16-09.doc
UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Councilman Henn announced that Keith Curry had been elected Mayor.
• Councilman Curry informed the group that Mike Henn had been elected Mayor Pro -
Tem.
• Mr. Gary Sherwin reminded the group of upcoming local events.
1. The Christmas Boat Parade begins tonight and runs through December 20tH
ending in fireworks.
2. The BCS teams and media will be staying in Newport Beach in January for that
game at the Rose Bowl on January 7th. The associated Beef Bowl Dinner will be
at the Newport Dunes.
3. He also reported to the group that plans for the Barrett -Jackson Auto Auction, at
the OC Fairgrounds on June 27-30, 2010, are progressing nicely. The impact
of the show will be to nearly fill Newport Beach hotels that last week of June.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Minutes of October 21, 2009.
The November 2009 meeting was canceled.
Councilman Henn called for comments on the draft minutes. There being none Gregg
Schwenk moved approval of the minutes and Mike McNamara seconded. The
minutes were approved unanimously.
2. Recommendation of Candidates for Appointment to fill an At -Large and the
Fashion Island/Newport Center positions.
Economic Development Administrator, Leigh De Santis, introduced Mr. David Hsiang
and Ms. Kimberly Van Natta to the Committee for consideration of being
recommended to the City Council for appointment to the EDC. Each candidate spoke
briefly about themselves. Chairman Henn moved recommending the candidates to the
City Council. The candidates were unanimously approved for recommendation.
3. Consideration of Recommending an Extension of the Relaxation of the
Temporary Banner Regulations.
In October 2008 the City Council, based on the recommendation of the EDC, relaxed
City regulations governing promotional temporary banners. That dispensation is due
to expire December 31, 2009. The EDC was asked if they wished to recommend a
one year extension of the relaxed policy until December 31, 2010. Economic
conditions have not yet recovered and the additional time granted under the temporary
relaxation was much appreciated by the business community. The EDC concluded
that the relaxation had not led to visual clutter and had been of value. Richard Luehrs
moved that the EDC recommend a one year extension. Seymour Beek seconded the
motion. The motion was approved unanimously. Craig Batley closed the topic by
EDC MINUTES 12-16-09.doc
recommending that should the City Council grant the extension, staff should make a
new effort to publicize the availability of the program.
4. Presentation by Mike McNamara, Chairman of the Summer Water Taxi
Committee of the Committee's Report
Mr. McNamara made a PowerPoint presentation of the Water Taxi System Conceptual
Feasibility Analysis report. The report had been presented to the City Council in a
study session on November 24, 2009. The city council requested that it be sent to the
EDC and the Harbor Commission for review prior to returning to the City Council for
action.
Following the presentation EDC members offered comments and asked questions.
Seymour Beek expressed his opinion that a Water Taxi could not operate without a
subsidy. He also strongly recommended that for a Water Taxi to be successful, it
would need a highly visible home base to attract riders, probably the Fun Zone and
maybe Marina Park. He said that he thought about half the ridership would just be
interested in a boat ride.
Steve Coyne thought that the Junior Life guards and other summer beach class users
might be persuaded to get season tickets to go from Mariner's Mile down the
Peninsula making drop off easier for parents. He wondered about the suitability of
Duffy Boats for the service.
Lloyd Ikerd asked about the ability to meet ADA requirements.
Jim Mahoney reminded those present that he operated the Gondolas and a small on-
call water taxi. He said that Costs were high and that not all restaurants with docks
were receptive to a water taxi. He calls restaurants to verify his passenger's
reservations before setting out.
John Robinson verified that a number of restaurants are fearful about a permanent
stop being a liability and not generating more restaurant business if their dock was
advertised as a permanent stop on a loop taxi system.
Craig Batley summarized his understanding that most likely a water taxi would require
1) a city subsidy 2) require the cooperation of those businesses with docks to
participate 3) lots of advertising and signs to promote the water taxi and 4) a visible
home location.
It was suggested that maybe a survey could be conducted by mail of residents to
determine level of potential use and support should a subsidy be needed.
Gary Sherwin volunteered that Visit Newport Beach would pledge its support to
underwrite an ad campaign. However, he agreed that City in-kind support with docks
and signage was crucial.
Craig Batley moved that the EDC support the Water Taxi Committee's
recommendation to the City Council that an RFP be prepared and distributed to test
EDC MINUTES 12-16-09.doc
the private sector market/ability to provide water taxi service. His motion also included
encouraging that a survey be done to gauge demand/support.
John Corrough, a Water Taxi Committee member, said the Committee's take on many
of the issues raised in the discussion could be found in the report.
The EDC voted to support Craig Batley's motion.
5. EQAC Representative's Report
EQAC has finished reviewing the Draft EIR for Sunset Ridge Park. They will begin
reviewing the Draft EIR for Marina Park in January 2010.
ITEMS FOR A FUTURE AGENDA
• Revenue and Budget Update - January
• Tourism Update — January or February
• Geo Area Representative Report on Holiday Business Season - February
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Henn called for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:20 am.
EDC MINUTES 12-16-09.doc