HomeMy WebLinkAbout29 - Harbor Commission ObjectivesCITY OF
NEWPORT. BEACH
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Cft y CouncH Staff Report Agenda Item No. 29
November 27, 2012
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Public Works Department
David A. Webb, Public Works Director
949 -644 -3311, dawebb @newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Chris Miller, Harbor Resources Manager
APPROVED:
TITLE: Approve Harbor Commission Objectives for FY2012 -13
ABSTRACT:
The Harbor Commission is requesting the Council to review and approve their
Objectives for FY2012 -13.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Harbor Commission's FY2012 -13 Objectives.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item. However, the Harbor Commission's
Objectives include projects which, when implemented, will require funding through the
normal budgeting process.
DISCUSSION:
Over the past several months, the Harbor Commission has developed a list of
Objectives for FY2012 -13 which support their mission, and the mission of the Harbor
Area Management Plan, which is:
"To protect and improve the resources of Newport Harbor, Upper Newport Bay,
and the ocean beaches to ensure their proper use and enjoyment by all things
that derive life, recreation, or commerce from our City's most important asset."
In keeping with this mission, the Commission's Objectives are intended to advance two
over- arching purposes:
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Approve Harbor Commission Objectives for FY2012 -13
November 27, 2012
Page 2
1. Ensuring the long term welfare of the harbor for all residential, recreational and
commercial users; and
2. Promoting Newport Harbor as a preferred and welcoming destination for visiting
Southern California boaters and long- distance cruising yachts.
The Commission's specific Objectives to support these two purposes are listed in
Attachment A. The Council previously reviewed these Objectives during the Study
Session presentation on November 13, 2012.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will
not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378)
of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it
has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or
indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
Submitted by:
,�&, �� - 4
David A. Webb
Public Works Director
Attachment: A. Harbor Commission Objectives for Fiscal Year 2012 -13
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ATTACHMENT A
Newport Harbor Commission Objectives
FY 2012 - 13
September 12, 2 ®12
The 2012 -13 Harbor Commission Objectives will be presented to the City Council as
part of a State of the Harbor presentation. These objectives are intended to support
the mission of the Harbor Area Management Plan, which is:
"To protect and improve the resources of Newport Harbor, Upper Newport Bay, and
the ocean beaches to ensure their proper use and enjoyment by all things that derive
life, recreation, or commerce f tom our City's most important asset."
In keeping with this mission, the Commission's objectives for the coming year are
intended to advance two over - arching purposes: (1) ensuring the long term welfare
of our Harbor for all residential, recreational, and commercial users; (2) promoting
Newport Harbor as a preferred and welcoming destination for visiting Southern
California boaters and long- distance cruising yachts.
Ensuring the Long Term Welfare of Newport Harbor
1) Investigate potential solutions to two long - standing obstacles to maintenance
dredging of private docks and areas of the harbor that are outside the scope of USACE
projects. The primary obstacles are (1) the difficult permitting process and (2) a lack
of small scale dredging operators. New environmental permitting strategies and
effective deployment of smaller scale dredging equipment (public or private) will be
studied and benchmarked with other California harbor communities. Reportfindings
to the Council.
2) Develop recommendationsfor the highest and best public use of Lower Castaways,
the last remaining undeveloped city -owned waterfront property. Report
recommendations to the Council.
3) Engage Harbor Resources Staff, City Attorney's Office and USACE
to test willingness to undertake the process of resetting the harbor lines and develop
consensus in defining the best approach to this project Report findings to the Council,
seeking Council's approval to proceed.
4) Develop recommendations to the City Council forgreater effectiveness in the
enforcement of certain provisions of the Harbor Code, including but not limited to:
Speed limit exceptionfor sanctioned human powered and sail racing events
Rehabilitation or removal of derelict vessels
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ATTACHMENT A
5) Identify strategies to improve boating education opportunities for beginners,
novices and experts - particularly targeting Newport Beach residents.
6) Identify strategies to maintain water - related businesses on the harbor. Develop
recommendations to the Council.
7) Continue ongoing study and investigation of vessel overhang regulations and
general compliance throughout the harbor. Report to the Council with
recommendations, if deemed appropriate.
8) Develop a more effective public outreach to communicate the Harbor Commission's
role, purpose, and objectives as a citizen advisory voice for the harbor community.
9) Continue ongoing study of alternative mooring design solutions. Report
recommendations to the Council, if deemed appropriate.
Promoting (Newport Harbor as a Preferred and Welcoming (Destination
1) Collaborate with Visit Newport Beach, Inc. to identify existing strengths, weaknesses
and opportunities for developing our harbor as an even more desirable destination for
visiting cruisers. Define specific strategies for increasing the number of visiting vessels,
improving the visitor experience, and supporting the businesses that serve our visitors.
2) Evaluate public anchorage alternatives and develop a recommendation to the
Council, specifically addressing the concept of retaining the Turning Basin anchorage
recently established as a temporary measure during the 2012 harbor dredging project.
3) Continue to evaluate the placement of existing public piers thatfacilitate visitor
access to harbor area businesses and amenities. Develop recommendations for the
repositioning or development of additional piers to improve visitor access.
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