Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/24/2006 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Study Session January 24, 2006 — 3:00 p.m. ROLI. CALL Present: Council Member Selich, Mayor Pro Tern Rosansky, Mayor Webb, Council Member Ridgeway, Council Member Daigle Absent: Council Member Nichols (arrived late) CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. Mayor Webb announced that he would be asking to have Item Nos. 23 and 24, both regarding the Cameo Community Association, moved to the Consent Calendar at the evening meeting. Council Member Daigle referred to Item No. 14 and received clarification from City Manager Bludau on how the proposed 20 Year City Facilities Replacement Plan would be used. Council Member Ridgeway announced that he would removing Item No 5, Commercial Activity Regulation on Newport Harbor, from the Consent Calendar at the evening meeting. 2. TRAFFIC SIGNAL COORDINATION PROGRAM - STATUS REPORT. [100- 2006] Public Works Director Badum summarized the information contained in the staff report and stated that staff has continued to implement the recommendations of the signalized intersection study performed in 2003. He provided an update on the status of several specific projects and technological advances, and stated that staff continues to evaluate all signalized intersections for potential improvements. In response to questions by the Council Members, Public Works Director Badum explained what traffic signal synchronization and coordination means, and which intersections in Newport Beach are currently coordinated. Council Member Ridgeway criticized the City's system and the lack of system -wide synchronization, and questioned the City's use of technological advances. Transportation/Development Services Manager Edmonston provided additional information on what is possible to coordinate, and what the City is doing and has done. He explained constraints to making some improvements and how adjustments to the system are made, and noted the inconsistency of traffic models. Council Member Nichols joined the meeting at 3:36 p.m. Volume 57 Page 523 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes January 24, 2006 Council Member Daigle urged staff to utilize the newest technological advances and solutions available. 3. WHITE SEA BASS HATCHERY - ISSUANCE OF NEW PERMIT WITH CONDITIONS AND MOVEMENT OF THE FACILITY. [100 -2006) Using a PowerPoint presentation, Harbor Resources Supervisor Miller summarized the information contained in the staff report, provided background information on the issue and noted that it is on the evening meeting's agenda, Item No. 21, for action. He displayed the special conditions being recommended for the mooring permit, as provided in the staff report. Mr. Miller also displayed an aerial photo showing the various locations that were considered for the mooring, and outlined the pros and cons of each option. Additionally, he reported on the noticing that was done and the responses that were received. In response to questions by the Council Members, Mr. Miller stated that a new location is being considered due to complaints from residents in the area of the current location. Douglas Wood urged the City Council to deny a new mooring permit for the Balboa Angling Club. Tom Tyson urged the City Council to require that the barge be removed from Newport Harbor. Lee Gilliland stated that it's not fair that she and her neighbors have had to endure the barge for so many years. Brian Ouzounian expressed his disagreement with the staff recommendation and the report given by Harbor Resources. Dan Gilliland stated that the barge should not be located in Newport Harbor and urged the City Council to deny the permit. He provided a handout with information about the pollution created from the fish in the barge. Tracy Bishop, California Department of Fish & Game, Coordinator of the White Sea Bass Program, provided additional information and some clarifications about the program. Paul Balalis expressed his concern for the pollution that might be created from the barge. Gabriel Buhr, Hubbs Sea World Research Institute, Grow Out Facility Coordinator, expressed his support for the work done by the Balboa Angling Club and the program. Carter Ford spoke in opposition to the alternate location being considered, mooring area "A ", row 30, due to boating and navigation concerns and the narrowness of the channel in that area. Alex Samios, Director of the Balboa Angling Club and President of Pac Fish, stated that the barge has been managed appropriately and repairs are being made. He expressed his agreement with the permit conditions being recommended, with the exception of Conditions Nos. 6 and 13, and asked the City Council to change the length of the fallow period from six months to twelve months, and to waive the Volume 57 - Page 524 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes January 24, 2006 mooring permit fee. Pete Pallette expressed his disagreement with allowing the barge and the hatchery to remain in Newport Harbor. 4. SEA LION RELATED ORDINANCES. [100 -20061 Using a PowerPoint. presentation, Harbor Resources Manager Rossmiller listed the reasons for the two proposed ordinances, as being recommended for introduction at the evening meeting, Item No. 20. He discussed what has been the most effective ways of dealing with the sea lions, and what the primary features of the ordinances are. He also displayed photos showing examples of several deterrent measures. Harbor Resources Manager Rossmiller displayed the public information bulletin being recommended to let the public know what they can do to help. And, lastly, he responded to questions by the Council Members. Hunter Strohman, Manager of Marina Water Sports, expressed his support for the adoption of the ordinances. Brain Ouzounian expressed his concern, as a homeowner, for being fined or cited if sea lions are found on his dock. Harbor Resources Manager Rossmiller stated that citations will be only be issued when the City's warnings are ignored. 5. BACK BAY SCIENCE CENTER PROJECT UPDATE (C- 3460). [381100 -20061 Using a PowerPoint presentation, Assistant City Manager Kiff provided information on the concept for the center, and displayed a list of the partners involved. He also displayed an aerial photo of the site, as well as the plans for the center, and briefly discussed the preliminary budget and how the shortfall will be addressed. Public Works Director Badum stated that staff is pursuing a construction management at risk type of contract for the project He explained that there will be sixteen different trade contracts, which will each be bid separately and a project manager will administer the contracts on the City's behalf. He provided the project timeline, and noted that construction is expected to begin in March of 2006. In response to questions by the City Council, Project Engineer Pickart explained how Barnhart, Inc. was selected as the project manager, and Public Works Director Badum provided additional details on how the contract with Barnhart, Inc. will be structured. Glynna Hoekstra, Senior Vice President, Barnhart, Inc., stated that the guaranteed maximum price is the at -risk portion of the contract, and explained the reason for the contingency. Ms. Hookstra listed the costs that will be incurred by Barnhart, Inc. Council Member Ridgeway requested that additional details on the costs and the contract with Barnhart, Inc. be provided when the issue returns to the Council at the meeting of February 14, 2006. It was agreed that further analysis should be presented and the contract should also be compared with other contracts. Council Member Daigle expressed her support for the project and the collaborative effort. Assistant City Manager Kiff stated that with the partners that have come together, the project could be a model for future cooperative projects. Volume 57 - Page 525 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes January 24, 2006 Philip Lugar expressed his opposition to using a construction manager on this particular project, due to its size and simplicity. Assistant City Manager Kiff noted the habitat sensitivity of the area and the regulatory agencies that will be involved. Greg Wool, Board Member of the MiOcean Foundation, highlighted the goals of MiOcean and expressed support for the project. Jack Keating, Newport Bay Naturalists & Friends, expressed support for the project and the collaboration opportunity for the agencies involved. Additionally, he complimented staff on the approach being proposed for the management contract. Regina Fodor, President of Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends, expressed support for the project and the valuable education that the center will provide. 6. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE - REVIEW OF DRAFT ARTS AND CULTURAL RESOURCES AND HISTORIC RESOURCES OPTIONAL ELEMENTS. [681100 -20061 Assistant City Manager Wood briefly summarized the information provided in the staff report and the direction being asked of the City Council. Council Member Ridgeway expressed his support for including the two elements in the General Plan as long as doing so wouldn't impair the seven mandatory provisions of the General Plan. He suggested that the wording in Policies 1.2 and 3.5 in the Arts & Cultural Resources element, regarding funding, be amended. Kirwan Rockefeller, City Arts Commission Chair, provided a handout highlighting the changes to the Arts & Cultural Resources element being recommended by the City Arts Commission. Additionally, he provided reasons for including the Arts & Cultural Resources element in the General Plan. Council Member Daigle expressed her support of Mr. Rockefeller's comments. There was a general discussion and agreement by the Council Members that a change to the language in Policies 1.2 and 3.5 needs to be made. Assistant City Manager Wood confirmed that all of the elements in the General Plan will be returning to the City Council beginning in April 2006, and that the initial direction being provided by the City Council will be used for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Nancy Gardner, General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) Co- Chair, confirmed that GPAC supports the recommendations of the City Arts Commission. There was a general consensus by the Council Members to support the recommendations of the City Arts Commission, but to also incorporate new wording regarding the City providing funding for arts and culture. Regarding the Historical Resources element, there was a general consensus by the Council Members to include the element in the General Plan, as previously recommended by the City Council. Council Member Daigle expressed her concern that the element duplicates State and Federal laws. Assistant City Manager Wood explained when State and Federal laws apply, and clarified how the Newport Beach Register of Historical Property is used. Council Member Daigle stated that she would express her additional concerns when the element returns to the City Council. Volume 57 - Page 526 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes January 24, 2006 PUBLIC COMMENTS - None ADJOURNMENT - at 6:00 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on January 18, 2005, at 4:20 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. City Clerk Recording Secretary L 7j— V Mayor Volume 57 - Page 527