HomeMy WebLinkAbout00 - Insider's GuideInsider's Guide for the Newport Beach City Council Meeting on November 19, 2019
Our next City Council meeting is Tuesday, November 19. Items that may be of interest are
highlighted below. The entire agenda, and all reports, can be viewed here.
Study session begins at 5 p.m. for this meeting, and includes a discussion on proposed changes
to the City's ordinance on short-term lodging, as recommended by the Council Ad Hoc Committee.
The Ad Hoc Committee has met several times and received public input on potential revisions. It
is anticipated an updated ordinance will be introduced in early 2020.
The regular session begins at 7 p.m. and the following are items of note:
• On the consent calendar is the restructure of the Homeless Task Force, as recommended by
the task force on November 12. The restructure into an Ad Hoc Council committee will provide
greater public participation directly with Council members and allow recommendations to be
made in a more expedited and efficient manner.
• Also on the consent calendar is the proposed consolidation of two existing waste collection
contracts into one for commercial refuse removal services, following a procurement process.
The single contract, to CR&R, provides for more efficient administration and expanded service
terms to ensure compliance with new state laws diversion program requirements.
For public hearing is approval of conceptual design for the Superior Avenue
Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge and Parking Lot Project. This project includes a new pedestrian
and bicycle bridge across Superior, and two design options are presented for Council
consideration. The project also includes a larger replacement parking lot and a recreational
area. Based on feedback from the community, three alternatives for the recreational area are
presented, with a dog park included as one of the alternatives. If the concept design is
approved, the project will move into final design and construction is estimated to begin
summer 2021.
Also on public hearing is consideration of a water rate increase. Water rates have not
increased since 2014 and adjustments are needed to fund the increased costs to purchase
and pump water, to operate the system, and fund the water system capital improvement
program. To properly sustain the water system over the long term, 7.4% increases each year
for 5 years is recommended. The average rate increase for the first year is approximately
$3.38/month per household. The first rate increase would be effective January 1, 2020.
On current business is approval of a project design consultant for the proposed new Central
Library Lecture Hall building design. At the March 12 Council study session, City Council
endorsed support for this project and in July established the Library Lecture Hall Design
Committee. The committee reviewed design consultant proposals and recommends Council
award a contract to Robert Coffee Architects + Associates. The proposed fee of $637,670
includes developing four conceptual designs, attending community and committee meetings,
and presenting concepts to Council. The fee also includes the next phases of final design
and planning approvals and preparing the construction bid documents. The time necessary
to complete all of these phases and award a contract for construction is estimated to be 18
months. Project construction would be anticipated to begin summer 2021.