HomeMy WebLinkAbout5c_Additional Materials Received_MosherOctober 7, 2020, HEUAC Agenda Comments
These comments on an item on the Newport Beach Housing Element Update Advisory Committee
agenda are submitted by: Jim Mosher ( jimmosher@yahoo.com ), 2210 Private Road, Newport Beach
92660 (949-548-6229)
Item V.c. OUTREACH PLAN UPDATE
It may be of interest to the HEUAC that the City Council of Costa Mesa has also engaged
Kimley-Horn as their Housing Element Update consultant, and are considering a community
outreach proposal at their October 6 City meeting (see their New Business Item 1).
As to Newport Beach’s plan, it is interesting to note that at the HEUAC’s September 2 meeting,
the minutes (bottom of page 2) say: “Mr. Barquist recommended a four-week lead time to
promote the initial workshop in October.” Yet the present agenda mentions an “upcoming
October 20 virtual workshop” that, with just 2 weeks to go is not yet even on the City’s online
calendar or listed under “Events” on the home page. That doesn’t seem like very “robust”
promotion.
I trust the Outreach Subcommittee is not directing preparations for the workshops, for as ad hoc
committee meeting privately, their role is strictly limited to advising the full HEUAC at its public
meetings. It is not to privately advise City staff or consultants.
Moreover, since it is one of the assigned tasks of the full HEUAC to “Provide guidance to City
staff and the consultant through the outreach process,” it is more than a bit puzzling this item is
agendized as what appears to be a passive “update” rather than an opportunity for the HEUAC
to provide direction to staff or consultants on how it would like the workshops to be conducted. If
that is in fact the plan and was just inadvertently left off the agenda, it is troubling no written
proposal has been provided by either the subcommittee, staff or the consultant, for review in
advance of the present meeting.
At least the Costa Mesa City Council was able review the “Discussion Points” on which input
was going to be sought at each workshop. I have seen anything like that for Newport Beach.
Housing Element Update Advisory Committee - October 7, 2020
Item No. V(c) Additional Materials Received
Outreach Plan Update