HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 - Harbor Commission 2024 ObjectivesQ �EwPpRT
CITY OF
s NEWPORT BEACH
`q44:09 City Council Staff Report
January 9, 2024
Agenda Item No. 12
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Paul Blank, City Harbormaster - 949-270-8159,
pblank@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Paul Blank, City Harbormaster
TITLE: Harbor Commission 2024 Objectives
ABSTRACT:
The Harbor Commission periodically prepares objectives and devises workplans to
accomplish those objectives. An ad hoc subcommittee was appointed to conduct a review
of the Commission's most recent objectives adopted in 2022 and recommend
modifications to be reviewed by the entire Harbor Commission. At its October 11 meeting,
the Harbor Commission discussed and approved a final version of its 2024 objectives.
Additionally, the Commission requested the objectives be forwarded to the City Council
for review and consideration.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because
this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly;
and
b) Receive and file the Harbor Commission's 2024 objectives.
DISCUSSION:
The Harbor Commission periodically prepares objectives and devises workplans to
accomplish those objectives. The cycle for objective setting is roughly each calendar year.
An ad hoc subcommittee led by Chair Steve Scully was convened at the July 2023 Harbor
Commission meeting. The ad hoc subcommittee presented a progress report at the
September Harbor Commission meeting and recommendations for the 2024 objectives
at the October meeting. The recommendations were approved by the full Commission at
its October meeting. The recommended 2024 Harbor Commission objectives and
Commissioner assignments are included in Attachment A. The Harbor Commission
requested that its 2024 objectives be presented to the City Council for consideration and
review.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item.
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Harbor Commission 2024 Objectives
January 9, 2024
Page 2
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).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A — Recommended Harbor Commission 2024 Objectives and Assignments
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ATTACHMENT A
Newport Harbor Commission Purpose & Charter
Newport Harbor supports numerous recreational and commercial activities, waterfront
residential communities and scenic and biological resources. The Harbor Commission's charge
under Section 713 of the Newport Beach City Charter is to advise the City Council on the
diverse uses of Newport Harbor and its waterfront. The Charter specifies:
There shall be a City Harbor Commission of seven members which shall have the power and
duty to:
(a) Advise the City Council on all matters relating to proposed harbor improvements and the
use of Newport Harbor.
(b) Advise the City Council on all matters pertaining to the use, control, operation, promotion,
and regulation of all vessels within Newport Harbor.
(c) Approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove applications on all permits where the City
of Newport Beach Municipal Code assigns the authority for the decision to the Harbor
Commission.
(d) Make recommendations to the City Council for the adoption of regulations and programs
necessary for the ongoing implementation of the goals, objectives, and policies of the Harbor
and Bay Element of the General Plan.
(e) Advise the City Council, Planning Commission and City Manager on land use and property
development applications referred to the Harbor Commission by the City Council, Planning
Commission, or the City Manager.
(f) Serve as an appellate and reviewing body for decisions on permits and other harbor -
related administrative matters where the City of Newport Beach Municipal Code assigns such
authority to the Harbor Commission.
(g) Perform such other duties relating to Newport Harbor as the City Council may require. (As
amended effective December 14, 2020)
Harbor Commission — Objectives
The following objectives are intended to support the mission of the Harbor Area Management
Plan and the two most essential responsibilities of the Harbor Commission: (1) Ensuring the
long-term welfare of Newport Harbor for all residential, recreational, and commercial users;
(2) Promoting Newport Harbor as a preferred and welcoming destination for visitors and
residents alike.
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These updated objectives are subject to the review and approval of the Commission, and final
approval by the Newport Beach City Council. Harbor Commission ad hoc committees, as
established by the Commission, bear principal responsibility for coordinating the
Commission's efforts, along with staff support, in achieving these Objectives.
2024 Newport Beach Harbor Commission Goals and Assignments
1. Conduct annual review of Title 17 and recommend updates to City Council where
necessary (Commissioner Yahn).
2. Collaborate with the Water Quality/Coastal Tidelands Committee to partner on areas
within the Harbor that both Commission/Committees intersect (Commissioners: Svrcek,
Scully)
3. Successful implementation of the mooring reconfiguration initiative, including design,
testing, permitting, execution, and monitoring (Commissioner: Beer).
4. Collaborate with Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission and Staff to evaluate the
best use for Lower Castaway and make a recommendation to City Council (Commissioners:
Marston, Svrcek).
5. Work with staff to identify opportunities to add additional Harbor Services (Restrooms,
additional pump out stations, dock space, Shore Boat Service, Boat Launch Ramp, and
development of the mobile app) (Commissioners: Marston, Yahn)
6. Continue with the participation of businesses, nonprofits, and the Harbor Department
with a Newport Harbor Safety Committee to promote best practices and address safety
issues on the water (Commissioner: Scully).
7. Review Harbor Department responsibilities, evaluate the Department's readiness and
effectiveness to deliver Harbor services as necessary for normal operations and during
emergencies and make recommendations as determined necessary (Commissioner:
Scully, Williams).
8. Work with City Staff on an update of the market Rent to be charged for onshore and
offshore moorings (Commissioner: Cunningham, Beer).
9. Evaluate establishing day moorings off Big Corona Beach (Commissioner: Williams).
10. Support staff in all efforts related to the dredge completion of the Federal Navigation
channels in addition to the upcoming agency renewals of Regional General Permit (RGP54)
shallow water dredging permit. (Commissioners: Cunningham, Svrcek)
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