HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 - Minutes - AmendedMarch 26, 2024
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Agenda Item No. 1
City Council Meeting Minutes
Study Session and Regular Meeting
March 12, 2024
I. ROLL CALL - 4:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Will O'Neill, Mayor Pro Tem Joe Stapleton, Councilmember Brad Avery,
Councilmember Noah Blom, Councilmember Robyn Grant, Councilmember Lauren Kleiman,
Councilmember Erik Weigand
II. CURRENT BUSINESS
SS1. Clarification of Items on the Consent Calendar
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Regarding Item 5 (Indefinitely Waiving Section A.1. of Council Policy B-13 to Allow for Alcoholic
Beverages at the Annual Charity Polo Event Held at Peninsula Park), Mayor Pro Tem Stapleton
and Councilmember Kleiman acknowledged that they sit on theewport Beach Foundation
Board. A
SS2. Certificate of Recognition to the Blue Bin Group
Mayor O'Neill presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Blue Bin Group for their recycling
education, social media efforts, and use campaign. Alexandra Gomez from Sage Hill School
utilized a presentation to explain the initi tive and thanked Council for their help and support.
SS3. Proclamation to Second Harve
Second Harvest Food Bank Vice Chairman Salman Alam discussed the program and introduced
CEO Claudia Keller and Government and Public Affairs Manager Malia Carey who noted that
Jill Johnson -Tucker is in attendance and was the former Board Chair and co-founder. They
utilized a presentation to review their mission, history, who they serve, Newport Beach pantry
partners, how the food banks work, and 2023 volunteers.
Councilmember Weigand asked if an invitation can be sent to the City Council for the
"No Lunch" Lunch event.
Mayor O'Neill rep the proclamation that recognized Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange
County for their extraordinary help feeding Orange County's vulnerable population.
SS4. Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Early Look
Council Member Kleiman announced she would be recusing herself during discussions
relative to the Shore Cliffs Water System Improvements Project due to real property
interest conflicts.
Council Member Blom announced he would be recusing himself during discussions
relative to Utility Undergrounding Assessment District Nos. 120 and 124, the Balboa
Island Main ter Main Project, Balboa Island Street Drainage and Pump Station
Improvement Projects, Santa Ana Avenue and San Bernardino Avenue Streets and
Drainage Project, and the Peninsula Tidegate Improvement Project due to real
property interest conflicts.
Public Works Director Webb noted having met with the Finance Committee and that he will be
presenting new projects in this year's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) prior to when the
full CIP is presented in May.
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City of Newport Beach
City Council Meeting
March 12, 2024
Deputy Public Works Director Houlihan utilized a presentation to review the file ' year 2
25 QPe-Ar43- laek, purpose of the CIP, allocations to the CIP, projects totaling $24 million
completed to date during FY 2023-24, and projects totaling $102 million that are currently under
construction.
Public Works Director Webb complimented the entire City and staff for the work currently
underway.
Deputy Public Works Director Houlihan continued with the presentation to review the FY 2024-
25 CIP projection and proposed FY 2024-25 summary of new funding by type. He noted projects
in the following sections for new proposed funding: facilities, streets and drainage,
transportation, water quality and environmental, and parks, harbors, and beaches.
Mayor O'Neill thanked staff for all the park projects.
Deputy Public Works Director Houlihan continued discussirrtparks, harbor, and beach projects.
Public Works Director Webb discussed why the Newport Pier project is behind schedule and
noted the challenges. In response to Mayor O'Neill's question, Public Works Director Webb
relayed that the Balboa Library and Fire Station concept and plan approval will be coming to
Council probably the first meeting in May before a vironmental document, design, and
bidding occur.
Deputy Public Works Director Houlihan continued the presentation to relay new proposed
funding for projects in the water division, wastewater category, miscellaneous, and oil wells
section. He provided a summary of the new funding by type which total $49.1 million and a five-
year look ahead for significant projects.
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Jim Mosher suggested a table be provided that included the starting balance per fund at the
beginning of the year and a comparison of expenditures and revenues by fund.
In response to Councilmember Weigand's question, Deputy Public Works Director Houlihan
confirmed that the Balboa Boulevard/Newport Boulevard pavement rehabilitation project will
occur during thp�ff season.
In response to Councilmember Avery's question, Public Works Director Webb noted that the
proposed CIP program is not the largest for the City, but it is large and ambitious.
Councilmember Avery agreed the plan was ambitious but expressed confidence in the City to
get it done. VF
Councilmember Grant thought the plan will take a remarkable amount of work and commended
the City's efficient spending.
III. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA AND NON -AGENDA ITEMS - None
IV. CLOSED SESSION - After Study Session - Council Chambers Conference Room
A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
(Government Code § 54956.8): 1 matter
Property: 301 E. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92660 - APN: 048-082-01
City Negotiators: Seimone Jurjis, Assistant City Manager, and Lauren Wooding Whitlinger,
Real Property Administrator.
Negotiating Parties: Joseph Berkson, Marcus & Millichap, on behalf of Bobby Hanada and Linda
Hanada
Under Negotiation: Instruction to City Negotiators regarding price and terms of payment.
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City of Newport Beach
City Council Meeting
March 12, 2024
XVIII. CURRENT BUSINESS
11. City Membership in the League of California Cities
Connor Medina, Regional Public Affairs Manager for the Orange County Division of the League of
California Cities (Cal Cities), stated that he is also joined by Marshall Goodman, Mayor of La Palma
and Orange County Division President. He utilized a presentation to review Cal Cities' core mission
to protect and enhance local control, the benefits of membership, the need to have the City at the
table on sober living, Proposition 1, and Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) issues, Cal
Cities' aligned advocacy on other priorities, Newport Beach's leadership in Cal Cities, and the rate
of return on investment.
Councilmember Weigand noted the benefit to the City of having a seat at the table, reviewed what
the City receives for the investment, and supported renewing its membership.
Mayor O'Neill discussed the pros and cons of membership, expro6ed disappointment that Cal Cities
called the City's efforts relative to the Taxpayer Protection Act deceptive, stated the difficulty in
supporting an organization that does not support the City in a high profile way, indicated he cannot
support an organization that hurts the City this badly, and suggested taking a year off.
Councilmember Grant thought the City has suffered serioldisappointment by Cal Cities' advocacy,
asked the City to consider the pros and listed reasons to continue membership, noted the importance
of being part of a strong voice to send to Sacramento, supported staying in Cal Cities and thought
pulling out for one year is not the right message to be sending, and stated she appreciated the work
and attendance of Mr. Medina and Mayor Goodman.
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Councilmember Avery thought Cal Cities does a good job but not renewing the City's membership
will send a strong message, expressed an inclination to step aside for a year at the risk of the City
looking petulant by other cities, noted challenges living next to poorly managed sober living homes,
and expressed support for Mayor O'Neill's position and the need to protect the safety of the
residents. AP
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Councilmember Kleiman thanked Mr. Medina and Mayor-Councilmember Grant for their work,
questioned whether Cal Cities'- has done any material advocacy relative to RHNA, noted Cal Cities'
influence on Proposition 1 and its impact to the City, and expressed concern for the responsible use
of the City's dues to'represent Newport Beach and its furtherance to reinstate local control.
Mayor Pro Tem Stap on thanked Mr. Medina for his work and time, stated that mental health
facilities in neighborhoods in his District is one of the biggest threats to quality of life, expressed his
dissatisfaction with Cal Cities' direction, and noted that a year off or more sends the message he
would like to send.
In response to Councilmember Weigand's question, City Manager Leung thought Councilmember
Grant would have to step down from her position with Cal Cities if the City chose not to renew the
membership. Mr. Medina stated that *1h^ seat would be ^ become vacant
immediately in the event of nonrenewal. Additionally, City Manager Leung indicated that the item
could be returned to Council for consideration in a year, if desired.
Motion by Mayor O'Neill, seconded by Councilmember Blom, to 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) direct staff not to renew the City of Newport Beach's
membership in the League of California Cities.
Councilmember Weigand stated for the record that his opposition to the vote has no bearing on
Proposition 1 and his feelings are regional and on a greater scope.
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