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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 f 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. Volume 66 - Page 56 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. _ r 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. Volume 66 - Page 57 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. f 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 4W 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. Volume 66 - Page 62