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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 - Minutes - AmendedCity of Newport Beach Planning Session February 1, 2025 February 25, 2025 Agenda Item No. 1 Finance Director Al -Imam relayed that the mailing discrepancies for STL noticing have been resolved, but a representative for an unresolved hardship appeal is present to address Council. City Attorney Harp stated that the representative can speak during public comments. Assistant City Manager Jurjis continued with the presentation to review refuse enforcement, SB 1383 (State mandated 3-cart waste system), and code enforcement staffing. In response to Councilmember Grant's questions, Code Enforcement Supervisor Murray stated that the City conducts lid flips for commercial addresses to check that materials are in the correct bins, residential inspection is starting with the STLs, and agreed to provide public education on the matter. City Manager Leung utilized the presentation to review the program enhancement proposals for the FY 2025- 26 budget and asked for feedback relative to the STL hardship appeal. Carmen Rawson questioned the number of police officers assigned to homelessness, requested beach patrol to monitor e-bike activity and a dashboard to list vendor licensing and permits, noted camping/encampment activity on Balboa Island with no nighttime enforcement, relayed that the' 20% CCC restriction on STL permits for multi -units is not implemented and suggested attaching the requirement to the property's title so, upon the sale of the property the restriction is implemented, noted that a property has been under construction for six years that has two STL permits, and suggested adopting an ordinance to protect recycling fees. Mayor Stapleton assured Ms. Rawson that every item she noted is 4,high priority and is being dealt with. Dennis Bress expressed support for the Flock program and for having fireldetection drones. Adam Leverenz expressed concern that reduced homeless numbers for the City have compounded the risks in Costa Mesa, suggested the confiscated beach vendor items be donated instead of disposed, proposed a percentage of STL permits be owner -occupied units, Snd inquired about drone use. Councilmember Grant relayed the resources and accommodations the City offers for properly housing homeless individuals instead of moving people from one city to the next. Jim Mosher asked for a breakdown of the types of prosecutions that are occurring, noted that SB 1383 has an enforcement component that requires inspections, and thought straw polls should occur after public comments. ldlnb� �V John Clement, STL appellant, supported establishing a modification to STL permit enforcement that allows for some latitude during unforeseen situations. r Nancy Scarborough suggested a "slow walk" of the current STL permits and having Park Rangers conduct enforcement after hours on thVeaches Susan De Santis thanked the City and fire department for protecting the community, noted town hall meetings to talk about fire protection in Newport Coast, and expressed concern for the City's efforts with brush maintenance. Lee Pearl thought that Council's approach to STL permits is going in the right direction, stated he is not a proponent of STLs on Balboa Island, and shared that he is on the STL permit waitlist to see how long it will take to get to the top of the list. Virginia Anders-Ellmore suggested reactivating the Environmental Quality Affairs Committee (EQAC) to address potential fire risks and insurance issues, and noted the good work of the Water Quality/Coastal Tidelands Committee. Barbara Abbott thought that Balboa Island is saturated with STLs, discussed the impact of STLs on neighbors, and asked if saturation levels are considered when permits are granted. Tim pekes-Stoaks inquired about the percentage of rubbish removal by the Costa Mesa Sanitation District, supported an increased use of equestrians by the Police Department, and expressed concern for the use of drones in the same area as an airport. Volume 66 - Page 258 City of Newport Beach Planning Session February 1, 2025 Beverly Jones noted that the retaining wall from Morning Canyon Road to Seaward Road needs repair and asked for it to be added to the budget. Referencing the STL appeal, City Manager Leung asked if Council would like to consider adding a process to the STL enforcement that considers hardship cases. Mayor Stapleton and Councilmember Blom suggested authorizing the Finance Director to handle hardship STL cases. Councilmember Weigand suggested there be further discussion if instances increase. City Manager Leung confirmed that authority can be retroactive. The straw vote result was 7-0. Since City Attorney Harp noted that hardship would need to be defined in the municipal code, City Manager Leung indicated that the matter would need to return to Council for approval. IV. FY 2025-26 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Public Works Director Webb indicated that the City has a residential refuse contract with CR&R that includes enforcement. He utilized a presentation to provide an overv' of projects, including the Witte Lecture Hall, Balboa Island Utility Undergrounding (Councilmember left the room), and the Lower Harbor Navigation Channel Dredging. In response to Councilmember Grant's question, Public Works Director Webb indicated that there would be no cost savings for the Lower Harbor Navigation Chann*ore ging, but possibly with the Balboa Yacht Basin Dredging. r Public Works Director Webb continued the presentationiew the Balboa Branch Library and Fire Station Replacement, City Yard Fleet Fueling System with a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling station that creates circulation and security issues, and futfure electric vehicle regulations. In response to Councilmember Grant's question, Public Works Director Webb indicated that the Balboa Ferry may be exempted from needing to become electric since it is privately owned, but that would still need to be looked into further. Public Works Director Webb continued the presentation to outline the Balboa Island Drainage Master Plan — Pipes and Pump Stations (Councilmember Blom left the room), MacArthur Street Revitalization — Campus Drive to Jamboree Road (Mayor Stapleton left the room), and replacement of the 15th Street Beach Restroom and Beach Trail Split from 14th Street to Newport Pier Project. In response to Councilmember Weigand's question, Public Works Director Webb stated that this is the first phase of the trail split. The presentation continued with the West Coast Highway Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge at Superior Project, noted that there is a large Orange County TraWportation Authority (OCTA) component to the project, and negotiations will take place once a logical property is determined to land the bridge. Public Works Director Webb presented the development of the FY 2025-26 Capital Improvements Project (CIP) budget, draft CIP budget process, major infrastructure funding sources, and Facilities Financing Plan (FFP). Finance Director Al -Imam reviewed the FFP, including project and funding challenges. Public Works Director Webb continued with the presentation to highlight community/Council requested projects, such as the retaining wall in Corona del Mar, lights for the Newport Coast Community Center (NCCC) pickleball courts, and additional pickleball courts at the Bonita Canyon Sports Park. In response to Councilmember Weigand's question, Public Works Director Webb thought parking could be accommodated at the park, but expressed concern for Mayor Stapleton's idea of putting new pickleball courts next to the existing pickleball courts. Dennis Bress commended the Public Works Department and its asphalt selection. Adam Leverenz suggested including refuse educational information with the trash bills. He asked the City to review the cost associated with building an aquatic center at Lower Castaways and noted the site is considered as recreational and commercial by the General Plan with a maximum building size of 2,000 square feet, but the proposed plan exceeds this by four times. Volume 66 - Page 259 City of Newport Beach Planning Session February 1, 2025 Susan De Santis thanked staff and Council for preparing the CIP and thought that MacArthur Boulevard (Mayor Stapleton left the room) needs to be looked at with a broader vision when residential development is added to the airport area to incorporate the arterials leading into the area and how to support a thriving mixed use community, including improvements in the City of Irvine within the IBC. Lee Pearl commended the Balboa Island undergrounding project (Councilmember Blom left the room) and highlighted projects needed on Balboa Island, such as an automated flood control system, an updated playground, public restroom access, a Citywide trolley, and offsite parking. Ken Rawson reviewed the beach trail split project and asked why the City is doing a partial project without studying a complete boardwalk separation from 36th Street to E Street (City Clerk Brown recused herself due to real property interest conflicts and left the room). Carmen Rawson expressed concern for pedestrians on the boardwalk (City Clerk Brown left the room). Mayor Pro Tem Kleiman emphasized that the Corona del Mar retaining walls are City -owned. No further discussion was requested and all Councilmembers expressed support for the project. Regarding adding lights to the NCCC pickleball courts, all Councilmembers expressed support for the project. ' Mayor Stapleton thought that the possible housing development in the pickleball court area is a topic that needed further discussion. Councilmember Weigand expressed the public's concern about circulation, parking, and noise issues around Bonita Canyon Sports Park. City Manager Leung concurred that this issue should be discussed during a study session. r 'D V. UPDATE ON PROJECTS UNDER NEW HOUSING AND LAND USE ELEMENTS Assistant City Manager Jurjis utilized a presentation to provide an update on major housing projects in the airport area and Newport Center area, discuss the housing numbers, what to look forward to in 2025, and Finance Director Al -Imam reviewed development -related fees. In response to Council questions, Assistant City Manager Jurjis stated that the City needs to amend the General Plan to transfer Regional Housing NeeA Assessment (RHNA) units between planning areas. He confirmed that the City would prepare a Rpuest for Proposal (RFP) for the development of an airport area master plan, it would be a two year prooct, and the RFP would go to Council in July or August. Dennis Bress commended staff and suggested using the words "workforce housing. Nancy Scarborough supported developing an inclusionary ordinance and a specific plan for the airport area and the Newport Center area Jim Mosher noted Council's approval of housing units without a Greenlight vote, including new housing in Newport Center and much of the airport area that are not required by the State, and noted the plans do not include 40% affordable housing units at each site. He expressed concern for the risk of decertification of the City's Housing Element and the loss of local control. Lee Pearl suggested including public art as part of the community's development. In response to Councilmember Barto's question, Assistant City Manager Jurjis stated that the Newport - Mesa Unified School District's property has been identified as a housing opportunity site, the City will receive credit for it and has jurisdiction for its planning, conversations with the school district have occurred, and the City will work with the school district for project entitlements. VI. MAJOR INITIATIVES — PROJECTS Public Works Director Webb utilized the presentation to outline the following proposed projects: the Aquatic Complex at Lower Castaways, MacFadden Plaza and Newport Pier Rehabilitation, new Police Department Building, concrete pavement needs, City Trolley Program, and the potential trolley expansion route. Volume 66 - Page 260 City of Newport Beach February 11, 2025 14. Resolution No. 2025-8: Amending the Schedule of Rents, Fines and Fees to Provide a Pass - Through of Credit Card Transaction Fee Charged by Third Parties Directly to the Consumer Mayor Stapleton opened the public hearing. Jim Mosher expressed concern for the public's understanding of the new fee structure. City Manager Leung explained that credit card fees charged to the City from the merchant payment processor will be passed along to the public. Hearing no further testimony, Mayor Stapleton closed the public hearing. Motion by Mayor Stapleton, seconded by Councilmember Grant, 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) adopt Resolution,.No. 2025-8, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Amending the Schedule of Rents, Fines and Fees to Provide a Pass -Through of Credit Card Transaction Fee Charged by Third Parties Directly to the Consumer. The motion carried unanimously. 15. Resolution No. 2025-9: Approving a Request to Waive City Council Policy L-2, Driveway Approaches, and a Coastal Development Permit for a Duplex at 3601 Lake Avenue Assistant Planner Arregui utilized a presetion to explain the reasons for the waiver request and the project's compliance with coastal development permit requirements. He also noted proposed amendments to the resolution. it Mayor Stapleton opened the public hearing. Hearing no testimony, he closed the public hearing. Motion by Councilmember Weigand, seconded by Councilmember Weber, to a) find this project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, under Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), because it has no potential to have a significant effect on the environment; and b) adopt amended Resolution No. 2025-9, A Resolution of the City Council of the CityNewport Beach, California, Waiving City Council Policy L-2 (Driveway Approaches) and App oving a Coastal Development Permit to Demolish an Existing Single -Unit Dwelling and Construct a New Duplex Located at 3601 Lake Avenue (PA2024-0105). The motion carried unanimously. XII. CURRENT BUSINESS 16. Employment Agreement for City of Newport Beach Police Chief (C-9826-1) City Manager Leung outlined the key components of the employment agreement, including the annual base salary, cost of living increases, termination clause, and contract term. In response to Councilmember Blom's questions, City Manager Leung stated that the salary range has been in effect since the last salary survey, the salary is in line with the former Police Chiefs salary, Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) are associated with the Police Management Association's agreements (PMA) and are not reflected in the base pay, and the range reflects only the base salary. Volume 66 - Page 267