HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/08/2010 - Harbor CommissionNEWPORT BEACH HARBOR COMMISSION MINUTES
City Council Chambers
December 8, 2010
CALL TO ORDER 6:00 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL Commissioners Don Lawrenz, Vincent Valdes, Doug West, Karen Rhyne, Ralph
Rodheim and Duncan McIntosh were present. Commissioner Duffield was absent.
Council Liaison: Nancy Gardner
Staff: Manager Chris Miller
Supervisor Shannon Levin
MINUTES October 2010 and November 2010 minutes were approved.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS
John Cunningham from Little Balboa Island commented that the City should reevaluate the fishing at the
Park Avenue public pier and add that to the list of piers that don't allow fishing. Another Little Island
resident, John Long, commented that the Park Avenue pier is a hangout for gang members and is a
potentially lethal area.
ACTION & APPEAL ITEMS
ITEM #1
Subject: General Plan / Local Coastal Program Implementation Committee — Exploring the
Harbor Commission's Potential Involvement
Issue: The Harbor Commission will consider the potential to participate with the General Plan /
Local Coastal Program Implementation Committee.
Discussion: Commissioner Rodheim nominated Commissioner West and the motion was seconded by
Commissioner Rhyne. Councilmember Gardener will bring up the topic to the City Council
at its next meeting
Public Comments: No public comments.
Action: The Harbor Commission requested that the City Council allow Harbor Commission
representation at the GP /LCPIC and nominated Doug West to represent the Harbor
Commission. Motion carried.
ITEM #2
Subject: Mooring Fees and Mooring Transfer Rules — Review of Council Adopted Resolution
and Ordinance
Issue: The Harbor Commission will be updated on the recent City Council action on November
23, 2010 concerning mooring fees and mooring transfer rules.
Discussion: Commissioner Lawrenz questioned the ability to get preferential treatment on the waitlist if
a current permittee wishes to obtain a larger mooring. Staff will explore the nuances of
transfers. Commissioner McIntosh asked about the vacancy of moorings and helping
those on the wait list to obtain a short term sub - permit. Staff and the Council will continue
to adjust harbor fees including commercial leases.
Public Comments: No public comments.
Action: Receive and file.
ITEM #3
Subject: Mooring Support Service Center — Subcommittee Formation
Issue: City Councilmember Ed Selich has requested the Harbor Commission study the feasibility
of creating a Mooring Support Service Center at the Balboa Yacht Basin, then return to
Council in February 2011 with a recommendation for implementation.
Discussion: Commissioner Rodheim likes the idea and would like to see some public access side ties,
and suggested that Commissioner Duffield chair the subcommittee.
Public Comments: No public comments.
Action: Motion to form a subcommittee consisting of Commissioners Duffield, Lawrenz and Rhine
to study the concept of a Mooring Support Service Center at the Balboa Yacht Basin, then
submit a recommendation to Council in February. Motion carried.
SUB- COMMITTEE REPORTS
Code Enforcement Subcommittee: Commission West spoke on behalf of the committee. Findings
include to recommend that the subcommittee investigate and report to the Harbor Commission on six
topics including the duties of the Harbor Commission according to the Harbor Code. Commissioner
West commented that in July the Commissioner West was given a document drafted by the Bay Issues
Committee revising the NBMC §17.05.065, Harbor Commission responsibilities. The Commission has
not commented on the proposed changes. Councilmember Gardener explained that the generalities of
the Harbor Commission's duties were to be clarified and at that time there was no Council Liaison. She
also stated that the subcommittee should continue to evaluate the responsibilities. Commissioner West
submitted a handout with all the references of the Harbor Commission's responsibilities in the Harbor
Code.
Overhang Subcommittee:
Commissioner Rodheim informed the Commission that the subcommittee discussed the goal of the
overhang issues and potential recommendations. Two topics for the committee include overhang and
the Project Line boundaries. The subcommittee will report findings to the City Council. Commissioner
McIntosh questioned the situation specific overhang of the project line and how the Harbor Marina was
built completely outside of the Harbor Lines. Councilmember Gardener tasked the Commission to come
up with a general policy, implementation plan, and an estimate of hours needed, and then allow the
Council to decide whether to pursue the project.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
Councilmember Gardener brought up the visioning of the Lido Marina Village and current City Hall site
and advised the Commission to keep tabs on the project. The first report on sea level rise will be
addressed at the Council meeting on December 14, 2010.
HARBOR RESOURCES UPDATE — Chris gave a PowerPoint presentation on harbor updates. The
update is posted at http:// www .newportbeachca.govlindex.espx ?page =1658
RECOMMENDED TOPICS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:
• Move anchorage to the top part of the bay
• Lower Castaways Vision Plan
• Dinghy Dock at Lido Bridge
• Bilge /pumpout stations
PUBLIC COMMENTS None
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: January 12, 2011
ADJOURNMENT
NEWPORT BEACH HARBOR COMMISSION
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As Provided by the "Harbor Code"
Title 17, Newport Beach Municipal Code
The Harbor Commission was established by Ordinance 2001 — 25,
adopted by the Newport Beach City Council, January 8, 2002
17.05.065 Duties of the Harbor Commission.
It shall be the duty of the Harbor Commission to:
A. Advise the City Council in all matters pertaining to the use,
control, operation, promotion and regulation of all vessels within
Newport Harbor;
B. 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;
C. Serve as an appellate and reviewing body for decisions of the
City Manager on permits, leases, and other harbor - related
administrative matters where the City of Newport Beach Municipal
Code assigns such authority to the Harbor Commission;
D. Advise the City Council on proposed harbor - related
improvements;
E. Advise the Planning Commission and City Council on land use
and property development applications referred to the Harbor
Commission by the City Council, Planning Commission, or the City
Manager;
F. 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. (Ord. 2008 -2 § 1 (part), 2008)
Other specific references in the Harbor Code to the Duties and
Responsibilities of the Harbor Commission:
17.05.070 Establishment of Channels, Turning Basins, Etc.
All channels, turning basins, anchorage areas, and pierhead and
bulkhead lines in Newport Harbor shall be as established by the
Federal Government or by the City Council upon recommendation of
the Harbor Commission
17.05.110 Rules for Interpretation
Where uncertainty exists regarding the interpretation of any provision
of this Code or its application to a specific site, the Harbor Resources
Manager shall determine the intent of the provision and issue a
written administrative interpretation. An interpretation by the Harbor
Resources Manager may be appealed to the Harbor Commission, as
provided in Chapter 17.65. (Ord. 2008 -2 § 1 (part), 2008)
17.10.030 Application for Marine Activities Permit.
An application for permit under this chapter shall be filed with the
Harbor Resources Manager, upon forms provided by the City, and
shall contain such information which the Harbor Commission or
Harbor Resources Manager may require. (Ord. 2008 -2 § 1 (part),
2008)
17.10.070 Power to Impose Conditions (Marine Activities Permits)
A. In granting any permit pursuant to this chapter, the Harbor
Resources Manager, or the Harbor Commission on appeal, may
impose any additional conditions on the permit to ensure that the
proposed commercial activity will be compatible with the
predominantly recreational character of Newport Harbor, the rights of
other persons using Newport Harbor, the interests of residents and
property owners whose properties abut or are in close proximity to
Newport Harbor, and the interests of the general public.
17.10.12 Application to Existing Commercial Activities
All marine activities permits issued under this section shall be
deemed to meet the requirements of Chapter 17.10 for renewal
purposes unless or until such time as the Harbor Resources Manager
or the Harbor Commission determines there is a substantial change
in the commercial activity.
17.65.010 Authorization of Appeals
Decisions of the Harbor Resources Manager resulting from the
Manager's administration of this Code may be appealed to the Harbor
Commission by any interested person. Decisions of the Harbor
Commission may be appealed to the City Council by a member of the
City Council pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2008 -2 §
1 (part), 2008)
17.70.020 Revocation of Permit.
A. Ground for Revocation. Any permit heretofore or hereafter
granted for any structure, work, or activity in the waters of Newport
Harbor or the Pacific Ocean may be revoked by the Harbor
Commission upon any of the following grounds:
1. The work, structure, use or activity has become detrimental
to commerce, navigation or fishing;
2. The work, structure, use or activity is detrimental to the use,
operation or development of the harbor;
3. The work, structure, use or activity has become a source of
pollution of the harbor;
4. The work, structure, use or activity does not comply with the
permit or does not meet the standards adopted by the Harbor
Commission for such work or structure;
5. The permittee has failed for a period of sixty (60) days to
pay the fee or fees heretofore or hereafter imposed for the
occupancy of tidelands, filled tidelands or submerged lands
upon which such work or structure exists;
6. The work or structure has fallen into a state of disrepair;
7. The space occupied by such work or structure is over public
trust land and such space is to be devoted to a more necessary
public use;
8. The permittee has breached or failed to comply with the
terms or conditions contained in the permit or upon which the
permit was granted.
9. The work, structure, use or activity violates the terms of the
tidelands trust grants to the City.
B. Notice and Hearing. Any such permit shall be revoked only after
a public hearing before the Harbor Commission at which the
permittee has an opportunity to be heard. At least fifteen (15) days'
notice of such hearing shall be given in writing by first class mail with
postage prepaid addressed to the address of the permittee shown on
such permit, setting out the date, time and place of hearing.
The Harbor Commission may preside over the hearing or, in the
alternative, appoint a Hearing Officer to conduct the hearing, receive
relevant evidence and to submit to the Harbor Commission findings
and recommendations to be considered by the Harbor Commission.
The Harbor Commission shall render its decision within forty -five (45)
days from the date of_the hearing or, in the event that a Hearing
Officer has been appointed, within forty -five (45) days from the date
on which the Harbor Commission receives the findings and
recommendations of the Hearing Officer. The decision of the Harbor
Commission shall be final.