HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4 - Review the Proposed Harbor Commission Objectives for FY13-14CITY OF
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NEWPORT BEACH
Cq��P Harbor Commission Staff Report Agenda Item No.4
August 14, 2013
FROM: Public Works Department
Chris Miller, Harbor Resources Manager
949 - 644 -3043, cmiller @newportbeachca.gov
TITLE: Review the Proposed Harbor Commission Objectives for Fiscal Year
2013 -14
ABSTRACT:
The Harbor Commission will review and provide input to the proposed Commission Objectives
for 2013 -14. The Subcommittee will then refine the Objectives and return in September with a
final recommendation.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Provide input to the proposed Harbor Commission Objectives for fiscal year 2013 -14.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the Harbor Commission 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 Harbor Commission considers the item).
Submitted by:
Chris Miller
Newport Harbor Commission Objectives
FY 2013 —14
[Proposed Draft]
These objectives are intended to support the mission of the Harbor Area
Management Plan and to carry out the role and key responsibilities of the
Harbor Commission: (1) to ensure the long term welfare of Newport Harbor
for all residential, recreational, and commercial users; (2) to promote
Newport Harbor as a preferred and welcoming destination for all to enjoy.
These proposed objectives are subject to the review and approval of the
Commission, and final approval of the Newport Beach City Council.
Principal responsibility for the achievement of each objective is assigned to
a subcommittee of the Harbor Commission, as noted below. Progress
towards these objectives will be reported, when appropriate, by the chair of
each subcommittee during regular meetings of the Harbor Commission.
The chair of each subcommittee is shown in italics.
Ensuring the Long Term Welfare of Newport Harbor
1) Achieve final interagency approval of the Newport Shallow Waters Eelgrass
Mitigation Plan, supporting a new Regional General Permit (RGP 54). The purpose of
the Plan is to enable a more efficient and cost - effective RGP 54 permitting process for
dock maintenance dredging through an ecosystem -based approach to sustaining and
promoting the population of shallow water eelgrass in all areas of Lower Newport Bay
where such eelgrass is found. [West, McIntosh, Avery]
2) Complete the development of recommendations for the best pubic use of Lower
Castaways, the last remaining undeveloped city -owned waterfront property.
Collaborate with the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission in developing specific
recommendations for presentation to the City Council. [Girling, Avery, Rhyne]
-z-
3) Secure California Department of Recreation approval for a proposed amendment to
the Harbor Code which would grant an exception to the harbor speed limit for
sanctioned sail racing and human powered racing events. With such authorization,
recommend the proposed amendment to the City Council for enactment. [Blank, West]
4) Investigate the existing designations of Bulkhead and Pierhead lines throughout the
harbor in conjunction with current vessel overhang regulations and compliance.
Determine if specific changes to those harbor boundaries and overhang regulations or
their enforcement should be recommended to the City Council. Develop specific
recommendations to the Council if any changes are deemed appropriate. [Rhyne,
McIntosh, Stapleton]
5) Strengthen the Harbor Commission's pubic outreach to better communicate the
Commission's role, purpose, and objectives as a citizens advisory voice for the harbor
community. [Girling, Avery, Blank]
[Not Proposed but Included for Further Consideration]
Address harbor community concerns about the presence of derelict vessels in the
harbor, first by assessing the actual population of such vessels and, if warranted,
making specific recommendations to the Harbor Resources Division and /or the City
Council on practical strategies for rehabilitating or removing such vessels.
Continue study of alternative offshore mooring design solutions.
Promoting Newport Harbor as a Preferred and Welcoming Destination
6) Collaborate with Visit Newport Beach, Inc. to plan and execute a Harbor Summit
event involving key stakeholders in the harbor community. The Summit will engage the
stakeholders in the development of coordinated strategies for increasing the number of
visiting vessels, enhancing the harbor experience for visitors and residents, and better
supporting the businesses that serve all harbor users. [Blank, Girling, West]
-3-
7) Carry forward the results of last year's evaluation of existing public piers and
potential new locations for public piers. Present specific recommendations to the City
Council on public pier improvements and additions to facilitate better access to harbor
area business and amenities serving both visiting and local boaters. [Girling, Blank]
8) Complete the evaluation of public anchorage alternatives, specifically addressing the
concept of establishing an anchorage in the Turning Basin such as the one used on a
temporary basis during the 2012 Lower Bay dredging project. [Avery, McIntosh, West]
9) Update and publish a 3rd edition of The Complete Cruising Guide to Newport Harbor,
first published by the Harbor Commission in 2010. [West, Rhyne, Stapleton]